Review: Hooking a Handyman by Brenna Jacobs

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When Zoey returns home to California to live with her ailing grandmother, she's less than enthusiastic when Nana tries to set her up with Harry, the handyman who's been helping her out around the house for years. But then she discovers Harry the handyman is actually Harrison Beckford, the handsome host of the hottest home renovation show on television.

To Zoey, Harry seems too good to be true. He's got the job, the house, the dog, even two adorable kids who Zoey quickly falls in love with. But as she gets swept up in Harrison's glamorous life, Zoey starts to let go of things that have always mattered to her in the past. Her career. Her friends. Soon she starts to wonder: Will fitting into Harrison's life require too much renovation of her own, or will the two of them be able to merge their worlds into a balanced and level whole?

My Review

This book is cute and fun and flirty, although I had a hard time relating to Zoey and her single-mindedness about her career. She falls into a too-good-to-be-true romance with Harry, the celebrity handyman, and his adorable kids. About midway through the book when she starts feeling apprehensive about her conflict of Chicago career or California relationship things get a little deeper as she struggles to figure out how to have both. I appreciated the quote from the self-help book she comes across in the newsroom that helps her gain some perspective, as well as the strong women in her life that support and encourage her. It was interesting to see her character arc as well as Harry's as the obstacles to their relationship make them realize how important they are to each other.

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

Review: The Engagement Charade by Karen Kirst

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A Temporary Betrothal

Pregnant widow Ellie Jameson is hiding a secret: her betrothal is a sham to keep her safe from her interfering in-laws. It's simple friendship that prompts her reclusive boss to pose as her fiancé. But can Ellie keep her feelings for Alexander Copeland from developing into something more?

When he moved to Gatlinburg after losing his wife and child, Alexander had one rule: stay out of other people's lives. Easier said than done with the café owner's eternally optimistic cook interrupting his enforced solitude. He only intended to protect Ellie, not propose to her. But with a little trust, and a helping of forgiveness, this temporary arrangement could be a recipe for lasting happiness...

My Review

This was a fun story with Ellie drawing Alex out of his shell of grief and isolation, only for him to surprise her with his protective nature.They develop a wonderful friendship, but worry that their rapport would be ruined if romantic feelings develop. The other women working in the restaurant and some community members make a great secondary cast while Alex and Ellie find their way forward to a future together without the guilt of faking an engagement hanging over them. I enjoyed the setting and the character development, and of course the sweet romance!

(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 Smoky Mountain Matches series . . .

Review: A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

My rating:4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Anne Norris moved to Savannah, Georgia, for a fresh start. Now her pirate-tour business is flagging, and paying the rent requires more than wishful thinking. When she discovers evidence of a shipwreck off the coast of Tybee Island, she knows it could be just the boon she needs to stay afloat. She takes her findings to local museum director Carter Hale for confirmation, but she runs after a disastrous first meeting.

Carter has been searching for the location of the wreck detailed in the worn pages of an 18th-century diary, the discovery of which could open the door to his dream job at a prestigious museum. But convincing Anne to help him fill in the missing pieces of the puzzle is no easy task. And working with Carter means that Anne will have to do the one thing she swore she'd never do again: trust a man.

Finding a monetary backer and sticking with a search that's turning up nothing will take all their dedication--and every secret they've tried to hide. If they can find the lost ship, they may discover a treasure worth more than all the pirate gold in the world--love.

My Review

I was quickly drawn into this story and really enjoyed the characters and setting. Savannah has such a unique vibe, and it was easy to imagine Anne and Carter in the city since I've been there once before. Anne and Carter are both likeable, and their friendship develops naturally. They each have issues from their past they are still working through that brought depth to the story, especially in the end as they overcome their personal struggles through faith and forgiveness. The pirate story was exciting and even though the longer passages from the diary slowed the pace of the present-day story at times, it was a good fit with Anne's tour business and Carter's background of maritime historical research, not to mention the family connection. I loved his Aunt Tessie, Wallace, and Hazel as secondary characters that supported Anne and Carter in their quest for funding to discover the location of the shipwreck. The attraction between Carter and Anne is a slow-burn through most of the book, but when they do surprise each other with romantic feelings, it's sweetly passionate. I appreciated that there was a good resolution to the story from the diary and everything wrapped up nicely.

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

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Check out the other books in the Georgia Coast Romance series . . .

Review & Giveaway: Where the Stars Meet the Sea by Heidi Kimball

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

A broken man. A fiery young woman. Neither one's heart will come away unscathed.

