New Year's Resolutions (Romance Renovations) by Maria Hoagland

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A Romance Renovations novelette. Sign up for my newsletter at http://www.mariahoagland.com/free-book.html and receive a complimentary copy of this story!

Visiting Maui for a holiday wedding that never happens, Grae Beckett and Tate McKenzie find the unexpected--each other. Fiercely independent, Grae vows doesn’t need anyone, but somewhere along the way, she stops being Tate’s job and even starts depending on him.

Part of the Romance Renovations series, "New Year's Resolutions" is a sweet holiday novelette that can be read as a stand-alone. Readers who love HGTV and Hallmark movies will love this sweet romance. Other holidays in this series include "Home for the Holidays" for Christmas, and "Kayaks & Kisses" for Thanksgiving, and The {Re}Model Marriage for every day.

Bonus features include award winning short story "Diagnosis & Treatment" and poem "Problems of Supremacy."

MY THOUGHTS:

What a cute novella. It was a fun quick read over a semi busy Thanksgiving weekend. Had me dreaming of being on the beach.  I loved the friendship and quick bond that Grae and Tate formed. If you are looking for a nice, quick, clean romance give this one a shot! 

Note: I was gifted a copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Light the Dark by: Christy Barritt

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Nine months pregnant, Hope Solomon is on the run and fearing for her life. Desperate for warmth, food, and shelter, she finds what looks like an abandoned house. Inside, she discovers a Christmas that’s been left behind—complete with faded decorations on a brittle Christmas tree and dusty stockings filled with loss.

Someone spies smoke coming from the chimney of the empty house and alerts Dr. Luke Griffin, the owner. He rarely visits the home that harbors so many bittersweet memories for him. But no one is going to violate the space so near and dear to his heart.

Then Luke meets Hope, and he knows this mother-to-be desperately needs help. With no room at any local inn, Luke invites Hope to stay, unaware of the danger following her. While running from the darkness, the embers of Christmas present are stirred with an unexpected birth and a holiday romance. But will Hope and Luke live to see a Christmas future?

Fiction/Christian/Suspense

MY THOUGHTS:
This was such a fun afternoon read! I was really worried that the story wouldn't feel complete being so short but the Author did an awesome job with all the details in such a short book. Hope and Luke had both had terrible heartache but were able to find happiness again with each other. I love the Christmas references and the Christmas message of this novella. Great job! 

Pianos and Promises 3 Story Collection by: Jennifer Peel

ABOUT THE BOOK:
From Best Selling and Award Winning Author, Jennifer Peel, comes a three-story collection of contemporary romances. Set in Nashville, the City of Music, Pianos and Promises follows the interwoven lives of three different couples.

Christopher and Jaime

Doesn't everyone say you should marry your best friend?

Jaime has two goals in life: marry her best friend, and buy her very own grand piano. Christopher never gets the memo and marries someone else. But when Christopher's wife dies, Jaime finds herself raising his young daughter and on the end of a very unlikely proposal.

Can their friendship endure a marriage of convenience?

Beck and Call

What happens when a dashing Englishman and an almost-famous country star collide? Sparks. And lots of them.

Call's life always seems to be on the cusp of working out, only to unravel at the last moment. For instance, when she finally meets the guy--the man she's been fantasizing about from afar--their first meeting is nothing like she hoped; in fact, she wishes she never met him.

But can the charming Englishman change her mind?

Cole and Jillian

Can a few hours really change your life?

Jillian knows a thing or two about the country music scene, and she wants no part of it after her country singer ex-husband. But as fate would have it, she's seated next to country legend Cole Pendleton on a red-eye flight home to Nashville from Las Vegas. Between her emotional state, her fear of flying, and maybe a little vodka, she finds herself taking comfort in Cole's arms and lips during their four-hour flight.

Cole is determined to prove to her that he's a man of his word, but can Jillian trust his midnight promises?

MY THOUGHTS:

Christopher and Jaime

The timing of my picking this novella to read couldn't have been more perfect. I needed a good happily ever after kind of story to make my day and that is exactly what this is! I loved Chris and Jamie's story so much. Every relationship has a lot of ups and downs and none are perfect. I love reading about the imperfect ones because it makes things more like reality. I loved this story and I am becoming a huge fan of Jennifer Peel.

