GRR Reviews Lies and Solace (Love at Solace Lake) by Jana Richards

The Linquist sisters were raised by their grandparents after their parents died on Solace Lake in what's ruled a murder-suicide. As they grew up, the three sisters grew apart. Two of them left pursuing their careers (marketing, and chef), only the oldest, Harper, stayed behind, having inherited the family Solace Lake Lodge in Northern Minnesota. However, with only her around, the lodge itself is falling apart. The only chance keep it running is for an infusion of capital, and the representative Ethan James. // Ethan James arrived just ahead of Minnesotan blizzard, and Harper is determined to show the handsome moneyman the lodge deserves to be saved and can be made profitable. Harper finds her attraction to the man irritating, but he's not aware that Ethan has secrets of his own... For Ethan James is a millionaire, pretending to be an employee in his own company. He's not sure an investment into this crumbling inn is worth it... However, Harper managed to convince him of her dreams... Neither can fully trust the other, but they must do so to achieve their goals in life... and love.

It's better than I expected. Both come with plenty of baggage. Harper was primarily weighed down by their parents' death, and Ethan was a down and out guy, whose GF ran away, THEN he won the lotto. Moreover, he started making investments with help from his siblings. The end was a bit protracted as Ethan managed to corral the other two sisters into joining the venture. The problem is I've seen this plot many times before. There wasn't too much of a twist.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Slam by Haleigh Lovell

Ender and Edric Hemsworth are tennis semi-pros and notorious playboys living in their retired aunt's house in Northern California. When their aunt, currently residing in Australia, sent them Adelaide, who would be attending UC Berkeley, they were not prepared. When they departed Australia years ago, Adelaide was a tomboy who will get into the mud with them. Adelaide is also a high-functioning Aspie. But the Adelaide that arrived at SFO was both same, yet different... she's a beautiful young woman whose lack of social grace is both charming and frustrating... // Adelaide never let her condition stop her from life. She will study the situation ahead of time and prepare adequate responses, which more often than not, goes off script with unintentionally hilarious results. Things got a bit awkward (but not for her) when she enlists Ender as her social coach while she'll be Ender's tennis coach. When she wants something, she will go after it, social graces notwithstanding, and that includes... sex. After all, that's what college kids do, right?

Adelaide is very much like "Data" on Star Trek: The Next Generation. Both characters are innocent, with a lack of social graces, but enough to recognize the cues to silence or divert yet takes things very literally. And yes, both are, shall we say, "fully functional". I don't know if the description is "right on", as I don't know any high-functioning aspies myself (I could be one for all I know) but it sounds plausible. And that makes for a good rom-com.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Claiming Grace by Susan Stoker

Logan Anderson moved back to Castle Rock Colorado to start over... when their mom, mentally unbalanced, had abused them for most of their lives, eventually ended up causing the death of their father and then committed suicide. The three brothers started Ace Security in honor of their father, who can't get help because nobody will believe he's the victim of spousal abuse. Logan also has a regret... When he was 18, he ran off to join the army to get away from his hellish family... leaving behind Grace, the only woman he had loved... But she never wrote her back. Now that he's back, he did not want to approach Grace again, until he realized he was looking at the situation all wrong... // Grace had always been under control of her family, despite having tried to win their approval for 28 years, yet getting nowhere. Every one of her dreams had been crushed by her family. Logan never wrote, and she was pushed into office admin degree despite wanting to go into marketing. Only the presence of her two friends kept her sane... Then her mother escalated by trying to match her with another family's son, who's polite (but apparently gay?) When Grace found from Logan that her family had intercepted the letters, she decided to confront her family... and everything went from bad to worse...

Now that's a pretty f***ed up family, yet believable. Like the build-up, but there wasn't enough foreshadowing of the depravity that followed or the resolution which involved someone else taking over the investigation.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic suspense

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Inseverable by Cecy Robson

Trinity grew up on Kiawah, and always had lots of platonic male friends and some dear female friends, but she's the "little sister" every boy overlooked for her blonde goddess girlfriend. Until her heart was broken when her boyfriend cheated on her with her best female friend. But this will be their final summer together... Then they go their separate ways. And Trinity has the furthest to go... She enlisted in the Peace Corp for 2 years. // Callahan, an ex-army sniper, saw too much devastation and death. When he inherited an old house on Kiawah island off South Carolina, he went there to rethink his options, while bartending to pass the time and pay the bills, and rebuild the old house. Trinity is just a distraction, way too perky for him, but somehow, they fell for each other... Except, she can't tell him that she's leaving... It somehow, was never the right time...

Nice slow-burn opposites-attract. He's kinda PTSD'ed, and she's a bit raw from betrayal, even though it happened more than a year ago. The meet-cute and push-pull was very nice, and the grand gesture to resolution was quite fitting.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Darling Songbirds by Rachael Herron

Adele Darling is back in Darling Bay, the town her great-grandpa founded. She left many years ago, and she lived in Nashville... Until she learned her uncle had died left her the bar, the cafe, and the "hotel". Already a bit down on her luck as a songwriter, she decided to see what may be there. Except only the bar is open, and the only upside to the place is the handsome guitar-playing bartender Nate... who always believed he would be the next owner. Adele and her two sisters were once known as the Darling Songbirds, a top country girl band, and she knew talent when she saw one. She should just sell the bar to Nate and be done with it, but where would she call home? And how would she get to know Nate? Can Nate encourage her to sell? Wouldn't that just make her leave town? Yet without the bar, what would Nate do?

There were a LOT of emotions to unpack. The three sisters had not spoken much to each other for YEARS, due to some big dark blow-up that drove them apart. Adele had to deal with the way she was brought up, for she's the oldest. Being a country music family, there wasn't really any home... except for Darling Bay. Adele basically had to figure out how she can reunite her family... AND put Darling Bay on the map again... by putting in money to fix the place up... Lots of relationships to unpack.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Bear to Love by Amy Lamont

Macy is a bear shifter in a family of bear shifters, and has a gift to calm and care for any animals, including humans. // Nash and Gage, both bear shifters, survived their mission and made it back, but traumatized. What they've seen... shall not be talked about, and they found only they can calm each other, else both have nightmares. When Macy decided to help them, she suddenly found herself (and her bear) wanting both of them... even though every bearshifter she knew are monogamous... Will they end up the only MFM paring in known history, even though it felt so right?

The plot is shallow, as basically they are trying to understand their attraction to each other, as it's almost taboo (but it's not, merely unconventional). Sex is pretty hot, but there wasn't much else to it.

