Some may not like the love at first sight between Tabby and Joe, but it didn’t bother me. I really like how the two seemed to have a special understanding of each other that quickly turns into something more. Tabby definitely has reason to be hesitant to get involved with anyone, but especially a man of the church. Her childhood was absolutely horrible and left scars that ca be seen, but also some that can’t. Coming to Mountain Meadow though may prove to be exactly what she needs. While there are people who are causing her trouble, she may just find the family that she truly needs – one who will love and accept her as she is.

I think that Browning does a good job of depicting a single, young preacher in a small town. The things that the others expect of him – from setting him up with their single relations (or themselves) to what they expect from his wife – are pretty spot on from my experience. Small towns aren’t always Mayberry or Stars Hollow. They usually are full of gossip and with some small-minded people who have no problem causing troubles for others.

Joe gets himself into a little trouble when he lets his emotions take control and rushes things with Tabby. I love the way that he handles the outcome, using his faith and morals as a guide. Once he re-centers he provides a great amount of calm and understanding when it is needed.

Unfortunately this is one of those times when I think that it actually made a difference that I didn’t read anything else in this series. There’s a history amongst Tabby’s family that, while Browning does her best to explain, really needs to have been experienced to truly understand. Don’t get me wrong – I really like this story, even as my first book, and I think you could too. But I also think that I needed that additional info to really get the nuances. If it is anything like this one, with well-developed and interesting characters and fluid writing, I’m putting it on my TBR list right now.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I can’t say enough about this series. The characters are always interesting, the bedroom door is wide open & HOT, and the plot is well paced & interesting. Fox’s men are all strong, stand up guys – with good hearts, hard bodies and strong minds. They are smart, sexy and dedicated to each other, their loved ones and what they feel is right.

And of course Kyle isn’t any different. He’s sacrificed a lot for his brother, including the woman he loved. Now that his brother is gone, it’s become harder to resist her. Or her daughter.

Rachel is hiding a big secret from Kyle (although I’m pleased that Fox made it a recent secret, because I don’t[ know that I would have liked her as much if it had been known all along). She’s always had feelings for him and now that he’s back in her life, she’s afraid that it might send him running.

I loved seeing the two of them get close again after so many years apart. The have long-held feelings that need to be brought out into the open but both are afraid of what it could mean - Rachel thinks it could be too much for him and he's carrying guilt over his brother. It's all so complicated but addressed very nicely and without being overly emotional.

My only issue, and I’ve said this before, is that I’m a little icked out by the idea of brothers being with the same girl. I’m an only child so I don’t know if having siblings would change anything but to me it’s just … well, weird to think about. I mean there’s just something about both of you having been naked with the same woman that just asks for comparison and … ugh, I don’t know it’s just strange to me. But that’s a personal issue and I think Fox handles it very well. I just kinda blocked that part out and enjoyed the rest of it since I know it is just a hangup of mine and not necessarily a problem for everyone :)

Fantastic heroes, strong women who love them, and romantic complications without a whole lot of drama add up to fantastic books that I just have a hard time putting down.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

At about 20 pages, Smith’s story is a fun introduction to a new world – kinda like a light appetizer to tempt you to order something more. Because it isn’t very long, there isn’t a lot to it but I liked what was there.

The first meeting between Alyssa and Falan is entertaining and I’m intrigued by the little other-worldly tidbits that Smith lets peek thru. I definitely looking forward to seeing what comes next for them and the supernatural beings they encounter.

While the story is complete, it isn’t long. But it is perfect as an introduction to characters, how they meet & get involved, what they face on a daily basis and the world they inhabit, while creating a need for more in the series :)

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

Noah and Violet have to be one of my favorite couples. I love how they are together – experiencing new things and growing closer. It’s adorable how he takes her out on regular dates (although none of my dates go quite like their’s do :)). As hot and sexy as they are together, there’s also a sweetness to their falling in love.

Both of them have issues they have to work out – Noah is unsure of the future he wants and Violet has to find her mojo. While they are both finding a distraction in each other, they also find a strength as well – Noah evaluates what he really wants out of his life, while Violet has to address some major body issues. Nowadays, I think almost everyone is aware of how hurtful other people’s view of us can be and her struggle with that is very touching.

An added bonus – not only do we get a great story but we’re introduced to secondary characters that are sure to get great books of their own. There’s some great material there and they definitely add a certain oomph to the story.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

These two together are absolutely fantastic! I love the fact that there is something about Khloe that no one else really sees (not even herself), but that Niall does. He’s got such an artistic soul that he’s buried under a hard veneer but with her it is hard to keep up the act. I feel bad that he feels like he has to hide it because of the way his dad treated him, but it is so sweet the way that Khloe understand and supports him.

My only complaint is that we spend a lot of the book getting the two back together again that I feel like Niall’s acceptance of himself is a just a tad rushed. He’s spent so long feeling unloved & unworthy, and fought so hard to stay away from Khloe, that I would have liked to have a little more time for his introspection and realization that he really is the good man that both Khloe and Michael know he is. It is there, I just wish it was a tiny bit more involved (probably nitpicking here :) ).

