Another installment in the Matchmaking Mamas series, in which this is a slam-dunk. After all, Gina Bongino and Shane Callaghan were in love 10 years eAnother installment in the Matchmaking Mamas series, in which this is a slam-dunk. After all, Gina Bongino and Shane Callaghan were in love 10 years earlier and would have been together all this time had Gina not panicked when Shane proposed shortly after their college graduation. It wasn't that Gina didn't love him, but she wasn't ready to "settle down." Trouble is, Shane took her 'no' personally and went to Africa to help his brother.
Now he's home, making delectable pastries, and in high demand by brides and others for his cakes for special occasions. When Gina, in her role as a professional bridesmaid, requests his help with a cake for the latest bridezilla, Shane takes advantage and soon they both begin to fall for each other again. But when he proposes again, what will Gina say this time? And will Shane's niece approve? Read to find out.
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Another installment in the Matchmaking Mamas series, in which this is a slam-dunk. After all, Gina Bongino and Shane Callaghan were in love 10 years earlier and would have been together all this time had Gina not panicked when Shane proposed shortly after their college graduation. It wasn't that Gina didn't love him, but she wasn't ready to "settle down." Trouble is, Shane took her 'no' personally and went to Africa to help his brother.
Now he's home, making delectable pastries, and in high demand by brides and others for his cakes for special occasions. When Gina, in her role as a professional bridesmaid, requests his help with a cake for the latest bridezilla, Shane takes advantage and soon they both begin to fall for each other again. But when he proposes again, what will Gina say this time? And will Shane's niece approve? Read to find out....more
Widow Layla McCarthy is blown away when she bumps into contractor Kane Fortune at the day care center where her daughter and his nephew are being careWidow Layla McCarthy is blown away when she bumps into contractor Kane Fortune at the day care center where her daughter and his nephew are being cared for. But she's fearful of opening her heart to another man and she's heard his a no-commitment guy, so why bother? Too bad that he isn't so hesitant to get to know her.
All of which is helped along when little Erin starts calling him Dada. But fears get in the way and look like they are going to win the day until Layla learns that Kane is flying home to New York. Does this mean she's lost her chance to be loved again?
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Widow Layla McCarthy is blown away when she bumps into contractor Kane Fortune at the day care center where her daughter and his nephew are being cared for. But she's fearful of opening her heart to another man and she's heard his a no-commitment guy, so why bother? Too bad that he isn't so hesitant to get to know her.
All of which is helped along when little Erin starts calling him Dada. But fears get in the way and look like they are going to win the day until Layla learns that Kane is flying home to New York. Does this mean she's lost her chance to be loved again?...more
Another in the Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune series, in which Brady Fortune becomes guardian to a pair of rambunctious 4 year old twins. He's oAnother in the Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune series, in which Brady Fortune becomes guardian to a pair of rambunctious 4 year old twins. He's out of his depth handling children, so he desperately hires a nanny--actually, lots of them, but most don't last the weekend--after he moves to Rambling Rose, after giving up managing his job and the boys in his home in New York.
Harper Radcliffe is a nanny from heaven, but how she ends up working for him covers a secret she's intent on keeping to herself.
The boys quickly fall in love with her, as does Brady, but Harper has no intention of following her heart when it reminds her too much of what her former boss tried with her. But when his soon-to-be-ex-wife spills the beans at an Easter gathering the hotel, Harper has no choice. She has to leave, only to receive a phone call from one of the boys that they are at the hospital and Brady needs her. What can she do but check to see what horrible thing must have happened?
What occurs thereafter makes for a fitting end to a great little tale.
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Another in the Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune series, in which Brady Fortune becomes guardian to a pair of rambunctious 4 year old twins. He's out of his depth handling children, so he desperately hires a nanny--actually, lots of them, but most don't last the weekend--after he moves to Rambling Rose, after giving up managing his job and the boys in his home in New York.
Harper Radcliffe is a nanny from heaven, but how she ends up working for him covers a secret she's intent on keeping to herself.
