16 Lighthouse Road. D. Macomber

16 Lighthouse Road:Cedar Cove Book 1.
Debbie Macomber
Published: Brilliance Audio 2008
Format: Audio
Length: 9hours 47 minutes
Narrator: Sandra Burr
Genre: Contemporary

Olivia Lockhart 16 Lighthouse Road Cedar Cove, Washington Dear Listener, You don't know me yet, but in a few hours that's going to change. You see, I'm inviting you to my home and my town of Cedar Cove because I want you to meet my family, friends, and neighbors. Come and hear their stories - maybe even their secrets! I have to admit that my own secrets are pretty open. My marriage failed some years ago, and I have a rather difficult relationship with my daughter, Justine. Then there's my mother, Charlotte, who has plenty of opinions and is always willing to share them. Here's an example: I'm a family court judge and she likes to drop in on my courtroom. Recently I was hearing a divorce petition. In Charlotte's view, young Cecilia and Ian Randall hadn't tried hard enough to make their marriage work - and I agreed. So I rendered my judgement: Divorce Denied. Well, you wouldn't believe the reaction! Thanks to an article by Jack Griffin, the editor of our local paper (and a man I wouldn't mind seeing more of!), everyone's talking. Cedar Cove - people love it and sometimes they leave it, but they never forget it! See you soon? Olivia

My thoughts:
This is the first in the Cedar Cove series and I listened to it on audio.  The audio version was excellent, Sandra Burr always does an excellent narration in my opinion. She varied the voices and I am sure that I marked the whole book up by one because she gave added value.

It was a very busy time of the year as I listened to this book, and for awhile I became a little disorientated with it, as I had trouble tracking all the characters.  Eventually though I was able to straighten them all out.

I liked all the little story lines and the things that characters were involved in.  There seemed to be a lot of secrets that people were keeping from each other.  Some of which we knew by the end of the book and some that we didn't.  I think some of the characters like Olivia, Charlotte and Grace may be involved in further books, and so there may be updates in their lives.

All in all, this was a gentle small town story with a whole community of characters.

Detained

Detained
Ainslie Paton
Published: Harlequin Enterprises 2013
Format: Ebook. 323 pages
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Confined in a cold, dull room in the depths of a Shanghai airport, a journalist chasing a career break and a businessman with a shadowy past play a game of truth or dare — deliberately not exchanging names.

They tell each other their most painful secrets and burning desires. One dare leads to a kiss and a wild night of illicit passion, setting off a dangerous sequence of events, bringing exposure and disgrace.

Only the brutal truth can save them. But it will also rip them apart. And it will take more than daring before they can build a new truth together.

My thoughts.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, I had never heard of the author and hoped I wasn't in for a 'yawn'.  Was I surprised! I thoroughly enjoyed this book right from the first page.  Sure this is a billionaire - journalist type story, where the journalist wants to get an interview, but it is so much more.  It is well written and held me the whole time - no skim reading with this book.  It hooked me from the opening and there was so much happening right the way through, some of it I could see coming, other things came along as a surprise.

I loved the whole cast of characters.  Will Parker, millionaire, was not your suave type millionaire, rather a kind of rough cut one.  He had issues and could be quite controlling and aggressive. Sometimes he acted downright horribly.  In spite of some of the things he did, I never lost hope for him or disliked him.  He had the courage to face truth and I liked that about him.

Darcy was a journalist and I liked the way she stood her ground, was hard nosed with Will and in the end was able to be her true self.  A gutsy heroine and I loved her.  Other characters who stood out were Pete - Will's 'brother', Bo - Will's driver/caretaker, Aileen a secretary and Jiao, Will's former mistress. Great cast.

This book is set partly in Shanghai and partly Australia.  Ainslie Paton with her excellent writing was subtly able to make me be there in Australian and Chinese cities and small villages.  There is some violence at times in there, this is not entirely a pretty/pretty romance. The book has an edge to it, but it is also very satisfyingly romantic as well. I do like a book to end well and this one I thoroughly loved, it ended on a high and just right note for this reader.

Twas the Night.

Twas the Night                        TBR Challenge
Sandra Hill, Kate Holmes, Trish Jensen
Published: Bell Bridge Books 2010
Format: eBook
Pages: 251
Genre: Light contemporary romance
Source: Own it.

What do a Blue Angels pilot, a bounty hunter and an ex-NFL football player have in common? The three bad-boy bachelors of Snowdon, Maine have to make a friend's Christmas Eve wedding on time or die trying! They're willing to risk anything to make that happen-even dashing through the snow in the goofiest bus on Earth, bright red and filled with a bunch of merry, meddling senior citizens known as the Santa Brigade. All too soon, these men will have met their matches in three special women: a woman from their past, a forest ranger so hot she ought to be declared a fire hazard, and a woman on the run.

While serving up holiday cheer with the Santa Brigade, the guys will discover 'tis the season for good will and folly. Wise men or not, they are well and truly caught, which means these roguish St. Nicks are willing to jingle a few bells along the way if that's what it takes to find what they truly want for Christmas nestled in their beds after the stockings are stuffed and the gifts placed under the tree.

My thoughts:
This book has been sitting on my Kindle since 2011, so it was a very good candidate for the TBR challenge this month which called for a Christmas holiday season book.  Written by three authors, it still flows as one story, each author possibly taking responsibility for one of the heroes and their heroines. However they did it, this is one coherent story. This Kindle publication  is a reissue, it first came out in 2001 and another of its titles  is Here Comes Santa Claus.

