Musings on Romance
I’m at Dear Author today with a review of Between the Sheets by Molly O’Keefe. The bad news is that I’m sad I haven’t read this author before (even though I have some of her books on Mt. TBR). The good news is that I can read all of her backlist now. I sense a glom coming on.
Why I read it: I’ve read and enjoyed the earlier books and was happily surprised to see a brand new story in the series. I was provided with a review copy by the publisher via NetGalley.
What it’s about: (from Goodreads) With our family’s legacy, Meyers B&B, in the flailing hands of me, Sam Meyers, and my sister Wynne, we’re determined to revive the place. We’ve started a series of blind-date cooking classes, and taken on our first boarder. Granddad is even now rolling in his grave.
Signed up for the class is our new guest, Aaron Saunders, a Californian transplant who’s distractingly handsome and clearly up to no good. I can’t quite figure him out. He blew into town and has been relentless in his search for…something.
The sexy sneak is intriguing. And we’ve had a steamy moment. Or two. But now I can’t stop wondering why he’s searching in secret. From the library, to the historical society, to my own backyard, Aaron leaves no stone unturned or record book unopened. He’s definitely gotten my attention. But that might not be the only thing he’s after.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): Anyone who’s ever read a book by LB Gregg before will know she has a quirky sense of humour – so it ought not be a surprise that the “meet cute” here is when Sam, his butt hanging out of his ripped jeans (argument with a fence), has his arm stuck in the after hours book return slot at the local library, meets Aaron, who appears to be a thief and has a bag of handy lock-picks tries to get him out. Until the police arrive that is.
I’m over at AudioGals today with a review of Once In A Lifetime by Jill Shalvis, narrated by Annie Green. I like the way Jill Shalvis does small town contemporary – they’re always reliably good fun. Plus I found a new narrator so: Win.
with a review of Rose Lerner’s new book, Sweet Disorder. I loved her debut book, In For a Penny – she is one of the few authors who can tempt me to read an historical these days and the latest offering did not disappoint.
with a recommended read: Carolina Man by Virginia Kantra. My favourite book of the Dare Island series so far.
Why I read it: I had this one on my TBR (in paper even!) and I wanted to be caught up on the series by the time Carolina Man releases in March.
What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Meg Fletcher spent her childhood dreaming of escaping Dare Island-her family’s home for generations. So after she landed a high-powered job in New York City, she left and never looked back. But when she loses both her job and the support of her long-term, live-in boyfriend, she returns home to lick her wounds and reevaluate her life.
Helping out her parents at the family inn, she can’t avoid the reminders of the past she’d rather forget-especially charming and successful Sam Grady, her brother’s best friend. Their one, disastrous night of teenage passion should have forever killed their childhood attraction, but Sam seems determined to reignite those long-buried embers. As Meg discovers the man he’s become, she’s tempted to open her vulnerable heart to him. But she has no intention of staying on Dare Island-no matter how seductive Sam’s embrace might be.
What worked for me (and what didn’t): I listened to the first book and listening is a different experience to reading – for one thing, I can read a print book much faster. I took about a day to read Carolina Girl – which meant that I made extra time to read because I was enjoying it and also that it wasn’t taxing. It has an easy style reminiscent of Nora Roberts (as Brie says in her review here). There were a couple of things which disappointed me but overall, it was an enjoyable contemporary small-town romance and I liked it.
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