The boys quickly fall in love with her, as does Brady, but Harper has no intention of following her heart when it reminds her too much of what her former boss tried with her. But when his soon-to-be-ex-wife spills the beans at an Easter gathering the hotel, Harper has no choice. She has to leave, only to receive a phone call from one of the boys that they are at the hospital and Brady needs her. What can she do but check to see what horrible thing must have happened?
What occurs thereafter makes for a fitting end to a great little tale....more
I had difficulty getting into this story, although the idea of the effects of a Viet Nam war experience on at-home life after the war was initially inI had difficulty getting into this story, although the idea of the effects of a Viet Nam war experience on at-home life after the war was initially intriguing. But the dialogue seemed much too formal and then too filled with slang to feel real.
How Jean gradually breaks through to Robert felt a bit stilted, perhaps from the long expositions interspersed with the formal dialogue. Nevertheless, the depiction of life after Viet Nam in the 1960s seemed accurate.
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I had difficulty getting into this story, although the idea of the effects of a Viet Nam war experience on at-home life after the war was initially intriguing. But the dialogue seemed much too formal and then too filled with slang to feel real.
How Jean gradually breaks through to Robert felt a bit stilted, perhaps from the long expositions interspersed with the formal dialogue. Nevertheless, the depiction of life after Viet Nam in the 1960s seemed accurate....more
One of the Greek Island Brides, in which Stasia Marinakos is still trying to figure out what to do with her life following her husband's death from caOne of the Greek Island Brides, in which Stasia Marinakos is still trying to figure out what to do with her life following her husband's death from cancer. Her brother has offered her a position in his real estate business, but ho hum, not what Stasia wants. So, she reluctantly agrees to take a Mediterranean cruise, only to bump into her brother's partner, who's on the same ship in advance of attending a family wedding.
To keep his matchmaking grandmother had arm's length, she agrees to pretend to be his fiance, only for both of them to discover (and try to deny) that each wants that fake relationship to blossom into something more permanent than the end of the cruise.
In the course of the ship's travel and stops at a variety of romantic places (including Venice!), a problem with his grandfather's business occupies much of Roberto's time, if not his imagination, which is filled with Stasia. When she helps him uncover a fraudulent set of numbers, she unwittingly helps him to reconcile with the old man who raised him. But does that mean, after he goes back to running his grandfather's business, that she will never see him again?
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One of the Greek Island Brides, in which Stasia Marinakos is still trying to figure out what to do with her life following her husband's death from cancer. Her brother has offered her a position in his real estate business, but ho hum, not what Stasia wants. So, she reluctantly agrees to take a Mediterranean cruise, only to bump into her brother's partner, who's on the same ship in advance of attending a family wedding.
To keep his matchmaking grandmother had arm's length, she agrees to pretend to be his fiance, only for both of them to discover (and try to deny) that each wants that fake relationship to blossom into something more permanent than the end of the cruise.
In the course of the ship's travel and stops at a variety of romantic places (including Venice!), a problem with his grandfather's business occupies much of Roberto's time, if not his imagination, which is filled with Stasia. When she helps him uncover a fraudulent set of numbers, she unwittingly helps him to reconcile with the old man who raised him. But does that mean, after he goes back to running his grandfather's business, that she will never see him again?...more
Another in the Brody's of Lightning Creek series, this story struck a responsive chord in me, perhaps because I, too, have been a college professor, eAnother in the Brody's of Lightning Creek series, this story struck a responsive chord in me, perhaps because I, too, have been a college professor, eager to assist in the self-education of my students. I, too, believe that students are their own best teachers--even when they're not quite sure what they want to do with their lives. We never really know until we've reached that goal, however crooked the path we take.
Molly Adamson wants to help her students, all of them, including a high school student enrolled early in her college class, and feeling entitled. She doesn't give him that satisfaction, though it creates difficulties for her. She also identifies a student with special needs and she makes every effort to assist him, too, in spite of how she knew him when both were high school students--he the sports star allowed to skate through class, she the nerdie one who hung out in the library more often than not.
