charlottelynn

This is the story of Tinsley and the Skull.   The Skull kidnapped Tinsley leaving her with panic attacks and unable to leave her cottage on the beach.     The anniversary of her kidnapping is approaching and the Skull wants her back.   

I love that the detective that saved her in the first book is still around and still protecting her.     With each panic attack, he comes to her rescue and never makes her feel bad about it.   He respects her boundaries, he holds her when she needs it and listens to her talk.     There was a simmering attraction between them that intrigued me.  I was definitely cheering for them to come together or at least spend more time together. 

While the story focuses on Tinsley, the secondary characters got storylines also.   Their stories were just as suspenseful as the main story and I am hoping that there could be more of them in future books in this series.   

Rita Herron has made The Keepers a MUST-READ series for me.     I recommend starting with book one and just keep on reading.   

Ryder is alpha hot!     He has all kind toughness but beneath it all he is a softy with a huge heart.     Castle Rock, Colorado is where he meets Felicity while he is meeting his ½ brothers for the first time.    Imagine that stress and then he walks in on all the drama surrounding Felicity.    Talk about a lot going on in his world.     But he manages to keep it all together, open his heart to his new family and to find the love of his life.  

The brother’s in this story are all alpha males.   I loved that they questioned Ryder when he arrived but accepted him as their brother when it really counted.    They opened their homes, their families, and their business without ever doubting Ryder’s reliability.   It was wonderful to see a man who had no family get accepted into a large, loving family. 

The storyline of Ryder and Felicity was intense.    A woman on the run, a man wanting to taunt her and kill her, and in walks her hero.    It was refreshing to see Felicity not fall apart, she stood strong, accepted help, and stayed involve in saving her own life.   Felicity is a strong character that had a rough life but managed to find happiness in an unlikely place.    

I am new to the Ace Security series and am excited to read more about these amazing brothers.     I am also excited to learn more about the Mercenary Men and their stories.  

Carolyn Brown wrote a book set in small town USA.   Everyone knows what everyone else is doing and they are happy to spread the gossip around the town.    The original story changes as the gossip is passed from person to person and many times it gets blown entirely out of proportion.     This is exactly how a small town is.   

Jennie Sue is a unique and strong character.   She is the daughter of the queen and king of the town and she turns up her nose to that.  I like that she knew she didn’t want to be like her mother yet she took a chance with Percy to try to live that life.   I also like that it didn’t turn out well for her, I know that sounds bad but she was so unhappy and now that she is divorced from him she is so much happier.     The town of Bloom, Texas should have turned its back on her but instead, those who are below her mamma’s station in life welcome her with almost open arms.    While those who are her momma’s friends want to make her into one of their own without seeing how that is exactly what Jennie Sue (Southern name at its best) doesn’t want. 

The characters that welcome Jennie Sue home and help to handle the twists and turns in her life now that she is home are perfect.     They are open, they are welcoming, and they are accepting.    They let Jennie Sue be who she has always wanted to be and encourage her to grow in that.    I love that and hope that if that was to happen in my town I’d be one of those welcoming people.   It gives me something to strive for.  

Everything about this book is perfect.    A perfect summer book with a wonderful small town setting, and characters that I loved that I definitely recommend.

So many families are broken apart by circumstances beyond the kids controls yet the kids feel the brunt of it.    With the Sometimes Sisters the family has Granny Annie keeping them together until their lives spiral out of control and they stay away to deal with their own lives.  

The Sometimes Sisters is a story of three sisters who have grown up and are now hiding out from life at Granny Annie’s.    They fight, they point fingers but most importantly they protect each other and stand up for each other.    Each of the sisters is working through their issues and must have the support of the other sisters to find their way out the other side of life.     

Zed, Granny Annie’s forever friend, is the angel in this story.     He is carrying on Granny Annie’s legacy after she passes by taking care of her granddaughters.     He deals with the drama, the tears, and the love of these grown girls.    Many men, especially those not related by blood, would have ran away as far as they could get from all their problems but he stood strong, supported, loved, and gave them the gentle pushes in the directions needed to heal themselves.  

