FANCY

 

Love Train Multi-Author Series, #10

 

by

 

LINDA BRODAY

 

 

Western Romance /Sweet Romance/ American Historical Romance

Pages:            190 pages

Publisher:      Kindle Unlimited

Publication Date:     August 15, 2022

 

 

Scroll down for the Giveaway

 

 

 

 

A stolen baby

An orphan child

A bargain struck

 

Told her baby died in childbirth, Fancy Dalton grieves for her son. But in the midst of a raging storm, a shadowy figure appears and tells her that he’s alive and well! He was stolen! Now she has an address and a name. From despair comes hope.

One thought drives her—finding and getting him back. Selling everything she owns, Fancy buys a one-way train ticket to Denver. Nothing and no one will stop her. In a mad dash to board the train, she collides with Jack Coltrain. As fate would have it, the rugged cowboy, on a mission of his own, sits next to her. Experience has taught her to be wary of men. But when her bag is stolen, he gets it back and earns a small piece of her trust.

As the iron wheels roll, taking her closer to her two-year-old son, Fancy and Jack discover an orphan girl who needs their help and open their arms to her. Ten hours from their goal, Fancy and Jack strike a deal—her help for his. Desperate times for both call for creative solutions…but marriage, even in name only? However, nothing is off the table. She’ll do whatever she must to save the orphan and get her child back. Still, giving Jack her heart…that’s not part of the bargain.

 

 

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Praise

 

“I have loved every Linda Broday book I have read, but I must say this one touched my heart.” Cricket (Goodreads)

“Linda Broday waved her magic wand when her turn came and gave us one of her most profound heroines she’s ever written. Fancy wrapped her tragic story around my heart and transported me into the late 1800s.” Tonya (Goodreads)

“Linda Broday has always been able to weave her characters together like a mix-match patch quilt, but the end results are amazing.” Rose Ann (Goodreads)

“…Her ability to convey the goodness of their souls will leave the reader wanting more.” Sally (Goodreads)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Fancy, life is a journey. Not one trip, but hundreds. We have to keep going and proceed with courage each and every day as long as we have breath.”

 

Fancy has had some hard knocks in her life, but the worst is when her baby is taken from her at his birth, but she is told that he is dead. Then her mother passes away, which leaves Fancy all alone. But then a miracle happens – she learns that her son is alive and where to find him. This takes Fancy on a journey, and what she discovers along the way will complete her life.

I adore reading historical novels and imagining life without the technology and such that we have today. I think life was simpler in a way but just as hard in different respects. I think people were kinder to each other, but there were also those that hurt people or took advantage of them. There are several characters, while minor, who stand out due to their kindness to those they met. From the train conductor to the baggage handler to the boarding house owner.

Fancy has a rough start on the train to find her son; a child steals her bag, which contains all of her possessions. Enter Jack Coltrain, who she bumped into on the train platform, as he chases the boy through the train cars (because he can’t get too far since it is moving) and manages to retrieve her bag after meeting Piper and Willie and discovering where it was stashed. This sets the crux of the story into motion. Jack and Fancy take Piper under their wing because she truly has no one and at 12 should not be alone. Both Jack and Fancy have kind hearts, and I was glad to see that they both had the same mindsets when it came to Piper. I chuckled many times at Piper’s comments when it came to her grandparents. There was bad blood between her mother and her grandfather, yet she wasn’t willing to give him much of a chance. I thought it was brilliant how Piper’s grandmother was able to break through the walls that Piper had erected to help change her mind.

Jack and Fancy’s relationship really takes off once they reach Denver. There is already a mutual attraction to each other, and it doesn’t take long for them to realize that they belong together. Not often do you discover your soulmate so quickly, and watching their relationship evolve was romantic.

While the story has some rough parts (action-wise, not writing), each aspect blends together to create a heartwarming love story with a HEA ending. I felt like the characters were well developed for a shorter book, and the only thing I wanted was more of the story. I did not want it to end!