Beck and Call

I'm so happy that I decided to wait until the box set for these novellas cane out to read them all because I would have gone crazy waiting for the next one to come out. This one was just as amazing as the first. Call is a spitfire like me and puts Beck in his place I love it! Just a great read I honestly didn't want to put it down.

Cole and Jillian

I loved this one too. What a great ending to this set of books! Jillian was married to a country singer and didn't like the life that brings. When she meets another country singer she wants to run. Only problem was Cole runs towards her now away. I thought their story was so cute and I especially liked the Epilogue of this one! 

Still so happy that I saved this set to read them all at once! They were amazing and the last one was my break from reality today. I'm officially a big fan of this Author and can't wait to read the other books I have by her!

Cozumel Escape by: Cami Checketts

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Enjoy this thrilling billionaire romance from Author Cami Checketts.

Brooks Hoffman, billionaire, loves women, expensive toys and fighting—in that order. A week romancing a beautiful woman on his private island near Cozumel is a great way to pass the time. When Sydnee Lee Swenson isn’t impressed with his money, or charmed by his…well, charm, Brooks takes it as a personal challenge to change her mind.

Sydnee Lee moved to a small island to volunteer at the local orphanage. She’s fallen in love with the children and doesn’t need a good-looking, over-confident guy complicating things. Sending Brooks on his way, with just the right amount of sass, was the only option. But when Brooks puts his own life on the line for her and some of the orphaned children, she may have to take another look at the guy behind the muscles and money.

This book also contains a sneak peek at The Angler, the Baker, and the Billionaire by Author Amberlee Day and The Reclusive Billionaire by Lucy McConnell.

MY THOUGHTS:
I love this series of books by different Authors! Adding some of my favorite Authors makes it even better! Cami is one of my favorites! I love that Brooks from Caribbean Rescue got his own story. He is a very wealthy playboy that needed to settle down. Sydnee, who is a little spitfire gives him a run for his money and is constantly putting him in his place, I love it cause that's how I am hahaha. Cami always pulls you into her books and you find yourself falling in love with the characters this one is no different! Awesome read for sure!

Note: I was gifted a copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Kayaks and Kisses by Maria Hoagland

ABOUT THIS BOOK;
Brynn Caley is about to start her dream career running an outdoor sporting goods store when an out-of-town business guru makes his own offer on the property. Coerced into forming a temporary partnership, Brynn, with her ski experience, finds she has to work with fishing expert Gage to run the year-round shop. Through a series of innocent misconceptions and a few blatant lies, Brynn doesn’t realize that the handsome single guy on the construction crew is her new partner, and he doesn’t want to set her straight until he can gain her favor. She, on the other hand, would do anything not to work with the stuffy businessman she’s only met through email. Inspired by the movies You’ve Got Mail and The Shop around the Corner, Kayaks & Kisses is a heart-warming tale of finding love in autumn leaves, outdoor activities, and new friendships.

MY THOUGHTS:

*Sigh* I loved this book! I am running off of very little sleep today and I figured this novella was a great way to pass the day faster. I loved this take on You've got mail. Such a classic movie. Trying to match the same story line would be hard but the Author totally nails it!  I loved how developed all the characters where it was easy to fall in love with them and feel like you were engrossed in the story right along with them! I have read other books by this Author and I have to say they keep getting better and better! Trust me she. I say you should give this one a shot! 

I was gifted a copy of this book but all opinions are my own!

Cunning Attractions by: Christy Barritt

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Politics. Love. Murder.

Radio talk show host Bill McCormick is in his prime. He’s dating a supermodel, his book is a bestseller, and his ratings have skyrocketed during the heated election season.

But when Bill’s ex-wife, Emma Jean, turns up dead, the media and his detractors assume the opinionated loudmouth is guilty of her murder. Bill’s on-air rants about his demon-possessed ex don’t help his case. Did someone realize that Bill was the perfect scapegoat? Or could Bill have silenced his Ice Queen ex once and for all?

Gabby Thomas takes on the case, but she soon realizes that Emma Jean had too many enemies to count. From election conspiracy theories to scorned affections and hidden secrets, Emma Jean left a trail of trouble as her legacy. Gabby is determined to follow the twisted path until she finds answers.

As Gabby comes closer to casting her vote for the guilty party, the stakes rise, tensions heat, and her own life is endangered. Will she be able to do a recount as votes are cast about who the murderer is? Or was this whole crime rigged from the start?

