Tag: Romance

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Small Town Big Magic-Beck-Romance-Available Now

Straight up – I loved Small Town Big Magic, the first in a new genre-busting series from Hazel Beck. The publisher has labeled it romance, but to me, it was more straight fiction with romance and paranormal overtones.

And there are witches. Lots of them.

Emerson Wilde lives in St. Cyprian, a small town at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. It is a normal small town. Until you learn that it was established by witches who fled the persecution in Salem, Massachusetts.

It’s quite the setup.

I don’t want to get into details of Emerson’s journey. It is best to experience with her. I was enthralled with her story and how the storyline progressed.

I want to repeat, that I love this book. However, there are a few things that I hope change in the next book.

Emerson’s brand of “fight the patriarchy feminism” is annoying at times. We get it. She is independent, used to being alone, and doesn’t need a man to succeed. Until she does. I understand that she needed to come to the realization about it for her own progress, but honestly if she just would have paid closer attention a couple of times….

Buy Links can be found underneath the author information

The whole plot line with Skip seemed unfinished. I know it essentially was wrapped up, but I expected more out of it, especially as he was the catalyst for the event that kicks everything off. There are also some unanswered questions there.

The big climax was exciting, but I would have liked a little bit more description of what they were fighting. Why was it building? What is the significance of it? Who is responsible for it? These were hinted at but never really described.

I mean, in a town full of witches, the paranormal should be a bit more pronounced and detailed. Same for the romance aspect – yes, it builds to fruition, but how does it affect the characters more?

Cleverly, the book ends on a cliffhanger, so there is at least one more in the series. But honestly, I hope that there are more books though because would be happy to visit St. Cyprian a few more times.

So, disclosure also. One of my all-time favorite series is The Secret Circle by L.J. Smith. It’s a series about a teenage girl who finds out that she’s a witch, and how she and her friends fight off evil. I still read this series at least once a year.

Small Town Big Magic gives me the same vibe. Hazel Beck has captured all of the fun aspects of a paranormal romance and created a new location for witches. Sort of like if the characters from The Secret Circle had grown up and moved.

I’m here for any and all of the next books in the series. Can’t wait!

HAZEL BECK is the magical partnership of a river witch and an earth witch. Together, they have collected two husbands, three familiars, two children, five degrees, and written around 200 books. As one, their books will delight with breathtaking magic, emotional romance, and stories of witches you won’t soon forget. You can find them at www. Hazel-Beck.com

BookShop: https://bookshop.org/books/small-town-big-magic/9781525804717   

Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781525804717_small-town-big-magic.html 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/small-town-big-magic-hazel-beck/1140810563?ean=9781525804717 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Small-Town-Big-Magic-Witchlore/dp/1525804715/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=small+town%2C+big+magic+by+hazel+beck&qid=1660060384&sprefix=small+town%2C+big%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Small-Town-Big-Magic/Hazel-Beck/9781525804717?id=8292090795540 

Powell’s: https://www.powells.com/book/small-town-big-magic-9781525804717  

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The Wedding Dress-Atkins-Review-Romance-Available Now

The Wedding Dress by Dani Atkins is not your usual romance book. Instead of a linear story, they all have one thing in common.

You guessed it – the wedding dress.

The concept is interesting and makes it very easy to read because you don’t have to commit to the entire story all at once. Who has time for that these days?

All three stories are unique, and each has its charm. I don’t want to give the plots of each away. But I will say that I liked Bella’s story the most.

Suzanne’s is very straightforward. It felt “typical” even as the author had a twist up her sleeve that I didn’t see coming. That was kind of cool. And after Bella’s, Mandy’s seemed almost like an afterthought. Other readers will certainly have differing opinions.

But Bella’s story…that is the stuff a true romance is made from. I could read an entire book just on her story alone. It has all the elements that one looks for in a romance, but not in all the usual places.

The Wedding Dress Blog Tour schedule
Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3t3SWrd

Nobody is a villain, nobody is a hero (well, sort of). It is an honest portrayal of how events beyond our control can upend our lives, sending us down paths we never imagined.

Honestly, it is one of the most honest portrayals of life that I have read in a while.

Again, I do not want to give away the plot, but the catalyst for the story is surprising and effective. I would love to know where the author found the inspiration for that.

And I usually get annoyed when an author tries to keep a reader guessing by not sharing all details until the last pages, but this time it didn’t bother me. In a way, I knew deep down what Bella’s decision was, and was confident that she had made the right one. And I was right.