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty historical western romance novels and short stories. I reside in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian and early cowboys once roamed, and at times if the breeze is just right, I can hear their voices whispering in the wind. Texas’s rich history is one reason I set all my stories here where cowboys still remain caretakers of the land. I’m inspired every day by their immense dedication and love for the wide-open spaces. I combine those men with the love of family in all my stories and hope to continue to give readers books that entertain and fulfill.

 

 

 

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Giveaway! Giveaway! Giveaway!

 

FOUR WINNERS!

 

One winner: 

 

$25 Amazon gift card plus Kindle copy of Fancy

 

Three winners: 

 

Kindle copies of Fancy

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 8/19/2022.)

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

 

8/9/22	Excerpt	Forgotten Winds
8/9/22	BONUS Promo	Hall Ways
8/10/22	Review	Librariel Book Adventures
8/10/22	BONUS Promo	LSBBT Blog
8/11/22	Character Spotlight	Chapter Break Book Blog
8/12/22	Review	StoreyBook Reviews
8/13/22	Notable Quotables	Shelf Life Blog
8/14/22	Character Interview	All the Ups and Downs
8/15/22	Review	Carpe Diem Chronicles
8/16/22	Sneak Peek	Stories Under Starlight
8/17/22	Review	Boys’ Mom Reads
8/18/22	Review	Writing and Music

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

From the author of My Oxford Year, Julia Whelan’s uplifting novel tells the story of a former actress turned successful audiobook narrator—who has lost sight of her dreams after a tragic accident—and her journey of self-discovery, love, and acceptance when she agrees to narrate one last romance novel.

For Sewanee Chester, being an audiobook narrator is a long way from her old dreams, but the days of being a star on film sets are long behind her. She’s found success and satisfaction from the inside of a sound booth and it allows her to care for her beloved, ailing grandmother. When she arrives in Las Vegas last-minute for a book convention, Sewanee unexpectedly spends a whirlwind night with a charming stranger.

On her return home, Sewanee discovers one of the world’s most beloved romance novelists wanted her to perform her last book—with Brock McNight, the industry’s hottest, most secretive voice. Sewanee doesn’t buy what romance novels are selling—not after her own dreams were tragically cut short—and she stopped narrating them years ago. But her admiration of the late author, and the opportunity to get her grandmother more help, makes her decision for her.

As Sewanee begins work on the book, resurrecting her old romance pseudonym, she and Brock forge a real connection, hidden behind the comfort of anonymity. Soon, she is dreaming again, but secrets are revealed, and the realities of life come crashing down around her once more.

If she can learn to risk everything for desires she has long buried, she will discover a world of intimacy and acceptance she never believed would be hers.

 

 

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Review

 

While this may be a romance filled with tropes, I found it amusing and touching all at the same time.

Sewanee (Swan) was on her way to becoming an actress when an unfortunate accident took away her confidence. So she turns to narrating books, starts with romance novels, and makes a name for herself, but under a pseudonym. She is roped into attending a conference in Vegas, where she meets Nick. Everything gets turned upside down from that point forward in her life. She is dealing with a grandmother with dementia, a father that doesn’t seem to care, a mother that is off traveling the world with her new beau, and a best friend that just wants to see her happy. This doesn’t even take into consideration her professional life as a book narrator and the opportunity to do one last book from the author that got her started with another well-known (but unknown) male narrator, Brock McNight.

When she got this opportunity to record the book, I could see what was going to happen and who Brock might be, but I did not expect another twist to the story…but no spoilers on that, and I haven’t even given you any clues!

I laughed out loud a lot when Swan and Brock were recording this last book towards the end. Let’s just say he read words that weren’t there, which made the situation even that much funnier.

My heart broke a little when Swan was conversing with her grandmother. It is hard dealing with someone you love having dementia, especially on the bad days. It doesn’t help that her father wants to stick her in a different home which could only upset the situation. But at the same time, there are some light moments that truly reflect how life is for someone with dementia.

