[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] Hidden Summit (Virgin River #15) by Robyn Carr

Summary:

Return to Virgin River with the books that started it all… 

When Connor Danson becomes an unwitting witness to a violent crime, he is forced to leave Sacramento and keep a low profile until the trial is over. He arrives in the tiny mountain town of Virgin River with a chip on his shoulder and an ache in his heart. 

Leslie Petruso didn't want to leave her hometown, either. But she can't stand another minute of listening to her ex-husband tell everyone that his new wife and impending fatherhood are the best things that ever happened to him. Virgin River may not be home, but it's a place where she can be anonymous. 

Neither Connor nor Leslie is remotely interested in starting a new relationship…until they meet one another. Even they can't deny they have a lot in common—broken hearts notwithstanding. And in Virgin River, no one can stay hidden away from life and love for very long…

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 320 pages (Paperback)

Available Formats: Print/E-Book/E-Audiobook/Audiobook (CD)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: February 23rd 2016 by Mira (first published December 16th 2011)

This is one Virgin River book I was ever so slightly hesitant in reading, unlike the previous books in the series the characters in this installment were both completely 100% new to the series and Virgin River. I love that we usually have an idea of at least one of the characters in the books are like before we get into them so things were a little different. Not in a bad way though, it was nice seeing some new blood in Virgin River.

As always Robyn Carr did a really great job in creating both Connor and Leslie. Both are new arrivals with no long term plans for staying in the quaint little mountain town and both are trying to escape some pretty rough situations and neither counted on falling in love with each other or the town. There's Leslie, office manager extraordinaire, trying to get away from her weirdo ex-husband and Connor, who is in Witness Protection after witnessing a crime and coming forward. Strange circumstances brought them to Virgin River, and while they didn't seem like they'd work at first I really did come to like them as a couple. 

Connor was very sweet. He would literally give the shirt off his back to help someone and he has the biggest heart. However, he's no pushover and gives Leslie just enough resistance so that she can't always have her way (though she gets it pretty often where he's concerned). He's funny and charming and while I thought at first that he was a bit too much of a goody goody I'm pleased to say you don't want to cross him.

Leslie, was a great character as well. After the muck up of her marriage to a complete idiot I can see why she wanted to pick up and move on. I just wish that she stood up for herself to her ex-husband (whom we meet) much sooner than she did and as much as I liked her I felt that sometimes she over thought things and got in her own way too much and that kind of detracted from the story.

I enjoyed seeing the usual cast of merry characters and hanging out at Jack's Bar again felt like I was coming home and having a nice catch up with some old friends. I enjoyed seeing everyone again and I loved how they extended the classic Virgin River welcome to both Connor and Leslie who needed some good folks to have their backs. 

This Virgin River installment had more twists and turns in it than the usual ones what with Connor being a witness to a murder and Leslie being harassed by her ex but it was a refreshing one nonetheless. My only complaint with this one is that I wish Leslie wasn't the forefront of the story and that Connor was. Leslie as much as I liked her character was a bit too woe is me at times and that detracted from the story a bit.

I would recommend this one to fans of the Virgin River series who haven't read it yet and to new fans. Each story is self contained and a little bit of backstory into the town and its inhabitants are always worked into the books so if you want this can be read without reading the previous books. If contemporary romance with a great setting and wonderful characters and lots of laughs are your thing pick this one up as soon as you can!

Really Liked It!

★★★★

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[Review]* Raising Kane (Rough Rider's #9) by Lorelei James

Summary:

She surrendered the reins. Now he's raising the stakes.

When a patch of ice sends attorney Ginger Paulson head-over-high-heels down a flight of stairs, she has no one to care for her young son and her invalid father - until lethally sexy Kane McKay shows up at the hospital, determined to prove his cowboy chivalry. Past experience has inoculated her against take-charge men, but even Ginger isn't immune to Kane's invasive charm and Built Ford Tough body.

For two years rancher Kane McKay has followed the Little Buddies mentoring program's cardinal rule - hands off his Little Buddy Hayden's mama. But one look at Ginger's bruised body and Kane is through watching the stubborn woman take care of everyone but herself. The feisty, curvy redhead needs his help, and he'll give her the hands-on type whether she likes it or not.

