[Review]* Christmas in Mustang Creek (The Brides of Bliss County #4) by Linda Lael Miller

Summary:

True love gets a second chance this Christmas in Mustang Creek.

Growing up in Mustang Creek, Wyoming, Charlotte Morgan couldn't wait to escape to the big city. But with a job she doesn't love and a sense of loneliness she can't shake, life in New York is less fabulous than she'd like to admit—especially now that veterinarian Jaxon Locke has left town. 

Jax's move to Idaho to fill in at his dad's practice ended things with Charlotte just as they were getting interesting. But he didn't expect to miss her so much. So when Charlotte returns home to help care for the great-aunt who raised her, Jax is determined to get to Wyoming and do whatever it takes to win her back…and he'll start by giving her the most magical Mustang Creek Christmas of all. 

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 267 pages (Hardcover)

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Brides of Bliss County

Available Formats: Print/E-book/E-Audiobook/Audiobook CD

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: September 29th 2015 by HQN Books

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I finally did it, last week after years of seeing people reviewing Linda Lael Miller's books I finally decided to bite the bullet after this one strayed across my path at the library a while back. I wasn't sure how Christmas at Mustang Creek would read since it is the fourth book in the Brides of Bliss County series but I was worried for nothing.

This was a quick and easy holiday read and one that I really needed. I'd read a pretty heavy sort of book and this was just the right amount of lightening up and it fit in perfectly with the season. I really enjoyed the small town feel of this book but I do wish it had been highlighted more because while I enjoyed the glimpses, they were all too brief and I found myself wanting to get to know they other characters in the town more.

I liked Charlotte and Jaxon together more than as individual characters, well that's not true. I like Charlotte better when she was with Jax as a couple because on her own she wasn't the most likable heroine for me. There was far too much inner dialogue on her end and her "rationale" to find reasons not to do things got annoying after while but I will say I loved how she took care of her elderly aunt, she loved her so much and that really came through and in the end when Charlotte opened up more I did come to like her.

Jaxon was a great hero all on his own. He's a vet, a country boy and he is completely head over heals in love with Charlotte, Mustang Creek and all the residents. He was such a sweetheart and he had no problem being henpecked by the women and being at their beck and call. In fact he seemed to really enjoy having women to take care of and I loved it. He was such a good guy and the way he delt with all the townsfolk was wonderful I'm glad he balanced out Charlotte.

Mrs. Klozz though was the true star of the book, with her baked goods, feasts fit for a king, a welcoming embrace, advice and some good old fashioned old lady meddling I couldn't not love her, She had a delightful sense of humour and she was such a lovely character she really made tied the whole book together and she embodied the feeling of Christmas for me.

This is one that was on the sweeter side of the romance scale and didn't delve into the intimate details much though there was a certain amount of sexual tension and and the odd innuendo but nothing you wouldn't be shocked by. It had all the fixins' of a holiday love story and while I did think Charlotte needed more character development and I wish we'd gotten to know more of the folks in the town.
I'm glad these two characters got their happily ever after.

I would definitely recommend this book to all fans of holiday romances. If you're a fan of Debbie Macomber's Call Me Mrs. Miracle books Mrs. Klozz is sure to remind you of them. Check this one out if you're looking for a quick and sweet read to snuggle up with for the evening. I can't wait to read more of this series and enjoyed my experience reading Linda Lael Miller's work for the first time.

Really Liked It

★★★ 1/2

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[Review]* The Unquiet Past by Kelley Armstrong

Summary:

You can only hide from the truth for so long.

Tess has always been tormented by waking visions that make her question her sanity. When the orphanage she lives in burns down, she decides to face her fears and find out once and for all what is wrong with her. She believes the truth must lie with her parents, and so, armed with only an address and phone number, Tess travels to a crumbling mansion in rural Quebec, where she discovers evidence of mistreatment of mental patients. She also makes an unlikely ally and gradually unearths her family’s sad history—and finally accepts the truth about her paranormal powers.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 264 pages (Paperback)

Available Formats: Print/E-book/E-Audiobook/Audiobook CD

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: September 29th 2015 by Orca Book Publishers

Kelley Armstrong is one of my turn to authors when I'm in a bit of a slump so when I saw that she had released this one last year I had to read it. I didn't get to it until January of this year and it's a shame that it's taken me this long to write the review for it. 

