It took me just over a day to get thru this book and I enjoyed it every step of the way. It's emotion-packed as Julia has to deal with her past and decide if she's ready to take the chance on moving forward. She's afraid, for obvious reasons, but has to realize that you can't really live life in fear. Back in her old town, face-to-face with friends and family, has her taking stock but also brings some surprises in the super-fine form of the town's hunky sheriff.

Chase is just about perfect. He's sexy and strong, but also loving and tender with his daughter and his friends. There's also his amazing patience and insight into handling Julia as she works on her issues. He's had feelings for her for years and isn't going to miss out on his chance to convince her to stay, even if it means they have to battle some old ghosts together.

I will say that there were a few continuity issues - timing seemed a little weird, a one sentence mention of Chase's ex that didn't make sense in context, things like that. This was an advance copy so it may have been cleaned up in editing but if not I don't think it will be a big deal for most. This didn't really bother me all that much but I know that it will bug some people so I thought I should at least mention it :)

Julia's journey to let go of the past and move toward a satisfying future makes for a touching story, keeping your heart humming until the very end.

(I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s.)

Like with Welcoming the Bad Boy, this one seemed a little easier read (more traditional contemporary romance). While it does have a lot of heart and a lovely story about two people meeting and falling in love, the first couple of stories of the series seemed to have more angst to them. Mind you I'm not complaining, some times you need that and sometimes you don't :)

But the upside is that Rains doesn't lose her deft touch at writing involved stories just because she leaves out some of the soul-searching and drama. She still gives readers fully developed and wonderfully crafted characters. The narrative is engrossing and I found myself reading it in about a day because it was so easy to get into and so hard to put down.

Allison needs a pretend boyfriend because she's got one of those loving families that likes to get a little too involved in her life. Her mom is on her about settling down but when she brings a beau over then her mom's psychologist skills come out and she tells Allison exactly what's wrong with him ... darned if you do, darned if you don't, right? The family is very loving but you can totally understand how Allison finds herself in this situation. Recently burned, though, she's not in the market for a real boyfriend, which is where Troy comes in.

Troy doesn't have anything against love or relationships, he just not looking for either right now. But he's sure not going to ignore the intense attraction between him and Allison. I love that there isn't anything really wrong with Troy - he's just a happy-go-lucky guy who hasn't yet found a woman he wants to get serious with. He's sweet, kind, sexy, hard-working, caring, blah blah blah, ya know just perfect.

The slow build between the two as Allison resists her attraction to Troy and he enjoys flirting with her just to see her react is fantastically entertaining. They dance around the issue with humor and fun but you know that they are totally getting together.

There are some serious moments - the interactions with their families (Troy has his own troubles at home), orphans without toys, and a burglar stealing from people in Allison's neighborhood - but it all works together very nicely with the playfulness, heat and charm of them falling in love.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

I have to admit that one of my favorite parts of this story are the bits from the newspaper that would occasionally appear at the start of the chapters. They give a fun little peek into the quirkiness of Coldwater and endear the residents to the reader even more. Small town life often has its own rhythm and this one is no different.

Lacy is not a perfect heroine and she has a lot of self-evaluation that she needs to do. Her time away from her hometown has changed her in ways that might not have been all that great. After life pushes her down a little, being back with a slower pace and extra time on her hands means she's looking at who she is (and who she wants to be) a little more closely … and looking at an old classmate a bit differently as well.

For the most part, Jake may seem to have himself all figured out but he has more scars from the war than a missing leg can account for. The opportunity at a relationship with Lacy is throwing things a little off kilter for him – mostly in a good way, but it’s also shining a light on some things that he’s not looked at all that closely. Unfortunately to move forward he has to look at his past as well. And it could prove painful.

There are also some great secondary stories involving Lacy’s old flame Daniel & his family and an old Vietnam vet whose life has spiraled out of control for years. All of the plot lines, major and minor, deal with quite a few deep issues – addiction, PTSD, homelessness, abuse … they aren’t easy things but they are important and Eddings does a fantastic job of addressing them well.

It's the start of a new series and I’m really liking what I’m seeing here. Can't wait to see what comes next!

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

This is my first in the Angel's Lake series but it easily stands on its own. It looks like Kate's sisters have stories and there are some mention of the events from them in this book, although Holford does a good job of keeping new readers up to speed.

