Where's There's Smoke: smoke jumpers find a second chance at love

Where’s There’s Smoke is the first book in the Montana Fire: Summer of Fire trilogy by Susan May Warren. Kate Burns is a smokejumper who is afraid of fire, a secret she won’t admit to anyone. She is known for her courage and willingness to do whatever it takes to get the job done. Jed Ransom is the supervisor who commands the Jude County Smoke Jumpers. With a reputation is a clam, level-headed leader; however, Kate is the only one who has gotten under his skin. He remembers the love they shared and the way they fell apart. As a wildfire rages in the mountains of Montana brings Kate and Jed together to train new jumpers. Evidence leads to the conclusion that an arsonist is targeting their team, both Kate and Jed must face their deepest fears and rely on each other. 

Where’s There’s Smoke is described as a Christian romance suspense story and I looked forward to reading it. However, I was shocked that this story is marketed as Christian. While the characters are not Christians at the beginning of the story, however, God isn’t really mentioned until the last third of the story. The Christian themes seemed to come out of nowhere. The romance was okay. The intimate scenes were cringey and embarrassing. I didn’t care for the characters, especially Kate. I found her to be very immature for the job she does. The story does end on a cliffhanger which normally I wouldn’t mind when I enjoyed the story and eager to continue the series. However, I did not enjoy this story. So I will not continue the series. I do not recommend Where’s There’s Smoke. 

Where’s There’s Smoke is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Daffodils: a young woman seeks adventures outside her rural village

Daffodils is the first book in the Katherine Wheels series by Alex Martin. With the Great War ranging far from the English countryside, Katherine “Katy” Beagle is a maidservant at Cheadle Manor. She longs to escape her life in her rural village and see the world. To have adventures she has only read about in books. Through a series of events, she decides to do her part in the war effort and becomes a mechanic in the Woman’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) as part of the British Expeditionary Force. Katy strives to break free from the class hierarchy she has always known. As she witnesses the horrors of World War I, she learns that love can bring freedom. Will it be worth the price she paid? 

I have attempted to read Daffodils twice now and this second time I was able to finish it; however, it wasn’t anything special. Despite the historical backdrop, Katy’s story was nothing special. It was simple writing with very little going on. There were so many unnecessary details which bogged down the story’s flow. I feel the characters weren’t developed enough with no real growth. Katy at the beginning is similar to Katy at the end. Really? She doesn't change at all despite her experiences in the war. Speaking of the war, there are historical mistakes that even the basic research would have made known. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Daffodils. 

Daffodils is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook 

Always My Girl: a second chance romance novella

Always My Girl is a novella in the Western Wildcats series by Jennifer Sucevic. When Viola was offered a scholarship to Western University, she knew she had to accept. The downside, her ex, Madden, plays hockey for the Wildcats. The chances she could run into him are likely. After he broke her heart three years ago, she has made it a mission to avoid him at all costs. She was successful until she saw Madden at a party. Madden never forgot Viola and with each day, he regretted his decision to end their relationship. When he sees her at a party, he sees it as his chance to make things right. Can he convince her that she was always his girl? 

Always My Girl is a quick read and I mean quick. Just as I was introduced to the characters and settled into their new relationship, the story was over. I was able to read it in an afternoon. However quick, I enjoyed this second chance romance; however, I do wish it was just a little bit longer. I enjoyed the characters. There were moments of humor and romance. I am hoping that Viola and Madden make appearances in the Western Wildcats series and I am looking forward to the series. If you enjoyed the Western Wildcats series or enjoy quick reads, I recommend Always My Girl. 

Always My Girl is available in eBook

To Marry the Duke: an American heiress, a English duke and a romance that changes everything

To Marry the Duke is the first book in the American Heiress trilogy by Julianne MacLean. American heiress Sophia Wilson leaves her home in New York for the London Season. Her goal: to marry an aristocratic husband. While her father is willing to pay generously, Sophia hopes to marry for love. For the dark, handsome Duke of Wentworth, James Langdon, love is the last thing he is concerned about. With the family’s dark past, he pushes aside all thoughts of marriage and heirs. However, his castle falling into disrepair, he needs cash fast. A marriage with the beautiful Sophia seems to be the perfect solution. What he doesn’t account for is how enchanted he becomes with his new wife. When a figure from the past threatens to undo it all, James and Sophia must decide between the marriage they thought they wanted and the passion that burns within them. 

