The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo

Genre:
Romance

Format:
Hardcover

Publisher:
Little, Brown and Company

Release Date:
October 2011




Gabrielle Summerhill is getting married and she’s doing it on Christmas Day!

It’s been three years since Gaby’s husband died. During those three years, their four adult children have gone their separate ways and lived their own lives. It’s been three long years since they all celebrated Christmas together. When Gaby announces her upcoming wedding, she keeps the groom’s name a secret (even the groom doesn’t know) and her family makes plans to spend the holidays together once again.

In the meantime, Gaby’s children have their own problems...

Seth is disappointed when he receives a rejection from his publisher. His live-in girlfriend tries to comfort him, but he still feels like a failure and incomplete.

Emily is married to the perfect, successful doctor. When she is passed over for a partnership in her law firm, she has to rethink her career plans.

Claire’s life is nothing short of a disaster. Her husband is both physically and verbally abusive. She finally has enough and tosses him out the door, but her children are on their dad’s side. This makes things incredibly difficult for Claire.

Lizzie’s husband is terminally ill. She’s by his side every step of the way. Together, they intend to fight the disease.

On Christmas Day, they all put aside their problems and stand by their mother. They are happy for her, but their curiosity increases as they wonder who the lucky groom will be.

This is a touching and emotional read. James Patterson is mostly noted for his thrillers, but he knows the romance genre too. Not to mention that he throws in a few twists along the way. The characters feel like real people with real problems. They are people I truly came to care about.

The storyline flowed beautifully from page to page. I couldn’t put this book down. I wanted to know what would happen next. It’s a fast-paced story with realistic characters. I can honestly say I will miss these characters very much.

Definitely a 5 kitty book, plus a Socrates’ Great Book Alert Award.






FTC Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge - Wrap Up!

This was a fun challenge and I completed it today. These are the books I read...

1. A Red Hot Mess by Kimberly Van Meter Click for review
2. Stir Until Thoroughly Confused by Heather Wardell Click for review
3. How Sweet It Is by Sophie Gunn Click for review
4. Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods Click for review
5. Fatal Embrace by Aris Whittier Click for review
6. Ecstacy by Bella Andre Click for review
7. Touchdowns & Potions by Markee Anderson Click for review
8. Belleporte Summer by Laura Abbot Click for review
9. Secrets of Bella Terra by Christina Dodd Click for review
10. The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson Click for review

Secrets of Bella Terra by Christina Dodd

Genre:
Romantic Suspense

Format:
EBook

Publisher:
Signet

Release Date:
August 2011






This is the first book in Christina Dodd's The Scarlet Deception series. Here's a blurb from Fantastic Fiction:

Brooding and sexy Rafe Di Luca has returned to his family's luxurious vineyard resort for one reason: to find out who attacked his beloved grandmother. His homecoming stirs up a decades-old feud, forcing him to work with Brooke Petersson, the woman he once seduced and betrayed...but never forgot.

My thoughts...

I love family saga type books and this was a good one. I haven't read many of them lately since I've been reading other genres. I enjoyed the dynamics of the Di Luca brothers and want to read more about the other two brothers. It looks like the next book is about the older brother Eli and it looks like a good one.

This book had alot of suspense and I loved how everyone rallied around Rafe's grandmother to figure out who attacked her. The story took a few different twist and turns and kept readers at the edge of their seats. I'll definitely be reading the next one in the series.



For reading challenge:

2011 Contemporary Reading Challenge


Disclosure: I borrowed this book from the library for my own enjoyment.

Belleporte Summer by Laura Abbot

Genre:
Contemporary Romance

Publisher:
Harlequin

Release Date:
April 2011

Format:
EBook

Laurel Eden is ready to make some changes in life. First, she puts a bad marriage behind her and intends to invest her divorce settlement in a gift shop. She uses her vacation in Michigan to scout out the perfect location when she makes a trip to Belleporte. It’s love at first sight for Laurel. She quickly purchases the perfect store and is ready to begin her new venture, but first, she must break the news to her parents. They are heartbroken to learn she won’t be settling in near their home in West Virginia. Laurel understands their disappointment, but their resistance is unsettling.

