Shadows of You: a small town refugee becomes threatened, the town gump steps in for protection

Shadows of You is the fourth book in the Lost and Found series by Catherine Cowles. Aspen Barlow wanted a fresh start and the small town of Cedar Ridge was the perfect place to hide and stay safe. She just wanted to raise her daughter, Cady, and live their quiet life in the mountain town. The last she wanted or expected was Roan Hartley. Roan is the quiet, surly mountain man who arrives to help her save an injured deer during a sudden snowstorm. He seems to have a permanent scowl on his face and rarely smiles. Until Cady’s childlike wonder easily brings a smile and suddenly the gentle way he speaks to her softens Aspen’s heart. When her past seems to have found them in Cedar Ridge, Roan is determined to keep them safe and there is someone out there who doesn’t want her to be happy. He doesn’t even want her to be alive. 

When I started the first book of this series, I knew Roan’s story would be my favorite. Behind the scowl and gruff exterior, Roan hides a caring heart and a man deeply wounded by a secret he has kept for years. And little Cady was the perfect sunshine to break through his grumpy exterior. Aspen is a woman who has survived horrors and still found the strength to give Cady that life of laughter and joy. I loved to see Roan and Aspen come together in love and heal from the past and give each other the encouragement to share the burden with those who love and support him. And the villain in this story completely surprised me until the reveal when I gasped, “No, it can’t be?!?!?” I loved this story and I can’t wait to start the fifth and final book in this series. I highly, highly recommend Shadows of You and the Lost and Found series. 

Shadows of You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Color of a Dream: can a dream tell one woman the path she needs to follow?

The Color of a Dream is the fourth book in The Color of Heaven series by Julianne Maclean. In a continuation story from The Color of Hope, Nadia Carmichael is learning to live after a heart transplant and raising her infant daughter. She is grateful for her new life and finds joy in the little things. She has a recurring dream of flying while it doesn’t frighten her, Nadia feels the dream is trying to tell her something. She wakes up with questions. Could it be related to the identity of her donor? She decides to figure out its meaning. In the meantime, the father of her daughter blindsides her by suing her for full custody. In preparation for her case, Nadia meets Jesse, his estranged brother, who is a rescue helicopter pilot, and the nature of her dreams becomes clearer and leads her down another path.  

The Color of a Dream was a fast paced read with plenty of drama, sweet moments and an exploration of dreams and finding a new path in life. I enjoyed this story more than I did The Color of Hope, which I did enjoy, however, I loved the growth of Nadia and her desire to fight back. I also enjoyed the introduction of Jesse and he was a great character in Nadia’s journey. There were moments when I wanted to scream at certain characters and wanted to shake some sense in them.  I also loved the possible connection to the next book in the final chapter. Overall, I enjoyed this story as I could not put it down. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you haven’t started this series, I highly recommend it. I highly recommend The Color of a Dream. 

The Color of a Dream is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Problem Child: a childhood rivals to lovers historical romance

The Problem Child is the fourth book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. Cymbeline Barnes has always felt the problem child. A restless soul who dreams of life beyond her hometown and yet can’t seem to get her feet moving. As a child, she declared Viktor Olofsson her arch enemy and did everything she could to best him at anything. However, when he saves her beloved littler sister, she starts to see him a little differently. More of a hero and not so much an adversary. Viktor Olofsson has cared for Cymbeline from the moment they met. No matter what he does to break through the ice around her heart. When another woman arrives in Emerson Pass, Viktor starts to spend time with her, Cymbeline finds herself unsettled by the idea that Viktor would no longer be there. She starts to wonder if maybe her dream come true could be right in front of her instead of in the far off distance. 

The Emerson Pass Historical series is a historical romance with childhood rivals to lovers, a fiercely independent woman and a quiet devoted hero and drama that will keep you on your toes. I have loved the Barnes family since book one and I have looked forward to each book as a Barnes child gets  their love story. Cymbeline is a woman ahead of her time. Caught between the social expectations and the desires of her heart. Viktor is a man who knows who he wants but is willing to let her fly away if it meant that she would be happy. As events bring them closer and closer, I could see Cymbeline’s fighting to keep Viktor as her rival; however, she clearly sees that is no longer the case. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the Emerson Pass Historical series. If you enjoy clean historical romances, you will enjoy the Emerson Pass Historicals and The Problem Child.   

