Take a Chance on Me by Jane Porter

June 20, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Take a Chance on Me by Jane Porter
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

Savvy stylist Amanda Wright loves Marietta, her hair salon, and her clients, and no client is more dear to her heart than eighty-year-old Bette Justice–even if her years have made her a little fragile. So when Bette asks Amanda for a favor—to convince her stubborn grandson that Marietta is her true home—Amanda can’t say no.

Tyler Justice, a successful game designer, has a one-track mind–he wants to take care of his beloved grandmother. He can’t understand her resistance to move to Texas and is sure that the young friend she keeps mentioning–Amanda–is taking advantage of his grandmother’s generosity. He reaches Marietta determined to put the salon owner in her place and bring his grandmother home…until smart, kind Amanda starts to tug at his heart in ways he never expected.

But just as Tyler and Amanda start to form a real connection, will a long-buried family secret destroy their chance at love?

I’ve always loved stories set in small towns and Take a Chance on Me hit all the right notes. The fictional town of Marietta felt like home, reminding me of the close-knit community I once lived in and still miss. The heroine, Amanda Wright, owns a local salon and genuinely cares for her clients. One standout is 80-year-old Bette, a beloved townsperson who doesn’t want to relocate to Texas to be with her grandson. I related to her deeply–moving away from your roots is no small thing.

Enter Tyler Justice, Bette’s grandson and the hero of the story. At first, I was skeptical of him—he arrives in Marietta with accusations against Amanda and a plan to drag his grandmother back to his home. But as the story unfolds, it was fun watching Bette and Amanda nudge Tyler’s perspective. His character arc was satisfying, especially as he began to truly understand the life his grandmother had built.

The romance between Amanda and Tyler had its share of ups and downs, making the happy ending all the more rewarding. Tyler’s company and Amanda’s family secret added layers of tension that kept me turning pages. I loved Amanda’s quirky flair—her love of the color pink, and how she boldly used it in unexpected ways. It was endearing to see Tyler come to appreciate that part of her personality.

Jane Porter’s writing was engaging, and I found myself breezing through the book in just a few hours. All I could heard when I saw the title of this book was Take a Chance on Me by ABBA—one of my all-time favorite songs. So, it feels perfectly fitting to say that I’m glad I took a chance on reading this book by Jane Porter! If you enjoy heartfelt romance, small-town charm, and a story that balances warmth with just the right amount of drama, I wholeheartedly recommend others take a chance on this delightful read!

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Spotlight on: Click of Fate by Lauren Helms

June 13, 2025 By Leave a Comment
Click of Fate by Lauren Helms
 is a flirty, heartfelt romance with heat, humor, and a whole lot of chaos. With tropes like one-night stand to more, he-falls-first, and forced proximity, it’s perfect for readers who love emotional depth, found family, and a hero who falls hard—and a heroine who’s terrified he means it.
Blurb Once upon a time, there was a charming climber and a stubborn photographer who swore she’d never fall—until she did. Stella I don’t do roots. Or relationships. Or anything that involves the word “forever.” But Luke Farley? He’s the kind of man who makes one night feel like a promise. With that stupidly perfect smile, a body built for sin, and hands that know exactly what they’re doing—he’s dangerously easy to want. It was supposed to be casual. A few non-dates, a little flirting, and zero expectations. Now I’m staring down feelings I swore I’d never catch… and falling for a man who climbs like he was born to take risks. And worst of all? I don’t want to run. Luke Stella Young walked into my life like a dare I couldn’t resist—smart mouth, with a camera around her neck and zero intention of sticking around. She warned me not to catch feelings. Too late. She’s the one I want—complicated, messy, and magnetic as hell. She says she’s not built for love. I think she’s just scared of falling. Good thing I’m here to catch her. Click of Fate is a swoony, one-night-stand romance about climbing risks, letting go of fear, and finding the kind of love worth falling for.

