Tag Archive: Romancing Life


Size matters!!! There’s no doubt about it. But it all comes down to acceptance with confidence and personality. To women everywhere, of any size or shape (me included ;)), Alison Bliss’s latest release, “Size Matters” is a roller coaster ride of fun, wit and sweet romance as Sam Cooper woos Leah Martin into his life forever.

Successful business and bakery owner Leah Martin has curves that some men would die for, but convincing her that she is beautiful is a monumental task that Sam Cooper takes a personal interest and inevitably ends up becoming her fake fiancé. And the fun starts.

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You can’t but root for Leah with her positive attitude to life, patient as she deals with her perfectly imperfect mother, overprotective brothers and her loving and supportive father. And add in Sam to the equation, and he’s a temptation that she can’t refuse and can become addicted to very fast.

Sam Cooper seems to put his foot in the mouth every time he’s around Leah and when circumstances give him the title of Leah’s fiancé, his world is turned upside down with double addictions – Leah and her baking!

A first read for me of Alison Bliss, “Size Matters” was a total surprise package that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Leah and Sam are just adorable in their arguments as they try not to hurt each other, avoiding their feelings for each other even as they fall head over heals in love, and the family gathering is just one big laughable and laudable encounter.

I definitely will be reading more of Alison Bliss and can’t wait for the next installment in her “A Perfect Fit” series.

Received an ARC from Forever (Grand Central Publishing) via NetGalley for an honest review.

Stacey Lynn hooks me to the “Fireside Series”! Not only is she good with keeping the plot interesting, she’s managed to place emotions and romance in good sequence making her stories pretty captivating.

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“His To Cherish” is heart wrenching and heartwarming story of loss and pain, faith and hope and support and care of family and friends as Aidan Deveraux goes through the worst pain that a father can go through. As he tries to survive the loss of his own flesh and blood, it’s not easy to get over the anger and the guilt.

As a witness to the tragedy and a friend of Aidan, Chelsea Dwyer tries to be the shoulder to lean on and a friend to lend an ear and help ease the pain of loss. And it’s up to Aidan to realize that it’s important to protect and cherish what’s been given to him. That hope and love can still be a part of their future.

“His To Cherish” is a very good read that tugs our heartstrings and warms our hearts with the love and care of those around and that amidst the loss, a future can be created and cherished. Stacy Lynn has given Aidan and Chelsea a good in depth character as they navigate through the fears and loss.

Received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.

Lindsay McKenna is one of the best military romance writers that I’ve come across and some of her books are immensely memorable and have revisited numerous times. Along with badass soldiers, she also writes some great badass cowboy stories.

Book 2 in the Wind River Valley series, “Wind River Rancher” is so much more emotional, heartfelt and there’s that sublime romance that added so much depth to the story. Discharged from the army due to PTSD, once a commanding officer, Reece Lockhart is on the streets, with no home or food. Arriving at Jackson Hole and hoping to find a job may very well be his last attempt to survive and Shaylene is his final hope.

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Army veteran Shaylene Crawford is no stranger to the trauma of the war and her Bar C ranch is her final salvation and her dream to make it a place where vets can slowly heal and make a life for themselves. Keeping her own personal issues at bay, she is literally an anger trying to keep the faith and give hope to the ones who have been disowned by the very country they had laid their lives for.

This was one emotional story of despair and trauma, support, compassion and empathy that gives these brave vets hope and faith that all is not lost in their fight to survive after war. This story is a testimony to the fact that there are people out there who care about others and who are willing to give unconditionally.

I loved this story more than her first one in the series. Lindsay McKenna gave more depth to Reese and Shay, developed their relationship with great insight as they battle through fears and insecurities, the care and support of the people around that gave strength to the entire premise of the story and the kindness and generosity that does exist to give back to the brave men and women.

Lindsay McKenna did a brilliant job weaving a love story around Reese and Shay as they look out for each other, rely on each other and finally find love that binds them with a common goal and solidarity.

“Wind River Rancher” will definitely hit right at the center of the heart.

Received an ARC from Kensington Books/Zebra via Net Galley for an honest review.

 

 

 

A new author, a new series Sergeant Joey’s Boys, and the first in the series, “Always For You: Jack” is a decent read. Meet Jack McShane, ex-special forces operative and now running a construction business. Being a foster child has given him enough insight to the recognize when a kid is in trouble and his desire to fulfill his foster father’s dream only motivates him to help Ricky.

And then we have Caitlyn Curtis, Ricky’s tutor who becomes Jack’s love interest and more. Kind and passionate, understanding and supportive Caitlyn is a perfect partner for Jack.

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The story was good, the characters well developed, the premise a real life issue and the plot interesting but what really did not work for me was what exactly was Alexis Morgan‘s genre here. It wasn’t really a romance because the story was more about Ricky, Jack and foster care. There were pages of dialogues and interaction between Jack and Caitlyn that really did not generate any chemistry. And for a while Ricky was relegated to the background and his story did not seem to progress. I think the bridge between Ricky, Jack and Caitlyn was not developed well and felt the story dragging a bit.

All in all, the book can be read once. There are interesting parts that will hold attention and I think the main highlight is Jack and Ricky.

Received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review.

Give And Take Is What Life Is All About

Giving Thanks To The Simple Work Out

Nothing For Granted Can Be Taken

The Rising Sun And The Fighting Nation

 

Receive Without Forgetting

Haven Safe And Treasuring

Heaven And The Moon Whispering

The Wind And The Birds Singing

 

Give Without Remembering

Kind Words And Motivating

Humble Actions And Accepting

Unconditional And Protecting

 

Roasted, Toasted And Ghosted

Not All May Be Together Threaded

Bad Life Is Someone’s Fairy Tale

Together Will Have It All

 

Much To Be Thankful For

Family And Friends To Adore

Across Shores And Miles

With Love, Gratitude And Smiles

 

Bring Out The Turkey And Knives

Laughter, Wine And The Pies

Loving, Gifting And New Beginning

Have A Blessed Thanksgiving!

 

A very special and heartfelt gratitude to all the amazing people who honor me with their gracious presence on this blog…..thank you!

 

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I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

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I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

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Melinda Leigh

Award-Winning Romantic Suspense & Paranormal Romance

Cynthia Eden

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

Julie James

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

Bella Andre

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

Romancing Life

I've lived, I've loved, I've lost, I've missed, I've trusted, I've hurt, I've made mistakes. But most of all, I've learned.

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