Category: Contemporary / Paranormal / Shifter

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 (rounded up)

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GRR Reviews No Stranger to Love by Pamela Aares

Juliet Cabot, a marine biologist and conservationist, is campaigning on the Greek island of Zantos trying to protect the sea turtle breeding beaches, but strange threats have showed up at her door, and her campaign has stalled. She's forced to call upon the one man who can set her heart on fire... Parker Tavonesi, winery owner in Sonoma and international polo star... and expert organizer. Parker arrived intending to repay his debt to Juliet, but the threats are more complex than he imagined. Soon he had to put a guard on her, as strange sabotage and theft plagued the place, and with the Greek economy depressed, locals may want food on the table instead of nature. But what are they really up against? Who are the "developers" supposedly investing? Who is considering selling out? Can the group rally enough signatures for the Greek Prime Minister?

The guy simply has too many connections, IMHO. He basically fixed everything, while she's having way too many TSTL moments. The marine conservation bits are good.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Inhibitions by K A Berg

Ashley's life had always been a disappointment. She liked good sex... until her partner started bragging about how "easy" she was and all his buddies should try to hit on her. She is deeply insecure. When her boyfriend cheated on her in her bed, he blamed her for being a prude "forcing" him to seek pleasure elsewhere. When she was suddenly given an interview assignment of the local football team's star quarterback Tanner, she can't refuse... Tanner has a wild reputation, but in reality, he's a good guy with only one friend with benefits, who enjoys a bit of rough sex. But when some crazy chick tried to claim him as father of her baby when he just got drafted, it turned him off women as golddiggers. Except Ashley... who, despite a faux pas during the interview, managed to win his heart. But both are hesitant to go beyond casual flirting...

Okay, I can sorta see Ashley, hurt by her BF, may drop the professionalism a bit and try to needle Tanner about his personal life. But the way the two later got together? It doesn't quite feel right to me. This book at least ended at a proper place, with enough bits left for two more volumes. Call it 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up)

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GRR Reviews Anything for Love by Lola StVil

Winter Bennet had a horrendous bad blind date. On her way to duck out, she saw her ex with a hot new girl. She decided to duck out the window of the restroom and risk jumping into a dumpster instead of facing humiliation... Right into a drug bust by Detective Wyatt Hunter and his team. The bad guy got away, but he's smitten when he had to protect her from stray bullets. But she's too broken for love, esp. when her evil ex pushed her into kinky sex and then revenge porn'ed her when she broke up. Can he heal her?

Didn't feel too much on this one. Meet-cute is cute, but not too much else.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Finding Destiny (Destiny series) by Christa Simpson

Finding Destiny is a short romance (only 120 or so pages) that seems to be missing a few story beats and there wasn't much of a grand gesture.

Skylar was supposed to have a bit of guy time with the guys at the cabin. They were surprised to find three beautiful ladies trudging through the snow (their SUV broke down). With a snowstorm closing in, the ladies were invited back to their cabin, and Skylar found himself drawn to Destiny, who's supposed to be with her friends at a winter spa retreat. But Desitny and Skylar seem totally compatible. When tragedy struck, can their romance ever go anywhere?

I guess the "tragedy" (which I won't spoil) was supposed to be the darkest hour? It's more like insta-lust interrupted, and they have to get their mojo back or something. It just feels horribly shallow and vacuous.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews A Wedding to Remember by Gina Robinson

A Wedding to Remember is a "serial novella" where the whole book is formed by reading all six novellas together. You will be left with a somewhat big cliffhanger that will not get resolved for a while, and that, IMHO, is somewhat of a problem.

Kayla was having a very bad day. Being served divorce papers when she was never married was making her day a Kafkaesque tragedy that she suspected she was getting punked. Except when she showed up at the law firm the next day, it was not a joke. Somehow, someone with her description and name married Justin Green, city's most eligible tech billionaire. She was even at the same hotel, and she did like him at one time. But she was sick in her room with food poisoning... That's when Justin made a truly outrageous proposal: he'll pay her a nice sum if she will STAY MARRIED to him for a year, and pretend to be married too. He needs it for the tech deal to go through. But how did this come to be? What will it cost her in the end?

At only 100 pages, there is enough of a mystery that makes you want to keep reading, but as this is a serial, there are many additional volumes to follow, as there are many many more unanswered issues. I'd say this book ended at a proper moment when they agreed to stay together at least for now. Obviously, there are many more complications to follow in later volumes. It's an intriguing premise, but the semi-cliffhanger at the end makes me want to give this an average.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Playing Games by Liliana Rhodes

Cassie finally got her physical therapy degree and moved to Canyon Cove for her dream job. Things got a bit messy when she found her boss in the shower. Ex-MMA fighter Gabriel has a complicated life, but he made his money by rising from the Octagon himself. He knew he wanted Cassie, but his complicated life won't let him commit just yet. He will, however, protect Cassie to the best of his abilities, including letting her use his apartment (more of a penthouse) and all expense account, for Cassie reminded him of someone. However, when Gabe keep disappearing at night, is Cassie going to tolerate the suspicion of being a "kept woman"?

Meh, not feeling much about this one. Cassie is jealous and suspicious and Gabe rather than explaining things just being mysterious, which only make things worse. The guy's schizophrenic, hot and cold. Sometimes I wonder if he had brain damage or something from his time in the ring. This is not being 'strong silent type.'

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

Audrey is a chef reduced to a gofer. Right now, she's on a purchase run in Vermont for her Boston restaurant group, which should have fired her already... Until she spun out into a ditch on the road to Shipley Farms... and met up with her hookup back in school, Griff Shipley, who was yummy then, but now, a true physical specimen of manliness // Griff had to give up his NFL dreams when his father died, leaving him to run the family farm. He has no time for a girl sent on a fool's errand... Trying to purchase top-grade organic produce for below cost. The two are on opposite sides of the issue, but their bodies hadn't forgotten about each other... Esp. when she managed to demonstrate some of her cooking skills for his farm crew... But when Audrey's boss pulled the rug out from under her, what will happen to their relationship?

While I like the bits about opposites, the recipes, and more, the ending was basically a deus ex machina.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

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GRR Reviews Bent by H B Heinzer

Julia left her hometown behind after the one man that promised her forever broke her heart. She ran off to college, vowing never to return. But ten years later, divorced, Julia is back in town, when a friend offered to rent her the place cheap so she can figure out what to do next. She sorta forgot that the man who broke her heart, Micah, is still in town, and he has a 12-year-old son he's trying to raise. (Yes, do the math) In a small town, gossip moves at speed of light. Julia is hesitant to give her heart again... and Micah's "other woman" is still around, and she's not pleased to see Julia...

Not feeling much with this one. Both Julia and Micah are just way too moody, IMHO. The trials and tribulations appear really minor compared to a grudge that was held for 10 years.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews The Rancher by Kelli Ann Morgan

In the 19th century Colorado, Abby can ride and shoot better than most men, but someone is messing with her ranch. When her father, who was hiding something, ordered her to visit her aunt in Denver or get married (knowing there's no one local she wanted) she set out to do just that... and into town rode Cole... // Cole came to Silver Falls, Colorado, for revenge. Someone killed his best friend, and the friend, in his dying breath, asked him to take care of "my Abby girl". Cole came to fill the foreman position on Abby's ranch to start investigating. When Abby approached him and asked him to marry her, he couldn't say no. So who was sabotaging the ranch? What was their agenda? Can Cole really love Abby? What will Abby do when she found Cole didn't really marry her for honest intentions?