Fiction/christian/mystery

MY THOUGHTS:

I love this series so much! It's still the only thing my teenaged son with read. Even after 12 books I don't want it to end but I felt like the Author is starting to kind of wrap things up in this book. There were so many surprises for me in this one. I really enjoyed that it wasn't predictable. It is great to see so many good things happening to Gabby and Riley you really fall in love with them both over the series of books. Can't wait for more in this series or from this Author.

Note: I was gifted a copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

Love's Broken Road

ABOUT THE BOOK:

After surviving an abusive marriage, Victoria Newel needs a clean slate for herself and her son. Taking a job as a math teacher, she moves across the country to the small town of Lincoln, Utah, where no one knows her and she can start over. However, her new colleague, Drew Dalton, offers her friendship and maybe something more. But has her heart healed enough that she could trust again?

Drew Dalton lost his wife to cancer years ago and he locked his heart away, throwing himself into his teaching job. But when Victoria Newel starts working at the high school, she awakens something in him that he never thought he’d feel again. Her gentle nature and quiet strength draws him to her, but it’s obvious she’s hiding something in her past from him. Can he open his heart to a woman who harbors so many secrets of her own?

Bio:

Julie Coulter Bellon is the author of more than a dozen romantic suspense novels. Her book All Fall Down won the RONE award for Best Suspense and Pocket Full of Posies won a RONE Honorable Mention for Best Suspense.

Julie loves to travel and her favorite cities she's visited so far are probably Athens, Paris, Ottawa, and London. She loves to read, write, teach, watch Castle, Hawaii Five-O, and eat Canadian chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.

Julie offers writing and publishing tips as well as her take on life on her blog ldswritermom.blogspot.com You can also find out about all her upcoming projects at her website juliebellon.com         

Giveaway code:

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MY THOUGHTS:

I loved this book! Some of my favorite stories to read are the not so fairy tale type. I love when an author writes about real life issues like death, abuse and anxiety. This book was a nice change for Julie I know she doesn't write this type very often and I am glad she went with her gut and her story and wrote it!  I loved the whole relationship between Tori and Drew and the instant connection they had. I loved that there was an epilogue too not very often do you get a peek into the future of the characters I like it when Authors include them! All in all it was an awesome book. Great job Julie!

Note: I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

On the Corner of Heartache and Love by: Lisa Swinton

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Maren's stuck at the intersection of heartache and love, but happily ever after might be just around the corner.

After three years, Maren Summers is elated to finally have her dream wedding to her dream man, Kevin Bryant. In her sights is the promotion to weddings she’s worked so hard for at the newspaper. Happily ever after is within her grasp…

Until Kevin jilts her at the altar, elopes with another woman, and becomes her boss. Devastated by the twisted turn of events Maren moves in with her best friend and notices the not-so-homeless guy on the corner, Zane Whitfield. As his heart-wrenching tale unfolds—his vow to wait a year on the corner for his lost love—Maren sees his compassionate human-interest story as her ticket away from Kevin, weddings, and her heartache.

But as the New Year approaches, is Maren headed for heartache again when Zane's lost love returns or has time changed more than one heart?

MY THOUGHTS:
*Sigh* I loved this book so much! I'm actually sad it's over. Zane and Maren both needed a friend after such unthinkable things happened to them in their lives and relationships. It was so much fun to see how their friendship played out and grew. I wasn't sure that either would get a happily ever after but I loved really the ending! This is what sappy love story books should be made of! It was so good I didn't wanted to put it down until I was done. Amazing, amazing job Lisa! Can not wait for more from you!

Lifeline (The Security Experts Book 2) by: Christy Barritt

ABOUT THE BOOK:
"I did it for you."

The chilling words in the text message have Julianne Grace fearing for her life. She's sure that her abusive ex-fiancé has killed two people—and that she's the next target. But will anyone believe that her presumed dead ex is really alive? The only man who can help Julianne is cool, aloof security specialist Bradley Stone. Not only does she need his protection, but he's also the link to finding answers about her ex-fiancé's death. And the closer Bradley and Julianne get to the truth—and to each other—the angrier the madman after Julianne becomes. One wrong move and they could both fall prey to the killer's deadly scheme.