How Molly works through her class responsibilities and gradually comes to terms with what holds her back socially, we also learn how Finn Culver gradually accepts why he found certain classes so difficult and what he needs to do to move forward with his goal to become a teacher. Is that the right goal for him? How he learns what might be more appropriate rings true as he explores both his newly-recognized feelings for Molly and what he's especially good at. A great story to begin the new year.
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Another in the Brody's of Lightning Creek series, this story struck a responsive chord in me, perhaps because I, too, have been a college professor, eager to assist in the self-education of my students. I, too, believe that students are their own best teachers--even when they're not quite sure what they want to do with their lives. We never really know until we've reached that goal, however crooked the path we take.
Molly Adamson wants to help her students, all of them, including a high school student enrolled early in her college class, and feeling entitled. She doesn't give him that satisfaction, though it creates difficulties for her. She also identifies a student with special needs and she makes every effort to assist him, too, in spite of how she knew him when both were high school students--he the sports star allowed to skate through class, she the nerdie one who hung out in the library more often than not.
How Molly works through her class responsibilities and gradually comes to terms with what holds her back socially, we also learn how Finn Culver gradually accepts why he found certain classes so difficult and what he needs to do to move forward with his goal to become a teacher. Is that the right goal for him? How he learns what might be more appropriate rings true as he explores both his newly-recognized feelings for Molly and what he's especially good at. A great story to begin the new year....more
Another one of those tales where the guy didn't know he had fathered a child, but doesn't take but a single glance of a picture to know the kid is hisAnother one of those tales where the guy didn't know he had fathered a child, but doesn't take but a single glance of a picture to know the kid is his. In this part of the Destination Bridges series, Eve Bliss is shocked to be confronted by the yachtsman who is the father of her 3 year old when she wins a safari vacation to the place in Africa where she once lived.
He isn't sure at first, but quickly concludes that she's the one he never forgot. The big question, however, is whether he will change his ways and stop sailing into dangerous storms, thus risking life and limb, mostly life and whether Eve will allow him to hurt his child by coming into their life and then leaving.
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Another one of those tales where the guy didn't know he had fathered a child, but doesn't take but a single glance of a picture to know the kid is his. In this part of the Destination Bridges series, Eve Bliss is shocked to be confronted by the yachtsman who is the father of her 3 year old when she wins a safari vacation to the place in Africa where she once lived.
He isn't sure at first, but quickly concludes that she's the one he never forgot. The big question, however, is whether he will change his ways and stop sailing into dangerous storms, thus risking life and limb, mostly life and whether Eve will allow him to hurt his child by coming into their life and then leaving....more
My first venture into titles by this author, and its a honey! Who'd have guessed that such a tiny collection of pages would include an adventure into My first venture into titles by this author, and its a honey! Who'd have guessed that such a tiny collection of pages would include an adventure into love and sex between two characters I wanted to know more about! Will there be a full-size tale to follow? I hope so.
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My first venture into titles by this author, and its a honey! Who'd have guessed that such a tiny collection of pages would include an adventure into love and sex between two characters I wanted to know more about! Will there be a full-size tale to follow? I hope so....more
A Montana Skies story, Trent Hawkins wants to tear down the house where so many bad things happened before his parents died in a car crash. UnfortunatA Montana Skies story, Trent Hawkins wants to tear down the house where so many bad things happened before his parents died in a car crash. Unfortunately, the new owner, Emily George, hires his construction company to renovate the place and make it habitable again. In doing so, each begins to help the other heal from past hurts.
But can they find happiness with each other? She isn't sure Trent can ever really be more than a friend, and he's afraid she'll never believe that he loves her. How he begins to worm his way past Emily's fears is worth reading about.
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A Montana Skies story, Trent Hawkins wants to tear down the house where so many bad things happened before his parents died in a car crash. Unfortunately, the new owner, Emily George, hires his construction company to renovate the place and make it habitable again. In doing so, each begins to help the other heal from past hurts.
