The Heart of Christmas by Brenda Novak

• Title:  The Heart of Christmas
• Series:  Whiskey Creek #7
• Author:  Brenda Novak
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance; Christmas
• Published:  October 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  Just call her Christmas Eve…  Eve Harmon has always enjoyed Christmas, but this year it reminds her of everything she doesn’t have. Almost all her friends are married now, and that’s what Eve wants, too. Love. A husband and kids of her own. But the B and B she manages, and even Whiskey Creek, the small Gold Country town where she was born and raised, suddenly seem…confining. 

Eve’s worried that her future will simply be a reflection of her past. There’s no one in the area she could even imagine as a husband—until a handsome stranger comes to town. Eve’s definitely attracted to him, and he seems to have the same reaction to her. But his darkly mysterious past could ruin Eve’s happily ever after—just when it finally seems within reach. And just when she’s counting on the best Christmas of her life!  (publisher)

My take:  The Heart of Christmas is one of those books that’s almost impossible to stop reading – at least it was for me! It’s book 7 in the Whiskey Creek series but it can stand alone.

The Heart of Christmas is filled with romance, suspense and a mystery. I loved the story of Eve and her handsome stranger. I couldn’t imagine how Brenda Novak would find a way to happiness for these two but I think she really hit this one out of the park (no spoilers here).

I can’t wait to see what she dreams up next for the group of friends in Whiskey Creek. Recommended to fans of the series and anyone who enjoys a good story.

Note:  Several weeks ago I happened to see a tweet from Brenda Novak telling readers that a characters from her book INSIDE would be one of the featured characters in The Heart of Christmas. Many readers requested his story going forward from INSIDE. You don’t have to read INSIDE but I did and learned a lot of background on the character. That said, Novak does a great job informing readers of his background in The Heart of Christmas.

The Lodge on Holly Road by Sheila Roberts

• Title:  The Lodge on Holly Road
• Series:  Life in Icicle Falls #6
• Author:  Sheila Roberts
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance, series
• Published:  October 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  How Santa Gets His Christmas Spirit Back… 

James Claussen has played Santa for years, but now that he’s a widower, he’s lost interest—in everything. So his daughter, Brooke, kidnaps him from the mall (in his Santa suit!) and takes him to Icicle Falls. She’s arranged a special Christmas at the lodge owned by long-widowed Olivia Wallace and her son, Eric. And yet…Brooke wants Dad to be happy, but she’s not ready to see someone else’s mommy kissing Santa Claus. 

Single mom Missy Monroe brings her kids to the lodge, too. Lalla wants a grandma for Christmas, and her brother, Carlos, wants a dog. Missy can’t provide either one. What she’d like is an attractive, dependable man. A man like John Truman… But John’s girlfriend will be joining him in Icicle Falls, and he’s going to propose. 

Of course not everything goes as planned. But sometimes the best gifts are the ones you don’t expect!  (publisher)

My take: If you’re looking for an entertaining Christmas novel this year you’ll want to read The Lodge on Holly Road. It’s part of the Life in Icicle Falls series but can stand alone. Seriously, if you haven’t read any of the previous books you will not be missing anything in this book.

Sheila Roberts is in top form with her novel of good intentions going astray. From the daughter who wants her widowed father to have a great Christmas to the single mom of two who wants to give her kids the Christmas she always wanted to the young man who can’t wait to publicly propose to the woman of his dreams – everyone will learn valuable lessons.

I enjoyed all the characters – from the main characters to the minor ones (lodge guests). They are all fully formed and interesting. The setting is great – Christmas in a mountain resort town.

When I finished reading The Lodge on Holly Road my first thought was “I hope the Hallmark Channel grabs this and makes a movie for next year.”

The Homecoming by Robyn Carr

• Title:  The Homecoming
• Series:  Thunder Point #6
• Author:  Robyn Carr
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance; series
• Published:  August 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  In a small town, reputation is everything. In her latest novel, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr explores the burden placed on a young man returning home to face his mistakes—the first step in claiming the life he was meant to live.  

