Reprise Review: The Wedding Planner’s Son by Donna Fasano

 

Genre: Sweet Romance/Short Story

Description:

“Tawny McNealy is a driven, high-achiever who fully expects to someday take over and run the family accounting firm. But when an attempt is made to use her as a pawn, Tawny flees to the only place she’s ever felt truly free and happy — the beach.

Jack Barclay spends his summer days creating romantic seaside weddings for lovers. His laid-back attitude has served him well over the years. He feels stressing out about work only causes a person to miss the best parts of life.

Jack and Tawny are as different as sea and sky, but the fascination they find in each other’s company can’t be denied. Can they withstand the crazy twists that fate tosses their way?”

Author:

“USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA FASANO is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

You can learn more about Ms. Fasano on her website or stalk her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Tawny McNealy has gotten herself in a real bind accepting an engagement ring from her friend/business partner during a surprise dinner party of family and friends. Both families are thrilled with their engagement. Immediately struck with second thoughts Tawny panics and takes off for the beach to clear her head, organize her thoughts, and decide how to handle her situation without hurting anyone’s feelings. She had no intention of falling asleep on a dune overlooking the ocean.

Jack Barclay and his trusty dog Roo happen to be setting up a sunrise wedding on the beach that morning. When Roo rudely awakens Tawny and she screams from the surprise, Jack comes to the rescue, not that she needed rescuing from the friendly dog. Jack apologizes for Roo’s behavior and offers to buy her breakfast.

Due to an unfortunate turn of events Tawny ends up staying at Jack’s place. As Jack and Tawny get to know each other they both feel an attraction to each other. Their dialogue is realistic and entertaining. They both live very different lives but are able to find some commonalities. Jack has been burned in a past relationship and is having trouble getting over it. With a mind-blowing twist everything in Jack’s life is turned upside down. I loved the way that Tawny and Jack are able to help each other on their journey.

The Wedding Planner’s Son is the perfect short story to read at the beach or on summer vacation. Ms. Fasano’s books are always intelligent, and humorous with clever twists you don’t see coming.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The Wedding Planner’s Son is book six in Ms. Fasano’s OCEAN CITY BOARDWALK SERIE??

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 13-14,000 words

Reprise Review: A Reason to Believe by Donna Fasano

 

Genre: Sweet Romance/Contemporary/Fairy Tale

Description:

“It seems like a grand idea, temporarily trading her pixie wings for a womanly form to help handsome widower Paul Roland with his baby girl. And the moment she holds the precious bairn in her arms, Fern knows true happiness for the first time.

But Fern never anticipates the dizzying emotions she feels for the man who not only needs her as a nanny, but as a woman whose passion can heal his wounded heart. Suddenly the forbidden fairy rule she gently bends because of the baby is in danger of being irrevocably broken.

Some things are meant to be…”

Author:

“USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA FASANO is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

You can learn more about Ms. Fasano on her website or stalk her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

“Oh by me heart” this is an enchanting story, which begins quite by accident. Paul Roland is an author who lost his muse and his wife, Marie, when she died two years ago during a difficult childbirth. Paul has brought Katy, their daughter, to visit and spend time with Marie’s parents in Ireland. Fern is an adventurous Pixie, full of curiosity, and a strong will. She is also not wary of humans, nonbelievers are unable to see all things magical. However, Fern gets great joy from playing and entertaining babies, who still have magical sight. And this is how she gets trapped in the sleeve of Katy’s sweater then ends up on an airplane headed to New York City. As Pixie Fern contemplates her predicament in a private space away from human eyes she suddenly finds herself transformed into human form.

 

The plot moves at a nice pace as Fern and Paul settle into a working relationship with Fern as Katy’s nanny and Paul tries to get back into his writing. Until Fern starts experiencing emotions she doesn’t understand and has no idea how to deal with. The twists in the story are enlightening, poignant, and honest. The depth of character development is much deeper than I expected in this type of story. Honestly I shouldn’t have been surprised, one of Ms. Fasano’s strengths is the depth of her characters and their realistic dialogue. But, I was expecting a lighthearted tale. Silly me!

