Broken Dreams (Dream's Edge #1.5) by Traci Hunter Abramson + Win A Copy of This Book!

 

A lifetime ago, Maggie Alexander’s parents narrowly missed medaling in the Olympics as pairs figure skaters. Now a coach, her father Gordon is living his dreams through the skaters he trains—until Maggie is forced to deliver heartbreaking news: her mother’s battle against cancer will be a losing one. Shattered, her father loses his dreams in an instant—his beloved wife and his will to coach. Left to pick up the pieces, a devastated Maggie finds herself relying on the steadfast support of her childhood best friend, Lance Whitmore.

Despite the fact that Maggie has never seen Lance as more than a friend, his heart has always been hers. Lance does what he can to help Maggie work through her grief, and soon their friendship blossoms into love. But when distance threatens their relationship, Maggie is torn between building a life with the man she loves and helping her broken father rebuild his life.

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This is what I would call "the rest of the story". It's the background story for a character in An Unlikely Pair, book one in this series who will have a more prominent role in the next book. There is a prequel novella as well that does the same thing for another set of characters. All this is in anticipation of book two, coming in February. It's nice to get a more in depth background understanding of key secondary characters because I think it will make the next book all the sweeter.

Gordon Alexander is an Olympic figure skating coach. Tragedy strikes and he loses his will to coach. It was so good to have a better understanding of this pivotal time in his life. He comes into the very end of book 1 in this series as he reluctantly watches Tyler and Amaliya skate for him as they are looking for a coach.

The story is gentle, a bit sad, but ends in a place of hope. We get to watch the sweet romance of Gordon's daughter, Maggie and their neighbor, Lance, which helped balance out the sadness of tragedy. (also, hello Whitmore's! It's a little connection to the Saint Squad series by this author!)

Content: death, kissing
- I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

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An Alleged Rogue (Georgian Gentlemen #3) by Sian Ann Bessey + Win A Paperback Copy of This Book!!

 

Lord Adam Dunsbourne is a tyrant. At least, that’s what everyone says. The tales are shocking: accounts of a man who gambled away the family fortune and keeps his younger sister, Emily, captive in their home at Dunsbourne Manor. So when Adam and his sister make an unexpected appearance at a dinner party, the scandalized whispers cannot be contained. New to the town, Phoebe Hadford hears the condemning rumors and determines to do all she can to help the baron’s oppressed sister. Upon entering Dunsbourne Manor, however, she quickly
discovers that all is not what she has been led to believe.

Adam, unsure of whether he can trust the intentions of his beautiful neighbor, is quickly drawn in by Phoebe’s genuine nature. But even as Adam and Phoebe’s connection deepens, a dangerous enemy from Adam’s past reemerges. For years, Adam has hunted for the man who betrayed him, not realizing he had only to wait. His foe has returned, and this time, he will threaten everything Adam cherishes most—including the woman he loves.

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I seriously have so much love for this book, this series and this author.  This is definitely one of my favorite books this year.  I don't think you need to read the other books in this series to love this one but as I said, the whole series is so good.  Why wouldn't you?!  :)  I think this book might be my favorite of the series though.

Why? 

Because I really cared about the characters.  I grew to know them and I loved them.  I wanted all things good to happen for them- especially Adam.  I wanted good things for him SO badly.  He worked and worked and worked, determined to make something of the nothing left to him.  

Because the last third of the book had me speed reading and holding my breath.  Literally.  I had to purposely slow myself down and breathe.  It was fantastic.

I was invested in this story and the characters.  Clearly.  It was so, so good.  😍  That's how you know it's a favorite.

Content: mild peril, mild violence.  Sweet kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

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How to Ruin the Holidays by Becky Monson

 

After a disastrous family Thanksgiving, all I wanted was to avoid anything holly and jolly this year, so an unexpected business trip seemed like the perfect escape plan . . . until I landed smack dab in the middle of a freaking winter wonderland, otherwise known as Carole Cove, Montana. It’s merrier and brighter than the North Pole. The town even comes with its own Mr. Holiday—Noel Holiday, that is. Not only is he holly and jolly but he’s hotter than the lattes he sells at his café. And for some reason he would love nothing more than to share the magic of the season with me.

Unfortunately, this little trip of mine isn’t exactly filled with good cheer. But Noel’s kisses have a way of making me believe in Christmas miracles. And a miracle might be exactly what it takes to keep the holidays from being ruined forever.

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Hello, Mara!!  and YAY!  I've been waiting to read Mara's story after getting a glimpse of her in Jennifer Peel's story, The Holiday Ex Files.  I mean, what's not to like?  She adds her horrible sister in laws email to spam lists, she rage crochets and wears the Heathen Steven scarf.  😂  Mara also has a kind heart.  She is aware of other people and does her best to help and show kindness to them.  I really loved that about her.  Plus, did I mention she crochets ugly scarves for people she is mad at?  hahaha  Can you visualize that?  That just makes me laugh.

I think Noel is the bomb.  The kissing was yummy and I honestly loved Noel's even temperament.  He never got too riled or flew off the handle.  He always treated Mara with respect and courtesy when he wasn't kissing her senseless.  The love he had for his town and all the ways he took care of people was awesome too.   Yeah, Noah is a Hallmark kind of hero.  But better.  Because more kissing, people.  

This was such a feel good Christmas story.  It has humor and if you know me, I love to be entertained while reading.  I literally smiled my way through this one from beginning to end.  I lovey loved it.

This book is on KU if you have that!  Happy reading!

