Charm Me

Tena Stetler

Genre: Paranormal Romance Novella
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: January 6, 2016
Number of pages: 80
Word Count: 19,645
Cover Artist: RJ Morris

Summer Dawn Riley's an extraordinary elemental witch whose troubled past haunts her. She’s created a calm life for herself teaching yoga and keeping people at a distance. Her life takes a one eighty degree turn when she enrolls in a women’s weapons class and meets ruggedly handsome Devlin Sawyer.

Devlin, a former Navy Seal, has sworn off women after two long-term failed relationships, but there is no denying his attraction to Summer. She intrigues him like no other woman ever has.

Despite her attempts to ignore him, Summer is drawn to Devlin. His magic signature is strong, but he’s no warlock. Will Valentine’s Day magic find them a future together?

I had such a good time with another Candy Hearts Romance, that when I saw there were so many to choose from, that I was going to have to sample a few more. The cover on this one didn't sell me right away, but the fact that it was a paranormal romance, sure did.

Summer and Devlin have an instant connection, but each one has reasons for taking things just a bit slow. Of course, with a novella, thing move more rapidly, but honestly it didn't feel rushed to me. The romance and world building went hand in hand as we learned more about each of them. Though I would have loved to have had more information about their individual types of magic, I understood that only so much could be conveyed due to the length of the story. I could happily read more set in this universe though.  I had a good time with this story and gave it a solid 3 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wild Rose Press for the opportunity to read and review the book.

3 Wishes

Peggy Jaeger

Genre: Contemporary Romance Novella
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: February 8, 2016
Number of pages: 63
Word Count: 16,425
Cover Artist: RJ Morris

Valentine’s Day is chocolatier Chloe San Valentino’s favorite day of the year. Not only is it the busiest day in her candy shop, Caramelle de Chloe, but it’s also her birthday. Chloe’s got a birthday wish list for the perfect man she pulls out every year: he’d fall in love with her in a heartbeat, he’d be someone who cares about people, and he’d have one blue eye and one green eye, just like her. So far, Chloe’s fantasy man hasn’t materialized, despite the matchmaking efforts of her big, close-knit Italian family. But this year for her big 3-0 birthday, she just might get her three wishes.

So I had to double check the cover of this one when I noticed the two different colored eyes. When I read the blurb, I realized that this was deliberate, as it's a main part of the character and is on her "wish" list for the perfect man. The list and how it is described in the first chapter brought to mind the scene from Practical Magic, where young Sally is casting her true love spell. Which seems a bit odd since Chloe and her big Italian family are actually devout Catholics, but it worked with the wishes theme.

Chloe was an interesting character, with her February 14th birthday, chocolate shop and crazy big family. As with any big boisterous family, there is plenty of drama and this story was no different. This story basically tells the meeting and initial relationship of Chloe and Matteo, so it is a clean romance. A lovely epilogue nicely wraps up everything and gives us an update on what happened in the interim. I liked the way Chloe handled things during their courtship. She stood up for herself and stayed true to herself. I enjoyed this book and gave it 3 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wild Rose Press for the opportunity to read and review the book.

Ooh La La

Doreen Alsen

Genre: Contemporary Romance Novella
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: February 8, 2016
Number of pages: 73
Word Count: 16,255
Cover Artist: Tina Lynn Stout

Aspiring choreographer and dance teacher, Simon West is walking along the hall in the college where he teaches when he gets knocked over by klutzy, two left feet, accounting professor Veronica Cooke. Simon wants to get to know the beautiful woman who ran him down, but how will she react when she finds out his alter-ego is a super sexy cowboy at an upscale exotic dancing male revue and that he makes ends meet by taking off his clothes?

I had to do a massive double take when I saw the cover on this book. I mean come on, just look at it! Ooh la la indeed. The title is perfect for that cover. After reading the blurb, I knew that I was going to have to check this book out.

All too often, it's the female character who is the one who is down on her luck, working as an exotic dancer or stripper. It was nice to see the tables turned for once. Of course, it doesn't hurt that we all know we are going to be imagining Channing Tatum/Matt Bomer/Joe Manganiello/Matthew McConaughey (pick your favorite) in this story... whether you have seen the Magic Mike movies or not, we have all seen the trailers. (you know the ones I'm talking about). And when the book opened on a scene in a club, my imagination ran wild. But honestly, that was the extent of our interaction with Sexy Simon. Though there was a scene or two that brought to mind Patrick Swayze teaching Jennifer Gray as Baby, how to dance.

The relationship between Simon and Veronica felt a bit rushed to me. I would have liked to have them spend more time together. I was also a bit disappointed in Veronica's lack of gumption regarding the obstacles to their relationship. It took an outside source to help bring them back together. Overall, I started out excited, but finished the book feeling a bit let down. So 2 stars for an okay read.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wild Rose Press for the opportunity to read and review the book.

Only Yours

Nancy Fraser

Genre: Romance Novella
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: February 8, 2016
Number of pages: 72
Word Count: 15,705
Cover Artist: RJ Morris

Everyone expects Rebecca Winston to marry her high school/college sweetheart, Garrett Langley. The problem is, the flame’s gone out on their romance. They’re still best of friends, but only friends. When Garrett’s father has a heart attack, his older brother Wyatt (an L.A. attorney) returns home for the first time in years. The attraction between Rebecca and Wyatt is immediate.

Can Rebecca expect her family and, especially, Garrett to understand that her desires have changed and turned toward Wyatt?

Can Wyatt get past the feeling that he’s poaching his younger brother’s girl?

