Love to Declare by C. B. Maurice
Love to Declare*
A Trying Time at Customs
I think this title is a little bit misleading. This is a very short story that mostly just details a problematic trip through Customs for young women who has just come back from a year teaching primary school children English in Korea. There is a young man, Jake, whom she didn’t know before her plane trips to get her to the US, but stands by her during this drama.
I wonder if the author just had a particularly trying time at Customs after one of her plane trips abroad. That being said, this short story can be read in less than a half hour–perhaps while you’re waiting in line!
Egging Her On by Mellanie Szereto
Egging Her On
Too Much Sex, Not Enough Romance
I don’t know what I was expecting when I read the blurb on the review site where I often pick books to review, but this wasn’t quite it. The book seems far more crude than it needs to be. While I don’t consider myself a prude, I often wish that sensual romance books didn’t resort to profanity or crass terms. Often these days, it seems like romances are either clean or lewd, without much middle ground. At least on Goodreads and Bookbut, the book blurb clearly states at the top that it is “erotic romance.”
The heroine, Lindie, is a no-nonsense farmer, specializing in eggs though she does sell some produce as well. The peaceful life she has created for herself is upended when someone wants to buy her property for way more than its value. This turns out to be the many-times-great grandson of the original owner who would like to have it back in the family so that he can raise his orphaned nephews there. The blurb says they meet when she’s naked, but there’s definitely more to it than that.
They immediately decide to embark on a no-strings affair, complete with a detailed contract specifying contraception, STD checks, and no mention of relationship terms (among other things). Will this affair impact the proceedings with a property? Will either of them break the contract? Why is Lindie dead set against selling, even at a fantastic price? What is her big secret?
I found Lindie to be too rough, abrasive, and crude. She’s definitely not a shrinking violet. It’s hard for me to imagine a real woman acting with Blaine as she does the first two times they meet.
Perhaps I read it wrong, but the blurb seems to be more about their property dispute and Lindie’s secret. The book, however, seems more about their tawdry affair. I would liked to have seen more character development, and given the way the story actually went, more of a development of actual romantic interest between the two, not a just sexual one.
The cover of the book isn’t right. Lindie is stated to be 40 more than once, and Blaine himself is supposed to be nearing 40. Neither of the models on the cover appears to be close to those ages. I like it when a book has an older heroine, but this should be clear on the cover. Otherwise, it seems hypocritical, using youth to sell a story about a more mature romance.
The book had some of the common issues with grammar, punctuation, and spelling, but these in themselves did not distract from the book.
Perception Boxed Set by Shandi Boyes
Perception Boxed Set*
Triumph and Tragedy in Coming-of-Age Romance
This box set contains three separate interlinked novels. In fact, the first two combine to make one bigger novel. The first two books are a coming-of-age romance of wannabe rockstar Noah and Emily, the younger sister of his friend Jacob’s girlfriend Lola. These books touch on quite a few themes that could be unsettling for some readers. Several heartbreaking events occur, both on large and small scales, but I don’t want to give away too much detail because, if you choose to read these books, you’ll appreciate the reading experience more for having read it yourself. The second book involves a romance for Noah’s friend mentioned above, who usually is quite the player.
I’m glad the author is offering these in a boxset because the first two really should be read together one right after the other. While the first book could be seen as complete in itself, the ending would be unsatisfying; it does make you wonder what happens next for Noah. The second book has a shocking twist I didn’t see coming; it was very well done by the author.
The book did have the common issues with grammar, punctuation, and spelling, including incorrect possessives and misspellings/wrong words like dints for dents, opposing versus opposite, and allude for exude.
If you enjoy coming of age romances that have triumph and tragedy, you might enjoy this boxset.
I did receive a free advance copy, but this did not affect my review.
