Electric Heartstrings (Fantasy Music Festival Romance #5) by Lisa Swinton

 

 

He can’t date his client. She can’t forget his kiss. They can’t stand to be together or apart. Something’s got to give.

It’s been a year since YouTube music star Aurora shared an unforgettable drunken kiss with her manager, Trevor. Each day is a little more torturous than the last since he won’t break his vow to not date his clients. Being with him at the Fantasy Music Festival in Kauai should feel like paradise, but Aurora’s at her breaking point. She’s willing to risk their professional and personal lives for the love of a lifetime.

Trevor’s losing his grip on keeping his promise. He can’t deny his connection to Aurora or how her killer smile makes his insides go crazy. Lately all he wants to do is wrap her in his arms and crush his lips to hers.

By the end of the festival, Aurora will have to fire Trevor unless he confesses his love. Her heart just can’t take the pain.

If you like fake relationships, a heroine willing to risk it all to get her man, and a hero who values commitment, then you’ll love Electric Heartstrings by award-winning author Lisa Swinton. 

 * Amazon * Goodreads * 

If you are looking for a quick romantic fix, try this story!  It's short and sweet.  It took me about a half an hour to read so when I say short, I mean short.  Haha.  This author has written several of these short stories revolving around a reoccurring Fantasy Music Festival with this one being set in Hawaii.  (where I wish I was right now!)

Because this story is so short, you don't get much time to really know Aurora and Trevor but you have enough time to root for their romance to get a chance.  Aurora fakes a relationship to try to prod Trevor into revealing his feelings.  I wish I had more of this story.  It was over too fast for me.

Content:  kissing, mild peril

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

 

Under Snowflakes & Stars (Fantasy Music Festival Romance Book 4) by Lisa Swinton

 

Her hula hips have him spinning. His cowboy skills will keep her alive. When a blizzard strands them together, sparks fly under snowflakes and stars at the Fantasy Music Festival.

When Noelani sees snow for the first time, she’s amazed by it’s beauty, but unprepared for the cold. She plans to spend her downtime at the Fantasy Music Festival curled up by a fire under a blanket with a perpetual mug of hot cocoa.

Cache hasn’t had a girlfriend in a decade, but the sun-kissed Noelani has him rethinking his flirty ways and craving something deeper. He invites her on a snowmobiling adventure, hoping she’ll love the serenity of winter. Having her arms around him is a bonus.

They both get more than they bargained for when a blizzard blows in, stranding them. Cuddling goes from pleasure to necessity in a heartbeat.

When the crisis ends, can they make a future together or have they only been under a yuletide spell?

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

This was the cutest little story!  I loved the flirtations and the good dialogue between Noelani and Cache.  I also loved how different they were but how those differences were attractive and interesting to each other.  There's nothing like being stranded together in a potentially dangerous situation to bring you closer together faster.

I read through this story in less than an hour.  It's short and sweet!

This title is just $.99 right now and is also on KU if you have that.

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

Falling for Sydney by Heather B. Moore

Sydney has been the perfect friend, the perfect daughter, and Rian checks off on her perfect fiancé list. But when Sydney notices a strange truck parked in her fiancé’s parking spot, she’s in for the surprise of her life. Not only is Rian not who she thought he was, but his brother Jake is about to turn her life upside down.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

I love Heather Moore.  I love her writing style and I love her books.  She is one of my favorite authors and I love reading and reviewing her books.

This book is the first book in Falling series.  It is a short story- only about 73 pages on my kindle.  The author does a good job of giving me a sense of knowing these characters in a short amount of time.  I felt like I understood Sydney, Rian and Jake and what they were about.  The scenes were so easy to picture in my mind.  It played out like a movie and I always love that!

This story did feel a bit rushed though.  It was hard for me to believe so many deep feelings could develop so quickly given the circumstances.  Attraction, yes.  Gratitude, yes.  Interest, yes.  But more than that?  In just a couple days?  I might have been able to believe it more if there hadn't been a declared love interest for Sydney already.  Yes, he's a lying lowlife, but she loved him.  Does that turn off and on so quickly?

Regardless of all that, I enjoyed this book.  The first sparks of attraction are always fun to read about.  Jake is such a good guy, I just couldn't help but love him.  I love the cover and I'm looking forward to the rest of the stories in this series.