Part of the story is told via text and email exchanges between Swan and Brock. Brock doesn’t know that Swan and her pseudonym Sarah are the same person. So he hasn’t heard other books she has narrated. I chuckled a LOT reading these exchanges. They are flirty, funny, and full of innuendo. I can only imagine what this book would be like if you listened to it instead of reading it.

I also learned a little about narrating books and the process they go through to ensure that the book’s essence is captured perfectly.

A fun book that I read in no time, and you just might too. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, lifelong actor, and award-winning audiobook narrator of over 500 titles. Her performance of her own debut novel, the internationally bestselling My Oxford Year, garnered a Society of Voice Arts award. She is also a Grammy-nominated audiobook director, a former writing tutor, a half-decent amateur baker, and a certified tea sommelier.

 

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Synopsis

 

Two high school sweethearts get a second chance at their perfect ending in this charming new romance by Kerry Winfrey, author of Very Sincerely Yours.

Once upon a time, Sandy Macintosh thought she would have her happily ever after with her high school sweetheart, Hank Tillman. Sandy wanted to be an artist, Hank was the only boy in town who seemed destined for bigger things, and they both had dreams to escape town together. But when Sandy’s plans fell through, she stayed in their small town in Ohio while Hank went off to Boston to follow his dreams to be a musician, with the promise to stay together. Only that plan fell through, too.

Fifteen years later, Sandy runs a successful greenhouse while helping her parents with their bed and breakfast. Everything is perfect…until Hank rolls back into town, now a famous alt-country singer with a son in tow. She’s happy with the life she’s built by herself, but seeing Hank makes her think about what might have been. There aren’t enough cliché love songs in the world to convince Sandy to give Hank another chance, but when the two of them get thrown together to help organize the town’s annual street fair, she wonders if there could be a new beginning for them or if what they had is just a tired old song of the past.

 

 

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About the Author

 

Kerry Winfrey is the author of Love and Other Alien Experiences, Things Jolie Needs to Do Before She Bites It, Waiting for Tom Hanks, Not Like the Movies, and Very Sincerely Yours. She has written for many websites, including HelloGiggles. When she is not writing, she is most likely baking yet another batch of cookies or watching far, far too many romantic comedies. She lives with her husband, baby, and dog in the middle of Ohio.

 

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Synopsis

 

Ada’s world is torn apart when she discovers the man who raised her isn’t her biological father. To make matters worse, Daniel’s illegitimate daughter, Casey, has taken Ada’s place in his life. Faced with losing everything, Ada searches her dead mother’s belongings for answers. What she discovers will change her life forever.

Casey finally has a chance at romance with her long-time crush. But before she can make her move on Jamie, she has an unexpected encounter with sexy saxophone player, Luke Ellington. If she’s so certain Jamie is the one, why can’t she stop obsessing about Luke?

Burdened by her troubled past, Ollie must confront her demons in order to control her anger. When she undergoes extensive counseling, she discovers the men in her life aren’t the people she thought they were. Is it possible her arch enemy could be the man of her dreams?

 

 

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Review

 

If you are looking for a book that encompasses the lives of women in the south and in a vineyard, then look no further!

This is the second book in the Virginia Vineyards series, and things heat up with multiple characters. Ollie is dealing with anger issues, Ada has family issues, and Casey is trying to figure out where she fits in.

In the first book in this series, Casey discovers who her father is and after some conversations, becomes a part of the family, much to the dismay of Ada, his daughter. Ada is rather witchy towards Casey, and I can understand why. However, the tables are turned when she learns that Daniel is not her father. This rips her world apart, and I have to admit, Daniel is a bit of a horse’s behind to her. I’m not sure why everything has to be black and white to him, but he raised Ada as his own, and how can he just toss her aside like trash? This book is an eye-opener into Daniel’s behavior, and, amazingly, he hasn’t been left behind by all of his children. However, this forces Ada to reconcile who she is and what she wants from her life going forward. After the first book, I didn’t like Ada very much. However, seeing what she was put through, I started to admire her gumption and was cheering her on by the end of the book.