Since his father’s death, Ben Nolan has been the rock of his family. He’s always there for his mother and siblings, but he’s had to put his own life aside to do so. When he meets Laurel, he’s immediately attracted to her but his family obligations get in the way. When he has to choose between a close friend and Laurel, he makes all the wrong choices and nearly destroys everything.

Laurel is devastated when she learns of Ben’s betrayal, but she’s even more shocked to learn of the secrets buried in her family. Secrets which threaten to ruin her whole way of life.

I chose this book to read because I needed a bit of a break from all the thrillers and suspense books I was reading. This looked like a quick, easy read. It was, but it was so much more than that. It had the feel of a Debbie Macomber or Sherryl Woods book – one of those books that give you warm fuzzies by the end of it. I actually had tears streaming down my face at the end – the good kind, not sad tears. This hasn’t happened to me in a long time. For a “little” book, it sure had an emotional impact. I’m going to check out this author’s backlist. I could see where there might be a sequel or two.

Since it made me cry – LOL – it’s getting 5 kitties and a Socrates’ Great Book Alert.





Disclosure: I read this book from my own collection for my own enjoyment.

For Reading Challenge:

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

Touchdowns and Potions by Markee Anderson

Genre:
Romance

Format:
Ebook

Publisher:
Smashwords

Release Date:
August 2010

Real estate agent Jenna Steele is on a mission. She wants to earn enough money to put her younger sister through school. When she gets a client with a mansion to sell, she hopes it will help her in her goal but instead it just disgusts her. The owner of the mansion is a well known football player, Andy McKnight, and his mansion is a mess. There's no way she will be able to sell this pigsty.

To complicate her life, another client of Jenna's spills a love potion on her and suddenly men are falling all over their feet to get to Jenna. Some of them aren't very nice to her including a boss who attacks her at gunpoint when she refuses his advances and a mob at a grocery store insisting she belongs to them. She's both delighted and suspicious when her hero turns out to be Andy McKnight, who declaires his love for her. She can't help wonder if his feelings are genuine or influenced by the love potion.

This is a cute romantic comedy that makes you smile. After reading quite a number of intense books, it was nice to sit back and relax with this cute tale. It's a quick, light read by a "new-to-me" author. I'm definitely going to be reading more by Anderson, especially when I need something to "pick me up" after a hectic week.




For reading challenges:

2011 Show Me The Free Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge


Disclosure: I bought this book from Kobo. It was 99 cents and I had a $1 off coupon, which made the final price free! All opinions are my own.

Ecstasy by Bella Andre

Genre:
Romance

Format:
EBook

Release Date:
February 2010

Charlie is a well-known popular published author of erotic romances. Candace is working hard to become just as successful in the same genre, but she’s a novice and needs help. When her favorite author offers his help, Candace is more than willing to accept it.

Charlie arranges his schedule to give Candace the lessons she needs to help her writing career. This means “on-the-job” training in the world of erotic romance. Charlie only meant to assist the aspiring author in her career, he never expects to fall in love with her.

Candace finds herself falling in love as well, but she’s also determined to be a successful writer. She betrays Charlie in her excitement to be an author. Can Charlie ever forgive her?

I’ve never read a Bella Andre book but I’ve heard so much about her books that I had to try one and this one was hot! Scalding, in fact! My ereader nearly melted. LOL! The book isn’t all about sex, there’s a storyline here, too, and it was very well written. I’ve already downloaded a few more books by this author. They are a nice diversion from the stress of a regular work day.

If sweet romances are your thing, don’t read this one. But, if you like your romances spicy, this one’s for you.

Disclosure: I got this book free from Kobo Books as a promo, not for a review. I’m reading and reviewing this on my own. All opinions are my own.




For reading Challenges…

2011 Show Me The Free Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods

Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods

Genre:
Romance

Format:
Ebook

Publisher:
Mira

Release Date:
March 29, 2011

Divorce attorney Connor O’Brien doesn’t believe in marriage. Everyday he defends couples going through bitter divorces. Not to mention that his own parents broke up and only recently reunited. They are happy now, but he only remembers the bad times.