I picked this one up because I was in a slump and wanted to read one of her YA titles but wasn't really in the mood to go right into one of her many YA series at the time. The Unquiet Past is set in a series but the series is comprised of each book in it being written by different authors. It was perfect for what I wanted so as soon as I got it from the library I started reading it and wouldn't you know it, I was done the same day. Because of the nature of the book I'm going to have to be a little vague so I don't give any big spoilers away. 

The Unquiet Past is different from her other novels in that it's a standalone (she has some but she is a serious series writer). I thought the setting was great, It's set here in Canada (rural Quebec) and in 1964 which is a pretty clear departure from her other stuff, but it was refreshing to see this side of her writing. I wouldn't say that it's clear cut in what genre it fits in but if I best had to describe it it would be a historical young adult mystery with a touch of the paranormal to it. If I had to describe it in one word I'd say gothic.

Tess is a really good character and I liked her right from the beginning. She's spent her whole life in an orphanage in Hope, Ontario and all she wants to do is be free and find out who she really is and why she's being plagued with visions on top of being an orphan. The poor girl really couldn't catch a break. I thought she was really well written, she was smart, witty and a little naive at the same time which made her believable to me. I thought she was quite spunky too and I liked how she was relentless in her pursuit to find out her history, even when it meant travelling alone in rural areas and finding a house (and a curmudgeon of a teenage boy) that held evidence that it used to be a sort of asylum and a wee bit of a ghost/spectre problem.

Then there's the Curmudgeon also known as Jackson a Metis boy who is just a bit older than Tess. He's also looking for answers to something (I'm not telling you what!) and he reluctantly and rudely agrees to help Tess on her quest for answers. I liked him, but I did find his grumbling a bit off putting after awhile. At the same time though he did balance out Tess and her optimism and he brought a levelheadedness to the story and their search so he did play a big role and fill in areas that were needed.

I thought the overall writing of the book was fast paced, and very mysterious. I never knew what was going to happen next and that's what really kept me reading further. There was definitely an air of the paranormal to it that brought a bit of an eerie feeling to the story, especially when they found out what the mansion used to be used for and all that ensued in that strange old place. I thought the way that the author described the scenes was great, I could really see my self standing with Jackson and Tess, watching things unfold in front of my eyes. It was really cool to be able to be transported like that it was almost as if I could smell the smell of old stale house while I was reading it. I loved that about it and the characters were well written. 

However that's not to say that the book was perfect. My biggest gripe with it was I felt a bit rushed. I think the characters as good as they were could have been expanded on a bit as well as the story itself. If it were given another 30 to 50 pages to really delve more into the history of the house I'd have like it more. It wasn't a huge detriment to the story but I did feel slightly rushed hence the 3.5 star rating instead of a 4 star rating. 

I would recommend this one to fans of Kelley Armstrong, readers who enjoy young adult fiction that is a mix of mystery with a touch of the paranormal and people looking for a read that gives off an eerie vibe when you're reading it. I would advise thought that this is one of the books were things do not wrap themselves up in a pretty bow for you in the end. It leaves you with questions and lets think about the story long after you finish reading it. 

Really Liked It!

★★★ 1/2

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*[Blog Tour Review & Giveaway] The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane (Life in Icicle Falls #5) by Sheila Roberts

 

 

Summary:

When it comes to men, sisters don't share!

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)?
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 400 pages (Mass Market Paperback)
Source: Review Copy
Available Formats: Print/E-book
Publication Date: June 24th 2014 by Harlequin MIRA

The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane was the first book I've read in the Icicle Falls series and the first book I've read by Sheila Roberts period but just because I came into it mid series doesn't mean I didn't enjoy this little gem because I did.

I thought this one was a cute read. For me it was a one sitting read and just what I was craving at the time after reading mysteries just before I started this one and it gave me some of that light heartedness that I needed especially since I love books set in small towns.

While I do wish that I had read the previous books in the series to get more of a feel for the town it still turned out to be an enjoyable read. It had a little bit of romance but I like how it focuses more on the sister Bailey and Cecily though I wish their relationship with each other was less strained. I liked both of our main characters the same because they were so real they could be any pair of sisters in the real world fighting over a man. However, I do wish the conflict between the sisters wasn't over a man at the same time because I just think it's a silly reason to fight with family or anyone really.