At the age of nineteen, Seth Sileski had everything. A superb athlete and scholar, handsome and popular, he was the pride of Thunder Point. Destined for greatness, he lost it all in a terrible accident that put an end to his professional football career when it had barely begun. The people in his hometown have never forgotten what might have been. 

Seth has come to terms with the turns his life has taken. But now he’s been presented with an opportunity to return home and show his father—and the people of Thunder Point—he’s become a better, humbler version of his former self. 

Winning over his father isn’t the only challenge. Seth must also find a way to convince his childhood neighbor and best friend, Iris McKinley, to forgive him for breaking her heart. With his homecoming, will Seth be able to convince the town, his family and especially Iris that he’s finally ready to be the man who will make them all proud?  (publisher)

My take:  The Homecoming is another good addition to the Thunder Point series. It was quite different from the other books, I thought. Yes, there’s romance for Seth and Iris and they have issues to work through, but, at the forefront, is the issue of possible physical and verbal abuse – at Thunder Point High School. I thought Carr did a good job with this storyline. The novel culminated with a dramatic scene. As everything played out – the pages almost turned themselves. 

I can’t wait to read Carr’s next book in the Thunder Point series and hope I don’t have to wait too long. Recommended to fans of Contemporary/Small Town Romance and Robyn Carr.

The Promise by Robyn Carr

• Title:  The Promise
• Series:  Thunder Point #5
• Author:  Robyn Carr
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance
• Published:  June 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

My take:  Robyn Carr takes us back to Thunder Point, Oregon and this time Scott Grant, the small town’s doctor, is the main character. When his wife died after their second child was born he decided to move to Thunder Point because it would be more conducive to raising his children – and he wanted to practice medicine in a small, underserved community. Four years of living in the small town has proven his decision a good one. The only thing he needs is someone to work alongside him at the clinic – someone  who’s willing to work for almost no pay. When Peyton Lacoumette walks in the door and then agrees to give the job three months he can’t believe his good luck.

Scott and Peyton’s story was so enjoyable. They’re not perfect but together, at work and after work, their relationship was real and so sweet. The scenes at home with the kids tugged at my heartstrings. Scott would do anything for Peyton. After her previous relationship with another doctor ended terribly she’s not so sure she can start a new one with yet another doctor. And what will happen when the previous doctor shows up at Scott and Peyton’s office asking for a second chance?

As I’ve come to expect from Carr, The Promise is an emotional story filled with love, heartache, and hope. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series. Recommended to fans of Robyn Carr, the Thunder Point series, and small town contemporary romance.

The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane by Sheila Roberts

• Title:  The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane
• Series:  Icicle Falls #5
• Author:  Sheila Roberts
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance
• Published:  June 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  After a fake food poisoning incident in L.A., Bailey Sterling’s dreams of becoming a caterer to the stars collapse faster than a soufflé. Now Bailey’s face is in all the gossip rags and her business is in ruins. But the Sterling women close ranks and bring her back to Icicle Falls, where she’ll stay with her sister Cecily. 
All goes well between the sisters until Bailey comes up with a new business idea—a tea shop on a charming street called Lavender Lane. She’s going into partnership with Todd Black, who—it turns out—is the man Cecily’s started dating. It looks to Cecily as if there’s more than tea brewing in that cute little shop. And she’s not pleased. 
Wait! Isn’t Cecily seeing Luke Goodman? He’s a widower with an adorable little girl, and yes, Cecily does care about him. But Todd’s the one who sends her zing-o-meter off the charts. So now what? Should you have to choose between your sister and the man you love (or think you love)?  (publisher)

My take:  Sheila Roberts takes us back to Icicle Falls and the Sterling family. This time we find out if sisters Cecily and Bailey can figure out their love lives and remain good friends/sisters. Not an easy thing to do – feelings are hurt, egos are bashed. But what can you do when your matchmaker sister can’t figure out her own love life?  We also catch up with the third Sterling sister, Samantha. New exciting things are happening in her life as well.

I thought The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane was another cute story in the Icicle Falls series. It was more on the light side than you might think and I enjoyed it. At the end there’s an excerpt from the next book in the series: The Lodge on Holly Road. Sheila also included a few recipes from Bailey’s tea shop.