Juliet Graham fervently counts the days until her twenty-first birthday, when she can claim the inheritance that will grant her the freedom she has always craved and the guardianship of her younger brother. Until then, she is trapped under her aunt Agnes’s domineering will. When forced to accompany the family to a house party at Shaldorn Castle, Juliet’s only objective is to keep to herself. That is, until a chance encounter with a boorish stranger stirs up an unexpected whirlwind of emotions in her. Thrown off-balance, Juliet does the unthinkable: loses her temper and insults the man—who turns out to be her unwilling host, the Duke of Halstead. Fully expecting to be sent away, Juliet is surprised when the brusque and callous duke instead takes an interest in her.

Drawn to the duke in unguarded moments, Juliet finds herself more and more intrigued by the man who shuns Society’s rules as completely as she does, and over the next few weeks, their unlikely friendship deepens into a connection neither expected.

But even as Juliet comes to recognize her true feelings, her scheming aunt issues an ultimatum that threatens the future she was just beginning to hope for. Juliet must choose: either break the promise she made to herself years ago, or lose the man who has captured her heart and soul.

My Review

First of all, isn't that a striking cover?! I think it's my favorite of the year. This is a wonderful Regency romance, with a house party setting, a mysteriously brooding duke, and a spirited young woman who makes friends easily but is long-suffering under her domineering aunt. Juliet has some complicated dynamics in play- the unrequited love of her brotherly best friend/cousin, an inequality in her social status, a younger brother unhappy at boarding school, and an unexpected attraction to the brusque Halstead. I enjoyed how the author wove the story around the various comings and goings at the castle, and the tension that built as Juliet grows closer to Halstead but was pressured to accept her cousin's proposal. It's alluded that there is some secret reason for Halstead to be avoiding society and refusing to marry, so I was a bit let down when the resolution turned out to be rather simple and cliche. I felt like there could have been deeper exploration into his character, but the plot moved on with more misadventure in store for Juliet and her brother. Overall this was an entertaining story perfect for fans of sweet Regency romance!

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

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Review: The Guardian Duke by Jamie Carie

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

The Guardian Duke is award-winning novelist Jamie Carie’s most exciting story yet, a uniquely arranged Regency-era romantic adventure where hero and heroine know each other through written letters but have yet to meet.

Gabriel, the Duke of St. Easton, is ordered by the King to take guardianship over Lady Alexandria Featherstone whose parents are presumed dead after failing to return from a high profile treasure hunt. But Alexandria ignores this royal reassignment, believing her parents are still alive and duly following clues that may lead to their whereabouts. Gabriel, pressured by what are actually the King’s ulterior motives, pursues her across windswept England and the rolling green hills of Ireland but is always one step behind.

When they do meet, the search for earthly treasure will pale in comparison to what God has planned for both of them.

My Review

I'm not a fan of books that end on a cliffhanger, and this book is like part one of a three part story. But because I'm able to read all three in a row without waiting for the next book to release, it's not as bad. The characters are compelling and even though Gabriel and Alexandria don't even meet in this book, they form a relationship through letters and their personalities come across strongly. The element of suspense propels the plot forward and the traveling Alex does prevents the setting from becoming stagnant. I like the strong cast of secondary characters and look forward to continuing the story in the next book.

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

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Check out the other books in the Forgotten Castles series . . .

Review: Woman of Sunlight by Mary Connealy

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

After years of isolation on top of Hope Mountain, Ilsa Nordegren may finally be ready to leave. Raised to fear the world, Ilsa and her sisters never planned on coming down, but when the Warden family arrived in need, they had to help. And it may cost them everything.

Having made his fortune, Mitch Warden returned home and found the family homestead abandoned. In a land grab, a ruthless cattle baron had forced his family to escape up the mountain, and when he follows, the last thing he expects is to fall smitten to a black-haired woman who dresses like Robin Hood.

Warden is intent on helping his family reclaim their land, but doesn't realize the risks his past has brought. Dangerous men have tracked him, and rather than risk innocent lives, he's determined to end the danger. But that means a journey to the city--and when Ilsa insists on joining him, the mismatched pair suddenly find themselves on a venture they'll never forget.

My Review

It was a pleasure to continue the story of the Nordegren sisters from the first book. This one focused on Ilsa, the wood sprite who runs through the trees and gives Mitch what-for. They definitely have a volatile relationship in the beginning which is fun, but everything changes when they face assassins who are after Mitch. Ilsa's fearless defense of him shifts his realization of how he regards her with admiration and affection instead of frustration and guilt for getting her sick with chicken pox. Ilsa's isolated existence on the mountain made her adventure to the local town and on to bigger cities an eye-opening experience, where she takes things at face value and Mitch feels the need to explain and interpret her misunderstandings. They become quite a pair as they work together to solve the mystery of who's behind the hired guns and how Mitch was betrayed before he escaped to the mountain. We also get come chapters from Ursula and Wax's perspectives, setting us up for the next book. I'm really looking forward to it!

(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 Brides of Hope Mountain series . . .