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Excerpt 

Copyright 2025, Lauren Helms

When Alex texted me earlier today and told me about the fun special he had running tonight, he demanded that I stop by. When I realized I actually had the evening free and didn’t really need to stick around my office until ten like I normally do, I decided beer and meatballs sounded pretty fire. “So, I’m not going to lie, I was wondering what Meatball Thursday was all about,” Stella says, reading over the small menu Alex dropped in front of us. Glancing down at it myself, I realize he once again went all out for specialty food night. “Yeah, I’ll give it to Alex. He knows how to pair beer and food.” I chuckle when I see he has seven different pairings. “I never really think much of meatballs, but I’m strangely excited about this.” “Do you think meatballs live rent-free in most people’s minds?” I ask her, and while she doesn’t look at me, I see her smile and know I’m on the right track with her. I really didn’t plan on hooking up tonight, but this woman is intriguing as hell. There is something about her that screams, You want to get to know me, but I won’t make it easy. I’ve always found that hard work pays off. “So, you own a rock climbing gym?” she asks as she looks around the crowded bar. I guess I still haven’t earned her full attention. “I run it. I don’t own it yet. Family business. I’ve been given some freedom to prove myself,” I tell her honestly. “Ah. That sounds both invigorating and stressful.” She glances at me. The Trading Post isn’t a dark and dreary place, so there’s plenty of light for me to see the look she gives me. She must know a thing or two about having to prove herself. “It is. What about you?” I ask her, picking up my glass and taking a sip. She finally gives me her attention, and her face lights up as she starts to share. “I’m a photojournalist.” Impressed, I lean back and whistle. “Look at you. That’s an impressive career.” She smiles and shrugs, trying to play it cool. “So, what kind of things do you photo journal about?” She lifts her chin. “Sports, cultural events, and human-interest stories across the US.” “Like…” I just want her to keep talking; she’s clearly passionate about her career. “I’ve covered Mardi Gras, several major music festivals, people with interesting jobs—like storm chasers—and most recently, last year’s X Games in Aspen.” “Wow. So I bet you’ve seen a lot of interesting stuff.” “You could say that. But I’ve never needed a meatball served seven ways with beer.” She laughs, grinning wide, and I can’t help it—I’m locked in. She’s fucking gorgeous when she isn’t pretending she isn’t invested in our conversation. Determined, I clear my throat. “All right, first test. What kind of meatballs are you getting?” I ask her. “What do you mean, first test? What happens if I fail?” She finally looks away from the menu and levels me with a challenging look. “I get up and leave. That’s it. That’s the deal breaker.” I know I’m taking a risk by saying this, but I’m nothing if not a risk taker. She ponders this for a moment, her bottom lip pulled between her teeth. “That’s dramatic. You own a climbing gym, not a Michelin-star restaurant.” “Hey, you learn a lot about a person from their food choices. You get Swedish meatballs, you’re a comfort creature. You pick buffalo, you live for chaos.” “And what about bourbon barbecue?” she asks, eyeing the menu again. “You like things sweet with a little kick. You act tough but secretly love cozy things, like flannel and autumn and sad acoustic music.” I don’t tell her that perfectly describes me. “That’s disturbingly specific. Do you also moonlight as a psychic?” she challenges. “Nah, I just observe things.” I grin at her and tap my glass. We’ll need to get some food in front of us before we get another drink if we plan on keeping up this flirting tonight. “All right, Professor Meatball, what are you getting?” she asks as she turns toward me, crossing one leg over the other, her Converse-covered foot dangling dangerously close. “I’m feeling the Korean gochujang. Spicy, unexpected, and a little bit of an adventure,” I tell her with a slow, knowing smirk. Let her read into that. Her mouth twitches with a ghost of a smile. “That tracks. I was gonna say it sounds reckless, but you probably climb rocks for fun.” “And you photograph people doing reckless things for fun. Not so different.” “Hmm. Maybe.” She studies me, and the attention is addicting. “So, what’s it gonna be? Are we food soulmates or is this doomed before it starts?” Stella taps her finger over her lips as she pretends to think hard. Laughter twinkles in her eyes as she watches me. “Bourbon barbecue. Guess I’m leaning into the ‘sweet with a kick’ label.” I pump my fist in the air. “Knew it.”

