Author: Marsha

Inheritance by Nora Roberts

Posted November 26, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Contemporary Romance, NetGalley ARC, Owned or Purchased, Paranormal Romance, Series, St. Martin's Press / 0 Comments

Inheritance is the first in The Lost Bride Trilogy by Nora Roberts—a tale of tragedies, loves found and lost, and a family haunted for generations.

1806: Astrid Poole sits in her bridal clothes, overwhelmed with happiness. But before her marriage can be consummated, she is murdered, and the circle of gold torn from her finger. Her last words are a promise to Collin never to leave him…

Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish is stunned to learn that her late father had a twin he never knew about—and that her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast, which the will stipulates she must live in it for at least three years. Her engagement recently broken, she sets off to find out why the boys were separated at birth—and why it was all kept secret until a genealogy website brought it to light.

Trey, the young lawyer who greets her at the sprawling clifftop manor, notes Sonya’s unease — and acknowledges that the place is haunted…but just a little. Sure enough, Sonya finds objects moved and music playing out of nowhere. She sees a painting by her father inexplicably hanging in her deceased uncle’s office and a portrait of a woman named Astrid, whom the lawyer refers to as “the first lost bride.” It’s becoming clear that Sonya has inherited far more than a house. She has inherited a centuries-old curse and a puzzle to be solved if there is any hope of breaking it…

Titles in The Lost Brides series include — Inheritance —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley Arc (also purchased my own copy for my collection)

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A Little Bit Wicked by Melissa Foster

Posted November 11, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, Connection or Spin-Off of Another Series, Contemporary Romance, MC Romance, Owned or Purchased, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

What do a cocky biker and a businesswoman who has sworn off dating bad boys have in common? According to Chloe Mallery, not much. But she couldn’t be more wrong…

Justin came into the Wicked family after a harsh upbringing by a thieving father. He’s gone through a lot to become a true Wicked, and he’s made them proud. Now he’s ready to show the woman he loves exactly what type of man he is.

But Chloe has worked hard to move past her difficult upbringing, and she’s wary of getting involved with a man who looks like he’s walked right out of it.

When tragedy strikes, will their trying pasts draw them together, or will Justin’s protective nature be too much for Chloe’s independent heart to accept?

Titles in The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside series include — A Little Bit Wicked —♥— The Wicked Aftermath: Tank Wicked —♥— Crazy, Wicked Love: Gunner Wicked —♥— The Wicked Truth: Madigan Wicked —♥— His Wicked Ways: Blaine Wicked —♥— Talk Wicked to Me: Baz Wicked —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Set on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, the Wickeds feature fiercely protective heroes, strong heroines, and unbreakable family bonds. If you think bikers are all the same, you haven’t met the Dark Knights. The Dark Knights are a motorcycle club, not a gang. Their members stick together like family and will stop at nothing to keep their communities safe.

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The Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by Debra Holt

Posted November 10, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Modern Western Romance, Recommend, Series, Series Connection, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments

All they need for Christmas is a second chance nudge…

Sixteen years ago, McKenna Davidson was a runaway bride, and she never found the courage to face her jilted fiancé and family back in Burkitt, Texas. Then her sister’s nuptials set off the very chain of events she’s feared: a sense of homecoming she can’t untangle.

Matteo Montez survived McKenna once, and he refuses to fall for her again. But he has no choice except to team up with her when a fellow attorney informs them that a mutual friend has passed and named Matteo and McKenna as her children’s guardians. How can he crush these little angels’ hopes for a family, especially at Christmas?

McKenna is willing to work with Burkitt’s hottest bachelor to build a picture-perfect holiday as long as her heart doesn’t get involved. Because she, too, has secrets that prevent her from picking up her past. But Christmas is a season of surprises and even a miracle or two—especially when McKenna and Matteo have a guardian angel rooting for their happiness.

Titles in the Texas Heritage series include — The Texas Cowboy’s Proposal —♥— The Texas Cowboy’s Lady —♥— The Texas Cowboy’s Rescue —♥— The Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Tule Publishing ARC

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Her Cowboy Christmas Hero by Jeannie Watt

Posted November 6, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Connection or Spin-Off of Another Series, Modern Western Romance, Series, Series Connection, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

She’s never had a true family Christmas….

