Secrets of a Charmed Life

This is my first read by Ms. Meissner.

The premise is an interesting choice: sisters separated by the bombings of London in WWII. In fact, the book is based on how our choices carry consequences and how those choices affect those around us.

The majority of the story is told in flashback, with the third part imparted by journal entries.

The characters are well fleshed out with strong motivations. The writing is strong and the read is clean. There are some mature themes, especially as war is involved, though I didn't find it to be overly graphic. Ms. Meissner has a distinct voice that tells the story well.

A good choice for a book club discussion.

Amazon

Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets about the war that she has kept for decades...beginning with who she really is. What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden—one that will test her convictions and her heart.

1940s, England. As Hitler wages an unprecedented war against London’s civilian population, hundreds of thousands of children are evacuated to foster homes in the rural countryside. But even as fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her much younger sister Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage, Emmy’s burning ambition to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer pits her against Julia’s profound need for her sister’s presence. Acting at cross purposes just as the Luftwaffe rains down its terrible destruction, the sisters are cruelly separated, and their lives are transformed...

Swing Vote

I'm a long time fan of Ms. Weaver. I love how she has spun stories off of the original A Change of Plans so we can have the joy of knowing in depth more of her characters.

Marc's story faces many issues: politics, PTSD, loss of loved ones, entrepreneurship, and love. There's a vulnerability to Marc and McKenzie that's beautiful to behold and wonderful to read as they face work out their issues to come together.

There's emotion, plot twists, rivalry, antics, rescue operations, respect for veterans and active duty military. Ms. Weaver is a master at storytelling that goes beyond a superficial romance. Her characters are likable because of their flaws.

I'll happily buy the next installment in this series.

Amazon

An IED blew up more than Marc North's career as a Cobra pilot—it shattered his plans for marriage. After being dumped by his girlfriend and spending more than a year in rehab, all he wants is to fly again. He jumps at the chance to partner with a combat buddy in a helicopter sightseeing business. Now in a boomtown in southern Utah, Marc gets caught up with local politics. And the local election official.

At work, McKenzie Terkildsen struggles to keep control of a dangerously contentious election. At home, she shares the challenge of raising younger half-brothers with her older step-brother. He complicates things by inviting a Marine buddy to stay with them while the two build a business together. As a council member takes liberty with facts and stirs the already caustic election brew, the last thing McKenzie needs is one more guy messing up her life—or her heart.

Falling for the Billionaire

Wow, what a romance. There's miscommunication, misconception, mistakes, I think you get the idea.

Deep, well developed characters in conflict equal swoon worthy romance.

The book is well written and a total page turner with plenty of heart. Enough said, get your copy, and read it today.


Amazon
Two lost souls make a whole.

Baker Paige Williams is trying to make a new life for herself in New York after her father lost his business and passed away. Living with her quirky aunt isn't the life she pictured for herself, but she's determined to make her bakery succeed and do her father proud. Everything is going as planned until she meets James, a high powered billionaire who's breaking all the rules that she thought went along with the wealthy.

Billionaire James Callahan has a golden finger. Every business he invests in becomes a multi-million dollar company almost overnight. Life would be perfect, if that was the life he wanted. After his twin sister passes away from MS, he discovered that a high powered life isn't exactly what he wants. Problem is, he's not sure what else he's good at. When he meets Paige, the baker who seems to have everything figured out, he can't help but want to spend more time with her.

When a friendly philanthropy search turns out to be more and they discover just how different their worlds really are, they must decide what's most important before they lose everything they hold dear.

Silver Star Cover Reveal!

Cover Reveal for Silver Star by Lisa Swinton due out May 2018! 

Her cowboy might just be another broken-heart ballad waiting to happen…

Country superstar Sara Silver has it all: fame, fortune, and a mantel full of Grammys. She also has a string of chart-topping heartbreak songs to go with them—all based on her miserable love life. Now her manager says Sara doesn’t sing with the soul she used to. If she doesn’t come up with another hit album soon, then her label will move on to the next big thing.

Sara heads to a ranch in Wyoming to get back to her country roots and rediscover herself. To keep the press away, she hides her identity and is determined to let nothing distract her. Then she meets Cal: tall, brooding, and all cowboy. Sara falls for Cal and the quiet ranch life, but with each song she writes her time there draws to a close.

Sara will have to choose between the country stars of Nashville or the glittering stars of a Wyoming sky…unless she can find a way to have both. 

Beauty & the Billionaire Beast

It's a beautiful day in Louisiana, just outside New Orleans, for some old fashioned sleuthing set in a fairytale.

Ms. Hoagland nails the description of Indigo Pointe so well it feels as if the reader is actually walking and talking with Emma and Theo, seeing the grounds full of possibilities through their eyes. It's an enchanting setting for this beauty meets beast tale. Naturally, there are misunderstandings on both sides, but all comes right at the end. Plus, there's a mysterious treasure to find that could bring them closer together or tear them further apart.

Sweet, clean, and full of heart. This is a great modern twist on a classic tale.

Amazon
Landscape architect Emma Treager is searching for answers to a family mystery. She stumbles across an important clue at the run-down Indio Pointe Plantation where mystery floats through the air like the ghosts of the former owners. She can’t pass up the job that property owner Theo Lambert offers like an enchanted rose, despite his reputation of being a beast of a boss. As the two of them delve into the secrets of the past, Theo and Emma discover that finding clues is almost as much fun as finding each other.

This contemporary retelling of Beauty & the Beast with a touch of Romeo & Juliet is the next sweet romance in the Destination Billionaire series.

Kayaks & Kisses

Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy reading Ms. Hoagland's books?

This is based on the You've Got Mail premise mixed with a little town in New Mexico. Lovely. I do like a good retelling of a fave plot with new settings, characters, and twists. This time it's a competition over an outdoor sports store.

Both of the MC's are strong in their personalities and motivations creating good conflict and room for growth. There's heartmelting emotion strung throughout too.

A good clean read with a hint of fall and plenty of snuggly romance.

Amazon

Hallmark movies meets HGTV in this Romance Renovations sweet novella.

Brynn Caley is about to start her dream career running an outdoor sporting goods store when an out-of-town business guru makes his own offer on the property. Coerced into forming a temporary partnership, Brynn, with her ski experience, finds she has to work with fishing expert Gage to run the year-round shop. Through a series of innocent misconceptions and a few blatant lies, Brynn doesn’t realize that the handsome single guy on the construction crew is her new partner, and he doesn’t want to set her straight until he can gain her favor. She, on the other hand, would do anything not to work with the stuffy businessman she’s only met through email.

Inspired by the movies You’ve Got Mail and The Shop around the Corner, Kayaks & Kisses is a heart-warming tale of finding love in autumn leaves, outdoor activities, and new friendships.

Cowboys Can't Lie

Apparently, you can’t buy this one online, so I must’ve picked it up directly from Ms. Branton’s newsletter. So, if you want to read it, you’ll have to subscribe. But you can check out all the books on her Amazon Author Page

I haven’t read the other books in the Lily’s House world, though I’ve got 3 of them loaded on my kindle. Guess, I just needed a chance to read a bit and catch the flavor. It’s tasty satisfaction for the romance reader.

What I like most is the relatable real- life problems of Tara and Crewe and how it affects their family dynamics which in turn impacts their relationship.

Well crafted, clean, and swoon worthy, just how I like my romances.

Amazon Author Page