She’s ready for a charming Christmas in the English countryside…
It’s almost Christmas and Ella Roberts is ecstatic to be heading to Bakewell to spend the holidays with her sister and brother-in-law, the new Earl and Countess Sherbourne, and represent her family at the English wedding reception. Ella is looking forward to visiting the Sherbourne estate, exploring Bakewell, and experiencing a proper English Christmas. She just has two requests—that she stays in one of the historic cottages at Langley Park, and that the annoying best man not be invited to the reception.
Baird MacLauren was happy to serve as the best man to his closest friend from Trinity College’s wedding. The long weekend spent in the San Juan Islands celebrating his best friend was easy, but getting along with the bride’s mischievous sister who takes nothing seriously was an unexpected challenge. Baird thought he’d never have to see her again…until he spots Ella in Bakewell preparing for the reception.
To Ella’s dismay, her second request isn’t honored and now she’ll be spending Christmas with the most arrogant—and handsome—of Scottish men. Can they both keep their distance or will the magic of the season bring these two together?
THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE (Love at Langley Park Book #2) by Jane Porter is the perfect holiday contemporary romance that will warm your heart as you curl up on your favorite chair on a cold holiday night. It can be easily read as a standalone as it is a complete HEA, but many of the characters are from the first book and I am glad I read them in order.
Ella Roberts is on holiday from her job teaching and working on her PhD and is excited to be traveling to Sherbourne estate in England to be spending the holidays with her sister and brother-in-law. When she arrives, she finds her sister on bedrest and pregnant and the historic cottage on the estate she wanted to stay in is being occupied by the annoying best man from her sister’s wedding.
Baird MacLauren has come to Sherbourne as a favor to his best friend from Eton to help with the holiday festivities until he can get there himself. When he sees the beautiful and memorable sister-in-law, he is once again feeling an intense attraction that he refuses to give in to. When she is assigned to the same cottage, they both refuse to leave and now he must spend his holiday with the infuriating American he cannot seem to keep out of his thoughts.
With an attraction that sparks, will they keep their distance for the holidays, or will the magic of the season bring them together?
I was so happy to read this romance and completely satisfied in the end. I enjoyed the first book, Once Upon a Christmas, and was excited to see what came next. This story also has realistic characters and believable situations that pull you right in. Ella is an intelligent and feisty heroine who is a wonderful foil to the jaded attorney Baird has become. The dialogue is witty and smart. There is only one sex scene towards the end of the story, and it is very sexy, but not overly explicit. It is enjoyable to also catch up with all the occupants of Sherbourne estate and their lives. This romance has everything I look for in my HEAs and I have found this to be true with all of Jane Porter’s wonderful romances.
I highly recommend this holiday contemporary romance, the entire series, and this author.
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About the Author
USA Today, and New York Times bestselling author of 75+ romances and women’s fiction titles, Jane Porter has been a finalist for the prestigious RITA award six times, with her Tule Publishing novella, Take Me, Cowboy, winning the Novella Category July 2014. Today, Jane has over 15 million copies in print, including her wildly popular Flirting with Forty, a novel picked by Redbook Magazine as it’s Red Hot Summer Read in 2006 before being turned into a Lifetime movie in 2008 starring Heather Locklear. In 2021 two of Jane’s Taming of the Sheenan romances were turned into original movies for the Great American Family Network. Jane holds an MA in Writing from the University of San Francisco and makes her home in sunny San Clemente, CA with her surfer husband, three sons, and three dogs.
Growing up at the Shelter Inn hotel, Natalie Shepherd envied guests who could come and go as they pleased. So when it was time to finally leave for college and put the lush green mountains around Shelter Springs—along with the cloud of loss that seemed to follow her family—behind her, she swore she’d never come back. But now her sister McKenna needs a favor. On pregnancy bed rest at doctor’s orders, McKenna needs a helping hand with her two young daughters and someone to take over the inn during the hectic holiday season, and Nat can’t refuse. And just when things can’t get worse, she runs into her late brother’s best friend, Griffin Taylor…
Griff has mixed feelings about Natalie’s return. She’s just as beautiful and full of life as he remembered, but there’s a secret he’s carried for years about her brother—and the guilt is eating away at him. Still, Christmas in this small town is filled with treasured traditions and new adventures that hold the promise of something sweet and lasting. From matchmaking seniors to rambunctious nieces, it seems everyone is hoping Nat and Griff will put loss behind them and find a happy new beginning…
CHRISTMAS AT THE SHELTER INN by RaeAnne Thayne is a heartfelt emotional holiday romance/women’s fiction story set in an inn turned senior apartment complex in small town Idaho during the Christmas season. This is a standalone story.