Ollie is one hot mess. I’m not sure what is causing her rage, but she needs help. Thankfully, there is a retreat in town to help her address her anger management issues. If she didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, it could have caused even more problems in the end. She is lucky to have Sheldon by her side, whether she wants him there or not. He is persistent and won’t let her push him away, or at least not very often. There are a few surprises in store for these two near the end, and I wonder what is in store for them next.

Casey is still trying to find her footing in her new family. Most of her half-siblings still oppose her being there and the job that she is given in the company. She is a talented graphic artist but is stymied by what her father wants from her regarding the company’s rebranding. I must admit that if I didn’t have much to go on, I would be frustrated too, especially when he berates her talent. Then there is her love life. She thinks that Jamie is the guy for her until she meets Luke, a part-time saxophonist in a local band. These two have some chemistry, but miscommunication causes rifts in their potential relationship.

This series is full of fun, love, gorgeous scenery, conflict, and independence. While a spin-off of another series, this one does not rely on that series to prop it up. It stands on its own and draws the reader into a world that will take them away from the daily grind. This was a fairly quick read for me, and I had difficulty putting the book down. I always enjoy this author’s works, and this is no different.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series has touched the lives of many.

Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she’s lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 21 years, a piece of her heart remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, which she still calls home. Through the eyes of her characters, she captures the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kindhearted folk with lazy drawls that make the area so unique.

 

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Synopsis

 

They go together like water and oil…

All chef Nina Lyon wants is to make a name for herself in the culinary world and inspire young women everywhere to do the same. For too long, she’s been held back and underestimated by the male-dominated sphere of professional kitchens, and she’s had enough. Now, as co-host of the competitive reality TV series The Next Cooking Champ!, she finally has a real shot at being top tier in the foodie scene.
Too bad her co-host happens to be Hollywood’s smarmiest jerk.

Restaurateur Leo O’Donnell never means to get under Nina’s skin. It just seems to happen, especially when the cameras are rolling. It’s part of the anxiety and stress he has come to know all too well in this line of work. So nothing prepares him for the fallout after he takes one joke a smidge too far and Nina up and quits—on live TV.

To make matters worse, the two are caught in what looks like a compromising situation by the paparazzi…and fans of the show go absolutely nuts. Turns out, a “secret romance” between Nina and Leo may just be what their careers need most.

Now all they have to do is play along, without killing each other…and without catching feelings. Easy as artisanal shepherd’s pie. Right?

 

 

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Review

 

This is more than just a romance novel; it is a book about women sharing their sexual discrimination stories, mental health, and that we all have things we hide from others to protect ourselves from pain.

When I first started reading this book, I did NOT like Leo. He was arrogant and mean. But then, as the true Leo was be revealed, I realized that this man was more than just a pretty face with a seemingly arrogant attitude. Leo was a man with his own issues, mental health ones at that, that used words to create a wall to keep others out. I think many can relate to Leo and his insecurities, anxiety, and the desire to do his best.

Nina isn’t without her own faults, including an ex that is a jerk, but she has some strong supportive friends that surround her so that even when things go south, she isn’t alone. I giggled at the conversations with her sister, Sophie, and her best friend, Jasmine. I really liked Jasmine and her no-nonsense attitude. She is the kind of friend everyone should have in their life.

Nina and Leo have quite the chemistry together, but they start a relationship based on trying to help their reputations and restaurants. That is not the way to have a successful relationship, but it at least paves the way for them to admit the attraction to one another if only to themselves at first. Communication is their biggest problem, but the relationship flourishes once they learn to share more than what they think the other wants to hear.

