Summer Days by Susan Mallery

Review of Summer Days by Susan Mallery

Published: May 29, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Rafe is trapped in the one place he vowed never to return to—the Castle Ranch in Fool’s Gold, California. He made millions facing ruthless adversaries in the boardroom, but nothing could’ve prepared him to go head-to-head against stubborn, beautiful Heidi Simpson. No one is more surprised than Rafe to discover that he’s finding Heidi—and life as a cowboy—much more compelling than he wants to admit.

For Heidi, the Castle Ranch is the home she’s always wanted. After a life on the road, the vivacious blonde has finally put down roots. She won’t give that up without a fight, not even for a man whose late-night kisses make her yearn to be a little less…wholesome.

As the two turn from passionate adversaries to passionate, period, they’ll discover that summer love can last a lifetime."

Dear Susan Mallery,

I'm not surprised that I fell in love with your newest Fool's Gold book, Summer Days.  As a loyal reader and huge fan, I loved getting to know Heidi, Rafe, May, and Glen better and found myself a slave to finishing Summer Days within one day. I love how you tied in how Rafe and Heidi are so much alike, but got that way from two very different perspectives on love.  I laughed along with the characters who live in Fool's Gold, but especially loved drunk Heidi and her ramblings.  Your Fool's Gold shows town loyalty that never waivers and ends up even surprising your most cynical of readers (sure I may fall into that category if you are really wondering). Rafe is a hunk of man who I am sure I will dream about because like all of your characters, he is not perfect which makes him so much more real and relatable to life in general. I love May's perspective on ranching and how it is not just for horses or cows or even chickens anymore, it expands through the animal kingdom.  Glen being a handsome devil with quick wit finally got a dose of what real love is like and I can already tell in your upcoming books he will be whipped.  Heidi is a very strong character who seems to bring sunshine wherever she goes and even if she's in a sullen mood.  In short, I adored this edition to the Fool's Gold Series and cannot wait to read about another cowboy in the near future. Heidi and Rafe make me laugh and I love how their relationship wasn't all smooth sailing. I'd say keep up the good work, but we both know you are already brilliant and will continue to write stories that drawn readers into towns, families, and love.

Sincerely,

Loyal Reader and Fan

Not Just Friends by Kate Hoffmann

Review of Not Just Friends by Kate Hoffmann

Published: May 1, 2012

4 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Come to Camp Winnehatchee!

For new experiences. (With boys!)

For the great outdoors. (Where you can find yourself in nature. With boys! )

For adults-only activities. (Best shared with men! )

For venture capitalist Adam Sutherland, attending Camp Winnehatchee’s reopening was a no-brainer. He’s even reuniting with former camp counselors to chip in and help revive the camp. What he isn’t expecting is to find a girl sleeping in his bunk. Or that the girl is none other than Julia McKee, who went from shy and awkward Good Girl to scorching-hot babe....

But the good girl is all gone...and she’s headed off to Paris! But before she goes, Julia intends to show her bad-boy childhood crush just how to put the “wild” back into the wilderness! And this time, he’ll be the one left wanting more...."

Not Just Friends by Kate Hoffmann is a unrequited love story about growing up and finding what truly makes you happy. I love how this story unfolds with flashbacks and insight into the characters lives when they were younger and learned how to grow up at summer camp. I also love how the story revolves around something so pure as summer camp which brings these now adults back together and integrated into one another's lives.  Julia I feel is secretly still a very insecure young girl she once was when it comes to anything involving Adam.  And Adam I see as this once playboy turned gentleman when he finally has Julia back into his life.  Together Julia and Adam are fun characters who just have always know how to be together, it's refreshing.  I give Not Just Friends by Kate Hoffmann 4 smirks because the purity and love of this story cannot be ignored.