Natalie Shepherd suffered several losses during her life and it has her leaving her small hometown as soon as possible to travel the world as a freelance writer and travel blogger. She also works as a pet and house sitter for wealthy clients. She never stays in any one place too long and while she has acquaintances, she never lets anyone into her heart. When her younger sister messages her for help at home at the Shelter Inn, Natalie immediately returns. She is helping with her two young nieces while her sister is on bedrest during her pregnancy and will leave again after the birth. What she does not expect is to discover the father who left the siblings after their mother’s death is in town for Christmas and her dead brother’s best friend is back in town and working as a local family practice doctor.
Griffin Taylor always planned on returning to his hometown when he finished medical school. He is surprised when he runs into Natalie and is happy to see her, but he is also holding a secret about the day her brother died. Griffin’s grandmother lives at the Shelter Inn and so Griff and Natalie run into each other frequently as everyone gets ready for the holidays.
There is an attraction and chemistry between the two, but Natalie is used to everyone leaving her and she does not want to open her heart to the pain of loss again, so she refuses to let anyone completely in.
I really enjoyed getting to know all the characters in this story. Natalie and her sister have such a tragic back story and yet each moves forward in completely different directions. Her nieces are absolutely adorable, and I loved that all the residents at the Shelter Inn were like extra grandparents to them. I felt at times the story was predictable, and yet I was still very interested in how Ms. Thayne could bring such disparate main characters together. The romance is slow burn because both believe there is no happy ending if Natalie won’t fight her fear, open her heart, and stop always leaving. There are no sex scenes in this story. The relationship, or lack thereof between Natalie and her father is the emotional tearjerker subplot in this story. This holiday story is full of family love, growth, and forgiveness, friendship, community, laughs as well as emotional tears.
Overall, an emotional and enjoyable holiday romance/women’s fiction read to curl up with over the holidays.
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About the Author
#1 Publishers Weekly, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author RaeAnne Thayne finds inspiration in the beautiful northern Utah mountains where she lives with her family. Her books have won numerous honors, including seven RITA Award nominations from Romance Writers of America and a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews magazine.
When Cara Roberts’ family plans an extra special Christmas to support her after her broken engagement, she wants nothing to do with the holiday. After learning her brother and his wife can’t use the cottage vacation they purchased, she impulsively escapes to an English cottage in the bucolic village of Bakewell, despite having no idea where Bakewell is.
Lord Alec Sherbourne of Langley Park is no fan of Christmas, but following in his parents’ footsteps, he annually donates his impressive 19th century country home to be decorated and opened on December weekends as a community fundraiser. This year, Christmas is complicated by the arrival of a pretty American woman who booked a cottage on his estate—only the cottage is occupied. Forced to take her under his vast roof, he’s dismayed when a storm and frozen pipes keep her with him longer than he’d anticipated. Even more worrisome, her presence is making it feel like Christmas for the first time in forever.
As these two holiday housemates become friends, is there something more in the Christmas air?
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS (Love at Langley Park Book #1) by Jane Porter is an enchanting and heartwarming holiday contemporary romance featuring a hero and heroine finding love over the Christmas holiday. This is the first book in the Love at Langley Park series, and it has everything I want and hope for in a holiday romance read.
Cara Roberts broke up with her fiancée and is looking for a change of scenery over the holidays. Her brother gives her an English cottage vacation at Langley Park won in a school raffle. After a sixteen-hour trip from Seattle, Cara discovers a problem with overbooking and she is given a room in the main house with the handsome, but grumpy lord of the manor.
Lord Alec Sherbourne returns to Langley Park every Christmas holiday out of duty, but not with much holiday cheer after the death of his wife eight years ago. When burst pipes and a snowstorm have Cara staying in the manor with Alec and his elderly relatives over the holiday, he discovers this American is making Langley Park feel like Christmas for the first time.
This is a wonderful holiday romance. Cara is a sunny, optimistic person who loves people. Alec is a reserved English aristocrat who believes his responsibility is to his family estate and heritage above all else. When these two are forced together over the holiday, what should not work, does. I love Cara and the fact that she is always willing to tell the truth and have difficult discussions, even when it hurts her, but she does not stay down. She is able to open Alec’s closed off heart. This is a cozy romance with no sex scenes, just kisses, and yet it is one of the most romantic love stories I have recently read. Ms. Porter’s romances always give me realistic characters, dialogue, and emotional HEAs.
