Author: Marsha

Let’s Talk Bookish: The Pros and Cons of Book Blogging

Posted September 26, 2020 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

I discovered this weekly meme through Sophie at Balivernes who visited my blog recently.  (Yes, I do wander around your sites when you visit mine)  I would encourage you to visit Rukky at Eternity Books and Dani at Literary Lion (our hosts for Let’s Talk Bookish) and learn more about them and this weekly event.  The sign-up page on Rukky’s site is HERE.  On Dani’s site, it’s HERE

Although this particular blog is relatively new (I do have 4 active blogs), I’ve been blogging for about 7 years now.  My main blog, Keeper Bookshelf, is 7 years old and my genre-specific, totally paranormal romance shifters site, Shifter Haven is about 6 years old.  I’ve recently added two newer blogs, this one, Happily Ever After Romance, and Paranormal-y Romantic (which will feature all different sub-genre Paranormal Romance novels).

So, I’m not new to this, still discovering and learning new things every month it seems.  And, oh yeah, there are definitely pros and cons to book blogging.

Let’s move on to the lists.

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Stacking the Shelves #1 (HEARomance)

Posted September 26, 2020 by Marsha in Stacking the Shelves, Weekly Events / 6 Comments

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality.  If you’d like to take part simply click on those links above to discover what this fun event is all about.

This is my first time joining the Stacking the Shelves weekly wrapup of added books with a new blog Happily Ever After Romance.  (which is a sister site to Keeper Bookshelf) and I’m just a bit excited to join in (keep up-to-date *fingers crossed*) and discover even more new books that I really can’t afford to buy (but I know I will).  🙂

I buy, borrow, or receive ARCs all the time – so these books are the ones I’ve chosen for this particular book/book review blog.  They may show up next week, or next month.  Like most readers that I know, I’m a mood reader – I pick up a book based on what I need for an escape at that moment.

These titles are linked to their Goodreads page if you’d like to learn more.  Two Christmas Romances (which I read all year long) and two anytime Romances.  Not bad. 🙂

Okay, thanks for letting me show off a bit – now I’m off to visit your blogs… and find more books I’m sure.

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The DIY Groom by Lori Wilde & Pan Andrews Hanson

Posted September 25, 2020 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Series / 0 Comments

It was supposed to have been his twin, Cole, refurbishing cabinets on the trendy cable show, but when his brother has a scheduling conflict, Zack Bailey gets drafted to replace him. Never one to court the limelight, Zack wants nothing more than to get this TV malarkey over with and return to his construction company.

The host of Do It Herself, Megan Danbury, is no more thrilled to have the grumpy carpenter on set than he is to be there. From the moment they lay eyes on each other, they clash like dogs and donkeys. Megan is certain the contentious taping is a rank disaster, but their onscreen animosity turns out to be a hit with audiences, and now her boss insists she must persuade Zack to cohost the show.

Zack wants to say ‘no’ but finding out Megan could lose her job if he doesn’t, convinces him to agree and the next thing he knows, Zach finds himself hankering to become Megan’s DIY groom…

Series – Wrong Way Weddings = #1 The Groom Wager – #2 The DIY Groom – #3 The Stand-in Groom – #4 The Royal Groom – #5 The Makeshift Groom –

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A Baby For Christmas by Joanna Sims

Posted September 22, 2020 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Series, Series Connection / 0 Comments

The Other Twin Brother

Marine Captain Luke Brand has come home with one mission on his mind: to make amends with his identical twin brother’s widow. They’ve never gotten along, but for the wounded soldier, establishing a connection with his yet-to-be-born nephew is a top priority—and failure is not an option.

Still, he has to make peace without revealing his secret—that he’s madly, completely, head over heels in love with Sophia Lee Brand.

The last person Sophia wants to see this Christmas is Luke! She is too vulnerable and, well, too pregnant for the disruption. So why does she blush when he smiles, or her heart quicken when they touch?

His looks are all too familiar—but he stirs up emotions she has never felt before. Perhaps a kiss under the mistletoe will make both of their Christmas wishes come true?

