Cookie Girl Christmas by: Christene Houston

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Molly Hayes has one more job before Christmas and then she can put her plans for a storefront bakery of her own in motion. What she doesn't bargain for is the handsome young Scrooge who insults her cookies and makes her blood boil. Toss in a heaping helping of snowstorm and a pinch of romantic old Inn and you've got yourself the perfect recipe for a not-so-silent-night.

MY THOUGHTS:

I loved this book. Christene is so detailed with her descriptions you can feel yourself inside the book. It is was full of emotion. I was laughing and crying and wishing it was winter. Molly has a lot of emotion built up from her past that she has a hard time facing her present and future. When she meets Greyson, he is so irritating and he just gets under her skin, but she can’t bring herself to stay away from him. When they are kind of forced into spending time together at Christmas they are both struggling with issues from their past. After spending more and more time together they find that maybe what they needed all along was someone who would understand. This book would be perfect read for Christmas time but it was also a fun read in July when it’s hot and I was wishing it was cold. There are a lot of great recipes and Christmas party ideas in this book that I am glad I read it in July so I can try them out this year. Christene, it was a great book and I really enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more from you!

Dust and Obey (Squeaky Clean Mysteries Book 10) by: Christy Barritt

ABOUT THE BOOK:
When Gabby St. Claire’s ex-fiancé, Riley Thomas, asks for her help in investigating a possible murder at a couples’ retreat, she knows she should say no. She knows she should run far, far away from the danger of both being around Riley and the crime.

But her nosy instincts and determination take precedent over her logic. At the retreat center she feels like she’s stepped into the pages of a creepy gothic novel: an isolated island that’s often foggy, an old lodge with a dark history, and a small pool of suspects who each have either motive, means, or opportunity for murder. When another life is threatened, the risk intensifies.

Gabby and Riley must work together to find the killer. In the process, they have to confront demons from their past and deal with their present relationship. If they don’t learn to trust each other, they could both end up as fodder for the supposedly cursed island’s folklore.

MY THOUGHTS:

I couldn't wait for this book to come out! This series just keeps getting better and better! I absolutely loved this book! It's a good thing I had a house full of sick kids laying around because I couldn't put it down. I ended up staying up until almost 2am to finish it. My favorite line from this book is, " I knew I was loved by my Creator. I would never find my wholeness in anyone but him. So I pressed on." This book is full of suspense and will keep you on your toes. If you want to know which guy Gabby chooses or what Sierra and Chad's baby is going to be then this is the book you have been waiting for. This book feels like it redeems all the hard feelings and emotions you get from the other books not going the way YOU thought they would. Christy obviously has it all planned out so well and this book will leave you with a big smile. It's exactly how I hoped everything would turn out so far. It's full of mystery and murder and excitement and all the other things you expect from Gabby St. Claire! I can't wait for the next one! Awesome job Christy as always! 

Note: I was given this book by the Author in exchange for an honest review all thoughts and opinions are my own!

The Professional Bride by: Lucy McConnell

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Amber Appleby is not the blushing bride. She makes a career out of being a wife—a business wife that is. After signing divorce papers with her third husband, Amber’s looking forward to a few months in a tropical location when Pamela, owner of a matchmaking service for the ultra wealthy, calls her into the office to ask a favor. Pamela explains that her life-long friend has passed away leaving a world-class ski resort and extensive financial holdings to his grandson, Rym, with the stipulation that he marry a BMB bride to coach him through his first year as a billionaire. Amber’s up for the assignment but Rym turns out to be a maverick—and a gorgeous one at that. Amber’s skills as a life coach are tested at every turn right along with her heart. Faced with a law suit that could wipe out the resort Rym’s grandpa built from scratch, Amber has to decide if she’ll protect her marriage or the thing Rym loves most. Marriage was much simpler when love wasn’t involved.

Early on, Pamela Jones realized she had an unusual talent for putting two people together. Over the years, she's turned it into a successful matchmaking service for the ultra wealthy: Billionaire Marriage Brokers. While she specializes in "business" marriages -- paring people off because of their skills, education, or training -- she can spot a potential love match a mile away. When Pamela has a "good feeling" about a bride and groom - a business marriage can become so much more.

