Review: Delilah's Desserts by Melanie Jacobson, Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Tangerine Street is a must-see tourist stop with a colorful mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique restaurants, eclectic museums, quaint bookstores, and exclusive bed-and-breakfasts. Delilah's Desserts, situated in the middle of this charming collection of shops and cafés on Tangerine Street, is a bakery that offers a different variety of desserts each day. The emotions that Delilah bakes into these desserts have a strange effect on customers, sometimes altering the course of their lives . . .

My Review

I love the Tangerine Street Romance series! There is a special vibe in Seashell Beach- relaxed and yet busy with the small businesses that thrive there. In this collection of stories we get to meet Delilah, the owner of the bakery, Roxy, the local artist/muralist, and KC, a vegan author. It was easy to get to know and like the characters and their stories were interesting. I loved the idea that Delilah not only baked whatever desserts matched her mood, but hat she released her emotions into them. My favorite story was Roxy's, because she is an artist and introvert, and her individuality and tell-it-like-it-is demeanor attracts Mark, who is attempting a year-long dating hiatus. They had great chemistry and I loved their vulnerability with each other. KC is a vegan who indulges in a cupcake from the bakery once a month as a ritual, and the connection she makes with a magazine journalist is threatened when he suspects her of being a fraud. Each of the stories has a common thread with the bakery but also the theme of forgiveness. An enjoyable addition to the series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Don't miss the other books in the Tangerine Street Romance series . . .

Review: Love Notes in Christmas Falls by Beth Labonte

Book Six in the Return to Christmas Falls series

Seven fabulous authors bring you this holiday romance series about a group of special friends returning to their hometown at the request of their high school mentor. Each book is a standalone, but read them all to fully enjoy the journey of these remarkable women and their emotional reunion with their mentor, an incredible woman who changes their lives and helps save a small town community forever.

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When Caitlin Cook left the small town of Christmas Falls, Tennessee to attend Harvard University, she left behind the burden of her parents’ slowly increasing hoard of antiques, a much younger brother, and Shane Mitchell—the boy who blindsided her with the news that he loved her on the night before she left.

Shane Mitchell spent his high school years fascinated by Caitlin Cook. The quiet flute player with her nose always in a book, he wanted desperately to find out what made her tick.

Eight years later, Caitlin returns to Christmas Falls—unemployed and newly single—after receiving a devastating letter from her beloved high school mentor. Caitlin is shocked to find her childhood home in disarray, and her little brother in desperate need of his sister. With Shane’s help—now a pillar of the community rather than the carefree teenager Caitlin once knew—she begins to rediscover her love for music, antiques, and possibly even Shane. When faced with the choice of rebuilding her life in Boston, or giving love a second chance in Christmas Falls, will Caitlin be able to decide on the true meaning of home?

My Review

Loved the characters in this one! I related to Caitlin as the quiet one in high school, but with plenty of personality once someone got to know her. The theme of family and helping out during rough times is strong with Caitlin finally recognizing the needs of her brother to not get buried in her parents' "acquisitions." Shane and Caitlin have a great backstory and I loved their banter, especially their game of questions. There are great details and mannerisms that make the characters really come to life, and the romance is fabulous! 

While some of the sassy innuendo is funny, I was disappointed by the pre-marital adult content the author chose to include, even though it was "behind closed doors." (The rest of the books in the series are clean, so it was unexpected).

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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The rest of the books in the Return to Christmas Falls series

Review: A Grand Tour (Timeless Victorian Collection) by Anthea Lawson, Jennifer Moore, Heather B. Moore

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series, comes our new Victorian Romance line, with A GRAND TOUR.

Three brand new Victorian Romance novellas by Anthea Lawson, Jennifer Moore, and Heather B. Moore.

A LORD’S CHANCE by Anthea Lawson
After her first romance ends in disaster, Miss Isabelle Strathmore vows never to fall in love again. She will travel, certainly, and see the world, but it will be a spinster’s life for her. She has learned the most painful lesson of all—that her heart simply cannot be trusted. Gavin Reed, the Earl of Jasper, is unexpectedly charmed by Isabelle. Past encounters have made him wary of taking a chance on love, but by the end of the Grand Tour, he is determined to make Miss Strathmore his wife. But fate has more in store than either of them guesses. Beneath the Mediterranean sun, can Isabelle and Lord Jasper find their happily ever after before disaster strikes?

FALLING IN ROME by Jennifer Moore
Chaperoning two young women on their grand tour is the opportunity of a lifetime for Eleanor Doyle. Although she’s an expert in many languages, her gender has made further education impossible. If the tour is successful, the young women’s parents have promised her a position at a university in London. Eleanor hopes to instill her charges with a love of Rome, but not until they meet up with a group of young gentlemen and their fascinating professor, Russell Kendrick, do the young ladies show any interest at all. Attraction blossoms between Eleanor and Ken, but Eleanor’s future depends on maintaining propriety. The headstrong charges have other ideas, and Ken and Eleanor will have to decide which is most important, accolades in the academic world, or being with the one they love. 