Series – The Brands of Montana = #1 A Baby for Christmas – #2 The One He’s Been Looking For – #3 Marry Me, Mackenzie! – #4 A Match Made in Montana – #5 High Country Christmas – #6 High Country Baby – #7 Meet Me At the Chapel – #8 Thankful for You – #9 A Wedding to Remember – #10 A Bride for Liam Brand – #11 High Country Cowgirl – #12 The Sargeant’s Christmas – #13 Her Second Forever –

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The Cowboy’s Sacrifice by Danica Favorite

Posted September 19, 2020 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Love Inspired (Harlequin), Series / 0 Comments

Does he have the courage to trust his heart?

He just wanted her to go…

now he’ll do anything to make her stay.

Ranch attorney Ty Warner isn’t buying Rachel Henderson’s story.

He’s sure the pretty single mom is after his boss’s fortune, but Rachel claims she’s just looking for her family, someone who might donate the kidney she needs to survive.

As Ty grows closer to Rachel and her little girl, he discovers the raw truth—he’ll do whatever it takes to help Rachel live.

Series – Double R Legacy = #1 The Cowboy’s Sacrifice – #2 His True Purpose – #3 A True Cowboy –

This is a clean, sweet romance that should offend no one giving the reader a very romantic reading experience.

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The Prince and the Wedding Planner by Jennifer Faye

Posted September 16, 2020 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Series / 0 Comments

When different worlds collide…

…sparks fly!

With her family name on the line, wedding planner Bianca Bartolini needs this royal wedding to go perfectly—she can’t afford distractions. Too bad the bride’s dashing brother has other plans!

Duty-bound Crown Prince Leo has mere weeks to announce his own engagement, but none of the candidates measure up to Bianca. They’re the most unlikely match, but might that just make them perfect for one another?

Series – The Bartolini Legacy = #1 The Prince and The Wedding Planner – #2 The CEO, the Puppy and Me – #3 The Italian’s Unexpected Heir –

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From Exes to Expecting by Laurel Greer

Posted September 13, 2020 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Series / 0 Comments

This time there’s a baby on board…

Dr. Lauren Dawson knows her brief marriage to footloose photographer Tavish Fitzgerald ended for a reason. That doesn’t mean their undeniable chemistry isn’t as potent as ever.

And when Tavish returns home to Sutter Creek for his sister’s wedding, the sparks between them turn into a blaze.

But when Lauren finds herself pregnant, these exes have nine months to build a forever family together…

Series – Sutter Creek, Montana = #1 From Exes to Expecting – #2 A Father For Her Child – #3 Holiday by Candlelight – #4 Their Nine-Month Surprise – #5 In Service of Love –

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Safety Breach by Delores Fossen

Posted September 10, 2020 by Marsha in Harlequin, Modern Western Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Can a Texas lawman capture an escaped serial killer after a witness’s location is breached?

The serial killer Gemma Hanson narrowly escaped just discovered her WITSEC location, and he’s coming after her to finish what he started. That’s the message Sheriff Kellan Slater personally delivers.

Although Gemma and Kellan share an intense past, escaping the violence surrounding them is all that matters. Especially once Gemma realizes there is no safe place—not even protective custody… 

Series – Longview Ridge Ranch = #1 Safety Breach – #2 A Threat to His Family – #3 Settling An Old Score – #4 His Brand of Justice

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In Case You’re Wondering

Posted September 8, 2020 by Marsha in Discussion / 0 Comments

… Happily Ever After Romance is a newish blog, started in May of 2020.  It is a sister site to my Keeper Bookshelf site that has been around for many years now.  While KB focuses on current releases (bought & NetGalley ARCs) HEAR will focus on those long series that I’ve meant to get to but haven’t yet – the no-cost series starter/ first book in a series offers from Amazon – and those brand new series that I want to focus on here.

There are reasons behind the perceived madness – but we’ll leave that for now.

