Book Review: A Dance in Donegal

“Deibel’s descriptions of Ireland’s landscape, enticing cuisine, sonorous language, and vibrant culture converge to form a spectacular background for the story.”–BookPage starred review

All of her life, Irish-American Moira Doherty has relished her mother’s descriptions of Ireland. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira decides to fulfill her mother’s wish that she become the teacher in Ballymann, her home village in Donegal, Ireland.

After an arduous voyage, Moira arrives to a new home and a new job in an ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira’s mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she’s journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends–and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced–as she seeks to navigate a life she’d never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.

Jennifer Deibel’s debut novel delights the senses, bringing to life the sights, sounds, smells, and language of a lush country and a colorful pe

KU Book Review:

Lovely Christian historical romance! Well written, with themes of forgiveness, trust and redemption woven throughout the story. Lots of scripture references included in a natural flow, without being awkward or preachy.

Book Review: Not Your Valentine

Description

From the author of THE UNMATCHMAKERS and THE STAND-UP GROOMSMAN comes a chocolate-filled love story starring a heroine who is convinced she knows what will make her happy and a hero who seizes the opportunity to prove her wrong.

——————–

Helen Tsang is tired of the pitying looks. From her parents, her friends, and even the bubble tea shop guy, who recognized her from the video. Almost one year ago, some loser couldn’t mind their own damn business and filmed an unsuspecting Helen’s very public break-up during what was supposed to be a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. A video of her ex-boyfriend saying, “It’s not me, it’s you. You’re holding me back” went viral.

Desperate to give everyone something else to talk about and with Valentine’s Day approaching once again, she asks her long-time friend Taylor Li to be her fake boyfriend, just to prove that she’s moved on and hasn’t sworn off love. (Spoiler alert: She’s totally sworn off love.) Taylor is the perfect option—single for once, and for some godforsaken reason, he loves Valentine’s Day.

But Helen didn’t expect was how easy it would be to get Taylor on board, fitting right into the boyfriend-shaped hole in her life. All she wanted was a couple sickeningly sweet dates to fill her social feeds, not corny text messages of silly heart-shaped cakes, and bouquets of flowers that harbor hidden meanings. Wanting to be around his sunshine attitude and delicious forearms all the time? That definitely wasn’t expected.

With February 14 quickly approaching, it’s getting increasingly difficult to ignore her feelings, especially when she starts wishing it wasn’t all an act.

Oh God. What has she done?

Book Review:

In this author trademark writing style this modern day romance hits all the marks of this generations > You Tube, twitter and Social media spread Helen brake up a year ago and turned her against romance. But to survive this Valentine Helen is going to stag her own Valentine campaigned with Taylor. The perfect partner in her fake boyfriend caper this Valentine. But hes too perfect and she falls for him. Will this fake boyfriend turn to real love? Read the book…. A really cute modern day romance. Perfect for this Valentine Day!!!

Book Review: Cupid Calamity:

One cupid, two calamities, four uproarious lovers. Insta-love meets insta-disaster in these laugh-out-loud Valentine’s day novellas.

Animal Attraction – by Evie Alexander 

Overworked, underpaid, and perpetually single, Laurie is stuck in a rut. A birthday on Valentine’s day is bad enough, but when her insensitive colleagues drag her to a secret Safari dining experience, her day hits rock bottom – she’s terrified of animals.

Workaholic Ben has just swapped the States for Somerset. He’s on track to fulfil a childhood dream, and the only date he wants on Valentine’s day is a business one. But when his fantasy woman approaches with an offer he can’t refuse, his priorities start to change.

Laurie and Ben have an instant connection and their chemistry is wild. Unfortunately so are the animals. When the menagerie goes into meltdown they’re thrown into a Darwinian Hunger Games, fighting for their lives as well as love. Can Businessman Ben unleash his inner Tarzan and save Laurie? Or has this survival of the fittest reached the point of no return?

Stupid Cupid – by Kelly Kay 

Resourceful Sabrina always puts others’ needs first. She never thought she’d be abandoning a blind date to run off with a stranger. But now she’s got the chance to face her demons and choose happiness – even if it’s just for one night.

Charmer Patrick can make any situation work in his favor. But snark and humor won’t be enough to win Sabrina’s heart. He’s got to dig deep, open up, and take on fate as well as New York City.

Armed with a fire extinguisher, a cobbler’s hammer, and an EpiPen, can Patrick and Sabrina survive the worst-best date of their lives and find true love? Or will they lose each other as well as the plot?

Evie and Kelly’s Holiday Disasters are a series of hot and hilarious romantic comedies with interconnected characters, focusing on one holiday and one trope at a time. No cheating, no cliff-hangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after (HEA).