This book addresses the issues of mental health and Leo’s anxiety. I felt that it was done respectfully yet showcased how it can cripple an individual depending on the severity. It also highlighted how many people do not get help or ask for help to cope and manage stress and anxiety. This is so important in today’s world, and I hope that someone that needs that help sees that in this book and will reach out to professionals.

I did get a kick out of the text conversations included in the book. Gavin, Leo’s twin brother, is a hoot, and I think we need a book about his life…maybe the author will write his story.

Overall, we give this book 5 paws up. It is more than a romance and well worth the read.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Erin La Rosa has written many highly engaging…tweets as a social media manager. But on her way to writing romance, she’s also published two humorous non-fiction books, Womanskills and The Big Redhead Book. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three daughters (one human, two felines).

 

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PROMISE OF THE HEART

 

Author: Susan Berry

 

Pages: 203

 

Genre: Clean Romance

 

 

Synopsis

 

After a distasteful first meeting and a rocky start to their romance, Maggie Kinsley has been happily married to Desmond for the last eleven months. And although she was often alone when he traveled for business, she rather enjoyed how he passionately greeted her when returning home.

So when he received a letter naming him as executor of a property that belonged to a deceased family friend and had to leave for a few weeks, Maggie should have been content as she kissed him goodbye. But there was something about the whole thing that made her uneasy. Why was Desmond so evasive with her when she asked him about the previous owner. And why had he insisted she not tell anyone of his plans to stay on the property? Maggie soon found the answers to her questions were more than just a woman’s intuition, but rather something that not even her wildest, darkest fears could have foreseen.

“I so enjoyed the long-awaited final book to the trilogy the author so lovingly created. Maggie’s story has a wonderful ending, and she’ll be in my heart and mind for a long time.” – Amazon

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

A shaking of the car startled her, as did the feeling of Desmond’s arms around her as he’d opened the door and lifted her from the seat. Now cradled in his embrace, she lost whatever control she had left. Her hands clenched the front of his shirt as she buried her head in the soft fabric. She wanted to crawl inside his skin. To get lost in the protection it offered. The warmth of his arms soon soothed her. When she loosened her grip on him, she realized he was crying too. She wiggled free and stood in front of him. With her open palm, she wiped his face, then kissed his lips. She lingered there for a moment, needing to ground herself to have any hope of gaining control over her own fractured emotions. Again, she put her hand to Desmond’s face, only this time she left it there. “Are you okay?”

 

 

 

 

 

Review

 

While billed as a clean romance (which it is), this felt like more of a romantic suspense novel.

This is a shorter book, but there is plenty of action within the pages. Maggie has some major issues going back to her childhood. I think that she would benefit from some therapy that I don’t think she ever received after witnessing her mother’s death as a child. Her sister, Jilly, doesn’t seem to have the same issues and is a major source of support for Maggie. Jilly can be a bit self-absorbed, and her timing is crazy since she keeps interrupting romantic moments between Maggie and her husband Desmond.

Desmond has some strange quirks about him. He is in his early 40’s while Maggie is 27, yet he tends to treat her as a child and not his equal partner. This can be seen when he makes decisions without talking them over with Maggie, especially when it affects her. But then, Maggie has her issues and doesn’t tell Desmond things about her past and other secrets that happen during the book. I don’t understand why she doesn’t trust him to understand her history or the current issues.

The suspense portion comes from an unknown person (initially) causing issues at a winery that Desmond inherited. We find out that this person thinks that they are the heir and is searching for the proof that he thinks is hidden on the property. I found this portion interesting leading up to the revelation of who this person was and what they were doing. I wondered if Mateo, an employee of the vineyard, had anything to do with the strange events.

Overall, this is a fast read. I did find Maggie annoying, and she was not my favorite character. This is apparently the third book in this series and reading the information about the first two books leads me to believe that this is a series to read in order to truly understand Maggie and what she is going through. Perhaps I wouldn’t have found her so annoying had I read the first two books…one will never know!