After Kane throws out doctor's orders and issues his own demands - her full sexual submission - Ginger realizes Kane's caring nature extends beyond just fulfilling her physical needs.

Can the former hell-raiser convince the gun-shy single mom to look beyond his past - toward a shared future?

Warning: Contains one sweet and hot hunk of cowboy manflesh who uses every sexual trick in the book to render a sassy, fast-talking attorney speechless and put a new twist on the term "binding arbitration".

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 252 pages (Paperback)

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

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: May 3rd 2011 by Samhain Publishing (first published June 29th 2010)

Lorelei James has been on my radar for several years but like many other authors she is one that kind of fell to the wayside when I started blogging so I was happy to borrow it from the library a week ago and was really excited to read it and ya know what I'm glad I did.

I liked my first dip into the Rough Rider's series, it was actually better than I expected and it surprised me. I don't know about you folks but sometimes erotica can be very much an endeavour of style over substance but this one, I'm happy to say proved me wrong.

I really liked the set up of this book. Single mom, adorable kid, curmudgeon of a father and a cowboy with a darkside who LOVES kids. It's not all that often that I can jump this far into a series and not really feel like I'm missing a hell of a lot and I appreciated the author doing this so while this one does have characters that I know have their own books before and after this one, it can totally be read on it's own.

While this one is billed as an erotic romance, there was a surprising amount of character development and I found that I really got a sense for the town and the people in it despite the heavy emphasis on the romance between tough as nails Ginger and Kane. I loved getting to know the other characters and their little quirks and as much as I loved Ginger and Kane, Ginger's son Hayden really made the story come together. He was adorable! I'm glad he played such a big role in the story and how he was written. I also loved how he was able to act as a bridge not just between Ginger and Kane but between Kane, and Ginger's elderly wheelchair bound dad, Dash.

Ginger and Kane made a great couple. She was really likable. I loved how strong and independent she was and how big of a heart she had but I do wish she'd given in to Kane a lot sooner than before her wee accident that lead to them getting together. She was smart and witty and was the perfect match for Kane who could be very dominant. I enjoyed seeing their relationship progress and how they clashed at times.Kane was a really good hero of the story, his sweetness helped balance out the darker side to his personality and I thought he had a great sense of humour plus he was a cowboy. Need I say more? The heat between these too was great and liked that the the author didn't over do the sex scenes and made them spicy but not completely raunchy. The way these two found each other at the end of the book was just right and I really liked how their romance wrapped up.

This is a series and author that I will absolutely be picking up again and can't wait to do so, I'd recommend this one to fans of romance with the heat factor off the charts with a penchant for cowboys and lots of laughs and my only regret is that I didn't give this author a try before now.

Really Liked It!

★★★★

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[Review]* The McCullagh Inn in Maine (McCullagh Inn #1) by Jen McLaughlin

Summary: 

Her second chance at love. . .

Chelsea McCullagh escapes to Maine with a gun and fresh bruises. She's ready to begin anew-until she runs into her old flame, Jeremy Holland. As he helps to fix her inn, her heart heals and they rediscover what they once loved about each other. But as the two play house, it starts to seem too good to last. . . .

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 137 pages (Paperback)

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

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: July 5th 2016 by BookShots

I picked this one up on a whim a couple weekends ago, after stumbling across it at my library and because I'm  a wee bit behind in my Goodreads Reading Challenge I thought this one would be a great quick read and give me a chance to try a new series and author.

I went into this one with high hopes. I love a good second chance love story, a suspenseful twist and a nice quite setting in a small town so I was hoping this one would maybe not be great, but really enjoyable. Unfortunately for me, this one just didn't do it for me.

I wasn't expecting the characters or the story itself to be exemplary given the short 137 page length of this little romance, however I wasn't prepared for just how little I would like Chelsea. She was rude, self centered and I found her inner dialogue to be really annoying and repetitive I didn't care for her attitude or the way she treated Jeremy or her brother for that matter. She kept pulling the woe is me card and I couldn't really find anything redeemable about her.

Jeremy on the other hand was the one saving grace of the book. I thought he was very sweet and I wish he'd played a larger role. Yes he was the hero of the story and I'm glad that he was able to reunite with Chelsea, but I just couldn't help but want to scream at him to run far away from her and he seemed to be used more as a prop than a character in his own right.