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About Lauren Helms

Lauren Helms writes romance that’s nerdy, flirty, and just a little bit dirty. Her stories are set in big cities with small-town vibes, where every couple gets their happily ever after—and probably a few swoony gaming references along the way. Her love for love stories started with a book blog and leveled up fast—thanks to her background in video game strategy publishing and a passion for stories that make your heart race. That magic combo sparked her beloved Gamer Boy series, and she’s been writing HEAs ever since. She’s also the founder of Indie Pen PR, where she helps fellow romance authors bring their book boyfriends to life and make some serious buzz in the process. When she’s not plotting meet-cutes or helping other authors promote theirs, Lauren’s all about iced coffee, perfectly color-coded planners, and binge-worthy TV. She lives in Indianapolis with her husband and their three aspiring nerds-in-training—where love, laughter, and chaos are always part of the storyline. Follow: Facebook | Reader Group |  Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon |  BookBub | Website | Newsletter |

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For Love’s Sake by Kelli A. Wilkins

June 12, 2025 By Leave a Comment


For Love’s Sake by Kelli A. Wilkins
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

She left everything behind to be with him.
He risked losing everything to stay with her.
They were willing to sacrifice everything… for love’s sake

Through a case of mistaken identity, Prince Kevan of Alborg narrowly avoids an assassination attempt and wakes to find himself trapped in mad King Torok’s rat-infested dungeon. Just when he is about to give up hope, he is rescued by an unlikely ally—Torok’s daughter, Princess Adrianna.

Adrianna is desperate to flee her father’s kingdom and agrees to help the handsome stranger escape, but only if he takes her with him when he leaves. Although Kevan knows bringing Adrianna home will not sit well with his father and lead to other complications, he agrees.

They make their way to a waiting ship captained by Kevan’s brother, Mikhael, and set sail for Alborg. Along the way they are lost at sea during a ferocious storm, battle a murderous mercenary sent by Adrianna’s father, and try to deny their intense romantic feelings for each other.

When they arrive in Alborg, Kevan’s father, King Lenard, disapproves of Adrianna and drops the bombshell that Kevan is already engaged to be married. While Kevan tries to get out of the arranged marriage, Mikhael introduces Adrianna to members of the nobility in an effort to win over the king.

At his engagement ball, Kevan is forced to choose between his duty to his father and his loyalty to Adrianna. Soon after, Adrianna is kidnapped and Kevan and Mikhael band together to hunt down her abductors and rescue her before it’s too late.

Yes, it’s true that the heroine, Adrianna, left everything behind to be with the hero, Kevan—but the reality is, she didn’t have much to leave behind. Her father certainly wasn’t winning any “Father of the Year” awards. On the other hand, Kevan risked everything, including his life, to be with Adrianna—and that kind of sacrifice was utterly swoon-worthy. Since both of them were putting so much on the line, I felt compelled to put my own life on hold and read For Love’s Sake uninterrupted.

Kelli A. Wilkins is one of my favorite authors, and this book is another perfect example of why. Her writing is fast-paced, vivid, and always emotionally gripping. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough! With a whirlwind of mistaken identity, being lost at sea, abduction, and a steamy romance, there was never a dull moment. I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen next—and I loved every second of it.

In fact, I feel like I need to read this book a second time just to savor it properly. I devoured it the first time, rushing to the next scene because I couldn’t wait to see what came next. If you enjoy historical romance filled with drama, danger, and a deeply satisfying happily-ever-after, I highly recommend For Love’s Sake.

