Susan's Review of Home for the Holidays by Sara Richardson

The Buchanan sisters all share special childhood memories of their Aunt Sassy's beloved Juniper Inn. There, they frolicked in the snow, baked sugar cookies, and celebrated the town's annual Christmas extravaganza. They haven't been back to Colorado in nearly fifteen years, but when their aunt invites them for one last Christmas, they can't say no . . .

Home for the Holidays is my first Christmas -themed read of the season. Words can’t express how much I enjoyed this heartwarming, magical story set in Juniper Springs!

Sara Richardson’s descriptive writing style drew me into the story immediately. Sisters Dahlia, Magnolia and Rose Buchanan receive a package and an invitation from their Aunt Sassy to spend one last Christmas together. I enjoyed reading how each sister treasured the Christmas holidays in Juniper Springs and that the invitation arrived when the sisters needed each other’s strength and support.

Each one of the Buchanan sisters needs a bit of Christmas magic. Dahlia is newly divorced mother of two young children. She needs to regain her self-confidence and embrace her future. Magnolia is newly separated and desperately needs a Christmas miracle. Rose is struggling. She is overwhelmed with wedding planning, social obligations and everyone’s expectations of her.

I enjoyed that the author chose the alternating point of view narrative in this novel. I was able to appreciate each sister’s unique situation, their emotions and perspective. Sara Richardson has created three distinctive stories for the Buchanan sisters. The conversations between Dahlia, Magnolia and Rose are honest, heartfelt and humorous. The bond between sisters is one of the key pieces in the storyline- Sisters may not live near each other but they are always there for each other- and the author does a fabulous job weaving this element throughout the book.

The author adds the right amount of magic and romance to create a wonderful holiday read. I enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read Sara Richardson’s next book!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman 

ARC provided by the publisher

Susan's Review of The Highlanders Excellent Adventure by Shana Galen

Just because they've run away...

Ines Neves and Emmeline Wellesley have both run away. Ines hid in a carriage from a tedious suitor, only to find, too late, the carriage had traveled out of London, not just around the block. To make matters worse, the carriage is that of a stranger: a handsome Highlander. Or perhaps a big, strapping Highlander makes matters better? Emmeline Wellesley has had four Seasons and cannot tolerate another. To force her mother to listen to her, she's run away. But things haven't gone well. She's been locked in a closet, had all her money stolen, and somehow adopted a dog. When an old family friend shows up to save her, she doesn't exactly welcome his help.

Doesn't mean they don't want to be found...

Duncan Murray doesn't know what to make of the Portuguese-speaking woman in his carriage. She refuses to return to London, so he takes her to meet Nash Pope, a so-called friend who speaks Portuguese. On the way, he meets up with former soldier Stratford Fortescue and Stratford's opinionated distant cousin, Miss Wellesley. The four travel together to Nash's estate, and that's when everything goes really wrong. On the run to Scotland, Duncan finds himself increasingly attracted to Ines, even though he knows he can never marry her. Stratford has always wanted Emmeline, but his family secret means he doesn't deserve her. This excellent adventure might bring the couples together, but only if they manage to elude gun shots, a murderous brother-in-law, a vicious dog, and outlaws!

Passion! Excitement! Danger!

These three words describe the feel of Shana Galen’s The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure.

I loved Ines, Duncan, Emmeline and Stratford and enjoyed that the novel was told from each character’s point of view. This was an excellent storyline choice because it enabled to reader to understand each character’s perspective and emotions.

Ines Neves desires passion, excitement and danger—and she knows she will not find it with the men her sister and brother- in -law have selected for her. Ines wants to choose her husband and make her own decisions. She has a secret crush on Duncan Murray who exudes passion, excitement and danger! Ines hides in a carriage to avoid a suitor and imagine her surprise when she wakes up in Duncan’s coach!

Emmeline is tired of London and dreads another season. She decides to run away to a relative’s house and Stratford is determined to find her. Their adventure begins Stratford finds her locked in a closet! Loved that Emmeline and Stratford harbored feelings for each other for years. Both were insecure—in different ways-and I loved their journey it really tugged at my heartstrings.

Shana Galen’s fast paced writing style and captivating characters drew me into the story immediately. This adventure is filled with humor, romance and the chemistry between each of the couples sizzles. Loved there were so many twists and turns – I was immersed in the story and had the sense that danger was lurking around each corner.

I recommend The Highlander’s Excellent Adventure – it’s an enjoyable novel filled with romance, danger and emotion. 

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by author

Book purchased through Amazon

Shana Galen is the bestselling author of fast-paced adventurous Regency historicals, including the RT Reviewers' Choice The Making of a Gentleman. Booklist says, "Galen expertly entwines espionage-flavored intrigue with sizzling passion," and RT Bookreviews calls her "a grand mistress of the action/adventure subgenre." She taught English at the middle and high school level off and on for eleven years. Most of those years were spent working in Houston's inner city. Now she writes full time. She's happily married and has a daughter who is most definitely a romance heroine in the making!

Susan's Review of Cindy Kirk's Worth the Wait

She’s not his for keeps…unless his love is forever

After spending the last three years making a comfortable home for handsome widower, Dan Major, Amy Logan finds herself at a crossroads.

With a thirtieth birthday on the horizon, the nanny faces tough choices about her future. Simply being Dan’s employee is no longer enough.

The realization that he might lose Amy has Dan romancing her, then proposing marriage. Amy is stunned and thrilled by the proposal until she realizes he didn’t mention love. Dan is an honorable man and won’t promise more than he can give.

Not until Amy moves out does Dan realize she’s taken his heart with her. Now he has to find a way to show her his love is real…before it’s too late. br/>