I really felt for Bailey the most though. She had to go home with her tail between her legs because someone decided to screw her over and I hate that but I enjoyed that redemption and homecoming were at the heart of this well written story. It was very sweet story that dealt with real life problems which I love seeing in books. I just wish I could say that I liked Cecily. I understand why she is the less likable character but her attitude and the fact that she was stringing two men along really rubbed me the wrong way and I wanted to strangle her for it. Especially since she decided to take out her issues on her little sister. I was team Bailey all the way even when Cecily stopped acting horribly.

I thought this was a cute summer read, and a nice introduction to the series for me. It definitely has me curious about reading the prior books in the series because I loved the side characters in this one and want to see more of the cozy town of Icicle Falls.

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

Really Liked It!
★★★ 1/2

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The Goddaughter by Melodie Campbell

 

Summary:

 

Gina Gallo is a gemologist who would like nothing better than to run her little jewelry shop. Unfortunately she's also "the Goddaughter," and, as she tells her new friend Pete, "you don't get to choose your relatives." And you can't avoid them when you live in Hamilton and they more or less run the place. When Gina bumps into Pete at the Art Gallery Gala, sparks fly. So do bullets, when her cousin Tony is taken down by rival mobsters from New York. It turns out Tony was carrying a load of hot gems in the heel of his shoe. When Gina is reluctantly recruited to carry the rocks back to Buffalo, the worst happens: they get stolen. Pete and Gina have no choice but to steal them back, even though philandering politicians, shoe fetishists, and a trio of inept goons stand in their way. It's all in a day's work, when you're the Goddaughter.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 134 pages (Paperback)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Available Formats: Print/E-book

Publication Date: September 1st 2012 by Raven Books

 

Back in March I had the opportunity to hear Melodie Campbell read at a local event and was lucky enough to find that the Toronto library had one of her books in the system when I looked  a couple of days later, and finally had the time to read it last month.

 

This was everything Melodie said her books would be. It was funny, quirky, had a mix of romance and a touch of mystery with good characters and a funny plot. This one had me laughing at least ninety percent of the time that I was reading it but I had a smile on my face the other ten percent.

 

I really liked Gina, she's the Goddaughter of a mafia boss and along with her love interest Pete got roped into helping "the family" do a job that involved border crossings, prostitutes, diamond smuggling, hot shoes and a little bit of murder. It might seem like there was a lot going on in this slim 134 page paperback and there was but the author did a good job of putting everything together to make a pretty damn good story.

 

I thought it was fast paced and well written but I like how the book didn't take itself to seriously. If you want something that will make you think as you read, this one might not be fore you because it was so fun. You aren't going to find a lot of character depth, or an iron clad plot but I've read much, much worse, and consider this one of the best little novellas I've read.

 

It was my first time reading a book by Melodie Campbell and it won't be my last because I loved how part of the story is set in Canada and that Melodie is a Canadian writer. I had so much fun reading this one that I'm adding her to my auto-buy list and I can't wait to read more from her.

 

I'd recommend this one to anyone looking for a quick and fun read. Whether you need a break from reading a heavier tome, or you just need something to read at the doctors, on vacation or just something to get you into reading or back into reading. It has a little something for everyone and reminds us that there are great authors out there using humour to make us readers love their stories.

 

 

Really Liked It!
★★★★

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Rainshadow Road (Friday Harbor #2) by Lisa Kleypas

 

Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas comes a tale of love and magic...

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy’s own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life.

Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life—even after being broken—can be made into something new and beautiful.
Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com
Length: 308 pages (Paperback)
Source: Toronto Public Library
Available Formats: Print/E-book/Audio
Publication Date: February 28th 2012 by Piatkus Books (first published January 1st 2012)            

In my first month of blogging back in 2011 I read and reviewed the first book Christmas Eve At Friday Harbor and I was not much of a fan of the book. I thought that it was very two dimensional in terms of characters and the plot was extremely weak which is why it took me almost 3 years to give the second book in this series a try, and the only reason I did try it was because I wanted in on the buddy read my main GR book group was doing for it.

Anyways, I started this one yesterday morning and by 9 p.m. I was finished. This one proved to be a much better representation of the whole small town romance that the author seemed to be going for as I got sucked into the story very quickly and think it's a shame that I had to put it down for several hours because life had to get in the way.