The Beekeeper’s Ball by Susan Wiggs

• Title:  The Beekeeper’s Ball
• Series:  Bella Vista Chronicles, #2
• Author:  Susan Wiggs
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance; Women’s Fiction
• Published:  June 24, 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  Isabel Johansen, a celebrated chef who grew up in the sleepy Sonoma town of Archangel, is transforming her childhood home into a destination cooking school—a unique place for other dreamers to come and learn the culinary arts. Bella Vista’s rambling mission-style hacienda, with its working apple orchards, bountiful gardens and beehives, is the idyllic venue for Isabel’s project…and the perfect place for her to forget the past. 
But Isabel’s carefully ordered plans begin to go awry when swaggering, war-torn journalist Cormac O’Neill arrives to dig up old history. He’s always been better at exposing the lives of others than showing his own closely guarded heart, but the pleasures of small-town life and the searing sensuality of Isabel’s kitchen coax him into revealing a few truths of his own. 
The dreamy sweetness of summer is the perfect time of year for a grand family wedding and the enchanting Beekeeper’s Ball, bringing emotions to a head in a story where the past and present collide to create an unexpected new future.  (publisher)

My take:  Susan Wigg’s lush descriptions drew me right into The Beekeeper’s Ball. Seriously, I’d love to enroll in Isabel’s cooking school and take in all Bella Vista has to offer!

Mac, an accomplished author, has arrived to write Isabel’s grandfather’s story. He was part of the Danish Resistance during WWII and, along with a few other people in Isabel’s life, came to the US when the liberation began. Magnus (the grandfather) has quite a story to tell Mac. He wants to get that story out because the truth needs to be told. That theme winds through the novel. Mac encourages Isabel to tell her truth – to herself and her loved ones. That takes extraordinary courage and she’s not sure she has it in her.

Another storyline is one that involves Isabel’s father. He died in a tragic crash on the day she was born. Isabel never had reason to doubt this truth she’d been told by her grandparents. They raised her because her mother died after giving birth to Isabel. Mystery begins to swirl around this storyline and I expect it to continue in the next book of The Bella Vista Chronicles.

I enjoyed the message of the dual stories in the book:  Magnus and his friends rising to help in the Danish Resistance before moving to a new homeland and Isabel and Mac rising to help the people in their lives. The past is the past. Embrace the future.

Note:  Although I haven’t yet read the first book in the series (The Apple Orchard) I didn’t feel lost. Wiggs did a good job explaining references to events and people from that book.

Come Home to Me by Brenda Novak

• Title:  Come Home to Me
• Series:  Whiskey Creek, #6
• Author:  Brenda Novak
• Genre:  Romance
• Published:  March 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis: Home is where her heart is. When Presley Christensen returns to Whiskey Creek with her little boy after two years away, she has completely changed her life. She’s made peace with her past and overcome the negative behavior that resulted from her difficult childhood. Now she’s back in the small town that was the closest thing to “home” she ever knew — the town where she can be with the sister who’s her only family. 

There’s just one catch. Aaron Amos still lives in Whiskey Creek, at least until he moves to Reno to open a branch of the Amos brothers’ auto body shop. And no matter how hard she’s tried, Presley hasn’t been able to get over him. Seeing him again makes the longing so much worse. But she hopes she can get through the next few months, because she can’t fall back into his arms…or his bed. She’s come too far to backslide now. And there’s a secret she’s been guarding — a secret she’ll do anything to protect.  (publisher)

My take:  Usually when you get to the sixth book in a series the reader has expectations of former secondary characters getting their time in the spotlight and most likely finding their happily-ever-after. In that regard, Brenda Novak’s sixth book in the Whiskey Creek series fits the mold.

What I didn’t expect was a secret (other than the one alluded to in the synopsis) that will probably threaten the future of the people who think they’re doing the right thing for the happiness of another character. 

Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.  – Sir Walter Scott

That secret was a major distraction to my reading experience. While I liked that Presley and Aaron had worked hard on their personal growth and had positive goals and ambitions I couldn’t get past their participation in a plan that will have a lasting impact on the lives of many.