As a Christmas season book, Twas the Night had all the elements that make a 'feel good' Christmas spirit book.  A group of older people who go around against great odds and bring joy to the less fortunate.  Three men who have been abandoned as children, returning to their home town to be at the wedding of the man who had 'fathered' them as they grew into teens.  Travelling through severe winter weather to make it to the wedding in time, they find themselves roped in the Santa Brigade, and also into a love that leads to commitment and finding 'true home'.  There was also a 'no room at the inn' scenario.

Favourite moments in the book were when Sam a Blue Angel pilot helicopters in and parachutes down to meet the Santa Brigade.  I also liked the way his heart goes out to Ritchie a small 10 year old who is dealing with a druggie mother.  Another moment is when Callie pickpockets Kevin - an ex policeman and now a private investigator.

It may have been me, a little wilted at this time of the year, this book didn't grab me by the hand and make me sit down and read, and at times I skim read.  A pleasant enough story though.

The Good Daughter. Jane Porter

The Good Daughter
Jane Porter
Published: Berkley 2013
Genre: Women's Fiction - Contemporary
Format: ebook
Pages:384
Source: Own book

Love was given to all, except herself . . . Kit Brennan has always been the most grounded of her sisters. A Catholic school English teacher for seventeen years and a constant giver, her decisions have been sound--just not very satisfying. Her fortieth birthday is right around the corner, causing Kit to consider some wilder notions, like skipping right past the love and marriage to raising a child all by herself . . . A girls' weekend away is just the reprieve Kit needs from school, Mr. Wrongs, and life-changing decisions.

It's there that she meets a man who's dangerous; a man who challenges who she thought she was, or rather "should" be. Kit wants to indulge herself this once, but with one of her students in crisis and the weight of her family's burdens weighing heavy on her heart, Kit isn't sure if now is the time to let her own desires take flight.

My thoughts:
This is the second in the Brennan sisters series. At first I thought it was going to chug along, it was interesting and I liked catching up with the family, but it was feeling a little bit blah to me. And then... Delilah the young step daughter of Missy and Michael (Harvey) hits the scene.  After that I found I didn't want to put it down.  We don't always know what goes on behind closed doors, and when we do suspect all is not well - what might we do?

I liked Kit, high school English teacher and always the good person in the family. She is genuinely caring towards others, but perhaps not really able to put herself first. She meets Jude, a tough looking biker, she is attracted but repelled at the same time. He doesn't fit the family image of her. However as the book unfolds there are dark secrets to be revealed and Kit finds unexpected support and love. Issues were revealed although not completely to everyone, the reader knows and some of the characters, but not all.  I was completely happy to see where Kit was placed by the end of the book, but I still longed for more!

I enjoyed catching glimpses of the others in the family, it was sad to watch the family gather in support around there mother as she faces the last stages of her fight with cancer.  I found the small glimpse of Meg annoying - I wanted to know what is really going on in her life.  How are things for her now?  Brianna - twin of Kit had some unexpected issues as well, although as I learned about Kit I should have seen that Brianna would have faced the same situation.

In short, I will be reading The Good Wife, very shortly to learn more of the Brennan family.

Books in this series:

The Good Woman

The Good Daughter

The Good Wife

Rumor Has It. Jill Shalvis

Rumor Has It
Jill Shalvis
Published: Berkley 2013
Format: Paperback
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages:281
Source: Own book

Special Ops soldier Griffin Reid doesn’t exactly have happy memories of growing up in Sunshine, Idaho. He’s only come back to recover from a war injury, and while he refuses to admit he’s in a weakened state, he finds comfort in the last person he’d expect.

Kate Evans teaches fourth grade science in Sunshine, the place she’s always called home. Dreaming of graduate school and a happily-ever-after, she’s desperate to break out of the monotony of Sunshine. Luckily, a certain sexy man has just come back into her life.To Griffin, Kate as always been his little sister’s friend, but now he’s finding her to be so much more. As both attempt to forge their paths, they must decide if their passionate connection can turn into something lasting…

My thoughts
This book is part of the Animal Attraction series, and I think it is my very favourite series by Jill Shalvis.  Rumor Has It is another excellent book in the series and I enjoyed it.  I liked Kate very much, and her being a teacher added that little piece of interest to it for me.  Griffin was a rather intense character with a back story of his own that added interest to the book.

Kate is the family mainstay.  Her mother has died and she keeps an eye out for her Dad who has not coped all that well, her sister Ashley - a teen, and her young brother Tommy who always insists on being either one hero or another.  She has the opportunity of a year's study in Science away from the area, but believes her family won't cope without her.  We all believe to some extent that we are our own versions of the Greek god, Atlas.  Part of this story is the tussle Kate has with letting go and choosing something more.

As I began this book the first thing I noticed were the sentences.  They were so nicely varied and fluent.  Normally I take this for granted in a published book, however I had just come from reading a book where the sentences just did not have that fluency.  I had spent time rearranging sentences, thinking - they could have been made more interesting this way. With Rumor Has It, after appreciating the first page and the fluency of the sentences, I sunk gratefully into the book and enjoyed the story and the characters!

Ladies' Night

Ladies' Night
Mary Kay Andrews
Published: Macmillan Audio
Date: 2013
Format: Audio
Length: 17hrs 28 min
Narrator: Kathleen McInerney
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Own audio.

Summary from Goodreads

Take a splash of betrayal, add a few drops of outrage, give a good shake to proper behavior and take a big sip of a cocktail called…Ladies'Night.