The Problem Child is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Fake Date: an arrangement to fulfill a promise and keep matchmakers at bay

The Fake Date is the fourth book in the Brides of Beaufort by Jess Mastorakos. Beau Devereux is a Marine with a side hustle. Mr Fake Date, a business in which women can hire him to be a date for weddings. He has strict rules. No feelings. Kissing is extra. Everything was going great until his father forced him to make a promise to find something real. Lyndi Robinson is the beautiful yet bookish woman who caught his eye a year ago. When she needs a fake date for an upcoming family wedding, he offers his services. They can pretend to be dating to satisfy his father’s promise and keep her family’s matchmakers away. As they begin their charade, Beau realizes she could be the one. But he is determined to be her fake date and walk away. He has to. He doesn’t want to fall in love and lose her like he lost everyone else. 

To say I am loving this series would be an understatement. And Jess Mastorakos is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. Great characters with flaws, of course, handsome military men are always a plus. The Fake Date dives deeper into the fear of loss, social anxiety and escaping reality. I loved that the mutual attraction between Beau and Lyndi was shown in the first book and carried on through the second and third book even though neither Beau and Lyndi were willing to act on their feelings. The growth of Beau and Lyndi in this story was great. I loved Beau who was closed off for a purpose, although he really didn’t want to be but felt he had to to protect his heart. I loved the bookish Lyndi, but there were times I wanted to shake some sense into her. Overall, I loved this story. I’m ready to jump right into book five. I highly, highly recommend The Fake Date. 

The Fake Date is available in paperback and eBook

Obsidian Throne: the final chapter in the Lochlann Feud series

Obsidian Throne is the fourth and final book in the Lochlann Feud series by Robin D Mahle and Elle Madison. Picking up eight weeks after the end of Crimson Kingdom as Evander and Rowan prepare for their wedding in Bear and dealing with Iiro’s sudden succession to the Obsidian Throne. The war their marriage was supposed to stop seemed to bring the threat of another one. As Rowan learns the customs and rituals of her new home, an enemy waits in the shadows, biding their time to make a move. With secret alliances and spies around every corner, Rowan and Evander must figure out who they can trust, can they trust each other? 

This series has been an exciting story of romance and intrigue. I enjoyed the Obsidian Throne immensely! From the opening chapter to the final epilogue, it was a story that kept me on the edge of my seat. Told between Rowan’s and Evander’s points of view, readers get a fast paced adventure of romance, political intrigue and battlefield strategy with lots of jaw dropping moments. I enjoyed the growth Evander had from his first introduction in the Scarlet Princess. I also enjoyed Rowan as she takes charge in order to help the war effort. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the Obsidian Throne. I highly recommend Obsidian Throne and the rest of the Lochlann Feud series. 

Obsidian Throne is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Redeeming 6: the continuing story of Joey and Aoife with drama, heart break and a chance for a happily ever after

Redeeming 6 is the fourth book of the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh and the story continues with Joey Lynch and Aoife Molloy. Joey’s life is on a downward spiral and Aoife is there to help him out. Desperate to prove himself worthy of Aoife’s love and trust, he fights hard to end his addiction. As the odds continue to rise against him, and despite others telling her to move on, Aoife is determined to fight for the boy who has her heart, her best friend. However, as she gets devastating news herself, news that changes everything, she finds herself drowning with nowhere to turn. As their circumstances change, Joey’s demons grow and obstacles in their path seem unmovable, can Aoife and Joey must find a way to mend their hearts and save their love? Or will their path prove to be too dark to find a way out? 

This book was a roller coaster of emotions, drama and heart stopping moments. This book is long, so long that it may seem daunting to some readers; however, it was so fast paced that I really didn’t notice. I needed to know how Aoife deals with her news. At times, I didn’t like Aoife. At times, I felt she was acting too much like a bitch with everyone, especially with Joey, who had no clue what was going on. However, I wanted to see her make the right decisions, to confide in people she trusted and not carry the load on her own. I also needed to know how Joey overcomes his demons. The scenes of Joey in rehab are so heartbreaking. Overall, I loved this book. I loved that it carried on from Saving 6. I highly, highly recommend Redeeming 6. Again, a word of warning, there is a lot of language and intense scenes, it is not the book for everyone. 