Love Done Write by Amelia Foster
Love Done Write*
Writer and Biggest Fan Get Together
Harrison Winslow is a staid university professor by day, divorced and with post-divorce relationship troubles, who writes erotic novels under a pseudonym to protect his and his university’s reputation. Sydney is probably his biggest fan, a young hairdresser who sneaks off to read his weekly postings as soon as they hit his website and is always the first to comment on them. They flirt a little bit publicly, but then in an inebriated haze, she mistakenly sends him her true and steamy reaction to his story via email. Then things start to heat up between them. After playing a little bit of cat and mouse while trying to decide whether to get together more than digitally, they meet up and hook up.
Harrison, though he is far older than Sydney, has had fewer partners than she has. They both do a little teaching and learning here. This book contains a lot of steamy scenes, both one-sided and as a couple. Although the author didn’t let us know early on, it turns out that Sydney writes as well, and that leads to a very interesting end of the book. I liked the clever use of texts and emails as well as more standard dialogue and narrative sections.
This book had minor issues with punctuation. Namely, commas were often forgotten between two independent clauses in a complex sentence. But it wasn’t overly distracting.
If you like erotic May/ December romances, this book may be for you.
Sweet Compromises by Dean Hodel
Sweet Compromises*
Romance and Reticence
This book is an odd combination of romance and reticence. Skye, the heroine, is coming up on the first birthday that will not be shared with her twin. He was a nurse in the military and was accidentally fatally shot. He has tasked a friend to bring her a final note from him on their birthday with the instructions that this man is here to help her through her grief so that she can move on. Caleb is a strange hero. It takes a bit to pick apart his history but suffice to say he is very closed off emotionally. Skye appears to be all happiness, but her pain at the loss of her family makes life difficult for her. Did twin Stephen hope to heal both his friend and his sister and bring them together? Is Caleb willing and able to open up himself up to someone else? What about the new project manager at a neighboring ranch, who seems to have an interest in Skye? Part of what makes this book odd for me is that it is often touching in recounting some of their separate histories, fears, and doubts while at other times, characters discuss concepts in a way that people just don’t talk and think about them. For instance, at the very start, Caleb talks about wanting to help heal Skye. It just seemed odd to see him think like this when he barely knows her. The problem had more than the usual amount of errors with grammar, punctuation, and usage. For instance, the need for another quotation mark at the start of a new paragraph of dialogue said by the same person was not followed. The story had some interesting characters aside from the main ones, and it looks like from the epilogue that this is the start of a series.
French Restoration by Sara Claridge
French Restoration*
Chateau Restoration with Intrigue and Romance
This tale about the restoration of a French chateau has both mystery and romance. Alex, the wealthy American new owner of the chateau, wants it converted into an exclusive luxury hotel. Working with him is a French interior designer, Chantal, who has unique ideas that align with his vision. Both characters have complicated pasts and hopes for the future. But something’s amiss at the chateau. Strange things keep happening that put the project at risk and even in danger, and these incidents escalate as the book goes on. What secrets are in Chantal’s past? Will the chateau renovation actually get completed? Will Alex prove himself to his father and take over the company?
I didn’t like the hero much at first and actually had a hard time getting past that. He comes across as a bit of a chauvinist, which is not my favorite kind of hero in a romance! He tends to make wild, usually sexist assumptions about Chantal. We do find out that this is due to a recent nasty breakup, but he’s still a bit of a jerk at times. Chantal was intriguing, as it was clear there was a bit more to her than what could be seen at the surface.
There were some issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage, but this did not overly detract from the story.
If you like stories with a different setting than is typical, like modern France, and enjoy a little bit of intrigue with your romance, you might find this story enjoyable.
I did receive a free advance copy, but that did not affect my review.
Forbidden Desires Anthology
Forbidden Desires*
Fun Collection of Reverse Harem Firsts in Series or Prequels
This is a collection of mostly firsts in a series or prequels by RH authors. The stories range in concept. There are otherworldly ones: two with wolf shifters, two about royalty (one that’s more fantastical and one that’s more witchy), and one about alien shifters. There are also some contemporary ones that have to with business, the medical field, acting, and even a special camp.