Grace Stanton’s life as a rising media star and beloved lifestyle blogger takes a surprising turn when she catches her husband cheating and torpedoes his pricey sports car straight into the family swimming pool.  Grace suddenly finds herself locked out of her palatial home, checking account, and even the blog she has worked so hard to develop in her signature style. Moving in with her widowed mother, who owns and lives above a rundown beach bar called The Sandbox, is less than ideal.  So is attending court-mandated weekly "divorce recovery" therapy sessions with three other women and one man for whom betrayal seems to be the only commonality. When their “divorce coach” starts to act suspiciously, they decide to start having their own Wednesday "Ladies' Night" sessions at The Sandbox, and the unanticipated bonds that develop lead the members of the group to try and find closure in ways they never imagined.  Can Grace figure out a new way home and discover how strong she needs to be to get there?

My thoughts:
I 'read' the audio version of this book, and while it was just over 17 hours I listened to it in just over a week.  Two reasons - when I am tired it is easier to sit back and listen to a book than actually read, and the main reason; it was so very well narrated.  Kathleen McInerney had a different voice for every character, and in my opinion did a stellar job.

The story itself was entertaining, with enough twists and turns to keep me interested.  Grace, the main character, was delightful.  I enjoyed her driving the sports car straight into the family pool.  I strongly disliked Ben her husband, and wondered how on earth someone like him could get away for so long being so unjust and vindictive.  All along I was wanting Grace to strike back more strongly, however Grace was the thoughtful type, she bided her time and was able to strike at crucial times. I liked that she never got totally down over the mean, vindictive things thrown at her.  She came back with perseverance and in ways that ultimately brought her everything she wanted.

The main male character, Wyatt, was another person in Grace's therapy group who proved to be fascinating.  He too, has a wife who has done the dirty on him.  He too negotiates this with patience and firmness at the right times.  His son is wonderful, and it brings out how a divorce can have a big impact on a child, especially when one parent is out to use the child to wager war.  Wyatt's Dad is another crusty character that I enjoyed.  He said what he thought, especially to Wyatt's ex wife, which got them in trouble, but well... she deserved every bit of it.

There are other characters in this book to like as well, Camryn the news anchor who busts in on the break up between Grace and Ben with her news team, is especially gutsy and herself has just been involved in a divorce and has taken some rather funny retribution on her husband because of his unfaithfulness.  She teams up well with Grace.

I really enjoyed this book and if you have the opportunity to listen to the audio I highly recommend it.

If You Could See What I See.

if you could see what I see
Cathy Lamb
Published: Kensington Books
Date: 2013
Genre: Women's fiction
Format: Paperback
Source: Own book

Summary from Goodreads

For decades, the women in Meggie O’Rourke’s family have run Lace, Satin, and Baubles, a lingerie business that specializes in creations as exquisitely pretty as they are practical. The dynamic in Meggie’s family, however, is perpetually dysfunctional. In fact, if Meggie weren’t being summoned back to Portland, Oregon, by her grandmother, she’d be inclined to stay away all together.

Since her husband’s death a year ago, Meggie’s emotions have been in constant flux, and so has her career as a documentary film maker. Finding ways to keep the family business afloat—and dealing with her squabbling sister and cousin—will at least give her a temporary focus. To draw customers to their website, Meggie decides to interview relatives and employees about their first bras and favorite lingerie. She envisions something flip and funny, but the confessions that emerge are unexpectedly poignant. There are stories of first loves and aching regrets, passionate mistakes and surprising rendezvous. And as the revelations illuminate her family’s past, Meggie begins to find her own way forward.

My thoughts
Some time ago I was hooked by Shelleyrae over on Book'd Out  when she wrote this review for If You Could See What I See by Cathy Lamb.  After reading her review I sent away for the book and just now got around to reading it.  I loved it.  Thanks to Shelleyrae I now have a new-to-me author; I want to read all the other books Cathy Lamb has written.

This book had an amazing cast of characters all centred around the family business.  Meggie who tells the story, has just recently returned, to become the CEO of the business - which is struggling. Meggie is struggling too, because of her recent past. This past is revealed piece by piece in the book - a mystery that is slowly revealed, through the flashbacks which work really well.  Little pieces of information are given and the reader wonders - why?

Meggie's sisters, grandmother and mother are all strong, feisty women.  They love, they fight for what they believe, they are there for each other.  They are all interesting, each has their own challenges to meet.  Lacey, one of Meggie's sisters has this amazing family of teenagers - and each have their own issues.  I liked every character, as I laughed and at other times felt my heart touched by their stories.

There are many issues explored in this book, each explored in a thoughtful and compassionate way by the author.  As a reader you are presented with the opportunity to think about these issues. As in life, there are no clear cut answers, however the reader is given insight into each character's point of view.  In every issue there are many stakeholders, Cathy Lamb shows this very well.

This book is a keeper, one to pick up and reread again.

Miracle Road. Emily March

Miracle Road
Emily March
Published: Random House - Ballantine
Date: 5th November 2013
Genre: Contemporary
Pages: 354
Format: eARC - Kindle.
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads.

After tragedy strikes his team, college basketball coach Lucca Romano arrives in the haven of Eternity Springs to reassess his life. Even a winning record and big offers can’t dent the wall of guilt that Lucca has built around himself. Nothing can - except maybe a vibrant new neighbour who won't give up on him.

Schoolteacher Hope Montgomery believes in miracles.  She has to believe—because giving up would mean crumbling under the greatest loss a parent can endure. Hope understands Lucca’s suffering; she lives it herself every day. However, the high school team needs his coaching expertise, so she sets out to draw him from his cold, solitary shell and into the warmth of life in their small Rocky Mountain town. But when a weak moment leads to consequences that shake Hope’s faith, it’s up to Lucca to put aside his heartache and show the teacher that here in Eternity Springs broken hearts can heal—just in time for Christmas.

