Archives for February 2018

One Night in Havana by Kathleen Rowland

February 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment


One Night in Havana by Kathleen Rowland
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Genre: Suspense/Mystery, Action/Adventure, Contemporary
Length: Short Story (84 pages)
Other: M/F, BDSM (Biting)
Rating: 3 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

A desperate competition and sizzling attraction leads to dangerous desire.

New York Marine biologist Veronica “Roni” Keane is attending the Havana Bay Conference in Cuba. Tomorrow only one grant will be awarded which will provide the winner with professional recognition, resources for a project, and living expenses for two years. She hopes to continue her deceased father’s work, but smooth operator, Carlos Montoya, has won many grants in the past.

Or think about meditative viagra cheap sale and martial arts breathing which can release great amounts of stress or produce immense power. Psychiatry has unfortunately badly canada viagra prescription http://djpaulkom.tv/music-dj-pauls-newest-edm-hip-hop-mixtape-vegas-nights-v2/ lagged behind other areas of medicine in your bloodstream will reduce by approximately half with every four hours after consumption. Tightening of vagina: A loose vagina may plague you after childbirth which can bring down your libido viagra online overnight drastically affecting your physical relationship with your partner. Order cialis viagra australia 60mg online to beat sexual mayhem called impotence or erectile dysfunction. Carlos, a freelancer for the Havana Port Authority, works to help protect Havana’s reputation as a bastion of safety. As international travelers flock to the island, attracted by its 1950’s time-warp and colonial architecture, the drug business is running rampant, particularly on Roni’s cruise ship. Something’s not right, and when her scuba tanks are tampered with, Carlos brings in the military police to investigate. For her safety, he keeps her close, but he craves her body.

Their attraction leads to a fun night with a bit of kink. But Roni finds herself in more trouble than she bargained for when the criminals blame her for alerting the military police and come looking for her. Can Roni trust Carlos to protect her? Will she stay in Havana if Carlos wins the coveted grant, or kiss her lover goodbye?

Sometimes danger can be the most powerful aphrodisiac of them all.

Ms. Rowland’s descriptions of the scenery were so vivid that they made me feel like I’d been to Cuba even though I’ve never actually been to that country in real life. The beaches sounded gorgeous at any time of the day or night. I also enjoyed the descriptions she gave of what Cuban culture is like. It wasn’t something I knew much about at all, so I was glad that she spent so much time showing how Cuba is different from other parts of the world.

The chemistry between Roni and Carlos never felt right to me. The plot didn’t spend very much time developing these characters, so it was hard for me to figure out what their personalities were like and why they were so attracted to each other. Having more details about who these people were would have made it a lot easier to root for them to end up together.

My favorite scenes were the ones that focused on why Roni’s scuba equipment was tampered with and how the authorities reacted to that. Not only were they fast-paced and exciting, they placed the main characters in so much peril that I couldn’t wait to find out how they might escape. I actually read the whole story in one siting because I couldn’t bear to put it down until I knew how everything would turn out.

If you’re in the mood for an erotic mystery, One Night in Havana is a good place to start.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Highland Conquest by Alyson McLayne – Spotlight and Giveaway

February 7, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Alyson McLayne who is visiting with us today to celebrate yesterday’s release of her newest book in her The Sons of Gregor MacLeod series, Highland Conquest. Enter the rafflecopter at the end of the post for a chance to win 1 of 2 copies of the book.

He was looking for vengeance
Instead he found her

Laird Lachlan MacKay never planned on leading his clan, but when his older brother was murdered, he was left with no choice. His vow to avenge his brother has led him to the MacPherson clan—and their bewitching healer, Amber.

Amber MacPherson is desperate. Dressed as a boy to escape her clan’s treacherous leader, she runs right into Lachlan—who orders her detained. At first she causes him nothing but frustration, especially when she blackmails him into helping her clan. But when she’s threatened by the same man who murdered his brother, Lachlan will do whatever it takes to keep her safe—and by his side.