Redeeming 6 is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Twisted Lies: a fake dating romance with a morally grey character

Twisted Lies is the fourth and final book in the Twisted series by Ana Huang. Christian Harper is charming, deadly and smart enough to hide it. He is a ruthless monster parading as a gentleman in a three piece suit. Morals just get in the way and love is a useless emotion, however, he can’t deny the attraction toward a woman he barely knows. He can’t afford a weakness and yet, he has one. Stella Alonso is sweet, shy and introverted despite her very public fashion blog and media presence. Busy with her career and other responsibilities, she has very little time for a relationship, despite being a romantic at heart. When a threat from her past returns, Stella finds herself turning to Christian for help. He suggests a fake dating agreement which would be mutually beneficial. However, when their relationship becomes very real that their original agreement, based on a lie and twisted with secrets, that could shatter everything.

 Twisted Lies is a steamy, medium to slow burn fake dating romance. Christian is a morally gray character who closes himself off to any emotions and the only person that seems to be able to invoke any emotions for him is Stella. Twisted Lies is my second favorite book in this series. I enjoyed Stella’s growth the most as she learns to stand up for herself and her dreams. She struggled with anxiety due to her overachieving family and I loved how Christian shows her that success doesn’t follow a certain formula. While Christian was a hard character to like, however, as he opens up to Stella, he is revealed to be deeply wounded. I also enjoyed his banter with the men of the Twisted series, especially Alex and Rhys. Overall, I loved the slow burn and the build up to Christian and Stella breaking the rules of their arrangement. If you have enjoyed the Twisted series, I recommend Twisted Lies. 

Twisted Lies is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Meaning in Mistletoe: secrets, romance and a little Christmas magic

The Meaning in Mistletoe by Rachael Bloome is the fourth book in the Poppy Creek series. Kat Bennet has only one Christmas wish: to save Hope Hideaway. Hope Hideaway is a women’s shelter where she works but more than that, it is truly the only home she has ever known. With falling donations, the thought of closing the doors for good breaks her heart. Then a sudden idea brings her to the charming small town of Poppy Creek. Jack Gardener’s attention is immediately drawn to the new stranger in town. He is more than happy to show Kat the charm of his beloved town. However, he knows she doesn’t plan to stay. Both Jack and Kat keep their hearts under lock and key and their pasts hidden. However, Christmas in Poppy Creek is more than just charming, there is magic in the air. Can they let this Christmas be one they will never forget and find love for a lifetime? 

I am in love with the Poppy Creek series and The Meaning in Mistletoe is a wonderful addition. I could not put this story down as Kat and Jack deal with past hurts, uncertain futures and a love they cannot deny. All characters from the previous books make the occasional appearances without bogging down the story. One of my favorite moments is between Kat and Fern, her mentor/mother figure. Kat questions what if God doesn’t open doors and Fern responds with God always opens doors, it’s not always the ones we expect! I also love how the epilogue of the book leads into the story of the next book. I can’t wait to continue this series. If you love small town charms, clean and wholesome romance with faith and a bit of magic, I highly recommend The Meaning in Mistletoe and the previous books in this series. I highly recommend starting with the first book, The Clause in Christmas. 

The Meaning in Mistletoe is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Caroling into Murder: snow, Christmas and murder!

Caroling into Murder by Jamie Rutland Gillespie is the fourth book in the Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series. The Christmas season has arrived in the quaint mountain town. Decorated with snow and all the festive trimmings, Landry Burke is excited to join in all the small town activities. One night, while caroling, Landry and her friends discover Paul Harcourt, badly injured. As he is rushed to the hospital, they are left wondering what happened and who would be responsible? When news breaks that Mr Harcourt did not survive, the town faces another murder investigation as they try to come on with the festive season. There isn’t a shortage of suspects as the past of the quiet, loner Paul Harcourt comes to light and new, unfamiliar faces appear in town. Will the identity of the killer be discovered before another victim is taken? 

The Bobwhite Mountain Cozy Mystery series is filled with mysteries of twists and turns, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the end. It is also filled with a small town of quirky characters that seem to get into humorous and unfortunate situations that will leave readers smiling and laughing out loud. I enjoyed Landry’s confrontation with a tenant who seemed to believe the rules don't apply to her. I cheered as Landry held her ground and refused to be intimidated. I even enjoyed the surprise arrival at Landry’s door as the story closed. I guess I need to read book 5 to discover his or her motives. Overall, I enjoyed this story and seeing Landry and her friends as they enjoyed the holiday season. I recommend Caroling into Murder and the previous three books of the series. 