So, please, don’t think that HEAR is grabbing stuff from KB without permission – both blogs belong to me, and are, in a way, companion sites.  (example: you’ll see Marsha’s Keeper Bookshelf on the Goodreads grids of books read because one account at GR, but many, many shelves)

To be frank, I didn’t have to explain myself… but someone emailed me stating that another blog was stealing my content.  *eye roll* there is nothing here from KB except that name on the Goodreads book grid that I can’t get rid of!  It was perhaps kind of this person but annoying as hell to try or have to explain the sister site concept to them.

In any event, that’s the explanation.  Now.  Go take a look around Happily Ever After Romance and let me know your opinion in the comments.  It’s a growing romance review blog and will be around for years to come. 🙂

 

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The Look of Love by Bella Andre

Posted September 7, 2020 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series, Series Connection / 0 Comments

After Chloe Peterson’s car skids off the road in the Napa Valley wine country, she’s ready to throw in the towel on a horrendous day. But when a gorgeous guy rescues her, though she’s immediately drawn to him, she knows better than to let her walls down with any man ever again.

Chase Sullivan is a successful photographer whose charm and charisma—along with his large and close-knit family—make him San Francisco’s most eligible bachelor. Intent on helping Chloe through this rough patch in her life, Chase soon realizes that she is not only lovely, inside and out, she’s also intelligent, talented, and extremely brave. He has never felt like this about anyone before, never knew love could be so powerful, or so true…until she came into his life.

Though Chloe tries to resist Chase, with every loving look he gives her—and every sinfully sweet caress—the attraction between them sparks and sizzles. But after everything she’s been through, can Chase convince Chloe that he will always be there for her…and that their love will last forever? 

Series – The Sullivans = #1 The Look of Love – #2 From This Moment On – #3 Can’t Help Falling in Love – #4 I Only Have Eyes for You – #5 If You Were Mine – #6 Let Me Be the One – #7 Come A Little Bit Closer – #8 Always On My Mind – #9 The Way You Look Tonight – #10 Kissing Under the Mistletoe – #11 It Must Be Your Love – #12 Just to Be With You – #13 I Love How You Love Me – #14 All I Ever Need is You – #15 Now That I’ve Found You – #16 Since I Fell For You – #17 You Do Something To Me – #18 Every Time We Fall in Love – #19 Your Love is Mine – #20 There Goes My Heart -#21 When You Kiss Me –

Connecting Series- Seattle Sullivans = #1 The Way You Look Tonight – #2 It Must Be Your Love – #3 Just to Be With You – #4 I Love How You Love Me – #5 All I Ever Need is You –

Connecting Series – New York  Sullivans = #1 Now That I’ve Found You – #2 Since I Fell For You – #3 You Do Something To Me – #4 Every Time We Fall in Love –

Connecting Series – Maine Sullivans = #1 Your Love is Mine – #2 There Goes My Heart – #3 When You Kiss Me –

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Rules in Blackmail by Nichole Severn

Posted September 4, 2020 by Marsha in Harlequin, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Blackhawk Security Elite Protection Services—

Their business is your safety

But not hers.

Former SEAL Sullivan Bishop refuses to work for Jane Reise. The JAG Corps prosecutor is hardcore—and he never stopped blaming her for his brother’s death.

But Blackhawk is Jane’s only hope in fending off a frightening stalker, and she’ll blackmail Sullivan to get it. Forced into her service, he soon realizes he was wrong about Jane. As bullets fly, Sullivan knows he’ll risk his life—and heart—to save her.

Series – Blackhawk Security = #1 Rules in Blackmail – #2 Rules in Rescue – #3 Rules in Deceit – #4 Rules in Defiance – #5 Caught in the Crossfire –

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What New Beginnings Are Made Of by Debra Clopton

Posted September 1, 2020 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Seasoned Romance, Series, Series Connection, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

New beginnings take courage…

She’s a fifty-five-year-old widow feeling like she’s lost herself.

On a whim of her aching heart, Alice McIntyre buys the Star Gazer Inn and is looking for a fresh start…something to put a spark back into her life.

But first, she has to tell her four sons, who have problems of their own but have smothered her with their protective instincts. She’s lived on the huge South Texas ranch just outside of Corpus Christi since their father carried her over the threshold. She’s raised them on the massive McIntyre Ranch—one of the largest, wealthiest in Texas. It’s been her home and theirs. Will they understand that it’s time for her to leave? Time for her to move on?