As a child, Alex Woodson appeared to have it all, yet her life was an illusion. Now independent, Alex returns to the one place she was briefly happy—Marietta, Montana and starts an interior painting business. Her first client is the Keller Ranch. When Cade Keller unexpectedly arrives home, Alex promises herself she can ignore her former high school crush, who barely knew she existed. But the handsome cowboy is up in her business, flirting and tempting her with holiday activities she’s always dreamed of.

After leaving his job as an oil rig operator, Cade heads home to the family ranch for Christmas and to re-think his career. Seeing the former Woodson princess painting his family’s home is a distracting mystery he intends to solve. But the more time he spends with Alex, the more he’s intrigued.

Cade tells himself he’s just being neighborly by inviting Alex to join his family for their holiday traditions, but he’s lying. He’s falling hard—unfair with his uncertain future. Alex is wary, knowing life is never a fairytale.

Titles in the Return to Keller Ranch series include — Christmas with the Cowboy —♥— Her Cowboy Baby Daddy —♥— Cowboy Meets Cowgirl —♥— Her Cowboy Christmas Hero —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

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A Christmas to Remember by Beverly Jenkins

Posted November 5, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, NetGalley ARC, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

Ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town of Henry Adams, her relationship with diner owner Malachi “Mal” July has had its share of ups and downs. But now they’re finally ready to say, “I do.”

Or are they? As wedding preparations go into full swing and families, both local and extended, begin to gather for the festivities, that long-awaited walk down the aisle hits a speed bump that may derail everything.

But Mal and Bernadine’s relationship isn’t the only one being tested.

Preston Mays, aka Brain, loves his girlfriend as much as he does physics, but when she decides being a couple is no longer a good thing, his heart is broken. Will connecting with his bio dad’s family ease his pain?

Reverend Paula Grant has been patiently waiting for God to send her someone to share her life. When the town’s charming new chef arrives in town, she wonders if he could be the one.

And then there’s former mayor Riley Curry, who throws a parade with his hog Cletus! There’s always a lot going on in Henry Adams, and this will be a Christmas to remember.

Titles in the Blessings series include — Bring On The Blessings —♥— A Second Helping —♥— Something Old, Something New —♥— A Wish and A Prayer —♥— Crystal Clear —♥— Heart of Gold —♥— For Your Love —♥— Stepping to a New Day —♥— Chasing Down a Dream —♥— Second Time Sweeter —♥— On The Corner of Hope and Main —♥— A Christmas to Remember —♥—

NetGalley ARC

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Their Convenient Christmas Engagement by Catherine Mann

Posted November 5, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Special Edition, Modern Western Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

A mutually beneficial exchange

A burst pipe has made widow Gwen Bishop and her young triplets Ian Greer’s unexpected houseguests.

The handsome tree farmer asked for just one favor in return: to help give his mother a holiday to remember.

A father figure for the boys, warm memories, a cheerfully decorated home—the arrangement was convenient to them all.

Yet, for a woman who didn’t trust her heart, it was a wake-up call to what Gwen really wanted for Christmas: Ian.

Titles in the Top Dog Dude Ranch series include — Last-Chance Marriage Rescue —♥— The Cowboy’s Christmas Retreat —♥— Last Chance on Moonlight Ridge —♥— The Little Matchmaker —♥— The Cowgirl and the Country M.D. —♥— The Lawman’s Surprise —♥— Their Convenient Christmas Engagement —♥—

*Although I’ve read and enjoyed all the stories in this series, some reviews are on another of my blogs – only the titles reviewed on Happily Ever After Romance are linked here*

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

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Lights, Camera, Christmas Town! by Multiple Authors

Posted November 4, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Series, Series Multi-Author, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Welcome back to Christmas Town, Maine!

What could make the holidays in Christmas Town even more magical? The arrival of a TV movie’s cast and crew to recreate one of their most beloved couple’s happily ever after!

