Tina Gallagher, Misguided

Title:  Misguided

Author:  Tina Gallagher

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Champagne Rose, Spicy

Page Count:  270     

ISBN E-Book:  1-60154-920-2

Price:  $6.00

ISBN for Print:  978-1601549204

Price: 12.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=175_133&products_id=4533

Reviewer:  Ashleigh


Tagline: Coming together over secrets and lies couldn’t have turned out better for these two. If only they could have twenty-twenty vision sooner before it’s too late.


 Blurb/Summary:

After a vacation fling, a high school sex ed guidance counselor and a single father are forced to face each other in real life.

Having been the honor roll student, good girl in high school who got pregnant at sixteen, Cassie Finnerty knows what can happen if teens aren’t educated about safe sex.  Her job is to counsel the students, answer their questions, and hand out condoms when requested.

Jake Lucas is a divorced, single father raising his almost sixteen-year-old daughter.  When the contents of his daughter’s purse spill and condoms tumble out, he freaks out.  After interrogating his daughter, he finds out she got the condoms at school, so he goes to confront the person who gave them to her and gets the surprise of his life.

Review:

Growing up was never easy for Cassie, especially with a baby on her hip far too young.  Having to be an adult before her time didn’t make having a social life too easy for her, but when the opportunity to change all that on a vacation was a gorgeous man named Luke, the ideas were just too delicious to pass up.  When the cold light of day and reality set in, will the adventure be worth it or will Cassie decide that one casual fling was enough to last a lifetime?

For Jack “Luke” Lucas, meeting Cassie was the best thing that could have happened to him.  But when she becomes more than a dream, but a living breathing thorn in his side, can Luke see past everything to the woman that won his heart without even trying?

This heartwarming story was a really great read that showcased the two main characters and the struggles they went through to be together in the end.  Tina Gallagher is a new to me author, but I can definitely say that I will be looking for more of her works in the future since this one was such a hit.  The story held more than just sex and a HEA, but there was an actual background to each character and I have to say that was a nice change of pace.  The only thing I would have liked to see more of would have been the actually make up that happened between the main characters at the end, and the possible budding relationship between the best friends and kids.  Other than that this is a great story if you are looking for a lazy day read that will warm your heart and leave you content.

Meg Bellamy, Homecoming

Title:  Homecoming

Author:  Meg Bellamy

Rating:  Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Champagne Rosebud, Spicy

Word Count:  61,873     

ISBN E-Book:  d6055

Price:  $5.50

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4654

Reviewer:  Ashleigh


Tagline: Being brought home by tragedy, could end up being the best thing that could have happened for Julie.

Blurb/Summary:

When a family illness forces Julie Loring to return home to North Carolina from New York, she is determined to avoid her old love, Dan Williams, and make the speediest possible escape. Her hope is dashed the first night back.

Dan doesn’t know why Julie ran off twelve years earlier, but he’s still in love with her. He wants her to be his wife and mother to his child. Though Julie warns she hasn’t changed, neither can deny the sparks that fly between them.

But Julie left with a secret—one she’s certain will destroy any chance they might have of a future together.

Review:

For Julie Loring, coming back to North Carolina was never an option for her. After running away from her entire life twelve years ago, being drug back was something akin to torture for her.  But when her mother fell ill, Julie knew that if she didn’t go now than it might just be too late.  When her chance meeting with Dan Williams happened shortly after she arrived, Julie’s entire world turned upside down.  Even after all this time, Dan still had her heart, now Julie had to find a way to leave again without getting even more attached to the one place she was always sure she never needed.  Will finding Dan again, prove more difficult than before to leave behind or will Julie ignore her heart again and give up the perfect second chance at happiness?

Dan Williams has been in love with Julie since he first saw her in the second grade.  Being four years older than her didn’t stop the feelings from coming to fruition like a freight train after college.  When Julie left him without a reason why, Dan’s love for Julie grew even more, and while he was angry at her for leaving, Dan knew that his life would never be the same without Julie in it.  After twelve long years, and a tragic reason for coming home, can Dan convince Julie to give him another chance or will he have to bear the pain of losing his first love all over again?    