The story revolving around Chelsea's escape from Miami and sudden reappearance in Maine wasn't fleshed out enough for me either. To me it read as if the author was just cutting and pasting storyboard ideas without fully integrating them into the story as a whole. There was promise of a good romantic story with a light twist of suspense but it was all far too rushed and forced together for it to truly work. It was all very bare bones and I feel like the author missed a real opportunity here. The suspense was negligible and the steamy bits weren't even steamy. The book didn't even really touch on other characters and I got no real sense of the setting of the story either. I imagined a story involving a quaint inn but got a surly heroine focused on herself instead.

That being said though I am curious to see what book two has in store for Chelsea and Jeremy because I really did like Jeremy and I don't want to be to quick to judge the author on this one story. I'm not sure why it warrants a series to be made out of it because things wrapped up pretty well for me (in a very hurried sense) and I want to see what may happen with these two. I'm hoping book two is better than this one. I gave this one a two star rating instead of a one because of Jeremy's character, and because there still is a bit of promise if the second book is better written.

I would probably recommend this one to folks looking for a quick short read that they can polish off in an hour or two but it isn't one that I'm going to go out of my way to tell people to read. My advice with this one is to borrow and not buy.

Just Okay

★★

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*Note Jen McLaughlin writes as Diane Alberts as well 

[Review]* Meg: Nightstalkers (MEG, #5) by Steve Alten

Summary: 

Steve Alten continues the story that began in the New York Times bestselling MEG: A Novel of Deep Terror

In this fifth installment of the New York Times bestselling MEG series, Nighstalkers picks up where MEG: Hell's Aquarium left off. Bela and Lizzy, the dominant Megalodon siblings from Angel's brood, have escaped the Tanaka Institute to roam the Salish Sea in British Columbia. While Jonas Taylor and his friend Mac attempt to either recapture or kill the "sisters," Jonas's son, David, embarks on his own adventure, motivated by revenge. Having witnessed his girlfriend's gruesome death, David has joined a Dubai Prince's ocean expedition, tracking the 120-foot, hundred-ton Liopleurodon that escaped from the Panthalassa Sea. Haunted by night terrors, David repeatedly risks his life to lure the Lio and other prehistoric sea creatures into the fleet's nets, while battling his own suicidal demons.

Steve Alten weaves these storylines together in a page-turning thriller that culminates in a final showdown between the most dangerous predators ever to inhabit the planet.

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 368 pages (Hardcover)

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

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: June 14th 2016 by Tor Books

It's no secret to some of my old blog readers. I love books with monsters, dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts that terrorize humanity. I'd say it's a guilty pleasure but I have no guilt. I love the genre especially this series in particular.

The Meg series is one I've been reading for over a decade. I remember when my brother bought me a copy of what turned out to be the third book in this series, which led to me gobbling up all the other books in this series (and a few of Steve Alten's other titles) over the years. This one, Nightstalkers has been a long time coming. 7 years to be exact and I'm so happy that I was finally able to get my hands on a copy and read it this past week.

This one takes place after the events in Meg: Hell's Aquarium. It's told in shifting points of view mostly from those of David Taylor and his father Jonas Taylor (whom the books started with), however other points of view (from the victims) are also on offer. Plus, Steve Alten continued to write some parts of the book from the perspective of the creature(s) in the book as well. I really love how the author is able to really make me feel as though I am whomever (or whatever) depending on what point of view he's writing from. He truly puts me right there smack dab in the middle of all the blood curdling chaos.

When I started reading Nightstalkers I had only planned to read the first 50 pages, then wouldn't you have it I was 3/4 of the way through and my clock was reading 3 a.m. it well and truly sucked me in.I loved the blood and gore in this one and it had all the heart-pounding action and you know...death that I've come to love and expect from Steve Alten. He gives readers a smorgasbord of prehistoric creatures to choose from as well as lots of foul language and a bit of a natural history lesson about the creatures and their environments thrown in making it a splendid read. He takes the readers on a global pursuit of beasts that have no business being in the 21st century and he does it with flare.