You could not pick a better day than Valentine’s Day to start The Wedding Dress. The author has given all romantics a treat with this one.

For a different type of story from Dani Atkins, try Gone Too Soon.

About the author:

Dani Atkins is an award-winning novelist. Her 2013 debut Fractured (published as Then and Always in North America) has been translated into 18 languages and has sold more than half a million copies since first publication in the UK. Dani is the author of four other bestselling novels, one of which, This Love, won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2018. Dani lives in a small village in Hertfordshire with her husband, one Siamese cat and a very soppy Border Collie.

Follow Dani:

  • Twitter: @AtkinsDani
  • Facebook: @DaniAtkinsAuthor
  • Instagram: @daniatkinsauthor
  • #TheWeddingDress
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Watch Over-Review-Romance-Available Now

Watch Over by Amy Reece

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Watch Over is a quick and pleasant read. There is a sweet romance and a little bit of mystery – just enough to be interesting but not overpower the story. I loved the “meet cute” of Finn and Melanie, using the cat to send notes to each other. It made for a nice setup. There isn’t a lot of character development or deep thinking. It is just a simple story that moves along at a steady pace. Of course, there are the usual pitfalls (an ex-girlfriend who won’t go away) along with a mystery stalker. But the course of true love never does run smoothly. The climactic scene is a bit drawn out, but I liked how it allowed Mel to find a strength she didn’t know she had. Overall, it was a good read, and I would recommend it. It is my understanding that this is the first of a series (the DeLuca family) and I will be looking for subsequent books.

Here are a few other mystery/thriller/romances to check out: Consumed, Last Words

Watch Over book cover
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The Cranberry Inn-Small Town Romance-Available Now

The Cranberry Inn is the latest small-town romance novel by author Barabara Josselsohn and it is perfect timing for the holidays.

By now, reading a small-town romance set in Lake Summers feels like taking a vacation. The location is familiar, the characters are pleasant, and the stories are always sweet.

Oh, and I can’t forget the HEAs. Never underestimate the power of a good “happily ever after,” especially these days.

And what more perfect time of year for one that is set around Christmastime?

There is not a lot that makes Laurel or Joel stand out, but that is not a bad thing. They are both real people that could step off the page into real life without skipping a beat.

I like that they are not dramatic or overdone. It makes it so much easier to enjoy their story.

The author cleverly uses Laurel’s profession as a springboard (and a metaphor) for her own life. There is some good decoration, and a few special pieces (like her son), but it is – for the most part – empty.

I think a lot of people can relate to that.

The action kicks in when Laurel returns to the Cranberry Inn (her childhood home) and finds her dad…not where is supposed to be. The resolution of that comes late in the book, but only when Laurel is ready for the reason for his disappearance.

Honestly, I love the way this author plots her books. Everything happens for a reason and in its good time.

The Cranberry Inn blog tour schedule
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/3od5VDa

I liked Laurel and Joel both apart and together. As I have mentioned several times, the reader knows they are going to end up together. The fun and enjoyment are in going on the journey with them.

We get the usual interesting secondary characters as well. Another strength of this author is how perfectly she captures small-town life.

For those who have lived it, it’s a great reminder of the quirks and perks. For those who have never lived in a small town, it’s an accurate portrayal that allows them to live vicariously.

The biggest message I got from this story is that sometimes the best gifts are intangible. Second chances, time, and personal connections can be the greatest gifts of all.

I absolutely recommend The Cranberry Inn as a holiday season read. And while you’re at it, you should also take a look at other books set in Lake Summers:

Facebook: BarbaraSolomonJosselsohnAuthor
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Author Bio:
Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her novels center around second chances, family relationships and, of course, romance. She is the author of the Lake Summers series set in the fictional town of Lake Summers, nestled in the Adirondacks Mountains, which includes the books The Lilac House and The Bluebell Girls. Before joining with Bookouture, she published The Last Dreamer, a women’s-fiction novel from Lake Union Publishing, along with hundreds of articles and essays in major and regional publications about family, home and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: husband, her three kids, and her indefatigable shih-poo!

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Find Me at Whisper Falls (Oaksmith)-BoT-Small Town Romance-Available Now

I am a big fan of this author’s books. The characters are usually relatable, the settings are lovely, and the stories are charming.

This book is no exception.

You can find descriptions elsewhere, but in a nutshell, Freya and Trent were rivals in vet school. And then they find themselves both vying for the same job in small-town Whisper Falls.

It’s a romance, so you know what’s supposed to happen in the end, but as usual, the joy and fun is in following the path with them as they try to get there.