Connor has a nice life with Heather Donovan and their son, but she wants more. Heathers wants to make their relationship a legal one. She wants marriage, something Connor can never agree to. He’s happy just the way they are – living together in Baltimore. However, it’s not enough for Heather. She packs up their son and leaves town.

Heather decides to make her new home in Chesapeake Shores near Connor’s family. She opens her own quilt shop and is content, until Connor follows her there. He’s shocked that she insists upon nothing less than marriage, but he has no intentions of letting the woman he loves out of his life.

When disaster strikes, they both take a long look at the life they’ve built and begin to question everything they ever believed.

First, I just have to say I’ve been a fan of Sherryl Woods for years and she never fails to disappoint. She didn’t fail with this one either. This is a fast-paced series with characters who have realistic everyday problems. Readers will truly care about the O’Briens, as well as their friends and family.

This is the fifth book in the series. Although I have the previous four books, I haven’t read them yet. I didn’t need to in order to enjoy this one, but I’m really anxious to read them. I miss Chesapeake Shores already. I want to visit this quaint little town again.



For reading challenge:

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

A Red Hot Mess by Kimberly Van Meter

Genre:
Romance

Publisher:
Smashwords

Format:
Ebook

Release Date:
April 2011-04-10

Laurel Kenning wants nothing to do with men. She’s had her fair share of bad relationships and now all she wants are one-night flings. Out for the evening with her friends at a bar, she meets Aidan – one very hot and sexy man. By the end of the evening, she has had her fling and is ready to move on with her life.

When she hires a contractor to remodel her house, she’s more than a little shocked to find that Aidan owns the contracting company. Aidan is shocked as he never expected to see her again, but he can’t walk away from the job. The company his grandfather left to him was on the verge of bankruptcy so he desperately needs the money.

To make matters even more crazy, Laurel’s sister shows up on her doorstep and she’s ready to move in, but she wants more than a place to stay. She wants Aidan, too. If Laurel doesn’t want him, why shouldn’t her sister have him? But, how does Laurel really feel about the handsome contractor?

This is a hot romance which sizzles with each page. Aidan and Laurel’s chemistry fogged my Nook screen! This was a fun, quick, sexy read and a delightful way to spend the afternoon. Kimberly Van Meter usually writes for Harlequin, but she re-worked this older story and had it published as an e-book. Very cute read.




For reading challenge:

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

Fatal Embrace by Aris Whittier

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Five Star Expressions
Format: EBook (also available in hardcover)
Release Date: September 2010

After tragedy strikes, Michael Carven leaves his career as a police detective behind and runs his own ranch in Montana. When his former partner, Dan Walker, calls to seek his help in tracking down a serial killer, he feels obligated to lend a hand in the investigation. Dan hires Jessica Stanson help out on the ranch as a horse trainer. Michael is not thrilled to discover his new horse trainer is a woman. Against his better judgment, he agrees to give her a chance.

Jessica has no intentions of letting Michael run her off the ranch just because she happens to be female. She’s a good horse trainer and she plans to prove it. It doesn’t take long for the sparks to fly between Jessica and Michael, despite his insistence that he has no room in his life for anyone other than himself.

Things take a scary turn when Jessica is the sole witness who can identify the serial killer. She, also, becomes his next target. Michael is determined to keep Jessica safe at all costs. He already lost one woman through a tragedy, he’s not going to let it happen again.

Jessica is a likeable, upbeat character. Michael is a brooding loner who you want to give a huge hug to. I did think Michael opened up a bit too quickly for someone who shut himself off from the world for such a long time, but readers can’t help but be happy that he did.

This is a nice romantic suspense – more romance than suspense, which is fine with me. Lately I’ve been reading more suspense than romance. Most of the book was building up the romance between Michael and Jessica. The mystery part didn’t really heat up until the final few chapters. I did figure out who the killer was pretty quickly, but that’s probably because I’ve become a suspense expert lately. LOL

Fatal Embrace is the first book by Whittier and she’s off to a great start. It’s a fast-paced story with characters readers can truly care about. I will definitely be looking for more work by this author.




