Spotlight Feature of Darcy Burke’s The de Valery Code + tour wide giveaway

The de Valery Code

Regency Treasure Hunters, Book 1

by Darcy Burke

August 18, 2014

Miss Margery Derrington and her dear aunts are in dire straits. Their discovery of a rare medieval manuscript will hopefully stave off their creditors—if it’s worth what they hope. Margery reluctantly allies with a reclusive scholar to use the book to pursue a treasure that could exceed her expectations. Amidst danger, secrets, and an insatiable attraction, is Margery gambling just her financial future . . . or her heart?

Academic Rhys Bowen can’t believe he has his hands on the elusive de Valery text. Solving its hidden code and unearthing its legendary treasure would establish him as one of Britain’s leading antiquarians, finally casting him out of his brilliant late father’s shadow. But when a centuries-old organization convinces Rhys of the perils of disturbing the past, he must choose between his conscience…and the captivating woman he’s sworn to help.

Blog Excerpt Three:

“I can’t quite figure you out, Miss Derrington. You work as my partner and yet you try to deceive me.”

“You deceived me first.”

He inclined his head. “So I did. You also return my kisses and then act as though I’m anathema.”

She tried to ignore his use of the word kisses. “That’s a bit hyperbolic, isn’t it?”

He cracked a half-smile that did ridiculously lovely things to her insides. “It is. I’m poking fun. I like having fun in your company.” He leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “Admit it, you like me.”

Far too much. “Why wouldn’t I?”

His smile broadened, making him seem insufferably confident. “I can’t think of a reason.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “On second thought, there’s that vexing streak of arrogance.”

He lowered his voice even further, as if he were imparting a secret. “I actually think you like that too.”

About Darcy:

Darcy Burke wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Darcy writes hot, action-packed historical and sexy, emotional contemporary romance.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her devoted husband, their two great kids, and two Bengal cats. In her “spare” time Darcy is a serial volunteer enrolled in a 12-step program where one learns to say “no,” but she keeps having to start over. She’s also a fair-weather runner, and her happy places are Disneyland and Labor Day weekend at the Gorge.

Learn more about Darcy and her books here : Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

*****

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Grand prize: a travel toiletry bag from Thirty-one filled with goodies

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour schedule can also be found here:

August 17 – Rookie Romance (Excerpt/Interview)

August 18 – Romance Reader Girl (Excerpt)

August 19 – For The Love of Bookends (Excerpt, Review)

August 20 – Books Like Breathing (Review)

August 21 – SOS Aloha (Excerpt)

Books-n-Kisses (Excerpt)

August 22 – Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance (Excerpt)

August 23 – The Lusty Literate (Excerpt)

Historical Romance Lover (Interview)

August 24 – Underneath The Covers Blog (Excerpt)

August 25 – TBQ’s Book Palace

August 26 – What I’m Reading (Excerpt/Review)

August 28 – Romantic Historical Reviews (Spotlight/Review)

August 29 – Adria’s Book Reviews (Interview/Review)

Forever Book Lover (Excerpt)

August 31 – Eskimo Princess Book Review (Excerpt)

The Reading Wench (Interview/Review)

December 30, 2013December 26, 2013

Kelly reviews A Christmas to Remember by Shalvis, Ashley, Ramsay, Cannon & Pappano

TITLE: A Christmas to Remember
SERIES #: Christmas Novellas
CHARACTERS: Multiple Stories
AUTHOR: Shalvis, Ashley, Ramsay, Cannon & Pappano
PUBLICATION DATE: December 3, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Curl up with this heartwarming Christmas collection!

Jill Shalvis, Dream a Little Dream: Melissa has kept every man at a safe distance-especially firefighter Ian, a sexy friend with sexy benefits. But Ian secretly longs for more. Luckily, ’tis the season for giving love a chance . . .

Kristen Ashley, Every Year: Holidays don’t come easy for Shy and his brother, Landon. But with the magic of Christmas, along with a little help from Tabby and her family, the Cage brothers are about to get the gift of a lifetime . . .

Hope Ramsay, Silent Night: Down on her luck and evicted from her apartment, single mother Maryanne hopes to start over in Last Chance. When the snow begins to fall, it looks like her baby might literally spend Christmas Eve in a manger. And Maryanne might celebrate the holiday with a handsome stranger.

Molly Cannon, Have Yourself a Messy Little Christmas: Lincoln is a bachelor who’s set in his ways-until a professional organizer dressed up as Mrs. Claus changes his life, one tip at a time. . .