MY THOUGHTS:
Wow this book was awesome! It's been over a year and a half since I read book one in this series but I remember it was amazing and have been meaning to get this one to the top of my list for a while...Let me tell you it DID NOT disappoint! It was full of action and suspense and had me on the edge of my seat. I fell in love with the characters and hope they will show up in number 3 which is going towards the top of my list as well! Julianna was able to escape an abusive relationship when her fiancée suddenly died but then 2 years later she finds herself running for her life again and weird thing is she thinks it is him again....trust me is a great read! Great job Christy!

A Country Christmas (Timeless Regency Collection Book 5) by: Josi S. Kilpack, Carla Kelly, and Jennifer Moore

ABOUT THE BOOK:
From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling & #1 Amazon bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series in Clean Romance, comes A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS.

Three brand new Regency Romance novellas by Josi S. Kilpack, Carla Kelly, and Jennifer Moore.

**Amazon Top 30 in Regency Romance**
**Amazon Top 20 in Victorian Romance**

SAINTS AND SINNERS by Josi S. Kilpack. When Neville Franklin’s best friend Burke wants to wager who can kiss Eloise first, Neville puts a stop to it. Eloise has been his friend since childhood, and, well, she’s off-limits. Especially to Burke. As Burke pursues Eloise and claims that she has a tendre for him, Neville becomes more and more protective of the girl he grew up with. On the night of the Christmas ball when Eloise appears in a dress that clearly shows that she is no longer a girl, but a beautiful woman, Neville realizes that his protective feelings toward Eloise have turned into something greater. But now, Neville’s best friend stands in his way.

THE CHRISTMAS ANGLE by Carla Kelly. Sailing Master Able Six is on half-pay with the British navy, biding his time during the uneasy Peace of Amiens and the resumption of war. Meanwhile, he’s invited to teach young pupils at the home of a vicar outside of Plymouth. There, he unexpectedly meets Meridee, the spinster sister-in-law of the vicar. From the moment Able sees Meridee, he’s entranced. When she asks him about his past and discovers his remarkable yet troublesome gift, he realizes he’s finally found someone who can care for all of him. Sadly, Able’s low station and half-pay gives him no way to provide for a wife. Meridee’s lack of dowry and dependence on relatives makes their union impossible at best. But isn’t Christmas a season of hope?

THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS by Jennifer Moore. Archie Clawson wants nothing more than to give Jane the perfect Christmas. Since her troubled childhood, she’s not experienced a Christmas with all the trimmings. To top off the perfection, he also plans to ask her to marry him on Christmas Eve. But as he and his friends, including Jane, travel to his country home, they are caught in a snowstorm and discover that notice of their arrival did not get through to the house staff. Worried over the disappointment he must be causing Jane and the complete shift in their planned Christmas, Archie fears that he’s misinterpreted her kindness towards him and lost her favor forever.

Other books in the Timeless Regency Collections:
AUTUMN MASQUERADE
A MIDWINTER BALL
SPRING IN HYDE PARK
SUMMER HOUSE PARTY
A SEASON IN LONDON
A HOLIDAY IN BATH
FALLING FOR A DUKE
A NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE

MY THOUGHTS:

Saints and Sinners by: Josi Kilpack

I have been a big fan of Josi Kilpack for a few years now! Ever since I picked up Lemon Tart, I was hooked! I'm not usually a huge fan of regency romance but this novella really pulled me in and I sat and read the whole thing. Eloise and Neville are childhood friends that as they got older their relationship turns into something more. Neville just doesn't seem to realize it yet. Eloise wants to be noticed by him even if that means spending time with his best friend....I loved all the references to Christmas time in England. My Mom is British so I grew up with some of those traditions and heard many stories of the others! Great job Josi!  

The Christmas Angle by Carla Kelly

I had a rough time getting into this book. I'm not a huge fan of historical romance but I read them on occasion. I almost gave up around chapter 3 or so but decided to push a little more. In the end I enjoyed it. It was very different from what I usually read but I liked it and I liked Able and Meridees story. I also love that she called Meridee his keeper. Don't we all feel like our husbands keeper sometimes haha ;)

The Perfect Christmas by Jennifer Moore

This novella was my favorite of the set! I am a firm believer of simple Christmases and have always tried to keep them that way. I have dreamed of having Christmas in cabin in the snow somewhere. This story proves that not everything needs to go as planned to be perfect in its own way and even the most simple of Christmases can turn out to be the best ones! Perfect story to start out an upcoming holiday season! 