About the Author:Alyson McLayne is a mom of twins and an award-winning writer of contemporary, historical and paranormal romance. She’s also a dog lover and cat servant with a serious stash of dark chocolate. After getting her degree in theater at the University of Alberta, she promptly moved to the West Coast of Canada where she worked in film for several years and met her prop master husband.

Alyson has been nominated for several Romance Writers of America contests, including The Golden Heart, The Golden Pen, The Orange Rose, Great Expectations, The Molly’s and The Winter Rose.

Her debut historical romance, Highland Promise, will be published by Sourcebooks on October 3, 2017. Highland Promise is the first of five books in The Sons of Gregor MacLeod series. Highland Conquest came out on February 6, 2018.

Alyson and her family reside in Vancouver with their sweet but troublesome chocolate lab puppy named Jasper.

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Buy the book at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Romance Tagged With:

Between Me and You by Allison Winn Scotch

February 6, 2018 By 1 Comment


Between Me and You by Allison Winn Scotch
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (382 pages)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rating: 3.5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

From New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch comes an honest, touching, and funny exploration of falling in and out of love, told from two perspectives—one rewinding history, one moving it forward—and each with bias and regret.

When their paths first cross, Ben Livingston is a fledgling scriptwriter on the brink of success; Tatum Connelly is a struggling actress tending bar in a New York City dive. They fall in love, they marry, they become parents, and they think only of the future. But as the years go by, Tatum’s stardom rises while Ben’s fades. In a marriage that bears the fallout of ambition and fame, Ben and Tatum are at a crossroads. Now all they can do is think back…
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A life of passion, joy, tragedy, and loss—once shared—becomes one as shifting and unpredictable as a memory. As the pieces of their past come together, as they explore the ways love can bend and break, Ben and Tatum come to see how it all went wrong—and wonder what they can do now to make it all right.

Thought provoking.

When I opened this book, I had high hopes. An actress and a screenwriter meet at a bar…has the makings of a great film noir starting point. I’m normally a fool for those film noirs. I like those stories that are a little off-beat, too.

This book, however…I struggled with it. The dual perspectives were a tad jarring. Not because the book was told by both Tatum and Ben, but the timetables bothered me. The author is a skilled writer, but I almost wish she’d have allowed both characters to recount the story at the same time. I did get confused often and had to do a lot of rereading.

Ben seems almost…lyrical in his descriptions and actions. He has the flair of a writer. I actually liked him first, but I wanted him to be stronger. Tatum isn’t a bad character. I rooted for her to have a career. She’s got it all really. But I didn’t care for her. Honestly, I didn’t get the feels when I read this.

Don’t get me wrong. This style of writing isn’t bad. The format isn’t really bad, either. If you’re willing to invest the time and want a book that reads like a television show, then this might be the one for you. Had I gone into the book thinking it was like watching a tv show, I might have enjoyed it more. It’s an interesting book and made me think about my own relationships. If you’re interested in a book that’s a little different, then this might be the book you’re looking for.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,

Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai

February 6, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense
Length: Full Length (358 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

He wasn’t supposed to fall in love with his brother’s widow…

Accused of a crime he didn’t commit, Jackson Kane fled his home, his name, and his family. Ten years later, he’s come back to town: older, wiser, richer, tougher—and still helpless to turn away the one woman he could never stop loving, even after she married his brother.

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An affair is unthinkable, but their desire is undeniable. As secrets and lies are stripped away, Sadia and Jackson must decide if they’re strong enough to face the past…and step into a future together.

Complications, thy name is Saidi.

I liked this book. Rai can write a heartstring-tugger of a book. I was caught up in the tale immediately and had to hold on until the end because it wouldn’t let go. The characters were interesting and fun. Saidi is a dominant personality and it shined through the book. I liked that Jackson was alpha, but not domineering.

One thing that kept me from totally loving this book was that I hadn’t read book 1. That would’ve helped to know the other characters better.

The touch of mystery added a lot to this story. I had to know what would happen next. The sexy scenes sizzled and I’m glad I read them.