I will say that this one was a little interesting for me because I had a difficult time connecting with Freya. I felt that she was a little colder than past heroines in this author’s stories. I guess she was just more prickly than usual?

Regardless, that coolness made it difficult for me to root for her at first. I get that it was probably in response to past experiences, but I found myself feeling more for Trent than for her. It seemed like she brought her frustrations all on herself.

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3EJZkaE
Apple: https://apple.co/3rhNMoO
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2UXSMCZ
Google: https://bit.ly/3evdi4Q

I was amused at how Trent dealt with her. I think he felt the same way I did about her – she was prickly in vet school, and now he has to compete with her for a job. But I also think he was more patient with her than I would have been.

There are the usual small-town characters that add color to the story, but they’re never overbearing or distracting. It’s all just part of the background. The author has either lived in a small town or done her research because a lot of it was familiar.

Not because I’d read the story already, but because I’ve lived in small towns, and in many ways, they’re similar: cast of characters, distrust of newcomers, eager to preserve their town the way they know and love it.

That was a unique aspect of this book as well. The author has an added plot line about tech companies buying land to build data-mining offices. It seemed a little random, but it was an interesting side story.

Anyway, it was different to root for the guy instead of the girl for a while and that side plot kept it from being boring. Not that her books ever are. It was just a different spin than usual.

As always with this author, I recommend this charming small-town romance.

Author Bio:
Ellyn Oaksmith is the USA Today and Kindle bestselling author of the Blue Hills Series, featuring the Alvarez family. After graduating from Smith College and attaining her MFA from The American Film Institute, Ellyn began her writing career as an award-winning screenwriter in Hollywood. Her books explore the same themes as her screenplays: grit, humor, family and love. Ellyn lives on one of Seattle’s many hills with her husband and spends as much time as possible on the water as part of a competitive rowing team.

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Southern Playboy (Peterson)-Quick Review-Romance-Available Now

The latest book in the author’s “North Carolina Highlands” series is something you should have on your end-of-summer reading list.

It has everything you could want in a book, plus the cutest two-year-old imaginable.

But honestly, as this is book four, you should start at the beginning with Southern Seducer -I promise, you will absolutely fall in love with the Beauregard family. And you’ll get all of the juicy backgrounds on the other brothers!

Here is my Goodreads review of this book.

Southern Playboy by Jessica Peterson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Every time I read a new entry in this series, I feel like the Beaumont family is welcoming me back home. At the very least, a consistent reader is an old friend of the family who is privy to all of the drama…and love. This time, the author has outdone herself, covering familiar tropes of single dad, second chance, hot boss/nanny, athlete hero…it may sound like a lot, but it all works together to make for an engaging and sexy read. I liked that Rhett and Amelia had a history as teens; the slow burn of what would happen between them as adults was just that much sweeter. I thought that the conflict facing Rhett, while realistic within the plot, could have been fleshed out a little more – maybe by Miguel being just a little bit more annoying or pestering. But that is a minor complaint. Liam is by far one of the cutest kids ever and I loved how the author built the family, allowing each member to realize it on their own time. And the truck scene is one of the hottest in recent memory. But the author writes more in-depth; I especially enjoy the big family scenes. I also sincerely hope that Millie gets her story told next – if only so we can see Liam and Maisie interact more. I think those two will become thick as thieves. Great book, fun read.



View all my reviews

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The Beach House (Hale)-BoT-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

If you are looking for a nice, easy summer read with likeable characters and a beachy setting, this is definitely the book for you.

Melanie’s grandmother has recently passed away, and Melanie took care of her in her last years. As the grandmother’s will is read, Melanie is surprised to find that there is a beach house that her grandmother wants her to use her inheritance to buy.

But why? And to what purpose? Is Melanie at loose ends and Grandma knows exactly what she needs to move forward, or does Grandma have ulterior motives? Why a dilapidated old beach house?

What follows is a story about family secrets, learning how to trust people, and never giving up faith that things will somehow work out.

I thoroughly enjoyed the “mystery” part of this book. I’m a sucker for old letters and what they do (or don’t) mean. Aside from the obvious “how does it connect” storyline, there is something comforting about how important writing used to be.

I know that sounds weird, but there’s a sense of nostalgia to it. And that’s important to me these days.