The boxset introduced me to series and authors I didn’t know about and will now follow; it’s always fun to discover new authors! The collection didn’t seem to have too many issues with grammar, punctuation, or usage.
If you like or have an interest in the RH concept, you might find this small taste from a variety of authors will wet your whistle.
NOTE: This anthology appears to no longer be available.
Lies and Solace by Jana Richards
Lies and Solace*
Big Dreams In Small-Town Romance
What a sweet and lovely small-town romance! The hero and the heroine have complex backstories that are revealed in a perfect dripwise fashion that show the basis for their goals and motivations, allowing the reader to easily empathize with them as they struggle with inner conflicts dealing with their secrets and what they have withheld from each other.
The book starts off dramatically with a scene from the distant past when the heroine’s parents died in a drowning accident when Harper was a child. The book then fast forwards to her at the age of 32 when she is trying to obtain investment capital to help restore the lodge that’s been in her family for three generations. Ethan, the hero, is a complex character, on the one hand sweet and caring and on the other fearful of rejection or maltreatment due to his secrets.
Now, when I said the book was sweet up above, I didn’t mean it wasn’t steamy! They have a caring bond that does carry over into intimacy towards the end of the book. Will their secrets tear them apart? Will Harper have the lodge of her dreams? Will her sisters start pitching in?
This book was refreshingly light on punctuation and grammar issues. It was a delight to read in that aspect as well as the good storytelling as detailed above.
If you like small town romance with complex characters, you’ll find this book a treat.
Bursting Out by Ceri Grenelle
Bursting Out*
Real Estate and Personal Mysteries in Manhattan
This contemporary romance had ongoing humor and an air of mystery which surrounded both the hero and the heroine that kept me turning the pages. The heroine, Adele, is a sassy up-and-coming real estate agent. Mr. Zelig was referred to her by a mutual friend. Mr. Z is very particular about what he is looking for in a property. He is so demanding that Adele nearly drops him as a client. They’re both intrigued by each other, but each is wary of pursuing any relationship beyond realtor-client. Will this stand? And what are their mysteries? What will Adele think when she finally learned his identity?
The book has some of the standard issues with punctuation, grammar, and usage, but it did not overly detract from the story.
If you are looking for a contemporary romance with good humor, a broody hero, and a little bit of mystery, this book might be for you.
The Claddagh Trilogy by Amanda Heartley
The Claddagh Trilogy*
A Fun Collection of Interwoven Irish Romance
What a fun collection of interwoven stories just in time for St Patrick’s Day! Characters introduced in one book become a couple in the next, and we also get to see what happens to the previous couple(s) as well.
The Irish Affair starts with the heroine, Amelia, in dire straits. She had hoped to surprise her online boyfriend in Ireland, but she is the one who is shocked when his wife answers the door! Nursing her wounds at a bar later, Amelia meets Rory Maguire, a man who is a country music star in Ireland. She doesn’t recognize him. He enjoys having someone react to him as just a person and not a superstar.
In the second book, Irish Love, we move from Ireland to Los Angeles and then on to Vegas. This story focuses on Siobhan, Rory’s sister, who is visiting him at his new place in America. He wants her there when he proposes to Amelia during a concert. This is Siobhan’s story, though, and her brother has warned her against his touring manager, Ben. So, of course, they meet, and romantic sparks fly. What happens when a nice Irish country girl meets up with a guy who isn’t known for going to bed alone often?
The final book of the set, Irish Heart, stars the bad girl who convinced Siobhan to go to Vegas on her first night in America. Will the wild girl be tamed? Can she find true love? You’ll just have to read it and see!
This set has some problems with grammar, punctuation, and usage, but the books were so fun that the mistakes did not detract from the enjoyment of reading.
If you enjoy light, funny contemporary romance with a little bit of Irish flair and music star panache, you might enjoy this delightful collection of three books.
I received a free advance copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
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