Marilyn Pappano, A Family for Christmas: War widow Ilena doesn’t mind spending Christmas alone. But when a new doctor blows into town with the winter wind, will she get her secret Christmas wish?

Plus: Excerpts from upcoming novels!

REVIEW:
I enjoyed 3 of the 5 stories in this book. 3 of the authors were new to me. While I enjoyed all but 1 of the stories it was fun reading these quick christmas novellas. It is always hard to review novellas because the are so short. But if you love any of these authors or looking for some quick christmas reads I would suggest picking up a copy of A Christmas to Remember.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 30, 2013December 26, 2013

Kelly reviews I’m Dreaming of An Undead Christmas by Molly Harper

TITLE: I’m Dreaming of An Undead Christmas
SERIES #: Half-Moon Hollow #2.6
CHARACTERS: Gigi Scanlon, Iris, Collin, Jane and the whole gang
AUTHOR: Molly Harper
PUBLICATION DATE: December 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Free from Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s Christmas in Half-Moon Hollow and newly turned vampire Iris Scanlon-Calix wants to make Gigi’s first visit home from college as normal and special as possible. It’s taken months for Iris to work up the nerve to spend time around her baby sister after her vampire transition, so she enlists help from Jane Jameson and Company to keep her blood-thirst under control and assure Gigi’s safety.

Gigi, on the other hand, has problems of her own, including the demise of her relationship with high school sweetheart, Ben, and a looming job interview with Ophelia Lambert, the scariest potential employer in the Hollow. And then there’s the small matter of the handsome, frustrating vampire who keeps appearing in Gigi’s peripheral vision, then disappearing before she can talk to him.

Can the Scanlon sisters negotiate romantic problems, vampire politics, and Christmas cookie disasters and enjoy a relatively normal holiday?

REVIEW:
In I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas Gigi Scanlon is coming home for the 1st Christmas since her sister has been turned. But everything will be just fine if Gigi can finally tell Iris about her new job, tell Ben she wants to break up and not freak out about her new stalker. But is Christmas in Half-Moon Hollow so what could go wrong?

LOVED this book!!! Yes it was a novella and totally left me wanting more. But that is okay I have on very good authority that Gigi will be getting her own novel. YAY!!!!!! So once again Molly Harper reminded me why I am so moving to Half-Moon Hollow and plan to stalk Jane, Iris, Gigi and gang until they become my bestest friends ever. I just love everything about Molly’s writing then you add Amanda Ronconi as the narrator and I am one happy reader/listener.

Disclaimer:
This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 26, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Review! Kimberly reviews The Christmas He Loved Her by Juliana Stone

TITLE: The Christmas He Loved Her
SERIES #: Bad Boys of Crystal Lake #2
CHARACTERS: Raine & Jake
AUTHOR: Juliana Stone
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
All he wants this Christmas is her.

In the small town of Crystal Lake, Christmas is a time for sledding, hot chocolate, and cozying up to the fire with those you love. For Jake Edwards, it’s also time to come home and face his past. He thought there would never be anything harder than losing his brother. Turns out there is: falling in love with his brother’s widow, Raine.

Ever since they were little, Jesse was the Edwards brother who was always there for her, and Jake was the one who knew just how to push her buttons. Raine can’t imagine a life without them, which is why it was doubly decimating when Jake left town after his brother’s sudden death. Now he’s back and she doesn’t know whether to be mad or thrilled. Maybe both. Maybe it will be the perfect chance for both of them to finally find happiness again.

REVIEW:
What a sad story. Raine most certainly is suffering from depression which of course does not make for much of a holiday romance. Jake is suffering from PTSD so the two of them really need more than just each other. The characters seem so angry with each other, with themselves and with the world.

I also had a hard time with Raine being in such a depression yet she feels love for her dead husband’s twin brother? Raine is so self-absorbed that I found her hard to like. She thinks she is the only one suffering. Jake has been with Jesse his entire life but Jake should think Raine’s pain was more important than his own? I like Jake and want him to turn out happy but I can’t imagine he would really be happy with a person like Raine.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series and wanted to read this one so much but it didn’t have the same feel as the first one. I will say the sorrow in this series is so real the reader feels depressed too and that I guess is a sign of a good book. The problem is I just never connected with Raine.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

December 25, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews A Fool’s Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery

TITLE: A Fool’s Gold Christmas
SERIES #: Fool’s Gold #9.5
CHARACTERS: Dante Jefferson & Evie Stryker
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: September 25, 2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The unrelenting cheer in Fool’s Gold, California, is bringing out the humbug in dancer Evie Stryker. She learned early on that Christmas miracles don’t happen, at least not for her. And this year seems like no exception. An injury has forced her to return to the family fold, no matter that they’re estranged. She won’t add to the awkward scenario by being seduced by the bad-boy charms of her brother’s best friend, the last man she should ever want to date. Even when she’s recruited to stage Fool’s Gold’s winter festival, she vows to do as promised, then move forward with her life anywhere but here.