My thoughts:
This is the 7th book in the Eternity Springs novels by Emily March.  This series is probably one of my top favorite set-in-a-small-town series.  It is right up there for me, Robyn Carr writes great small town books and so does Emily March.  I have relished every one of the Eternity Springs novels, Miracle Road being one of the best.   Mind you, I always love the one I am with!

In an Eternity Springs novel, at least one and probably two characters are going to face themselves and the greatest threats to their peace and happiness, tangle with personal demons and come out on the side of healing - because Eternity Springs has their own healing angel - Celeste Blessing.

Both Hope and Lucca carry heavy burdens, burdens that have knocked them down and affected them deeply.  Both have had different experiences - and ones that could happen to anyone, you only have to listen to the News on night television to hear sad stories similar to the ones Hope and Lucca have experienced.

There is great chemistry between Hope and Lucca from the beginning with some laugh out loud moments.  At various times one is stronger than the other, and as the story unfolds so does their growth and eventual happiness and healing.

The story is well written, there is no part in the story where it lags.  I was not tempted to skip any parts and I loved the interplay between the Romano family (Lucca's family). Especially there horror over their mother's love life.  Its obvious there are a few more tales to be told about his sister and brothers. Can't wait.  I also liked that we met briefly some of the characters from previous books and it was delightful to briefly meet up with the twin girls who belong to Nic and Gabe, from the very first book. The twins  are growing up, and are looking forward to soon being in Hope's kindergarten class.

While this book is number seven in the series, this book could easily stand alone for any reader, and is also a very fitting holiday seasonal read.

There are some books that I just have to read as soon as they are published - Eternity Springs novels by Emily March belong in that category for me.  Do you have books you just have to read straight away - they get no chance to linger on your TBR shelf?

Reflection Point  #6

Dreamweaver Trail  #8

The Way Home

The Way Home  #2 One Eyed Jacks
Cindy Gerard
Published: Gallery Books
Date:October 29th 2013
Pages: 368
Genre: Romance - contemporary
Format: Kindle
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads

Four years ago Jess Albert got the news that her husband Jeff was killed in action in Afghanistan, and a painful void entered her life. The more time passed, the more acutely she felt that emptiness. But when Tyler Brown, former military hero and all-around alpha male, shows up a year after she’d last seen him, Jess gradually begins to realize there is one thing that can make her feel whole again—love.

As they’re planning their wedding and new life together, Jess receives shocking news: her husband is alive, under the care of a young Afghani woman hiding him from the Taliban. Even as he sees their happily-ever-after slip away, Ty arranges for the One Eyed Jacks and Black Ops, Inc. teams to make a daring and dangerous rescue mission to bring Jeff home. The hardest thing Ty or Jess has ever done is to let the other go.

When Jeff returns to Jess, broken physically and emotionally and with no memory of their history, they try to heal their marriage and each other. But as time brings them together more as friends than lovers, an unexpected development helps them see the true way home, to the people they love.

My thoughts:
Wow - what an emotional ride.  The summary above pretty much tells you what happens, however it is the telling of the story that is so.... good.  I hadn't read the first one in this series, but I will be back tracking to do so at some point.

I liked the way the story was told from two viewpoints - Jess in the USA and Jeff in Afghanistan. In fact the parts that were narrated in the Afghanistan setting sealed the deal for me with this book.  It gave me an insight into what it might be like for a woman who conceals a prisoner from the Taliban.

The rescue section of the book - well it was full of action and I was not sure how it would go down. For those who like this type of action, its all there.

The most emotional part of the book for me was the final part, once Jeff is back on USA soil, and his re-entry into the lives of Jess his wife and Brad his brother.  I liked the intimacy that developed between Jeff and Jess, and was no doubt the saving grace for Jeff.

I loved the ending of the book, those final chapters touched my heart.  I wasn't totally sure how it would end, but all I can say is.... it was very satisfying.  And for those looking for a Christmas season book, well I'd say this one could just be it, especially if you like contemporary romance with some action.  Cindy Gerard has written a very good book.

Running Wild

 Running Wild
Linda Howard and Linda Jones
Published: Random House Audio
Date: November 2012
Genre: Western suspense
Length: 11 hours 47 min
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Maggie Wheeler
Source: Own the audio

Summary from Goodreads

Carlin Reed lives in fear, off the grid, moving from place to place. So Battle Ridge,Wyoming, a small town in the middle of nowhere, seems like a good place to lie low for a while. But after becoming cook and housekeeper to cattle rancher Zeke Decker, Carlin suspects that she’s made her first mistake. Rugged, sexy, and too distracting for his own good, Zeke is pure temptation mixed with something deep and primal that makes Carlin feel almost safe. Soon things are getting way too hot in the kitchen.

Zeke doesn't challenge Carlin’s terms: cash, dead bolts, and no questions. It is easy to see that she’s a woman in trouble. Problem is, he’s so blindsided by his attraction to her he can’t think straight. Zeke tries to stay all business, no complications—but that game plan is sabotaged the second Carlin gets under his skin. And when her terrifying past follows her to the ranch, Carlin faces a heartbreaking choice: run away from the man she loves, or put him in the crosshairs of a madman.

My thoughts:
I've had this sitting on my iPod for over a month, and didn't get started on it. Over this weekend I have listened to it all.  Very unusual for me, but sometimes just listening to a book is more relaxing than reading.  Actually as I put in the length of the audiobook I think, oh my goodness did I just spend that much time listening - and here's the thing, I wasn't doing any housework or driving while listening!!