But can they find happiness with each other? She isn't sure Trent can ever really be more than a friend, and he's afraid she'll never believe that he loves her. How he begins to worm his way past Emily's fears is worth reading about....more
Who knows when one is going to meet someone who fills one dreams, who figures in one's future. Certainly, Gemma Summerhill has no idea, the Lady SummeWho knows when one is going to meet someone who fills one dreams, who figures in one's future. Certainly, Gemma Summerhill has no idea, the Lady Summerhill, who has taken a tech job in a small town in Idaho.
When she is caught in a snowstorm and rescued by a large dog and a good-looking man on a horse, she isn't sure what to think. But being cold and wet is a deciding factor when he offers her shelter at his home in the mountains. Joshua Bailey, who owns a series of stores that cater to sports enthusiasts, knows who she is, but he's kept that secret, something she learns only because he asks why she hasn't shared that information with anyone.
But because of how he asks and that he seems to care, she opens up to him and then learns he's been thinking of her since his short-lived trip to meet her father on a business trip. How this all ends is still in the future, but promises to be interesting--and an adventure not to be missed.
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Who knows when one is going to meet someone who fills one dreams, who figures in one's future. Certainly, Gemma Summerhill has no idea, the Lady Summerhill, who has taken a tech job in a small town in Idaho.
When she is caught in a snowstorm and rescued by a large dog and a good-looking man on a horse, she isn't sure what to think. But being cold and wet is a deciding factor when he offers her shelter at his home in the mountains. Joshua Bailey, who owns a series of stores that cater to sports enthusiasts, knows who she is, but he's kept that secret, something she learns only because he asks why she hasn't shared that information with anyone.
But because of how he asks and that he seems to care, she opens up to him and then learns he's been thinking of her since his short-lived trip to meet her father on a business trip. How this all ends is still in the future, but promises to be interesting--and an adventure not to be missed....more
First in the Smoky Mountain First Responders series, in which Deputy Jonathan Maxwell prefers to work as a detective in order to have more time with hFirst in the Smoky Mountain First Responders series, in which Deputy Jonathan Maxwell prefers to work as a detective in order to have more time with his young daughters as he helps them navigate life without their mother.
The new director of the local community center is Brooke Novak, a single mother with a teenage son, whom Jonathan suspects might be involved in a fake ID scam that seems to be occurring in the community center. Brooke wants the investigation resolved quickly, so that her job--currently only for 6 months--isn't ended before it really begins. After all, she's promised her son that he will graduate from the local high school after too many previous moves.
When Brooke and Jonathan work together to catch whoever is making and selling the fake IDs, they discover what neither expected--the promise of a second chance at love. But do they recognize it and when they do, will they jump at the opportunity? Particularly, when trust is not something Brooke has a lot of when it comes to men. Perhaps the Matchmaking Mimosas will help.
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First in the Smoky Mountain First Responders series, in which Deputy Jonathan Maxwell prefers to work as a detective in order to have more time with his young daughters as he helps them navigate life without their mother.
The new director of the local community center is Brooke Novak, a single mother with a teenage son, whom Jonathan suspects might be involved in a fake ID scam that seems to be occurring in the community center. Brooke wants the investigation resolved quickly, so that her job--currently only for 6 months--isn't ended before it really begins. After all, she's promised her son that he will graduate from the local high school after too many previous moves.
When Brooke and Jonathan work together to catch whoever is making and selling the fake IDs, they discover what neither expected--the promise of a second chance at love. But do they recognize it and when they do, will they jump at the opportunity? Particularly, when trust is not something Brooke has a lot of when it comes to men. Perhaps the Matchmaking Mimosas will help....more
Another of the Round-the-Clock-Brides series, in which Cole Cavanaugh offers to complete the attic renovation widow April Avery had planned with her hAnother of the Round-the-Clock-Brides series, in which Cole Cavanaugh offers to complete the attic renovation widow April Avery had planned with her husband before he went off to war. During the renovation, both Cole and April realize that their hearts are healing and that their love for Jay is slowly binding them together. But will Cole say how he feels after what he vowed at Jay's gravesite?
And will April convince Cole that she loves him for himself and not just because he was a brother-in-arms with her late husband?