Amazon: https://geni.us/B09169WS24social
Apple: http://ow.ly/WlVQ50EaUuo
Kobo: http://ow.ly/j9g950EaUnw
Google: http://ow.ly/Mwhr50EaUy6

I liked Melanie and could relate to her a little bit. I understand what it means to be given a task that you’re unsure of due to motivations or personal roadblocks. I felt for her.

I don’t know that the entire romance between her and Josh was believable. There were parts that seemed too incredible (nobody builds that fast) and required a bit of suspended disbelief.

Can anyone really trust a stranger that quickly? Are the rules for kids that much different in a smaller beach town?

Those things didn’t bother me too much, but they did take me out of the story a bit.

Ultimately, it seemed formulaic – which makes sense because the author has consistently released similar books, which has created quite a following.

Regardless, it was a harmless, ultimately enjoyable read. And really, who could ask for anything more in a book on a summer reading list?

Facebook: jennyhaleauthor/
Twitter:  @jhaleauthor

Author Bio:

Jenny Hale is a USA Today, Amazon, and international bestselling author of romantic contemporary fiction. Her books have sold worldwide, have been translated into multiple languages, and adapted for television. Her novels Coming Home for Christmas and Movie Guide Epiphany Award winner Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses are Hallmark Channel original movies.

She was included in Oprah Magazine’s “19 Dreamy Summer Romances to Whisk You Away” and Southern Living’s “30 Christmas Novels to Start Reading Now.” Her stories are chock-full of feel-good romance and overflowing with warm settings, great friends, and family. Jenny is at work on her next novel, delighted to be bringing even more heartwarming stories to her readers.

When she isn’t writing, or heading up her romantic fiction imprint Harpeth Road, she can be found running around her hometown of Nashville with her husband, two boys, and their labradoodle, taking pictures–her favorite pastime.

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The Stepsisters (Mallery)-Blog Tour-Women’s Fiction-Available Now

This is 100% family drama from beginning to end, and I couldn’t put it down.

Right from the beginning, I knew that the story would have many tense situations. I’m not exactly sure how I knew that based on a child throwing up (opening scene). But it certainly seemed to set the tone.

The author did a good job of making each of the stepsisters (Daisy, Sage, and Cassidy) individuals with their own sets of issues. None of them were a stereotype, and all three seemed like real people with real problems.

They each had very different lives from each other and from anything that I’ve known. I also couldn’t relate to them personality-wise too much. But I still liked them.

Sometimes a character is so different from what a reader personally knows or is familiar with it makes it hard to understand their motivations. That wasn’t the case here. The author succeeded in making the sisters understandable, if not exactly relatable.

That sounds weird, I know. I think it was more that I could read from a detached point of view instead of being swayed by one sister’s story over another’s.

Buy Links can be found underneath “About the Author”

It goes without saying that all three ladies experience tremendous personal growth over the course of the story. What I found interesting was that not only did they share a dad, but they could all pretty much trace their problems with each other to Joanne (Cassidy and Sage’s mother).

She was a real piece of work. And it was also interesting that she continued to be a thorn in Daisy’s side even late in the book, as I see her as directly responsible for knowing how to manipulate Sage.

(No spoilers, you’ll have to read it to understand what I mean).

I found myself wondering whether Joanne was bitter toward Daisy for perceived wrongs in the past and was actively still trying to hurt her emotionally. I think maybe that’s accurate.

Sage was an interesting character as well. She obviously had the brunt of Joanne’s dysfunction and carried it into her adult life. I had an aunt like that (not the same dysfunction as the book but being exposed to a situation for longer and carrying it into adulthood).

I also liked Esmerelda. She was no-nonsense and loyal to Daisy. It seemed as if she served as Daisy’s conscience at times, or maybe her alter ego, being tough when Daisy couldn’t be.

As far as the plot, there’s too much to recount. But the stepsisters journey together to a place of new understanding as each of them recognizes their perspectives and how they were shaped by events they didn’t have full understanding of in the past.

I know that was convoluted. But as I said, it’s a family drama, and those are never straightforward. If you’re looking for a more dramatic beach read, I would definitely recommend this book.

Website: https://susanmallery.com/ 
Facebook: SusanMallery 
Twitter: susanmallery 
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Bookbub: susan-mallery 

About the Author:

#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives―family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.

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Talk Bookish to me (Bromley)-Blog Tour-Rom Com-Available Now

I’ll be clear right off the top.

If you’re a book blogger, you’ll love this book.

If you’re a bookstagrammer, you’ll love this book.

If you’re a casual reviewer, you’ll love this book.

In short, if you like books at all, in any way, you’ll love this book.