I highly recommend this delightful holiday contemporary romance! I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
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About the Author
USA Today, and New York Times bestselling author of 75+ romances and women’s fiction titles, Jane Porter has been a finalist for the prestigious RITA award six times, with her Tule Publishing novella, Take Me, Cowboy, winning the Novella Category July 2014. Today, Jane has over 15 million copies in print, including her wildly popular Flirting with Forty, a novel picked by Redbook Magazine as it’s Red Hot Summer Read in 2006 before being turned into a Lifetime movie in 2008 starring Heather Locklear. In 2021 two of Jane’s Taming of the Sheenan romances were turned into original movies for the Great American Family Network. Jane holds an MA in Writing from the University of San Francisco and makes her home in sunny San Clemente, CA with her surfer husband, three sons, and three dogs.
Today I am featuring the WILD ROSE SISTERS trilogy by Christine Rimmer. This is a heartfelt small town contemporary romance series with each of three step-sisters finding their HEAs in this Harlequin Special Edition series. The stories can be read individually, but the sisters are very close and their lives intertwine throughout the series, so I enjoyed reading them in order. The third book not only gives the reader the last sister’s HEA, but is also a wonderful holiday story that leaves you with all the holiday warm and fuzzy feelings.
Below you will find book descriptions, my mini book reviews, an about the author section and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Description
How do you make up for four years of lost time?
No last names. No promises to meet again. No way for Payton Dahl to find the man who’s the father of her twin boys. Until fate reunites them four years later. Easton Wright now wants to be part of his sons’ lives—with the woman he fell hard for during those seven days and nights of bliss. Payton doesn’t want her sons to grow up fatherless like she did, but can she risk trusting Easton when she’s been burned in the past?
Payton Dahl is the youngest of the three sisters. She is a free spirit and trying to decide what to do with her life besides bartend and help out on her aunt’s farm. Everything changes after a fun and intense week long no-strings attached week with Easton Wright.
Four years later and Payton is a published author with beautiful twin boys when Easton runs into her again. The sexual feelings are still there, but Payton is not ready to just jump into a permanent relationship.
I loved both main characters and felt the story brought up many realistic problems any couple would face in the same situation. A difficult past history and fear can be big emotional hurdles and I feel they were handled well by this author. I liked that when they meet again, Payton is on a more level playing field economically with her best selling novels and the twins are just adorable. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous.
I enjoyed every moment of this story and I am glad it is a trilogy with more to come.
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Book Description
“Will you marry me?”
When Josie LeClaire went into labor alone on her farm, the single almost-mother had no one to turn to but her neighbor, Miles Halstead. Fortunately, the widowed single father was more than up to the task. And as he found himself unable to stay away from the lovely Josie—and her adorable newborn son—he realized he wanted her in his life as more than a friend.
Josie treasured what Miles had already come to mean to her and her baby. So when he uttered those four words, of course she said yes. Even if he couldn’t say the three words she really wanted to hear…
Veterinarian Josie LeClaire is the middle sister of three. Besides being a well respected vet, she also runs Wild Rose farm with the help of her aunt and sisters. She decides that even though she has not met “the one”, she is going to be a mother. When she goes into labor alone on the farm, she goes next door for help from widower and single father Miles Halstead.
They have been next door neighbors all their lives and with their shared birth experience and similar love of farm life, they decide to get married and intertwine their lives and farms. While it is a marriage of respect and caring, Josie soon discovers she wants the three little words that Mike said her could never give.
These two are a wonderful pairing and it is both ironic and realistic that they still have a major hurdle to overcome. I really enjoyed their journey to complete trust. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous. All the secondary characters and pets add to the charm of the story. This romance has the HEA we all want.
I love this addition to the trilogy and am looking forward to the next book with Alex’s story.
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Book Description
“Do it now…”
And change everything!
By the book success story Alexandra Herrera’s got it all mapped out: partner at a law firm, high-powered career. But when her birth father leaves her an unexpected inheritance—prompted by a random fortune cookie—she impulsively walks away from her entire life! And now that she’s snowed in with West Wright, she learns that lightning really can strike twice. So much, in fact, that the sparks between them could melt any ice storm…if only they’d let them!
Attorney Alexandra “Alex” Herrera is the elder of the three sisters and has worked and planned to become a full partner in a law firm since high school. She is on the fast track and a workaholic because she wants to always be able to financially help her aunt or sisters. When the father, who never had time for her dies, she suddenly has a fortune. It is time to reassess and so she goes home to the farm for the holidays.
This is a wonderful contemporary romance with two main characters that never believed they would get their own special someone to love. This book not only has the full story of Alex and Weston falling in love, it also brings together all their families and friends to make it a heartwarming holiday romance full of family and love. The sex scenes are hot and explicit. but not gratuitous.
This is a wonderful wrap-up to an excellent contemporary romance trilogy.