For Reading Challenges:

A to Z Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
ARC Reading Challenge

Stir Until Thoroughly Confused by Heather Wardell

Genre: Romance
Publisher: Smashwords
Release Date: December 2010
Format: EBook

Talk about being down on your luck – Mary is going through a difficult divorce and has no job. The one thing Mary always wanted to do was be a chef, but she was looking for the perfect opportunity. She’s sure she found it when the owner of a popular restaurant is opening a new one and is searching for the right person to be their chef. After the job interview is over, Mary is sure she’s going to get the job. Disappointment fills her when the owner, Kegan Underwood, informs her that his plans have changed and he won’t be opening the restaurant after all. He advises her to come back in three months when his plans might change.

Mary doesn’t accept this decision and proceeds to camp out in front of Kegan’s restaurant, determined to win him over and get him to change his mind. She succeeds, but when outside forces get in the way, she wonders just what she’s gotten herself into. Not to mention that sparks fly all over the place between Kegan and Mary. Can a romance with her controlling boss really work? When Mary is faced with the choice between the man she loves or the career she loves, she’s completely torn.

The chemistry between Mary and Kegan sizzles, add a dash of mystery to the recipe and you have a fun story with an excellent cast of characters. Even the secondary ones make their presence known. Several characters from Heather’s previous book “Go Small or Go Home” make an appearance in this book. It is not necessary to read them both (although you will want to – they are both wonderful stories). Each book stands alone, but it’s fun to see returning characters and find out how they are doing after their story ended.

I really enjoy Heather’s writing style. Go Small or Go Home was the first book of hers that I read and I loved it, this one is no different. I’ve already added some of her other books to my Nook. She’s a wonderful storyteller. Check out the interview I did with Heather back in January.



For reading challenges…

ARC Reading Challenge
EBook Reading Challenge
Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge

Blog Tour: How Sweet It Is by Sophie Gunn

Thanks to Anna and Hachette Books for allowing me to be part of this blog tour. I loved this book and was happy to participate.

The contest winners for my book giveaway will be announced later tonight! Thanks to all who participated.






Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: January 2011
Format: Mass Market Paperback

Single mom, Lizzie Campbell, is a hardworking waitress trying to teacher teenage daughter, Paige, to be independent and not count on a man to help her out. Paige’s dad hasn’t played any part in her life and now suddenly wants to pay a visit. The teenager is convinced her dad is a knight in shining armor and will take her away from the life she currently knows – the one with no money and working hard for everything. Paige is sure a wealthy, happy life is coming her way. Lizzie knows better, but she can’t convince her daughter.

Lizzie confides in her friends at the “Enemies Club” – a group of women who started out hating each other but now are friends sharing everything. She tells them she wishes for a man who would come to her house, fix everything that needs fixing, and then quietly leave. No complications, no attachments. That way, when Paige’s dad arrives, he won’t think they are pathetic women needing saving.

Tay Giovanni has some inner demons of his own to work out, but when he overhears Lizzie’s wish, he decides to be her knight in shining armor. Unfortunately for him, Lizzie isn’t too receptive of the stranger who is suddenly fixing her broken fences and lights. In fact, she’s scared he might be a stalker.

With everyone encouraging her to give the guy a chance, Lizzie lets down her guard and gets close to Tay. However, Tay can’t forget his past and plans to leave town as soon as he can get away.

This is the story of two people who have a hard time breaking away from the problems of their past and cannot seem to move forward with their lives. Both characters are realistic people facing realistic problems. Readers can really connect with them and come to care for them as they read through this one. It’s easy to cheer for them to overcome their problems and beat all the obstacles in their way. It’s a fast-paced read and leaves you with a “feel good” type of feeling. I highly recommend this one.





For reading challenges:

ARC Reading Challenge
Contemporary Reading Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge
A-Z Reading Challenge