Author: Marsha

A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson

Posted March 20, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, Closed Bedroom Doors, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Inspirational Romance, Little to None Sexual Content (kissing), Love Inspired (Harlequin), Owned, Seasoned Romance, Series Multi-Author, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Offering a helping hand…

Could give him everything he needs.

Fighting his way back from a troubled past, handyman Angus “Witt” Wittenbauer needs refuge.

When dog sanctuary owner Maddie McNeill needs someone to fix her kennel’s roof, it seems like the answer to his prayers, especially when he’s reunited with his long-lost dog, Ranger.

His growing friendship with Maddie hints at the promise of something more, but will Witt ever feel deserving of love again? 

Titles in the K-9 Companions multi-author series include — Their Unbreakable Bond by Deb Kastner —♥— Finding Her Way Back by Lisa Carter —♥— The Veteran’s Vow by Jill Lynn —♥— Her Easter Prayer by Lee Tobin McClain —♥— Earning Her Trust by Brenda Minton —♥—Guarding His Secret by Jill Kemerer —♥— An Unlikely Alliance by Toni Shiloh —♥— The Cowboy’s Journey Home by Linda Goodnight —♥— A Reason to Stay by Deb Kastner —♥— The Veteran’s Holiday Home by Lee Tobin McClain —♥— An Alaskan Christmas Promise by Belle Calhoune —♥— A Steadfast Companion by Myra Johnson —♥— The Rancher’s Sanctuary by Linda Goodnight —♥—A Friend to Trust by Lee Tobin McClain —♥— Her Alaskan Companion by Heidi McCahan —♥— A Companion for Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain —♥—

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

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Pursued by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen

Posted March 19, 2023 by Marsha in Harlequin, Harlequin Intrigue, Modern Western Romance, Owned, Romantic Suspense, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance, TBR Pile Read / 0 Comments

To bring down an arms dealer

A Texas sheriff has to play nice with the suspect’s sister

The bullet that rips through Sheriff Jace Castillo’s body stalls his investigation.

But being nursed back to health by the shooter’s sister is his biggest complication yet. Linnea Martell has always been—and still is—off-limits.

Even if close quarters and undeniable attraction tempt them for more.

And the danger only intensifies when Linnea gets caught in the line of fire…

Titles in the Mercy Ridge Lawmen series include — Her Child to Protect – Safeguarding the Surrogate – Targeting the DeputyPursued by the Sherrif

This is an adult 18+ story that contains language, possible violence, and sexual situations geared to an adult audience.

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All I Want from Santa by Lisa Jackson

Posted March 18, 2023 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Little to None Sexual Content (kissing), NetGalley, Previously Published, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

The small town of Cascadia is home to Veronica Walsh and her young daughter, Amy.

If Ronni still believed in Santa, she’d ask for a chance to buy the rundown old lodge next door and turn it into a B&B.

Amy’s Christmas wish list, on the other hand, includes one item that catches Ronni off-guard: a new daddy.  But four years after losing her husband in a tragic accident, Ronni doesn’t plan to get involved with anyone—least of all the lodge’s new owner.
 
Travis Keegan has moved from Seattle to get his wayward teenage son back on track. Yet the moment he meets Ronni, he wonders if this could be the fresh start they all need.

Healing from a loss and melding their two families won’t be easy, but Christmas in Cascadia has a magic that may just prove irresistible . . .

Originally published as New Year’s Daddy for Silhouette Special Edition

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Stupid Algorithm

Posted March 18, 2023 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I’ll probably regret this post at some point.  But right now, I need to get this out of my head.  Maybe if I see it spelled out, this will make more sense to me.

For the first time in almost 12 years of writing book reviews and posting them on Amazon (among other places), I’ve received that “first warning” email about content guidelines from an auto-created faceless, no-name entity.  Not even a real person or department to contact.  You just violated our guidelines…

It’s a Book Review!  It’s an opinion about a story!

I don’t understand Amazon’s algorithms.  I will go back and strip down a review to the very bare basics and repost it… comes back with a “thank you” email.  But I’ve no idea what “guidelines” I’ve crossed, for they are very vague, very broad.  Some are no-brainers, and I’d never cross those lines.  Yet, I don’t know what I’ve done wrong on these posted reviews to ensure that I don’t do so again.  It’s a catch-22, an endless loop that I’ve no clue how to navigate through.

If I’m banned from Amazon if I cannot give reviews for books there, then… I might as well close down my three websites and keep my opinions to myself.  Why?  Because so many places that I receive ARCs from have an Amazon review as a requirement.  Authors expect to see Amazon reviews when gifting ARCs to me.  And they have that right, for Amazon is the golden grail in its reach to potential buyers.  I get it.

No, that would be giving up and letting a company destroy something that I love doing, and I won’t do that.  But it would restrict where I can post reviews like Goodreads, BookBub, or maybe B & N beyond my own site.  I’ll cross that bridge when and if I come to it.

The only thing that I can think of to do is to have a separate review to post on Amazon.  Basic, informational, bland but honest.  Beyond that, I’ve no clue what else I can do.  Simply rating a book there doesn’t give that impact that authors and publishing houses want.

I’m very depressed and worried right now because hours after receiving that “first warning” email, I got another rejected post email about, you guessed it, guidelines again.  Plus, some of these emails are days, if not weeks, after I posted the review.  What you see on my websites is what I’m posting on Amazon… I see not one damned thing wrong with any of them.

If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or things that you’ve done in similar circumstances to appease the great Amazon… please share.  I’m about at the end of my rope.

