Tag Archive: Contemporary Romance


Brenda Novak has set her bar pretty high with “This Heart Of Mine”, which happens to be my super top favorite story of hers…and will remain so forever. Having said that she has introduced us to the Silver Spring series and The New Horizons Boys Ranch in the first book of the series, “Finding Our Forever”, another emotional and engrossing series, and the second book in the series, “No One But You”, will take you on another ride of forgiveness and love, with Dawson Reed and Sadie Harris at the center of this heartwarming love story.

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Having being acquitted of murdering his foster parents, all Dawson Reed wants is to build his farm, bring his special needs sister back home and live a quite life, away from the judgmental eyes of the Silver Springs townsfolk. Easier said than done, when he hires Sadie Harris to be a caretaker and housekeeper for her sister.

Trying to finalize her divorce with her abusive cop husband, Sadie Harris needs is a decent job to get keep custody of her son, and be independent and build a steady life with her son. Accepting a job as Dawson’s housekeeper has the town gossiping and her abusive ex becoming dangerous and evil.

It started a bit slow for me, but once the story got into the thick of things, the plot moved with great strides. Another wonderful story by Brenda Novak, of two people who find love amidst danger and gossip, who care for each other and courageous enough to defy threats and go to any lengths to keep each other out of harm’s way. This story questions our morals and opinions about life changing incidents, about giving people second chances, of being influenced by power and judgments, and of forgiveness and love.

A story that needs to be read to fully enjoy it’s content. And when Elijah, Gavin and Aiyana make an appearance that is just the sweetest icing on the cake!

Received an ARC from Harlequin via NetGalley for an honest review.

For the uninitiated, Samantha Chase started off her new series “The Shaughnessy Brothers” with “Made For Us” (Aidan and Zoe), “Love Walks In” (Hugh and Aubrey), and now the third Shaughnessy brother Quinn sure takes his own sweet time trying to come to grips as to what’s been staring in his face all this time.

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Quinn Shaughnessy will make you want to shake some sense into him, he can be an idiot where Anna is concerned, you want to smack him when he makes decisions for Anna and you want to love him for his heart made of gold. He sure made Anna Hannigan wait a few years before he finally comes to his sense and declares to the world that she’s “Always My Girl”.

Anna Hannigan, the ever-sweet girl of his who can never say no, always at his side rain or shine and friends of the heart, has literally pined for Quinn for her entire life. Coming out of her shell and trying to live life outside of Quinn doesn’t seem to work in her favor. And when they do finally become a couple, their relationship is not short of fireworks, as they try to navigate the transition from friends to lovers.

Like every love story, Quinn and Anna have a lot of baggage to shed, insecurities to overcome, and fears of failure to conquer. Again, Samantha Chase does a wonderful job of setting Quinn apart from his brothers, with his own characterization and individuality, his weaknesses and strengths and his equation with his Dad. And again she does a brilliant job of interweaving the dynamics of the Shaughnessys, as they stand together in support in their varied degrees.

“Always My Girl” is another wonderful story of love and care, support and strength, friendship and family, that not only gives us a warm romance, but also gives us an insight into different personalities and the dynamics of a large and caring family.

Received an ARC from Sourcebooks Casablanca via NetGalley for an honest review.

Another charming new series by Sarah Morgan, “From Manhattan With Love” takes the readers on a carriage ride of romance in the city of New York, as three friends try to make a life in the Big Apple, pulsing with energy and dreams.

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First in the series, “Sleepless In Manhattan” sure gives Paige Walker sleepless nights as she loses her current job in a New York minute! But not one to lay still, an organizer and a go-getter, Paige decides to start her own event planner business with her two friends. Then again having lived a young life of in and out of hospitals, insecurities and fears always shadow her. And here comes the hero Jake Roman0, childhood friend, crush and her brother’s best friend, motivating her, disarming her and riling her to get her dream fulfilled.

Self made billionaire, Jake Romano has overcome childhood abandonment, raised by a loving adopted mother, and he’d worked hard to get to the pinnacle of his success. Supportive and caring of his friends, Paige is his beating heart and he would do anything to keep her protected and help with her success.

As the flare of passion between them reaches fruition, so does Sarah Morgan’s penning of Paige and Jake’s love story. Full of wit and humor, quirks and fears, insecurities and determination, Sarah portrays it all in full glory. Rich with emotions, strong in friendship and passionate in its romance, “Sleepless In Manhattan” is an ultra charming start to the series.

Received an ARC from Harlequin via NetGalley for an honest review.

I finally caught up with Marina Adair’s romances and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed them and she has become a permanent fixture in my library of authors. “The Eastons” is a brand new series from her kitty and we get to read the trials and tribulations of these siblings as they manage the course of heartache and love.

Starting off the chase in this series is “Chasing I Do”, as the Easton sibling Gage Easton has the daunting task of making the wedding arrangements for his client/brother and surprise, surprise takes him right to the door step of his late brother’s fiancé, Darcy Kincaid, owner and planner of the venue. Regret and guilt have him question the arrangement, but friendship, attraction and redemption keeps him in Darcy’s eyesight. And shock and surprise at finding the little four-year angel right next to Darcy seals his fate.