I loved reading about these Sometimes Sisters becoming Forever Sisters.   Carolyn Brown in a must read author.   I definitely recommend picking up your own copy and enjoying meeting these wonderful characters.   

Emery’s best friend moves away and she makes the hard decision to start her yoga business over and join her.  She starts on her way and has to detour to Dean’s house, which is wonderful since they’ve been talking to each other nightly since they met at Christmas time.    Instant sparks, heat, and attraction.   There is no doubt that there is something between them but Emery has rules against dating friends.    I LOVE that Dean decides rules shmules… he doesn’t follow her rules and pushes her to go against her own rules and date him.     The three outings (they were not dates) were so original, so loving, so fun, and so amazing that I was jealous that no one ever made that effort for me.    These outings also gave her a glimpse into his life, his family, and his career while allowing her to open up letting him in little by little.    

Oh my… these characters are so wonderful.   They are not perfect, they are real, they have feelings, and they are friends of mine.  With each Love in Bloom book that I pick up I am excited to see what happens, to see what characters are introduced, and to see what characters come back into the series so that I can catch up with their lives.        Their relationships with each other are so real and full of feeling that I can feel the love between them.   They are more like families then friends and there is never a doubt that they have each other’s backs.    

Addison Cole writes this series so that the characters and settings are familiar but each book is its own story.   There is an ending to each book and each book starts with a new couple to explore.    The series can be read in any order and are wonderful no matter where you start your reading.    I can guarantee that once you start reading you will not be able to stop.

Oh My Goodness…another winner from Addison Cole.    The writing of this book is wonderful, sweet, sexy, and perfect.     The amazing friendship, the beautiful setting, and the oh so sexy Rick Savage make this a book that I could not put down.     I was so into this story that I read it early in the morning, middle of the afternoon, and late at night.   I just could not put it down.   

There is enough heat in the story to make the reader blush yet leave the juiciest part up to their imagination.    I loved the teases at Rick and Desiree’s relationship and how they were managing to become a hot steamy couple.   The idea that the better their relationship was meant the better the friends were fed gave glimpses at the heat that happens between them.  

Lizzie made me laugh, while she had an extremely small part of in the story she was the one who set it all in motion.   She sent cryptic notes to both her daughters making them rush to the family home in Cape Cod.   Then she ran leaving them with a mess and Cosmos.        While she will never earn a mother of the year award she did make Desiree and Violet come together after years of being apart and she inadvertently got Rick and Desiree to meet each other again.  

Addison Cole is so talented and I am so excited to continue this series.    If you are looking for a sweet friendship, heated relationship, and a wonderful story this is the book for you.

Oh, those Sirens.    They are always having their noses in each other and anyone else that crosses their paths business.  Yet, they have the biggest, most open, and well-meaning hearts ever.   In The Season of Silver Linings we find them planning Linnie’s wedding to Daniel and matchmaking Jada and Phillip.   

The wedding plan was difficult.   I am not sure she meant to be but Linnie wasn’t an easy bride and she was a very busy bride who seemed to not be able to make a decision to save her life but when she finally did make a decision nothing could sway her.    I loved seeing Fancy, Phillip’s young daughter, push her boundaries, make things interesting, and put her own twist on being the flower girl.   The fashion show of picking out her outfit was amazing and so heartwarming.   These ladies dote on her but still manage to keep her in control, most of the time.

The matchmaking of Phillip and Jada was difficult.   Phillip is recently widowed after his wife committed suicide leaving him as a single dad to a young, precocious little girl.    The wife, Bodi, was a friend of Jada’s.     There is so much more to this story but you need to read the story to learn the rest.    But this friendship, potential relationship, was fun to watch develop.    To see them struggle with the past, move forward towards their future, and find out if they can be more than friends to each other.   While I never like to some anyone struggle but I liked that Jada was struggling.   She didn’t just jump into a relationship without having her eyes open and understanding that what could happen with her and Phillip would also affect Fancy.   