There isn't a lot of drama here, which I appreciate. Kate and Elliot have known each other for a while, with an ignored attraction bubbling just under the surface. They've never been at a point in their lives where it was something they could act on ... until now. It's sweet to be there with them as they finally give in and start exploring their growing feelings. As a couple they are funny and sweet - they click so well and genuinely like & understand each other, as well as throw off a few sparks :)

Of course, it's not all flowers and chocolate. There are some logistic issues involving his kids and their associated friends & family (like the fact that Elliot works for Kate's brother-in-law and also has a drama-filled relationship with his ex). It never gets too angsty, though, just enough to make things believable and have you smiling when they finally get to that HEA moment.

If this is an indication of what Holford's work is like, I'm adding her to my go-to author list. The writing flows really well, the characters are charming & easy to like, and the story is interesting & fun to read. Feel good and entertaining ... my idea of a great book!

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

Truman has sacrificed a lot for his family, even going to prison for a crime he didn't commit. His life up to this point left him with a lot of baggage. He's strong but still battling his past ... and then suddenly he finds himself as father figure to his two young siblings. The day they come into his life is his luckiest for a lot of reasons - one of which is Gemma.

Gemma's upbringing may have had all the comforts that money can buy but it was cold and lonely. She's determined to live life on her own terms and meeting Truman in the middle of the night, looking lost as he tries to shop for two small children, sets her on a course she never saw coming.

Even though they come from completely opposite places, Gemma and Truman are absolutely darling together. He's dedicated, protective and loving of those that he lets into his life. She's supportive and caring, just what he needs, especially when things seem to be out of control. They have a lot to work through, both internal and external, before they can find a HEA but they are strong enough that if they believe in themselves and each other they can make it. And two absolutely adorable kids that make it even more worthwhile.

Foster once again brings her readers stunning characters and a story that is fascinating but not overly dramatic. There is both struggle and happiness, moments to make you sigh and those that might make you blush, a touch of humor and lots of feel-good moments. She gives you a hero that is breathtaking in his sexiness & his devotion and a heroine who understands him & can help him through difficult moments. After everything Tru's been through you can't help but root for him to finally have something amazingly good in his life.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

It's easier to state this up front - I will reference the other books in the series in my review, however this one can stand alone so don't worry if this is where you decide to start. For those of you who have been reading this series, I'm sure you've been just as anxious as I have to see cocky (but still loveable) Bruce meet his match. I even mentioned it in my review for Lorelei's Lyric, but I definitely didn't see Serafina coming ... and neither did he :)

Like with the other books, Sieders gives readers a wonderful complex world - not just with there paranormal element but the personal as well as the political. There's a lot of inner-workings between the different factions of the elementals and she does a great job of describing it in a way that is pretty easy to apply to society today without getting overly preachy. It helps you see not only their world in a way that you can understand but also gives you a chance to look at your own a little differently as well.

While there is danger and intrigue over the Phoenix resurrection & potential apocalypse, there's also a lot of drama with Bruce and Sera. He's been carrying a lot of guilt over some decisions he's made throughout his very long life. While she's spent her much shorter one living in fear and hiding who she is, never really living. But meeting each other, and the unrest that has caused it, puts them in a situation where they could help each other address their troubles. And find themselves falling in love at a time when they least expect it.

While this one came off as a little more traditional in the paranormal romance genre than the first two books, Sieders still delivers a well-written and intriguing supernatural world with a plot that pulls you in and characters that keep you turning pages until the very end. I know there's more to come and I'm intrigued to see what direction she's decides to take her stories next.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

Let me start by saying I was REALLY looking forward to getting my hands on this book. I've read the first two books (although it isn't required because this will mostly stand on its own) and I was super curious to find out all of Garrett's secrets :)

Returning readers know that he's hiding something but we aren't really sure what and I think that Scott handles it well. He's not James Bond but he's hiding things for a reason. Unfortunately his last outing ended badly so he's home to recover and recenter. What he doesn't expect, but something he's going to take full advantage of, is sharing his brother's cabin with his crush.

Tyler is also in Stanford Creek to get his feet back under him after a very public, and very embarrassing, scandal. He thought he'd be spending most of it alone, with a few visits with his old bandmates, but he finds himself in close company with a very rugged and handsome guy. Getting involved might not be smart for either of them but they have a connection that can't be ignored.

I will say that there are two things that I feel weren't delivered as well as they could have been. The first is the life-threatening situation that is suggested in the blurb. There is some danger related to Garrett's job but it doesn't take up very many pages, so don't expect a lot of it. Instead we focus on Garrett and Tyler getting to know one another, opening up about themselves, and exploring their growing friendship and the attraction between them. Which I really appreciated - that slow build to something special.