This was the kind of plot I have read by other authors, such as Catherine Anderson and Nora Roberts.  Linda Howard and Linda Jones handled it well also and I enjoyed it.  Somewhat tense at the beginning and end, with daily life making up most of the book, but with that edge of tension as you know the bad guy is going to turn up again.  A few other events involved some tension, so the contrast between calm and tense was just right for me.

Carlin is a gutsy heroine, I liked her sense of humour and some of her quick witted responses made me laugh out loud.   She grew as the book developed, the challenges she met along the way called for resilience and learning to take care of herself.

Maggie Wheeler narrated this book, I have never heard her before and would listen to another one of hers readily.

A Hero to Come Home To

A Hero to Come Home To
Marilyn Pappano
Published: Forever - Hatchette
Date: June 2013
Genre: Contemporary
Format: Paperback
Pages: 351
Source: Own book

Summary from Goodreads:

Two years after losing her husband in Afghanistan, Carly Lowry has rebuilt her life in Tallgrass, Oklahoma. She has a job she loves teaching third grade and the best friends in the world: fellow military wives who understand what it means to love a man in uniform. She's comfortableT and content...until she meets a ruggedly handsome stranger who rekindles desires Carly isn't quite sure she's ready to feel.

Staff Sergeant Dane Clark wanted to have a loving family, a twenty-year Army stint, and then a low-key civilian career. But the paratrooper's plans were derailed by a mission gone wrong. Struggling to adjust to his new life, he finds comfort in the wide open spaces of Tallgrass--and in the unexpected attention of sweet, lovely Carly. She is the one person who makes him believe life is worth living. But when Carly discovers he's been hiding the real reason he's come to Tallgrass, will Dane be able to convince her he is the hero she needs?

My thoughts:
This is the first in a series, and the first time I have read a book by Marilyn Pappano.  The book came to my notice on a facebook page where a group of us (who are Susan Elizabeth Phillips fans) share what we are reading.  Some readers liked it so I thought I would try it out.

I liked the book, the characters were interesting and their issues were out of my experience in life so it is always interesting to read about something that you have no experience of.  This book certainly explores what it is like to lose someone in war - such as those in Afghanistan or Iraq.  Or indeed to be injured and to lose a limb.  I felt this book did it well.

I liked one of the side character's issue.  She has been left with two children who actually were her husbands by his first marriage.  Therese is now the stepmom.  There is a actual mother in the picture but she doesn't wand the children.  The children are rather morose and surly. Especially the older 13 year old girl.  This story was only part of the book and I would like to know what eventually happens to them, so no doubt I will read the next book that comes out in 2014 in this Tallgrass novel.

At times I found the book moved a little slowly, to be honest I skim read some pages when it seemed to slow down.  However on the whole  I enjoyed the read.

Christmas at the Beach

Christmas At The Beach
Wendy Wax
Published: Penguin
Date: October 2013
Pages: 52 - Novella
Format: Kindle ebook
Genre: Contemporary
Source: Own copy.

Summary from Goodreads

When Madeline Singer, Avery Lawford, and Nicole Grant first gained ownership of Ten Beach Road, they didn’t realize that remodeling the house would not only bind their fates together but give them a second chance at rebuilding their lives.

Now, as Kyra, Madeline’s daughter, returns to the newly sold Bella Flora for one last Christmas, she’s hoping to get a brief respite from the paparazzi that constantly hounds her and the son she had with famous actor Daniel Deranian. But when a string of bad news threatens to disrupt her happy holidays, Bella Flora’s sanctuary may be threatened for all of the women who call it home…

My thoughts
This is a very short novella from the Ten Beach Road series.  I enjoyed it very much but.... it was far too short!  A tantalising tit bit!  I was caught out by the ending as it finished at 65 %.  I then found that there was a preview of The House on Mermaid Point, which will be published in 2014. I rarely, if ever read previews. I prefer to wait for the complete story... because of course it will be an auto buy.

This short novella is told from Kyra's point of view, the videographer and daughter of Madeline.  Kyra has a delightful one year old son, by Daniel Deranium.  The whole group gather as they celebrate Christmas together.  There is an update of some of the groups lives, with a shock for Kyra on two fronts.  The new renovation is revealed, and the set up is complete. I like Kyra and I look forward to seeing the development of her character when the next book is published.

Candlelight Christmas

Candlelight Christmas
Susan Wiggs
Published: Harlequin Mira
Date: 29th October 2013
Pages:336
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format: e-Arc
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads

A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie.  The entire O'Donnell family arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a pretty post-card town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season.

One of the guests is newcomer to Willow Lake, Darcy Fitzgerald.  Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she is the last person Logan can see himself falling for.  And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas.

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire,  their two lonely hearts collide.  The magic of the season brings each of them a gift neither ever expected; a love to last a lifetime.

My thoughts
This is number ten in the Lakeshore Chronicles and I am always ready to return to Willow Lake and the many wonderful characters there.  I was really delighted to meet Charlie again - now ten years old and his Dad, Logan.  Logan and Daisy are the parents of Charlie although there relationship was not to be.  Daisy chose the right man for her!  However Logan deserves to have his story and find that love that lasts a lifetime.

I liked that this story was told alternatively from the point of view of Logan, Darcy and at times Charlie.  I know that some readers don't like children in a book, but I do, and Charlie's parts were just so heartwarming.  Logan makes a great Dad for Charlie, and this book explores fatherhood a little, looking at the relationship of Logan with his Dad as well.  It shows us two children who have no Dad at all - a druggie and no hoper.  Logan reaches out to these children as well.  I am hoping for another Lakeshore book in the future that includes Maya and her children Andre and Angelica.  I am sure there are a few possible Bellamy's available!