I enjoyed seeing how characters have aged and changed since the 4th book and it was really awesome to see that Mac (Jonas's best friend) is still kicking around. He's always been a favourite side character of mine. I also like how David, again played a bigger role in this series. He grew up with the Megaldon's and cared for them and he has the same fire in his soul that his dad has and I can see where Alten is maybe going in terms of him taking up the family mantle and I think it's great. I can't wait to see where the story goes as the series moves forward.

My only complaints for this one is that it did seem short. I wish that the book had maybe an extra 50 pages because some parts really felt rushed and I wish certain things had been expanded on more than they were hence the 4.5 star rating.

Overall if giant sharks and other prehistoric creatures along with death, deep sea exploration and cussing are your thing I highly suggest giving the Meg series a try.

LOVED 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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[Review]* Bring Me Home for Christmas (Virgin River #14) by Robyn Carr

Summary:

 Welcome back to VIRGIN RIVER with the books that started it all… 

This year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list—getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It's time she got over her silly college relationship and moved on. 

So she takes matters into her own hands and heads up to Virgin River, the rugged little mountain town that Denny calls home, as an uninvited guest on her brother's men-only hunting weekend. But when an accident turns her impromptu visit into an extended stay, Becca finds herself stranded in Virgin River. With Denny. In very close quarters. 

As the power of Christmas envelops the little town, Becca discovers that the boy she once loved has become a strong and confident man. And the most delicious Christmas present she can imagine. 

Summary & Cover taken from Goodreads.com

Length: 336 (Mass Market Paperback)

Available Formats: Print/E-book/E-audiobook/Audiobook (CD)

Source: Toronto Public Library

Publication Date: October 27th 2015 by Mira (first published July 12th 2011)

There really isn't anything like returning to Virgin River after a long break in reading the series. I know that Robyn Carr has her Thunderpoint series now but I've been slowly reading this series in an effort to put off the inevitable. I just love the warmth that these books exude and I always feel like I'm settling in with old friends when I read the series.

This one, is probably my favourite out of the Christmas novels in the series up until this point. Maybe it's because I'd been away from the series for a long time or maybe it was just that Carr added a little more Christmas magic to it. Who knows, all I know is that I loved it and it put me in the holiday spirit right away. Mind you, at the time that I read the book it was mid August (I was a little early). But I loved it nonetheless.

This one featured one of my favourite themes- second chance romance and with two characters that I loved right from the start. Becca and Denny were just awesome together. They were a little younger than the last few couples in the book but I think that just made it even more important for them to reconnect because they could pick up right where they left off basically.

I thought Becca was a hoot as she basically forced herself into her brother's bachelor weekend to get closure from Denny who broke off there relationship a few years before. Instead it seemed like one thing got in her way after another and a broken ankle, some yelling and a little drama later from her and Denny she got the complete opposite of closure and ended up realizing she never stopped loving him. I really liked Becca, I thought her stubborn attitude was great. She may have been tiny but she was definitely not a wallflower or a pushover which was refreshing. She also had a great sense of humour and a big heart that definitely came through not only when she was with Denny, but when she was dealing with the people of Virgin River especially the children.

It was great to see Denny again. He'd been a side character in a couple of the previous Virgin River and we got to know him a little in those but it was nice to see him really shine as the main character in this romance. He knew he'd made a mistake in leaving Becca before and I was happy he wasn't hardheaded about coming around to that. He was so sweet and caring. He's one of those guys who would give you the shirt off his back literally if it meant that he could help. He was just so easy going I couldn't help but love him.

While their romance was a bit quick, due to Becca being trapped in Virgin River over the holidays it didn't feel rushed and I think it's because the usually band of merry characters from the series were in the story too. It was great to see Jack, Mel, Paige and Preacher again as well as some of the other minor characters and I loved the message that this book had about helping your community no matter what during the holidays everyone deserves to be warm and fed.

This was a cute, warm holiday read and one that really brightened up my day as it only took me the afternoon to read it, The romance between the two characters and the characters themselves felt genuinely authentic and filled me with Christmas cheer.

This is one that I would recommend to fans of the Virgin River series and to newcomers as well. If you really want a book that will make you feel cozy this is it especially if you love when two people get a second chance with each other.

LOVED IT!

★★★★★

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