Jaded lawyer Dante Jefferson is getting used to the backwater town he now reluctantly calls home, but the pounding of little dancers’ feet above his temporary office is more than any man should have to take! When he confronts their gorgeous teacher, he’s unprepared for the attraction that sears him down to the soul. Evie is his best friend’s sister-off-limits unless he’s willing to risk his heart. Dante has always believed that love is the most dangerous force in the universe, but that was before he had to reckon with the magic of a certain small town, where miracles do seem to happen….

REVIEW:
Dante has been forced to move to the little town of Fool’s Gold because his business partner has decided that this is where he needs to be. That doesn’t mean he is happy about it or about the dance studio that is clogging away above his head. But Dante is planning on putting a stop to the noise once and for all. That is until he sees who the dance teachers is.

Evie is back in Fool’s Gold. Not because she wants to, but because her family dragged her back. But now that she is back she is going to make the best of her time. As long as she can steer clear of her mother & brothers. Steering clear of her brothers business partner is not going to be as easy.

Dante & Evie are both dealing with so much pain from the past. Pain that is making them blind to everything that they could to each other. But can the christmas season bring these two together or will they be left hurting even more?

Another good story from Susan Mallery. I really enjoy every trip that I take to Fool’s Gold and can’t wait to see what Susan has in store next for the people of Fool’s Gold.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Harlequin HQN in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 25, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Review: Jennifer reviews The Christmas Cookie Collection by Lori Wilde

TITLE: The Christmas Cookie Collection
SERIES: Twilight Texas
AUTHOR: Lori Wilde
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/29/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: There’s a legend in Twilight, Texas. It says that if on Christmas you sleep with kismet cookies under your pillow and dream of your one true love, he will be your destiny.

Carrie, Raylene, Christine, and Flynn are all members of the Christmas Cookie Club. Each has a story to tell, and each discovers the miracles of the season and the power of love.

REVIEW: I loved each of these wonderful stories which is the perfect romance collection for the holiday season. Each of these stories revolves around a member of the Christmas Cookie Club that are having a hard time around the holidays due to losing someone that they truly cared about or have yet to find their true love.

The first story involves Carrie who hates the holidays because her high school sweetheart, Mark, left her after having their marriage annulled eight years ago. She never has gotten over the pain of that event and has recently found out that a reality television show is coming to Twilight to prove that their first love legend is only fiction. To Carrie’s horror, she learns that the host of Fact or Fiction will be in Twilight as well and is none other than her ex-boyfriend, Mark.

Mark has never gotten over his relationship with his high school sweetheart, Carrie and is hoping that coming to Twilight will help him finally get over her or to make amends. He never expected the feelings that he had for her to come rushing back to him the moment he laid eyes on her. The only thing is that Carrie wants nothing to do with him and is avoiding him at every turn. Can he convince her to give their love another chance?

This was one of my favorite stories out of all of them. Carrie never has gotten over the love of her life and the holiday season only reminds her of what she had lost. They married right after high school and Carrie ended the relationship after learning that Mark was accepted to a big college and she never wanted to stand in the way of him pursuing his dreams. She didn’t want him to stay in Twilight if he had the opportunity for bigger and better things just because he was with her. Very sweet story and I loved that they never stopped caring for each other and that love will always find a way.

The second story involves Raylene, the owner of the Horny Toad Tavern, who is just as bitter about the holidays as Carrie. Raylene is having a hard time around Christmas because her husband left her a year ago after learning that she had a child before they were together and she had given that child to the wealthy grandparent’s of the father. She has never forgiven herself for that decision and now she has lost the only man that she has ever loved.