Described as “perfect for fans of Bridgerton and Downton Abbey,” this story is set in the Gilded Age and the political and business dealings of marriage. To Marry the Duke is a different genre than I have read from Ms MacLean before; however, as a fan of Downton Abbey, I was eager to read it. The story was interesting and attention getting. I loved Sophia as a young woman who knew what she wanted even if it meant shaking up the Langdon family. I also enjoyed James as a man bound by duty as well as a desire to stop the family circle. There are individuals to hate, to pity and to cheer for. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy. If you enjoy historical fiction with romance and drama, I highly recommend To Marry the Duke. 

To Marry the Duke is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Lie a Little: a woman finds an abandoned child, opens a new business and builds a new life in a new town

Lie A Little is the first book in The Faredene Saga by Debra Delaney. Victoria Kavanagh lived a lonely life after a tumultuous childhood and witnessing her father’s violent behavior, she vows to never marry. But she still desires for a child so when she finds an abandoned baby at a church, she doesn’t hesitate. Desperate to keep him, she decides to leave her home, opening a new business and build a new life in Faredene which is hopefully far enough away that her past will never come back. Now in a world where men are vying for her attention, Victoria must decide who she can trust. As the day to day challenges of motherhood and running her business test Victoria, she knows there is no going back. However, when a chain of events occurs which brings danger to her and her son, Victoria faces a difficult choice. 

After reading the synopsis, I thought I would enjoy this story. However, from the opening chapter to the closing pages, Lie A Little was not the heartwarming story I thought I would be reading. It also doesn’t help that I didn’t care for Victoria. I understand Victoria is a woman who doesn’t trust easily. However, she meets a man for the first time on the train to her new home and she automatically thinks he is a good guy?!? Her views on marriage are also understandable. I also commend her for her desire to save a baby who was abandoned. However, I thought she was naive and while she had good intentions, I felt she made some bad decisions. Overall, I was bored. I wasn’t excited to see Victoria succeed and build a new life. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Lie a Little. 

Lie a Little is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Smitten with the Best Man: a divorced single mom and a man from her past are reunited in Chicago

Smitten with the Best Man is the first book in the Chicago Law series by Piper Rayne. Victoria has moved back home to Chicago to help her ailing mother. With her seven year old daughter in tow, she has no time for dating as she has sworn off all men. That all changes when she runs into Reed Warner, who was her ex-husband’s friend and best man at their wedding. Still as charming and handsome as ever, Reed is now an assistant district attorney. No matter how hard Victoria tries, Reed finds a way to be a part of her life, unwilling to take no for an answer. Despite her best efforts, she feels her willpower failing as Reed seems to be not who she thought he was and the idea of a little fun has her willpower waning. Will she take a chance with Reed?

Smitten with the Best Man was originally published as Manic Monday, the first book in the Charity Case series. I was excited for this book as I have enjoyed Piper Rayne books in the past. However, I was bored. I didn’t care for Victoria at all. While I understand that she is jaded from her divorce and her cheating ex-husband, I didn’t care for the anti-man sentiments among Victoria and her co-workers. Again, I get that they are divorced and hurting but it was way too much. I liked Reed. He was sweet and very patient. I loved his interactions with Victoria’s daughter and other kids. Overall, I did not enjoy Smitten with the Best Man. I feel that Victoria was just not smitten with Reed. I will not be continuing the series. I do not recommend Smitten with the Best Man. 

Smitten with the Best Man is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy: a fast paced, clean romance

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is the first book in the Silverstone Ranch series by April Murdock. Marguerite is done with love. She devotes herself to caring for her five year old son as well as running Silverstone Ranch with her family. Her father invites Cade Cooper, a drop dead gorgeous movie star for an “all-inclusive” learning experience as Cade prepares for his upcoming movie role. Marguerite doesn’t have time to babysit Cade as she is preparing for the upcoming rodeo the ranch is hosting. Cade plans to get the full experience of life on the ranch. However, it is the standoffish Marguerite that catches his attention. He is determined to show her that he is not the typical celebrity. Marguerite doesn’t trust easily but will she let her guard down enough to allow Cade the opportunity to show his sincerity? 

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is a fast paced, clean romance with humor, drama and a happily ever after. Marguerite is a woman who is used to taking care of everyone else which leaves little time for herself. Cade is a man with a painful past and, despite his celebrity, doesn’t want all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood can offer. My heart broke for Marguerite as she carried a burden that she felt she needed to in order to keep the family running. And her little boy was adorable. I enjoyed Cade’s tenacity to try to get Marguerite to relax a bit and realize that it is okay to take time for oneself. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. I highly recommend The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy. 

The Movie Star Becomes a Cowboy is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook