Suddenly Last Summer by Sarah Morgan
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (249 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Fiery French chef Élise Philippe is having a seriously bad day. Not only have the opening day plans for her beloved café fallen apart, but Sean O’Neil is back in town, and looking more delectable than ever. Last summer, they shared an electrifying night together…and the memories have Élise really struggling to stick to her one-night-only rule! Her head knows that eventually Sean will be leaving, so all she can do is try to ignore her heart before she spontaneously combusts with lust.

Being back in Vermont—even temporarily—is surgeon Sean O’Neil’s worst nightmare. For Sean, returning home to the Snow Crystal Resort means being forced to confront the reasons and the guilt he feels about rejecting his family’s rural lifestyle years ago. But discovering that Élise has settled in Vermont and still sets his blood racing is a very welcome distraction! Thinking he can persuade her into a replay of last summer is tempting, but remembering how good they are together is going to make walking away more difficult than he could imagine…

Élise and Sean made a wonderful couple because they both thought each other perfect. The irony was that they truly were perfect, but not in the way either one expected, believed or wanted. Each character took turns suffering emotional blows that knocked them on their keisters and had them rethinking everything they believed to be true. The author had one common thread woven between the two main characters – the effect of assumptions. Élise and Sean were full of them.

Suddenly Last Summer picks up where the hints in Sleigh Bells in the Snow left off. I recognized a wonderful hook when I saw one so was thrilled to see Sean and Élise’s story come to life. The wait was worth it. This book is a solid standalone story and well worth checking out.

If you’re planning to visit India for https://unica-web.com/archive/1998/1998-GA-Minutes.html viagra on line hip surgery India is country with highly skilled and experienced doctors trained in the United States and other developed countries. Therefore, a patient should inform his physician about certain important things before he starts taking Adcirca for the treatment buy super cialis of PAH. It should not be consumed more viagra uk sales unica-web.com than once during the period. 6) In case of any health or sexual disorders and not only that, the medicines help in revitalizing the sexual desire too. So the price isn’t that big cheapest viagra of a difference but those few dollars could be saved if need be. Élise is a heroine with emotional baggage called regret, guilt and a tinge of fear. Sean also suffers from guilt, but with him, the author added anger and resentment and a bit of self-centered emotional withdrawal. Ms. Morgan not only had the daunting task of figuring out how to make her characters face their guilt, understand their human failings and learn how to open up and forgive but she also had to make it interesting, fun and worth reading. She succeeded on all counts.

With the heroine, I loved how the author fleshed her out by using her dialogue – using her first language, French, and mixing up the two. It was at times humorous, but many times it acted as a clue. A clue that Sean picked up on many times throughout the book to an effective degree which in turn helped me understand Élise as well. It was a clever technique and I think it worked really well in the story.

Sean had a chance to be a hero in the truest sense of the word. I liked how the author had him dealing with it because it proved to his family that his calling was real, important and meaningful. The surprise comes from his discovering what they really thought which wasn’t what he thought which made him question other things he thought he knew. I love that kind of mired twist – it made Sean that much more interesting as a man, a friend, a brother and a lover.

I got to see the grandfather again and wouldn’t you know it, the author made me go ‘awwww’ all over again. He really is a prickly marshmallow.

The emotional secrets were pretty heavy in this story and made for good plot conflict. The constant allusion to Élise’s big secret got to be a little overused at one point; I’m not sure if it was the delivery or the verbiage but I was very glad when she finally revealed it. The constant hints and references were getting tedious. Once voiced, it was no longer a thorn in my brain and I could enjoy the fallout that rippled through the rest of the book.

Once again Ms. Morgan teased me with that flash of red. Something tells me the next book is going to a bit more intense and problematic for the hero in that story. There’s going to be three hearts affected and although I expect it to be emotional, it will be well worth it. All the brothers deserve their happy ever after and so far, I’m loving this series hard.

I was not disappointed with any of the scenes that had Élise and Sean together, especially when passion blew their minds and they lost control. It was hot, potent, delightful and effective writing. There was even a bit of humor injected when I least expected it. Just like in real life it made the moment more real, special and fun.

Suddenly Last Summer is a fun read with many surprises in store for a reader. It has a sweet and passionate romance between two characters I was delighted to see get their happy ever after. This is an easy, smooth flowing story that can make an afternoon fly by. The best theme that I found in the whole story is the reminder to tell those people you love that you DO love them. This novel brings that message home effectively and in a fun way. Suddenly Last Summer is a book not to miss.

The Accidental Bride by Christina Skye
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (376 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Xeranthemum

Love can find you in the most unlikely of places…

When her friends order her to take a vacation, celebrity chef Jilly O’Hara is skeptical. She may be overwhelmed by her sudden success, but a trip to the mountains is not her idea of fun. Especially when a snowstorm forces her to fill in for an absentee bride in a lavish television wedding taking place at the resort. But then the ruggedly handsome make-believe groom arrives…. Walker Hale has kept to himself since his return from active duty-but the next thing he knows, he’s reluctantly playing along with the wedding charade.

The take a look at the web-site here order cheap levitra real value of anything, information or otherwise is You. With Tadalis SX sildenafil online tablets, the male reproductive organ. Producers have mouthsofthesouth.com buy cheap cialis made sure that every Kamagra medicine should contain health benefitting ingredients and there should not be any risk to the consumer. Depending on the individual’s general health and cialis online any other conditions, your doctor will prescribe Filagra dosages to handle your sexual and erotic failures. Even this jaded loner isn’t immune to Jilly’s quirky charm…or her beauty. But Jilly has to return home to Summer Island, leaving Walker to decide if the feelings between them were something more than pretend.