Jackson McIntyre is shocked by his mother’s announcement. Guilt-ridden in the aftermath of his father’s accident, Jackson is determined to do whatever it takes to help his mother find her way to move forward. But this new idea of hers has him reeling.

Nina lives next door to the inn and is living a quiet life, keeping a low profile. She has her reasons. Will the opening of the inn and her new neighbors, especially the oldest son of the new innkeeper, tempt her to step back into the light and out of the shadows of her past?

Lisa, Alice’s best friend, and recent divorcee has been traveling the world since the breakup that left her shaken and feeling just as lost as Alice. A brilliant cook with a flair for entertaining, she loves Alice’s idea and joins her to open the inn. But Lisa has her own secrets.

Can these two friends, and their new neighbor Nina, find fresh starts as they ready the Star Gazer Inn for its new beginning?

Will Nina find the courage to take one more chance on love with her new friend’s son?

Three women find friendship and courage on the shores of Corpus Christi Bay. Come visit the Star Gazer Inn, with a side trip to the McIntyre Ranch, as Alice finds her way between two worlds.

Series – Star Gazer Inn of Corpus Christi Bay = #1 What New Beginnings Are Made Of – #2 What Dreams Are Made Of – #3 What Hopes Are Made Of –

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Love and Secrets by Kit Morgan

Posted August 4, 2020 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Modern Western Romance, Series, Series Connection, Sweet Contemporary Romance / 0 Comments

Holly’s Must-Haves for Match Making:

Good fashion sense

An eye for detail

People skills

A handsome man … er, make that a willing one …

Fashionista Holly Kupiec didn’t have time for love. For one, she was too busy creating romance for everyone else so they could find their Happily Ever After.

As a matter of fact, she just attended her friends John and Crystal’s wedding. Now, who was she going to match up?

But little did Holly know that someone had their eye on her. And Zane Brody definitely had romance on his mind.

But would his past haunt him and ruin any chance he might have with the beautiful Holly? Would his secret force him to leave Clear Creek? 

Series – Love Comes to Clear Creek = #1 Love and Secrets –

This is a clean, sweet romance that should offend no one giving the reader a very romantic reading experience.

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Cowboy Summer by Joanne Kennedy

Posted July 30, 2020 by Marsha in Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Jess Bailey broke Cade Walker’s heart when she left for the city—but she was just trying to find her own way in the world. When Jess’s dad calls her home and tells her he’s selling the ranch, she realizes she’s about to lose the life she was born to live. And when she sees Cade again, she knows how much she’s lost already.

As their nearest neighbor, Cade is always trying to help. But he’s got his own ranch and his horse training business to think about. Even though his heart fills with hope for a second chance when he sees Jess, she left him once when things got tough. And she knows he moved on without her.

As the sale of the Bailey ranch looms over them, Jess and Cade start looking to the future. But can they ever trust one another again?

Series – Blue Sky Cowboys = #1 Cowboy Summer – #2 Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas –

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The Groom Wager by Lori Wilde & Pam Andrews Hanson

Posted July 12, 2020 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Get Married or Else!

Cole Bailey’s eccentric billionaire grandfather issues an edict. If his grandsons don’t settle down soon, he’ll sell the controlling interest in the family business. After losing a coin toss to his twin brother, Zach, Cole’s gotta go first. On the hunt for a bride, Cole crashes a high society wedding and comes face-to-face with his high school pal, Tess Morgan.

The formerly shy, overweight bookworm is no longer the pushover who did Cole’s homework for him. At the reception, Tess goads him into a game of pool. Just to keep things interesting, Cole suggests a wager. If he wins, she must help him find the perfect woman to wed.

Losing the bet is one thing, but playing matchmaker for the heartthrob who still causes her pulse to race is another matter entirely. Does Tess stand a chance of convincing Cole that she’s the one he’s been waiting for all along?

Series – Wrong Way Weddings = #1 The Groom Wager – #2 The DIY Groom – #3 The Stand-in Groom – #4 The Royal Groom – #5 The Makeshift Groom –

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