Sharon Sobel, A Cottage Affaire

Title:  A Cottage Affair

Author:  Sharon Sobel

Rating:  Three Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Last Rose of Summer, Sensual, Thrifty Means Series

Page Count:  364          

ISBN E-Book:  d5611  

Price:  $5.99 

ISBN For Print:  978-1-61217-026-8

Price:  $14.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4800

Reviewer:  Marcie Oropeza (BookFairyMO)

Blurb/Summary:

[Thrifty Means Series]

Small New England towns may bury their dead, but never the past.

With an art scandal threatening her future as a curator, Arden Alexander seeks refuge in the small colonial cottage owned by the women of her family for generations. But her handsome neighbor won't let her hide for long.

For years, Alex Wingate has hoped to incorporate the cottage into his plans for an artists' retreat, and Arden's arrival is his golden opportunity. But when they discover some undocumented history about their families and are drawn into a partnership, Alex's interest in Arden soon extends to much more than her property.

Before long, someone else finds the contents of the cabin too tempting to resist, and Arden and Alex realize they are fighting for their future as well as their history. As they uncover the past, can they also find the truth about themselves and their growing love?

Review:

This is a lovely book; well-written and obviously well-researched.  It’s also about 150 pages too long.  There was more than enough time to develop the characters, however, this reader felt like she was always coming from behind in knowing them.  There was always the feeling that the characters knew more than they were revealing to the reader so the reader was often left thinking, “What’s going on here?”

The formatting was also a bit of an issue; the reader often had to refer back a bit to determine whose dialogue was actually being read.  Quite frustrating.  A good love story with a bit of a historical mystery, but at 364 pages, more frustrating than not and just not worth plodding through to solve it!

Toni Lynn Cloutier, The Patriot Girl

Title:  The Patriot Girl 

Author:  Toni Lynn Cloutier 

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Last Rose Of Summer, Sensual 

Page Count:  248       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-265-1

Price:  $4.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-266-8 

Price:  $11.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4882

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

MaKayla Adams has always been curious about the wild side of life. Making love with her late husband wasn't exciting, and she never could understand the big deal...until hunky nightclub owner Dustin James hires her as a public relations consultant. His touch arouses feelings she's never known, and his kiss tempts her to cross the line between business and pleasure. 

Dustin doesn't remember the car accident that put him in a coma three years ago, but since his recovery, he's pushed his own needs aside to be a single father to his young daughter. When MaKayla offers to help publicize his country nightclub, however, she ignites deeper feelings he can't ignore. 

But there is more than mutual attraction between MaKayla and Dustin—there is a shared past connected to her husband's death. Will the truth bring them together or tear them apart?

Review:

When one thing is all you've ever known, finding something new could be quite difficult.  MaKayla is in a difficult place in her life.  Still dealing with the loss of her husband, and dealing with the feelings of having some excitement, she runs smack dab in the middle of it, in the form of Dustin James.

Dustin has his own demons.  There's the accident, and there's providing for his daughter.  But he has a need so deep that MaKayla pushes to the surface, and vice versa.

With a few secrets, this couple is going to have a long way to their happily ever after, but the journey there is emotional and engaging. 

Patrice Wilton, A Catered Affair

 Title:  A Catered Affair

Author:  Patrice Wilton

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Last Rose Of Summer, Sensual, Widower 

Page Count:  266       

ISBN E-Book:  d5432

Price:  $5.25

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-031-2

Price:  $12.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_140&products_id=4808

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

A family tragedy has career-minded Jenna Cassali housebound with two teenagers, a baby, and a dog from hell, with a hot doctor in pursuit. The longer she stays the more she realizes what’s missing in her own life, but she likes to play it safe, and safe means returning to New York and her job, not launching a catering business, or falling in love.
 
Grant, a pediatrician and widower, believes his son died because of his negligence. The hospital becomes his life, but when he meets Jenna, his broken heart begins to heal. 

Can he close the door on his past, and allow himself to love again? Will Jenna find the courage to change her destiny, open her life, and her heart?

Review:

Talk about chaos!  Having to take a break from your job and living in a house with some rowdy teenagers, a child....and a chance at love? Jenna is about to embark on a journey she'd never imagined she'd have.  Life has a few curve balls aimed right toward her.

The hero is a bit on the tortured side.  He's a doctor, and he is ashamed because he couldn't even save his own son.  Put Grant and Jenna together, and comes a new look on life.  There's some healing to be done, but together, these two learn they can accomplish anything.