A mysterious young woman comes into town and ends up on Raylene’s doorstep looking for a job but is really there for a different reason. Shannon Dugan has come to Twilight to learn more about the mother that had left her behind and see if she can build a relationship with the only remaining family that she has left. Shannon gets more than she bargained for when she meets Nate Deavers, a man that would do anything to show Shannon that family isn’t the only thing that she can have while she is Twilight. Shannon now has the opportunity to make a home in Twilight and find that everything that she has ever wanted has been waiting for her in this small Texas town.

I think that Raylene’s story was the best because it dealt with two people finding something that they had always been searching for. Raylene never forgave herself for giving Shannon to her paternal grandparents because she felt that since they were wealthy they could provide her with a better life. Shannon grew up with a silver spoon but never really had the love that she needed from her grandparents and recently had her heart broken from a two-timing con man. I loved Nate in this story because once he saw Shannon, that was it for him. It was love at first sight and he treaded carefully as to not scare her away from the possibility of a relationship with him. Shannon was afraid to love again after her last disastrous relationship but I loved how caring and considerate Nate was with her. Was so glad that everyone found their happy ending in this story and Raylene was able to find the love that she once thought that she had lost.

The third story is Carrie’s and it was a cute one. Carrie has always been wanting a family of her own but after a car accident as a teenager, she learned that she could never have a child. This fact prevented her from having a true relationship because the jerks that she dated before ran when they learned that she would never be able to conceive. Happy with her successful bakery, Carrie yearns for something more when Eli walks into her shop one day. Eli, is a face from her past, a high school crush that she never forgot about and neither did he.

Eli is a widower raising four kids of his own and has heard great things about the bakery in Twilight. So he entered Carrie’s bakery on a mission to have her make a birthday cake for his teenage daughter, never expecting to find the girl that he once kissed behind the high school bleachers working there. The two of them have a second chance at love but have to face a few obstacles along the way. Great story but I would have loved their story to be just a little bit longer.

The last story in this collection is called Grace and involves Jesse and Flynn Calloway. On Christmas Eve, they venture out into the snowy night to bring presents to a family who wouldn’t have much of a Christmas otherwise. Flynn is nine months pregnant with their first child and could give birth at any time so they try to rush home so Flynn won’t be out in the cold for very long. On the way home, Flynn and Jesse get separated and Flynn is involved in a car accident and Jesse will do whatever it takes to get to his wife and unborn child. Very short tale but the perfect ending for this collection.

Lori Wilde is a great writer and knows how to write fabulous small town romances that will tug at your heart strings. I love her Twilight, Texas series and I think that The Christmas Cookie Collection will be a book that you can read over and over again this holiday season.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

December 24, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Review! Kelly review Christmas On Main Street by Ross, Donovan, McLane, & Morgan

TITLE: Christmas on Main Street
AUTHOR: Ross, Donovan, McLane, & Morgan
PUBLICATION DATE: November 5, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
‘Tis the season to fall in love in these four small towns.

In “Christmas in Shelter Bay,” New York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross returns to Shelter Bay, where Kelli has long tried to keep her feelings for her friend Cole a secret. But when the local matchmakers conspire to send them to a secluded lakeside cabin, the two friends soon discover that a little love will keep them warm.

TV producer Nathaniel Ravelle knows the Bayberry Island mermaid legend is a joke— how could a statue grant a wish for true love? But when a Christmas Nor’easter lands him in close quarters with local Annie Parker, they see magic at work in matters of the heart in New York Timesbestselling author Susan Donovan’s “A Seaside Christmas.”

In LuAnn McLane’s “Mistletoe on Main Street,” Clint isn’t sure how to rekindle his romance with high school sweetheart Ava—until his father bows out of playing Santa at the annual Cricket Creek holiday parade and Clint gets the chance to make this Christmas one to remember.

And in Alexis Morgan’s “The Christmas Gift”, business is booming at Bridey Roke’s pastry shop. Everyone in town stops in to sample her holiday treats. But in her spare moments, she’s perfecting a special recipe to charm the handsome new neighbor—who has his own surprise gift for her come Christmas Eve!

REVIEW:
Christmas in Shelter Bay: This was a sweet little christmas story of a love that has been growing since before they even understood what true love was. Cole & Kelli have been friends since childhood. While Kelli has always know that Cole was the one for her it has taken Cole just a tad bit longer to realize that his life will never be complete without Kelli.
Adding a meddling family and you have a really fun story.

A Seaside Christmas: I didn’t connect with this story. It was an interesting twist on a christmas story, but was not for me.