The story of Dan and Julie was really well written and came across as a great coming together after so many years.  Having never read anything by Meg Bellamy before I was a little disappointed by the story overall.  While the characters seemed to have great potential, the story line just seemed a bit understated to the idea behind it.  Not once did any great passion overcome me while reading this, but then it was an easy read.  I can’t really put my finger on what went wrong in this story for me, but just something seemed off throughout the entire piece, while I won’t stop reading other books by Meg Bellamy, I would hope that her other works give me greater feelings than lukewarm.

Robin Leigh Miller, Spliced

Title:  Spliced

Author:  Robin Leigh Miller

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Paranormal Elements

Length:  Super Plus-Size Novel     

ISBN E-Book:  978-1419938016

Price:  $7.99

Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave

Buy-Link:  http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9783-spliced.aspx

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

For ten years, Avery Easton has quietly lusted after her twin brother’s best friend, Ridge Gates. When the cruel, cold hand of fate takes her brother’s life, Avery and Ridge turn to each other in grief and share a night of ecstasy. But mind-blowing sex with the man of her dreams can’t push away Avery’s reality.

Violent and terrifying events have followed her brother’s body home and introduced Avery to another man…one who’s willing to give her everything she needs. And then there’s the secret she harbors that could tear her and Ridge apart even as it connects them for the rest of their lives.

A promise on the battlefield led Ridge straight into the arms of the woman he knows he has no business being with, but can’t stay away from. If he fails to come to terms with his broken body and Avery’s revelations, he could lose her forever—if not to another man, then to the violence that brought Ridge and Avery together.

Review:

The most unexpected and sad fates can draw to people together.  That's truth for Avery and Ridge.  The two had secret feelings for one another, brought together by her brother and his best friend after his life ends sadly.  The emotional element of this book will have you in tears, good and bad.  It's written so well, the story grabs your attention and if you're an emotional reader, you might want to have a tissue handy.  I found myself so involved in the story that the outside world just had to wait.  I just had to know how things would work.  The tension builds and builds until it all explodes with one captivating climax.

Spliced is a contemporary read that delivers, hands down. 

Claire Dalton, New Beginnings

Title:  New Beginnings

Author:  Claire Dalton

Rating:  Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Keywords:  Sweetheart Rosebud, Sweet

Word Count:  56,000     

ISBN E-Book:  d5765

Price:  $5.50

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4598

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Dan never wanted a tenant for the rundown cottage near his isolated home in wild and wonderful Cornwall. So how come he finds himself living next door to a beautiful young woman who stirs feelings in him he thought he’d buried years ago...

Rowena simply wants somewhere safe for herself and her young son to start a new life. Her handsome new neighbor can be as aloof as he wants – she doesn’t need anyone’s help, and she has no intention of allowing a man to hurt her again. Ever.

But as spring turns into summer, Rowena finds herself drawn to her self-contained but completely gorgeous landlord. Can she and little Jamie melt the ice around Dan’s wounded heart, or will the past always haunt two people almost too afraid to love again?

Review:

Sometimes all is takes to find love is a new beginning.  Even when that fresh start DOESN'T involve finding love.

Rowena has had her share of hurts.  But it's time to get away from the past and create better for herself and her child.  Though she is fiercely scared and independent, there is a part of her, even if it's just a small part that yearns for her neighbor.

Dan has his own problems, and despite Rowena's chill, he's drawn to her.  Every push makes him push harder, and both have a long way before they give into temptation and let their walls down.

Claire Dalton weaves a beautiful story about starting over, new chances, and that long lasting love everyone looks for.  The author has created characters that are likable and a plot that pulls the reader into the story.  If you're a fan of contemporaries, then don't miss New Beginnings!