KU Book Review:

These two novellas are wonderfully entertaining rom-com delight! I literally laughed out loud while reading. Evie and Kelly have spun two highly entertaining, connected tales of romance. I can’t wait to read the others in the series!

Her Secret Valentine (The Brides of Holly Springs Book 5)

Once upon a time, Cal and Ashley Hartwere blissful newlyweds. But all of thatchanged when Ashley moved to Hawaiifor three years, leaving her oh-so-sexyhusband alone in Holly Springs. Theytold themselves it was for the good oftheir careers. And of course, there werethe weekends—fiercely hot, passionatemoments that left them both achingfor more….

Now Ashley has returned to Holly Springs—temporarily—to try to salvage their marriage. They still can’t keep their hands off each other, but Cal and Ashley are both hiding secrets that promise to affect their tenuous union .Can this Valentine’s Day bring two Harts together—forever?

Library Loan : Harlequin Friday

A very typical Harlequin romance with characters finding love again after being apart and falling love again.A great Valentine holiday romance…

Book Review: Escaping Valentine’s Day

An Italian romance is on the menu, but is she ready to order?

Content creator Rory Hibbert knows Valentine’s Day is only fun for couples and chocolatiers. For singles like her, it’s a day of disappointment. And that’s why her new marketing agency client has arranged a tour of Italy crammed full of activities to distract from the holiday. This trip is a test for Rory—if it goes well, it will jump-start her new social media career.

There’s just one snag: the ex she never got over is also on staff.

Huck Cranshaw walked away from the love of his life for a huge opportunity on a cooking competition show. At least, that’s the excuse he gave Rory at the time—and he’s regretted it for five years. Cooking for tourists was supposed to be a stopgap between restaurant positions. Now it could be much, much more: a chance to fix the past.

But when an Italian prince catches sight of Rory, Huck’s not the only one vying for her heart this time. Can Cupid still steal Rory’s heart when the truth finally comes out?

Each book in the Holiday Hearts series is standalone:

*The Magic of Christmas
*The Christmas Project
*Escaping Valentine’s Day

ARC Book Review:

Started out a bit slow but was great in the middle. Loved the side characters a lot. The conflict was maybe a bit extra drawnout for me. There were many moments they could have spoken and resolved a lot. Ending felt like it came on very abruptly and I would have loved a longer end or at least an epilogue. 4 solid stars tho for me. I liked the story a lot. Clean romance.

Book Review : Be My Valentine: An Anthology

pub 2006 , Contempered romance, Throwback Thursday

My Funny Valentine Dianne Williams needs a man. But only for a night. The night of the community center Valentine dinner, to be precise. Exasperated by her children’s relentless efforts to get her a date, Dianne finds herself approaching a handsome stranger named Steve and making him an outrageous offer. An offer he doesn’t refuse. An offer that might lead to more than just one night.

My Hero Bailey York needs a man. But only on paper. She’s writing a romance novel and she’s having difficulty creating a hero. So she needs a real-life model for her story. Parker Davidson is perfect, everything a hero should be. But he wants to become the hero in her life, not just her book. And not just on Valentine’s Day, either!

From the Library :

This book touches many lives as it is about a woman who’s husband left her and she had no idea how to continue her life. She has 2 children who want her to date and she poo poos this idea. Then the town is having a Valentines day dance and she needs to attend…she does and with the help of her Mother finds the man of her dreams although she does not believe it…

This as well as all of Debbie Macomber’s books is an easy read and always romantic. Check more book at your local library!!! Lisa

Book Review: Valentines for the Rancher

Will two little matchmakers give them a second chance?

Jillian Adams and Miles Montgomery grew up the best of friends and eventually became lovers—until Jillian got a breakup speech instead of a proposal! Jillian left town, and Miles married—and divorced. Then a chance reunion in Aspen Creek brings them face-to-face, along with their children. As their kids become inseparable, Miles and Jillian struggle to overcome the mistakes of their past. And when Miles asks Jillian to be his valentine—for real—she’ll have to decide whether she can trust her love and her daughter with the man who had stolen her heart so long ago…

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Aspen Creek Bachelors

Book 1: Valentines for the Rancher
Book 2: The Rancher’s Baby

ARC Book Review:

Good second chance love story. Jillian and Miles had been best friends as children, then high school and college sweethearts. But instead of the proposal that Jillian expected, Miles wanted them to see other people. But that didnt work out so well Jillian is Now divorced and Miles is a single father but both find themselves back in this small town and get a second chance at love. I loved the characters in this book. Jillian and Miles are a charming couple, and their kids are adorable. It’s a heartwarming, emotional read.

Book review: Last Rites Beignet Bites

Includes RECIPE

My name is Lottie Lemon, and I see dead people. Okay, so I rarely see dead people, mostly I see furry creatures of the dearly departed variety, who have come back from the other side to warn me of their previous owner’s impending doom.