All in all this was another awesome set of books to read for the Christmas season! 

Note: I was given an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Adventurous One by: Jeanette Lewis

RELEASE DAY FOR THIS ONE!!!

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Taylor Medlin may have taken the billionaire bride pact when she was a teenager at Camp Wallakee, but she wasn’t thinking about that when she married the man of her dreams several years later. And she certainly wasn’t thinking about the pact when she signed the divorce papers after only eighteen months.

Once burned, twice shy, Taylor has sworn off romance until a family emergency pulls her home to Sioux Falls and into the arms of old friend, Lane Carter. But Lane has his own demons and he and Taylor must decide whether the past will bring them together, or tear them apart.

Includes a bonus chapter from The Protective One by Cami Checketts

MY THOUGHTS:
I can never say it enough, I LOVE THIS SERIES! Taylor is an outdoorsy girl that seeks adventure in her life. Lane used to be that way until an accident cost him his legs. When they meet again after several years of not seeing each other they pick up where they left off with a great friendship. Taylor sees Lane for who he is and not for his disability and she wants to see him happy again. I loved this book. They both had some self discovery moments and they have some great times together. This was such a fun one to read! Great job Jeanette! 

Taylor Lynne by: Jennifer Peel

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Determined not to repeat the same mistakes as her mother, Taylor Cole left her husband with their toddler in tow fourteen years ago and vowed never to return to Merryton. Now she is finally ready to face her demons and put the past and her ex-husband behind her, but to do that she and her daughter must return to the place that haunts her memories. A place where she lost not only the love of her life, but her childhood hopes and dreams.

When they move back, Taylor can’t seem to remain apathetic toward her ex-husband or his nine-year-old daughter. She discovers that maybe all wasn’t as it seemed so many years ago. And maybe—just maybe—she and her ex-husband need each other more now than they ever have before. But can the exes put the past behind them and find a way to forgive each other? Or will they let past mistakes and misunderstandings keep them from future happiness?

Return to Merryton and join Taylor and Easton on their journey, and catch up with old friends you grew to love in Jessie Belle.

MY THOUGHTS:
I love second chance romance stories. Life is hard. Love and marriage are hard. They all take a lot of work and sometimes it takes more than one round to figure it out. (I'm my husbands second round lol). I loved Taylor and Easton's story. They married young and quick and when you lose sight of each other and stop communicating it's almost impossible to stay together. I loved that for their daughter were willing to try living near each other and mix their lives to make her happy. And I really enjoyed their banter and Easton's determination to fix things. This was an awesome book I really loved it a lot and can't wait to read the next one!

The Resilient Bride by: Lucy McConnell

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Enjoy This Heartfelt Romance From Bestselling Author Lucy McConnell.

Liam Bernhard has climbed Egyptian pyramids, skydived, searched for sunken treasure, reached high camp on Mount Everest, and paddle boarded in Antarctica. He has one final wish before he dies; he wants to be married. With time running short, he hires Pamela Jones to find him a bride.
Kiera Martin has done the Billionaire Marriage Brokers arrangement once before and it didn’t turn out well. She left her verbally abusive husband and BMB behind to nurse her mom through cancer treatments—expensive cancer treatments. Three years later, with few financial options left, still carrying baggage from her first marriage, and her mom in remission, Kiera gives Pamela one more chance.
What she thinks will be the fast road to debt reduction turns out to be the hardest path she’s ever trod as Liam’s diagnosis looms over their every minute together. He showers her with enough love to last eternity, which is good because eternity may be all they have to look forward to. In order to find her happy ending in a world where sorrows outweigh the joys, Kiera must learn how to live in the moment, cherish every good gift, and love like she was dying.

MY THOUGHTS:
Wow! This is a book full of emotions. I loved it so much! You can really tell that the Author poured her whole heart into this book. It really is amazing! Be prepared to be pulled in to the book, the characters and their story. It was such a mix of happy, sad, love and  even desire on so many levels. I found myself feeling connected to Kiera and Liam and wanted to see their happily ever after. This book will pull on your heartstrings but it's totally worth it. Another awesome addition the the BMB series. I love them all!