A Catered Affair is an emotionally charged story that hooks the reader and keeps them going.  It's a touching story that sticks with you when you're not reading it. 

Clare Austin, Hot Flash

Title: Hot Flash

Author: Clare Austin

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords: Spicy, Last Rose Of Summer Rose, Later Life

Page Count: 342

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-725-0

Price: $7.00

ISBN For Print: 978-1601547255

Price: $14.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/hot-flash-p-4130.html

Reviewer: Stacey Krug

Blurb/Summary:

Kate Aiello has spent her entire life trying to please others—her three brothers, her Italian mamma and her husband of twenty-five years. It isn’t insult enough she is turning fifty, and left at the side of life’s road by her philandering husband. Now she has to contend with her body’s betrayal…hot flashes!

The plain truth hits her with each thermostatic aberration—she has never been first in anyone’s life, including her own.

Brandon Sullivan has been on a downward spiral since the death of his beloved wife. Now he is a man desperate to save himself from impending financial ruin, loss of his farm and his life’s dream. He needs to get into the winner’s circle by spring or he’ll be just another poor, landless Irishmen downing his pints and bragging about the good ol’ days.

Sparks fly when Italian attitude meets Irish temper. Add two big crazy families, a barn full of horses and one woman’s menopausal hot flashes and the probability for combustion increases exponentially. What will Kate and Brandon risk for a second chance at love?

Review:

The action and emotion is nonstop and the characters will have you laughing and in tears. Clare Austin did a fabulous job of making you feel like you were right there in the moment. The issues of trust and intimacy after loss and betrayal were realistic and added even more dimension to the tale.

Kate is the oldest of a large family and very used to responsibility. On top of that she’s a people pleaser. Her life takes an unexpected turn and Kate is left trying to find herself again.

Brandon has suffered his own loss, but his family has kept him going. He never thought he would find happiness again, and then Kate crashes into his life.

Clare Austin portrayed the Italian and Irish families and languages beautifully in Hot Flash. As a reader, you felt like you were peeking in on real families. Kate, Brandon, and their zany families, along with the crazy situations brought on by lies just escalate the plot line and keep the pages turning.

Brandon and Kate’s romance and pain had me balling my eyes out. Hot Flash is filled with so much emotion that you had better have a kleenex box handy. Their love scenes were incredibly beautiful, well written, and will stir your heart.

Brandon and Kate’s love story wraps up nicely, but Clare Austin leaves room to come back and visit these families. I would welcome the chance!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Clare Austin’s Hot Flash is a must read!

Sharon Noble, Autumn Desire

Title: Autumn Desire

Author: Sharon Noble

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Keywords: Last Rose of Summer, Spicy, Later Life

Page Count: 230

ISBN E-Book: d4160

Price: $6.00

ISBN For Print: 978-1601547606

Price: $11.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/autumn-desire-p-4076.html

Reviewer: Yvette Lowe

Blurb/Summary:

A widow is torn between loyalty to her dead husband and passion for his hated rival. After a fairy-tale marriage, Paula Wincott has lost her husband, Sam, noted researcher and chemistry professor at the University of Colorado to a sudden heart attack. She attributes his death to his bitterness and despair after being displaced in the department by a younger rival, Boyd Mackenzie.

Although they have never met, Paula holds Boyd in contempt, blaming him for her widowhood. Lonely and rudderless, she signs up for a chemistry class, but when she finds herself in Boyd's class, her well-ordered world shatters as passion flares between them, overwhelming her senses and threatening her loyalty to a dead man.

Review:

Paula has lost her husband and she has set in motion some things she is changing in her life. When Paula decides to finish her degree she signs up for a chemistry class, when the teacher turns out to be her husband’s enemy Boyd Mackenzie she with a clear heart cannot continue to take his class.

But, when Paula is forced to interact with Boyd can she handle the feelings that arise whenever he is around?

Boyd can't believe he could have ever done anything wrong to make Paula dislike him so. But, when they are asked to work together on her late husband’s research can he make her see that what they have is worth fighting for?

Sharon Noble did and amazing job with the struggle that Paula faces as a widow determined to protect her husband’s name and the reality of moving on with her new life and maybe even love. This story was such an emotion filled story, and made you feel all the emotions between Boyd and Paula.

You will love this sweet heart felt and truly wonderful story, it is a must read.