Review: Special Delivery by Gini Rifkin

Special Delivery

By

Gini Rifkin

 

I love cowboy stories no matter what time period they are set in.  There’s just something about a cowboy…sexiness, handsome good looks or even his natural, go with the flow attitude maybe?  Well whatever it is, Virgil Kincaid, the cowboy in Special Delivery was one of those. 

In this story set in Colorado in 1888, we meet the hero Virgil Kincaid who after a few too many years brushing with the law and paying his dues, is now the town Marshall of Clover City Colorado.  A quiet place where hardly anything ever happens unless it’s a brawl at the saloon over a game of cards.

Over an apparent murder on the outskirts of town, the Marshall is thrown into an investigation in which the heroine is right in the dead middle of.  (No pun intended)

Here is where our heroine Miss Mariah McAllister enters.  She is the daughter of Doc McAllister, the only doctor in town and she unnerves the Marshall at every turn. 

She’s extremely independent, self-sufficient and don’t forget head strong.   She’s very focused on her soon-to-be expecting patient but just can’t stay out of the murder investigation for the British man she found outside of town.

The chemistry between these two excellent characters is riveting and has the perfect makings for a romance.  Trust me I could go on and on but what fun would that be for you?  Believe me when I say you won’t want to miss finding out what happens to these two in this once sleepy little 1888 Colorado town.  I’m sure glad I did !!

This book won my 5 leaves !!

Get your copy at ::

The Wild Rose Press  and   Amazon

 

Review: The Ice Bridge by Kathryn

The Ice Bridge

by

Kathryn Meyer Griffith

This was an interwoven story of 3 generations of women and their love for Mackinac Island. 

I adored the eccentric neighbor, Hannah as she played the role of a grandma of sorts and took up the friendship basically where she and Charlotte had left off from summers gone by.

Then there was Aunt Bess, a strong woman who took her niece Charlotte in no questions asked but had her own unique love tragedies throughout the book which she overcame with the help of her loved ones. 

I felt bad for the main character Charlotte and the reasons she went to the Island initially. Being jilted at the alter is nobody’s idea of fun especially when it’s her groom and Charlotte’s best friend.    She needed some solitude and the comfort of her aunt and friend in the place that always felt like home to her.

 I also like the way the author incorporated island ghost stories told by the residents, making me wonder if the stories may just be true.   Charlotte had been suggested to write a book including those stories while on the island by police officer Mac Berman, someone she never expected to meet but who would end up playing a crucial role in all three women’s lives.

I was drawn by the intrigue and focus on the mystery of the Ice Bridge as well.  Once spectacle I have yet to see myself but all through this book it was definitely an eerie presence that made me think twice about taking myself to in the dead of winter, no pun intended.  No doubt there was a strong pull that kept me riveted to the pages til the early morning hours waiting to see what would happen next. 

I’ll admit that I mostly read romance but I was eager to read this because of an extreme love I have for Mackinac Island.  Ms. Griffith definitely didn’t disappoint in making me feel like I was right back on Main Street looking for the tasty ice cream cones and homemade peanut butter fudge I love so much.  She has a unique way of making the people and places come to life and stayed true to the Island traditions.   

The author did a great job of making this story a believable reality and I would recommend it to anyone interested in a mystery of murder and ghost stories blended with a few mild romances.

4 leaves from me !!

Available now at Eternal Press and Amazon.

Review: Soul Mates: Scent by Elizabeth A. Lance

Soul Mates: Scent

by

Elizabeth A. Lance





WOW!!! I seriously love it when a book basically leaves me speechless after the very last line.

What a great book !!! I was sad to see it end. I only just recently started reading paranormal/shifter stories but if there are more out there like this one, I'm hooked :) Please also tell me there might be another coming out soon in this series????

Soul Mates: Scent was a very well written book about a beautiful young feline shifter(heroine Anna Lissa Felidae) searching out her soul mate(our hero, 17 yr old Max Fergus). However, he is not so sure about all he's being told at first. What he does know is he is unbeleivably attracted to her, not just becuase of how she looks but he feels it down deep. They have an undeniable connection and a destiny that awaits them even though they are being hunted.

Our author, Elizabeth A. Lance did a wonderful job portraying all of her characters feelings in such a way I could almost experience them myself. I was also very captivated by and felt almost if I'd been transported to the unique worlds she created for the Fae, the shifters and of course the humans. She'd intertwined all the family/friends to have an important part in the growth of the story as well.