Not only is there a lot of discussion about books, genres, tropes, character motivation, etc., but it’s all relayed in witty dialogue with charming characters and a great plot.

It’s a romance, so you know that it’s probably inevitable that the main couple will end up together. But I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun reading a couple’s trajectory.

The main characters (Ryan and Kara) re-meet cute. The tension is great, the chemistry is off the charts almost immediately. You can’t help but root for them.

I thought the subplot of Kara needing to finish her book and could only do so with Ryan’s influence was clever. It may seem far-fetched to some, but I thought it worked well.

Buy Links: BookShop.org Harlequin  Barnes & Noble
Amazon Books-A-Million Powell’s

I totally identified with Kara. Not because of her situation in the present, but because the description of her in college felt familiar. I could have been her. I probably was her.

In some ways, even the relationship she and Ryan had was similar to one I had. Mine didn’t have the arc theirs did though. Thankfully.

Anyway, back to the book.

The real charmer in all of this is Duke. He added so much humor and he couldn’t even talk. But anyone who knows a character like Duke will be able to relate to how much truth there was in his scenes.

Of course, the path to true love never did run smooth (or however that saying goes). Sometimes in Rom Coms, the thing that keeps the couple apart seems contrived. In this case, it totally fit with the plot and the characters.

I also enjoyed the descriptions of Italy because I’ve been there a few times so that brought up nice memories.

Honestly, I just loved everything about this book. It is definitely the perfect beach read, and it should go to the top of your TBR list for the summer immediately.  

It’s a great debut novel, and I hope to read many more from this author.

Social Links:
Author Website
Twitter: @kbromleywrites
Instagram: @katebromleywrites
Facebook: @katebromleywrites
Goodreads

KATE BROMLEY lives in New York City with her husband, son, and her somewhat excessive collection of romance novels (It’s not hoarding if it’s books, right?). She was a preschool teacher for seven years and is now focusing full-time on combining her two great passions – writing swoon-worthy love stories and making people laugh. Talk Bookish to Me is her first novel.

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Long Walk Home (Oaksmith)-Books On Tour-Feel Good Romance-Available Now

By now, visiting Chelan feels like a refreshing quick vacation to a memorable location. The Alvarez sisters are still working to save Blue Hills Vineyard, succeeding in little steps.

In this book we get Lola’s story. She’s the youngest, and even though she was in the first two books, this is the first time that I really felt that I got a grasp of who she was.

I’m pretty sure that the author plotted it that way, giving each sister the focus deserved in each of the books. I like how this was done, because it not only gave each of the sisters the spotlight, but it also laid the groundwork for the family drama.

And boy, does that play a part in this one.

Lola has some great ideas to help expand the success of the winery, but as the youngest, she isn’t taken very seriously, especially by Carmen (the oldest).

There’s some typical sibling rivalry here, as well as some stereotypical characterizations. The hard-headed oldest sister, the free spirit younger sister fighting for her voice to be heard…anyone with siblings will recognize the dynamics.

It doesn’t help Lola that her first love, Gus, has come back to town, making it difficult for her to concentrate on her plans to show Carmen how profitable her ideas can be.

As a fan of cooking shows, I especially liked the scenes in the kitchen. Neil was an especially memorable character because he was just like several well-known tv chefs.

Blue Hills Vineyard reminds me of the vineyards in Northern Virginia – I have many fond memories of tastings and overnights there. The descriptions in the book are vivid enough for me to picture the entire layout in spite of being in a different state.

Shout out to Daisy as well. I felt a special affinity for her because I have a dog with one blue eye and one brown eye. So yeah, I related to a dog in the story.

The romance is sweet, the characters are realistic, and the setting is idyllic. Sometimes that’s all you need for the perfect read.

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/lwhoaksmith

Author bio:
Ellyn Oaksmith is the USA Today and Kindle bestselling author of addictively fun love stories. She has never run a winery, been attacked by drones or nearly drowned someone but she loves putting her characters in challenging situations. Ellyn also enjoys chatting with readers on social media. Especially when she should be writing.

Ellyn began her writing life as a screenwriter in Los Angeles which, outside of writing hours, is exactly as crazy as it seems in the movies. After hightailing it back to her native Seattle, Ellyn began writing comedic romances and never looked back.

Ellyn lives in Seattle with her husband. She’s part of a competitive rowing team. You can often find her on Lake Sammamish rowing in the dark.

Author website: www.EllynOaksmith.com
Facebook: @EllynOaksmith
Instagram: @EllynOaksmith

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