Lots of mystery, reluctant lovers, and CLEAN (no sex). There's enough tension in the air, and enough plot elements to make it genuinely interesting.

Category: Historical Western

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Handbook by H.P. Mallory

Nikki was having a bad time in school when her long-time boyfriend finally called it quits. Finding a notebook in the library labelled "The Femme Fatale Handbook" however, had her revive her hopes of becoming the ultimate seductress... and the yummy professor Derek, rumored to be in trouble for sleeping with a student, is definitely worth seducing... // Derek doesn't have to teach, and he doesn't do students, just his T/A, once during break. However, Derek never got along with the dean, so it's just an excuse to discipline him. Nikki is sharp and feisty, but she's just an undergrad. Then she turned Derek down... That just got him more interested...

Not bad, the "femme fatale" book is fictional but quite realistic in its "self-help" advice. The sharp wit in debating virtues of women in literature is great, and when the girls go out and practice their seduction techniques that was funny, if a bit cliche. The book does end on an HEA, but not quite the way you think.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4.5/5

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GRR Reviews His Blushing Bride by Dani Collins

Piper is busy finishing school and preparing music for the biggest wedding to hit Marietta, Montana, and getting over her ex. She wasn't ready to find that her parents had sent her a boarder while on a backpacking trip in South America for their house. But Sebastian was much more than the California surfer dude that he resembles. He's actually a doctoral candidate in political science, and he's in town to make sure his sister (subject of the big wedding) isn't marrying the wrong person. He wasn't looking to getting married himself. The two agree to a fling, but once they started, they can't get enough of each other...

There's a lesson there about "you can't judge a book by its cover", but not much else beyond that.  The characters didn't really stand out, and the initial hostility turned quickly. Push-pull is not bad, but hardly extraordinary.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Lucky Me by Kelly Moran

Declan O'Leary and his clan are cursed when 100 years ago, their ancestor chickened out and lost a 4-leaf clover, and failed to claim his love. Since then, every love affair in the clan had ended in tragedy, and Declan and his brothers keep things light. That is... Until Declan met Lily Durand... actually, met is the wrong word. She disappeared on him three times, like a leprechaun... then she walked into his brother's bar. Lily wanted to... step out a bit, and Declan seems to be the man who can help her, no strings attached. And Declan agreed... one week, all out, lots of sex, every position, total honesty. But when the week's up, will he be able to let her go... Will she be the one to break the family curse... or succumb to it?

Awww, that was a very tightly written novella, lots of plot, hot sex, with the context of the family curse behind it that added an extra dimension to the whole thing. I rarely give novellas a high score due to limited character development, but this will be an exception.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews The Virgin's Fake Fiancee by Kim Loraine

Charity was just cheated by a black car driver who took off with her wallet and her suitcase when she arrived in NYC. Only the hotel owner's generosity allowed her to check in to her room... with barely the clothes on her back and her phone. His name is Linc, and he made her the strangest proposal... If she'll agree to be his fake fiancee for a week or two (to satisfy his mother), he'll not only make her look great in her sorority reunion, her stay will be free as well. But the fake engagement turned real, and he'll show her what real love is... as she's never been with a man...

Eh, yes, it's quick and fun and sexy, but it's basically insta-lust.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews A Christmas Proposal by Shirley Wine

Kayla was betrayed, broke, and unemployed after her cheating ex, a doctor got her fired from the hospital. When one of her friends said she can use their lodge up in the mountains, and will meet her there, she did not hesitate. But the long driving took a toll and she almost ran over a sexy Scot, who apparently will be sharing the lodge with her, much to her surprise. // Jamie has had a bitter divorce from his entitled and spoiled ex, and he needed to finish the book the publisher already gave him two extensions on. He's also traveling incognito, for Jamie... is his name, but not the name he's known for. // Kayla swore she won't get involved with any man with emotional baggage, and Jamie swore he won't get involved with any woman recovering from a failed relationship. So why do they feel so right together? What happens when his ex wanted to visit? What happens when Kayla learned who he really is?

A nicely polished "billionaire in disguise" story, both are scarred from their own pasts, with a good push-pull. The visit from the "evil" ex brought the tension to a boil, and it's good. This author knows how to plot.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews The Princess Deception by Molly Jameson

Lizzie, the wild child of the British royal family, is famous for her scandals. She has multiple tattoos and seems to have a new partner every week, and the paparazzi ate that up. When she ran into Phillip, an old friend of her brother Jamie, sparks flew. It helps that Lizzie had a secret crush on Phillip for a while... // Phillip was jilted by his woman, or at least he thought was his woman when she chose someone else. Phillip, a bit despondent, accepted Lizzie's attention. He agreed to help her rehabilitate her image by creating an image that they'd been together. After all, he's the goodie-two-shoes, so squeaky-clean, he's running for Parliament soon. And this fake liaison between the two worked almost a bit too well... Now she's wondering if it can be real, and not merely a PR campaign... Can she learn to be a good girl for once?

Not feeling much with this one. This "alternate universe" British monarchy just grates on my nerves sometimes. This one was a bit more tolerable than some of the other books in the series. There is a sense of that tremendous weight upon one's shoulders being a royal, and how different people found different ways to cope. However, the flip from party-girl into charity-girl seems a bit abrupt.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Long Road Home (Crystal Springs Homecoming) by Mary Jane Morgan

Megan had to keep her family ranch going after her father's suicide. Her father had squandered all the money and assets on bad business deals before his death. Her family is also on hostile terms with their neighbor, the Dawsons. When Brett Dawson arrived at her ranch with a warning of a mountain lion nearby, They agreed to check on her mare, only to found the mare dead... and Brett performed a C-section to save the foal. Megan did not want Dawson's help, but she has no choice as she and her mother had NO IDEA how to run a ranch, much less raising an orphaned foal... // Brett knew his father had done something to cause the rift between his family and Megan's. His father is a mean drunk after death of Brett's little sister. Brett also lost his fiancee when she insisted on covering a story and was caught in a shooting. Brett needed to help Megan through her crisis, and help her get the ranch running, but the secrets kept by her mother and her little sister, as well as his father and mother, threaten to collapse the hard-earned friendship he had built between him and Megan... and when all the secrets are exposed, no one will escape unscathed...