Falling for Maria (coming February 2017)
Falling for June (coming Summer 2017)

Content:  a couple instances of swearing, kissing

- I received a copy of this book free from the author.  A favorable review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.

A Christmas Kiss (Kissed by the Bay, #5) by Susan Hatler

Harper Avery is a jaded divorce attorney who loves helping her clients move on to better things. After all, they’ve struggled enough being in an unhappy marriage. When one client’s soon-to-be ex-husband suddenly says he wants a second chance with his wife, Harper’s dubious, certain that her client is just going to get hurt again.

Despite his career as a divorce attorney, Gabriel Hart still believes that love can work miracles. Sure, there are no guarantees, but he totally supports his client’s efforts to reconcile with his wife—even if it means Gabriel has to go head-to-head with Harper to keep her from ruining the couple’s chances.

With the holidays approaching, husband and wife set out to see if they can work through their issues, while Harper decides to spend the long Christmas weekend at her friend’s cabin in Lake Tahoe. Only when she gets there, someone is already occupying her last-minute rental—Gabriel Hart. Both refuse to give up their holiday retreat. Will their adversarial working relationship make for a stressful weekend? Or will the magic of Christmas sprinkle them with a love that can beat the odds?

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

This book is overflowing with all that is sweet and romantic in the perfect wintery Christmas setting - Lake Tahoe!  (I love Lake Tahoe!  I actually prefer it in the summer though- I'm a girl that doesn't like to be cold.)

I think Gabriel is perfectly named for the angel that he is.  He stole the show with his thoughtfulness and kindness in this book.  I just loved him.  Harper is a bit more jaded then Gabriel and has a harder time letting go and allowing herself to feel.  Opposites definitely attract in this case!

This is a short story so it's over before you know it but I felt like I had all the arch and elements need to be fully invested.  This was a fun diversion and the perfect romantic story for the holiday season.  Grab a cup of hot chocolate, your favorite snuggy blanket and settle in for a fun, romantic treat!

Content:  Clean

- I received a copy of this book from the author.  I was under no obligation to write a positive review.  All opinions expressed are my own.

An Unexpected Wedding (Treasured Dreams #5) by Susan Hatler

Instead of being an excited bride-to-be, Holly’s frazzled beyond belief as she tries to plan her wedding. Her fiancé, Dave, says whatever she wants works for him, but she can’t get her mom and soon-to-be mother-in-law to so much as agree on a date.

The worst part is that her dad passed away four years ago, and she’s heartbroken he won’t be walking her down the aisle.

Holly begins to accept the wedding is doomed, but then an unexpected surprise reminds her why she’s getting married in the first place.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Oh hello, Holly.  

I loved being back with you for 24 pages.  You have the sweetest man to love you.  Dave is all that and a box of chocolates too.  Seriously?  Can he do no wrong?!  You are one lucky girl.  Every single time I step into your world, however briefly, I am reminded how love should really be and I step out with my heart filled with a little more happy.  I can't wait to see what comes next!  Until then~

Aimee

Heir to Edenbrooke (A Proper Romance) by Julianne Donaldson

Philip Wyndham has never envied his older brother for being the heir to Edenbrooke. He would much rather carve out his own destiny than live under the constraints of that position. But when his older brother dies unexpectedly, Philip's life is turned upside down as duty requires him to give up the life he planned. Philip takes on his new role as the most sought-after bachelor in London with alternating reluctance, boredom, and resentment. But all that changes the night fate leads him to an inn, where he meets the incomparable Marianne Daventry.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

The biggest problem I had with this novelette was that it was WAY TOO SHORT!  I want more.  Greedy?  Maybe.  But now that I've had a taste of Philip's side of things, I want it all. This novelette gives some insight into Phillip's life and how he came to be the heir to Edenbrooke and takes us up through his first meeting with Marianne.  I loved it.  Love, love, loved it.

BUT.  I want more.  I want the whole Edenbrooke story told from Philip's point of view.  This little story filled me with longing to read Edenbrooke again, to go back and relive that fabulous love story all over.  Sigh.  This was a perfect little snippet.  If you have read Edenbooke, this is a must read.  If you haven't read Edenbrooke, you really should.  It's one of my favorite books.