Expect to be blown away by the complexity of the human spirit you will find in Fern and Paul’s journey in A Reason to Believe.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A Reason to Believe is book three in A Family Forever Series.

Format/Typo Issues:

No Issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Reprise Review: An Honorable Man by Donna Fasano

 

Editors Note: It has come to our attention that the Kindle version of this book will be free on Amazon from June 16 to June 21, 2021.

Genre: Sweet Romance/Native American

Description:

“Nothing can make Native American Mat Makwa give up being a New York City police officer… except one little girl—all alone in the world—who needs a father. Returning to his Kolheek reservation to take on the safer job of sheriff of this small, close-knit community, he never expects his heart might be in danger to school teacher Julie Dacey.

Mat's six-year-old daughter Grace is a handful, and Julie finds herself getting to know Mat quite well during some intense parent-teacher meetings, which soon start occurring after hours. Then Mat begins mentoring Julie’s troubled teenaged brother and her heart softens toward this honorable man. Despite being wary of relationships, Julie can’t deny how her soul soars when Mat is near. Is the attraction between the flame-haired beauty and the lawman destined to turn into love?”

Author:

“Donna Fasano is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

Ms. Fasano has two grown sons and lives with her husband on the eastern seaboard of the United States. To learn more please visit her website or follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

When Mat Makwa, a NYC police officer, gets custody of Grace, a six year-old spitfire who is smart beyond her years, he decides to raise her in his hometown in Vermont. Misty Glen is a small Kolheek reservation where he has lined up a job as Sheriff, and he enrolls Grace in the first grade. As a member of the NYCPD he saw too many fellow police officers lose their life only to see the devastation on the families faces to allow that to happen to him. So he has sworn off relationships, Grace is all he is willing to take on.

On Grace’s first day of school she punches a fellow student. As a result Mat is called in for a parent teacher conference that afternoon. Grace’s teacher is Julie Dacey, a new resident in the area. When Mat and Julie first formally meet, fireworks fly. Both are caught off-guard by their overwhelming feelings, but try to remain professional during the conference. 

Julie Dacey has had a difficult time with abusive men growing up and is leery of new men. She has also carried a guilt for leaving her young brother, Brian, behind when she went to college. After her mother dies, and she had earned her teaching degree, Julie is able to get legal custody of Brian. She moves to the small Kolheek reservation in Misty Glen. She is hired as a first grade teacher at the elementary school there. She hopes that moving Brian to this small community will help tame his rebellious, thirteen year-old, nature.

Watching Mat’s internal struggles with his own convictions is frustrating, aggravating, and at times comical. Julie is intelligent and strong-willed, she also understands Mat’s position. However, Julie doesn’t have to do anything but be near him for his will to stay single to shatter all around him. It’s entertaining to watch their dance and a bit nerve wracking. It’s usually the woman I want to bop on the head and say, ‘Snap out of it!’ I loved the way Julie handled Mat at the end, after all he put her through, she did good.

An Honorable Man is enlightening, heart-warming, and a fun read. Grace was a blast! Ms. Fasano always makes her kids realistic and a joy to read about. We got to meet Dakota and Chay briefly as the story arc widens. I really can’t wait to read Chay’s story! He captured my interest. All we know about Chay is he’s taking a break from life, living alone in an old hunting cabin in the woods. I need me some Chay! But, Dakota’s story is next, I am looking forward to learning more about these Black Bear Brothers!

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

An Honorable Man is book 1 in Ms. Fasano’s, The Black Bear Brothers Series.  Although the books in this series are stand-alone novels, reading the books in order will offer the most enjoyable experience.

Original review was posted October 23, 2019.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant proofing errors.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Review: Barclay: Bachelors & Babies by Charlene Raddon

 

Genre: Sweet Romance/Western/Historical

Description:

“No bachelor could be prepared for what happens to the Givens brothers one stormy night in 1876. Finding a pregnant woman on their road, they take her in. Before they can learn anything about her, she gives birth to triplets and disappears. Luckily, the doctor supplies a much-needed wet-nurse— Cynara, a recent widow who lost her baby. Her sad eyes and gentle acceptance awaken something in Barclay's staid soul. But she's not ready for a new man in her life. She'll stay at the ranch and tend the babies, but that's all.