As Brett helping Megan through each crisis, and with each secret exposed, things got a bit darker... I like the plot twists, but I think there's a bit too much trauma in this book, which is less than 250 pages! Still, admire the plotting.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Before I Knew by Jamie Beck

Colby is ready to turn over a new leaf by opening her restaurant in Oregon, but the sudden departure of her chef mean she had to hire Alec, old family friend with a Michelin star. But more than two years ago, Alec's brother lost his life on a dare by Colby's husband... and Colby's husband, already in the midst of bipolar mania (something Colby chose not to spread around), committed suicide months later. Now, both Alec and Colby with guilty conscience. She lamented about not seeking help for her husband sooner, and he felt bad about going into a depression after his brother's death and lost his restaurant. There is also family drama ("her husband killed my boy"). But now, Alec has recovered and wants to resurrect his career. However, can he admit to himself, that he has always loved Colby from a distance. Now that they have to see each other daily, and she's technically her boss... will they go all the way? And what secrets may they be keeping that will destroy all they worked for?

There was WAY too much angst in this book. Every page I turn, there's some sort of guilt and shame. ARGH, it's depressing. EVERY character is miserable. I felt as if I'm reading some tragedy. Gah. Both MC's are just... total pushovers.  She felt guilty. He felt guilty. And all that guilt dragged down the plot.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

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GRR Reviews Timber by Frankie Love

Jax lives as a mountain man in the woods after the town sheriff decided to run him out of town for sleeping with sheriff's daughter (she's of legal age ). He left to save his company and his friend. He didn't expect an angel, in the form of Harper, to drop into his lap... // Harper was a home-schooled 21-year old virgin and daughter of a preacher who was dumped by her fiancee a week before their wedding and needed to find herself... She got stuck near Jax's cabin, and she wanted Jax... But it's what happens after... that's the problem. Jax is fine being single... His log cabin is just big enough for himself, and maybe Harper too. But when Harper realized she's pregnant, and her family regarded her as a source of shame, what will Jax do?

I wanted to like the push-pull, but "preacher's daughter learning to like sex", "insta-lust a mountain man", and "it feels so good, how can it be wrong" are cliche. The plot is simplistic and over the top.

Category: Contemporary / Mountain man

Overall Rating: 2/5

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GRR Reviews Fighting Hard by Marysol James

Nick is a hot bartender and a fighting gym co-owner with his buddy Adam (who's the bouncer at the same club). He likes things easy and care-free, because he can't be with another woman long-term, after losing his girl years ago. One night, he saved Mia from fate worse than death... someone roofied her, practically in front of Nick, and managed to get her out the door to his car. Nick got to her just in time and got the creep arrested. Turns out Mia is a writer doing topics on sexual exploitation of women and children, and she's in Denver to work with a child advocate going after a child sex trafficking ring in the area. But when she was betrayed, who will save her this time?

Uh, Nick's panic really made no sense. Nor did the sudden appearance of the bad guy, except it made for a convenient plot. Guy saves gal from roofies was almost a trope. But I like the build-up well enough.

Category: Contemporary / Romantic suspense

Overall Rating: 3.5 / 5 (rounded up)

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GRR Reviews Forget Me Not (The Lowells of Honeywell) by J.M. Madden

Forget Me Not is supposed to start a spin-off series but the story makes more sense if you read the other series that this was spun off of.

Chad and Lora are engaged and they are happy. However, Lora is overextended. She needed to care for her 7-year-old daughter Mercy, go to school, and self-study to understand the corporation her daughter inherited, as well as care for her fiancee. She barely knew what day of the week it is... Chad is willing to give Lora the room, even as he gently chastised her about doing too much. When Chad's father was injured back on their family ranch in Texas, all three decided to take a break and head for Texas... Will Lora finally find herself there?

More of a prequel, this doesn't really have that much risk to love there, more like "complications to love". Didn't feel much.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2.5/5 (rounded up to 3)

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GRR Reviews The Husband Maker (Vol 1) by Karey White

Charlotte is sometimes called Charlie, and by some of her closest friends, "Chuck". But her strangest nickname was "The husband maker". Every one of her boyfriends went on to leave her, and to marry the very next girl they fall for. But no, not her. Charlotte thought her streak was finally broken when Kyle swept her off her feet. They were deeply in love, and he's rich and caring man. He's also a senator's son with political aspirations, and a wife can only help that. But when a reporter fabricated quotes from Charlotte to fit her attack agenda, will their relationship withstand the test?

Very rare for romance, this ends on a SAD note. In fact, it's argued by many (most?) romance authors and reviewers that a "sad ending" book CANNOT be romance, but merely "fiction with romantic elements". While I enjoy the struggle, it's also a bit sad. And their story will continue in the next volume. I am not sure about the reporter's angle. It seems to be out of nowhere.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

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GRR Reviews Next to Me by Jodi Watters

Ali ran away from her abusive husband when he knived her though he had punched her or choked her plenty of other times. She got her husband put in jail, obtained a divorce, and when she got an inheritance, she planned for the day when her evil ex would find her. She needed someone to save her, and then she found Sam. Sam, an ex-army ranger scout/sniper, runs a security business, and his new neighbor is definitely mysterious, but oh so tempting. Ali knew that the law can't protect her... her ex is a lawyer with some... dark connections. And Ali's plan is to seduce the ex-soldier next door to scare away her ex. But when Ali and Sam developed real feelings, will Ali's secret motives destroy all they have built?

A good twist on the "protector/woman in peril" trope. Sam's temper and really hurtful words make him NOT that sweet after he found out. Made a lot more sense than "understanding" guy. The extended resolution, on the other hand, made a lot more sense.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Fierce Attraction by J B Heller

Ashlynn is a shy librarian who was almost killed by her crazy boyfriend when her pregnancy turned out to be a false alarm. Her ex went to prison, but she's traumatized for life. She thought she's getting better, but she's not ready to date, when Axel walked through the door of her library... // Axel is a PI who wondered if he can ever find the right woman, when he ran into Ashlynn in the library. One look and he knew she's the woman for him, but she's not ready to date... but with a bit of consultation, he knew he can wait... That is until they found Ashlynn's evil ex had just skipped his parole check-in...

Axel and Ashlynn are okay characters, but the solution was a bit much on serendipity. Overall, there isn't much that raised this above the ordinary.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews The Importance of Getting Revenge by Amanda Abram

Lexi, a high school student, was dumped by her boyfriend of three years, Jeffrey... on the night she planned to offer up her v-card. And the only one who can really console her is the one guy she can't have... her best friend's brother Jase, her former childhood friend, and her ex's school nemesis. Then Jase offered her a chance to get revenge... Jase will fake woo Lexi to make Jeffrey jealous, and Lexi will refuse to take Jeffrey back, completing the revenge. But soon, things got very complicated indeed... When Jase wanted to get together with Kylie, the hot (and genuinely nice) cheerleader, while avoiding his own reputation of having dated most of school's female blonde population, while Jeffrey seems to be still stuck on the new girl she dumped Lexi for, despite them needing to do a project together... Then Jase's friend and Jase's sister also got involved, and soon, fake jealousy turns into real jealousy, and what you want... isn't always what you get...