An Unexpected Proposal (Treasured Dreams Book 4) by Susan Hatler

When Holly’s boyfriend is offered the job of his dreams in Africa, Holly must choose between the love of her life and the small mountain town that soothes her soul.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

It was just before bed and I had just finished reading a book.  I had a few minutes more and I didn't want to start a whole new book just before going to bed because what if it was so good I couldn't put it down?  Then I would be up all night long.  So, I had a light bulb moment and remembered that I had just been sent this little gem of a short story.  It was perfect for those last few "me" moments before heading to bed.

An Unexpected Proposal is part of an ongoing short story series.  Each short story is about 25 pages and literally takes about 10-15 minutes to read.  In this snippet, Holly is worried about her boyfriend taking a job in Africa.  She doesn't want him so far away but she also doesn't want to leave her favorite place to live.

These short stories remind me of little pieces of chocolate.  You just get one bite but that one bite is SO YUMMY.  You close your eyes and savor those few moments of deliciousness.  Yup.  That's exactly what it's like.

Content:  Clean.  :)

 

An Unexpected Love (Treasured Dreams #3) by Susan Hatler

An unexpected offer could be the answer to Holly's dreams or could crush them completely.

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

This is a short story.  And I mean SHORT story.  If you have five minutes, you have time for this book.  Well, if you haven't read the two previous short stories in this series, then you will need fifteen minutes to read them all.  :)  Do you have 15 minutes?  Think lunch break for waiting for your kids at practice or those 15 minutes of peace right before bed.

This is the continuation of Holly's life.  We get glimpses of her life in these tiny little nuggets.  The first book is An Unexpected Date .  Then comes An Unexpected Kiss .  This one is that moment of love that follows the dates and the kissing.  :)  It is so sweet!  My heart melted just a wee tad.

Susan Hatler is one of my all time favorites for zingy, light and fun romances.  It's amazing what she can accomplish in five minutes of reading for me!

An Unexpected Kiss (Treasured Dreams, #2) by Susan Hatler

Holly is beyond excited about her first date with Dave. They share a love for her beloved small mountain resort town, plus she’s never felt such sparks for a guy before. But when her mom warns her to proceed with caution so she won’t get disappointed, Holly pulls back—until an unexpected surprise entices her to risk her heart completely.

 * Goodreads *Amazon *

Do you have 20 minutes to read?  Anywhere in your day or night?  Do you love romance?  If you answered yes, I have just the book for you.  ;)

An Unexpected Kiss will take you 20 minutes to read.  If that.  It's super short and super sweet.  I love Susan Hatler.  She really has a knack for writing sweet romance and you won't believe what she accomplishes in the 24 pages here.  That's right, 24 pages.   This book is the beginning of a fantastic relationship between Holly and Dave.  It's their first date and you will experience all those anxious thoughts and butterflies in your stomach right along with them.  

I opened this book on a plane ride to Hawaii.  I knew this was a short story but I didn't realize just how short it really was until I reached the end and wanted so much more.  Sigh.  I really wanted more.  Susan Hatler has so many great books and if you haven't read anything by her yet, you really should.  She is the queen of short and sweet romance novellas.

Date and Dash (Better Date Than Never Series, #10) by Susan Hatler

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

Good news!  Bad news!  Good news!

Good news:  A new book, Mary Ann's story, in this Better Date Than Never series!

Bad news:  I think this is the last book in this series!  :(

Good news:  Another series is starting soon! Every Little Kiss (Kissed by the Bay Book 1)  It looks good and I can't wait to read it!

I have loved, loved, loved this series.  These books are so flirty and fun and the covers are a fantastic representation of what is inside.  I am always in the mood for one of these books.  The stories are short but oh, so satisfying.  They fill up my romantic heart and leave it with a breathless sigh of happiness.  

This is Mary Ann's story.  Mary Ann is impulsive and enjoys life but she has a deeply sentimental side as well.  She is on her way to an auction to bid on her grandmother's long lost bracelet when she gets into a bit of an accident.  Through a series of miscommunications, Mary finds herself with a date instead of a bracelet and her date is no other than the stiff, unyielding guy she hit on her way to the auction.  Talk about bad luck.  Or is it?