The other is related to Tyler. He seems to have some anxiety issues which is what sends him running, and while he & his brother understand how to address it, it's not as developed as it could have been. What it does give us is a look at the bond between the twins, a closeness that is so touching and continues even across the miles.

I'm definitely curious where Scott takes us next. She's fantastic at creating well-matched couples with emotional journeys so she's bound to keep putting out delightful reads.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

As part of my review process I usually just take a quick look to see what other people say about a book. And I was a little surprised on this one. I saw some complaints about a couple of things that didn’t bother me – first is the length and second is Leigh’s lie.

There is a note in my copy that states that the book will end about the 80% mark. I guess some people judge how the story is going by how far into it they are? Kinda makes sense. If you look down and see you are at 75% but it seems to be wrapping up you might wonder what is going to happen to keep it going. For me, though, I just want a story that is complete and doesn’t seem rushed, especially in a novella, which this one does very well. I understand both Croy & Leigh, where they are coming from and where they are going and the way they get there. I really fell for both of them and how they get to know each other again, falling in love but being too scared to speak up about what they want. It is handled very realistically and flows well, even with the shorter length of a novella.

The second issue seemed to be why Leigh keeps her single & unemployed state from her family. But, for me, she explains it very well and it works in the story. While we may not make the same choice, it is understandable why she does it. As they start to fall for each other her silence may not be something Croy likes but he also understands. And it isn’t the big make or break thing that it could be – there is no big drama over cheating or him trying to make a play for a taken woman. Instead, since it is just between them, it adds a certain bit intimacy to their growing feelings and a kind of compression on the time it takes them to fall in love. In some short stories the length of pages can cause you to feel like the romance itself is rushed and not believable but here - with the confidentiality and the way they spend time together, added to the fact that they used to be close friends - it doesn’t feel hurried at all.

All around, Holiday with a Twist is a sweet addition to your holiday season reading.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

I found this novella to be sweet with a middlin’ heat level … although, I gotta say that when you show up with a Nice suitcase and a Naughty suitcase that I’d expect that we’d at least get a little play with the things in toy chest? :) I know that it falls in the whole Santa and Christmas thing but I was kinda hoping for at least a little more steam out of all the goodies she brought.

But overall that was my only complaint – the characters are enjoyable, the story complete, and the ending works without feeling rushed. The length of the book is helped by the fact that these two were friends (of a sort) years ago and even though they have changed over time the closeness they had helps give them a good foundation to work with.

I know that a lot of reviewers are complaining about the lie that Kelly tells, which is more of an omission because she’s embarrassed and doesn’t want him to know how she’s screwed up. Which is totally understandable. Here she is with a guy that had a crush on her when she was one of the most popular girls in school but he was a nerdy outsider and now he’s the one who is all hot with his life together while she’s feeling kicked around. Why would you want to admit to that? Especially with the embarrassment factor thrown in. I’d find it hard to own up to as well.

Now, granted, he’s amazingly understanding and forgiving once everything does come out. He’s not perfect but he’s still the sweet, nice guy he was all those years ago. (Just now in an amazingly sexy package.) You can totally understand why she wants a chance with him, and I appreciate that she wanted that chance before she found out what a hottie he’d become. Makes her at least a little less shallow than she used to be :)

She’s not perfect, but Kelly is real. And while there may be a little of him finally getting his dream girl in Paul’s reaction to her showing up, I’d like to think he’s the better man he seems to be and he truly does understand the real her and that’s the girl he’s falling for.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***

Like most novellas, the story takes place over only a few weeks so you do have to have a little more leniency on how quickly the characters fall in love. But it’s a Christmas read and, like a good Hallmark movie, it’s kinda to be expected and I think that Wyatt’s lovely writing helps make it work even more.

Luke is all sexy handyman with a heart of gold. He’s a dedicated single dad and doing an awesome job of raising a fantastic kid all on his own. He’s sweet, kind and funny, a little gun-shy for getting involved again but willing to take a chance when he meets a woman that he’s got a strong connection with. It’s brave to put himself out there and Wyatt could have easily gone with him being too scared but I’m impressed that she chose to not go the obvious route.

Christie on the other hand has been burned recently and is very hesitant to get involved, especially with a family man. An incident in her past has made her feel unworthy of such a loving and good family unit. As she spends time with Luke, and his son, she knows that she needs to tell him but it’s not easy for her.

When things do come out I think that Luke handles it very well. He’s obviously (and realistically) upset but he’s a good man and once he’s had time to think things through his good heart overrules his hurt feelings. I love how he goes about winning her over again. It’s so sweet and perfect and just made me smile.

*** I voluntarily read a Review Copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else’s. ***