Reads a lot longer than it seems, at 323 pages, this high school drama feels YA, but a very mature YA. Sex was discussed, but nothing beyond making out. And what was supposed to be a fake boyfriend story got a couple twists and turns to it. It's good, but a bit slow.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Ride Baby Ride by Vivian Arend

Gage wanted her best friend's little sister Katy for a long time, but she's always with the jerk Simon. Gage needed money, so he signed up for a 6-month stint in the oilfields of Alaska... Just as he heard that Katy finally kicked Simon to the curb, the night before he leaves... and he claimed Katy (with her permission) with a promise to be back in 6 months. However, right after he left, Katy got into a car accident... with a head injury that left memory gaps, and Gage switched to an ultra-short 2-month stint that actually paid more because it's even harder work. When Gage came back, Katy barely seems to remember him... and Katy is pregnant... even as Simon tried to claim that they had gotten back together... So who's the baby daddy... and who does she want?

Awwww, that's a cute way to use the amnesia trope. Add in the complications (like evil ex, pregnancy, best friend's little sister, etc.) and it's a good story.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Safe in a Stranger's Arms by Shirley Wine

Gabe Callahan is in Catherine Bay to talk about a secret real estate acquisition. It was by chance he came upon Jenna Mullein's door... and was greeted by a loaded shotgun. What had spooked the single mother of twins so much that she had to resort to the threat of violence to protect her homestead? // Jenna had lived in her house all her life... It was her grandfather's land and house. Her mother, with her final words, made her promise "Jenna, promise you won't sell the land..." So why is a neighbor forcing her to leave? Why are there thugs threatening her? // Gabe was supposed to get the deal done before speculators hit the area, but his encounter with Jenna left him rattled... and fiercely protective of her and her family. But the town is full of secrets... Does Jenna really own the family land, and if so, where is the deed? Is the local cop dirty? Who murdered the town librarian? Can anyone be trusted... even Gabe?

Okay, this almost feels a bit like a Jack Reacher mystery, except Gabe had to call in help from his billionaire brother and his connections, so it doesn't feel that tense. A lot of explanations was told, not shown. Not quite up to the author's standards.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4)

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews The Permanence of Pain by Desiree Lafawn

Regina has the perfect voice for the perfect job: she's a female sales rep in the sex toy industry, and she's the sales leader in her company. She was devastated when her best female friend just confessed to her... via email, that she was doing her boyfriend Richard (Dick) behind her back. Unfortunately, this FORMER best friend is also a good client of the company. So Regina did the next best thing... handed off the good account to the next sales guy... who's a total douchebag. Regina needed something to remind her to stay strong, so she headed toward the tattoo shop, and met Beck. // Beck is a painter and a tattoo artist, and he helps people dealing with their pain, having suffered some major pain of his own. When Regina walked through the door, all he saw was the pain hidden behind her facade. But will his attempt to help her actually do her good... or send her over the edge?

I've seen the plot where TSTL jealousy mistaken impression leads to break up, then a total meltdown, but somehow that made the character famous, and that lead to the truth, so the character had to do a grand gesture to get the other MC back. This one is not bad. But not outstanding either. The "sex toy sales" angle was not used much other than some amusing chuckles.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Between Then and Now (Wardham) by Zoe York

Between Then and Now is a 50-page short that managed to fit in an on-the-rocks romance.

Ian and Carrie have kids, a house, and all that. Ian is working two jobs, and juggling home and work and all that. But recently, it seems he can't get close to his wife... // Carrie married Ian eight years ago because they got a bit careless and she got pregnant. Carrie knew she's missing something, but it obviously wasn't being a wife or having kids... She's done that. So what was it? And how does she figure it out with Ian, if they are no longer speaking?

There certainly was a lot of emotions and feelings that came through with their fighting. As the cliche goes, if you don't care, you wouldn't fight. Obviously, they do figure it out at the end, but that's how it works.

Strangely, I seem I prefer her Pine Harbour series instead.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Dane (MacKenzies) by Liliana Hart

Dane is a prequel chapter that was so short (it's only 40 some pages) it created more questions than answers.

Bad boy Dane MacKenzie is returning to Surrender, Montana after 10 years being away... hoping to reclaim the woman he left behind after making a name for himself. But Charlotte Monroe has no intention of accepting that... Dane's betrayal is not forgivable, esp. when she has a reminder of him every day. She desperately tried to protect the son from the heartbreak that she was sure that's coming for Dane won't be staying... but Dane has other ideas...

With only 40 some pages to work with, it's mostly setup than resolution. This is NOT a standalone story, or even a novella. This is a teaser. You get 1/3rd of the book for free so you'd buy the rest.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 2/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Running Into Love by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Fawn is a teacher who decided on a man-fast because of all the toads she kissed. Levi is a police detective with an evil ex-wife that soured him for all women.  The two ended up being neighbors, but Fawn is not about to fawn (pardon the pun) over Levi, even though Fawn's dog loves him, much to her chagrin. As their lives become intermingled, will they realize they are fond of each other, even as she wanted to ignore her affection for him, while he wanted to know all about her?

Fawn was too much like her name-sake... insecure and naive... and klutzy that she doesn't sound like a teacher at all, but there many cute moments esp. with the dog that redeemed it. 

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Breakfast for Two (Peakview) by Jill Haymaker

Peakview is a small community, maybe 200 or so people, so it has only one mechanic and one cafe, and Violet had been running Violet's Cafe since forever. She's a widow in her fifties. While losing Stan was painful, it had been a while. She's just not ready to think about someone new. But Howard, the resident mechanic, is a friend, who's always there in the morning, and he's a hermit and a confirmed bachelor. He basically just showed up one day and took over the old garage/gas station, and he's been here 30 years, and nobody bothered asking why. That is, until a mother and daughter came to town, looking for Howard. It appears that Howard's regret from 30 years ago is back to haunt him as a reminder that life is too short to have regrets... but is Violet amenable for male attention?

This author's romance is always low-key, with minimal sex (but there are some), and often with older people finding another chance. While it may be better to read them in order, I'm not, and each book is definitely standalone. I like the slow burn and the way a catalyst (usually, a stranger in town) sets things in motion that no one really anticipates.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Meant For Love (Gansett Island) by Marie Force

Meant for Love by Marie Force continues to Gansett Island series by focusing on a different character each book. Those who read the series in order will probably get a bit more out of it, but each book can definitely be read standalone. It's just that the main character is a little flat. It's the extra characters and the interactions that made the novel really worth reading.