Christine Nolfi has an amazing series of books and The Season of Silver Linings in the perfect continuation of the story.      While this is part of a series, the characters will be familiar but each book has a beginning and an ending.   There isn’t a cliffhanger, there isn’t a need to know what happens in the other books before I read this one.   Each book can be read alone.

AUDIOBOOK NOTE...I have become the biggest BJ Harrison and Melissa Foster Audiobook fan. There is nothing better than listening to BJ Harrison read me Melissa’s amazing story. The voice brings the story to life. I can hear the emotions that the characters are going through. Their stories come to life for me.

I listen while working out, cleaning the house, driving around, or pretty much anytime I can sneak more than 5 minutes for myself. It makes the time doing things I may not enjoy as much so much better.

Panty melting smile…. How can you not love a book that uses that to describe the hunky, sexy, and wonderful main character? I couldn’t pass up on reading Duke’s story when that is how Gabriella describes him. Who am I kidding? I couldn’t pass up reading Claimed by Love because it is written by the amazing Melissa Foster and is part of the Love in Bloom series.

In true Love in Bloom style, Duke and Gabriella have a true and real love. Their attraction is instantaneous but they have to work for it. It would have been easy to just fall into bed and hope for the best but Duke is just too good of a guy for a quick lay with Gabriella. Gabriella is also a wonderful character. She calls out Duke on his intentions with the island, she holds tight to her beliefs and wants, and make Duke work to win her over for good. Together these two are absolutely on fire.

I also loved that other Love in Bloom characters makes appearances in Claimed by Love. Pierce Braden (sigh), Emily, and of course those wonderful Ryder siblings all made appearances. This book can be read as part of the series, which I recommend, or it can be read as a standalone.

AUDIOBOOK NOTE...BJ Harrison you are amazing. Your voice portrays these characters exactly as I expected them to be. You take characters that have feelings and brought them to life for me. 

MY REVIEW...Melissa Foster…. Oh what you do to me. The heat, the passion, and the love are always amazing in your books. Seaside Whispers is no exception. While I LOVE LOVE LOVE all that what I really enjoy is the friendships. The Seaside Girls are absolutely the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I love how the open their “club” to other girls as they become part of the friendship circle. Of course there was chunky dipping, helping Mira achieve her goals, and support with every aspect of life. 

The relationship between Matt and Mira was sweet. They’ve been flirting through text and occasional visits for over a year and when he decides to take a sabbatical for 3 months their relationship takes off. Matt didn’t just have a relationship with Mira he had a relationship with Mira and Hagen, Mira’s 6 year old son. The way he accept and included Hagen in all they did warmed my heart. I could understand how Mira was anxious about just letting Matt into their life when his plans were to leave again. Hagen and Mira both fell in love with Matt and him leaving would shatter them. 

I loved the ending. Theresa is hilarious. Bella, one of the Seaside Girls, has pranked Theresa each season and Theresa gets the last word this season. I laughed so hard as tears fell because the moment was just so sweet and wonderful. I see a future with many more pranks.

The Tuscan Child is set in WWII Italy and the 1970’s.  While the story goes back and forth between the two eras’ there is no confusion as to what is happening.    

WWII is told from a pilot, Hugo, whose plane has been shot down and he has landed in enemy territory where he is hidden in a monastery that had been destroyed by bombs and taken care of by a local woman whose husband is off fighting in the war.     The 1970’s centers around the pilot’s daughter, Joanna, who is searching for the beautiful boy who is mentioned in a letter she finds after her father’s death.   The beautiful boy is assumed to be the pilot and the woman’s son so she is looking for her brother.    