Full of mystery and intrigue at every turn and young love abound, this Y/A Paranormal Romance is absolutely one I would recommend at the drop of a hat. I may even read it again myself :)

Kudos to you Ms. Lance !!! You have my 5 leaves !!!

Review: Yesterday's Tomorrow by Ceri Hebert

Yesterday's Tomorrow

by Ceri Hebert

Other than being speechless with a wide smile, I can only muster one word to start.....

            WOW!

This single sort story would absolutely rate at the top of my “read and loved” list. I first must clarify that I am personally very happy where I am in my own life but as a true diehard romance fan, stop and think for just a moment. Can you even imagine what kind of opportunity it would be to be in your 40's and get a “do-over”? In Lila's case, it was basically out of her control but a total godsend. Okay I admit, if I woke up one morning in my 23-year-old body, I might likely blow a gasket. However, it was the perfect opportunity for Lila to fix the mundane life she had ultimately settled for. Stability, success, companionship, but love? Happiness?

The author did an amazing job “flipping” the main character into her past. She totally had me hooked. It was very well written and flowed smoothly. It tested Lila's mind to have to remember what she did and who she knew 21 years ago but I applaud Lila for having the nerve to take a chance. The connection she first had with Colin was believable enough I was sure that would be her future but then there's Aaron. The best friend. Who would ever suspect the best friend?  The very guy who's shoulder you cry on when you've just lost a job or had advances from a guy you thought you wanted til you had them. A guy you'd lost complete contact with but proved to be a most important part of your past. Who better to fall in love with than the man you know better than any other. I also loved how the author gave you brief glimpses into the possible future paths Lila would take depending on who she touched. This was such a great story that it made me want to Google Ceri Herbert for other books she has written to run out and purchase!! I highly recommend you do the same, run out and grab this great read with both hands @!@ ~ Krista Ames, Author

Available now at Still Moments Publishing and Amazon !!

Review: Christmas Treats 2: Santa's Nice List

Christmas Treats 2: Santa's Nice List

Still Moments Publishing Christmas Anthology 2011

What a great anthology written by three great authors.  I love Romance, especially Romance set at Christmas time and this anthology didn't disappoint in any way. 

 The first story, Mistletoe Accomplished by Maggie Devine was definitely “devine”!  This story had me hooked right away.  Curtis and Lauren fought so well from the beginning it was bound to be a perfect match but there was still the restaurant chef conflict that kept me as a reader guessing how things would turn out. Could he risk her finding out it was him that ruined her career?  Could she really hate him for what he had unintentionally done to her?  Who knew there was love to be found after being run off the road and then a mistletoe kiss to seal the deal.  Ms. Devine made her characters genuine and believable and this is a very well written story!  Love it!

In the second story Redford Falls #1:  Chocolate Kisses by Darlene Fredette, it couldn't have been any more sweet!  Candy runs the family candy store and has promised a Santa appearance with no Santa?  And then there's the small thing of needing a  financial miracle to keep that business running.  Perfect time for the love of her life to re-appear without warning.  I love this story because it is totally believable, starting with a wedding the groom doesn't remember being in to being roped in to playing Santa.  Or Candy still being in love with him and she never told anyone about him or that they were still married?  Jackson Frost and Candace Cane stole my heart and I love how he used the excuse of still being her husband to be able to help her keep her businesses.  Great great job Ms. Fredette, and I'll say it again, I love this story and I am excitedly looking forward to Redford Falls #2 coming December 2012.

Now for the third story, The Santa Drag by Liv Rancourt.  The author did an awesome job with bringing these characters to life and what a totally original idea.  Who would ever think, a woman in a Santa suit?  Every mall or sidewalk Santa I’ve ever seen has always been a man but who ever said a woman can't do anything a man can do.  This was truly a wonderfully written story!  I've always been a sucker for a happy ending and there's no better way than finding your first true love.  Mackenzie and Joe found each other again much by accident and a little embarrassment but made it work after all!  Kudos Liv Rancourt, I loved it !!

Please don't ask me to pick my favorite out of these three short stories because I just can't do it.  They were all a bit different but great each in their own way!  I would highly recommend this Christmas anthology even on the hottest day in the middle of summer !!  ~ Krista Ames, Author


Available now at Still Moments Publishing and Amazon !