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Lincoln by Alisa Jean

June 11, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Lincoln by Alisa Jean
Los Angeles Quakes Hockey – Book 1
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

L.A. Quakes’ fans stomped their feet to cheers of “Caveman!” when I made incredible saves in the crease, leading the team to two Stanley Cup victories. I thought I could go on forever, but at thirty-six, the clock’s counting down even for Lincoln Cavanaugh. Social media and fan sites are filled with rumors of me being traded. Or worse. My future looks as uncertain as a loose puck on the ice.

My fate rests in the hands of Catherine Bishop, daughter of the team’s owner and a power to be reckoned with. And what fine hands they are, along with everything else about her. A chance encounter leads to sparks between us, but is falling in love with this incredible woman worth the risk?

Because with her by my side, I’m once again an unstoppable force between the pipes, and victories pile up like never before. However, our love is a ticking time bomb because Catherine has dreams of making history as the first female and person of color to own an NHL team. Sleeping with a player would make that all go up in smoke. I fear when the truth comes out, it will be the final buzzer for us.

A romance story where the hero is a hockey player? I had to read this book! I love hockey—I actually met my husband at a hockey game, and he used to play when he was younger. I put my phone on silent and read this book faster than it takes to make a trick shot.

It was easy to relate to Lincoln Cavanaugh because I understand what it takes to play a sport at a professional level. The dedication, commitment, and perseverance are never-ending. The physical toll is unimaginable, and the responsibility to the team, family, friends, and fans can feel overwhelming. The author, Alisa Jean, did a fantastic job writing a realistic and relatable character in Lincoln Cavanaugh.

I fell in love with Lincoln for many reasons, but the biggest was how he never lost sight of the joy he felt when he played hockey as a kid. He stayed grounded throughout his successful career and humbly gave back to his local youth hockey programs. Often, what begins as fun, competitive, and character-building sadly turns into a business, and players can lose the love for the sport—or worse, become arrogant. Alisa Jean also nailed this reality by creating some arrogant teammates on Lincoln’s NHL team, the Quakes, which added even more authenticity to the story.

Catherine, the heroine, was a perfect match for Lincoln. Their chemistry was strong throughout the story, and the drama between them kept me intrigued. I’ll admit, at first, I found Catherine a little selfish, and there were moments when I felt she wasn’t good enough for Lincoln. However, as their relationship evolved, I saw how they balanced each other out beautifully, and Catherine won me over by the end.

I’m so excited this is Book One in the Los Angeles Quakes Hockey Series because I’m already eager to dive into Book Two!

One thing that was new to me: at the end of the book, there was a QR code to scan for a bonus scene. To get it, you had to sign up for the author’s newsletter. I’ll be honest—I felt a little manipulated. I wouldn’t have downloaded it if I hadn’t loved the story so much. Thankfully, the bonus scene (which felt like an epilogue) was absolutely worth it and gave the book a truly satisfying happily-ever-after.

I’m officially a Quakes fan, and I’ll be eagerly stomping my feet and cheering for the second book in this series!

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MOVIE REVIEW: Royal-ish

June 9, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Royal-ish
Writers: Teri Wilson
Director: Roger M. Bobb
Starring: Nichole Sakura, William Moseley
Publisher: Hallmark
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars (8/10 stars on IMDB)
Review by Dicentra

Lacey is an amusement park princess who befriends 8-year-old Rose, a real-life princess, and is recruited by her handsome father to travel to their kingdom and be the new governess.

Hallmark movies are where happily ever after lovers go for a guaranteed happy ending (usually in the last five minutes), and that’s no different in one of their newest releases, Royal-ish. Theme park princess Lacey (Sakura) spends her days delivering magical tea parties to children in her role as Princess Sweet Pea. When she befriends 8-year-old Princess Rose (and her father and heir to the throne Prince Henry (Moseley) it sets off a romance that screams meet cute and swoon.