The snow is falling, the chestnuts are roasting, and Posey’s peppermint pies can’t keep up with demand! But there’s also mischief afoot as filming begins. Someone keeps sneaking Elmer the Elf into scenes, the town is buzzing with romantic gossip, and the Knotty Elves once again turn their creative endeavors from knitting to helping others find true love.

You’ve got a VIP pass…

This collection of brand-new stories gives you an all-access pass to the holiday festivities and movie merrymaking. From the producer to the director, the lead actors to the extras, the production crew, and beyond, this set of connected, sweet romances from Harlequin Heartwarming authors is sure to warm your holiday-loving heart!

This adult romance does not contain graphic violence, swearing, or sexual situations beyond kisses.

Booksprout ARC

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Finding Family in the Small Town by Melinda Curtis

Posted November 3, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Series, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

This beautician is determined to find beauty and kindness everywhere.

Brittany Lambridge wants to bring beauty back to the small town of Harmony Valley. Not only is she opening a beauty shop, but she’s also salvaging junk and giving it a second life as art. Of course, that means she’s poking around a lot of abandoned properties looking for salvage. And not every property comes without its share of secrets.

What she doesn’t expect to find is a beast and a secret.

While prospecting an overgrown plot of land filled with abandoned vehicles, Brittany comes across an intriguing car grill and a cranky car mechanic, a man named Joe with rumpled black hair, icy blue eyes, and an inability to trust. Joe believes those cars are his, and they can’t seem to come to a truce. Not about the rusting cars, where they came from, or his past as the town bad boy.

Titles in the Love in Harmony Valley series include — Dandelion Wishes —♥— A Small Town Second Chance —♥— A New Beginning in a Small Town —♥— A Small Town Summer —♥— Forever Family in a Small Town —♥— A Small Town Memory —♥— A Small Town Romance —♥— Finding Family in a Small Town —♥— A Small Town Girl with a Big City Secret —♥—

This is a romance that includes no swearing, no violence, and no sexual content (beyond a few kisses).

Booksprout ARC

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A Small Town Romance by Melinda Curtis

Posted November 2, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Previously Published, Series, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

She’s had a setback.
A devastating car accident cost Tracy Jackson nearly everything, including a high-profile advertising job in San Francisco. Still recovering from her injuries, Tracy returns to the slow-paced life in small-town Harmony Valley and finds a job as a coffee barista at Martin’s Bakery.

When a handsome, smooth-talking travel writer shows up, ostensibly to highlight the charm of the town’s quirky Harvest Festival, the locals are thrilled. Harmony Valley has been undiscovered for so long that the town population has nearly dwindled down to nothing.

But a setback doesn’t mean she’s a pushover.
When Tracy realizes the charming travel writer is known for his sarcastic, lampooning style, she leaps to the town’s defense, determined to undermine the scammer’s efforts and protect those she loves, despite her injuries.

Titles in the Love in Harmony Valley series include — Dandelion Wishes —♥— A Small Town Second Chance —♥— A New Beginning in a Small Town —♥— A Small Town Summer —♥— Forever Family in a Small Town —♥— A Small Town Memory —♥— A Small Town Romance —♥— Finding Family in a Small Town —♥—

This is a romance that includes no swearing, no violence, and no sexual content (beyond a few kisses).

Booksprout ARC

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A Wish for the Single Dad Cowboy by April Murdock

Posted October 30, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Series, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

A young widower dedicated to his daughter and his dream job. The woman who followed him to college only to watch him fall for someone else. And the little girl who just might bring them together.

Luke Duncan dreamed of starting an organic farm as an addition to the family ranch, and now that dream is reality. But losing his wife before he could prove his idea has driven him to succeed. With Christmas drawing near, his ideas to support the holiday theme will either take him to the next level or embarrass him publicly.

Allie Patrick was so certain that if she got Luke away from their hometown, he’d finally see her as someone he could date. A real woman. She couldn’t have been more wrong. That truth still stings all these years later.

But now that Allie is teaching Luke’s daughter, Molly, in third grade, she has another chance. Teaching the child of your lifelong crush is a fine line to walk. When Molly grows close to Allie, Luke has no choice but to notice the woman his daughter has grown attached to.