So, it may seem like I didn’t like Come Home to Me but I like getting emotionally involved in the outcome of any book I read. This book definitely evoked emotions and I look forward to the continuation of “the secret” story line in which the characters involved will hopefully come to their senses!

Four Friends by Robyn Carr

• Title:  Four Friends
• Author:  Robyn Carr
• Genre:  Women’s Fiction
• Published:  March 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

My take:  From time to time Robyn Carr writes straight Women’s Fiction. She’s one of my favorite Romance authors but I’ve enjoyed her other novels as well.

In Four Friends we meet, well, four friends whose lives are about to change. The novel opens with Andy tossing her husband’s things on the front yard while her friends wait for her to join them on their regular early morning walk. She’s had it with his refusal to keep their marriage vows – so marks the end of her second marriage.

Sonja, the meditation and yoga loving friend, soon hears her husband say he can’t take her controlling ways anymore and he’s leaving.

Gerri, the friend who seems to have it all – great husband, kids, job – is shocked by information unwittingly revealed to her that will change life as she knows it.

And then there’s BJ, the new neighbor on the block who ignores the other three – until she doesn’t. She’ll become important to them all in ways they never expected. And they’ll do the same for her.

I really enjoyed Four Friends and I think women of a certain age will as well. I liked how Carr addressed, in a relatable way,  the issues being experienced by the women. They all find themselves reassessing and redefining what’s important. I think many readers will be able to see a bit of themselves in one or maybe more of the friends.

I think Four Friends would provide good discussion for a book group. There’s a readers’ guide included at the end.

Giveaway winner!

Congratulations to

Carrie W.

winner of

The In-Between Hour by Barbara Claypole White

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway!

• Winner selected by Random.org
• Giveaway copy provided by the publisher

Spotlight and Giveaway (US): The In-Between Hour by Barbara Claypole White

WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN LOSING YOUR CHILD? HAVING TO PRETEND HE’S STILL ALIVE…

Bestselling author Will Shepard is caught in the twilight of grief, after his young son dies in a car accident. But when his father’s aging mind erases the memory, Will rewrites the truth. The story he spins brings unexpected relief…until he’s forced to return to rural North Carolina, trapping himself in a lie.

Holistic veterinarian Hannah Linden is a healer who opens her heart to strays but can only watch, powerless, as her grown son struggles with inner demons. When she rents her guest cottage to Will and his dad, she finds solace in trying to mend their broken world, even while her own shatters.

As their lives connect and collide, Will and Hannah become each other’s only hope—if they can find their way into a new story, one that begins with love.

_____

ORDER THE BOOK FROM
Amazon • Amazon (UK) • Barnes & Noble • Books-a-Million (paperback) • Books-a-Million (e-book) • Harlequin • Indiebound

_____

I received an extra copy from the publisher so I decided to Spotlight it and share it via a giveaway. Since I’m paying the postage I have to limit the giveaway to readers in the US.

Please click here for details and then fill out the form.

The Chance by Robyn Carr

• Title:  The Chance
• Series:  Thunder Point, #4
• Author:  Robyn Carr
• Published:  February 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  With its breathtaking vistas and down-to-earth people, Thunder Point is the perfect place for FBI agent Laine Carrington to recuperate from a gunshot wound and contemplate her future. The locals embraced Laine as one of their own after she risked her life to save a young girl from a dangerous cult. Knowing her wounds go beyond the physical, Laine hopes she’ll fit in for a while and find her true self in a town that feels safe. She may even learn to open her heart to others, something an undercover agent has little time to indulge. 
Eric Gentry is also new to Thunder Point. Although he’s a man with a dark past, he’s determined to put down roots and get to know the daughter he only recently discovered. When Laine and Eric meet, their attraction is obvious to everyone. But while the law enforcement agent and the reformed criminal want to make things work, their differences may run too deep…unless they take a chance on each other and find that deep and mysterious bond that belongs to those who choose love over fear.  (publisher)

My take:  I think fans of the Thunder Point series are going to love this book. I did! We met Laine and Eric in previous books (as secondary characters) and I’m so glad Robyn Carr gave them their own book. Laine is taking stock of her life after a life-changing event and Eric is seeking redemption from his earlier life. In fact, he’s probably already found redemption and is on the path of making people wonder if he was ever that person. What they need to find out is if they can continue to live a new life with each other. What they don’t expect is the knock at the door that will change their life. No spoiler but I have to say Carr really nailed the heartbreaking issues involved with this storyline.