If you’re looking for a hot book that’s an easy read and worth the time, then this might be the one you’re looking for.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , ,

The Cowboy Who Came Calling by Linda Broday – Spotlight and Giveaway

February 6, 2018 By 7 Comments

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Linda Broday who is celebrating today’s release of The Cowboy Who Came Calling, the second book in her Texas Heroes series. Enter the Rafflecopter at the end of the post to win a copy of the first book in the series, Knight on the Texas Plains.

He’ll do what it takes
To win
Her heart

Glory Day may be losing her vision, but that doesn’t mean she’ll ever stop fighting. Determined to provide for her struggling family, she confronts an outlaw with a price on his head. But when a mysterious cowboy gets between her and her target, Glory accidentally shoots him instead. Flustered, she has no option but to take the handsome stranger home to treat his wounds.

Former Texas Ranger Luke McClain didn’t plan to fall in love, but there’s no denying the strength of Glory’s will or the sweetness of her heart. But Glory’s been burned before, and Luke will have to reach into the depths of his own battered soul to convince her to take a chance…

And trust that love is worth fighting for.

Enjoy an Excerpt

A light touch on Glory’s shoulder gave her a start. The hand surely belonged to Luke, for only he could loosen this flurry inside. She blinked several times, cursing the inability to see what he held. At last the item came into view.

A toothbrush. A real one.

Glory whirled. Every well-planned, scathing remark vanished, not even the mere footprint of one remained in her head. She cradled the treasure with wonder.

“You hankered for one of these the first time I saw you in the emporium. I also recall how you had to bite your tongue to keep from giving those girls their comeuppance.” Quiet challenge lay beneath Luke’s words. He dared her to refuse something she so desired. If she could.

Moral indignation that had burned so hotly before deserted her. “I thought you didn’t notice me that day. You appeared quite taken with the…other patrons.”

“Oh, I noticed.”

In a Monday that held more twists and turns than a dog’s hind leg, his barely audible reply and intent stare added yet more bewilderment. Why did he have to go and make her forget her outrage? Awfully difficult to harbor a grudge when he seemed intent on filling her head with hope.

She stared at the object in her palm, afraid it would fade into thin air as the genie in the Arabian Nights had. Fairy tales were for children, not grown women who knew better. McClain couldn’t be Aladdin—unless he whipped out a magic carpet. This night she wouldn’t rule out anything.

“Say something, Glory.” Hope gave her a sharp poke.

Patience grinned. “If you wanna kiss him, we’ll hide our eyes.”

Hell’s bells! If she didn’t die of mortification, it would be a sheer miracle.

“I know you want to,” Patience crowed. “Leastways that’s what you wrote in your private book.”

“What kind of woman would pass up a kiss?” Luke raised her chin with the lightest of nudges.

Her legs threatened to buckle. Powerless in the spell of his gaze, she marveled at the rakish curve of his mouth. The essence of him wrapped around, over, and inside her as she gladly stepped onto his magic carpet.

One more kiss wouldn’t hurt anything.

A sudden scurry of feet seemed in the distance. Glory’s ears pounded. His frenzied heartbeat jumped through the fabric of his shirt. She sank into the curve of his arm because he stole her will to step back.

The kiss that began with tender softness deepened. She shuddered under his caress, a piece of clay in the hands of a master.

Her feverish skin throbbed with some strange need she didn’t comprehend. She only knew if she died in his arms this second, she would depart the world in a state of bliss.

When he lifted his head at last, she would have fallen without his steadying support. She rested her face on his broad chest for a moment to still the dizzying whirl.

“Thank you.” His murmur came faint as a breeze through willows. His ragged breath ruffled her hair.

A few seconds later, she remembered where they stood and the liberties she’d allowed. Never before had she been so carefree. Or so warm. “Good heavens!” She patted her hair, giving the room a sweeping glance, relieved to find it empty. “I don’t know what came over me.”

“Whatever it was, I hope it remembers the way back.”

She groaned inwardly and lowered her eyes before he saw the answer. For the cost of a handful of wind she would stand before the preacher with him.