While the movie is very much stereotypical Hallmark in plot, it tackles some deeper issues. Lacey found work as a princess while she was working towards a graduate degree, and finds joy in bringing joy to others. She’s worried about aging out of her job (which hadn’t previously registered for me as an issue for theme park workers). The young princess Rose is struggling with the weight of responsibility after the death of her mother and a traumatic incident. And the romantic love interest (Prince Henry) struggles to balance his role as a father and the crown prince of a small kingdom. They did make some slight changes to the stereotypical ‘royal’ plot line for these movies that left me amused. And while the lines were undeniably cheesy, it remained entertaining and engaging.

Overall, this was another entertaining storyline. I didn’t realize this was supposed to be another ‘trilogy’ movie, as they didn’t connect it outright to the other movies (The Royal We and The Reluctant Royal) like they did in their other trilogies (The Wedding Veil Trilogy). I highly recommend this movie to those who like low pressure, guaranteed happily ever after stories. I don’t recommend this movie to those looking for innovative, high-stakes storylines that are harder to predict.

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King of Hearts by M. Jean Pike

June 5, 2025 By 1 Comment


King of Hearts by M. Jean Pike
Publisher: White Rose Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

After keeping a secret promise to a friend, Harper Blessings’ s life is spiraling out of control. Her food truck barely pays the bills, she’ s raising her rebellious brother and caring for her forgetful aunt…and she’ s four months pregnant.

When Aunt Clara wanders off at a carnival and hires the carousel operator who rescues her to do odd jobs, Harper’ s house-of-cards life begins to topple. The last thing she needs is a handsome drifter complicating her already problematic life. Or so she thinks.

Drifter Dalton Kingston has a few secrets of his own. Growing up as a child of privilege, he wanted for nothing…except love. Then an unspeakable tragedy causes him to walk away from it all, pushing love as far away as possible. Until love pushes back in the form of a beautiful woman who desperately needs his help, and the God he’ s not sure he can forgive.

This was a wholesome, inspirational, and heartwarming romance set in a small town where everyone knows your name.

Harper, the leading lady, is doing all she can to keep her head above water. Dalton, the leading man, is simply trying to make it through another day. They’re drawn to each other by their shared compassion and natural instinct to care for others. It’s amazing how their faith in God allows them to open their hearts again after the heartbreak they’ve experienced from people who were supposed to love them unconditionally.

I found their love story to be especially encouraging because it tackled the theme of forgiveness—-something that can be incredibly challenging. Several characters in the book demonstrate what it looks like to forgive others, and in doing so, offer hope that forgiveness is not only possible, but necessary for personal healing and the strength of relationships.

Aunt Clara is a standout character. She’s the glue that holds both her family and the town of Redford’s Crossing together. I’d even go as far as to call her an angel in disguise. Her presence is endearing and uplifting, and she brings out the best in those around her.

The writing style immediately pulled me in–from page one, when Aunt Clara wandered to the carousel and met Dalton. The plot is original, the pace is steady, and the ending is absolutely delightful.

This is the kind of story I could happily read more than once. I wholeheartedly encourage others to give it a try.

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Made To Love You by Nan Reinhardt

May 27, 2025 By 1 Comment


Made To Love You by Nan Reinhardt
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Mistflower

She’s not looking for love, but a handsome veterinarian and a lost puppy have other plans…

Gorgeous and gifted, Annabelle Walker is a force of nature. A talented architect who has brought new designs and concepts to her family’s construction firm, Anna’s happy and doesn’t feel anything’s missing from her life, even as her siblings have all fallen in love this year. And then she finds an injured puppy on a bike ride.

Veterinarian Sawyer Braxton is lost while driving to his first day at Price Veterinary Clinic. He stops to ask directions of a bicyclist on the side of the road, and discovers three things: She’s beautiful, stranded with a flat tire, and holding an injured puppy. Sawyer’s fascinated, and it feels like fate as he offers the intriguing and vibrant woman a ride to the vet clinic.

It’s a meet-cute, and Annabelle’s definitely attracted, but she’s determined that this time, she really will take a break from men. Sawyer’s as stubborn as he is sexy, and he hits on a plan for a date—they’ll both foster the pup while it heals.