Meanwhile, where is the babies' real mother? Who and where is the father? And what will become of these helpless infants?”

Author:

“Charlene Raddon fell in love with the wild west as a child, listening to western music with her dad and sitting in his lap while he read Zane Gray’s books. She never intended to become a writer. Charlene was an artist. She majored in fine arts in college.

In 1971, she moved to Utah, excited for the opportunity to paint landscapes. Then her sister introduced her to romance novels. She never picked up a paintbrush again… Instead of painting pictures with a brush, Charlene uses words.”

For more information about Ms. Raddon feel free to visit her website.

Appraisal:

Bachelors & Babies is a multi-author endeavor. Barclay is the oldest of three Givens brothers running the family ranch, and the first of Ms. Raddon’s contributions to the series. Each brother gets his own book, and I think Barclay sets a nice foundation for the other two brother’s stories. However, the last thing this ranch needs are more babies.

The prolog to this story is tragic and heartbreaking. Cynara Stratton is a young widow who has lost everything and most recently her own baby.

The story proper starts one stormy night when the Givens brothers take in a pregnant woman coming up their road to the ranch house. Cold, wet, obviously abused, and in the early stages of labor she is seeking sanctuary for the night. She warily accepts their help, but refuses to even give them her name or where she is from. The brothers are flying blind having only birthed calves. After the baby is born they think they are home free, however the mother doesn’t even want to look at him or hold him. Then the labor pains start again. Doc has been sent for, but is delayed because of the storm and the flooded creek. By the time he arrives a third baby has been born. Since the baby momma won’t give the men even her name they call her Minnie (no relation to the mouse). Doc gives the babies a clean bill of health, despite their small size, and tells Minnie to rest and stay in bed for a few days. However, by the next morning she has run off leaving the babies behind.

Doc brings Cynara to the Givens ranch to be a wet nurse for the premature triplets hoping it will help heal the hole in her soul. She blends in well with the men knowing this is just a temporary situation, but can’t help loving each of the babies. I thought it was endearing how each brother claimed and named a baby. The plot twists and turns as other secondary characters are brought into the story. It’s a rollercoaster ride running the ranch and dealing with more personal attacks. Barclay’s life is turned upside down and inside out as tension builds in the last few chapters for an explosive turn of events.

I found Barclay and Cynara’s journey quite satisfying, and I was glad when Barclay finally found the right words he meant to convey to Cynara. This was a fun adventure into the wild west of Montana.  

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Barclay is book 4 in the Bachelors and Babies Books.

Format/Typo Issues:

A small number of proofing issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words

Review: Roller Coaster Romance by Kate Moseman

Genre: Sweet Romance/Romantic Comedy

Description:

“Falling in love is the wildest ride...

When Vanessa finally gets her dream job as a manager at the most elaborate theme park in the world, love is the furthest thing from her mind. She’s walked right into the middle of a workplace war, and her roguish employee Thomas is clearly on the wrong side. All she has to do is keep it professional—even if she can’t stop thinking about him.

Thomas has just 30 days to outwit upper management and convince his fellow ride operators to unionize. Falling for his cool-and-collected new boss is not part of the plan. So why can’t he stop finding excuses to spend time with her?

Their slow burn could ignite the fireworks of love—or destroy everything they’ve fought for.”

Author:

“Kate Moseman is a writer, photographer, and recipe developer who lives in Florida with her family and enjoys going to theme parks as frequently as possible.”

To learn more about Ms. Moseman check out her website or follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

Vanessa is thrilled to get her dream job as a manager at Destiny Theme Park. She’s a little nervous the first day at her new job, but well prepared. Thomas is the employee assigned to introduce her to each of the different areas of the park and how they operate. Vanessa and Thomas both share an instant appeal for the other. Both keep these feelings under wraps, upper management and employee relationships are frowned on, I suppose. At any rate it’s a good policy. Vanessa is also unaware of the situation she has been dropped into accepting this new job. The Union is trying to entice the employees to join, and Vanessa, being upper management, has to side with her boss or lose her job. This creates a stressful, suspenseful, and intriguing conflict between Vanessa wanting the best outcome for her employees and still having to side with her employer. She has also been tasked to uncover who is organizing the ride operators.  