At first I was a little iffy about the story because of Kevin cheating on Lucy with her younger sister and how the both of them (Kevin and Alice the sister) thought that what they did to Lucy was so acceptable that they blamed her. With the first 30 or so pages I was seething, and kind of hoping they'd get hit by a bus. Harsh? Maybe, but I just hated them both so much that I wished they'd leave Lucy alone because they didn't need to keep rubbing their relationship in her face.

While I did love Lucy, in the beginning especially when she first met Sam I thought she was a bit too snarky and acted a little to jaded to a man who was only being polite. For me there's a line between being rude and being snarky because your hurt, and she stepped over that line in the beginning quite a bit Sam was a trooper and didn't let it phase him which I loved. I liked how sweet and caring her came off as in the beginning (he was that way all the way through) but I liked how despite his idea of him being a confirmed bachelor he wasn't an ass about it at all and genuinely cared for Lucy.

I really liked how while the book focused on Sam and Lucy being friends it also focused on Lucy healing and trusting in herself that she was able to move on despite her sister and her ex making appearances in different parts of the book that caused a whole bunch of drama for everyone involved but I like how that drama was captured. Plus I liked how the book took place over the course of a few months so I got a true sense that things were progressing at a reasonable pace with Lucy and Sam and there was no insta-love thank goodness. Another plus for the book was that I was able to see characters from the first book again and catch up with them especially Holly Sam's niece.

I do wish though that Lucy had stood up to Alice more. She complained about how no one ever tells Alice off for things but when she has the opportunity to finally tell her like it is she gives into her sister's vulnerability and I wanted to reach in my book and strangle her. She was so afraid of confrontation because of Alice's broken heart I wish she had realized that sometimes confrontation is just what two sisters need. It's cathartic and it made the story fall a little flat without it.

My other issues with the book is that while I'm glad they got together in the end, and Lucy didn't abandon her opportunity to teach in NYC to stay with Sam, I felt the end of the book was a little rushed and a bit of a let down and I felt like I was left adrift and then there was the issue of the random magical realism thrown into the story that just seemed ill placed.

In the end there were some issues with the book that irritated me but I will say it was miles ahead of where the first one in the series was and I really did like Lucy and Sam a lot and as a couple they were great. Neither was too much of anything and I like how they each played a part in mellowing each other out. This was a quick fun read and I can't wait for my group to read the rest of the series.

I would recommend this one to fans of contemporary romances and fans of this author. This series while it isn't my favourite will appeal to those looking for a cute small town contemporary romance that isn't too long and has some laughs in store.

Liked It!
★★★1/2

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Off the Clock (First Responders #1) by Donna Alward

 

 

 

Summary:

 

The last thing she needs is a hero

Paramedic Gabe Brennan s job is saving lives. When he witnesses an accident and rushes in to help, the victim brings back memories of the night that marked him forever. The night he almost couldn t save his best friend, Brandon. Brandon s sister is in the car. She s pregnant. And his longing for her is just as sharp as ever.

Carly's never been so glad to see a friendly face. Gabe s gallant rescue and the gentle kiss he bestows upon her at the hospital resurrect feelings she buried long ago. Having just closed the book on a crumbling marriage, she s not too keen on opening herself up to hurt again. Not even for the one man who s always seemed to be there when she needed him most.

Gabe knows he shouldn t be falling for Carly, especially since she insists she s off the market. But the chemistry still simmering between them after all these years is no accident. Now all he has to do is convince her she belongs in the empty space he s always held open for her. The one next to his heart

Caution: Contents and paramedic hero may be too hot to handle!

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 98 pages (E-book)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Available Formats: E-book

Publication Date: October 4th 2011 by Samhain Publishing

 

 

Well if you've been following the blog for awhile now you'll know I love romances that offer second chances and first responders, both of which were at the core of this little contemporary romance novella.

 

I've been curious about Donna Alward's books for a good couple years and when I saw that the first three books in her First Responders series were available to download via my library's Overdrive e-book selection I got them all...and proceeded to binge read them the other night.

 

Off the Clock was a good introduction to the author's writing style and not a bad start to a good little series that takes place in a small town and it certainly does start off with a bang. Poor Carly is 8 months pregnant with her first child and comes so close to not only losing her life but that of her unborn son after a stupid drunk kid cuts her off while driving, luckily for her Gabe, her brother's ex-best friend is there to rescue her for the second time in her life.