I think this story is one of my favorites.  Yup, favorite.  I said it.  Each book in this series can stand alone- you don't have to read them in order.  There is some character cross over though so reading from the beginning is fun because then you see old friends later.  Either way, it's going to be good.  

This is a sweet, clean romance with some kissing.

Deja Date by Susan Hatler

She sent Chris Bradley off with a "Rock On Stud" farewell in Truth or Date. She tried to nab Noah Peterson in My Last Blind Date. Blonde bombshell. Office flirt. But things didn't go so well for her in Up to Date... Get ready for Melinda Morgan's story revealed in Déjà Date!!

 * Goodreads * Amazon *

I love, love, love getting a new book for review from Susan Hatler and I love the Better Date Than Never series.  This is book nine in this series of short stories  where Melinda finally has her story told.  Yay!

The good thing about short stores is you can read them quickly and have a romantic indulgence in no time at all.  The bad thing about short stories is they are over so fast it leaves you wanting more.  That's how I felt about this book.  Over too fast.  I want more.  Oh, and I want a marshmallow fudge bar too.  (what?  Melinda drools over them the whole book and now I want one too!)  Romance and chocolate is a winning combination.  :)

I love Nate and I love Nate for Melinda.  This is a second chance at first love kind of book and it's clean with some happy kissing.  The perfect evening getaway.  

Sweet & Clean Romance Collection + $25 Giveaway

 

Ok clean romance lovers these books are for you!! Trifecta Books is excited to announce their new line of short contemporary romance novels for e-book. The Sweet and Clean Romance Collection will melt your heart and sweep you off your feet. There are currently four books out with many more titles coming soon.

And Something Blue by Paige Timothy (Main Street Merchants #1) Bridal consultant Laurie Fletcher spends her days helping others prepare for the most special day of their lives. Will true love ever come her way, or is she doomed to watch others get their happily ever after?

This was the first book in this collection that I read and it was a fantastic way to start things out. I really love the concept of writing about a group of people who all work along the same street (Main Street Merchants). Different lives, different businesses, but all connected in some small way. I loved the little map in the front telling me where are the businesses were located too. It really helped set the stage in my head.

Laurie is a fun character. She runs a bridal shop. Her first few encounters with Logan are less than stellar but some kind of magnetism keeps them both gravitating toward each other. This book had me wanting more from this author and this Main Street Merchant Series. My favorite quote from the book is, “Laurie felt her heart reach out and wrap around his to tie a knot she would never be able to loosen.”

Amazon

For Love And Money by Paige Timothy (Main Street Merchants #2) Cynical Morgan has just about decided that no one could possibly fall in love with her - all the good guys want perfect girls, and she's anything but perfect. But then along comes the guy who falls head-over-heels in love with her just as she is and helps her find the bright side of life again.

This is the second book in the Main Street Merchant series. There were a couple cross over scenes from the first book told from a different perspective. It was interesting to see the same scene through the eyes of a different character. We meet Morgan in the first book but only get a glimpse into who she really is.

Morgan and Rory are the best of friends. They work together too. Rory has to be the most patient man alive. I loved that they were friends first and knew each other well. This was such a fun book and it left me wanting more from this series. There are so many stories to tell!

Amazon

 

Hearts in Harmony by Raine Gillespie (Love Notes #1) Elahna Nezario gave up her musical dreams to help run the Queen of Hearts, her mother’s chocolate shop, after her sister’s sudden death. After an unfortunate run-in with Elahna’s childhood crush, owner of the Dolce Theater, not only do her dreams surge back to life, but so does her heart.

Hearts in Harmony is also in the Sweet and Clean Romance Collection but by a different author than the first two books I read. It is the start of a different series with characters separate from the first two books I’ve mentioned. I had a harder time with this book and it wasn’t one I really connected with, especially in the beginning. I’m not really sure why, but this book just fell a bit flat for me. This book was different than the others because it had a bit of mystery associated with it that unfolded as the story went on.

Amazon

 

Waltzing on Wheels by Raine Gillespie (Love Notes #2) Meredith Aaron lost all hope for love after a car accident put her in a wheelchair. Who would want her, broken as she is? After her brother tells her to save a dance for him at his wedding, she decides to somehow learn how to dance on the only legs she has left—her wheels.