The synopsis for Made to Love You comes close to revealing a bit too much for this meet-cute romance, but thankfully, two unexpected surprises near the end made the story even more enjoyable and pleasantly caught me off guard. This was definitely a modern, contemporary read that was quick, fun, and thoroughly entertaining.

Annabelle, the heroine, is a beautiful, intelligent, and talented architect recovering from a recent breakup. I found her situation with the injured, lost puppy to be relatable—especially her uncertainty in how to care for it. Her humorous reactions throughout that experience made me smile and connect with her even more.

Enter Sawyer—a new-in-town veterinarian and the hero of the story. He swoops in to help Annabelle with both the puppy and, in some ways, her heart. His idea for them to co-foster the puppy until a permanent home could be found was clever and sweet. The chemistry between Annabelle and Sawyer was sensual and heartwarming, leaving me with that fuzzy feel-good feeling.

How the puppy ended up lost, the journey Annabelle and Sawyer go on together, and the resolution of both the romance and the pup’s future made the book absolutely worth reading.

I highly recommend Made to Love You by Nan Reinhardt. Her writing style had me turning pages with a smile and joy in my heart.

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Driving the Bugmobile by Alan Orloff

May 21, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Driving the Bugmobile by Alan Orloff
Publisher: Level Best Books
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Romance, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Sometimes a pool noodle is just a pool noodle. Other times…

In two short weeks, Nick Carlin will be old enough to get his driver’s license, but there’s a catch—a huge one. His mom says he must first pass a swimming test, and Nick takes to the water as well as a flying fish pilots a jumbo jet. It’s one more challenge as the Summer From Hell comes to an August crescendo: his slacker friend Miller is worried about “failing life,” and the older girl Nick’s crushing on—his robo-hottie swimming instructor—is leaving for college. But the cherry on top of the stress sundae? His mom’s low-life moocher boyfriend has just moved in, and Nick is supposed to be happy about it!

As Nick struggles to get his life in shape (and master the freestyle), he learns that the best solutions aren’t always the easiest ones. If he wants to relieve his friend’s anxiety, shield his mom from heartache, find happiness with the right girl (hint: not the robo-hottie), and score the keys to the Bugmobile, he’ll have to step up his game, big-time.

Growing up isn’t always easy.

Mr. Orloff did an excellent job of showing both the upsides and the downsides of being a teenager, from the parties to dealing with the frustration of rules that don’t quite make sense. Nick was at the age when he was almost ready for bigger responsibilities in life like getting his driver’s license, and his impatience to grow up felt realistic and relatable to me. Time often seems to pass more slowly when you’re a teenager, so the thought of waiting even a few more weeks was exasperating to him. I smiled and nodded along as I read about everything he did to prove to his mom that he was responsible enough for this next step.

I would have liked to see more attention paid to the subplot involving the budding relationship between Nick’s mom, Tiffany, and her new boyfriend. She was such an attentive and cautious parent in other areas of life that I was a bit surprised by how quickly she not only introduced Jason to Nick but also invited him into their family traditions and routines. Having more details about her thought processes here would have made this a five-star read for me.

Some of the most interesting scenes were the ones that explored why Nick had never learned how to swim despite years of lessons. His reasons made perfect sense and gave extra layers of depth of this character. I also appreciated the way this storyline explored how childhood experiences can shape someone’s personality for years to come. Yes, I know that’s a little vague, but the big reveal isn’t something anyone should have spoiled for them, and figuring out what it was made this reader even more curious to discover what happened next.

Driving the Bugmobile was an absorbing read.

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An Irish Vet in Kentucky by Susan Carlisle

May 15, 2025 By Leave a Comment


An Irish Vet in Kentucky by Susan Carlisle
Publisher: Harlequin, Mills and Boon
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

A PULSE-RACING ENCOUNTER…

Vet Conor lost everything when his wife and unborn child died. Now, working in Kentucky with a horse entered in the famous derby is the ideal distraction. He just didn’t expect to be in such close quarters with beautiful equine trainer Christina… After her ex destroyed her professional reputation, Christina is firmly off men. Until the Irishman moves into the room next door! Soon, their chemistry can’t be reined in. But as the finish line approaches, can they move on from their heartache and bet that this time they’ll win?

