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Diary of Narcissa Dunn: Book Review

6/2/2016

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The Diary of Narcissa Dunn, a thought-provoking tale of love and forgiveness set in Connecticut in the 1800s, reached deep into my heart with its story of a young woman’s struggle to marry the man she loves. Olivia, the devoted daughter of the town’s minister, falls in love with the Ben, the man renovating their old servant’s quarters, while being courted by her father’s prodigy, William Tapley. As she struggles to make sense of her father’s insistence she marry her arrogant and prejudiced suitor, she is haunted by a loving spirit. As the story unfolds, it becomes apparent who this spirit is and why she must make things right for Olivia. To say more would spoil the surprise revelation in this gripping novel by this well-loved author.
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More Than I Wished: Book Review

5/28/2016

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If you are looking for an entertaining and interesting vacation read, take along a copy of Merry Holly’s romance, More Than I Wished For, and follow Noelle and Chase’s journey to happily ever after. The pair meet, fall instantly in love, and marry before they really know much about each other’s lives and ambitions. That’s when the fireworks begin. Holly’s snappy dialogue and noble characters enrich a low key but page-turning plot-- a welcome relief from some of the thrillers I’ve been reading. 
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Review The Trouble with Misbehaving

2/25/2016

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The Trouble with Misbehaving, a Victorian romantic adventure, will have you turning pages late into the night trying to figure out when and how a handsome pirate and a prim society lady will end up together. The couple meet under surreptitious circumstances when CC hires nefarious sea captain Beau Tollier to risk prison—and his life-- by running a dangerous blockage to transport her across the ocean to reach her family home in North Carolina. Unbeknown to the captain, CC has a hidden agenda. You will hate CC, then you will love her, as she fiddles with the noble and caring Beau’s heart. Well drawn characters, beautifully crafted descriptions, and well researched events occurring during the Civil War.
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Your body will thank you!

2/24/2016

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​Written in a friendly manner by an experienced Holistic Health Care professional, Overcome Your Sedentary Life Style is a comprehensive, whole body guide to managing your overall well-being and fitness and alleviating and preventing muscular aches and pains. In addition to providing beautifully illustrated diagrams and exercises, P. J. Sharon helps you understand why you have pain and what to do about it.
     This book covers such issues as selecting appropriate therapists, controlling your diet to maintain your weight and overall good health, and managing stress. If you take care of yourself, P. J. Sharon, maintains, you will not only feel and look great, but you will have more energy and motivation to achieve your goals. Included are recipes for yummy smoothies and tricks to help you along the journey to good health. Once you finish reading this book, keep it handy as a reference. Your body will thank you. I know mine has!

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Book Review Indigo Sky

1/3/2016

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Indigo Sky by Gail Ingis is a beautifully written romantic adventure set in the 19th century with well-drawn characters caught in a love triangle. The naïve Leila proves to be strong and noble as her determination to hang on to Hank, her rat of a husband, takes her into the dangers of the Wild West. I winced and fretted as Leila endured unimaginable horrors throughout her journey, yet hangs on to her commitment to her marriage, while denying the amorous attentions of  Rork, her husband’s business partner. While her husband is out carousing, Rork has remained the gentleman, always there for the lady in distress. He proves his love by putting Leila’s life before his own during the many vicious attacks from deserters and thieves. I cheered when Leila finally faces the ugly truth about her husband’s addictions and cheating. When she demands a divorce, Hank escapes westward to avoid signing the papers that will cut him off from receiving Leila’s ample dowry. In love, but unable to marry, Leila and Rork chase after Hank for him to sign the papers. And so, the murder and mayhem continue until the story explodes in a mind-boggling climax. Wow!

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Book Review A Convenient Pretense

10/2/2015

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Reading novels set in the Victorian age have always frustrated me because back then women were perceived (and treated)by men as chattel. Yet, with A Convenient Pretense I found myself cheering on Emily in her struggles to live her life her way. Elaine Violette presents us with strong characters that go against the grain, as well as an accurate rendition of the strict mores of the era. In it, a feisty heroine who wants to be a poet instead of a wife and a noble earl who sees marriage as a future duty, scheme to avoid the influx of eligible men and women presented to them by pretending to court each other. Laced with original love poems, this beautifully written romance kept me riveted with the cat and mouse play between Emily and the Earl as they fight off admitting they love each other. Emily's father's serious illness coupled with an obnoxious cousin (the only male heir) who moves into her family home with plans to take over their estate adds drama and suspense to the story, making A Convenient Pretense a page-turning read.
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Review Fighting For It

9/28/2015

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In her novel, Fighting For It, Jennifer Fusco puts a new slant on the traditional romance with a one-two punch. In it, down-trodden prize fighter Jim Brady is called back to the mat by new owner and former girlfriend Daniella Chambers to win the bout that will make Jim champion and keep the failing gym as the home its always been for its regulars. Fusco portrays the boxing industry in all its grit and glory while teasing the reader with cat and mouse bouts between Jim and Daniella as they fall in love all over again while working toward a common goal. At first, I didn’t like Jim, but as the story moves forward uncovering what really happened when he lost and displaying his determination to make things right, he redeemed himself in my eyes and became a true hero. Often, I grow bored reading romances, but Fighting For It kept my interest. The characters are well developed and the plot is plausible. What I found most interesting was learning about the boxing industry.
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Book Review Seasons of Love

6/15/2015

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Seasons of Love, a Box Set containing five delightful novellas by noted romance authors, is a perfect choice for times you need a break from the craziness of our world. Each story is different, yet compelling in its own way. In Wedding and a Promise by Merry Holly, a prospective bride is concerned when she realizes her fiancé is filthy rich and there’s so much she doesn’t know about him. In Bobbi Lerman’s Unexpected Match, a nurse hooks up with a restored coma patient to whom she’s revealed her innermost thoughts. Stacy Hoff had me craving chocolate in Love Delights, when coworkers compete for a promotion and end up you know where. Beachcomber Valentine is actually part of by Stephanie Queen’s Beachcomber Series, continuing the angst between two detectives who lust after each other but can’t quite get it together. I loved multi-published Gerri Brousseau’s English caper, Puppy Love. Two dogs, who are smitten, lead a wealthy Lord to find true love. All the stories in this volume are light and fun to read—a good reason to buy the book.
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Review Phantom Traces

3/9/2015

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A determined heroine, a formidable opponent, and a determined ghost make Claire Gem’s  PHANTOM TRACES a page turner. The “phantom” is a man, waiting to be connected with his beloved wife, who has scared off every librarian who has been hired to run the historic Harvey Library. The supernatural element lends an extra layer of excitement to this romantic suspense involving a young librarian, fleeing from her former life, and the handsome professor who takes her side against the town’s proposed shut down of the historic library. The author’s love of history shines through, enriching the story and making it a fabulous and interesting read.http://www.amazon.com/Phantom-Traces-Claire-Gem-ebook/dp/B00TR7ICIE
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BookReview: Worth the Wait

2/22/2015

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Depth of emotion and well-molded characters make Jamie Beck’s newest romance truly “Worth the Wait.” In it, twenty-something friends and family gather for vacation in Block Island and find after a ten year hiatus much has changed. Family secrets, promises made, and guilt burden our hero and heroine creating conflict among the group.  The vivacious Vivi has secretly loved her best friend's older brother, the righteous David, since childhood and is now faced with winning him away from his glamorous co-worker.  The story found me cheering Vivi on as she faces each disappointment with dignity. A must read for romantics. http://www.amazon.com/Worth-Wait-Jamie-Beck/dp/1477820442
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    Joy Smith

    Writes books to learn from and enjoy...

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