When I first looked at this book, I liked the cover, with it's cutesy appeal, but wasn't sure about the blurb. To be honest, I was afraid this was going to be more New Adult that I might be comfortable with. Once I started reading, I quickly realized that wasn't going to be the case. First of all, Rebecca is 27, well past the new adult label and secondly, the book is set in 1965 well before the era of the new adult.  Being set in 1965 creates a different atmosphere than we are used to reading about. It's not really contemporary, although historical certainly isn't a good fit either. The story did stay true to the time period.

There was the tiniest bit of a love triangle going on, but mainly because Garrett and Rebecca hadn't officially ended their romance until it became necessary for Wyatt and Rebecca to officially be a couple. Mostly we have a sweet, clean romance with a unique and fun setting. I enjoyed this unique and interesting setting and gave the book 3 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and Wild Rose Press for the opportunity to read and review the book.

Me + You

Candy Hearts Romance

Brenda Gayle

Genre: Contemporary Romance Novella
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Date of Publication: January 20, 2016
Number of pages: 86
Word Count: 20,450
Cover Artist: RJ Morris

Teacher Lori Tait has always wanted a family, but now she's 40, she’s pretty much decided all the good men are taken. Instead, she devotes herself to her students, particularly one little girl whose struggle with math seems inconsistent with an otherwise brilliant and artistic mind.

Mark Wilder hadn’t planned to become a father, but when a fling resulted in his daughter, Grace, he whole-heartedly embraced the role. Raised in a family of boys, what does he know about women and girls? Once he learns of Grace’s inability to comprehend basic math, he welcomes the role of tutor as a way to connect with his daughter; the opportunity to spend time with her sexy teacher is an added bonus.

When Lori cracks the mystery of Grace’s problem Mark’s world is thrown into turmoil; he’s the last person who can help his daughter. He pushes everyone away, confirming Lori’s theory about men. Grace, however, has other plans. Using her new-found understanding of math, she sets out to prove to her father and teacher that, together, they add up to the perfect match.

Excerpt: 

“...if I wait much longer I will be too old to be accepted into an IVF program.”

“I could give you one of my kids on a rotating basis.” Sharon grinned. “You could take a different one every week. Heck, I’d even throw in Tom for a week, he’s almost as bad as the young ones.”

“I’m serious!”

“I know.” Sharon sobered. “But raising a child isn’t easy, especially if you have to do it on your own. For all I rag on Tom about being a big kid, I couldn’t manage without him.”

“Lots of women do it,” Lori said stubbornly.

“True,” Sharon conceded. She took a sip of her drink and then seriously observed Lori over the rim of her cup. “Okay.” She put the cup down on the table and sat up straighter. “But if you’re determined to have a child, don’t do in vitro. Find some sexy hot stud and, at least, have the fun of doing it the old-fashioned way.”

Lori gagged on a mouthful of mochaccino, trying not to spit it out with laughter. “And where do you think I will find such a specimen?” she asked when she managed to compose herself.

Sharon shrugged. “What about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Yummy?” She pointed over Lori’s shoulder.

Lori swiveled in her chair and found herself staring at the crotch of a poster-sized Mark Wilder exiting one of his famous purple Jeeps. She quickly raised her gaze to the familiar stubbled chin and deep brown eyes, but not before she felt the crimson rush of embarrassment flood her face. He was the only man she’d met recently that looked better than his picture. Take a Trip to the Wild Side with Sedona’s Wilder Jeep Tours, the poster proclaimed.

Yessiree, if she was picking a partner on looks alone, she’d definitely take a trip to the wild side with him.

Review: 
I have to straight up say that when I considered this book, it drew me in because of the age of the heroine. As my own age creeps up into the *cough* early 40's, I am looking more and more at mature characters. Don't get me wrong, I still don't mind those covers that have the young hard bodied men on them, but I am at an age where I can appreciate a little, let's call it wisdom, in my romances.

Lori is actually the second grade teacher of Mark's daughter Grace. Grace is having trouble with basic math, and calls Grace's parents in for a conference about it.  When Mark asks Lori to tutor Grace, they start to get to know one another. Of course, misunderstandings tear them apart, but with a bit of mild Valentine shenanigans from Grace, these two will get a chance to talk and make up.

I liked the fact that even though this was a novella, it stretched the story over a period of about 6 or 7 months. I really felt that Lori and Mark got to know each other before the I Love You's were shared. Also, after finishing the book, I can appreciate the subtle details in the cover. For a novella, this was a fun read with quite a bit of depth. I gave it 4 stars for surprising me with it's complexity.

Thanks to Wild Rose Press and Tasty Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review the book.

Giveaway: 

Author Bio:

I've been a writer all my life but returned to my love of fiction after more than 20 years in the world of corporate communications--although some might argue there is plenty of opportunity for fiction-writing there, too. I have a Master's degree in journalism and an undergraduate degree in psychology. A fan of many genres, I am drawn to contemporary romance and enjoy creating deeply emotional stories with elements of mystery and suspense.

I live in eastern Ontario with my wonderful husband, two fabulous children, a rescued cat, two Siberian Huskies, and assorted aquatic wildlife.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Sydney did it again!

First of all, let me say that BDSM is not my favorite. Sometimes the Doms come across as sadistic and cruel, and that is not what I want to spend my free time reading about.

However, Sydney has once again created a Dom who is caring, playful and even vulnerable when it comes to his Gina, and I really enjoyed reading about him! (Sydney's Once Upon a Dom series is filled with Doms like Tucker!)

Regina is an author who has to write a BDSM story to please her publisher, but she has no background on the topic. Thank goodness her neighbor, Tucker, is ready, willing and able to help her out in that department :)

The fact that they knew each other from when they were kids threw an interesting dynamic into the mix.

This story was as smoking HOT as it was sweet and touching. It's a great, quick, low-stress read that put me in the mood for Valentine's Day.

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***