Jenny is the lighthouse keeper of Gansett Island and has been for years. She needed to get away after losing her soulmate in 9/11 and the current job/residence gives her peace and new friends. But she's feeling a bit lonely, except her blind dates turned out to be disasters. Until one morning, when she was awakened at 5:45 AM by a huge lawnmower... and the delectable and oh-so-frustrating Alex Martinez, who's cutting the grass since it had been neglected for a while. She's so mad, she threw tomatoes at him. // Alex Martinez gave up his horticulture job in the US Botanic Gardens in DC to move back to the island to care for his mother with dementia and mow lawns as his family company did for a generation. But just as his life and family seem overwhelming, Jenny showed him perhaps there is more to life than just caring for others...

Alex came across as an "overwhelmed" good guy, leaving Jenny as the more sympathetic character. But as explained before, the large cast of characters on the island and their continuing adventures is what made this novel, and indeed, the series, worth reading.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Once Upon A Setup (Meet Cute) by Kait Nolan

Once Upon a Setup is actually a prequel to one of Kait Nolan's other novels,Just For This Moment: A Small Town Southern Romance (Wishful Romance Book 4), where you get the story of how Myles and Piper first met for the theater roles that will lead them to the story many many years later.

Myles was in town as a reporter and he's detected a story around Piper when she seems to have lied for a friend... So why is Myles now the lead for the play that Piper's acting in as her co-star?

It's cute, and it's fun read, but it's not much more than that.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Sweet as Shortcake (Cupid's Cafe) by Ashley Lauren

Sweet as Shortcake is a matchmaker / reunion novella that's short and sweet, just like the namesake.

Katy Cupid of Cupid's Cafe in Berkeley, CA has been putting couples together for a while, abut this latest one may be a bit problematic. Danny Fitzpatrick joined the army to get away from it all, but after ten years, he's back. Katy knew Sarah and Danny been high school sweethearts. One call, and one shortcake delivery, and they meet again... But Danny is broken and felt unworthy. But Sarah is not taking no for an answer this time...

Sweet, short, and awwww-nice. Not like super-emotional, but it's time to make it right and all that. Good short read if you need a pick-me-up.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Matchmaker cafe owner is going to bring a couple back together after ten years of his absence... with a shortcake

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

Happy Thanksgiving, and a site update

First, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

According to the Blogger control panel, this post is the 1510th post on this blog. Discounting the various announcements and updates, that means there is definitely more than 1500 reviews posted on this blog! And that is a milestone indeed.

I also need to make an update to a previous announcement. About a month or so ago, Amazon, without any explanation, deleted all of my Amazon reviews. When I pressed them on a reason, they sent me a form letter that accused me of making "incentivized reviews" (i.e. someone paid me).

As a result, I have removed all links from this blog to my Amazon reviews.

A few weeks later, my reviews were restored, no explanation was ever offered. No apology, no acknowledgment, not even "sorry for the inconvenience while we investigated this matter."

After further consideration, I will not be linking to my Amazon reviews anymore. Furthermore, reviews will appear here. Selected reviews may appear over there, generally, only 4 or 5 star rated ones, but it'd be my choice, no theirs. After all, if I really post reviews as fast as I read them, they'll likely accuse me of spamming them again.

Also, since I read 1-4 books a day, finding time to search for common themes to group them on Twitter then here is becoming more of a time sink than I anticipated.

Instead, my goal is to clear my "to be posted" queue (and there are DOZENS of reviews to be posted), that I will be posting them at least 5 to 10 a day until they are cleared. THEN I will post reviews as I read them.

To save time, the "one-liner" summary will no longer be posted either. The main body already contains a summary, albeit, not quite as short.

So you will see a lot more reviews appearing on this blog. They will just not be themed.

Quite a lot more reviews, in fact.

GRR Reviews Don't Break My Heart by Laurie Kellogg

Justin Rivera is left to raise his goddaughter Haley when both of her parents are gone, leaving her an orphan. But he's busy taking care of the company now that his main business partner (and Haley's father) is gone. When his brother's family was invited to a ski resort as a part of destination wedding AND Christmas, Justin can't leave Haley to sulk at home. Justin never expected to run into Trisha, the only woman he loved but disappeared 16 years ago... // Trisha Mason left 16 years ago when she got pregnant, and she's tired to living under her strict father's roof. She eventually lost the baby, and there really hadn't been anyone since Justin. Seeing him after all these years was a reunion... a bittersweet kind, but he can't commit to anything while raising Haley, and she... can't tell him that she's pregnant... from a sperm donor. She didn't want to wait anymore to have her family. Trisha and Haley bonded, but Justin seems as anti-marriage as ever. What will it take to get these two star-crossed lovers together?

I saw the twist coming a mile away. I swear I knew the sperm donor was none other than Justin by 50% point, even before Justin mentioned it. And it was... an interesting twist. There was also a lot of posturing, pretending not to be affected, and so on. Add some obligations of being godmother and so on, and prior history, and you have a rich set of obligations and love that pushed the story from good to extraordinary.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man left to raise his goddaughter reconnected with the love of his life who ran away 16 years later, but she's already pregnant!?

Overall Rating: 5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews After the Fall by Tamara Hart Heiner

Luce divorced her husband who ruined her financially due to his gambling addiction. She had to give up her passion, ceramics, and be forced into a career as a nurse back home in an Arkansas town. Then she found out Connor is there... // Connor cannot get his mom to take him seriously on how to keep the family store running. Instead, his mom is on one BF after another. Connor blamed his lying and cheating father (turns out they are the "side family", when he went back to his "real" family). He didn't expect Luce, the girl from high school, back in town as a nurse, even as he found out that his GF, Regina, also a nurse at the clinic, had been lying to him... // Connor and Luce got together, but Luce can't tell Connor about her evil ex, Brian, who was still scheming about extracting more money from her, and his latest tactic is to sue her, claiming she didn't disclose all her assets, even though it was her own trust fund, not community property. When Connor finally learned Luce had been married, he turned away, treating that "neglect to mention" as lying. But when his mom fell ill, and wanted to see him settled before she goes, Connor will pretend to marry Luce, but was it just an act?

WAY too much angst. Luce runs away from everything. After divorcing Brian she ran to her hometown. After getting sued she hides rather than hire a lawyer. After fake-marrying Connor she ran off to Europe. Connor's "brutal honesty" is cliche. When you combine the two, you got a lot of forced angst, as he won't listen, and she just wanted to run away. At least the extra characters, like Regina and others seem okay. ARGH!

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman ran away from her problems (and evil ex) found her high school sweetheart is in town, who may want her back...

Overall Rating: 2/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Thunder Snow by Mimi Foster

Callie needed to get away and went to her father's cabin up in the tiny town of Nederland, Colorado. She hoped she would never see her evil ex again, even though he's been out of jail for a while. She loved the cabin, which is more of a mini-mansion, built by the famed architect Montgomery. She did not expect to meet the quiet and gruff Jack Franklin in town. // Jack Franklin did not like strangers, but he's a good man and keeps to himself, mostly. Callie's sass intrigued him, even as Jack's quiet firmness attracted Callie like no one else. As their romance deepens, sparks flew. But both are hiding deep secrets and pains...