I enjoyed this book so much more than the first one by this author! We meet Meredith in the first book but this book is her time to shine. And shine she does. Meredith is a determined, feisty girl with such a positive attitude and a kind heart. I just couldn’t help but love her. The romance developed gently and was so endearing. I loved it.

Amazon

 Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 11/20/14 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Because of Love by Shauna V. Brown

For Christmas, all Phoebe Brown wants is to give her daughters new shoes to replace their heavy leather boots. But because they have very little money, her husband refuses to pay for them. Inspired by true events, this Christmas story shows how the power of love can change even the most begrudging heart.

What a sweet, sweet book!  This book touched my heart and made me feel things.  I love when books do that to me.  

Phoebe longs to give her daughters new shoes.  The girls are ridiculed and hurt by other children because they wear big, heavy boots everywhere.  All the time.  One of the worst feelings, I think, as a mother is to know your children are hurting.  When your children hurt, you hurt.  But, just like most mothers, Phoebe is resourceful and creative and she devises a plan to work and get new shoes for her girls.  It's touching and powerful.  As a mother and a daughter, I connected with the emotion in this book.  Love is a powerful tool that can change lives.

This sweet story is less than 100 pages.  It reads quickly and is the perfect little Christmas story.  This will definitely set your heart in the right place leading up to Christmas.

My thanks to Cedar Fort for allowing me to read and review for them.

* Cedar Fort * Goodreads *

Up to Date (Better Date Than Never series, #8) by Susan Hatler

(Better Date than Never series, Book #8)

Ginger donates her decorating services to a charity auction and now must work for the one man with the power to break her heart.

I'm going to start with a paragraph of LOVE.  

I love this series.  I love Susan Hatler.  I love finding a new book in my inbox at random from Susan Hatler.  It means a lovely diversion is on it's way to my brain!

The Better Date Than Never series is so fun.  It is a series of short romance stories, each with a new character but not really "new" as we've met the characters in previous books and keep them as friends in subsequent books.  It's awesome.

Ginger is the lead character in "Up to Date" and she is a lot of fun.  Ginger is wary of love, bored in her job and wishing for something more.  Then her whole worlds takes a turn- for the worst?  For the best?  It's pretty much up to Ginger to decide!

Susan always provides readers with a quick romantic getaway with these Date books.  They are fun and light hearted.  You can polish one off in one evening and the end will leave you with smile on your face.  What more could you ask for?!

You can purchase "Up to Date" at Amazon.

Oh, and if you want to give one of the books in this series a try you can pick up book #4, Save the Date, on Amazon for free.  (at least it was when I wrote this!)  Title is linked.  Enjoy!

A Candlelight Courting: A Short Christmas Romance by Joyce DiPastena

When Burthred comes courting on Christmas Eve, Meg rejects his advances. She has her heart set on becoming a nun and insists that he call her Christina, the spiritual name she has chosen for herself. She tries to make him swear on her box of holy relics that he will not pursue her, but he carefully words his oath to allow him to stay in her candlelit chamber and try to change her mind.

What Meg does not confess is that her reliquary box holds a secret.

Burthred needs a wife, and no one will satisfy him except Meg. He swore on his father’s deathbed that he would marry her. But Burthred has a secret, too. When they come together before the Yule fire, their shared revelations will either join their hearts together or tear them apart.

It is no secret that I love Joyce's writing.  There is something about her books that just resonate in my heart.  I love the way I travel back in time to places that just come alive through Joyce's words.  Joyce has a gift for writing and she is a girl that really knows her history.  Her research and love for this time period really shine through.

A Candlelight Courting is a short story.  I literally devoured it in under an hour (with distractions).  While I was utterly satisfied with the whole story and the ending, I still wanted more.  More story.  More time with these characters.  More.  

Burthred (in spite of his awful name) is so sweet, so patient and so endearing.  I just love him.  He slowly breaks down Meg's walls and earns her trust by trusting her with his secrets.  

Writing this review has made me want to go back and read this short story again.  I think I will.  It is the perfect story to cuddle up with as the holidays approach.

You can find Candlelight Courting at Amazon for just $1.99.