Sugar Pine Trail. RaeAnne Thayne

Published: Harlequin
Date:  26th September 2017
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher and Little Bird Publicity
Rating:
          

Librarian Julia Winston is ready to ditch the quiet existence she's been living. She's made a list of new things to experience, but falling for Jamie Caine, her sexy military pilot neighbor, isn't one of them. Julia's looking to conquer life, not become the heartbreaker's latest conquest. But when two young brothers wind up in Julia's care for the holidays, she'll take any help she can get—even Jamie's.

Happy to step in, Jamie reveals a side of himself that's much harder to resist. Not only is he fantastic with kids, he provides the strength Julia needs to tackle her list. She knows their temporary family can't last beyond the holidays, but the closer she gets to Jamie, the more she wonders if things could be this merry and bright forever…

Sugar Pine Trail - #7 in the Haven Point series by RaeAnne Thayer was just the perfect read for me at the right moment. Sometimes a light, well written and totally engaging book is just the prescription. 

This is the story of Julia - slightly uptight librarian who becomes less and less so as she becomes connected to two young brothers in a spot of trouble and she steps up to the plate. Very soon her heart is totally taken by them and so was mine.

She has rented her upper storey apartment to Jaime Caine, who so far has never been caught by any woman and really doesn't intend to be. But soon he finds he just might really like Julia and the two boys and together they all bond and do some really fun things.

Both Julia and Jaime have issues from their past that haunt them but... I loved watching them eventually share and heal and open their hearts. They are both great people and I must say I loved the Caine family and must go back and read any of the other books in this series and the Hope Crossing series that have them in. 

This was beautifully plotted and once I began reading it was just so easy to keep going. It had the right amount of heart wrenching moments, coupled with some chuckle out loud moments and some really sweet moments.   Plus two little boys who were a wonderful addition, plus three snooty cats and finally one....   No - not telling, read and find out.

I can only say I loved this book, a throughly satisfying read. RaeAnne Thayne - could be that she is turning out to be an author I'll be reading a lot more from.

Winner of Anything For You by Kristan Higgins.

Thanks to Little Bird Publicity....

Anne B from New Mexico will soon be reading....

the delightful book Anything For You by Kristan Higgins.

Anything For You. Kristan Higgins. Review and Giveaway.

Anything For You

Kirstan Higgins
Published: HQN
Date: 29th December 2015
Format:
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley and Little Bird Publicity.

Anything For You by Kristan Higgins - #5 in the Blue Heron series. This time it is the turn of Connor O'Rourke - chef extraordinaire and twin of Colleen. Connor has been in love with Jessica since about seventh grade, but so far she just seems to push him away. The book opens with a wonderful scene and proposal that had me hating Jessica straight away. (But not for long, even though at times I still just wanted to say - wake up, this guy is perfect.)

Jessica grew up poor in a trailer park, with alcoholic parents and a brother who is affected by fetal alcoholic syndrome. Jessica has been responsible and the 'parent' from a very early age. She has done things that seemed to her necessary at the time, but of which she carries a shame that just won't go away. She has pulled herself up and now works at the Vineyard with her marketing degree skills. Her big goal is to own a house where she and her brother can be safe.

Jessica doesn't like others interfering with her role of caring for her brother Davey and when their Dad returns she keeps him untrustingly at arms length.  Up until now Davey has hated Connor but Connor has plans to deal to that, which Jessica just might not be ready for. Connor has an A+ from me for persistence and straight out adorableness. See how he deals with one old woman - I rest my case!

We also have a peep into the lives of others in the town, with updates on families and new arrivals. Oh one  adult new arrival that really rubbed me up the wrong way! What a b****. I kid you not! There is the fun and good humor that is a trademark of Kristan Higgins' books. In this book the characters and situations are complex, the romance is sizzling, and the whole deal is a very satisfying read. I love a book that is just not merely romance but something more. 

And by the way perfect last sentence to end by. No, can't give it away! Read the book.

I totally loved this book, it has certainly cemented Kristan H as one of my top favourite authors.

Where to find Kristan Higgins

Website               Twitter               Facebook.

Thanks to Little Bird Publicity there is a chance to win a copy of  the book for those living in the USA only. Please fill out the form below. Giveaway ends on 10th January

Wildest Dreams. Robyn Carr

Wildest Dreams
Robyn Carr
Published: MIRA
Date: 25th August 2015
Format: e-ARC
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary romance
Source: Publisher via NetGalley & Little Bird Publicity


Wildest Dreams is #9 in the Thunder Point series.  This one is the story of Lin Su and her son Charlie.  It also continues the story of Winnie, Grace and their family.  Blake Smiley is the triathlete who has arrived next door, we met him briefly in the previous book. Now he is in Thunder Point permanently.

Lin Su is the nurse to Winnie and an excellent one.  She is a great mother to Charlie, but just somewhat over protective and controlling. He is fourteen and beginning to want a little more independence. Charlie was a character I loved, he was so caring and respectful towards his mother, but also ready to spread his wings a little. Lin Su has had a very challenging time since she became pregnant with Charlie. She is gritty and feisty, but a little proud and unbending. I loved all the growth and development for Lin Su as the story evolved.

Blake is a talented athlete and he and Charlie bond, Charlie admires him and they form a very understanding relationship. However Lin Su sees some of this as interference and she is vocal when she disapproves.  Blake himself has not come from an easy background, growing up in a very poor area. He loves to help out youth from poor areas and help them to rise above and go places they never thought they could.

We also catch up with some other inhabitants of this small town and its a time when there are three babies due just before Christmas.  I love seeing into their lives as they live out their 'happily ever after'!  All is not going too well in the Sileski household, Seth's parents are still not getting on and one of them is threatening divorce.

I loved this book as much as the others, once I started reading I was pretty much engrossed and immersed again in the lives of these people. The romance is low key and beautiful, it is part of the package but doesn't provide the whole focus. If you like that, then you'll enjoy this, if you like romance to be more to the front, maybe this book isn't for you.

I thought perhaps events at the end were too quickly wrapped up.  Personally I thought the new arrivals in various forms could have  made a very nice Christmas novella!

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