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Another of the Round-the-Clock-Brides series, in which Cole Cavanaugh offers to complete the attic renovation widow April Avery had planned with her husband before he went off to war. During the renovation, both Cole and April realize that their hearts are healing and that their love for Jay is slowly binding them together. But will Cole say how he feels after what he vowed at Jay's gravesite?
And will April convince Cole that she loves him for himself and not just because he was a brother-in-arms with her late husband?...more
Part of the Polk Island series that hints at all manner of great recipes in the descriptions of foods created by the two chefs in the story. Terian LaPart of the Polk Island series that hints at all manner of great recipes in the descriptions of foods created by the two chefs in the story. Terian LaCroix is insure of his own talents, given how he's been put down by his father for years, but he's determined to make a success of a new restaurant that he goes into partnership with his old love at culinary school, Aubrie DuGrandpre. She already has two successful restaurants, but Terian broke her heart years earlier. Can she make this partnership one for the business only when she suspects Terian wants more?
And what about his father? Will he interfere as he has in the past? Read on to find out and try not to slobber on the pages...
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Part of the Polk Island series that hints at all manner of great recipes in the descriptions of foods created by the two chefs in the story. Terian LaCroix is insure of his own talents, given how he's been put down by his father for years, but he's determined to make a success of a new restaurant that he goes into partnership with his old love at culinary school, Aubrie DuGrandpre. She already has two successful restaurants, but Terian broke her heart years earlier. Can she make this partnership one for the business only when she suspects Terian wants more?
And what about his father? Will he interfere as he has in the past? Read on to find out and try not to slobber on the pages......more
Another in the Catalina Cove series, in which TV host Victoria Madaris is perfectly okay with her great-grandmother finding a man for her to marry. AfAnother in the Catalina Cove series, in which TV host Victoria Madaris is perfectly okay with her great-grandmother finding a man for her to marry. After all, she wants to concentrate on her career and her Great Grand has never been wrong. Trouble is, the man she thinks Felicia has identified wants nothing to do with settling down--at least not with Victoria.
But Senator Roman Malone, eager for some R&R, rents a yacht in Catalina Cove, where Victoria lives, and they soon discover they both like to fish--and each other. With Tanner--Victoria's apparent intended--nowhere around, why shouldn't she enjoy herself with Roman, who just wants a relaxing time away from all the heat and fire in DC?
But someone is out to ruin Victoria's and Roman's reputations, along with Tanner's, by creating what looks like a romantic triangle that is totally wrong. Who is behind the deed and what is it going to do to what Roman and Victoria thought they had with each other? She's never wanted to be in the limelight. Can Roman convince her not to believe what the tabloid has printed and infers?
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Another in the Catalina Cove series, in which TV host Victoria Madaris is perfectly okay with her great-grandmother finding a man for her to marry. After all, she wants to concentrate on her career and her Great Grand has never been wrong. Trouble is, the man she thinks Felicia has identified wants nothing to do with settling down--at least not with Victoria.
But Senator Roman Malone, eager for some R&R, rents a yacht in Catalina Cove, where Victoria lives, and they soon discover they both like to fish--and each other. With Tanner--Victoria's apparent intended--nowhere around, why shouldn't she enjoy herself with Roman, who just wants a relaxing time away from all the heat and fire in DC?
But someone is out to ruin Victoria's and Roman's reputations, along with Tanner's, by creating what looks like a romantic triangle that is totally wrong. Who is behind the deed and what is it going to do to what Roman and Victoria thought they had with each other? She's never wanted to be in the limelight. Can Roman convince her not to believe what the tabloid has printed and infers?...more
Sarah Fletcher is smarter than her current occupation would imply (she's a part-time office cleaner) when the boss of the fashion company, Ben GardineSarah Fletcher is smarter than her current occupation would imply (she's a part-time office cleaner) when the boss of the fashion company, Ben Gardiner, sees her. Through a series of challenges, he is determined to hire her, while she is afraid to come clean with him regarding why she has no high school test grades to show her. She's protecting her 6-year-old daughter and fearful she'll use the job she does have if he knows her real background.