We give this book 3 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Since Susan Berry was a young girl, she loved to write. Her imagination was filled with stories that she couldn’t write down fast enough. But it wasn’t until her grandmother had given her a Harlequin romance novel to occupy her time on a long, boring car ride that she fell in love with reading romance. The excitement of the characters first meeting and the dance of the heart that followed left Susan frantically turning pages. From that day on, Susan spent her free time with her beloved grandmother, reading the latest novels they’d retrieved from a used book store or the local second-hand shop. That reading eventually turned into the writing of her own romance novels. Novels filled with characters who have not yet found love but eventually find a way to overcome romantic troubles with humor, wit, and the consumption of lots and lots of chocolate.

Susan’s latest book is the clean romance suspense, Promise of the Heart.

 

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Synopsis

 

Could anything be worse than your husband forgetting you?

Yes. Of course…

He could remember you as the young girl who made his childhood unbearable.

After years of putting love on the back burner in exchange for career success, I let my guard down. I fell head over heels for the hot policeman who pulled me over late one night for speeding.

At the time, I didn’t realize we had a past. After all, he changed a lot since graduation…

Now, newly married and expecting our first child, our lives are perfect until Pete suffers a severe brain injury while chasing a robber.

When he finally regains consciousness, the last few years of his life are missing, including all recent memories of me!

As Pete mourns the death of his first wife for the second time and tries to come to terms with living with his high school nemesis, I keep wondering….

What happens if he never remembers me?

Will our love be strong enough to bring us together twice?

If you like engaging characters, second chance romance, and laughing out loud, then you’ll adore Cop A Plea!

 

 

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Review

 

I have enjoyed all of Hilary’s books; this one was no exception. In fact, I think it was outstanding and went deeper on the emotional level than some of her other books.

When you are in a wonderful relationship, it is hard when something happens to your partner, and you don’t know if they will return to you, and if they do, will they be 100%? This is what Waverly is experiencing when her husband has an accident at work which results in a brain injury. On top of worrying about Pete, she has to deal with his mother and the overprotectiveness of her favorite child. She can be rather irritating, but I think there is more to her story than we know. There is some resolution with her towards the end, which hopefully helps balance out the relationship.

This book is heavier than other books but rightfully so. I really felt the emotions of all the characters as they reacted to various situations. Since Waverly is pregnant, her feelings are all over the board, but thankfully she has a couple of friends that help ground her in reality. I hoped that all would work out for Pete and Waverly, and he would regain his memories of their time together.

If you decide to pick up this book, make sure to read Cop an Attitude first to get the backstory on Pete and Waverly’s relationship.

Another great book from this author, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next for this town and band of friends and frenemies!

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodgeball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on Long Island.

 

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Synopsis

 

They were in it for the fun, but never expected the storm…

Life for hometown ER physician Dr. Max Lange has always been sweet. He loves his job and is dialed in socially with his family, friends, and community. But lately, something feels like it’s missing. When a visiting doctor pulls him in for a hot kiss and asks him to play along in order to avoid unwanted attention from a hospital administrator, Max knows exactly what he wants and needs—the lovely Dr. Mitchell.

After a tragic error shakes her confidence beyond repair, Dr. Lauren Mitchell has abandoned her career in cardiothoracic surgery and instead works as a lead medical consultant for a top cardiovascular technology company. She enjoys her simple life on the road—hotel rooms, room service, and no emotional entanglements.

When a violent storm throws her into service at St. Mark’s hospital, Max has only a few days to prove to Lauren that they belong together, while she must reevaluate her career…and her life. Will Max’s love be enough to make River’s Edge and Max her home?

 

 

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Review

 

This is the second in this series about the Lange brothers, and I really enjoyed this installment. There was something about Lauren and Max’s relationship, for what it was, that seemed to touch me. She may have only been in town for a short period of time, but sometimes when cupid shoots his arrow, it doesn’t matter who, what, when, or where.