Caroling into Murder is available in paperback and eBook

Borrowed Time: even picture perfect can hide darker secrets

Borrowed Time is the fourth book in the Hart’s Ridge series by Kay Bratt. This story asks the question “do you ever really know the person you’re in love with?” It’s about to be answered for Deputy Taylor Gray as she investigates the disappearance of her close friend, Sissy. The more she investigates Sissy’s life, the more she discovers that appearances can be deceiving and the most picture-perfect relationships can be hiding deeper and darker secrets. No one knows this more than Taylor’s sister, Anna. She is living the seemingly all-American dream with a successful husband, a nice house and two thriving children. But there is more behind the scenes. Her perfect life is spiraling out of control as she discovers the secrets that have been hiding behind the perfect façade. Will Taylor discover the truth behind Sissy’s disappearance? Will Anna be able to pull her life together again?

The Hart’s Ridge series keeps getting better and better. Borrowed Time touches very deep subjects with suicidal ideation and domestic violence. Readers: bring tissues. By the end of the book, I was in tears. I love Taylor and her sisters as well as their mother, Cate, as great women who have rebuilt their lives. In this story, we see more of the uppity Anna and her story. While the investigation into Sissy’s disappearance was the main story, I was hooked on Anna’s story and cheered for her as she found a way to fight back. I loved seeing Anna and Cate rebuild their relationship. I also loved the interactions between the sisters. Despite their differences in personality and life choices, they have each other’s backs. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend Borrowed Time and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. 

Borrowed Time is available in paperback and eBook

Christmas, Criminals and Campers: Mae West is at it again!

Christmas, Criminals and Campers is the fourth book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery by Tonya Kappes. Librarian Abby Fawn is fangirling when her favorite romance author, Nadine White, is coming to Normal! Nadine is renting a cozy camper at the Happy Trails Campgrounds for the winter months in order to write her next novel. Unfortunately, Abby is heartbroken to learn that Nadine is nothing like her public persona and even uses a ghostwriter. Nadine is a fraud in her eyes. When Nadine is found dead in the local library, Abby Fawn is now suspect number one! Of course, Mae West steps up and uses her sleuthing skills to clear Abby and find the real killer. 

Christmas, Criminals and Campers is a very fun and engaging addition to the series. It is my favorite story so far in the series. It has a great mystery with a nice twist and a fast paced story. I am enjoying Mae’s further development. More and more of her history is being revealed and readers are beginning to understand why she behaves the way she does. She is a fighter. A fighter for herself and those she cares for. I enjoyed the addition of new characters to the Normal community. I enjoyed the further development of Mae and Hank’s relationship. I recommend Christmas, Criminals and Campers as well as the first three books in the series. 

Christmas, Criminals and Campers is available in paperback, eBook, audiobook. 

The Heartwood Wedding: a great romantic read for a lazy weekend

The Heartwood Wedding is the fourth book in the Carter’s Cove series by Elana Johnson. After a bad first date with a local journalist, Brad Keith, a former pro football player, needs an out. He tells her he’s engaged but he really isn’t. He needs to find a fake fiancée quickly. Celeste Heartwood is the event planner for the inn and just happens to walk by. Brad quickly pulls her into his lie. She agrees only because she wants a guaranteed date for the summer. She’s tired of attending events by herself. They strike a deal: a fake engagement for the summer. No strings, no entanglements. But soon their fake relationship becomes very real. Will they be able to walk away as planned? Or will they risk their hearts for love? 

The Heartwood Wedding was a cute, sweet romance. Brad tries to get a pushy woman off his back with a fake relationship, so he makes a deal with Celeste. Let the fake romance begin! However, wouldn’t people know that the local celebrity and a member of the prominent Heartwood family know they weren’t dating to become engaged? Some were skeptical but quickly accepted the news.  Of course, any fake relationship will often turn into a real one. Their relationship becomes sweet and endearing. Celeste is very bossy and uptight but reveals her true self as her relationship with Brad blossoms. I loved Brad’s very public gesture in order to win her heart for real. It was a quick read, great for a lazy afternoon of romance. I recommend The Heartwood Wedding. 

The Heartwood Wedding is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Wish Again: through grief and love we find the strength to wish again

Wish Again by Tammy L. Grace is the fourth book in The Wishing Tree series. Paige Duncan returned to Linden Falls after the sudden death of her husband. She sought comfort and contentment of her hometown and her beloved mother, Margot. It was to be short-lived when her mother suddenly and unexpectedly passed away in her sleep. In the midst of her grief, she struggles to keep her mother’s beloved bookstore afloat. She lost her trust in the town’s Wishing Tree long ago. After a series of one crushing blow after another, she feels she’s floundering. But soon Paige hears her mother’s voice reminding her to simply wish again. As summer turns into autumn, a series of events reminds Paige that she is stronger than she realizes and to take a chance for happiness. Will she take the chance and wish on the Tree one more time? 