Both Logan and Darcy have been through divorce and Darcy especially is not quite ready to enter into another relationship where she might be vulnerable to disappointment and loss.  Watching her grow through this during the book is wonderful, and I loved how she was with Charlie. Logan and Darcy are given the time to grow in their relationship to the very satisfying conclusion.

This is definitely a Christmas book.  While it begins in the summer, the main chunk of the book is set in the holiday Christmas season.  It will touch your heart, and remind you about the real spirit of Christmas, where there is family, thoughtfulness, seeking to make others happy and real love. And as we all know not everything turns out perfect because it happens to be Christmas - well there is a touch of the imperfect too for these characters.  However what really matters is totally there.

I know all Lakeshore Chronicles readers will love this addition.  Don't feel turned away if you haven't read the previous ones, but want a great Christmas season story - this book delivers. It could stand alone.

The Perfect Match

The Perfect Match
Kristin Higgins
Published by: Harlequin
Publish Date: 29th October 2013
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 448
Format: e-Arc
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads.

What if the perfect match is a perfect surprise?  Honor Holland has just been rejected by her life long crush.  And now - a mere three weeks later - Mr Perfect is engaged to her best friend.  But resilient, reliable Honor is going to pick herself up, dust herself off and get back out there, or she would if dating in Manningsport, New York, population 715, wasn't easier said than done.

Charming, handsome British professor Tom just wants to do right by his unofficial stepson Charlie, but his visa is about to expire. Now Tom must either get a green card or leave the States - and leave Charlie behind.

In a moment of impulsiveness, Honor agrees to help Tom with a marriage of convenience - and make her ex jealous in the process.  But juggling a fiance, hiding out from her former best friend and managing her job at the family vineyard isn't easy. And as sparks begin to fly between Honor and Tom, they might discover that their pretend relationship is far too perfect to be anything but true love.

My thoughts:
This is the second book in Kristin Higgins Blue Heron series - the first being The Best Man ( a book I really enjoyed).   I enjoyed The Perfect Match as well. It has all the previous characters from the first book, including Pop and Goggy - Honor's grandparents.  While the book is mostly about Honor there are some great updates for the family. However this book could easily be read as a stand alone.

 What I really liked was there were times when I was surprised by something so humorous that all I could do was chuckle aloud.  Kristin Higgins has a talent for writing the scene that will tickle your funny bone!  While this book has a tone of comedy to it, there are some serious events and issues that make this book more than a light contemporary comedy romance.  A good book will have the reader questioning their own values and thoughts about how they might handle certain situations. This book did that for me.

Both Honor and Tom, have issues around abandonment and trust.  Honor's mother died in a car accident when she was about sixteen, and now her long time friend and a man she loved has turned her down, and her best friend has really 'done the dirty' on her.  Tom had his mother walk out on him when he was about six years old, his previous fiance went off for a weekend with her ex partner (and the father of Charlie - Tom's almost stepson).  Watching them work out all this was very engaging, and I was up late one night to finish it and find out how it all worked out.

I liked Honor the main female character, although there were times I wished she would be really mean to Brogan - the man she told she loved and Dana her best friend. (Probably this says more about me than Honor!).  While she did stand up for herself, at times I was frustrated when she was more forgiving than I wished.  As a normal human being she had her points of weakness, however she did also have guts and the strength to be loving, caring and forgiving where it counted.

The relationship between Tom and his almost stepson Charlie was a part of the book I also was interested in.  A boy who has lost his mother and whose father only breezes in and out of his life occasionally and then deserts him.  He lives with grandparents who at best were far from ideal to raise Charlie - a young teen.  Charlie's growth and change is a part of what made this book heart warming for me.

The Perfect Match is a warm, wonderful book about love and the importance of belonging and family.  A delightfully funny story that will both entertain and provoke thought and may lead you to  stop and question some of your own values.

Whiskey Beach

Whiskey Beach
Nora Roberts
Published: Piatkus 2013
Format: Hardback
Pages:484
Genre: Romantic suspense
Source: Library

Summary from back cover.

Eli Landon is named prime suspect for the murder of his wife - without a shred of evidence.  After a year-long ordeal the case is dropped, but Eli's world is in tatters.

Abandoned by his friends, hounded by the media and a detective with a grudge, Eli retreats to the small town sanctuary of Whiskey Beach and Bluff House, his beloved grandmother's home by the sea.  It is the ideal place for Eli to regain his strength and rediscover his first love - writing. He is helped in his recovery by Abra Walsh - nuturing, courageous and a survivor herself.  As Eli heals, he begins to open his heart to Abra and, for the first time, dares to dream of a future.

But as Abra and Eli take their first steps towards each other, a dangerous enemy is watching from the shadows.  An enemy determined to make sure Eli Landon will never have that 'perfect' life - whatever the cost......

My thoughts:
I looked forward to reading this, there was a long waiting list at the library for it!  I enjoyed it, however I found I was fully engaged in parts of it and then sort of lost concentration at other times. Maybe me, maybe the book - not quite sure.  The setting was wonderful, the characters were likeable ( well except for the 'bad guys') although there were some redeeming points for them too.  Most delightful character was the grandmother.

I found it a slow moving book, by the time the murderer was revealed, it was already picked up by this reader anyway.  It is a romantic suspense, gentle without the tough edge of a J. D. Robb novel. I liked that in this novel it was Eli - the male - that was re-founding his life and picking himself up after a horrendous year.  Abra, while also having had a challenging past had  already found a place of strength within - another delightful character.