You can’t deny nature!

I have to start this review by saying I love the books of Susan Carlisle. As soon as I see a new one, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. This book was no different. The writing was crisp, it kept me on my toes wanting to know what would happen to the characters and had me rooting for them all the way. All with the backdrop of the Kentucky Derby. What more could you ask for?

I dove right into this book and immediately liked the characters. Conor has been through a lot and needs a fresh start. I liked that he wasn’t shy about his job or going for what he wanted. Christina has been hurt, romantically and financially, so she’s not interested in another relationship. I liked that these two were trying so hard not to get together. That’s what made me root for them more!

If you want a fast-paced story, with characters not soon forgotten, with the backdrop of the Kentucky Derby, then pick this one up. Recommended.

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Treachery by Shirley Bigelow Dekelver

May 13, 2025 By Leave a Comment


Treachery by Shirley Bigelow Dekelver
Climate of Fire Book 2
Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
Genre: Young Adult (14 – 18 y.o.), Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

It is 2046, a year since Vancouver was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami. Taylor West, Carlie Fleming, Mai-Li Wong, and Willie Arbuckle, four young adults, and three children, twin brothers Rusty and Eddie Coleman, and Debbie, who has Downs Syndrome, lived in constant fear of the violent gangs. Making a life-saving decision they leave Little Mountain and walk to the Interior, hoping to find a better life.

The journey is fraught with unimaginable hardship and danger. Surviving a firestorm in the Wastelands, they clash with the Desert Rats, and lose one of their own. Heartbroken they continue their trek, finding an old, abandoned cabin near Mount Davis. Winter is rapidly approaching, and they decide to delay their journey until Spring. Taylor admits to Carlie he has feelings for her, but she rejects his advances, as she is unable to accept Rusty’s death. Willie is caught stealing food and is banished from the group. Realizing he might seek revenge; Taylor decides they cannot stay in the cabin, they must leave immediately.

Their progress is slow, the snow is deep and the steep mountain trails take their toll on the younger children. They arrive at Blakeburn, a deserted mining town, and meet Pete Johnson, a trapper and prospector. Pete is the Chief of the Similkameen band, who live in harmony with the Chinese people in Blackfoot, their destination. Relationships are tested time and again. Will they remain strong and what will shatter?

Love is stronger than fear.

I appreciated the character development in this book. Yes, the characters still sometimes made impulsive and illogical decisions, but they also showed signs of accepting the dangerous new world they lived in and of thinking ahead at times in order to have access to the food, shelter, and supplies they’d need to survive in it. Practice leads to progress, so I was pleased with how they’d matured since I first met them.

It would have been helpful to either have more attention paid to the romantic subplot or to not include it at all. It’s not something I thought the main storyline needed, at least at this point, and I was surprised the characters involved in it went in that direction due to the much more pressing conflicts and basic human needs they were struggling with. I would have liked to have stronger reasons to root for those two individuals to end up together. They were both interesting people on their own, I simply needed more information about why they’d be a good romantic match and why this particular moment in the timeline was the best time to go there instead of taking care of more urgent matters like having enough food and a warm, safe place to live first.

With that being said, I did enjoy seeing the characters become a found family and work together for the common good. It takes a lot of effort to look after children and people with intellectual disabilities in a setting like this, so I appreciated the descriptions of how everyone was kept (more or less) clean and fed under such difficult circumstances. That’s not something that’s always covered in this genre, but it’s one of those things I always hope to find in post-apocalyptic fiction as it would be such an important matter if something similar were ever to happen in real life.

This is the second instalment in a series that should be read in order for plot and character development reasons.

Treachery: Climate of Fire Book 2 was full of intrigue.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,
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