Niall does quite a few dummy moves, thanks to his issues, but he mans up like a champ – what a great ending! Amazingly sweet and a little teary for what they both lost and found together.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

David has not had the most nurturing upbringing – his dad is pretty intense and has more than his fair share of pride. He seems like a pretty ruthless man and has been David’s main family since he was 9 & his mom left. David blames her for abandoning him and he’s put up some thick walls when it comes to romance.

Meeting Maria throws him for a bit of a loop, especially when he starts falling for her. Of course, he handles that very poorly but fate has another twist in store for him :) While David continues to try to keep things unemotional, it’s very hard to resist Maria’s love of life … and having her in his life every day, shaking things up, isn’t helping. She’s nothing like he’s used to but that has to be the best thing for him because that man needs some major softness in his life.

I will say I was just a tiny bit confused over how much emphasis Maria put on gaining her independence and not being babied, instead wanting to be needed. I’m not sure if I just didn’t get it or if maybe it needed a little more something. She’s got her own career and has been saving money, which seems pretty adult for a mid-20s person … and maybe that’s it. I get the idea she still lives at home and her parents are pretty conservative, so perhaps it is just a little quarterlife crisis going on – she’s looking for something all her own, separate from her big, boisterous family.

Just like Letters From Home, Rhodes again delivers a romance full of warmth and humor. And I love that we have more siblings out there just waiting to meet their match!

(It’s been a while since I ready the first book in this series, but it didn’t really matter and I’m pretty sure it won’t matter if you haven't gotten to it yet.)

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

Once again Harris delivers a fantastically emotional but melodrama free love story. Accidentally Married on Purpose spends a little bit with the build up to Sherry and Tyler finding themselves married (which sounds like a fantastic time in Vegas) but the majority of it is the two of them getting to know each other better and falling in love … and of course struggling with it.

Sherry’s had a difficult time with love but that hasn’t stopped her from wishing for her own HEA. It also hasn’t kept her from being adorably perky and big hearted. That giving nature and good humor is causing Tyler all sorts of issues :) He’s convinced that the life of a musician has no room in it for a long term relationship. Unfortunately the more time he spends with Sherry the harder it is to remember why. Sherry reminds Tyler that he can cut loose and have a good time, while he helps her believe in herself. Together they are funny and fun, complementing each other so well.

While this is part of a series, it isn’t necessary to have read the others. I will recommend it though because I love Harris’s writing and her other Robicheaux romances are fantastic

It usually takes me about two paragraphs to find myself yanked into one of Harris's stories - and this one proves to be no different. I feel so much for Ella as she struggles with her crush on Charlie and her need to stand on her own. She's a little bit geeky, a lot sheltered, but totally adorable. It's no wonder that she's irresistible.

Charlie may be all about the good time when it comes to women, but he's also all about his family and friends. And that dedication has put him right in the path of the delectable, but off-limits, Arabella. In order to get the funding from her father that he needs for his charity he agrees to keep an eye on her (on the quiet) for the summer ... but proximity leads to feelings that he's not ready for. And of course, everyone knows that secrets don't go over well in romances.

I'm actually amused that both Tyler (from Accidentally Married on Purpose) and band-mate Charlie have similar issues with relationships, although for different reasons. It totally works though because one of the great thing about Harris is she manages to make their struggles real and their own. I would have hoped that Charlie would have learned from Tyler. But they are guys so .... :)

It isn't important to have read any of the other books to enjoy this one. There are some characters that show up here (and we met Charlie then), but Rachel is kicking off a new series - complete with the heartfelt style and wonderful characters that she's known for.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

I’m super excited about this series! I really enjoyed seeing Kate and Jackson come together and bring out the best in each other.

Kate doesn’t do enough to stand up for herself but Jackson, who can be a little too abrasive :), shows her the support she needs. He isn’t the most sensitive person (*snicker*) and can be a bit much for most people, but she sees the good below the rough surface and knows how to handle him. It helps that he feels enough for her that he’s willing to try harder than he ever has before. Of course that doesn’t stop him from making some bonehead moves but he also knows enough to make things right.

Moonstone Beach is a great story about a couple of people who are feeling their way into a relationship and can’t help but make a mistake or two – just like real life :) Seed’s writing is so smooth that this was a very fast read for me. And she also does a great job of introducing the secondary characters in a way that makes it just enough that readers will be ready for the rest of the series but doesn't take away from Kate & Jackson’s story.

(Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)

The Groom Wore Plaid is the perfect example of the type of Scottish historical romance that I just love – there is an unknown person threatening one (or both) of the couple & the clan has concerns about them, they aren’t together under the best of circumstances & there is a communication issue between them, and culture & historical troubles are woven in beautifully. Which all combines to mean that their relationship is on shaky ground. I’ve seen it over and over but it never gets old for me :) Plus, Callen does a fantastic job of keeping it fresh with interesting characters, good flowing plot, and a mystery that kept my interest. if you like old school (big, alpha, hottie, take charge) heroes, heroines who are strong enough to love them, and an intriguing plot with some danger and a HEA, this is definitely the perfect book for you.

(Oh, and this one can pretty much stand on its own. I haven't read anything else by Callen and I get the feeling that there is a little set up for this story in the first one with Maggie's brother but things are explained well enough that I wasn't lost. But it is so well written that she's going on my list of author's to read :) )

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review)