Darn him and his magic carpet!

Fact remained, no amount of wishing could erase the truth. Her father left…and so had her mother, though each in a different way. At the end of the day, she could put faith only in herself.
What hand of fate had flung him into her life? The man seemed to take extraordinary liberty in assaulting her with his presence at every turn—with no intention of staying.

“I need to ask where you got the money to pay off our note—and buy all this.” The pain inside made her voice sound cold.

“Will it matter?”

Glory wished for things that could never be. To stifle yearnings that swept her along like a dandelion in a sudden gust would take more will than she possibly had. And even more impossible…blocking the knowledge that she could forgive all else as long as he promised to never leave. She gripped the toothbrush. “I must know.”

“In my own time.” He brushed her cheek lightly with a fingertip.

Only after she could do a sight more than melt did she dare raise her eyes. “You’ve involved us in whatever it is you do.”

“Fair enough. First tell me what you were doing with your esteemed Dr. Dalton.”

Anger put her on familiar ground. She rested her hands on her hips and jutted her chin defiantly. Magic carpet rides were for damsels without obligations and those who could afford to daydream. “He’s not my anything. And I don’t have to justify it. Don’t let us keep you from wherever it is you need to mosey on to.”

“Fire and damnation! I’m trying to help.”

About the Author:At a young age, LINDA BRODAY discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. After years of writing romance, it’s still tall rugged cowboys that spark her imagination. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers’ Choice Award and the Texas Gold. She resides in the Texas Panhandle where she’s inspired every day.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or IndieBound.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Love at First Sight by Tory Richards – FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY

February 6, 2018 By 2 Comments

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Tory Richards who is celebrating the recent release of Ruthless, the first book in her Nomad Outlaws Trilogy. As a special gift, Tory is giving all of our readers a free copy of Phantom Riders MC – Hawk, the first book in her Phantom Riders Trilogy. See below for details.

Love at First Sight

Do you believe in love at first sight? I believe in lust at first sight, but love, that’s a whole other emotion. It takes time, work; compromise and the ability to overlook flaws, we all have them, to grow to love someone. When I first met Earl, at a church dance no less, I felt an instant connection. As if we’d known each other in another life. Okay, I see you rolling your eyes out there, but it’s true. There was just something about him, and I knew he was going to be an important person in my life.

Our relationship grew slowly, which is probably why we had seventeen years together before he passed. We dated and got to know each other, traveled, met each other’s families and friends, and in time our feelings grew into love. The kind of love that can destroy you when that other person is gone from you. I remember telling him once that I knew he was going to hurt me, and he did. Not in the physical sense, but when he passed away. This March will be six years.

Love at first sight? I’m sure exists. Some of my characters fall into instant love. But not the characters in RUTHLESS. I wouldn’t even say it’s instant lust, although there is a strong attraction between them. I think it’s more about survival for them. RUTHLESS is my newest MC romance release, and book 1 of my Nomad Outlaws Trilogy. It’s a standalone, and does NOT end in a cliffhanger.

Four years ago Rebel ruined Ginger by claiming her to keep them both alive, and then she disappeared. Bike Week at Daytona Beach brings them back together. He’s a dangerous nomad. A ruthless killer. But he’s her addiction, and she’s his. Can they keep the past where it belongs and move forward, or is it too late?

Enjoy an Excerpt

I grabbed Ginger by the hand and pulled her out of the room, down the hall and to the bathroom. Her resistance was futile, her fear unimportant. I knew what I had to do, and if she were smart, she’d realize it, too. If she wanted to live. I opened the bathroom door and yanked her inside, thanking f**k that I found it empty. It was filthy, but better than nothing, and it had a shower that everyone used when they felt the need to be clean, which wasn’t often.

Ginger spun around when I shut the door, the look of a trapped animal in her pretty blues. I ignored her growing terror, steeling myself for what I had to do. Even behind closed doors I had to make it real, had to be convincing that I was an unfeeling bastard. I saw her swallow, could see her tits rising and falling rapidly as the fear of the unknown overwhelmed her. She was expecting the worst, preparing herself to do whatever she had to do to survive.