 

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A Small Town Second Chance by Melinda Curtis

Posted March 17, 2023 by Marsha in ARC, Booksprout, Closed Bedroom Doors, Contemporary Romance, Little to None Sexual Content (kissing), Series, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

It takes more than a new town to start over.

Widow Becca MacKenzie’s career as a temporary caregiver for the elderly suits her just fine. She helps them recover from surgery or a fall, hops back in her motorhome, and moves on, caring without lasting commitment or heartbreak. The ideal life for someone trying to outrun her memories and mistakes of the past.

It takes courage to stay.

But her new patient and his handsome grandson Flynn are weakening Becca’s resolve to stay detached, not to mention the kind and quirky folks in small town Harmony Valley seem ready to adopt her. But in order to stay and build something real with Flynn, Becca must let go of the past and unravel her tangle of secrets, none of which are easy.

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).

Previously Published

Booksprout ARC

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Her Amish Country Valentine by Patricia Johns

Posted March 15, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, Amish Romance, ARC, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Heartwarming, Little to None Sexual Content (kissing), NetGalley, Series, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Can a wedding-date deception…

Become true love?

Tired of being seen as a lonely workaholic, advertising exec Jill Wickey promises to bring her “casual boyfriend” to her sister’s Valentine’s wedding.

Too bad he doesn’t exist!

Then Thom Miller, a carpenter working at her aunt’s Amish B&B, offers to be Jill’s fake boyfriend—if they turn the lie into truth.

But dating Thom in idyllic Amish country makes Jill wish their temporary arrangement could last…

Titles in The Butternut Amish B&B series include — Her Amish Country Valentine —♥— A Single Dad in Amish Country —♥— A Boy’s Amish Christmas —♥—

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

NetGalley ARC

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A Family for the Rancher by M. K. Stelmack

Posted March 15, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Heartwarming, Little to None Sexual Content (kissing), Owned, Series, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Can the prodigal cowboy…

Teach her to hope again?

Horse trainer Mateo Pavlic wants to buy back his family’s ranch.

But Haley Jansson isn’t interested in selling…or forgiving his twelve-year absence.

Mateo has loved Haley since they were kids, and he feels a deep connection with her sweet son, Jonah. Soon, Mateo wants to be all in with Haley and her adorable baby.

But can he convince her to risk her land, her child, and her heart? 

Titles in the A Ranch to Call Home series include — A Family for the Rancher —♥— A Family for Thanksgiving —♥—

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

Owned

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A Convenient Ring to Claim Her by Dani Collins

Posted March 15, 2023 by Marsha in 2023 New Release Challenge, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Owned, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments

The proposal…
…she vowed never to accept!

Life has taught orphan Quinn Harper to trust only herself.

So, whilst her secret fling with billionaire Micah Gould was her first taste of passion, it wasn’t supposed to last forever. Although it gets harder and harder to pull herself away from his bed…

The abominable actions of Micah’s father have left a permanent mark. Love isn’t in his future.

Then his relationship with Quinn is suddenly exposed and, in Berlin, a new possibility presents itself. Quinn could be the convenient bride Micah needs…but can he be what she deserves?

Titles in the Four Weddings and A Baby series include — Cinderella’s Secret Baby —♥— Wedding Night with the Wrong Billionaire —♥— A Convenient Ring to Claim Her —♥— A Baby to Make Her His Bride —♥—

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

Owned

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Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy by Sara Richardson

Posted March 14, 2023 by Marsha in ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, NetGalley, Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments

This city girl could use a dose of good old-fashioned cowboy Christmas cheer!

Pediatric nurse Kyra Fowler is finally going to realize her dream. She’s got a job lined up at the most prestigious children’s hospital in London.

There’s only one little snag—first, she has to sell the Wyoming town she’s just inherited from her estranged father.

After a little fixing up, the place should easily attract a buyer. Hopefully, she’ll be celebrating the sale by New Year’s.

Ex-Navy SEAL Aiden Steele couldn’t save his brother-in-law on the battlefield, but he can save his sister’s ranch and give his nieces the life they deserve in the town they love. He’s not about to let some outsider make a mint selling to a ruthless developer.

Operation Save Star Valley is foolproof: show Kyra the sights, let the Christmas spirit work its magic, and bam! She’ll decide not to sell, and he can ensure his family is taken care of.

Except as he tries to make Kyra fall in love with the town, Aiden starts falling for her.

Titles in the Star Valley series include — Wishing on a Christmas Cowboy —♥— Betting on a Good Luck Cowboy —♥—

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

NetGalley ARC

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The Cowboy’s Sweet Redemption by Kacy Cross

Posted March 14, 2023 by Marsha in ARC, Closed Bedroom Doors, Contemporary Romance, Little to None Sexual Content (kissing), Modern Western Romance, NetGalley, Small Town Romance, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

In order to finish her doctorate, grad student Delilah Kersey needs a job. Any job. So when she overhears a gorgeous rancher describing a job opportunity, she’s all in—if she can convince him she’s a real dog trainer. Of course, no one prepared Delilah for a chaotic household with four unruly dogs and a sexy new boss whose bedroom is right next door to hers.

Military vet Zero Renshaw’s return to civilian and family ranch life hasn’t been easy. He needs to transform four horrible dogs—who can only be described as a menace—into obedient cattle herders. But with his family still reeling from a shattering loss, Zero will do anything to make things better…even hiring an unpredictable dog trainer who’s more temptation than he can resist.

Now Delilah is transforming every aspect of Zero’s tightly-regimented life. She even seems to be healing his family, including his small, broken-hearted nephew. But Zero has no room for mistakes…even if he’s falling for the best one he’s ever made.

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

NetGalley ARC

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