Susan's Review of Season of Joy by Annie Rains-Sweetwater Springs #8

Tis the season for love

For single father Granger Fields, Christmas is his busiest and most profitable time of the year. But when a fire devastates the Merry Mountain Tree Farm, he fears the season won't be holly or jolly unless he can convince free spirit Joy Benson to care for his two rambunctious daughters. Yet while Granger wants to focus on saving his business, Joy seems determined to shake up his family's Christmas with her festive ideas and merry making.

Joy is counting down the days until she can open her own art gallery. Babysitting Abby and Willow will help her reach her goal, and when inspiration strikes, Joy convinces Granger that her craft classes can bring even more holiday cheer to the farm. As crowds return and Joy's creative side flourishes, life with Granger and his girls begins to feel like home. But with Christmas coming nearer, can Joy convince Granger to open his heart again? Or will their newfound happiness be as fleeting as the newly fallen snow?

Tis the season for love

Heartwarming, romantic and charming best describe the feel of Annie Rains’ new novel Season of Joy.

Annie Rains writes a poignant story for single dad Granger Fields and artist Joy Benson. Both Granger and Joy have been deeply disappointed in love and are at a crossroads professionally.

A fire has devastated Merry Mountain farm, the Field’s family business. Granger needs to think out of the box to save his family business during the holiday season. Joy longs to open an art studio in Sweetwater Springs. She’s found the perfect space but needs to come up with a down payment quickly. Granger convinces Joy to watch his daughters— and Joy encourages Granger to add a bit of Christmas magic back to Merry Mountain Farm.

Annie Rains creates memorable characters. I admired Joy’s kindness towards others, her love for children and her passion for her art. Granger‘s family situation tugged at my heartstrings. He was a single dad who struggled with providing the best for his daughters while balancing running his family business.

Granger and Joy’s slow burn love story unfolds perfectly during the holiday season. Their love story is engaging and drew me into the story. The author does a fabulous job adding in the right amount of emotion, angst and conflict to the storyline. The characters are memorable and each one adds an important piece to the plot. I loved Aunt Darby, Granger’s daughters Willow and Abby and loved touching base with my favorite Sweetwater Springs characters; Jack, Luke and Emma!

I highly recommend Season of Joy! It is fabulous romance filled with small town charm and set during the season of love, hope and miracles.

Reviewed by Susan

ARC provided by the publisher

Susan's review of The Highlander's Christmas Lassie by Anna Campbell

Have Yourself a Merry Little... Scandal! 

From the snowbound Scottish Highlands to the glittering   ballrooms of London, our fearless heroines enter the  Christmas season in pursuit of their heart's desire. But, the course of true love never did run smooth... especially when SCANDAL is afoot. 

Settle in to enjoy these tales of romantic adventure, sizzling passion, and heartwarming holiday romance. This collection of never-before-published Yuletide historical romances from your favorite authors is available for just three months, so don’t miss out. 

Unwrap the pleasure... 

Review of The Highlander's Christmas Lassie - by Anna Campbell

Anna Campbell’s The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie is a heartfelt, romantic tale which will warm your heart!

Malcom Innes is the heart and soul of this story. Sweethearts Malcom and Rhona Macleod were separated by Malcom’s powerful father when Rhona learned she was carrying Malcom’s child. Malcom has devoted the past 18 years searching them. He scoured the Scottish Highlands, combed the streets of London and spent a year in America looking for his family.

Anna Campbell has created a hero that drew me into this story immediately. I was captivated by the characters and their heartbreaking story. Malcom devoted his life to searching for his family as he believed in his heart that Rhona and is child were alive. He never married as Rhona held his heart. Malcom is the man every romance reader dreams about. Can you imagine a love so strong, so enduring?

Ms. Campbell’s descriptive voice lends itself perfectly to this deeply romantic, passionate story. She weaves the themes of passion, forgiveness, love and hope seamlessly throughout the novel.The characters conversations are poignant and honest. I loved that a tip from a friend has Malcom traveling during a snowstorm Christmas Eve. His determination and faith are a huge part of this superbly written Christmas romance.

I highly recommend The Highlander’s Christmas Lassie! It has all the feels-a devoted hero, heartfelt storyline and a love so strong that will make you believe in Christmas miracles.

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the author.

Susan's Review of True to You in Good Hope by Cindy Kirk

In Good Hope, Piper sees herself as a woman totally in control. That control frays when her sister becomes engaged to her ex. Not only is she asked to be the maid of honor, her sister wants Piper to make her wedding dress!

Piper thought she was doing the right thing, keeping the real reason for that long-ago split a secret from her family. She now sees her mistake.

After ditching a promising career in NYC, Anders Cross has spent the past three years crisscrossing the country, trying to find the soul he’d lost in his pursuit of success. When he arrives in Good Hope to visit his brother, it’s supposed to be just another pit stop.

That was before Piper. As the two grow close, old lives become roadblocks to growing love. In order to embrace a future together, Piper and Anders must each confront the past. The stakes couldn’t be higher. Not with lasting happiness on the line.

Cindy Kirk pairs bridal shop owner Piper Ambrose and former advertising executive Anders Cross in True To You in Good Hope. I loved that Piper and Anders connected at Beck and Ami Cross’s wedding. The spark of attraction between the couple made this second chance romance hard to put down.

Piper and Anders are both at a cross roads. Piper has a lot on her plate; personally and professionally. Her once successful bridal salon is struggling since it moved its location and her mother and sister are pressuring her to create a bespoke bridal gown. Anders abruptly left a successful position at an advertising agency and has been working out west for years as an outdoor guide. He’s agreed to stay in Good Hope for the holidays as he visits with family and figures out a career path.

Cindy Kirk creates memorable, relatable characters and is a fabulous storyteller. Piper and Anders have a lot in common- both are strong, pragmatic individuals. Loved the honesty in their conversations and that Anders understood Piper’s reluctance to trust people. Cindy Kirk has created a deep friendship between Bea, Charlotte and Piper in the past three Good Hope books. I was glad to see these three women support each other in Piper’s story and that my favorite matchmaker, Gladys, made several well timed appearances in the novel! Enjoyed that the author wove both Piper’s and Ander’s’ family members into the storyline as it provided a lot of insight to the plot.

Piper and Anders story is a fantastic addition to the Good Hope series—it’s a powerful story of forgiveness, hope, love and community set in Door County, Wisconsin. I look forward to reading about the next couple who is gifted with Gladys’ relationship cards!

I highly recommend True to You in Good Hope! It is a feel good book –which is exactly the type of book needed in these uncertain times. Pick up a copy, pour a glass of wine and settle in for a fabulous story!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman

ARC provided by the Author