Hudson's Heart by Stephanie Fowers

 

She's his heart... he just doesn't know it yet.

Hudson Slade has a lot to answer for. His brother crossed the family next door and messed them over bad, but he helped create that monster. Mimi Bridges has forgiven him, but she doesn't know the half of it. Worse, he might look like a tough cowboy, but he's got a soft spot for her.

Getting together with Mimi might be harder than Romeo sneaking in to see Juliet, and unfortunately Hudson knows exactly how that turned out.

* Amazon * Goodreads *

Ooh, I loved the tension and the attraction in this story!  Give me a good kiss right away and I'm in.  Hudson and Mimi are so good together but that Hudson sure has his hang-ups.  Good thing his hang-ups aren't bigger than Mimi's spunk and tenacity!  

There was quite a cast of characters in this book so it took a minute to get used to all of them but I think the author did a good job of helping me remember and distinguish between them all.  I was really rooting for  Hudson and Mimi from the very beginning and I love becoming so invested in characters.  Hudson and Mimi have a whole lot of family between them and most of them were also rooting for them to get together.  Some even went to some pretty crazy extremes.  All in the name of love.  (cue hayride kidnapping and cellar lock in)

This was the perfect book to read right now because fall is settling in where I live and the fall setting of this book just felt right.  Snuggle up, get a hot drink and this book!

Content:  kissing, some Christian elements

- I picked this book up on Kindle Unlimited

River's Song: Spring Flings and Engagement Rings by Stephanie Fowers

 

A country singer rediscovers his passion for music when he meets a spunky small town girl who lives her life to the fullest. Too bad she's his best friend's ex.

Now he'd better forget his racing pulse so he can get a photograph back from her that could ruin his career.

The trouble is that spending time with her feels like a good old fashioned love song, and he can't get that stupid tune out of his head... or out of his heart.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Isn't the cover on this book pretty?  I loved that is goes perfectly with the story.

Wowza, River and Liv have some sparking chemistry!  I loved all the kissy kissing.  It was swoony fun.  I also loved that Liv was a photographer and brought out emotion through her pictures.  It was the perfect way to bring her into River's world, or, maybe more accurately, River into her world.

The story progresses nicely, with some minor bumps in the road and an ex you love to hate.  I enjoyed the feeling of family and community and the two little boys who helped everything feel natural and brought a few smiles too.  I sure hope there are more stories to be had in this small town- it sure feels like there will be.  (fingers crossed)  4/5 stars

Content:  mention of substance abuse, Christian elements

- I picked this up on Kindle Unlimited

Love in the City: Limited Edition Romantic Comedy Box Set

 

 Get ready for thirteen heart pounding and laugh out loud rom-coms from thirteen bestselling and award winning authors, including Amazon chart toppers and USA Today bestsellers. Filled with mystery, second chances, soulmates, brother’s best friends, bad boys, nobility, and the cute guy in the cubicle next to you, these stories will captivate you and leave you wishing for more.
 
Download this limited edition box set while you can and indulge in these sweet and sexy leading men and strong and beautiful heroines while they fall in love in cities around the world.

Sariah Wilson - All’s Fair in Love and War 
Becky Monson -The Love Potion 
Jennifer Peel - Love the One You’re With 
Kirsty Greenwood - Love Will Save the Day
Whitney Dineen - Love for Sale 
Aven Ellis - Love, the Viscount, & Me
Shari L. Tapscott - Little Lost Love Letter
Lucy McConnell - Can’t Forget a Love Like That
Kate O’Keeffe - A Very English Love Story
Erin Huss - Love, Lies, and Limo Rides
Melissa Baldwin - Thanks for the Love
Stephanie Fowers - Love at the Masquerade
Kathryn R. Biel - Vision of Love

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I have been anticipating this boxed set for so long!  Just look at that awesome author line-up! Wow, so many of my favorites are included in this collection.  I had the chance to read a few stories early but I have also purchased my own book so I can read them all!

Love the One Your With by Jennifer Peel

I read through this story so quickly.  As usual, Jennifer Peel writes characters that are easy to relate to and root for.  Kasie and Jake have a different sort of love story- more mature, since they've been married for years but clearly Kasie feels undervalued and undesirable. It's a romantic slump for Kasie and Jake and something has to change.

What follows is a series of mishaps, misunderstandings, facing hurts, making changes and well, a return to love.  Things are real but not overwhelming and there was a good dose of entertaining as well.  The progression was natural but it was just over too soon.  I'm used to longer stories by this author and it was hard to feel like I was only getting a bite sized dose of her usual books!  I loved the characters (and the secondary characters!) and especially the ending.  Hello Kitty. 😻  * 5 stars *

Little Lost Love Letter by Shari Tapscott

Oh my goodness.  I loved this story!  From the very beginning to the very end I was completely invested in Lucy and Ryland. The interactions and banter between them was so much fun!!  Talk about chemistry and sparks!!  Lucy and her (so, so many) mishaps, the poor girl.  It made her ever so endearing.  I think this is going to be a repeat statement for every book I read in this collection, but this story was over too fast.  I wanted to linger with Lucy and Ryland.  This book was light, fun, romantic and it just made me happy.  * 5 stars *

Love at the Masquerade by Stephanie Fowers 

Cute, cute, cute!  This author has been writing stories set in New Orleans lately and they are so fun.  It makes me want to visit there and enjoy the unique atmosphere and eat ALL the food.  I think this one is my favorite of this NO series so far- lots of good chemistry and sparks.  I liked the kissing.  💋😍 It was lighthearted, easy reading and I enjoyed my time with Harken and Mia.  * 4 stars *

Snowed in at Silver Lake by Stephanie Fowers

 

Getting snowed in with a stranger is dangerous—especially for her heart.

Gracie Turner just broke up with her fiancé before Christmas, so after a severe snowstorm causes her car to skid off the road into the deadly waters of Silver Lake, she can’t help falling for her rugged, handsome rescuer. There’s only one problem. He’s a fugitive running from the law.

Barron Hart has a plan to bring his brother’s killers to justice, and it does not involve Gracie. But when the snowy winds batter the backwoods cabin he’s using as his hideout, he has no choice but to wait out the storm with the Sheriff’s daughter. Against her will. Although, if he’s being honest with himself, she’s the one holding his heart captive.

After their first explosive encounter, nothing will warm Gracie up… or stop the sparks flying between them. There are too many secrets keeping them apart. Barron is further dismayed when Gracie uncovers his tragic past. She has the faith to help him heal, but he’s not ready to give up his revenge. Will the mysteries that brought them together, now have the power to tear them apart?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

How many times can Gracie fall into a frozen lake?  Many times.  And who saves her?  Every. Single. Time.?  Barron.  Yeah, he's that kind of guy.

The build up in both plot and between characters was good.  I could feel the tension mounting.  I love when a love story gives me a bit of suspense to liven things up and this one was exactly right and balanced fantastically.  

I liked Gracie but I LOVED Barron and his dog too. This book moves along at a great pace and I read through it quickly.  It was a fun one!  

Content:  Christian Fiction (talk of God, praying etc.), kissing, mild peril, mild violence

This book is available on KU.

Billionaire Ghost Tour by Stephanie Fowers

 

Who says opposites attract?

When Janson and Mollie get off on the wrong foot at the bachelor auction, the two never want to see each other again... except they sorta do. In fact neither of them can stop thinking about that night.

Mollie doesn’t know what’s wrong with her. Janson Styles tops her list of most arrogant men—with his wealth, good looks and a bad boy charm that gets him in trouble with the media (not to mention with her) so why isn’t she immune to his sultry smirks?

Janson can’t stop playing with fire. Of course, he's strong enough to withstand the fiery temptation of Mollie Sawyer—not only will he book a ghost tour with that molten hot redhead, but he’ll also bring a date! It doesn’t help that the moment he sees Mollie, he loses his head again.

Now they're both in for the night of their lives, fighting attraction and unexpected dangers, while everything that can possibly go wrong does—but in all the right ways. After all, can they really be such opposites when they fit so well in each other’s arms?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Ooh, this is a fun book set at the perfect time for this month!  It's a ghost tour unlike any others!  I loved the bit of suspense that helped propel this story forward.  It wasn't anything too nail biting because there is fun to be had all along the way.  This author did a good job of keeping me smiling with quirky and funny things all while the characters were being chased.  Oh, and there was attraction too that led to some good kissing.  Like I said- it was a fun romp.  (I realize I'm using the word fun too much.  Sorry. haha)

Mollie and Janson have a rough start.  Mollie is all sorts of fiery and she dishes Janson everything she's got.  It all backfires, of course, in the best of ways.  I loved that Janson was attracted from the get-go and that didn't change.  He wasn't intimidated by Mollie and just kept after her.

I loved the small town and how everyone knew and loved Mollie.  They definitely rallied around her when she needed them the most.  The zombie parade was a fun addition (and I saw pictures of when the author attended a real live zombie parade!) and definitely helped with the overall feel of the book.  It's perfect for October!!

This book is on kindle unlimited if you have that.

Content:  mild peril, mild violence, kissing

Her Billionaire's Murder Mystery (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove Book Book 14) by Stephanie Fowers

The mystery holds the clues to their hearts.
Aaron Mills has buried his aching heart for years under a charming façade. Success and money can never replace what he lost so many years ago.

Charlize Dean has her hands full keeping her mother from getting banned from Bingo night in their small town of Eureka Springs. When she gets roped into playing a flapper for a weeklong ‘20s Murder Mystery at the hotel where she works, the last thing on her mind is getting mixed up with the charity event’s gorgeous sponsor—no matter how blue Aaron’s eyes are.

Aaron can hardly believe he’s falling for his leading lady, and worse, he can’t prove to Charlize he’s not a “player.” When the mystery of the game turns a little too real, can they forget their growing attraction to solve a forgotten crime or is love in the script too?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

Have you ever attended a murder mystery party?  I've only been to one and it was just a one night dinner party.  It was fun but I think that was more about the people I was with than the actual murder mystery.  This book is entirely based on a week long murder mystery party in a fancy 20's era hotel with rich, fancy people.  I felt like aside from the prologue which was emotional and personal, this book was very plot based as expected given the premise.  There are a lot of characters in play so it was harder to connect emotionally.

I liked Charlize and Aaron.  Aaron is generally misunderstood and that makes it harder for Charlize to trust him.  He is smitten at first glance of Charlize but she keeps him at bay for a few minutes.  Haha.  Both Charlize and Aaron reach a point where they have a hard telling what is real and what is fake.  They have suspicions, Charlize more than Aaron, I think.

This party has a "real" turn of events and I could feel the growing tension between characters.  The ending was exciting and probably my favorite part.  I liked this book, but I didn't love it.  It's not my favorite by this author but it was different and if you love murder mysteries, you should really pick this book up.

Content:  mild peril, mild violence, kissing

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

Her Broken Hero Billionaire (Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove, #8) by Stephanie Fowers

If she wasn’t on the run, she’d leave...

But she’s stuck with him like Persephone with Hades.
Welcome to Billionaire Bachelor Mountain Cove. Off the grid, exclusive and remote, it’s the best place for a man to lick his wounds and heal.

Jett Eastwood’s climbing accident changes the course of his life forever.

Hannah Noah must escape an abusive ex who will do anything to get her back, even frame her for murder.

When she finds refuge with the brooding Jett, she promises to train his broken body so he can climb again. But can he return the favor and heal her broken heart?

 * Amazon * Goodreads * 

What an excellent distraction this book was for me this week.  It was a quick, easy read that left me feeling happy and who couldn't use a bit of happy right now, eh?

Jett and Hannah both have big personalities that have been beaten down a bit for different reasons.  I liked the first head butting scenes where we got to see some of that fighting spirit emerge in both characters.  Hannah's confidence and resilience was refreshing and I loved how it eventually transferred to Jett.  Of course I loved the sparks and attraction and I loved it best when Hannah and Jett were working together.  The build up was great, the showdown felt satisfying and the happily ever after was the cherry on top.  This was a fun book!

This book is on Kindle Unlimited if you have that.

Content:  mild violence, peril.  Kissing.

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

Roman & Jules: A standalone Fake Marriage Clean Romance by Stephanie Fowers

When Jules meets Roman Verona at an exclusive Vegas party, she doesn’t suspect the bad blood that runs so deep between Roman and her boyfriend, Ty, until the two men have it out in front of her. Even worse, Jules finds out that Ty has never loved her. She storms away, only to have her ex’s sworn enemy offer her a ride into town... as well as a shocking proposal.

A nice girl wouldn’t even consider making her ex jealous with a sham marriage, so why does she chance it with Roman?

Acting the role of devoted husband, Roman soon becomes fascinated with more than Jules’s sweet smile and poetic soul. As her band’s fame grows in Vegas so do his feelings for her and what started out as revenge against his miserable cousin turns into something deeper.

But bad boys don’t settle down. So why does Roman risk everything to win Jules’ heart?

All bets are off in this modern and sleek tale of star-crossed love!

 * Amazon * Goodreads * 

I lovey loved this one!  😍  The story, the cover, everything!  It's my favorite from this author, I think. 

I just love a good fake marriage story and this one felt new and fresh.  There is an air of rebelliousness, revenge and recklessness as the story begins for both Roman and Jules.  It was the perfect way to lure me in!  I loved the chemistry between Roman and Jules and how it grew into friendship and respect and admiration.  When you combine chemistry with those other attributes, love is sure to follow.  Those are my favorite kind of love stories.

Roman does so many sweet things without Jules even knowing.  I love how hard he tries to please her and speak her language.  Jules is just sweet- from beginning to end.  And speaking of the end . . .  I loved it.  💙 

This book is on kindle unlimited. 

Content:  mild violence, kissing, mild innuendo

 

Robin and Marian: A Clean Billionaire Romance in Merry New England (Adventurous Romantics) by Stephanie Fowers

Who says Chivalry is dead?
Robin King lives up to the legendary name of Robin Hood more than he should—a bigshot billionaire and successor of King enterprises, a Prince of Mischief and a rogue who steals hearts ... and maybe even a few kisses. He never thought he’d follow the storyline so closely, until the day he gets in trouble with the law and pays the price—all for protecting his younger sister Scarlett.

Taken in by an Outlaw
Marian is a hard-hitting reporter … or would be if the New England Chronicle would stop assigning her puff pieces. Now she has the chance to prove herself, but it could prove her undoing—since the story of a lifetime might just be Robin King, a ruthless scoundrel, who she swore would never break her heart again.

Making New England Olde again
Together, they must overcome their differences to save their hometown from thieves and corruption. And they’d better do it before someone gets killed. As danger lurks closer, legend becomes life, and Robin’s feelings for Marian deepen as he struggles with sharing the secrets that could clear his name and ruin his sister.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

There were so many things I loved about this book.  First, the Robin Hood references all throughout, and I mean references that reminded me of the Disney cartoon Robin Hood.  So many little things as well as the obvious bigger things like names and places.  It made me happy.  And, I think I've had the Robin Hood and Little John song running on a constant loop in my head since I started this book.  You know the one?  Ooo Da Lolly, Ooo Da Lolly, Golly What a Day!

But obviously, this book wasn't like the cartoon, it was a grown up, real life version, full of treachery, deceit, lies, jealousy, danger and my favorite- love.   Robin is a literal hero.  Honestly, you probably couldn't dream up a better man.  Chivalry is alive and well in this book.  I loved that!  The intensity grew throughout the whole story as the mystery deepened.  The ending was climactic and the epilogue was the perfect bow to tie off my present.  

This book is a long one.  It's almost double the size of normal books so know that going in.  Things don't progress super quickly plot wise, but I never felt bored or distracted.  It was like a modern day Robin Hood soap opera saga and it was fun!

Content:  peril, violence, kissing, death

- I picked this one up on Kindle Unlimited

In the Pursuit of Eden by Stephanie Fowers

Everyone wants to find Eden’s Paradise. Except Ivy.

Ivy is a city girl through and through. So when she follows her twin brother into the forests of the Uintas to make a documentary about looking for a treasure that’s plagued her family for generations, she’s a little out of her element. It's the same treasure that ended her father's life. Add to that her run-ins with the dashing, but infuriating Aiden Hunter. The Southern hottie has rescued her so many times that it’s getting embarrassing. Of course, she’d be more grateful if she didn’t suspect him of putting her in danger in the first place—a danger that keeps growing the closer they get to the truth.

Forced to be allies, the two are thrown into each other’s paths, and she realizes that she has more in common with him than she thought. While Ivy searches for clues in the journal of a wayward saloon girl, Eden, to discover a life that mirrors her own, Hunter fights the demons in a past that seems tangled up in hers. His secrets are hers. The only way to get at the truth is to find an uneasy truce… and maybe something more because Hunter may not be the enemy. In fact, he may be the one who needs rescuing. Now, Ivy has to figure out who she wants by her side, and what she’s willing to give up for love.

After all, Paradise was never meant to be found alone.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

I love a good adventure/love story and this book really filled that love.  The adventure was on from beginning to end in this story- stuffed full.  There were moments of light playfulness and flirty banter intermingled with the outdoor excursions and adventuring.  There were good guys and bad guys and sometimes it was hard to tell who was who.  I liked that a lot.  This whole book played out just like a movie in my head which was fantastic.

Ivy definitely seemed to find herself in less than flattering circumstances often- at least in the first half of the book.  They made me smile.  Especially when her Southern hottie kept stepping in to "save" her.  There was some good chemistry there.

This story was long.  So, so long.  I didn't realize just how long until I got into it.  Wow.  It's a long story- over 500 pages.  I definitely felt that while reading it but I was invested the whole way through.  This story was so much fun! 

Content:  mild peril, kissing

- I picked this book up on Kindle Unlimited.

Out of the Mouth of Babes by Stephanie Fowers

 

Kids get away with saying most anything, like Aunt Gina should marry that "charmer" she met at her sister's wedding.

But Gina won’t have anything to do with that guy who played with her heart that night—he’s a heartbreaker—no matter how much her niece and nephews adore him now. Besides, the two come from different worlds. Gina’s a workaholic career woman; he’s the irresponsible flirt. Whenever they meet, there are fireworks, and not the good kind.

That is, until her sister wins a cruise to the Caribbean and asks the two to babysit for 2 weeks. Sparks fly as they find a way to play house without burning the place down. Forget marriage—these two shouldn't even date.

And what do kids know anyway? Maybe everything.

 * Goodreads * Amazon * 

This book has a lot of humor and funny moments in it- mostly involving young children as Gina and Ashley become co-babysitters for their niece and nephews.  It seems that everything that can go wrong, does go wrong at some point or another which makes everything seem all the more crazy.

I liked Gina and Ash.  They were fun, relatable characters and I enjoyed their interactions and banter, especially in the beginning with the "first meet".  I wish there would have been more of those kind of moments.  Sometimes I felt like the focus of the story got to be more about the children than Gina and Ashley which made this book feel a bit long.  (It IS a long book at over 300 pages!)  The kids are cute, don't get me wrong, and the author nailed the ages, but maybe a more condensed version of all their antics?

Regardless, I really did enjoy the story.  It was easy to visualize and easy to like all the characters involved. Their faults made them human and endearing and I loved how it all came together in the end.  This book is guaranteed to make you smile.

Content:  kissing

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