Then we have secondary characters, most of whom we’ve met in earlier books: Al who has worked for Eric several times but never stays very long. He’s a good person so Eric is always glad to have him back. Ray Anne, who becomes Al’s love interest, has been around the block a few times. These two were fun to watch as they fell in love. They’re older (50-60ish) than the usual romance couple. I love that and wish Robyn Carr would write more for that demographic. She’d find lots of fans, I’m certain. This couple’s storyline will arc into the next book. At least it better! My one issue with the book was the abrupt ending. I’m ok that strings weren’t tied in bows as long as those strings find their way into book 5 🙂 There’s also the three brothers who’ve been split up due to their mother’s terminal illness. They are part of Al’s story that will hopefully be broadened in the next book.

Like I mentioned, I loved this installment of the Thunder Point series. I’m really looking forward to the next book.

The Cottage on Juniper Ridge by Sheila Roberts

• Title:  The Cottage on Juniper Ridge
• Series:  Life in Icicle Falls, #4
• Author:  Sheila Roberts
• Published:  February 2014 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  How to Change Your Life…   Can a book change your life? Yes, when it’s Simplicity, Muriel Sterling’s guide to plain living. In fact, it inspires Jen Heath to leave her stressful, over-committed life in Seattle and move to Icicle Falls, where she rents a lovely little cottage on Juniper Ridge. And where she can enjoy simple pleasures—like joining the local book club—and complicated ones, like falling in love with her sexy landlord, Garrett Armstrong. 
Her sister Toni is ready for a change, too. She’s got a teenage daughter who’s constantly texting her friends, a husband who’s more involved with his computer than he is with her, and a son who’s consumed by video games. Toni wants her family to grow closer—to return to a simpler way of life. 
Other women in town, like Stacy Thomas, are also inspired to unload their excess stuff and some of the extra responsibilities they’ve taken on. 
But as they all discover, sometimes life simply happens. It doesn’t always happen simply!

My take:  I think most readers will be able to relate to at least one, if not most, of the characters in Sheila Roberts’ latest novel. Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed, over-committed, or just plain frustrated by the frenetic pace of life at one time or another?

One of Icicle Falls’ own is an author whose recent book is a manual on how to get your life back by simplifying it. The Icicle Falls book club selects the book and the members start to use the advice. Jen, the newest member of the book club, received the book from her sister and moved to Icicle Falls after reading it so she’s already committed to change. Stacy has let her desire for things rule her life to the point that she starts to worry she may be a hoarder. Chita, a single mom of two, has scheduled herself with commitments and responsibilities to the point of near exhaustion. Will simplifying their lives be worth all the effort? You’ll have to read The Cottage on Juniper Ridge to find out.

I enjoyed this book. It is light in tone yet drives the point home that ultimately a simpler life can equal a better life. I would have to agree!

Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre

• Title:  Kissing Under the Mistletoe
• Author:  Bella Andre
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance; Christmas
• Published:  September 2013 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  The Sullivan siblings have captivated the hearts of readers worldwide, and this Christmas, New York Times bestselling author Bella Andre shares the love story that started it all… 
For Mary Sullivan Christmas is, and always has been, about family. And this year is no different. As she awaits the arrival of her eight children and their partners at the cottage in Lake Tahoe, she hangs the ornaments that they made for her over the years. Each decoration brings with it a tide of memories, all of which she holds dear to her heart. 
But when she comes across the oldest ornament, the one her beloved husband, Jack, gave her on their very first Christmas together, Mary is immediately swept back to the first days of their whirlwind romance, to the love that would be the foundation on which they built the family she is so proud to call her own.  (publisher)

My take:  This Christmas addition to The Sullivans series is heartwarming and made me want to catch up in the series.  Reading about the love story of the Sullivan siblings’ parents gives readers an idea of the strong foundation of this family.  It’s a love at first sight story that seems too good to be true. But this is a Christmas Romance so anyone who reads it is probably expecting that and more. They won’t be disappointed. Recommended to fans of The Sullivans series and Christmas Romances.