 

While I sometimes think that books that have characters meeting or in this case getting reacquainted in extreme situations can be cheesy I liked how it was done in Off the Clock. Gabe was sweet but he was battling his guilt over the falling out that led to him not being friends with Carly's brother anymore and Carly was busy dealing with being a single mom since her ass of a husband walked out when she found out she was pregnant so both had their issues that they needed to over come.

 

I liked how the romance built up between Carly and Gabe, even though the e-book was only 98 pages long there was no insta-love. Their love developed over the course of a couple of months and you could tell that they were committed to each other. They felt like a very real couple because they had awkwardness between them at times just like real couples do, and I liked how they were excepting of each others faults.

 

Overall, I thought Off the Clock was a quick cute read. I thought that since it was published by Samhain that it would be steamy when it got to the naughty bits but was pleasantly surprised that the author had it be more sensual and less graphic. The only faults I had with the book were that I think it could have benefited from an extra 10 pages because while the writing was excellent certain parts felt a little light. I can't wait to read more by this talented, Canadian romance author.

 

I would recommend this to all of Donna Alward's fans out there that aren't familiar with this series as well as readers who have yet to give her a try. If you enjoy contemporary romances and what reads like a genuine love story I highly recommend giving this a go. It'll make a perfect afternoon read.

 

 

Liked It!
★★★ 1/2

 

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*[Blog Tour Review] Trapped By Revenge (A Shelby Nichols Adventure #5) by Colleen Helme

 

 

Summary:

 

With summer over Shelby is looking forward to having some time to herself while the kids are back in school. A phone call from Uncle Joey ruins her plans, but she manages to take it in stride. After lunch with her friend, she promises to meet with the private investigator who was spying on Uncle Joey, but this simple task turns into a disaster. Not only does she find the P.I. dead, but a slip of paper with her name on it under his lifeless hand implicates her for his murder. Desperate to prove her innocence and find the person who killed him, Shelby begins a frantic search. She enlists the aid of the local mob boss, Uncle Joey, his hit-man, Ramos, and her police detective friend, Dimples, but soon finds that nothing can save her from becoming entangled in a sinister plot. With her life on the line and no way out, she finds herself trapped by revenge, and realizes it will take all her skills to escape. Now she must choose where her loyalties lie, and hope she doesn’t trade something bad, for something even worse.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 193 pages (Kindle)

Source: Review Copy

Available Formats: Print/E-book

Publication Date: November 12th 2013 by Createspace (first published November 11th 2013)             

 

This was my first read by Colleen Helme and while the book is the fifth installment in the Shelby Nichols and I haven't read the previous four books in the series I still enjoyed trying out a new author that has been on my to read pile for awhile.

 

I thought Trapped By Revenge was a good, quick cozy mystery to curl up with. I read it in about 2 hours while I sat on the couch the other night snuggled in with the cats. I liked Shelby as a character. She wasn't uppity and I thought she had a really good sense of humour. Plus the fact that she's able to read minds really added that little touch of something different that set this cozy apart.

 

Trapped By Revenge is the story about Shelby trying to figure out who killed a local P.I. as well as trying to figure out the who and why behind her being prime suspect in the murder all while working for who Uncle Joey whom I gather is a local crime boss in her neck of the woods. She has to do all of this while shielding her mind so she doesn't get bombarded by everyone's thoughts but also balancing her life as a boss, wife and mother.

 

While I did enjoy the story overall and thought that it was written well with a plot that was both easy to follow and entertaining, I at times felt very lost because I hadn't read the 4 books before this one and I kind of wish that there was a bit more of a recap in the storyline for readers who don't realize this is part of a series or haven't read the previous ones for whatever reason. The one main problem I had though was I felt like it bounced around from scene to scene a little to quickly for my tastes and I was sometimes left with questions about things.

 

Overall though, I enjoyed reading Trapped By Revenge. Though it is book 5, I can't wait to go read the rest of the books in the series very soon. The story was well written and enjoyable with minor issues and I can't wait to see what led up to the events in this book by reading the others.

 

I would recommend Trapped by Revenge for fans of the Shelby Nichols series, fans of cozy mysteries with lots of laughs, and a mind reading female sleuth. I would recommend reading the series in order though to avoid any confusion.

 

 

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my free and honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are 100% my own.

 

Liked It!
★★★1/2

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