He, too, is harboring secrets, not least of which relates to his unknown father, something he shares with the 6-year-old charmer, Sarah's daughter.
How all this works itself out is a worthwhile summer weekend read.
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Sarah Fletcher is smarter than her current occupation would imply (she's a part-time office cleaner) when the boss of the fashion company, Ben Gardiner, sees her. Through a series of challenges, he is determined to hire her, while she is afraid to come clean with him regarding why she has no high school test grades to show her. She's protecting her 6-year-old daughter and fearful she'll use the job she does have if he knows her real background.
He, too, is harboring secrets, not least of which relates to his unknown father, something he shares with the 6-year-old charmer, Sarah's daughter.
How all this works itself out is a worthwhile summer weekend read....more
It's not every day that the physician daughter of a crook ends up falling for the sheriff who brought her father to justice. It's not every day that aIt's not every day that the physician daughter of a crook ends up falling for the sheriff who brought her father to justice. It's not every day that a physician of a small town helps to rescue a young woman who has been sex trafficked and nearly killed when she escapes and threatens to tell the police what she knows.
But that's what happens and what then transpires becomes both a race to find out if the girl will really escape or be killed before she can testify and what happens between the doc and the sheriff when each realizes how the other feels....more
Another in the Copper River: Desire series. Who would have guessed that two different ads in the paper would result in the arrival of a young woman wiAnother in the Copper River: Desire series. Who would have guessed that two different ads in the paper would result in the arrival of a young woman with a child not her own at the doorstep of wealthy Joshua Grayson's ranch house? Certainly not him. It was all his father's doing--until Joshua also posted an ad.
And Danielle Kelly saw it for what it was: an escape from a bad situation and one that she didn't want for the baby she now cared for: her half-brother. But can she convince Joshua that she's willing to go through with the lies he has perpetrated on his father, if only to teach him a lesson?
His family is so nice. And she is without one. So, what's going to happen now?...more
Another in the K-9 Companions series, in which Emily Carver depends on her service dog to manage her anxiety following the death of her toddler and heAnother in the K-9 Companions series, in which Emily Carver depends on her service dog to manage her anxiety following the death of her toddler and her husband in a fire that Emily is certain she was at fault. When she ends up agreeing to tutor the school handyman, Dev McCarthy's, son, she fights against getting close to them. And Dev harbors a secret of his own, one he is sure would dismay Emily, a reading teacher. Dev can barely read above the 2nd grade level and his inability to help his son plagues him and the child.
Can Emily and Dev each tackle the secrets that hold them back or will they forever be separated when what each wants it to be together?...more
Librarian Rorie Campbell can't imagine herself on a ranch until she is forced to stay several days with Clay Franklin and ends up helping him when oneLibrarian Rorie Campbell can't imagine herself on a ranch until she is forced to stay several days with Clay Franklin and ends up helping him when one of his prize standardbred mares gives birth to a beautiful foal. Turns out, he registers the foal as hers, but Rorie can't imagine how she's going to get over Clay, even knowing he's going to be married to a nearby rancher.
Clay, too, is knocked for a loop when Rorie shows up and finally concludes that the woman he thought he would spend his life with isn't the one he loves. But Rorie is a city girl. How could she ever be comfortable on his ranch so far from the sites and sounds of San Francisco?
What will have to happen for each of them to get their hearts in synch again?...more
Another in the Vows series, in which Zelda Lane has to go home to the town she vowed never to revisit to clear up the estate her late mother left her.Another in the Vows series, in which Zelda Lane has to go home to the town she vowed never to revisit to clear up the estate her late mother left her. Making matters worse is the lawyer Zelda's mom chose: Taylor Matthews, Zelda's love from years earlier.
But Taylor remains plagued by how his first wife died and is determined not to get caught up in any kind of relationship with Zelda, no matter how much his heart wants that again. Even after his young daughter thinks Zelda is terrific.
How will this all turn out? Will Zelda stick it out for a year, as the will requires or will she cut and run back to LA to her job with a high-powered entertainment lawyer? Or might Taylor relocate there?...more
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