Take Me Home For Christmas by Brenda Novak

• Title:  Take Me Home For Christmas
• Series:  Whiskey Creek #5
  
• Author:  Brenda Novak
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance; Christmas
• Published:  October 2013 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  Christmas is a time for remembering…

Too bad not all memories are pleasant! Everyone in Whiskey Creek remembers Sophia DeBussi as the town’s Mean Girl. Especially Ted Dixon, whose love she once scorned.

But Sophia has paid the price for her youthful transgressions. The man she did marry was rich and powerful but abusive. So when he goes missing, she secretly hopes he’ll never come back—until she learns that he died running from an FBI probe of his investment firm. Not only has he left Sophia penniless, he’s left her to face all the townspeople he cheated.…

Sophia is reduced to looking for any kind of work to pay the bills and support her daughter. With no other options, she becomes housekeeper for none other than Ted, now a successful suspense writer. He can’t bring himself to turn his back on her, not at Christmas, but he refuses to get emotionally involved. He learned his lesson the last time.

Or will the season of love and forgiveness give them both another chance at happiness? (publisher)

My take:  When Sophia and Ted were in high school they were madly in love and planned to spend the rest of their lives together. Things changed though and Sophia ended up married to a wealthy and emotionally and physically abusive man. Fourteen years later, Sophia finds herself a widowed mother, broke, and working for the last person she’d expect to be her employer. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Sophia has no choice if she wants to provide for her daughter. She needs to save money so she and Alexa can move away from Whiskey Creek and make a new life where no one knows them.

Ted tried to get over Sophia after she married another man but he never quite did. He became a successful author but hasn’t found the same success in a relationship. Recently he’s started dating a long-time friend, Eve. He attempts to distance himself emotionally from Sophia but that’s difficult now that she’s in close proximity. The attraction is as strong as ever.

Take Me Home For Christmas is a story of love and forgiveness and redemption. I wondered how Brenda Novak would bring Sophia and Ted together after finding out bits and pieces of their history in previous books. I enjoyed how she did it and hope we get to learn a little more of the rest of their story in the next book.

Recommended for fans of the Whiskey Creek series and small town Christmas romances.

Expected publication:  Oct. 29, 2013

Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs

• Title:  Candlelight Christmas
• Series: Lakeshore Chronicles
• Author:  Susan Wiggs
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance; Christmas
• Published:  October 2013 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O’Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O’Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season. 

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake—Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she’s the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas. 

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected—a love to last a lifetime.  (publisher)

My take:  If you’re a fan of the Lakeshore Chronicles by Susan Wiggs you’ll want to read Candlelight Christmas this holiday season. If you haven’t started that series go ahead and pick up this book – after finishing you’ll want to find book one and catch up in the series!

Candlelight Christmas is the charming tale of two people who haven’t gotten love “right”. Logan is a single father of one son. Darcy is divorced and not looking to get involved. When Darcy is invited by Logan’s sister to their family Thanksgiving she realizes she is attracted to Logan. They have a wonderful holiday. Weeks go by without any communication and then Darcy is invited to join the O’Donnell family for Christmas. The two enjoy the Christmas week festivities with Logan’s family in a beautiful winter setting. Logan and Darcy see sides of each other that make their feelings grow.

This book has what I look for in a Christmas romance: a great setting, a couple you really want to see find their HEA, and a warm and fuzzy story. Ultimately it’s a sweet story about discovering the true spirit of Christmas. Both young and old learn that the best gift is putting someone else’s happiness before their own.

Expected publication: October 29, 2013

The Hero by Robyn Carr

• Title:  The Hero  (Thunder Point #3)
• Author:  Robyn Carr
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance
• Published:  August 2013 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can’t be worse than what they’ve left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need. 