Titles in the Christmas in Sweet Bloom Texas series include — A Wish For The Single Dad Cowboy —♥— A Wish For The Single Dad Sheriff —♥— A Wish For The Single Dad Veteran —♥— A Wish For The Single Dad Flyboy —♥—

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

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Christmas in Crickley Creek by Laurie Beach

Posted October 30, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Contemporary Romance, Little to No Sexual Content (kissing), Series, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Emma Shea Abernathy is fully aware of her social role: marry well, live extravagantly, and, most of all, exhibit perfection. And it started with saying “I do” to future governor Trent Broadway.

With her carefully crafted life in full swing, she knows she’s made a big mistake. Leaving it all behind, she hides out at her great-grandmother’s beach house in Crickley Creek. There, she discovers a secret room containing a well-preserved 1920s Prohibition speakeasy–and some surprising information about the women in her family. This leads to a new plan: to become a woman who acts contrary to what is expected. In other words, a Firefly Girl.

The problem is no one else embraces her change of heart, especially her first love, Scruggs Willingham III. He still refuses to forgive her for marrying someone else. Despite the olive branches she extends throughout Crickley Creek, it appears she’ll spend Christmas alone.

Until a rare Christmas snow brings the one miracle she needs: the freedom to accept herself.

Titles in the Crickley Creek series include — The Firefly Jar —♥— Blink Twice If You Love Me —♥— Christmas in Crickley Creek —♥—

Booksprout ARC

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A Gilded Age Christmas by Amanda McCabe & Lauri Robinson

Posted October 30, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Gilded Age Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Historical, Series Multi-Author / 0 Comments

Two festive romances set in the glamorous Gilded Age

Two short romances

Celebrate a Gilded Age Christmas!

In Amanda McCabe’s A Convenient Winter Wedding: marrying Connor O’Neill is about survival for penniless heiress May Van Der Berg.

The distant self-made millionaire is far from the passionate husband she’d once dreamed of…except for that scorching kiss!

In Lauri Robinson’s The Railroad Baron’s Mistletoe Bride: after years of estrangement, romance blooms when Kurt invites store clerk Harper and their shared niece to spend Christmas at his mansion.

But are they just a family for the holidays? 

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

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Christmas in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt

Posted October 29, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Booksprout ARC, Connection or Spin-Off of Another Series, Contemporary Romance, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 2 Comments

You can go home again…

After a painful divorce from her high school sweetheart, triplet Jenny Weaver returns to River’s Edge with her young son. While happy to be reunited with her sisters and working at the family’s marina, she has no intention of jumping into the dating pool, especially going into the holidays. Then Gabe Dawson, once a shy nerd who tutored her in history classes, arrives home transformed into a handsome hunk who makes her pulse race.

Archeologist and history professor Gabe Dawson thought he’d long ago outgrown his teen crush on Jenny. Back in town for a few months to help his mom post-surgery, he can’t resist reaching out to Jenny. She’s as beautiful, warm, and funny as he remembered, and soon Gabe is reconsidering his future.

Gabe is determined to seize this second chance, but can he convince a very wary Jenny that a globe-trotter is ready to come home for good this Christmas?

Titles in The Weaver Sisters series include — Home to River’s Edge —♥— Meet Me in River’s Edge —♥— Christmas in River’s Edge —♥—

River’s Edge, Indiana world now includes three series (so far):

Four Irish Brothers Winery started us off with — The Baby Contract —♥— Christmas with You —♥— Meant to Be —♥— A Small Town Christmas —♥—

Then we moved on to The Lange Brothers with — The Valentine Wager —♥— Falling for the Doctor —♥— The Fireman’s Christmas Wish —♥—

Of course, you don’t have to read the earlier series to enjoy the current one – but if you enjoy falling into an entire community where you’ll often see familiar faces from across all the somewhat connecting series, then this is the world you may want to visit. I’ve enjoyed this world from the very beginning, so I highly recommend all of these stories.

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

Booksprout ARC

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Dear Harlequin…

Posted October 29, 2023 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I am going to say this now and perhaps a few more times in this post.  This is my personal opinion — no one else has to agree with me.  But as an online friend recently told me, “If you can’t vent in your own safe place, where can you?”  I Am Not Bashing Harlequin or Mills and Boon…I am, however, voicing my opinion.