On her mission she starts to spend as much time with Thomas as she can, while at work, to find out if he is promoting the union. All this time together starts heat to build in their relationship. I enjoyed the character development of the key players, even Dirk, the resident brown-noser. Vanessa tries to keep him busy trying to keep him out of and from causing trouble, which he is very good at. I liked Vanessa’s character, she is intelligent, down to earth, and astute. Thomas with his costume hats sitting at a rakish angle always made me smile. I loved his confidence and humor.

Roller Coaster Romance is different from other sweet romances I’ve read. I really enjoyed the smartly written plot, characters, and dialogue. This would be a great summer read.   

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Nice, clean, and entertaining read.

Format/Typo Issues:

No issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 35-40,000 words

Review: An Honorable Man by Donna Fasano

Genre: Sweet Romance/Native American

Description:

“Nothing can make Native American Mat Makwa give up being a New York City police officer… except one little girl—all alone in the world—who needs a father. Returning to his Kolheek reservation to take on the safer job of sheriff of this small, close-knit community, he never expects his heart might be in danger to school teacher Julie Dacey.

Mat's six-year-old daughter Grace is a handful, and Julie finds herself getting to know Mat quite well during some intense parent-teacher meetings, which soon start occurring after hours. Then Mat begins mentoring Julie’s troubled teenaged brother and her heart softens toward this honorable man. Despite being wary of relationships, Julie can’t deny how her soul soars when Mat is near. Is the attraction between the flame-haired beauty and the lawman destined to turn into love?”

Author:

“Donna Fasano is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

Ms. Fasano has two grown sons and lives with her husband on the eastern seaboard of the United States. To learn more please visit her website or follow her on Facebook.

Appraisal:

When Mat Makwa, a NYC police officer, gets custody of Grace, a six year-old spitfire who is smart beyond her years, he decides to raise her in his hometown in Vermont. Misty Glen is a small Kolheek reservation where he has lined up a job as Sheriff, and he enrolls Grace in the first grade. As a member of the NYCPD he saw too many fellow police officers lose their life only to see the devastation on the families faces to allow that to happen to him. So he has sworn off relationships, Grace is all he is willing to take on.

On Grace’s first day of school she punches a fellow student. As a result Mat is called in for a parent teacher conference that afternoon. Grace’s teacher is Julie Dacey, a new resident in the area. When Mat and Julie first formally meet, fireworks fly. Both are caught off-guard by their overwhelming feelings, but try to remain professional during the conference. 

Julie Dacey has had a difficult time with abusive men growing up and is leery of new men. She has also carried a guilt for leaving her young brother, Brian, behind when she went to college. After her mother dies, and she had earned her teaching degree, Julie is able to get legal custody of Brian. She moves to the small Kolheek reservation in Misty Glen. She is hired as a first grade teacher at the elementary school there. She hopes that moving Brian to this small community will help tame his rebellious, thirteen year-old, nature.

Watching Mat’s internal struggles with his own convictions is frustrating, aggravating, and at times comical. Julie is intelligent and strong-willed, she also understands Mat’s position. However, Julie doesn’t have to do anything but be near him for his will to stay single to shatter all around him. It’s entertaining to watch their dance and a bit nerve wracking. It’s usually the woman I want to bop on the head and say, ‘Snap out of it!’ I loved the way Julie handled Mat at the end, after all he put her through, she did good.

An Honorable Man is enlightening, heart-warming, and a fun read. Grace was a blast! Ms. Fasano always makes her kids realistic and a joy to read about. We got to meet Dakota and Chay briefly as the story arc widens. I really can’t wait to read Chay’s story! He captured my interest. All we know about Chay is he’s taking a break from life, living alone in an old hunting cabin in the woods. I need me some Chay! But, Dakota’s story is next, I am looking forward to learning more about these Black Bear Brothers!

