Tag Archive | contemporary Romance

Synopsis

In this cowboy romance, Melanie wants to prove to her father that she can survive in a remote area while managing her type 1 diabetes so that he will fund her expedition to Africa. She offers Stoney money to take her on a trip in the mountains in Wyoming. She neglects to tell him that she has diabetes and needs very specific care.

Stoney needs the money that Melanie is offering to fix up his family ranch in Wyoming. His father was injured in a fire and currently is in a wheelchair. He does not want to help Melanie but sees no other viable option.

Opinion

I think that Melanie is a spoiled brat who has been sheltered her whole life. When given the chance to show that she is mature to take care of herself, she botches it seriously and almost loses her life. And somewhere in the midst of everything, Stoney falls in love with Melanie.

WHY?

Melanie did not seem lovable to me. The more the story progress, the more aggravated I was with Melanie. She withheld information so that she could manipulate the situation. She knew if she told Stoney the full truth, he would not have taken her on that remote trip.

Maybe I am being too hard on Melanie, but I think she needs to grow up before she can even think about having a relationship. As it is, I think Stoney is going to have to spoil her in order for her to be happy because she will only be satisfied when things are going her way.

Should you buy? If you like infuriating, bratty female characters and reading about the men that have to deal with them, THEN you will like this book. Otherwise, you will react like I did, “Meh”.

Book details from Goodreads
Kindle Edition, 193 pages
Published September 19th 2011 by Lisa Mondello (first published September 1999)
Available on Amazon

L is for Lucky #atozchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr14

Lucky for Her ♥♥♥

Synopsis

Lucky was the fat kid in high school that was mercilessly bullied by Lana’s boyfriend (who went on to be her husband). He had a crush on Lana and asked her to the prom, but she turned him down. Lana was a typical immature, shallow high school girl who got caught up in appearances. She did not stand up for what was right because of fear of reprisal from the “cool kids”.

Years later, the tables have turned. Lucky is now slim, trim, and the town’s sheriff. Lana is pregnant and hiding from her abusive, alcoholic husband. Because of her current predicament, she decides to marry Lucky for the protection he can provide her and her child.

But can they fall in love with each other when they have such an unpleasant history?

Opinion

There are aspects to this story that cause me to be conflicted. On the surface, I think this is a sweet story. But the more I thought about it, the two major things that bothered me:

(1) Lucky was still very bitter from the way he was treated in high school. It seems that he had a lot to prove by marrying Lara. I was not totally convinced that he was loved her for woman she was OR was his supposed attraction a high-school-crush-turned-into-obsession of what he could not have when he was overweight.

(2) I have a problem with a woman who was in an abusive relationship jumping into another long term relationship. She has not given herself time to heal and it is likely that what she thinks is love is actual gratitude. Either way, it is not a strong enough basis to start a marriage.

I do not mind a story where the main characters knew each other in high school but never hooked up. This case is different in that Lara did not show any attraction for Lucky in high school. She pitied him but not enough to stand up for him when he was being bullied.

Should you buy? I am on the fence about this one. The story is okay. There were moments that I cringed. Like I said, Lucky was very bitter. On the other hand, this book could be used as a cautionary tale why girls should not get married right out of high school.
Book details by Goodreads
Kindle Edition, 205 pages
Published June 21st 2011 by Astraea Press
You can buy on Amazon

K is for Killing #atozchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr13

Killing Honor (Lucky Thirteen Book 1) ♥♥♥

Synopsis

Brody is a Navy SEAL who comes home after two years on a top-secret assignment. He is ready to be home, but the unfinished business of the mission causes him to worry that his family may be in danger.

At 21 years old, Devyn, was married and mother of twin 2 week old preemie girls when Brody left for deployment. Now that he has returned home, she has to figure out if she is still in love with him or in love with the idea of him.

Opinion

This was one of the more somber, serious romances that I have read in a long time. It is a military romance that does not glamorize what being married to a SEAL in active duty must feel like. While I do not usually prefer books told in the first person, this one works well because I felt like Brody and Devyn were telling me their story.

The young couple is dealing with several issues

Two year separation
Being parents as a couple
Post-traumatic stress

Brody has secrets from the mission that torment him but he cannot reveal what is worrying him. Devyn worries that his reticent behavior means that he does not love her as he used to do.

“What if…he came back different and didn’t love me anymore?” Devyn

It is some consolation that it is obvious to the reader that they still love each other.