Mistletoe on Main Street: This was a good story. Clint & Ava were childhood sweethearts but life and the chance for the major leagues took him away. But while 15 years have past neither of them have forgot the love they shared. But it might take a christmas miracle to get Ava to open her heart up to him again.

The Christmas Gift: This was my favorite story in this anthology. I just loved Seth & Bridey they are so sweet together. I loved that these two were so perfect to each other.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Penguin Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 23, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Review! Kelly and Kimberly review A Vampire’s Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden

TITLE: A Vampire’s Christmas Carol
CHARACTERS: Ben Prescott & Simone Laurent
AUTHOR: Cynthia Eden
PUBLICATION DATE: November 11, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
This holiday season has bite.

Ben Prescott hates Christmas—he’s a vampire, and to him, there’s certainly nothing jolly about the holiday season. While the humans are running around being merry, he’s hunting in the shadows. Ben plans to spend the holidays his way…by stalking deadly prey.

But fate has other plans for Ben.

Three visitors are coming Ben’s way…A demon who will force Ben to face his past, a ghost who will show Ben the present he could have, and a shifter who will reveal the darkness that waits in Ben’s future. Unless Ben can change his ways, he may just turn into a real monster, one who can’t be saved by anyone or anything.

‘Tis the season…to be undead.

Ben’s redemption rests in the hands of the one woman he loved and lost—Simone Laurent. If Ben is going to have a chance at being more than just the beast in the darkness, he has to prove himself to the lovely Simone. A very hard task, considering that, once upon a Christmas Eve, Simone died in Ben’s arms…

Warning: This book features one very tortured vampire, a sexy ghost from his past, and hot scenes designed to melt the winter snow. Plenty of action, adult situations, and steamy times are ahead. Happy holidays!

KELLY’S REVIEW:
4 HEARTS One night 3 visitors and one chance to change his life forever, but will he take it? Or will he forever be in the darkness.

This was a quick novella. I liked the twist the Cynthia put on a classic Christmas story. And since we all know the story and this is a novella I won’t give you to much. Except that Simone is willing to do anything to save the vampire that she loves. But will Ben be able to do what is need in order to save Simone a second time? Guess you need to pick up a copy of A Vampire’s Christmas carol and find out.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4 HEARTS This is a short novella of only about 60 pages but it is complete and very interesting. Obviously I won’t say much because the story is so short I do not want to give anything away but I found myself engrossed in the short read. The characters are interesting and the backstory is really thorough. Great holiday read if you enjoy the paranormal genre.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 18, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews Holiday Kisses by Kent, Burton, Dimon, & Stacey

TITLE: Holiday Kisses
SERIES #: Anthology
AUTHOR: Kent, Burton, Dimon, & Stacey
PUBLICATION DATE:
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…Love!

A man gives the gift of trust and receives a second chance at love in return. A woman helps to heal the wounded heart of a soldier. A couple finds that true love knows no distance. And a young widow learns that there can be two great loves in a lifetime. Love, romance and passion come together in this collection of four seasonal shorts.

Anthology includes:

This Time Next Year by Alison Kent

A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton

It’s Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon

Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey

REVIEW:
4.5 HEARTS This Time Next Year: A snowing road, a deer and a snow bank. Not the best way to spend your last Christmas in the US with your Gran. But being saved by a man on horseback was never in the plans. This was a good story. Although I was extremely upset with Brenna for leaving.

A Rare Gift: This is my second time reading this story and I loved it just as much as I did the first time. Wyatt & Calliope are so cute together. I love the she pushes so much. If you are a fan of Jaci’s you will love this story. Also this is #2 in the Kent Brothers trilogy.

It’s Not Christmas Without You: I enjoyed this story. Austin & Carrie are great. I loved that Austin didn’t give up on what he wants and he wants Carrie. But when he realizes that Carrie doesn’t need him like he needs her, he does what he never thought he would do. He walks away. This is book #1 in the Holloway Series

Mistletoe and Margaritas: I think this was my favorite story of the four. It made my heartbreak, it made me cry and it made me so happy. Justin & Claire are so good together. I really would love for Shannon to write a follow up story on these two. I want to know how the future turns out for them.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & Harlequin Carina Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 11, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kimberly reviews The Kissing Season by Rachael Johns

TITLE: The Kissing Season
CHARACTERS: Hannah & Matteo
AUTHOR: Rachael Johns
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/01/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Every family has a black sheep…and Hannah Elliot is it.

