Loving Lucianna

I've been a long time fan of Joyce DiPastena and I wasn't disappointed with this read.

Ms. DiPastena knows her history and the right way to write romance. I loved reading what she terms an 'Autumn' romance meaning the characters are more mature and experienced in their lives, and also set in their ways.

There were so many obstacles to this love match that I sometimes wondered if there was going to be a HEA. Family issues, protective hearts, the other's happiness at stake. A wonderfully winding tale.

I loved the secondary characters and how they were tied to other novels she's written. It was nice to see familiar faces I've already come to love.

As always, I will certainly be happy to read more by Ms. DiPastena.

Amazon

Sir Balduin de Soler gave up long ago on love. He never had the means to support a wife until an unexpected advancement in his fifties allows him to reassess his future just as the lovely Lucianna enters his life.

Lucianna Fabio harbors a secret, painful memory from her past that has kept her unwed, as well. Now in her forties, she thought herself too old to marry until she meets Sir Balduin. Now suddenly their lonely autumn lives feel very much like spring again . . . until Lucianna’s brother appears without warning and threatens to revive the secret that will destroy Lucianna’s second chance at love.

“Loving Lucianna" is a “Hearts in Autumn” romance, medieval romances revolving around heroes and heroines “in the autumn of their years.” Because love isn't only for the young!

Loving Lucianna is a PG rated historical romance

The Hearts in Autumn Romance series is linked by a common theme of older heroes and heroines, not by recurring characters. Each title in the Hearts in Autumn series is a stand-alone story. They can be read and enjoyed in any order.

However, the some of characters in Loving Lucianna also appear in my Poitevin Hearts romance series. If you are interested in where it fits chronologically, the order would be:

Loyalty’s Web (Poitevin Hearts, Book 1)
Illuminations of the Heart (Poitevin Hearts, Book 2)
Loving Lucianna (Hearts in Autumn)

New York Bound

This is my first read by Ms. Wesson. I'm so glad I picked it up.

This is a book of opposites and covers the divisions of Irish vs English, Catholic vs Non-Catholic, Poor vs Rich, East vs West, Men vs Women.

It is SOOO well done. I loved the characters. They were strong and flawed, compassionate and scowling. Such wonderful tension on multiple levels.

There is a wonderful romantic thread woven through this historical New York blizzard.

Well researched, written, crafted, clean, and delightful. Love the cover.

I will happily read more by this author.

Amazon
Erin Quinn, Clover Springs, Colorado’s beloved doctor, and her party arrive in New York to meet her past—just when the most devastating blizzard ever recorded is about to hit the city. 

Nora Doherty has spent years hearing tales of Doc Erin’s skill and kindness, but she anticipates her arrival with mixed feelings. She can’t wait to meet the amazing woman her gran worked for, but isn’t at all thrilled with her mother’s insistence that she return with Doc Erin to Clover Springs—as a mail order bride.

Robbie Fenton has been tasked with protecting Doc Erin and her party, but who will protect him when he sets eyes on the beautiful Nora Doherty?

With New York City buried under over twenty inches of snow and millions of people stranded in a complete white-out, Erin, Nora and Robbie’s mettle is tested as they frantically struggle to help. Will Erin, Nora, Robbie survive to see futures of their own?

Marrying an Athlete

This was such a funny read. Fake marriage to go to a resort to get counseling on saving said marriage in order to support a couple actually struggling with their marriage.

There was lots of tension, mixed signals, flirting, and a beautiful setting. I'd totally go there.

Clean writing. Good romance. Well paced.

My only criticism was the easy way out to fix the marriage that was actually in trouble. I could've read a whole book on McKenna's relationship with her husband. That and I knew chapters before characters what was happening with McKenna. How were the rest so clueless? Still, not a deal breaker. Enjoy.


Amazon
Anna Short’s life has been in a slump ever since her boss and boyfriend—who happened to be the same person—dumped her. Now forced to work at a coffee shop, she's pretty sure her life can't go any lower. Enter Michael: her best friend McKenna’s older brother and life-long crush.

Michael Jones is the life of the party. As a Defenseman for the New York Rangers, he's always had his pick of women and friends. When he mistakenly proposes to the Mayor's daughter at a party one night, he hightails it out of New York before the media storm hits. He drives to McKenna’s house where he finds her in emotional shambles. Grateful for the distraction her problems give him, he jumps head first into finding a solution.