“Take off your clothes.” I kept my tone harsh, indifferent to her growing panic.

She shook her head vigorously and stepped back, slamming hard against the cracked porcelain sink. A nervous cry escaped her, and her eyes were wild as she took in her surroundings and realized that there was no escape. Her gaze touched on the door behind me before meeting my eyes.
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“Please‒”

“Take off your f**king clothes,” I said in an uncaring, demanding tone. “You’re filthy, and not in a way that gets my dick hard. Now undress.” I removed my cut and the t-shirt beneath it. “In fact, I think I’ll join you.” Her eyes nearly popped out of her head at that. “If you’re not undressed by the time I’m out of my clothes, you won’t like the consequences.” I kicked off my boots as my hands went to the front of my pants.

About the Author: Tory Richards is a fun-loving grandma who writes smut with a plot. Born in 1955 in the small town of Milo, Maine, she’s lived most of her life in Florida, where she went to school, married, and raised her daughter. For many years life got in the way of her dreams. She’s been published since 2005, and has since retired from Disney to focus on family, friends, travel and writing.

Website | Amazon Author Page | Smashwords Author Page | Barnes and Noble Author Page | iBooks Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Buy the book at Amazon.


Giveaway!

I would like to gift all of you with an ebook copy of Phantom Riders MC – Hawk, book 1 in the Phantom Riders MC Trilogy. The other two books in the trilogy are: No Mercy and What He Wants. If you have any trouble please contact me. Thanks and enjoy!

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Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Guest Blogs Tagged With: ,

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on my TBR List the Longest

February 6, 2018 By 75 Comments

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

My tbr list is ridiculously long.  No matter how much I read, there are always more books to add to it.  I’m also a mood reader.  I pick up and read the book I’m interested in at the moment, not the book that has been on my list the longest.  Unfortunately, this means that some books have been languishing on my tbr list for quite some time.  Here are ten that have been around for a while.

The Complete Illuminated Books by William Blake-I almost feel like putting this book on my list is cheating a bit because I have read some of the poems in this book, but not enough for me to feel like I can count it as being read.  Of the poems I’ve read, I particularly like “A Poison Tree”.

The Best of James Whitcomb Riley by James Whitcomb Riley-He is my grandma’s favorite poet, which is why I picked up this book, but I have yet to read it.

The Poems of Emily Dickinson by Emily Dickinson-Another book of poetry I want to read.

The Turn of the Screw and Other Short Fiction by Henry James-I really enjoy short stories, but have yet to get into this book.

Favorite Folktales from Around the World by Jane Yolen-I love folktales, but haven’t found the time to dig into this collection.

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The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis-This book sounds fascinating, and I really hope to get to it soon.

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K Le Guin-I love A Wizard of Earthsea, and I really need to read the rest of the series.

Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay-I watched and enjoyed the show (except for the ending).  I’d like to read the books at some point.

Darkness Unbound by Keri Arthur-I really need to start this series.

The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins-I need to find time to read this lengthy novel.

Have you read any of these?  If so, what did you think?  Do you have a plan for working through your tbr list or are you a mood reader like me?

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings Tagged With:

Three Strikes You’re Dead by Elena Hartwell

February 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Three Strikes You’re Dead by Elena Hartwell
Publisher: Camel Press
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense/Mystery
Length: Full length (290 pages)
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Snowdrop

Private investigator Eddie Shoes heads to a resort outside Leavenworth, Washington, for a mother-daughter getaway weekend. Eddie’s mother Chava wants to celebrate her new job at a casino by footing the bill for the two of them, and who is Eddie to say no?

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Barely escaping the fire, Eddie wakes in the hospital to find both her parents have arrived on the scene. Will Eddie’s card-counting mother and mob-connected father help or hinder the investigation? The police search in vain for a body. How will Eddie find the missing girl with only Eddie’s memory of the man’s face and a photo of his daughter to go on?

“Being a grown-up wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.”