While I like their push-pull as they dance closer and closer, the ending felt way too abrupt and practically counts as a deus ex machina. I'll just say, her evil ex will show up. And Jack has a secret identity. 

Category: Contemporary / Romantic Suspense

Primary Plot: Woman needed to escape from her evil ex, met quiet and gruff (but secretly nice and sweet) guy in town and fell for him, but both are hiding secrets.

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Wait For It by Mariana Zapata

Diana's brother died, leaving her with custody of her nephews Josh and Lou, and Diana will do her darndest to raise the two kids right... She reminds them every day of her brother's legacy. She set her goals in life relatively low, something realistic, something achievable, which disappointed her mother greatly. Now Diana just moved into a new house with the boys, and met the sexy new neighbor, Dallas... and it did not go well. They settled into a platonic relationship and learned about each other. Dallas also happens to be the coach of the local teenage baseball team and is great with her kids. But Dallas is basically handyman, even though they go to the same bar... Can they actually fall for each other?

This book left me a bit confused. On one hand, the slow-simmer romance is exquisite. Both characters are excellent, with nice details, psyche, strengths, and weaknesses. On the other hand, it is also... slow. In fact, the Amazon page count is 600+ pages! And the two finally consummated their relationship practically at the climax... at almost the 90% point. So it's a bit too slow. If the plot was tightened a bit, I think I can give this a higher score.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Single parent raising her dead brother's two kids met hunky handyman next door, but first it didn't go well...

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Hearts Stolen by Caryl McAdoo

Sassy Nightengale was just a young wife when she was stolen off the prairie by two Comanche braves and spirited north and became one of the wives for the war chief Bold Eagle. She didn't know she was already pregnant. Five years later, a team of Texas Rangers came to negotiate with Bold Eagle for peace and return of all the stolen white women, and one of the rangers was Levi Baylor, Sassy's cousin. Levi had to save Sassy... and Sassy's son, but he didn't want to go, as it's the only life he had known. As they trekked back south, they knew they love each other, but she's still married... so they had to deny their passion for each other, not even a kiss... And Levi had to return her to her husband. But the trip will not be easy, and the truth, hidden for years, may finally set her free.

I like the twist at the end. It was used quite effectively, IMHO. And that, I will not spoil. Sassy lived up to her name, still sassy after 5 years living in Commanche camp. Levi's conflict between duty and love was exquisite. The book came across as "Christian" and "clean", yet still emotionally powerful.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: Stolen young bride by the Comanche was rescued by her cousin, a Texas Ranger, 5 years later. Now he had to return her to her husband, and the trek will not be easy...

Overall Rating: 5/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Her Bodyguard by Emily March

Mari-Beth did not believe she and her sisters are bound by a family curse, but when one of the sister's husband died after only a few months, another is carrying on a secret liaison with an actor that the family does not approve of, only Mari-beth seems unaffected, even as she tries to run the chocolate shop in town. That is, until Luke Garrett walked back into town. // Luke Garrett has a whole family of black sheep. His adopted brother is the leader of the most notorious gang around. His step-brother is a chameleon and a scoundrel. He used to be an outlaw until he settled down somewhat and lived a somewhat respectable life in Fort Worth, Texas, and found himself drawn to Mari-Beth. When he found his step-brother is romancing the other McBride sister, things may be quite complicated indeed, esp. when he was knocked unconscious and then a fire started... and the youngest McBride sister was presumed to have died in the attack alongside his step-brother... Then Mari-beth found a clue that they may still be alive, but she'll need Luke's help to track them down... But do they even want to be found? Or will they all become victims of the Clan McBride curse?

More adventure than romance, it's nonetheless a fun tale. There are some very good comedic scenes, and some tense moments, including sexy times.

Category: Historical Western

Primary Plot: ex-Outlaw wanted to romance the town chocolatier, but his brother then disappeared with her sister...

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews Rodeo Man (Cameron Cowboys) by Margaret Watson

Rodeo Star Grady had no regrets except leaving his woman, Becca Johnson behind, esp. when she claimed there's someone else. Nine years later, when Grady was forced to retire due to a horrible injury, he had no direction in life, until a chance came up and he was able to buy a ranch in Cameron Utah. Imagine his surprise when he showed up on the ranch and found that the local vet assigned to the ranch is none other than Becca. // Becca knew she can't get close to Grady ever again... because Becca had lied. There has never been someone else... Becca's daughter is fathered by Grady, and she won't allow anyone to hurt her daughter. However, someone is stalking Becca and Grady... Mysterious ailments and sabotage plagued the ranch and its animals, and there's a stalker near Becca... Can Grady convince Becca to take a chance with her body and her heart again?

Too bad Grady didn't solve the stalker problem himself (Becca had to call in the sheriff) but that part of the problem was nicely done, and I can see no holes in the logic or plot. The dance between the two, the reluctance acceptance, i.e., "when/how do I tell him/her" was pretty good if a bit long-winded. Overall, still good.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Ex-Rodeo Star found the woman who betrayed him is now his veterinarian, and she gave birth to a daughter years ago. So who is sabotaging the ranch?

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Sweet Home Cowboy by Marin Thomas

Elena Puente just arrived in Marietta, MT and was actually about to ask for directions at the Copper Mountain Chocolate shop when she was shanghaied into a speed-dating event... and found an instant attraction to local cowboy Wesley Banks. However, Elena, still smarting from a broken engagement, is not ready to date. Instead, she's here in town to meet Judge Kingsley, the great-grandfather she never knew. Judge Kingsley is a recluse who still hurts after loss of his grandson, and Elena was both shocked and elated that Wesley is the caretaker of the judge's rural property. Wesley may just be a cowboy, but he knew what he wanted, and he wanted Elena... but when Judge Kingsley decided to be more involved in Elena's life, will Wesley give up on his dreams?

Awww, both sweet and cute with just enough poignancy at the same time. I like it.

Category: Contemporary / Western

Primary Plot: Elena falls for handsome cowboy Wesley, but she came to meet her great-grandpa, whom the cowboy also works for. Is he good enough for her?

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews How to Unbreak A Heart by Jennie Marts

Trip Turner walked out twelve years ago on his life and his love and landed in juvenile detention. Now he's back in Montana, at the dude ranch for wayward teens to help his mentor John Stone, run the ranch, but it's also a bitter reunion, but his love, Bre Wilson, is there... // Bre had moved on after Trip left her. She finished vet school and got her new practice in town, she just never expected to see Trip again. But she's not going anywhere, and Trip is only staying for a few weeks. Now she just has to survive the next two weeks without kissing... or killing Trip. // Trip let Bre go once, but that's a mistake he'll never commit again. Now he just has to figure out how to unbreak her heart...

