Love on the Rocks: a second chance romance with faith, struggles and a happily ever after

Love on the Rocks is the second book in the Crane’s Cove by Kerry Evelyn. Kat Daniels regrets the day she chose barrel racing over her fiance, Easton Crane. A year later, she returns to Crane’s Cove with a secret. Easton Crane has loved Kat for as long as he can remember. When she shows up a year after their broken engagement, he is confused and conflicted. Especially when he sacrificed six years of his life to care for her after her traumatic brain injury. He is full of questions: what brought her back to town? Is she going to stay? What is she hiding? When a hurricane hits the cove, the life of Kat’s beloved horse, Easton and Kat must work together to save her. Can they also battle the storm of old memories? Can the wounds heal? Can their second chance at love be even stronger than before? 

Love on the Rocks is a clean, sweet Christian based romance with a small town community. It has been a while since I read the first book; however, the story in this book was easy to follow without a lot of information from the first book. From the beginning, Kat was closed off and hiding a secret that she tried to drink away. When the storm threatened her beloved horse, my heart dropped. I was even angry at Kat for her animosity toward Easton. However, as Kat’s hard facade began to crack, my heart broke for her. I loved the struggles with faith the characters experience in this story. Many authors who write faith based stories don’t really dive into struggles; however, Ms Evelyn does this beautifully. It felt real and relatable. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly, highly recommend Love on the Rocks. 

Love on the Rocks is available in paperback and eBook

Her Unexpected Cowboy: one birthday wish, a man with no memory and a web of danger

Her Unexpected Cowboy is the first book in the Unforgettable Cowboys series by Danae Little. Sydney hides out on her goat ranch, clinging to her loneliness and refuses to ask for help. While making a birthday wish, a handsome stranger shows up at her door, wounded with no memory. Sydney is torn between allowing him to stay in her barn or sending him on his way. When Jameson woke up on the side of the road, he came to the first house, he was struck by the beautiful woman who answered his call for help. As he struggles to restore his memories, he makes excuses to stay, to help her around the house all the while ignoring the warning ringing in his head. That is until the local sheriff comes to the ranch, Jameson recognizes his voice and a web of danger begins to close in. 

Her Unexpected Cowboy was my first book by Danae Little and I enjoy a good cowboy story. The beginning of the story was intriguing. I liked Sydney from the beginning. I liked her courage, strength and hard working attitude. She is lonely with only her pets and the goats on her ranch. She loves her life, the ranch but something is missing. Jameson was a man with no memory and the mystery around him was interesting. However, the story was slow. The suspense was okay. The resolution was a bit predictable. The author’s attention to detail was admirable but slowed down the story’s flow. The romance between Sydney and Jameson was sweet and their happily ever after was good. Overall, the story was okay; but, I will not be continuing the series. If you enjoy cowboy romance with a bit of suspense, you may enjoy Her Unexpected Cowboy. 

Her Unexpected Cowboy is a available in paperback and eBook

Roughing the Kicker: a friends to lovers sports romance with a happily ever after

Roughing the Kicker is the first book in the Denver Mountain Lions series by Emily Silver. Tenley Rhodes has been in love with Jackson Fields since the ninth grade. However, he was her best friend and she was the girl next door. Ten years later, he is the star kicker for the Denver Mountain Lions. When an injury places him on the sideline, he calls her for help. She moves in with him in order to help him. With Jackson depending on her for everything, she is determined to keep her feelings a secret. However, with every touch sends butterflies to her stomach and fires through her veins. Little does she know, Jackson is beginning to see her differently, will he reveal it has been her all along? Will they be willing to risk their friendship to find a love they are both looking for? 

I’m a sucker for a good sports romance. Roughing the Kicker is a sweet, steamy friends to lovers sports romance. There are lots of heart, sweet moments, laughter, banter and steamy moments. The interactions between Jackson and Tenley are great. The build up to them confessing their feelings was wonderful and sigh-worthy. I loved both characters and read eagerly to see them get their happily ever after. There is a third act break up; but the grand gesture is cute and heartwarming. I closed the book with lots of smiles. The secondary characters were great and I hope they get their own stories in the series. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy a friends to lovers sports romance, I recommend Roughing the Kicker. 

Roughing the Kicker is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wildfire: a passionate one night stand to a summer romance to a happily ever after?