Content:  kissing, mild swearing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Winter Kisses At The Homestead Inn (Billionaires in Hiding #4) by Kimberly Krey

 

 

There has been one happy ending after the next at The Homestead Inn, but two of the Duran brothers, Maverick and Emmitt, are still looking for love. Find out who's next in line to find the love of their lives.

Emmitt’s about to fall for a private investigator and he doesn’t even know it.
Sloane is going to fall for him too, just before she learns that she’s working for the wrong side.

The suspense is kicking up in Winter Kisses at The Homestead Inn.

*** This series is best read in order. ***

Billionaires In Hiding Series includes:
1. Springtime Love at The Homestead Inn: Country Boy & City Girl
2. Summer Nights at The Homestead Inn: While He Was Sleeping
3. Autumn Romance at The Homestead Inn: Do Nice Guys Finish Last?
4. Winter Kisses at The Homestead Inn: Flirting With The Enemy
5. Spring Fever at The Homestead Inn (Coming March 2022) 

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Let's hear it for book 4 in this series and Emmitt, who finally gets his very own love story!  We're working our way through this whole family of siblings and while each sibling gets their own love story, there is a slow, overarching, building sense of danger.  It's a cool thing and I really like it.  It keeps me coming back for more!

I think Emmitt and Sloane have a great build to their relationship.  It felt natural and believable.  I settled in with the easily and quickly, even knowing how it was all going to blow up.  This Duran family is resourceful and resilient though and they know how to support and help each other.  I really like that strong sense of family in this series.

As stated above, this series is best read in order.  They are all in KU if you have that which is where I picked up this book.  This author is a favorite of mine and I love when she adds some suspense and danger into her books.

Content:  kissing

 

Kiss the Girl by Melanie Jacobson

 

 

Not even the hottest teacher in town can convince Grace to date a small-town guy.

At 26, Grace Winters must her promising career on pause to run her dad’s hardware store. She can’t wait to leave Creekville again, and she’ll keep everyone at arm’s length until she’s out of there. That especially means the new high school coach…no matter how cute and charming he is.

Noah Redmond knows Creekville is just a detour for Grace, the funniest—and sexiest—woman he’s ever met. He even joins forces with her to defeat the matchmaking schemes of . . . well, just about everyone trying to get them together. But when he and Grace must also tackle building a Christmas booth for the town’s biggest event of the year, he sees his chance for escape from the friend zone.

When Grace agrees to a fake relationship to convince Noah’s boss he's ready for a promotion, the plan works perfectly until they share an unplanned kiss that changes everything. With the lines between friendship and romance blurred, is their undeniable chemistry worth risking their friendship when their future is anything but certain?

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This book was yummy!  The tension and build up were fantastic and gave my belly all the flutters of anticipation.  I love when that happens.  Even after the first kiss, it was all charged tension.  Chemistry swirling.  Mmmmm, yummy.

Grace and Noah are both great characters.  I'm definitely a Noah fan, if we are picking sides, and I am.  Noah is such a stand up guy- making his sister and her daughter his priority, working hard and keeping a level head with a great dose of humor.  See?  Why wouldn't I be his fan?  Plus, the way he looks at Grace?  Sigh. . .

I loved the feeling of family and community in this book and the setting around the holidays.  There was a lot of fun happening in these pages.  We start with a wedding, and then have both Thanksgiving and Christmas.  It's the perfect book to read right now!

Content:  some mild cursing, including hand gesture.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Love and Lavender (Mayfield Family #4) by Josi S. Kilpack

 

 

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, she was sent away as a child and, knowing her disability means a marriage is unlikely, she devoted herself to scholarship and education.

Now working as a teacher in an elite private girls’ school, she is content with the way her story has unfolded. When her uncle Elliott Mayfield presents her with the prospect of a substantial inheritance if she marries, Hazel is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? Besides, she loves her freedom as a professional, respected woman. When she hears rumors of the school possibly being sold, however, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale has a brilliant mind and thrives on order and process. He does not expect to marry because he likes his solitary life, shared only with his beloved cat. When Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, presents him with an inheritance if he marries a woman of social standing, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, with the inheritance, he could purchase the building in which he works and run his own firm. It would take an impressive and intellectual woman to understand and love him, quirks and all.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, receive their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But when Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must live together as husband and wife for one year before receiving their inheritances, Hazel and Duncan reluctantly agree. Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

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If ever there was a sweet and gentle book, this is it.  Author Josi Kilpack is excellent at writing characters and weaving humanity into them so that as a reader, I connect and feel for them.  In this particular story, Hazel and Duncan are slightly off what people considered at the time, normal.  Hazel has a physical deformity in her foot and Duncan has what I think would be high functioning autism.  Both Hazel and Duncan have keen intellects and have been highly educated.  It draws them to each other and connects them in a way that differs from most other people.

I really loved the unconventional approach to marriage between Hazel and Duncan.  It was so interesting to see the characters through the authors eyes.  This was less of a love story in the traditional sense but more a showing of how love can look and feel differently and still be beautiful.  It was sensitive and well written.  I enjoyed it very much.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Josi S. Kilpack has written more than thirty novels, a cookbook, and several novellas. She is a four-time Whitney award winner, including Best Novel 2015 for "Lord Fenton's Folly, and has been a Utah Best of State winner for Fiction. Josi loves to bake, sleep, eat, read, travel, and watch TV--none of which she gets to do as much as she would like. She writes contemporary fiction under the pen name Jessica Pack.

Josi has four children and lives in Northern Utah. 

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