Lauren is working for a cardiac tech company, and their equipment was purchased for the hospital, and someone had to train them on the device. The book begins with Lauren eating lunch with one of the doctors, who is a bit of a letch. In walks Max, and she drags him into the situation to help extradite her from this other doctor’s unwanted advances. Max, being a good guy, plays along, but who would have ever guessed that sparks would ignite and their chemistry would be off the charts?! Lauren has some demons she is battling, which is why she took this job versus continuing to operate on people. It takes a tragedy in town for her to realize what she wanted from life in her career and her love life.

This is such a sweet romance with just a pinch of heat. The small town setting is the perfect foil to encourage their relationship even though they aren’t sure it can last if she is only in town for a week. I loved the interaction between all of the characters and how they all came together after a disaster hit the town. We learned more about the Lange family, including the mom. She has a small storyline in this book which is sweet. If you have read the first book, The Valentine Wager, you get a peek back into Ryker and Kitt’s life.

The book does have a HEA, but not without some hard times and conversations. I laughed throughout the book and sighed with contentment at the end. I can’t wait to see what is in store for the last book and brother.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

The kiss was…extraordinary. Max’s brain kept repeating that word—extraordinary—even as his heart raced and his knees went weak. She was extraordinary. He kept the touch light, in spite of his mad desire to simply pull her against him and explore the wine-sweet taste of her.

She gripped his shirt, slowly tilted her head, slipped one arm around his neck, and thrust her fingers into the hair hanging over his collar. Then shock of all shocks, she touched the seam of his lips with her tongue, inviting him in, welcoming him.

Max’s heart nearly pounded out of his chest as their tongues met and played, and he slid his hand around to hold the back of her head. Her red-blond hair was as silky as he’d imagined, and her curves fit against him as if they’d been made for each other.

When she pulled away, her eyes were huge, reflecting the wonder in his own dazed thoughts. This, whatever this was, had shaken him to his very core and she appeared to be equally affected. Her hand trembled as she took her arm away from around his neck and for a moment, she simply rested her forehead against his chest.

“Wow,” she whispered, finally looking up. “Wow.”

Max touched her nose with one finger. It was a great nose, small but not snub, narrow but not patrician. A great nose. He dropped a quick kiss on it. Then he kissed each rosy cheek before putting his lips next to her ear. “Wow, indeed.” His voice quavered. He tucked one finger under her chin and when he saw yes in her eyes, pressed his mouth to hers again.

“I’d tell you two to get a room, but I’m fairly sure one of you already has one.” Tracy’s voice was like a splash of icy water.

Lauren stepped back, her cheeks turning even pinker as heat rose up Max’s neck. They’d attracted a small audience—Logan and two other servers had joined the desk clerk and ML in the lobby, offering up a round of applause when he and Lauren broke apart. Blushing furiously, she reached around him and pushed the Up button on the wall between the two elevators.

Max gave the group a fake scowl. “Don’t you all have someplace you need to be? Or a life maybe?”

Logan laughed. “Yours is looking way more interesting than mine right now, Doc.”

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. However, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled woman in her prime. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 49 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake.

 

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Synopsis

 

He’s a notorious flirt, so she lays down a challenge she’s sure she’ll win.

When playboy police lieutenant Ryker Lange stops Kitt Boynton for driving on the wrong side of the road, his attraction to the feisty Irish lass is immediate. Yet, despite the sizzling chemistry between them, Kitt quickly turns him down.

Kitt has moved to River’s Edge for a fresh start and is ready to focus on her new marketing job at her cousins’ winery. She’s done with players and vows she won’t let the local sexy cop distract her, but Kitt, a flirt herself, is definitely tempted. To keep her sanity as she prepares for several Valentine-themed winery events, she and Ryker make a bet: for the next three weeks, neither of them can flirt with the other.

The game starts out lighthearted, but when the town takes sides, Ryker and Kitt must choose between winning a wager or finding lasting love.