Sava's Wildcat by Anne McAllister

Review of Sava's Wildcat by Anne McAllister

Published: April 3, 2012

4 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Yiannis Savas, the irresistible playboy of the Savas dynasty, was every girl’s dream. But he quickly turned into Cat’s nightmare when his promises led no further than a fiery affair. Now Cat MacLean has grown up and out of her girlish fantasies. Determined not to fall prey to smooth talk and fast charm again, she’s engaged to someone sensible.

Then she’s forced to spend a week with the one man she’s never forgotten. Yiannis’s heated gaze pierces her defenses, and suddenly sensible doesn’t seem quite so good…"

I really enjoyed this story, it has a natural flow and the characters are unique and breath of fresh air.  I like how this story is all about second chances and taking the time to realize what is in your heart.  Yiannis and Cat are clearly meant to mean something to each other and reading about their banter, arguments, and laughter allows readers to see the obvious chemistry and comfort they bring one another.  I give Sava's Wildcat by Anne McAllister 4 smirks because this story is about finding family and seeing for the first time it's not so bad to have so many people breathing down your neck.

Just One Kiss by Isabel Sharpe

Review of Just One Kiss by Isabel Sharpe

Published: April 2, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Tempted by taste…

Nestled in the heart of Seattle, A Taste for all. Pleasures is a warm hub of decadent baking delights. Sweet buttery cookies with melted chocolate, yummy cupcakes with creamy soft icing...and the owner, Angela Loukas, is about
to meet a mouthwatering morsel of a man—one she can’t resist!

Unfortunately, Daniel Flynn is officially celibate. No sex. No dating. It’s criminal, really. But once he steps into Angela’s shop, he remembers what temptation—in the form of chocolate icing and a mischievous set of chocolate-brown eyes—feels like.  Now he wants to have his cupcakes...and Angela, too!"

Just One Kiss by Isabel Sharpe is as unique a story as Angela's cookies/cupcakes are.  It's easy to give up on a book when you don't have a connection to it, but Just One Kiss has this instant draw to it which makes it hard to put down.  The characters are fabulous and flawed in a way that allows readers to feel compassion and also see the truth before the characters know it themselves.  Angela carries this energy around her that is infectious to everyone around her; including readers.  In a different scale, Daniel is this gorgeous man who in true love style comes alive when he meets Angela and finds himself (likes, dislikes) in the process.  Together, Angela and Daniel, are like magnets; an unstoppable force that keeps readers entranced.  Bonnie and Seth are the two characters who I am invested in seeing a happy ending with and can't wait to read about.  I give Just One Kiss by Isabel Sharpe 5 smirks because uniqueness keeps readers coming back and uniqueness is all this story is.

Undone By Her Tender Touch by Maya Banks

Review of Undone By Her Tender Touch by Maya Banks

Published: May 1, 2012

5 out of 5 smirks

Synopsis: "Just one night? Yeah, right. Pippa Laingley should have known better. When an unplanned evening of passion with Cameron Hollingsworth results in unplanned pregnancy, she’s at a crossroads. She knew going in that the enigmatic entrepreneur had built a fortress around his feelings. What she’s just discovered is that he’s loved and lost before—wife and child. Tragically. Now Cam stands to lose it all again. If he lets Pippa get too close. If he pushes her away with loveless arrangements of financial support. Either way, he’s doomed…unless he can let himself love again."

There are very few authors who I find consistency with (as in I love all their books I read), Maya Banks is one of the few. Undone By Her Tender Touch concludes a miniseries about friends who become family and grow with one another by their side.  In this installment, we as readers finally get Cam's story, which I have been personally waiting for since this miniseries started.  I love that Maya Banks still continues to surprise us with Cam's past for instance and with the leading lady Pippa (Ashley's BFF).  Cam has a darkness to him that would push most people away and quite the opposite is Pippa who is like the sun itself.  I love how different both Cam and Pippa are, but I also love that they have the same level of passion for one another.  This book leads Cam from darkness and makes Pippa/readers believe in tailored happily ever afters.  Like all the books in this miniseries this one is a must read and a must own. 5 smirks.