Wish Again is a sweet story about grief, moving forward and finding hope and love again. I was shocked when I opened the first page to learn that Margot had passed away! Readers are introduced to Margot and her beloved bookstore in the previous books. Even after a brief introduction, I was sad to see her gone. My heart went out to Paige as she is still under the cloud of grief from her husband’s death, the clouds get darker with her mother’s sudden death. I loved Paige’s character. Even though she didn’t believe in the magic of the Wishing Tree, it didn’t stop her from granting a wish. Slowly but surely, she finds a new joy and sense of purpose. She learns that life goes on and it can get better. If you are enjoying The Wishing Tree series, I highly recommend Wish Again. 

Wish Again is available in paperback and eBook. 

If you haven’t started The Wishing Tree series,

 the first three books are available in paperback and eBook

Book 1 The Wishing Tree

 Book 2 I Wish…

Book 3 Wish You Were Here

Third Time's the Charm: a story of finding home and love again

Third Time’s the Charm by Liz Talley is the fourth book in the Morning Glory series. “When you find someone who has no hope left, give the bracelet to her…” was the final request from Lacy but who would it be? Sunshine “Sunny” Voorhees David would rather be anywhere but back in Morning Glory, Mississippi. But after losing both her husband and a pregnancy, she had no choice but to come back home and fulfill a promise to her sister, Eden. While she waits for her chance to escape again, she’ll fix up the rundown family while trying to convince her mother to move. Oh! And avoid the man who broke her heart many years ago. Henry Delmar has been haunted by the mistake he made years ago and now that Sunny is back in town, he wants her forgiveness. But Sunny is nothing like he remembered. She is hurt, angry and has an impenetrable wall around her heart. Fate intervenes when Henry’s teenage son backs over Sunny’s Harley and the two are thrown together. He must find a way to rekindle their romance and prove to Sunny that her place is in Morning Glory with him. 

Third Time’s the Charm is a sweet romance about regret, redemption and finding love and home again. Sunny is a hardened woman who is struggling to find a new place in life. I sympathized with Sunny as she is reeling from her husband’s tragic death in Afghanistan and the loss of her preterm baby. As a woman who has suffered numerous miscarriages including a preterm infant loss, my heart broke for Sunny. I also liked that she was gutsy enough to ride a Harley. I’ll ride a Harley but someone else needs to be driving! I enjoyed Henry as a man who recognizes that he was a stupid kid that resulted in their ultimate break up. I also laughed at the “we were on a break” mentality he had when discussing their break-up and waited for the Friends reference to come up sooner or later. While not my favorite of the Morning Glory series, I enjoyed the growth and development in the relationships between Sunny and her mother, Betty, who was a piece of work, and Sunny and Henry. If you have read the previous Morning Glory books, you will enjoy Third Time’s the Charm. If you haven’t started the series, I highly recommend starting with book 1, Charmingly Yours. 

Third Time’s the Charm is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Book 1, Charmingly Yours is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The One for You: a great ending for a fantastic series

The One for You by Roni Loren is the fourth and final book in The Ones Who Got Away series. Kincaid Breslin was on the hit list that night at prom. She wasn’t supposed to survive but she did. She doesn’t know why she got a second chance at life when so many others died, including her boyfriend, Graham, the one she feels was her soulmate. She has been determined to live life to the fullest and let no one get in her way. Ashton Isaacs was her best friend since childhood but when she needed him the most, he ran as far away as he could. Now, he’s back in town and Ash doesn’t know how to cope with his feelings for Kincaid and his grief over their lost friendship. He has a secret he knows would tear them apart for good. Does he keep his share for a chance with Kincaid? If the secret comes out, would she see Ash for what he really is: her soulmate? 

The One for You was an awesome book to end this series. It was sad to end the journey with these ladies but all good things must come to an end. Kincaid was always the fun-loving one of the group, so to get her story and see her vulnerabilities. The relationship dynamic between Kincaid, Graham, and Ash had a Cyrano de Bergerac feel. I laughed. I cried. I smiled as the stories of the Ones Who Got Away have a happily ever after. I highly recommend The One for You as well as the rest of the books in this amazing series. 

The One for You is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

The Ones Who Got Away series

Book 1 The Ones Who Got Away

Book 2 The One You Can’t Forget

Book 3 The One You Fight For

Book 4 The One for You