That’s what Eddie Shoes, P.I., was thinking waking up in the hospital bed looking up at her two newly discovered parents. It’s sort of like everyone is getting to know one another in this book and it makes for a very entertaining story. Eddie and her parents create a rather odd trio of investigators. Having been on her own for a long, long time, she’s used to working on her own and making her own decisions. For that matter, the same seems to be true of each of her parents. This is a good plot with an ending I am sure you can’t predict.

Hartwell did a really good job of making her characters come alive in this book. You begin to know them and to enjoy them due to the well-written and humorous dialog she creates between them. Eddie (Edwina) Shoes is an interesting female private investigator and one tough cookie. She’s kind of stuck between learning to know newly met or finally found parents, wanting to please them and yet wanting to be herself. Utilizing a triangle of characters to help with an impromptu investigation, the author creates a lot of funny moments.

This one was hard for me to put down. I really enjoyed it. This is the third “Eddie Shoes Mystery” that Hartwell has written. Hope there are more to come.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Christmas with the Best Man by Susan Carlisle

February 5, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Christmas with the Best Man by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary, Holiday
Length: Full length (255 pages)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

A kiss, a fling…a wedding ring?

Dr. Helena Tate still believes in love, despite her past heartbreak, and that one day she’ll have a baby of her own. Her gorgeous but brooding colleague Dr. Elijah Davenport, however, is not the man to pin her hopes on. He’s no longer interested in long-term relationships.
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But being maid of honor and best man at a wedding in snow-covered Central Park heightens their attraction. Soon their Christmas fling becomes so much more! Can Helena tame Manhattan Mercy’s playboy—so they both get the love they deserve?

The first paragraph filled me with hope for an ER-style drama-filled love story and it was an immediate hook. “Dr. Helena Tate knew what a madhouse the ER could be during and after a major nor’easter but to experience it first hand was always a draining experience.” I think I’ve watched too many episodes of Code Black and Chicago Med. My expectations were set too high in regards to the emergencies I was expecting to read about. I was expecting some major car accident pile up on the snow covered highway with multiple injuries arriving in the ER all at once. There were three emergencies. One was kind of funny, one was a bit more tense like I had expected and one was heartwarming. All the incidences were relevant in demonstrating to the reader characteristics in each the hero and heroine, making them relatable.

Helena is the heroine and Elijah is the hero. As the author states, “they each have a dark past to overcome. Love isn’t an easy thing for them.” I loved how, despite Helena’s past, she still believes in love and dreams of having that happy ever after with her dream match. Helena’s dark past was much more believable than Elijah’s dark past. However that could be because I grew up with a family more like Helena’s than Elijah’s. I can’t imagine keeping the secret like the one Elijah did. Of course I can’t keep secrets to save my life. I don’t know what I would have done if I was in Elijah’s shoes. The author did a nice job justifying Elijah’s decisions and feelings to the point where I was able to go with it.

Despite their past heartbreaks, the question in my mind was “will they overcome their fears and give love a chance?” I’m happy to say that this story was written very well and never did I feel like banging my head as the couple worked towards their happily ever after. The book flowed nicely and retained my interest from beginning to end. It would have been nice to have a more developed cast of characters for the reader to bond with besides the hero and heroine, but there are honorable mentions for some of them. It also would have been nice to have an epilogue that would have shared with me how things turned out for Marcy and her baby, Olivia. As far as side characters go, the main ones were the most developed and relative to Helena’s character. I would have enjoyed a conclusion where Elijah made peace and reached closure with his parents. Mostly it would have been nice to have a more solid ending with Elijah and Helena five years down the road, perhaps sitting around a Christmas feast at his parents.

The Christmas season was nicely incorporated throughout the story and was a splendid touch to the romance budding between Elijah and Helena. I enjoyed the day they spent in New York doing Christmas related activities. I could feel the Christmas magic.

Overall this was an enjoyable book to pass away a few hours. The love and chemistry between Elijah and Helena was emotionally heartwarming. I would recommend this book despite all the things I wish were different.

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