Wildfire by Hannah Grace is the second book in the Maple Hills series. Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a Maple Hills party celebrating the end of the academic year. When a drinking game results in a passionate one-night stand, Aurora slips away before Russ has a chance to ask her full name. Both are shocked to learn that they are both counselors at a summer camp. The camp has a strict “no staff fraternizing” rule that has Russ determined to walk the straight and narrow while Aurora never truly cares for the rules. As they learn that they are both dealing with complicated family issues and hoping for a peaceful, fun summer, they are drawn together, further fanning the fire between them. Can they keep the fire of their passionate night under control or is it a fire that won’t be put out?

Wildfire is more than a spicy romance. It is more than a summer romance. It deals with deep family issues and finding the courage to stand up and say enough’s enough. I loved Russ and Aurora as individuals and as a couple. I loved that they found the strength to make changes inspired by each other. Add in fun banter and spicy moments and it is a great romance. I found the spice was a bit less than Icebreaker. There was more flirty build up than spicy scenes. I enjoyed seeing many of the characters from Icebreakers make the occasional appearance. Overall, I enjoyed Wildfire. I laughed. I sighed. I smiled. There are also humorous interactions between characters and heartwarming moments. I am looking forward to reading more books in the series. If you enjoy romance with fun banter and dramatic moments, I highly recommend Wildfire. 

Wildfire is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Set the Night on Fire: a sweet enemies to lovers romance with emotions and a tad bit spicy

Set the Night on Fire by Jennifer Bernard is the first book of the Jupiter Point Firefighters series. Hotshot firefighter Sean Marcus left Jupiter Point in disgrace but after a near death experience in a flashover, he is coming home to clear his name. He is the man in charge of setting up the new Jupiter Point Hotshots wildfire crew. Sean is determined to prove he is no longer the troubled boy who left town thirteen years ago. Evie McGraw is the town sweetheart with a secret. She has never spoken about that night and Sean is the only one who knows what happened that night. Now that Sean is back in town and Brian White, the hometown golden boy, is seeking a political endorsement, that terrible night is constantly on her mind. Now Evie is at a crossroad. Keep silent and live life as she always had. Or stand up and speak out and find a future she always thought was just a dream. 

Set the Night on Fire is more than an enemy to lovers romance. It is sweet, emotional and a tad bit spicy. I loved the growth of Evie as she must confront a past she would rather forget. As someone who also avoids confrontation when possible, I felt her internal struggle deeply. However, I cheered her on as she found the strength and courage to stand up and speak out. Sean is also a character with deep emotional wounds from the past and finds himself fighting the ghost he left in Jupiter Point. Their romance was a slow burn as they healed together and by the end, I was smiling and cheering for them. I loved Evie and Sean together. I also enjoyed the side characters who will no doubt have their own romances in the series. Overall, I loved Set the Night on Fire and I will be continuing the series in the future. I highly recommend Set the Night on Fire. 

Set the Night on Fire is available in paperback and eBook

New York, New Year, New You: a self-discovery with a happily ever after

New York, New Year, New You by Rachael Bloome is a story of one woman’s journey to prove herself. Quincy Carmichael is the youngest in a very overachieving family. So overachieving that she can’t keep up so she stopped trying. Earning the nickname, Quincy the Quitter, she finds a reason, any excuse to stop before she gets hurt. When the opportunity for a major promotion comes up, she is challenged to move to New York City and complete 10 year’s worth of unfinished New Year’s resolutions. She stays with her childhood friend, Brynn, and Brynn’s older brother, Ethan, who happens to be Quincy’s childhood crush. With Brynn and Ethan’s help, Quincy finds herself on an eye opening journey of self-discovery she never thought possible. 

New York, New Year, New You is a light, wholesome, feel-good, unable to put it down, novel full of heart, hope, and humor. I loved Quincy and my heart broke for her from the very beginning. And I cheered as she faced each challenge, despite her nerves, and finished each one with success or not. But she keeps going and learns who she truly is and what she really wants in life. I laughed, smiled and teared up as she finally found the strength to stand up for herself and have the confidence to be herself. I also loved Ethan’s character and his interactions with Quincy. If you enjoy sweet, emotional stories with a happily ever after, I highly recommend New York, New Year, New You. 

New York, New Year, New You is available in paperback and eBook

The Sleeping Arrangement: it's just sleeping...right?