As the widowed father of a vulnerable young boy, Spencer Lawson knows something about needing friendship. But he’s not looking for anything else. Instead, he’s thrown his energy into his new role as Thunder Point’s high school football coach. Tough and demanding to his team, off the field he’s gentle and kind – …just the kind of man who could heal Devon’s wounded heart. 

Devon thought she wanted to hide from the world. But in Thunder Point, you find bravery where you least expect it …and sometimes, you find a hero. (publisher)

My take: The Hero is the newest addition to the Thunder Point series. We meet Devon McAllister and her young daughter Mercy who’ve escaped a place that had once been safe and secure but then turned into a prison. A few miles into their journey one of Thunder Point’s own gives them a ride as well as a chance at a new life.

If you’re familiar with this series I don’t want to spoil it by telling who helps Devon and Mercy. I’ll just say I really enjoyed learning more about this character – one of a few heroes in this novel.

We also learn more about Spencer Lawson and his new life in Thunder Point. He’s the new high school football coach which makes him a superstar in the eyes of the whole town.  He and Devon strike up a friendship that soon becomes more. They’ve both been through a lot in the past few years so they don’t want to rush things. They have their kids to consider and don’t want to put them through more emotional upheaval. But drama ensues putting their relationship to the test. And then Devon’s past catches up to her.

There’s an exciting scene near the end which left me more than happy to read the final pages. I really enjoyed The Hero and recommend it to fans of contemporary romance, the Thunder Point series, and Robyn Carr.

I’ll Be Seeing You by Suzanne Hayes and Loretta Nyhan

• Title:  I’ll Be Seeing You
• Authors:  Suzanne Hayes & Loretta Nyhan
• Genre:  Historical Fiction
• Published:  May 2013 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

My take:  In 1943, Gloria Whitehall, a young wife and mother from Rockport, Massachusetts and Rita Vincenzo, also a wife and mother from Iowa City, Iowa, become pen pals when their husbands (and Rita’s son) go off to war. Through good times and bad they become each other’s confidante and advisor.

Gloria (Glory) is in her early 20s and quite wealthy. Rita is almost 41 and the wife of a college professor. Despite their obvious differences the two form a treasured bond.

The novel is epistolary – a style I always enjoy. Through their letters the reader learns how life was on the home front – in Iowa and Massachusetts. Included in many letters are recipes the women exchanged with the appropriate ingredient substitutions that were required in wartime.

The reader also learns the personal turmoil experienced by both women. Life wasn’t a 1940s wartime movie for Glory and Rita, that’s for certain. Authors Nyhan and Hayes found a balance between the everyday and the dramatic that kept me anxious to pick the book up each day. I had to know what was new in Rita and Glory’s life – that’s a sure sign of a good book.

I really liked I’ll Be Seeing You and recommend it to fans of the era and epistolary novels.

Note:  If you’re like me, you’ll want to have a box of tissues nearby when you get to the end.

Home to Whiskey Creek by Brenda Novak

• Title:  Home to Whiskey Creek (#4, Whiskey Creek series)
• Author:  Brenda Novak
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance
• Published:  July 2013 – Harlequin/MIRA
• Source:  Publisher

Synopsis:  Sometimes home is the refuge you need – and sometimes it isn’t. Adelaide Davies, who’s been living in Sacramento, returns to Whiskey Creek, the place she once called home. She’s there to take care of her aging grandmother and to help with Gran’s restaurant, Just Like Mom’s. But Adelaide isn’t happy to be back. There are too many people here she’d rather avoid, people who were involved in that terrible June night fifteen years ago. 

Ever since the graduation party that changed her life, she’s wanted to go to the police and make sure the boys responsible—men now—are punished. But she can’t, not without revealing an even darker secret. So it’s better to pretend…. 

Noah Rackham, popular, attractive, successful, is shocked when Adelaide won’t have anything to do with him. He has no idea that his very presence reminds her of something she’d rather forget. He only knows that he’s finally met a woman he could love. (publisher)

My take:  From page one Brenda Novak had me riveted to Addy and Noah’s story. It had such a dark beginning that I wondered how it would resolve by the end. Not to worry, truth will triumph over evil and deceit eventually and Novak’s story showed that to be the case.