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

  

FYI:

An Honorable Man is book 1 in Ms. Fasano’s, The Black Bear Brothers Series.  Although the books in this series are stand-alone novels, reading the books in order will offer the most enjoyable experience.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant proofing errors.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Review: The Wedding Planner’s Son by Donna Fasano

Genre: Sweet Romance/Short Story

Description:

“Tawny McNealy is a driven, high-achiever who fully expects to someday take over and run the family accounting firm. But when an attempt is made to use her as a pawn, Tawny flees to the only place she’s ever felt truly free and happy — the beach.

Jack Barclay spends his summer days creating romantic seaside weddings for lovers. His laid-back attitude has served him well over the years. He feels stressing out about work only causes a person to miss the best parts of life.

Jack and Tawny are as different as sea and sky, but the fascination they find in each other’s company can’t be denied. Can they withstand the crazy twists that fate tosses their way?”

Author:

“USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA FASANO is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

You can learn more about Ms. Fasano on her website or stalk her onFacebook.

Appraisal:

Tawny McNealy has gotten herself in a real bind accepting an engagement ring from her friend/business partner during a surprise dinner party of family and friends. Both families are thrilled with their engagement. Immediately struck with second thoughts Tawny panics and takes off for the beach to clear her head, organize her thoughts, and decide how to handle her situation without hurting anyone’s feelings. She had no intention of falling asleep on a dune overlooking the ocean.

Jack Barclay and his trusty dog Roo happen to be setting up a sunrise wedding on the beach that morning. When Roo rudely awakens Tawny and she screams from the surprise, Jack comes to the rescue, not that she needed rescuing from the friendly dog. Jack apologizes for Roo’s behavior and offers to buy her breakfast.

Due to an unfortunate turn of events Tawny ends up staying at Jack’s place. As Jack and Tawny get to know each other they both feel an attraction to each other. Their dialogue is realistic and entertaining. They both live very different lives but are able to find some commonalities. Jack has been burned in a past relationship and is having trouble getting over it. With a mind-blowing twist everything in Jack’s life is turned upside down. I loved the way that Tawny and Jack are able to help each other on their journey.

The Wedding Planner’s Son is the perfect short story to read at the beach or on summer vacation. Ms. Fasano’s books are always intelligent, and humorous with clever twists you don’t see coming.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

The Wedding Planner’s Son is book six in Ms. Fasano’s OCEAN CITY BOARDWALK SERIES.

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 13-14,000 words

Review: A Reason to Believe by Donna Fasano

Genre: Sweet Romance/Contemporary/Fairy Tale

Description:

“It seems like a grand idea, temporarily trading her pixie wings for a womanly form to help handsome widower Paul Roland with his baby girl. And the moment she holds the precious bairn in her arms, Fern knows true happiness for the first time.

But Fern never anticipates the dizzying emotions she feels for the man who not only needs her as a nanny, but as a woman whose passion can heal his wounded heart. Suddenly the forbidden fairy rule she gently bends because of the baby is in danger of being irrevocably broken.

Some things are meant to be…”

Author:

“USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR DONNA FASANO is a three-time winner of the HOLT Medallion, a CataRomance Reviewers Choice Award winner for Best Single Title, a Desert Rose Golden Quill Award finalist, a Golden Heart finalist, and a two-time winner of Best Romance of the Year given by BigAl's Books & Pals Review Blog. Her books have sold 4 million copies worldwide and have been published in two dozen languages. Her novels have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times, climbing as high as #1.”

You can learn more about Ms. Fasano on her website or stalk her on Facebook.

  

Appraisal:

“Oh by me heart” this is an enchanting story, which begins quite by accident. Paul Roland is an author who lost his muse and his wife, Marie, when she died two years ago during a difficult childbirth. Paul has brought Katy, their daughter, to visit and spend time with Marie’s parents in Ireland. Fern is an adventurous Pixie, full of curiosity, and a strong will. She is also not wary of humans, nonbelievers are unable to see all things magical. However, Fern gets great joy from playing and entertaining babies, who still have magical sight. And this is how she gets trapped in the sleeve of Katy’s sweater then ends up on an airplane headed to New York City. As Pixie Fern contemplates her predicament in a private space away from human eyes she suddenly finds herself transformed into human form.