MY THOUGHTS:
Marriage is such hard work it is hard to imagine making a career out of it. In this book Amber enters in to her 4th marriage. She thinks she has it all figured out but this marriage is harder work than she planned. It was fun to see where this 4th marriage was going to take her and if it was going to be her last. Love these BMB books! I have read all 3! I was excited to see there will be a 4th. It is always great to read a clean love story with out all the smut! Lucy has a way of making all her stories a lot of fun to read. Can't wait for the next one!

The Organized Bride by: Lucy McConnell

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Early on, Pamela Jones realized she had an unusual talent for putting two people together. Over the years, she's turned it into a successful matchmaking service for the ultra-wealthy: Billionaire Marriage Brokers. While she specializes in "business" marriages--paring people off because of their skills, education, or training--she can spot a potential love match a mile away. When Pamela has a "good feeling" about a bride and groom a business marriage can become so much more.

MaKayla thought taking a job as an event planner for a high-end hotel would be a wonderful lead into opening her own events business. However, a one year no-contact clause leaves her clientless if she quits. With nowhere to go, she is intrigued with Pamela's offer for a one-year contract running charities and overseeing contributions--until she finds out that to take her dream job, she also has to take Gabe...for better or worse.

MY THOUGHTS:

I am loving the BMB series. This book was just as good as the first. They aren't extremely long books because I read this one in a few hours but they totally worth it. Gabe and MaKayla both have goals for where they want their lives to go. Neither wanted marriage but when it made things easier to reach those goals they were both willing to take the plunge. Lucy has a way of making you fall in love with these characters and hope that they will see they are made for each other and fall in love. Even though it may seem like these books would disrespect what marriage is really about Lucy makes them tasteful and respectful. Even though in every book they jump into marriage with someone they have never met. To help prove that here is my favorite line from this one. "Picking up her hand, Gabe pressed his lips to MaKayla's fingers. She smiled at him, and he knew his life would be full of breathless moments!" I have to say I'm hooked and off to start the 3rd one!

Academic Bride by: Lucy McConnell

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Early on, Pamela Jones realized she had an unusual talent for putting two people together. Over the years, she's turned it into a successful matchmaking service for the ultra wealthy: Billionaire Marriage Brokers. While she specializes in "business" marriages -- paring people off because of their skills, education, or training -- she can spot a potential love match a mile away. When Pamela has a "good feeling" about a bride and groom - a business marriage can become so much more.

Janel Fendrick is a go-getter. Her dream of excavating a Mayan temple is within reach -- until the funding is pulled and she's left scrambling for an alternative. Pamela Jones comes along with a proposal...and a groom! Janel hesitates, until she realizes that one year of marriage is a small price to pay to have all her dreams come true. What she doesn't realize, is that she's about to get more than she ever dreamed of.

MY THOUGHTS:
I loved this book! The concept was a little strange at first. It's kind of a mail order bride thing. Also the thoughts of marrying someone you've never even met.... But it all came together so well. Lucy did a great job at keeping the story line flowing and how they we able to form their relationship was excellent. The book had be laughing and smiling and it was a fun read! I loved Lucy's novellas in the Snow Valley sets and I can't wait to read book 2 in the BMB series it is now next on my list! It's always nice to read a good clean romance novel!

Hello Again by: Heather Tullis

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Piper Daniels has one wish—to keep her little brother out of trouble—but her work schedule and a lack of activities for teens in her neighborhood complicate that mission. When she latches onto the idea of starting a community garden, it seems to answer all of her requirements. Until she realizes who owns the property she wants to use.

Reece Stone was the love of her life ten years earlier, until he left with only a phone call goodbye and no explanation. Now he’s the head of Stone Enterprises, and he’s thrilled at the chance to make amends and spend time with the woman he’s never been able to forget. He knows they can find love again, if he can melt her anger enough to give him a chance.

MY THOUGHTS:
I loved the DeCarlo Bride series and I am so excited Heather has decided to start a new series! This was such a great book! I love the idea of a community garden. I think it is a great way to bring people together. I am growing a garden for the first time really this year. The look on my kids’ when they see ripe veggies, even if they don't like to eat that particular one, is priceless! I loved Piper and Reece's story. Fate brought them together when they were young and then again when they were ready for love. I love the bond and friendship they were able to form while working thru the garden project. Even though, at first, they were both cautious about forming any sort of relationship. And the ending was awesome as well. I love a good happily ever after! I can't wait to read more books in this series. Great job Heather! Awesome book!