Rhys Bowen is a talented author.   She describes the scenery, the food, and the local is such detail that I could easily picture the story as I was reading.    I could smell the wonderful dishes the Italian woman, Paola, makes.   I could hear the men at the restaurant telling their tales.    I was picturing the monastery where Hugo stayed, the mountains surrounding the town, and washed out mud roads that had to be travelled to get around.

The Tuscan Child is amazing.   I fell into the story, got to know the characters, and loved every minute of my time reading.    I recommend picking up your own copy. 

Rainy Day Friends is the perfect summer, it's too hot to be outside story.    I loved the story of Lanie escaping her life after finding out her husband was a husband to other women and finds herself pulled into the amazing family of the Capriottis.    This family is wonderful.    They are loud, obnoxious, nosy, and so welcoming.   Anyone who comes to their winery is instantly taken under Cora's, the owner, protective wing and welcomed into their crazy family.   

When River arrived at the winery, peeking in the window, living in her car I knew that she would be accepted with open arms but I also knew that there was more to her story.   It didn't take long for me to figure out what drew her to come to the winery and why she was interested in Lanie.  I liked that Jill Shalvis had them become friends first then told the rest of their connection.   I cannot blame River for coming to the winery.   It was probably the only way that she could survive with her baby. 

Mark... oh Mark and his gorgeous,naughty, sweet, lovable twin girls.   I loved the paragraphs that included the twins and Mark.   Those twins were too much and I could picture their cute blonde heads, the two of them wandering the winery and causing havoc to the adults.   And Mark with his big bad teddy bear attitude trying to keep them in line, going to work, and visiting Lanie all while to hide his heart.    There was no doubt that his heart was going to bust open when he first set his eyes on Lanie and I was excited to see how long he could hold out and how he would convince Lanie that she could trust a man again.     

Jill Shalvis is so talented.   She is a definite must-read author for me.     I recommend picking up Rainy Day Friends and then going back and reading the rest of her books.    

I was not sure what to expect with a Ponzi Wall Street money scheme story.    This is not my normal reading material, usually, I would pass on it but since Randy Susan Meyers wrote the book and I am a fan of hers I gave it a try and love it.    I was in a reading funk and it got me right out of it.   I devoured each page, couldn’t stop reading and felt connected to the characters.     I needed Phoebe to stand up for herself and do what was right for her.   The children were a small part of the story but I love that they were strong, smart, and willing to protect themselves.   I wanted Jake to realize he messed up and admit it.  

Randy Susan Meyers takes the young love of two 15-year-olds and shows how it can grow stronger as they marry, have kids, and grow old together.     Phoebe and Jake wanted it all from a young age.   They wanted true love, successful careers, amazing kids, and a life together.   While they got it all there was also secrets, darkness, and trouble in their relationship.    

This is a love story, the story of a man wanting to have it all and share it all with his family.   But it is also a look at the trouble that money can cause.   Once Jake got a taste of money he just wanted more and more.   He was always thinking he’d catch up, have enough, be happy enough but it just never happen and he got caught.    Jake was portrayed as a guy who didn’t start out to be shady, he wanted to be successful and provide for his family and then it just snowballed on him.    Yet, he never admitted he was wrong.    He never accepted that he messed up and because of that he never let his wife go.   He expected her to stand by him and to go down with him.   

Phoebe was wonderful.   She stood by her man, took the brunt of the world outside of prison, and stayed strong.    I want to believe that was love but I really think it was because she didn’t know who she was without Jake.     She was always Jake’s girlfriend or Jake’s wife.      She didn’t know how to be Phoebe.  I enjoyed seeing her becoming strong, becoming self-sufficient and figuring out how to be without the man who gave her everything.  

The Wall Street Widow is a story about money, greed, love, betrayal and so much more.    I loved the entire story from beginning to end.    Pick up your copy immediately.

I like the idea of this book.   The idea that marriage can get hum-drum boring is not a new idea.   I am happily married and there are times that we have to shake it up some.   That is what Cass wants to do.   She needs to make sure that she is happy with her life before starting a family and committing to the rest of her life with Jonathan.   Do I agree with her way?  Nope, not even a little but I respect that she doesn’t want to start a family and then tear it apart if she is that unhappy that she cannot stay with her husband.  