The plot moves at a nice pace as Fern and Paul settle into a working relationship with Fern as Katy’s nanny and Paul tries to get back into his writing. Until Fern starts experiencing emotions she doesn’t understand and has no idea how to deal with. The twists in the story are enlightening, poignant, and honest. The depth of character development is much deeper than I expected in this type of story. Honestly I shouldn’t have been surprised, one of Ms. Fasano’s strengths is the depth of her characters and their realistic dialogue. But, I was expecting a lighthearted tale. Silly me!

Expect to be blown away by the complexity of the human spirit you will find in Fern and Paul’s journey in A Reason to Believe.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

A Reason to Believe is book three in A Family Forever Series.

Format/Typo Issues:

No Issues.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 40-45,000 words

Reprise Review: Mischief in Italy by Beate Boeker

Genre: Contemporary Romance/Sweet Romance/Humor

Description:

“All Henry wants is a serious talk with his grown-up son Josh about the wrong women in Josh's life. However, the conversation immediately spins out of control and somehow, they reach a compromise that leaves Henry highly uncomfortable. Has he really promised to place a personal ad in a newspaper to have more fun in his life? And why on earth did he agree to put the words 'house with pool at Lake Garda' into the ad? He doesn't want any gold diggers at his heels! To counteract the undeniable attraction of a villa in Italy, he comes up with an unusual concept for his ad, and from then on, mischief is running rampant in Italy.”

Author:

Beate Boeker describes herself as a cautious cosmopolitan. She lives in northern Germany and works as a marketing manager by day. Ms. Boeker is married, has a young daughter, and a university diploma in International Business Administration.

On her website she says… “It was inevitable that I should work with books sooner or later; I even have it in my name: Boeker is the word for books in the local German dialect and my first name Beate is straight from Latin and can be translated as ‘Happy’. With a name that reads ‘Happy Books’, what else could I do but write romances?” Also check out her Facebook page.

Appraisal:

This book was an absolute delight to read. Told through multiple points of view that are clearly indicated we get to see how this father and son relate. It is clear they are better at talking about finances than feelings. Henry and Josh both agree changes need to be made in both of their lifestyles and a challenge is set. Josh needs to rein in his playboy lifestyle and Henry needs to get a life, he has become a recluse since his wife passed away five years ago. So Henry agrees to post a lonely-hearts personal ad looking for companionship. Luckily for us we get to see the responses from Cinderella, Lucinda, Ayleen, Andrea, and Carla.

I caught myself smiling and giggling through the meet-ups and the twists and turns as Tina, Carla’s concerned daughter, arrives from Germany to stage an intervention between Henry and her mother Carla. As the story progressed it was easy to become concerned about the number of little white lies flying around. At that point I was so involved in the story I was concerned that the lies had grown too big to be overcome without serious consequences.

Honestly, I read until my eyes could not stay open any longer. If you are looking for a quick, lighthearted, enjoyable read, I highly recommend this book. It will leave a smile on your face. 

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

FYI:

Added for Reprise Review: Mischief in Italy was a nominee in the Humor category for B&P 2015 Readers' Choice Awards. Original review ran August 8, 2014

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant errors.

Rating: ***** Five Stars

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Blue Creek Bachelor/ Joanne Hill

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Genre: Sweet Romance/ Contemporary Romance

Approximate word count: 50-55,000 words

Availability    

Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: YES  Smashwords: YES  Paper: NO

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

Joanne Hill is an author of contemporary novels with strong romantic elements. She lives in New Zealand. For more, visit Hill's website.

Description:

“Jilly O’Connor is one determined woman. Determined to keep her only child Joel safe from the man she knows killed her husband, the man who is after her son - the only witness.

Jilly has found a new life in the small rural town of Blue Creek, Wyoming and when she starts a job on Clay Matheson’s ranch, it finally begins to feel as if things are coming together. She just hadn’t counted on finding the family-she-never-had at the ranch, and neither did she count on her growing attraction to Blue Creek’s most eligible bachelor.

Clay Matheson - rancher, vet, confirmed bachelor - loathes secrets and his new assistant is loaded with them. He's prepared to overlook that fact as she sets about fitting into ranch life and his staff begin to take her and her young son into their hearts.