Possibly those who listen to the audio of this book may find that it further enhances it.  I know I have found that for other Nora Robert romantic suspense books.

Heart of Obsidian.

Heart of Obsidian      #12 Psy/Changeling series
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz 2013
Format: Paperback
Pages: 360
Genre: Paranormal romance
Source: Loaned to me by another reader.

Blurb from back of book.

A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained blood red.  A woman whose very existence has been erased. A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.  A deadly price that must be paid.  The day of reckoning is here.

My thoughts:
The summary on the back cover doesn't say much. I believe the main character of this book was kept under wraps until it was published.  This is the story of Kaleb Krychek, who is on the now almost defunct Psy Council.  His skills are deadly, he is a cardinal and telekinetic.  We learned in the last book that he was seeking someone, as it turns out that someone is a young woman - Sahara Kyriakus.  She is a cousin of Faith and belongs to a powerful family.  Sahara has been captured and tortured for seven years.  Kaleb has been seeking her all that time and with skill, patience and deadliness he finds her and brings her back from the brink of death.

Sahara is no wimp, I believe there is no wimpy heroine in any of these books!  She has endured incredible circumstances and yet has been able to protect herself and survive.  She has her own amazing powers, and these are the reason she has been held in captivity.  This book explores her seeking freedom when Kaleb finds her, and then freedom when she finds that Kaleb is over protecting her.

The Pure Psy are very active in this book and a lot of the action centres around the damage they do and the combined cooperation of the changelings, humans and rebel Psy to bring this group to their knees. Do they succeed? They certainly manage to put a large dent in this group.  The Psy world will never be the same.

Revealed in this book is the identity of the Ghost, I wasn't surprised, I was leaning heavily to this character with the possibility of one or two others.  Xavier, while we know his identity, is still a mystery, and perhaps at some time in the future there will be a story with him - if not a full book perhaps a novella.

Great plotting, interesting characters, writing that hooks the reader in.  All present again in this book.  I now wait until 2014 when the next one in this series is published.  I believe it is to centre on Vasic, another of the Arrows.  I am looking forward to it, and I am now looking forward to reading some other books on my TBR shelf that aren't in this series!

Kiss of Snow and Tangle of Need

Kiss of Snow             #10 Psy/Changeling
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollanz 2011
Format: Paperback
Pages: 415
Genre: Paranormal romance
Source: Library

Tangle of Need        #11 Psy/Changeling
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollanz 2012
Format: Paperback
Pages: 422
Genre: Paranormal romance
Source: Library


Summaries

Kiss of Snow: Hawke is used to working alone, but Sienna fascinates him - she is a Psy Lauren, and has been living with the SnowDancers for sometime.  A deadly enemy is out to destroy the SnowDancer pack, and it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home... and the alph who is its heartbeat.......

Tangle of Need: Adria, wolf changeling has made a break with the past, now there is Riaz a SnowDancer lieutenant who is sworn to someone else. Soon fighting their wild compulsion towards one another is a losing battle.  And drawn into a cataclysmic Psy war that may alter the fate of the world itself, they must make a decision that might break them both.

My thoughts:
I am reading these books through at such a pace that as soon as I finish one I can't resist picking up the next.  Unfortunately I am not keeping up with reviews at the same pace!  So..... two mini reviews.  I loved Kiss of Snow, I had been waiting for this story of Hawke and Sienna, as their attraction for each other  and push and pull away, had been building in previous books.  It was every bit as good as I expected.  As well it had a very important birth in it which I had been waiting for. Sienna's powers were a central part of the book, her learning to master and control them so that they do not destroy her or her loved ones.  When a major battle takes place her abilities play an important part.  Did I say I loved this book!

Tangle of Need was another great read and the setting stayed in the SnowDancer area.  Adria is a senior soldier and has just returned to the main den.  She has been in a relationship where her dominance has not been respected by her partner.  So when Riaz is attracted to Adria he has some careful stepping to do and the challenge of respecting her, although he is a lieutenant and so more dominant.  He has recognised his mate - not Adria - but a woman who is happily married.  Can his wolf accept and be happy with Adria.   There is also a little more on the mysterious Alice who has been in a coma for many years and may hold the key for Sienna  for her abilities.  Still some mystery there.  Another facet is the continuing war with the Psy and the importance that the anchors hold for the Psy net.  Pure Psy are targeting them.  How much longer can the Psy net hold out?  I found this book a little slower going than the previous one, but still enjoyed it very much.

A Play Of Passion

Play of Passion      #9 Psy/Changeling series
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz
Date: 2011
Pages: 321
Genre: Paranormal romance
Format: Paperback
Source: Local library

Summary from back cover.

In his role as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it's up to Drew Kincaid to rein in the rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves - even if it means kiling those who have gone too far.  But nothing in his life prepared him for the battle he must now wage t win the hert of a woman who makes his body ignite ... and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lieutenant Indigo Riviere doesn't easily allow skin privileges, especially not those of the sensual kind - and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den.  Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash...  but she hasn't counted on Drew's determination to win her.

My thoughts about the book.
Drew and Indigo are wonderful characters and I loved their story as much as every one before them.  Both of them belong to the SnowDancer pack.  The complication to their relationship is that Indigo as one of Hawke's top lieutenants - is more dominant than Drew, who is younger as well!  Indigo has witnessed the relationship of her aunt with a partner who is less dominant.  The whole time he puts her aunt down in various ways.  This causes Indigo to be very wary and cautious.  When Drew questions one of her decisions in front of others - game on!  Indigo is furious and Drew is repentant. He is totally gorgeous the way he goes about winning her back and apologising.  He is very playful and I laughed out loud when I read how he dealt to Indigo's ring tone on her phone.