I learned of Harlequin’s decision to end the Harlequin Desire Line late in 2022.  I was (and still am) devastated by this news.  Desire has, in my opinion, some of the very best series or returning worlds out there in the vast publishing world.  Second only to the Harlequin Presents Line, those two Lines are where I buy the most titles from on a monthly basis.

Only J D Robb’s “In Death” could come close in comparison to a long, ongoing storyline that I follow religiously, again, in my opinion.  So, this loss was huge to me, personally.

I have read Harlequins since I was 16 years old.  I am now 71 (yes, I’m ancient and probably no longer in the desired dynamics of the customers the company is looking to attract – I get that), but that is a span of 55 years of being completely loyal to a publishing house on a monthly basis.  Do the math.  I’ve spent a lot of my hard-earned cash on books every single month of those 55 years from this publishing house over the years and only recently some (very few) ARCs.

I believe I have a right as a buying customer to my own opinion of any move that a company makes.  It is my opinion; no one else has to share it… but I believe many will and do.

I feel that the loss of the Desire Line is a huge mistake.  I believe there are loyal customers/readers who, like me, will question this decision.  I’m equally certain that there were studies, charts, perhaps PowerPoint presentations, and opinions as to why ending Desire was a profitable decision for the company.  I’m not stupid, I know that the bottom line for any company is ultimately profit.

Yet, honestly, I cannot fathom why adding the Afterglow Line and keeping Desire wasn’t a viable decision.  It makes no sense to me to end something that gave enjoyment to so many readers — other than profitability.

My opinion will make no real difference in the grand scheme of things.  Desire will end, and Afterglow will enter our lives.  The company will (cannot) turn back now.  But the moment that I buy that last book in the Desire Line is going to be one of the saddest days as a reader that I’ve ever experienced.  And I will mourn the loss of the stories that might have been.  (And worry about where I can find those types of stories within the Lines that Harlequin will offer in the future… and the authors whose work have loved throughout the years.)

On a purely ironic note, I can guarantee that the chances of being auto-approved (or even request by request approved) by Harlequin through NetGalley are never going to happen.  They probably wouldn’t anyway since I don’t have the “numbers” that are needed for that auto-approval.  I accept this, but once again, this is an opinion piece.  And I value my own opinions.

I repeat:  I am not bashing Harlequin.  I am voicing a personal opinion.  And the absolute truth is… this hurts, and it’s going to hurt for a very long time.

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The Twelve Dogs of Christmas by Susan Wiggs

Posted October 21, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, NetGalley ARC, Owned or Purchased, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, Standalone Single Title / 0 Comments

Brenda Malloy wants nothing to do with Christmas ever again. Last year, Brenda and her husband rushed their beloved dog Tim to the emergency vet on Christmas Eve. The good news: Tim survived after the vet cleared the obstruction–a pair of women’s lace undies. The bad news: the undies were not Brenda’s.

A year after the breakup, Brenda has put her life back together. She’s trained for a marathon, is writing a children’s novel, and she’s found purpose and healing as a volunteer with a dog rescue organization in Houston, Texas. The rescue partners with a program in Avalon, New York–a small, snowy town deep in the Catskills. Now, Brenda is arranging the transport of rescued dogs from Houston to Avalon—just in time for a merry Christmas with their forever families. Brenda’s friends worry about her driving a van two thousand miles with twelve dogs in crates, but she shrugs off their concern. How hard can it be? She knows the way, and she’s just looking to escape the Christmas overload for a while.

But a blinding snowstorm, an escaped mutt, and a life-saving encounter with Adam Bellamy—a single dad and paramedic—means Brenda has to stay in Avalon longer than she planned. As she drops off each precious pup at their new homes, some of the comfort and joy of the season begins to creep up on Brenda despite her determination to avoid the holidays. Perhaps you can bring Christmas into your heart after all…if you have the right furry friends to guide the way.

This is an adult 18+ story that may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

NetGalley ARC & I purchased my own personal copy.

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