The Sleeping Arrangement by Neva Bell is a story of a simple arrangement but it leads to so much more. Julie Michaels is in her last year of law school. She is struggling to pay her bills for herself and her brother after the loss of their beloved grandmother. She has dealt with rough patches before and she’ll get through this one too. One fateful day, she gets stuck in an elevator with Drew Waters, the star basketball player. Julie helps Drew keep calm and they eventually fall asleep, waiting to be rescued. Drew wants a championship and he has the talent to get one. There is one problem: he has trouble sleeping, that is until he was able to sleep in the elevator. He is convinced it was Julie’s soothing presence. He offers her a deal: sleep beside him until the end of the playoffs and he will pay her. They convince themselves it is just sleeping…right? 

I borrowed this title through Prime Reading as the premise intrigued me and the author is new to me. Instead of a marriage of convenience, it is a sleeping arrangement. The story started off a bit slow and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue. However, I stuck with it and I am so glad I did! There are a lot of deeper issues in this story in both Julie’s and Drew’s pasts. There is a bit of a mystery that seems like a filler but it explodes into so much more! I was able to figure out the mystery before the reveal; however, the reveal was still exciting! I enjoyed Julie and Drew as well as their supporting casts of characters. I laughed. I cried. I grinned as I closed the final page on their happily ever after. It is a sweet romance with a little steam and a great story. I highly recommend The Sleeping Arrangement. 

The Sleeping Arrangement is available in paperback and eBook

Love at Last: a steamy happily ever after romance

Love at Last is the second book in the Last Frontier Lodge series by J.H. Croix. The story picks up after the events of Take Me Home. Garrett Hamilton is Gage’s brother. He is THE ladies man, a sexy, wealthy corporate lawyer. After his last case, he has lost his drive to win and without a second thought, finds himself on a plane to the Last Frontier Lodge. Delia Peters is a single mother who has had a hard lesson that lust isn’t always love. She finally has a great job, money to pay the bills, and life is good. The sudden appearance of Garret throws Delia for a loop. One unexpected kiss ignites a fire that they cannot deny. Falling in love wasn’t on the horizon; however, will they take the chance to find lasting love? 

Love at Last is a steamy romance. I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I did with Take Me Home. One issue I had with the first book, I also had with Love at Last. The repetition. How many times do the readers need to be reminded that Garret’s presence was helping Gage as he prepared the ski lodges? Yes, we get that his help is speeding the process along. It doesn’t need to be said over and over. Even as a single mom, Delia still seemed very immature. As if she really hasn’t learned her lesson. Overall though, Love at Last is very steamy, happily ever after romance. It was a quick read with a bit of drama and a whole lot of romance. I recommend Love at Last. 

Love at Last is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

The Groom: a second chance romance

The Groom is the first book in the A Keeper Heart series by Melissa McClone. Falling in love on national television was awkward but having your heart broken in front of viewers was devastating. Millie Kincaid signed up for the popular dating show, The Groom. She never expected to be picked, let alone make it to the finale. When Jace Westfall doesn’t pick her in the season finale, she is hurt and humiliated that she wants to escape from the spotlight and return to her quiet life as a school teacher. Until a new reality TV show provides her a shot at money that her school desperately needs. When Jace made his choice, he didn’t expect to fall from fan favorite to villain overnight. His choice cost him everything: his reputation, his endorsements and even his heart. Now on the verge of financial ruin, he is forced to do another reality tv show. Millie and Jace never expected to see each other again, let alone be teamed up. As they race from country to country, competing in challenge after challenge, they have a real shot at the prize money and a second chance at love. Their only obstacle: each other. 

The Groom is a light heartened, fun romance. I am not a fan of reality shows and do not watch many of them. However, reading Jace and Millie’s adventure on the reality show, Cash Around The Globe, was much more entertaining and enjoyable than watching the real thing. I cheered them both on as they fought being teammates, found their rhythm together and fell in love. Millie had been boxed into the image that she was mousy and no man would find her attractive. She struggles with the fact that that image is wrong. Jace thinks with his head for practical purposes but fails to consider his heart. Every decision he makes is to better his family’s livelihood even at the expense of his own happiness. These two are perfect for each other, they just need to open their eyes and hearts to see it. A romance story with a happily ever after was just what I needed after reading a much heavier and darker book. Overall, I enjoyed The Groom and look forward to reading the rest of the A Keeper Heart series. If you enjoy light hearted romance with a happily ever after, I highly recommend The Groom. 