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Darcy Kincaid was brave enough to run away from a marriage that could have been a mistake laced with betrayal and pain. Yet she believes in happy endings that had made her a successful wedding planner. The responsibility of a baby gives her the courage to single-mindedly and single-handedly make a fresh life for them, without depending on anyone. Coming face to face with Gage was not on her agenda, yet seeing him brings back the pain of loss and what once could have been hers.

With family dynamics, truths untold and the unexplored attraction between Gage and Darcy lighting a match, “Chasing I Do” makes one captivating and an emotional read. I’ve cried a few times as I followed Darcy to her happy ending, praised Gage for his relentless pursuit for the truth and his support for Darcy, the loyalty between the siblings and second chances of finding a large family.

Marina Adair penned a heartwarming story so full of love and care, good people and friends, courage and strength to make choices in life, and grabbing those second chances with faith and hope, you can’t but help fall in love with Darcy and Gage. She did a brilliant job of choreographing the emotions in the right place at the right time.

A great start to another fabulous series I’m sure of and a great addition to the library.

Received a gift from the author via Amazon for an honest review.

 

The Deepest Night

By Kara Braden

Sourcebooks Casablanca

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: The Longest Night, book #2

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When everything you love is on the line…

The Isles of Scilly off the coast of England are remote, windswept and wild. They’re the perfect place for Ray Powell to recuperate after the toughest Afghanistan mission the military contractor has ever run. Except instead of the peace and quiet he so desperately needs, he’s faced with a beautiful American woman who instantly challenges his iron control.

It’s best to proceed with caution…

Seeking her own safe haven, Michelle Cole is intrigued and flustered by the intensely compelling and irresistible man.

As their cautious friendship slowly builds into simmering attraction, their hearts and souls are about to be broken open…if they’ll allow it.

Praise for The Deepest Night by Kara Braden:

“This smashing sequel shows that respectful communication is downright scorching… This sweet contemporary will appeal to romance fans who like their heroes powerful and smitten and their heroines capable and genuine.”—Publishers Weekly STARRED Review

Buy Links

Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | iBooks

Author Bio

Kara Braden makes her debut in modern romance with a story of love in isolation. She believes that engaging, romantic fantasy can be found everywhere in the world, even in the most unlikely places. With the support of her wonderful husband, cats, and dogs, she writes from her home office outside Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends her time hiding from the sunlight and heat.

Social Media

Author Website http://karabraden.com/

Tumblr http://karabraden.tumblr.com/

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/KaraBraden/

Twitter @KaraBraden

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/karabradenauthor

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7264239.Kara_Braden

And Now For An Excerpt:

But as they approached the patio stairs, Michelle slowed her steps. She wanted to preserve the night, to capture the fragile closeness she felt with Ray, to hold it tight against whatever tomorrow might bring.

She was, in fact, tempted to invite him to her room – or to go with him to his room, given the narrow single bed in the manager’s apartment. She could almost hear Vicky’s voice urging her to seize the moment, to let her hair down. To live a little.

That wasn’t her way, but she could…adapt. With a little smile, she stopped two steps up the stairs and turned. With Ray still on the grass, they were nearly the same height. She smiled at him and slipped the flashlight into his jacket pocket, but then her courage faltered. She couldn’t just lean into his arms and steal a kiss.

“Thank you for tonight,” she said, inching forward to the very edge of the step, hoping he’d read her intent and meet her halfway.

He put one foot on the bottom step and draped the blanket over the stairway railing. “Thank you for trusting me to surprise you,” he said, lifting his now-­free hand to her face.

The touch stole her breath, sparking heat across her cold skin. She closed her eyes and tipped her head, pressing against his fingers.

And then she felt his lips on hers, deceptively soft and undemanding, though she felt the strength coiled behind that gentle touch. Her lips parted on a sharp inhale that he stole, the heat of their breath mixing, captive between them. His hand slid back through strands that had fallen free of her ponytail, cupping her nape. Shivers raced through her body, and she lifted up on her toes to lean even closer, bracing her free hand on his chest. His jacket was like ice under her palm, but the leather was soft, pliant, barely hiding the powerful chest underneath.

He chased her gasp with his tongue, a soft swipe across her bottom lip as if he were tasting her. Vertigo hit more powerfully than it had under the infinite stars. She slid her hand up over his shoulder to hold his nape, seeking his strength, his steadiness.

Keeping his fingers entwined with hers, he dropped his other hand from her hair. His arm wrapped around her body, forearm fitted against the curve of her back. She sighed into the kiss, inviting him deeper. He didn’t refuse.

Their tongues touched for a single heartbeat. Parted. Touched again. He drew back and tipped his head the other way as he pulled her close against his chest, her toes now barely touching the edge of the stair. She held tightly, trusting his strength more than her own sense of balance, and gave in to the kiss with a sense of greedy indulgence she’d never before felt.

The raw power of him was a drug to her senses. There was no hesitation in him, no wavering in his intent. Everything she offered, he claimed.

Check out the Rafflecopter Giveaway for The Deepest Night Spotlight Tour (3 signed copies of The Longest Night and 10 free Audible.com codes for The Longest Night).

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