The adage The truth will set you free is borne out for Addy as well as (in another storyline) Noah’s best friend Baxter. They discover that the people who really know and love you will always be there for you – no matter what.

Home to Whiskey Creek is a story of friendship, romance, mystery, and forgiveness. It’s a book that could stand on its own but there are many recurring characters from previous books that you may enjoy reading about from the start. Either way, I liked this addition to the Whiskey Creek series and look forward to reading the next.

Treadmill Reads: What She Wants by Sheila Roberts

• Title:  What She Wants – Life in Icicle Falls #4
• Author:  Sheila Roberts
• Genre:  Contemporary Fiction; series
• Published:  March 2013 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher via NetGalley

Synopsis (publisher): What do women want? Jonathan Templar and his poker buddies can’t figure it out. Take Jonathan, for instance. He’s been in love with Lissa Castle since they were kids but, geek that he is, she’s never seen him as her Mr. Perfect. He has one last shot-their high school reunion. Kyle Long is equally discouraged. The pretty receptionist at his office keeps passing him over for other guys who may be taller but are definitely not superior. And Adam Edwards might be the most successful of Jonathan’s friends, but he isn’t having any success on the home front. His wife’s kicked him out. 

When Jonathan stumbles on a romance novel at the Icicle Falls library sale, he knows he’s found the love expert he’s been seeking-Vanessa Valentine, top-selling romance author. At first his buddies laugh at him for reading romance novels, but soon they, too, realize that these stories are the world’s best textbooks on love. Poker night becomes book club night…and when all is read and done, they’re going to be the kind of men women want!

My take: I think I’ve found the first beach book of 2013 to recommend! Sheila Roberts made me laugh out loud as I read about Jonathan, Kyle, and Adam trying to figure out what women, more specifically the women they want, well, WANT.

The discussions at the weekly poker games were funny yet made the point that men probably go through as much anxiety about finding The One as women do. Vance, who was married once upon a time, and Bernardo, currently happily married, give advice to the three younger men in as few words as humanly possible – they’re such guys!

But what ends up being the most helpful are Romance novels. Jonathan convinces his friends to read one or two. They’re so desperate that they’ll try just about anything. It was fun watching them try out various things learned from the Romance heroes. 

You’ll have to read the book to see if they get their dream girls or if they find they’ve been dreaming of the wrong girl all along! I recommend What She Wants to anyone looking for a light, fun read. Perfect for vacation, stay-cation, or even the treadmill :).

The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

• Title:  The Wanderer – Thunder Point series, #1
• Author:  Robyn Carr
• Genre:  Contemporary Romance, series
• Published:  March 2013 – Harlequin MIRA
• Source:  Publisher via NetGalley

Synopsis (publisher):  Nestled on the Oregon coast is a small town of rocky beaches and rugged charm. Locals love the land’s unspoiled beauty. Developers see it as a potential gold mine. When newcomer Hank Cooper learns he’s been left an old friend’s entire beachfront property, he finds himself with a community’s destiny in his hands. 

Cooper has never been a man to settle in one place, and Thunder Point was supposed to be just another quick stop. But Cooper finds himself getting involved with the town. And with Sarah Dupre, a woman as complicated as she is beautiful. 

With the whole town watching for his next move, Cooper has to choose between his old life and a place full of new possibilities. A place that just might be home.

My take:  Robyn Carr has done it again. She’s imagined a community of interesting characters as the basis of a new series – and I was sold from the first page.

I loved the Oregon coast setting and the people who live in the small town of Thunder Point. There’s Hank Cooper and Sarah Dupre, Mac McCain and Gina James, Mac’s aunt Lou and her beau, Joe. These characters and the people in their lives experience relatable challenges that kept me interested and turning the pages. A bit of mystery was woven throughout the book and was satisfactorily solved by the end. 

I’m so glad Robyn Carr has ventured outside of Virgin River (the series that made me a fan) and look forward to reading the second book in the Thunder Point series.