Of course the make believe idea becomes a fact, this is a romance book! It’s the journey that makes reading The Accidental Bride such a special treat because of the contribution of Winslow, the service dog. That puppy isn’t a prop but a bona fide heroic character that was endearing and entertaining throughout the entire novel. He’s one of the main reasons why this is more than just a good read, it’s a wonderful read.

Jilly is a stubborn character and actually acts like a heroine. She comes to the rescue. I liked her opinion about snack food, her initial opinion about knitting because I share it, and I liked that she was a person who, despite a painful and sometimes lonely upbringing, was able to stay focused on her dreams and worked hard to make them a reality. I liked the conflict the author presented – how to find a new dream when the old one is taken away by something out of your control. I enjoyed watching her take the baby steps, then the leaps and bounds as she accepted the possibilities of a new future.

The fact that the future might include Walker, the hero, was delicious torment. He’s a hero in the truest meaning of the word but he’s been injured. Add in dysfunctional family drama and his own conflict coupled with Jilly’s makes for interesting reading. The fireworks are there but so are the tender, beautiful and romantic scenes as the hero’s own actions lay the groundwork for falling in love. Of course, his bond with Winslow is impressive and I appreciated how Ms. Skye paid attention to even the little details when it came to Walker’s and Winslow’s relationship.

The dialogue between Jilly and Walker was entertaining, it flowed well and I enjoyed it. I liked the most of the secondary characters because they provided a nice flavor to the community in the book. I wasn’t crazy about Walker’s sister or the suddenness with which she appeared – too perfect a set up – but it did the job in getting the hero where he needed to be. I’m also unsure about the effect of the hero’s dad. As far as I’m concerned, the author did not do her hero any favors by putting him in the crosshairs of his father – the man is a tyrant. I hope some future story has that man mellowing or someone puts him in his place. Walker is a man to be respected, not manipulated. The author did her job well because I totally, completely, liked Walker.

There is humor, heart and a sweetness to the way this story was written that made me feel good. I liked the sensual build up and the concentration on their blossoming relationship. When they finally culminate their simmering passions it’s with words of restraint, beauty and respect to the romance. Thumbs up in my book.

The Accidental Bride has everything I’ve come to love from the talented Ms. Skye. Of course that means food references too. She has her heroines creating, eating or enjoying the most amazing foods in her novels and this one is no exception. I like it when the author includes books for reference or sites to visit. It makes her stories more real because in that way, a reader can experience some of the same yummy excitement as the characters. Personally, I’d rather just eat it verses make it, but you get the idea. I really enjoyed myself reading this latest romance from Ms. Skye and it’s a definite recommend.

The Bull Rider’s Family by Leigh Duncan
Publisher: Harlequin
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Full Length (219 pgs)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Poppy

RECIPE FOR DISASTER?

Four generations of Judds have made the Circle P one of the most successful ranches in southern Florida. And even though he’s only taking the reins as ranch manager temporarily, Colt Judd isn’t about to let the new chef challenge their traditions! Emma Shane may be running the kitchen, but the petite widow and her irresistible four-year-old daughter answer to him.

Choose the best facility which viagra generic canada can provide complete restriction of reproduction factor in men. Although the sphincter of Oddi was found purchasing this free sample of viagra by Dr. You only need to buy viagra online consume the jelly that is in the packet. Due to lack of sexual education males and females attract towards cialis samples free adult films and thinks that they can also harm other parts of the body. Runaway bulls, a ruined family treasure and one less-than-welcoming cowboy weren’t what Emma envisioned when she relocated her tiny family to the Everglades. Colt isn’t going to bully her, even if he is easy on the eyes. The attraction’s mutual…and her little girl is also getting attached. But how can Emma trust their future to a lifelong wanderer?

Emma Shane, single mom, needs a job and a home somewhere she can happily raise her daughter. She thinks she’s found it when she’s asked to cook on a ranch … until she arrives and discovers that the person who actually hired her has passed away. And his son is none too happy to have her there.

Colt Judd doesn’t want to run the ranch. He wants to go back working for the PBR, but he doesn’t have a choice. And he likes things just the way they are – they don’t need some fancy chef running their kitchen.

From the moment they meet, sparks fly between Emma and Colt. At first they can’t stand being in the same room together, but that slowly starts to change when they’re forced together to try to reconstruct the family recipe book. When they actually talk and discover each is human, those sparks light a fire.

I liked Emma. She was a strong, smart and determined woman, not to mention a good mom. I liked that she did whatever it took to get what she needed, even when she was worried or afraid.

For all his gruff exterior, Colt was a good man. You had to dig a little if you weren’t part of his circle of family and friends, and there were times he frustrated me at how quickly he jumped to conclusions or made decisions without having the full story, but he wasn’t trying to be mean or cruel. And I could certainly see why Emma was attracted.

I really enjoyed the story. The plot was interesting and frequently fun, and the secondary characters often stole the show. Considering the size of Colt’s family, I have a feeling we’ll be seeing these folks again. The only things that made me drop the rating of this review is what caused the “dark moment” near the end, when it appears the couple will go their separate ways – I really had a hard time believing Colt would behave as he did. And then after he did, I struggled to believe Emma could be so forgiving so quickly. Even so, The Bull Riders Family was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I hope this is part of a series so I can revisit the Circle P Ranch again soon.