It’s no surprise to anyone when Hannah Elliot makes the spontaneous decision to marry a stranger in Las Vegas. But when she finds herself pregnant and her new husband files for an annulment, she dreads having to tell her family.

Returning to her Australian hometown of Wildwood Point, Hannah is determined to become a devoted mum and put her baby’s needs ahead of her own. She’s also set to prove to her family she can actually be responsible. This means putting her wild past behind her and accepting a job back in the family business…while keeping her pregnancy a secret!

Except, when gorgeous Italian Matteo Della-Bosca walks through the shop door, Hannah finds her resolve slipping fast…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This is a very sweet short story. While not a very Christmasy story it is still very tender and enjoyable. It is a bit obvious of a storyline but that is ok. The characters have an instant connection and truly are adorable together. Enjoyable read for anytime of year.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

December 4, 2013December 3, 2013

Kimberly reviews Christmas in Tahoe by Elisabeth Barrett

TITLE: Christmas In Tahoe
CHARACTERS: Ann & Chase
AUTHOR: Elisabeth Barrett
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Silicon Valley actuary Ann Smith is an expert at calculating probabilities, but lately the odds haven’t been in her favor. Two years ago her fiancé died a week before their planned Christmas wedding, leaving Ann heartbroken and alone. When a friend suggests heading up to Lake Tahoe for a long Christmas weekend of skiing, wine, and relaxation, Ann thinks it might be just the thing to help get her life back on track. But Ann’s plans go awry when her friend cancels at the last minute, and Ann ends up driving to Tahoe with Chase Deckert, a sexy snowboarder who pushes all her buttons.

Chase Deckert is a man who lives by his own rules. A few years ago his business partner betrayed him by selling out their biomedical research for a quick profit. Chase left science far behind, and now spends his days snowboarding in Tahoe, wanting nothing to do with the dog-eat-dog world of Silicon Valley. Chase has closed his mind and his heart and only believes in one thing: fate. But fate seems to be in a giving mood, because joining him for Christmas is a brave, beautiful woman who shows him the true meaning of the season and helps him rediscover a part of himself he’d long forgotten.

Fueled by the mountain scenery, the season, and their unbelievable chemistry, Ann and Chase end up learning more about each other—and themselves—than they ever imagined possible. Can one long, steamy Christmas help them realize they’re meant to be together? Or when the holiday is over will they be right back where they started?

REVIEW:
3.5 HEARTS This is a sweet holiday romance about a second chance at love. While sweet and sentimental I had a couple of problems with it. Ann thinks too much about the fiance’ she lost during the story. She seems to still be IN love with him. While I understand the concept of she will always love him but she needs to move on the fact that she thinks about him so much even while being in Chase’s bed it a bit much for me. And the other problem was Chase’s change of heart at the end. It seemed too quick. But then again this is a short story.

I enjoyed the romance of it. I enjoyed the way Chase was written as a caregiver who seemed to understand Ann so quickly. I enjoyed their romance in general. Will this get you into the holiday spirit? Nope. But it is a nice read (and if you are from the area as I am it was a great to know the landmarks mentioned.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

December 4, 2013November 24, 2013

Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews Some Kind Of Wonderful by Beth Ciotta

TITLE: Some Kind of Wonderful: A Holiday Novella
SERIES #: Cupcake Lovers #3.5
CHARACTERS: Zachary Cole & Maya Templeton
AUTHOR: Beth Ciotta
PUBLICATION DATE: October 22, 2013
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Have yourself a scrumptious, small-town Christmas with this special Cupcake Lovers holiday novella, Love on a Winter’s Night!

Growing up in Sugar Creek, Maya Templeton and Zachary Cole were best friends. After high school, each went out into the world in search of adventure. Maya moved to Florida to explore her passion for baking and pastry-making, eventually establishing her own business:

Cupcakes & Dreamscapes. Zach joined the military and became a Marine Scout Sniper. Now, after years apart, they’re both going home for the holidays. They don’t seem to have much in common anymore. In fact, Zach seems to have the hots for Maya’s business partner. But when the two get stranded together during a blizzard, they are forced to reexamine their connection. Are Maya and Zach better off “just friends”—just as they were when they were young? Or could it be that true love was there all along?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts This was a fun quick Cupcake Lover’s read. Maya & Zach have been friends for years. The best of friends, but never anything more. But when the holiday’s bring them back together fire works spark.
Since this is a novella I am not giving you more than that. But if you love Beth’s other Cupcake Lover’s stories you will enjoy Some Kind of Wonderful.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.