The grand dame of Leeds County has passed away and her friends and family are throwing a going away party—aka funeral—of the ages. Everyone is invited to the swanky soiree but Carlotta’s invitation seems to have gotten lost in the mail. Lucky for her, I’m catering the event, and I begrudgingly let her tag along as my assistant. But the funeral goes awry when a killer shows up on the scene.

And what’s better than one Everett Baxter? Two. Everett’s cousin Ransom is in town to help out with Everett’s new legal woes. And he brings along his girlfriend, Trixie Troublefield, and their friends, Bess and Nettie. You can bet your last dollar that Carlotta, Bess, and Nettie stir up enough trouble to land in a few legal woes of their own.

Lottie Lemon has a brand new bakery to tend to, a budding romance with perhaps one too many suitors, and she has the supernatural ability to see the dead—which are always harbingers for ominous things to come. Throw in a string of murders, and her insatiable thirst for justice, and you’ll have more chaos than you know what to do with.

Living in Honey Hollow can be murder.

Ku Book Review:

I enjoyed this latest story in the series. Murder and drugs have come to Honey Hollow, which keep Lottie busy. The mystery parts of the book are good. I like most of the characters and humor. The parts I did not like were some of the things Carlotta did, and Noah and Lottie have done nothing to annul their marriage. They are bigamists, and the authorities in town are ignoring it. No one who dislikes Lottie hasn’t informed county or state authorities about it. I also disliked Carlotta juggling kittens in a juggling. Surely that is animal endangerment.

Humor with a side of homicide.
A baker who sees the dead. One too many suitors. And a killer. Living in Honey Hollow can be murder. MURDER IN THE MIX (46 book series)

A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift

This firefighter has the perfect gift for a single mom and her little girl – if they’ll take him.

A holiday story from New York Times bestselling author Vivian Arend.

All Bradley Ford wants this holiday season is a date or three with sweet Hanna Lane. He’s the new fire chief, recently returned to Heart Falls to help his father after an accident. And while he wasn’t expecting to find someone like Hanna so soon, Brad’s certain that Hanna—and her adorable daughter, Crissy—are perfect for him and his plans to settle down.

Hanna’s been taking care of herself since she became a single mom at sixteen. The only pure, honest love she trusts is her little girl’s, but for the first time in eight years, her libido flares to life. Something about Brad draws her like a moth to a flame—which is always a bad idea for the moth.

When a fire leaves Hanna and Crissy homeless, Brad offers them shelter at his family’s homestead. Crissy insists they’ve moved in with Santa. Hanna’s not sure how she keeps ending up under the mistletoe with Brad. And Brad? He’s hoping for the best Christmas gift of all…

HOLIDAYS IN HEART FALLS

Stand alone, feel-good, “Hallmark with heat” stories set in the Heart Falls community for those who want to escape into a happily-ever-after during the holiday season.

A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift
A Soldier’s Christmas Wish
A Hero’s Christmas Hope
A Cowboy’s Christmas List
A Rancher’s Christmas Kiss

Throwback Thursday from 2018 ! With a great Holiday series ,,,,

So I’ve been on trip to Heart Falls, and I enjoyed every minute. On this trip we went to visit Hanna, a single mother with a daughter named Chrissy. The new fire Chief Brad who has come back to  Heart Falls look after his father.
When he first saw Hanna and her beautiful daughter he realised he was looking at his future.
Hanna has had no one, and had been on her own since her parents disowned her when she became pregnant at sixteen. Hanna is nervous of men, so Brad was so patient with her. This is a wonderful love story, and it was a magical Christmas story. It was great to celebrate the holiday with the residents of heart falls. Vivian Arend really knows how to create great community. I just loved Brad with Hanna it was so sweet and it was great meeting some more of the local community.

Christmas at Engine 17: A Sweet Romantic Comedy

Keith Nix. Engine 17’s newest fireman is tall, with golden blond hair, and a smile that can turn a girl’s insides to jelly. He also happens to be the world’s best neighbor.

He’s thoughtful and kind, clearing the snow from my walkway every day and checking to see if my car’s tires need air. He never seems to mind that I smell like dog, either. I’m a veterinarian; it comes with the territory.

But Keith has hidden scars that he doesn’t want the world to see–both physical and emotional. He feels beastly, unworthy of love. How can I show him that couldn’t be further from the truth? It might just take a Christmas miracle…

Fall in love with the men of Engine 17 one novella at a time! Each standalone rom-com features a different fireman and his quest to find the one woman who will set his soul on fire.

Celebrating A Blue Christmas ! with our EMT. Fireman and Police force.

This is a short and cute story about next door neighbors And the ups and downs of a relationship. The characters are Written in simple but clear. And the story line is a very simple 1 love. I recommend this book for a quick read

The Men of Engine 17