The Groom is available in paperback and eBook

Maid for Love: a fun, sexy romance for a lazy afternoon

Maid for Love is the first book in the Gansett Island series by Marie Force. Single mom Maddie Chester has been the source of rumors and innuendos on the Gansett Island for years. She has been determined not to let them affect her. One day, on her way to work, she is knocked off her bike by Gansett’s “favorite son,” Mac McCarthy. The son of her bosses at McCarthy’s Resort Hotel. Mac is back in town to help his father sell the family resort and has no intentions to stay. But when he accidentally injures Maddie when she falls, he feels moved to help her as she heals. As he gets to know Maddie and her young son, he learns her history with the people and the island, he is moved to correct the misconceptions. He realizes that his heart has been lost to Maddie, but can Maddie allow herself to love despite her past hurts? 

Maid for Love is a cute, sweet romance. It was great for a lazy afternoon. The romance between Mac and Maddie was wonderfully sweet. As Mac tries to convince Maddie that he is sincere, she desperately attempts to keep him at arm’s length. She doesn’t think she deserves the love of the island’s Golden Boy and she definitely knows his mother wouldn’t approve. But little by little, she feels her resolve fade as Mac proves he’s not like his family and he certainly doesn’t believe the rumors. While Maid for Love is a predictable romance with a happy ending, there were some surprising twists and turns that kept my attention and rooting for Mac and Maddie. Overall, I enjoyed it. Maid for Love was a cute, sweet and sexy story. It is a great story to the series and I look forward to reading other love stories on Gansett Island. If you enjoy romances, I recommend Maid for Love. 

Maid for Love is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Wishing Tree: a great introduction to a new series

The Wishing Tree is book one in The Wishing Tree series by various authors. In Linden Falls, Vermont is that picturesque, idyllic small town. Within the charming street of a community of people who care about each other and in the center of town is the famous Wishing Tree. It is an old beautiful tree with wishes tied to the branches. From simple wishes and dreams to heartbreaking and devastating hopes. As tourists flock to town and join the locals to hang ribbons to the branches of the tree. Some believe in the magic of the Wishing Tree while others believe it is the hooky gimmick to bring in tourists. If it’s magic or not, there have been beautiful stories of love, forgiveness and happily ever after that brings people to the tree and taking a chance to hang a wish. 

Book one of The Wishing Tree series is an introduction to the rest of the series. With a wonderful prologue which introduces Neva Cabot, one of the oldest residents and leads into a brief introduction to the first six books of the series. I read a lot of reviews that were upset that this book is not a full novel itself. However, I enjoyed the brief introduction into the premise of the series and the first six books. As an added bonus, this book is a free eBook that if you are interested in the series, this is a great way to give a highlight of what to expect and the feel for the series. I have the next six books in the series and will be reviewing them soon. If you are curious about Linden Falls and their Wishing Tree, I recommend checking out The Wishing Tree. 

The Wishing Tree is available in paperback and eBook

The Forgotten Knight: a new twist on a knight in shining armor

The Forgotten Knight by Emilie DeRitter is an adventure about a knight named Sir Christopher of Calidore who has been cursed to travel from kingdom to kingdom, doing good deeds until the end of his days. His traveling companions are a sorceress named Aurora of Beldain and his faithful horse, Jonathan.

The story opens with a cry for help. Sir Christopher and his companions follow the sound to find Princess Gwenyth trapped in a mirror. They defeat the evil wizard, Varuk, and rescue the princess. They agree to take the princess home. On the journey to Gwenyth’s home, they save a family from a burning barn, they rescue a band of centaurs from a Cyclops, and they save a kingdom from an ogre. Duke William of Romalia is grateful for the heroes’ efforts and offers them a place to stay. While they are there, Princess Gwenyth falls in love with the duke. Sir Christopher leaves her there as he continues on his task. Along the way, he meets new dangers, new friends, and battles an old enemy. Will Sir Christopher ever be able to break the curse and live happily ever after?

I enjoyed this book as a great adventure with fast paced battles of mystical beasts and knights in shining armor. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and I loved the ending which I can’t reveal but it’s very sweet and touching. I recommend this book for young readers who are looking for a great adventure story with knights, magic and battles.

The Forgotten Knight by Emilie De Ritter

Is available at Amazon.com for the Kindle $6.99

and on paperback $10.95