 

 

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Review

 

This sweet and funny romance has two worlds colliding, all in the name of love.

Kitt has made the journey from Ireland to help her cousins in their winery and escape a broken heart and relationship back home. It doesn’t help that during her first few days, she is pulled over by Lieutenant Ryker Lange for driving on the wrong side of the road. I have to admit that was funny because I imagine that would be me in Ireland and not remembering that the right of way is not the same as in the US. However, sparks flew during that initial meeting, or maybe it was just irritation? Either way, it sets up the story for a romance between these two.

Ryker has a reputation as a playboy, and we find out later in the story why that is and how it all came about. We also learn more about the heartbreak that Kitt endured in Ireland. Both have some baggage to deal with, and jumping into any sort of relationship is not a good idea. This is how the wager came about – to be only friends with no flirting or any sort of romantic endeavors by either party. Be friends and get to know one another first. I have to say it is a smart wager, but will they be able to keep their hands off one another? Will they get to know one another as friends first?

This story is entertaining, and I loved the banter between these two. There is also a bad situation for the two boys that Ryker knows as their big brother. It will break your heart, but it gives the story even more depth and brings Ryker and Kitt closer together. The people in this town are comical, and apparently, in the early months of the year, there isn’t much else to do in town other than stick their noses into other people’s business. But that is what makes a small town great; they care for each other.

This is a fun read, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. However, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled woman in her prime. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 49 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake.

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

 

Tule Publishing | BookBub | Goodreads

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Amber, Lachlan and Raffaele met as teenagers in the Cornish seaside home of kind-hearted foster parents. Years on, the bond between them is unbreakable

But Amber has a secret. She’s in love with Lachlan. She can’t tell him, because that would never work – he’s definitely not the settling-down type. Surely it’s better to keep him as a friend than to risk losing him for good?

Raffaele has his own dilemma. He had the dream girlfriend in Vee, until it all went horribly wrong . . . and he still can’t understand why. Is Vee hiding something from him?

Now their widowed foster dad Teddy has found new love. Younger, charming and beautiful, Olga seems perfect. But is she? Or will she break Teddy’s fragile heart?

Against a backdrop of sparkling seas and sunny skies, the unexpected is always just around the corner. Welcome to Lanrock!

 

 

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Review

 

This is a cross between women’s fiction and romance, but of course, that sounds like they might be the same thing but they are not.

This book primarily follows three friends that met while in a foster home tended by Teddy and May. There are several other characters and couples that bring their own dynamics to the book that make it overall a delightful read and add some depth and variety to the novel.

Teddy and (the late) May brought many children into their home and loved them as if they were their own no matter how long they stayed. That love and affection are what pushed those closest to Teddy to question the new woman in his life whom he met on a cruise. Does she really love him or is she a gold digger? It could go either way based on what we see, but I have to admit Olga is one of a kind. She definitely shakes up everyone’s lives but for the better.

Amber, Lachlan, and Raffaele formed a tight bond that still existed many years later. They supported each other through their ups and downs and while they each found their footing in their respective careers – stained glass, chef, and stylist. I appreciated the hard work that they endured for their crafts and that they do not take any of it for granted. They are also there for each other during their various relationships especially Raffaele’s relationship with Vee which has gone off the rails but for reasons you may not suspect.

I think the one character that was possibly overshadowed by others is Benjie. He is shy and very much an introvert and I think many would be able to relate to his character. However, with the help of a few of the other characters, he comes out of his shell by the end of the book. It just took him a little more time than some but he really blossoms by the end and I loved seeing him grow.

I can’t go without mentioning Moose, an energetic dog that causes a few incidents in the book. But lovable all the same.

Overall, we give this book 4 paws up. It was a relaxing read in a picturesque setting. Plenty of family dynamics to keep the story interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

With over ten million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible, funny, poignant, and romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes, Sophie Kinsella, and Jojo Moyes. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

 

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