The book is divided into three parts with alternating chapters between Cass and Jonathan.   There were quite a bit of repetitive thoughts, a lot of talking about what might happen, what could happen, what should happen but yet not much happen.  I struggle to connect with anyone in the story.  Cass seemed to want the separation but then didn’t want Jonathan to find any happiness without her.    Jonathan was a pushover.   He couldn’t make Cass stay but yet gave in to every request she made without pushing for what he wanted.   

The premise of the story was interesting and the ending was predictable.  I couldn’t not finish the book once I started reading because I had to know if Cass and Jonathan actually ended up together but it was slow reading for me.

Oh Addison Cole, you write such amazing stories with wonderful characters.    The Seaside Girls are my favorite friendship ever.   They are so strong, sweet, and naughty.     They pull pranks, tell secrets to each other, love each other, and love their men so deeply.    Each time I pick up a Sweet with Heat:  Seaside Summer book I know that I will get to catch up with women.  

Whispers at Seaside is the story of Professor Matt Lacroux and single mother Mira Savage.   The instant chemistry between Matt and Mira is off the charts.   There is no doubt that they belong together but there is also Hagen.   Hagen is the best character in the story.   As Mira’s son he is the most important person in Mira’s life and anyone who wants to be friends with Mira must be friends with her son.   Matt comes in and becomes friends with Hagen from the very beginning, he includes him in discussions, dates, and activities without being put out (heart melting).      

This book in the series is now my favorite.   Matt Lacroux won be over just by his interactions with Hagen.   The heat is perfect, the sweetness is wonderful, and the love is just right.

Sandra Block wrote a book that grabbed me from the very first time I looked at the gorgeous cover and held me until I read the very last word.    When I first saw the book I knew that this was a story that I had to read.   I knew that the suspense would keep me on the edge of my seat, the characters would make me want to be part of their friend circle, and that there would be so many twists and turns that I wouldn’t know which way I should go next.    

The storyline was not an easy one to read.   There were subjects, especially the rapes, that had to be tough to write about but Sandra Block did an amazing job.   She gave enough detail for the reader to have no doubt what was happening but not too much.   I had no doubt how much pain and fear Dahlia felt while being raped and the intense feelings that she was trying to figure out how to deal with.   I love that Dahlia was strong enough to continue her life, she fought to find a way out of the black hole, and she found a way to move on.   I was concerned when Dahlia met James, was he leading her down the right path or would he hurt her more than she already was hurting.  By the end of the story, I enjoyed seeing the friendship grow and loved that Dahlia had someone she could trust.

The setup of the book with short chapters and multiple points of views had me flying through the story.  I was anxious and excited to get to the end to find out what happens.    The ending… oh, the ending… PERFECT.   I didn’t see it coming, I didn’t even dream it but it was amazing.

Family secrets and drama are something every family experiences.   Larkin ran from her hometown and family to escape all that but when she is pulled back due to her mother being in the hospital she starts to realize that her memories may not be quite so spot on.     What she thinks she remembers may not be the entire truth, there might be more to her family that she was never aware of, and there are friendships she left behind that might have more to tell.   I loved that the friends she ran from still had open arms welcoming her home as if she had never left.     The family that she left doesn’t push her to stay just work on reminding her what she was missing and why she shouldn’t leave again.   

Dreams of Falling is a story rich with family history.   The history starts with Margaret, CeeCee, and Bitty and their amazing friendship.   Add Ivy, Margaret’s daughter, to that history a few years later and the story just gets more interesting.     Then Ivy has a daughter, Larkin, and you have three generations of wonderful, strong, and smart women.    The thing with history is that there are secrets kept, hidden, or needing to be forgotten.   

I am a Karen White fan and recommend this wonderful Southern fiction story.