“She owned my soul since the first moment I saw her.” Brody

“His kiss sent a relentless ache though straight to my core.” Devyn

However, it is difficult for them to verbalize their insecurities to each other. As a reader, I wanted them to openly communicate but I understood what was holding them back since these were not trivial issues. While the physical aspect of their relationship never lost its heat, the misinterpretation of nonverbal cues from the other person caused additional distress.

Should you buy? Yes. There is action and suspense, but the book’s main focus is the dynamic of a military couple who have to figure how to save their marriage. They learn how to reconnect and re-calibrate their relationship.

Book details from Goodreads
ebook, 250 pages
Published March 24th 2014 by Soaring Phoenix Press
series Lucky Thirteen #1

Available on Amazon

J is for Just Joe #atozchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr10

Just Joe (Harlequin More Than Words) ♥♥♥

Synopsis

Stacy is the executive director of a charity called Bounties from the Garden. She is trying to keep her charity financially healthy to allow her to serve the community and grow the program. Times have been hard, so she is participating in a dance competition to try to win the top monetary prize.

Joe is a realtor and volunteer at Bounties from the Garden. Over time, he realizes that he is falling for Stacy.

The book is inspired by real life heroines.

Opinion

For most of the book, the romance is extremely one-sided in the sense that Joe is only one that is open to the idea of them being in a relationship.

“I knew that kissing you would be magic.” Joe

Stacy, on the other hand, is very resistant. She does not have time for romance. She has decided, before she even knew Joe, that she does not want to be in a relationship with him. When he first asked her to dinner, she bluntly told him that she does not date.

I volunteer at a few non-profits in my area and know that it takes a special kind of person to be the executive director of a charitable organization. They have to be doing it for the love of serving others and they need to be passionate about the organization’s mission. For those reasons, I gave Stacy a lot of leeway in her behavior and attitude.

Stacy has had some bad relationship experiences in the past and this causes her to be prickly and bitter. She was not a man-hater, but lacked trust in any man’s ability to stay around. Fear of rejection causes Stacy to lash out repeatedly and in the end she almost ruined her chance at happiness.

Joe has had his share of tragedy in his life as well. In contrast to Stacy, he was more positive and learned that life is precious. He has adjusted his priorities and concentrates on what is most important in life. He sees past Stacy’s cantankerous behavior and focuses on her good qualities.

“I like the way your hair sparkles in the sunshine.” Joe

Should you buy? Sure, especially if you want a clean romance. Once you get past being so snappy and irritable, the story is actually kind of heartwarming. I like the fact that the story is inspired by true life heroines. Bravo Harlequin!

Book details from Goodreads
Kindle Edition, 67 pages
Published April 1st 2013 by Harlequin Special Releases
series Harlequin More Than Words
Available on Amazon

H is for Harlequin Holiday #a2zchallenge #ABCofRomance @AprilA2Z

Apr9

Harlequin Holiday Collection: Four Classic Seasonal Novellas: And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree\Seduced by the Season\Evidence of Desire\Season of Wonder ♥♥♥

Synopsis

Four seasonal novellas

And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree- Holly owns a bed and breakfast. She finds a dead guy in the Christmas tree she bought. Zach is a reporter. She needs to keep him from finding out about the dead guy because that could mean bad publicity for her inn.

Seduced by the season – Sophie is a waitress in Dublin. Clint is a FBI agent investigating an international art theft ring.

Evidence of Desire – Olivia is a scientist working at a crime lab and unfortunately for her, she has a stalker. Jacob works at the same lab and is attracted to her but does not want to act on it because he thinks she is too young.

Season of Wonder – Allison is a divorcee with a daughter suffering from health problems. She is disillusioned when it comes to love because she had a nasty divorce. David is a childhood friend who is happy Allison is back in his life.

Opinion

As most novellas are, these were short on length and substance. Fluff romances. All but Season of Wonder had elements of suspense. I think that Season of Wonder seemed like a Christian romance and out of place after reading the first three.

In “And a Dead Guy in a Pear Tree”, Holly’s grandparents brought a lot of humor to the story which made it the most interesting of the lot.

“Seduced by the season” is an insta-romance story because they fell in love so quickly.

“Evidence of Desire” had the most suspense, but Jacob was too weird to me. I do not understand how Olivia was attracted to him.

Should you buy? I suggest buying if it is on sale. It is light romance. None of the stories are particularly outstanding. All are short stories to pass the time. The characters are not so annoying that I have any strong feelings one way or the other.

Book Details from Goodreads
Kindle Edition, 485 pages
Published (first published January 1st 2011)
Available on Amazon