Eh, not feeling too much here. At least it's short, but the characters seem a bit cliche, and much of intro was the "horse has a breech birth and all hands on deck" scenario, which was used more than a few times that I've read.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Man returned to find his ex is now the facilities vet, and they are not over each other by a long shot... But he's not staying... right?

Overall Rating: 3/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Hearts on Fire by Julia Gabriel

Becca Trevor was adopted and always knew she didn't belong... and bad luck followed her, even when she's trying to do the right things. She tried to help a girl being harassed... and was fired because the harasser was the boss's brother. Her BF is in jail, and she just got evicted because her BF stole the rent money too. She went back to St. Caroline, only to have her mom's quilt shop burn down around her. And she can never tell her family why she left town and went to Ohio... // Jack Wolfe was the golden boy of St. Caroline, destined to be the smart one in the family, went to Ivy League school and Law school... then work in California as a lawyer for a startup. In reality he dropped out, and is barely making ends meet as a security guard and volunteer firefighter... in a family of firefighters. Telling his mom would break her heart, but his mom is already dying of ovarian cancer, and it's already terminal. // Becca's back in town, and seeing Jack and finding his secrets (he dropped out) made her despair... She left town to protect his future and his reputation... and it was for NOTHING... seven years ago. That one drunken night after a party... produced a daughter, and Becca let a woman adopt her. But now, that woman is dying of breast cancer, and she wanted Becca to take her daughter back... even as Jack's mom may be going any moment... will the biggest mistake in Jack and Becca's lives break them forever... or be the one thing that unites three families?

Very sad and very poignant, but I am not sure I feel the LOVE between the two characters beyond the typical stuff. It's the extra stuff like taking her daughter back that makes things special.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman is back in town, and met the boy who she gave up everything for... only to find he had thrown it all away. But there may be a chance to redeem all of them if she can share that huge secret that drove her away 7 years ago...

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Blindsided by Jami Davenport

Tanner Wolfe is the QB of the downtrodden Seattle Steelheads, and they had suffered their worst season ever, that rumors of a buyout and full house-cleaning, as well as drafting of a rookie QB, means he has the fight of his life. Tanner is also damaged by his evil dad. When his buddies dragged him off to karaoke night, he obliged, figured it's better than sulking at home. When he saw Emma (Avery's twin sister, from an earlier book) doing karaoke, he was completely smitten, and he joined her in a duet. And their moment was captured and went viral. What Emma could not say was Emma had a LONG time crush (since high school) on Tanner. When the new management told Tanner to clean up his act and become a family man, the only way Tanner can see is to find a temporary wife... and the only candidate seems to be Emma, the "good girl". But when Emma's talent was discovered and she got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to study under a genuine country music star in Nashville, can this marriage, how temporary it is, survive?

The Nashville angle seems a bit "out of nowhere", and it didn't integrate that well. But still, the introduction of "evil dad" works pretty well.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Woman falls for her long-time crush, now NFL QB, esp. when he needed a "fake wife" for PR. But when she got a chance to sing in Nashville, will their relationship survive?

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below. 

GRR Reviews Love 'em or Leave 'em by Angie Stanton

Ashley somehow found herself as the 25th girl on a reality dating show... starring no less than super-hot NFL quarterback Luke Townsend. She was a last-second substitution when her assistant producer friend needed a fill-in after one of the girls actually showed up on set with chicken pox (!) and was sent home sobbing. Ashley is a deeply private person after her high school male nemesis mounted a harassment campaign for years documenting her every embarrassment with a camera. She expected to be sent home at the first rose ceremony... // Luke Townsend promised his family that he is slowing down and thinking about settling down, and this reality dating show idea sounded cool at the time. What's wrong with 25 beautiful girls vying for your attention? Little did he realize he would be surrounded but bimbo ditzes and camera crews almost at all times, and some of the girls are just trying too hard... all except for one... the one girl that is trying to get OFF the show

Eh... I'm not feeling too much with this one. She's flip-flopping back and forth. If she doesn't want to stay, she can just refuse the rose. But she took the rose, and in the end, she had to force Luke NOT to give her the rose for the final two. The tension was actually quite good, but some of the stuff just didn't quite flow right.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: NFL QB on reality dating show falls for the girl trying to get OFF the show ASAP

Overall Rating: 4/5

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GRR Reviews Brownie Points by Jennifer Coburn

Lisa and her family moved from San Francisco to the suburban town of Los Corderos, so his husband, an African-American, can be the new fire chief. Lisa is white, and they are the only interracial family in town. She's a sculptor... and their 13-yr-old son Logan is gay. When Logan was bullied in school, he found an unusual refuge: the local girl scouts. When the Girl Scouts refused his admission, he sued, and that ignited a media firestorm... as people who have no idea what they're talking about started taking sides... which causes problems in town. The macho father fire chief is having problems accepting his son is gay... and Lisa is having problems fitting in with the local moms who seem to be waging a cold war on each other by sleeping with each other's husbands while be perfectly "friendly" in town...

Not a romance per se, it's more of "adventures of a suburban mom" with a lot of quirky family life, and dystopic moments. It's a lot of fun to read.

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Wife with gay son had to move with husband to small town to help her husband's career, found drama and more when son suddenly became media sensation

Overall Rating: 5/5

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GRR Reviews Drastic Measures (Doctor 911) by Bobby Hutchinson

Dr. Alexandra "Alex" Ross loves her job in the ER department, and she's happily married to Sgt Cameron Ross of the Narc squad. However, when Ross's superior, who has a drug habit, endangered one of the undercover cops under Ross, Ross turned him into internal affairs... and earned the hatred of the entire force for being a rat. With no one to watch his back, he requested a transfer to a small town on the other side of the province, and Alex had no choice to give up her career and leave with him. While Cam got used to being a beat cop, Alex found the clinic admin and the senior doctor were on the town council together and detested the new doctor. In the meanwhile, Cam and Alex slowly grew apart, with Cam always busy on police work (now that he's wearing a uniform as a beat cop). When the senior doctor dropped a knife and killed a guy during gallbladder surgery, he blamed it on "previously unknown heart defect." Alex threatened to go to the admin, but the senior doctor just laughed because his family controls the hospital. When the nurse who was also there refused to testify (she has a family to care for in town), Alex found herself backed into a corner, as she contemplated leaving and a divorce...

The way they grew apart was very nicely drawn, and the way their situation paralleled each other was exquisite plotting. The details are quite good. On the other hand, the way the situation was resolved was all tell, no show (all handled in the epilogue).

Category: Contemporary

Primary Plot: Husband, a cop, had to move family after work drama, and wife, an MD, is having problems fitting into the small-town clinic run like a fiefdom with an incompetent doctor as her superior...

Overall Rating: 4/5

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