But when he starts to have feelings for Jilly, suddenly, it all looks different.

How can he trust a woman who is keeping her past to herself?

And how can Jilly give away her heart to Clay knowing each day her decisions have led her to where she is today - living on the run.”

Appraisal:

Jilly O’Conner has been on the run for a year now. Trying to protect her young son, Joel, from the man she believes caused the car accident that killed her husband a year ago. Joel was in the car with his father when it was forced off the road but has no memory of the accident. He now sleep walks and suffers night terrors, which the doctors believe are his memories trying to resurface. Jilly moved from the east coast to the small rural town of Blue Creek, Wyoming hoping she had covered her tracks well enough. When an office manager’s job with Clay Matheson, a local veterinarian/rancher, becomes available she applies for the job. Employment includes a small cabin on the ranch not far from the main house.

The characters are well developed, realistic, and likable. Flo, the housekeeper, was entertaining and a bit eccentric. You couldn’t help but like her, she was a no nonsense type of character and very outspoken. The hired ranch hands John and Mitch live in the bunkhouse, so they are always close by. John Floyd was friendly and good natured. Mitch Callaghan was always cranky and not pleased that the boss had hired a city slicker and with a kid to boot.

The plot moved at a good pace as we learned more about Clay’s past and why he shielded his heart. He knows Jilly is hiding something about her past and feels betrayed and lied to when she won’t confide in him. The sexual tension is palatable and I wanted more. I like my romances a little spicy. Tension rises when Joel goes missing and the whole town gets in on the search to locate him. The situation is realistic and I felt invested in the outcome.

This is a quick easy read you are sure to enjoy.

FYI:

Ms. Hill, being from New Zealand, uses UK/NZ/Australian spelling conventions.

Format/Typo Issues:

I found a small number of proofing issues. One of which was a wrong character name. Poor Stacey was called Tracey. 

Rating: **** Four stars

Christmas Honeymoon / Alicia Street

Reviewed by: ?wazithinkin

Genre: Sweet Romance/ Contemporary Romance/ Christmas

Approximate word count: 25-30,000 words

Availability    

Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: YES  Smashwords: NO  Paper: NO

Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

“Alicia Street is a Daphne Award winning author writing in collaboration with her husband, Roy, as well as on solo projects. She spent many years as a dancer, choreographer and teacher. A compulsive reader of every genre, she also loves watching old black-and-white movies and inventing new recipes for soups.”

Find out more about Alicia Street by visiting her website or friending her on Facebook.

Description:

“Serena always loved Christmas, but her favorite holiday season only brings on heartache after her groom-to-be runs off with another woman only a week before her December wedding. Giving back the wedding gifts and enduring the humiliating gossip in her small town proves to be too much for the quiet librarian who'd been the brunt of nerd jokes in high school, and Serena leaves town--only to return a year later determined to take back her life, her pride, and her joy in Christmas.

Damien has his own reasons for hating Christmas. No sweet and silly stuff for this handsome Scrooge, who hurls himself into extreme sports, almost daring nature to break through his hard shell. So why does he find his icy heart melting when confronted with the timid librarian whose sweet smile haunts his dreams?”

Appraisal:

I needed something short and sweet after my last suspenseful read so I picked up this novella, Christmas Honeymoon. I liked Serena right away and couldn’t wait to read more about her story. She was personable and didn’t shy away from Damien’s Grinchy attitude about Christmas, but challenged him on it. Damien was an interesting character that developed great depth as the story went on. He became my favorite character in the book. I love that he wasn’t quite sure what attracted him to Serena at first. However, it became clear they both had qualities that the other needed to learn from each other.

This story was an enjoyable journey as Serena learns she has the courage to face her fears as Damien points out how she has been courageous in other aspects of her life. Serena returns the favor by giving him new memories for the Christmas season that has always been full of painful memories from the past. This doesn’t eliminate the pain but allows him to move forward and make new memories to focus on in the future. Serena and Damien complimented each other well and I enjoyed my time with them.

Format/Typo Issues:

I found no significant editing or formatting errors.

Rating: **** Four stars