A SECRET ARRANGEMENT by Heather B. Moore
Evelyn Tucker has finally graduated from finishing school, but dreads living with her widowed aunt. On the appointed day, Aunt Margaret comes to collection Evelyn, and Margaret informs her that they’re going on a Grand Tour to spend as much of the estate money they can before a distant cousin inherits all. When Henry Gaiman discovers he’s inherited his distant uncle’s estate, he loathes the thought of returning to England since he’d rather continue with his archaeology dig in Egypt. Return he must, and there, he meets Evelyn, a woman who will change his world in more ways than one.

My Review

A strong collection of stories that take our English characters abroad to the Continent with adventure and romance! Two of the stories are focused on archaeology and it was fascinating to learn more about the relatively recent discovery and uncovering of ancient ruins. I was surprised by how little oversight there was by the country or government, and could see the controversy over removing the artifacts for a greater population of British to witness and appreciate versus keeping them in their original location where they "belong." Each story had a good plot, arc, and romance, and it was an enjoyable collection to read with settings that are a bit unusual for the genre.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Books in the Timeless Victorian Collections:

SUMMER HOLIDAY
A GRAND TOUR 
THE ORIENT EXPRESS (coming 2018)

Books in the Timeless Regency Collections:

AUTUMN MASQUERADE
A MIDWINTER BALL
SPRING IN HYDE PARK
SUMMER HOUSE PARTY
A COUNTRY CHRISTMAS
A SEASON IN LONDON
FALLING FOR A DUKE
A NIGHT IN GROSVENOR SQUARE (coming 2018)
ROAD TO GRETNA GREEN (coming 2018)

Review: Forever Yours in Christmas Falls by Susan Hatler

Book Five in the Return to Christmas Falls series

Seven fabulous authors bring you this holiday romance series about a group of special friends returning to their hometown at the request of their high school mentor. Each book is a standalone, but read them all to fully enjoy the journey of these remarkable women and their emotional reunion with their mentor, an incredible woman who changes their lives and helps save a small town community forever.

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Morgan Reed is excited to return to her hometown of Christmas Falls and open her beauty salon, but when she arrives to her rented business space she’s shocked to find it already occupied by Dallas Parker—her brother’s best friend, the guy she had a childhood crush on, and the one her mom blames for their family’s greatest tragedy.

With their landlord out of the country and unreachable, Morgan and Dallas must open their businesses together. But, no worries, all small towns need a combo furniture store/beauty salon, right? Ugh. As they work together, Morgan tries to keep her emotional distance but time and off-the-charts chemistry soon turn a childhood friendship into a blossoming romance.

Unfortunately, just when their relationship develops into something deeper, an unexpected crisis re-opens her family’s old wounds and the blame is on Dallas once again. Will Morgan’s sadness and fear pull them apart, or make her realize Dallas has always been her heart’s true safe harbor?

My Review

Lots of family drama in this one! I admired Morgan for choosing her own path, even though her mother wouldn't approve, and all the hiding/avoiding was pretty funny. Choosing to not shun Dallas is another way she's defying her mother, and the ensuing romance has plenty of sparks. They have a fun relationship even though there is some heartache in the past. Even though Morgan seems strong and confident, she is still influenced by her mother and trying to determine what the right choices for her life are. I enjoyed reading this book in the Christmas Falls series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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The rest of the books in the Return to Christmas Falls series

Review: Honeymoon for One in Christmas Falls by Jennifer Peel

Book Two in the Return to Christmas Falls series

Seven fabulous authors bring you this holiday romance series about a group of special friends returning to their hometown at the request of their high school mentor. Each book is a standalone, but read them all to fully enjoy the journey of these remarkable women and their emotional reunion with their mentor, an incredible woman who changes their lives and helps save a small town community forever.

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Is there room for two on this honeymoon for one?

Piper Wyatt's Christmas wish is to get promoted to manager at Blackstock Hotel and Resort. Not only does the promotion mean more money, but it means more time with her son and proof that she's not such a disappointment after all.

Jace Petersen, successful owner of a national chain of sporting goods stores, finds himself alone and miserable on what should have been his honeymoon. That is until he literally falls onto the lovely Piper Wyatt. He's intrigued with this woman who can fix a car in high heels. Too bad for him, he makes a horrible first impression, and Piper's not allowed to mingle with the guests.

While Piper tries her best to steer clear of Jace during his stay, she can't help but notice he's not the man from their first meeting. But is he worth risking her promotion? Or is Jace right, Piper deserves more than she ever thought possible for herself?

Find out in this charming Christmas tale about finding love in the most unexpected place, a honeymoon.


My Review

There is an unusual dynamic between Piper and Jace with her drive to get promoted in spite of her attraction to him, and Jace used to getting what he wants. I liked seeing how their relationship grew, even though initially much of it was based on physical chemistry. I never quite got a feeling for how things would work out in the end which kept me in anticipation. Piper's reunion with her friends was also a highlight of the story and showed how much we can mature over the years, especially when parenthood becomes the focus of our lives.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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The rest of the books in the Return to Christmas Falls series