However the question of dominance was an interesting one, so important to the cohesion of the wolf pack.  Indigo is high up in the hierarchy, yet Drew is young, strong and yet to grow into his full dominance.  This question of dominance for this couple was hugely important.  It got me thinking about human relationships and the question of dominance.  While we aren't so hierarchical as a wolf pack, dominance in a human relationship is still something to think about.

This book also furthered the larger story in this series.  Henry Scott - Psy Councilor, shows his hand and his plot thickens.  In an attack on the SnowDancers he puts a number of their lives at risk. Nikita and Anthony take another step towards allying themselves more with the changelings as things hot up and the whole area of San Francisco is forewarned of impending doom.

We got one sneak peak of a very pregnant Sascha.  How much longer?  And I am still wondering about the identity of the Ghost.  Could it be Kaleb, Vasic or one of the Arrows that we have met? I expect when it is finally revealed I will be surprised!

I have been looking forward to Hawke (SnowDancer) and Sienna Lauren (Psy) so I will be straight into it.

Starry Night

Starry Night
Debbie Macomber
Publisher:Ballantine Books
Date: October 8th
Pages:256
Genre: Contemporary romance
Format: e-Arc
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Summary from Goodreads.

Carrie Slayton, a big-city-society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories.  Her editor hands her a challenge.  She can cover any topic she wants but only if she first scores an interview with Finn Dalton, a notoriously reclusive author.

Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a mega bestselling memoir about surviving in the wild.  But he stubbornly declines to anyone in the press, and no one knows exactly where he lives.  Digging deep into Finn's life Carrie flies out to snowy Alaska.  When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she expected.  Soon she is torn between pursuing her story of a lifetime, or following her heart. 

My thoughts
This was a very pleasant and satisfying read,  it was a story that was fun and easy to read. A holiday season book - I could easily see this making a very satisfying holiday season movie.  I like this kind of plot; a reclusive author and a journalist seeking an interview.  Overcoming challenges the journalist finally arrives and then the sparks fly. As it is partly set in Alaska, that gave it an edge and the addition of a somewhat fickle and loveable animal added to the fun.

Carrie and Finn were two characters that I liked and the story at times moved from one point of view to the other - another small point in the favor of this book.   It is a shorter book with its 256 pages as holiday season books tend to be.  I read it in one day, and as I had had a rather difficult and challenging week, it was just the right read for me.  Uplifting but not requiring a lot of brain power.

In romance stories like this one, there is often a coming together of the characters - an attraction and then something that parts them - until they then find their way back together.  I found the cause of separation in Starry Nights somewhat unsatisfying to me, a little contrived. It was a part of the book that disappointed me, otherwise I enjoyed it. A very gentle romance story.

Bonds of Justice

Bonds of Justice.     Psy/Changeling #8
Nalini Singh
Published: Gollancz
Date: 2011
Format: e-book - Kindle
Pages: 372
Genre: Paranormal romance
Source: Own book

Summary from Goodreads

Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement.  Born with a natural shield that protects him from Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy-dominated power structure.  The last case he expects to be to be assigned is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor's closest advisors. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual ways is a Psy on the verge of a mental fracture. 

Sophia Russio is a Justice Psy, cursed with the ability to retrieve memories from men and women so twisted even veteran cops keep their distance.  Appointed as Max's liaison with the Psy, she finds herself fascinated by this human, her frozen heart threatening to thaw with human emotion.  With her mind filled with other people's nightmares and evil, she's standing on the border of sanity and a silken darkness that urges her to take justice into her own hands. 

My thoughts
Another excellent book in this series.  I bought it as it was still 'out' at our local library and I didn't want to wait!  I have snagged the next two off the shelves so I am good to go with the next one.

Max and Sophia are alike in many ways.  Both were 'disowned' by their respective families.  Max's mother never liked him and his father was an unknown - one of the mysteries that is solved by the end of the book.  He has one brother - River, they lost contact, and Max presupposes that he has died.  Sophia had an early experience of being damaged and considered 'flawed' by her family, and so totally disowned.  She does not know who her parents are.  There is a hint at the end of the book, however I am not sure, as it was only a hint. Perhaps this will develop further as the series develops.
Both Max and Sophia are perfect for each other, both carry burdens from the past, yet the love and acceptance they give each other, a first time experience for  both, is a new beginning for them.

Sophia, is likely to be called in at any time by the Psy for total reconditioning - which will leave her merely a shell of herself.  This is the case for all Justice Psy, they eventually crack under the weight of evil that they must carry.  As the story progresses I wonder how she is going to avoid this, especially as she is so tied to the Psy Net as an anchor.  She can't leave it as the others have done. However there is an answer and to my mind a perfect one.  I love the exploration of dark and light, good and evil that the solution brings.

Nalini Singh continues to build her complex world throughout this book.  We learn a little more of the Pure Psy and the danger they are.  The councilors are further developed and by the end we see how there is a split among them - which really has been fairly well signalled by the time it happens. Nikita (Sascha's mother) is fascinating, I look forward to finding out how she develops and where she stands on a number of issues.  While the cat family is involved in this story it is more a part of the background, however Faith and Sascha play small important parts in this book, and of course there is an update on Sascha's pregnancy.  I am so looking forward to the birth - am wondering which book it will finally happen!

Really each book is an important part of a whole.  It many ways while each couple's story is developed, the complex mystery of this amazing world is further expanded.  It is definitely a series that needs to be read in order.  I know of a librarian in Melbourne who does a reread of this series most years.  I know it will be one that I will reread, because once is just not enough!