When McKenna begs them to fake a marriage so they can go with her to a counseling resort designed to help fix her failing one, Anna and Michael agree. After all, the drunken kiss they shared two years ago was definitely in the past. But when they decide to make it their mission to bring McKenna and her husband together, they begin to realize just how good of a team they really are.

Prejudice Meets Pride

I'm a sucker for Jane Austen knockoffs and this one didn't disappoint. Though it's not a true retelling of P & P, it's a worthy read of a couple getting off on the wrong foot and making all kinds of incorrect assumptions about the other.

Emma and Kevin have strong motivations and are true to themselves throughout the novel. This is essential to the plot and good story telling. There is character growth and emotional depth and the pacing is spot on.

Lots to love about this tale.


Amazon
After years of pinching pennies and struggling to get through art school, Emma Makie’s hard work finally pays off with the offer of a dream job. But when tragedy strikes, she has no choice but to make a cross-country move to Colorado Springs to take temporary custody of her two nieces. She has no money, no job prospects, and no idea how to be a mother to two little girls, but she isn’t about to let that stop her. Nor is she about to accept the help of Kevin Grantham, her handsome neighbor, who seems to think she’s incapable of doing anything on her own.

Prejudice Meets Pride is the story of a guy who thinks he has it all figured out and a girl who isn't afraid to show him that he doesn't. It’s about learning what it means to trust, figuring out how to give and to take, and realizing that not everyone gets to pick the person they fall in love with. Sometimes, love picks them.

Wedding Weekend

Who doesn't love a destination wedding where the main character isn't the bride?

A quick read with nice connection. It's easy to cheer for the heroine and hero to get together. They seem well suited.

The butting-in bridesmaid antics were funny as she tried to split apart the main characters.

Well written and paced, though I did find some of the best friend banter a little over the top when it came to most beautiful bride and epic wedding syndrome.

A great escape to the beach.

Amazon

Eden Brooks, a cynical social worker who’s seen far too many broken relationships, flies to South Padre Island, Texas for her best friend’s weekend wedding. Content to be the dutiful maid of honor, the last thing she expects is to meet a man—especially a good one.

Jeremy Rivera, the best man, is a cowboy-turned-software-developer from Dallas who’s been too busy building his career to worry about a relationship. 

When Eden and Jeremy meet, they’re instantly drawn to each other. Unfortunately, one of the bridesmaids—who happens to be the bride’s cousin—has set her sights on Jeremy and is determined to maneuver Eden out of the way any way she can. And Jeremy doesn’t seem to mind.

Will the weekend end in a love connection between Eden and Jeremy or will it simply prove to Eden that there are no decent men out there? 

Her Big Fat Foxy Billionaire Best Friend

The title is long and matches the novel well.

This plot is all about miscommunication and poor timing. You do feel sympathy for the characters as they navigate the mine field of going from best friend to married for life. It's wonderful to be able to relate to characters as you would to people in real life. A few plot twists, some predictable and some unpredicatble, keep the story interesting and plausible. The idea of Star Venture will appeal to those who appreciate pop sci-fi culture.

A satisfying read.

Amazon

Miranda Moore is devastated when her fiancé dumps her right before her wedding. Luckily her best friend, Drew Tucker, comes to her rescue, agreeing to go with her on the Star Venture cruise trip she booked. But he’s changed, and strange new feelings towards him are making it hard for Miranda to stay focused. She needs to keep her friendship with Drew. Falling in love would ruin everything!

Drew’s been in love with Miranda since he could remember. But unfortunately, she only thinks of him as a friend. When she gets dumped right before her dream cruise trip, he agrees to go with her to get her mind off her ex. Too bad it kills him to be with her, knowing she could never return his affections.

Her Big Fat Foxy Billionaire Best Friend is a sweet romance and a stand-alone novel.

Kiss of Life

This a short story with mystery and romance. Despite it's diminutive size there's character growth and emotional connection. A bit fun to dive into a gothic ghost tale that's easily read during your lunch hour.

As always, I enjoy Ms. Rector's writing, long or short.

Amazon

No one seems to notice the young woman wandering the estate, slipping between the onlookers in the crowd. Those who do turn and run. When his eyes meet hers, flaring with recognition, it's enough to send her racing away into the safety of the gardens . . . because nothing feels as it should. And there's not a familiar soul she can turn to for help.

This is a gothic short story romance.