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About the Author
A New York Times and USA-Today bestselling author, Christine Rimmer has written more than 100 contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. A reader favorite, Christine consistently writes love stories that keep readers turning pages, stories that are sweet, sexy, humorous and heartfelt. Her books celebrate life’s most important connections–the powerful bonds between family members, true friends and couples who find their way to a lifetime together.
Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Mini Book Review for A COWBOY THISCHRISTMAS: A Sweet Romance Anthology which includes novellas by Roxy Boroughs, Victoria Chatham, Amy Jo Fleming, Raine Hughes, Lawna Mackie, Shawna Mumert, Jan O’Hara, A.M. Westerling, and Joanie Wilde.
Below you will find a book blurb, my mini book review, and the authors bios and social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Blurb
At Christmas, even the loneliest cowboy can find true love, whether it arrives with the subtle fragrance of evergreen or the kick of a wild stallion. Celebrate the holiday season with these nine short, sweet, and heartwarming contemporary romances.
“The Cowboy’s Comeback Christmas” – by Jan O’Hara – USA Today Bestselling Author
The woman formerly known as Shrinking Violet is back, bearing a new no-nonsense attitude and a deadline for leaving town. Five Christmases ago, Russ broke both their hearts. Can he prove he’s a changed man and convince her to stay?
“Capturing the Christmas Cowboy” – by Roxy Boroughs, Amazon Bestselling Author
To secure her job with an advertising company, an L.A. photographer travels to the wilds of Montana, searching for a rugged cowboy to peddle cheap cologne. There she meets a down-on-his-luck, camera-shy rancher, who wants to give his little brother a homespun Christmas – just like the ones they knew before they lost their parents.
Recovering from a life-changing injury, a bronc buster drives across Canada with his young sons to work as a ranch foreman. Heart-sore owner, Sally, hides a wariness of being touched with a warm, hopeful smile. Will the miracle of Christmas help them find true healing love?
Mandy Robinson, a server in a country diner is puzzled when her encounters with the new short order chef, injured bull rider, Chay Burton, seem to mirror events as chronicled over a hundred years ago in her great grandmother’s diary. Romance blossoms as Christmas approaches but should she trust the journal that hints of eventual heartbreak or a cowboy who only has his love to offer?
“All I Want for Christmas” – by Victoria Chatham, Books We Love Bestselling Author
Rancher Luke Evans expects to spend Christmas alone. When a snowstorm strands Kate Cooper and her five-year-old daughter Alice, that changes. While the child’s smile warms his heart, will widowed emergency nurse Kate dare to love again? Could she and Alice become the family Luke always wanted?
“Come Home for Christmas, Cowboy” – by Amy Jo Fleming
Jolene, a young widow, needs to sell the ranch that she loves. It’s the only home her son Cody has ever known. There’s a catch. Her late husband’s cousin owns half the property. Devon will be home for the holidays and Jolene needs to convince him to sell before Christmas. Will those old feelings that Jolene and Devon once shared ruin her plans?
“Silver Belle’s Christmas Cowboy” – by Lawna Mackie
Being the caregiver to nine reindeer in Alaska has many challenges, including a promise Silver Belle Delaney intends to fulfill. Granted, there are a few hiccups. Steal her employer’s reindeer…oh, and his truck and trailer, drive through a blizzard, then hope and pray the handsome, wealthy rancher doesn’t throw her in jail on Christmas Eve.
“My Cowboy, Until Christmas” – by Shawna Mumert – Debut Author
Desperate to keep her ranch, Caroline Bailey, a young widow, hires Trace Morgan, a drifter, to help her until Christmas Eve, when the final ranch payment is due, but working together changes their dreams and their lives.
“A Heart Creek Christmas” – by Joanie Wilde – Debut Author
A kind-hearted equine osteopath lands her dream job – and possibly the love of her life in a broken-down cowboy. Can they move past their personal barriers to find love in time for Christmas?
This anthology is the work of nine independent-minded women who live in or near cattle country, Alberta.
A COWBOY THIS CHRISTMAS: A Sweet Romance Anthology is a charming and heartwarming collection of nine sweet contemporary cowboy romances all set around finding true love and HEA around the Christmas holidays. These are the perfect lengths to pick up and read individually around a busy holiday schedule or to curl up with a hot drink and Christmas music in your favorite chair and get pulled into several romances in a row.
As with any anthology I found some novellas more compelling than others, but since they are short you can quickly move on to one you favor more. All the authors were new to me, so it was great to find which I preferred, and I plan on trying out their other published books. All the novellas are sweet contemporary romances so there are no sex scenes. The main characters in all the stories were believable and all the varying tropes were well written for the short length of each.
I recommend this enjoyable and varied Christmas collection of contemporary Cowboy romances.
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About the Author
Before launching her writing career, the multi-talented Roxy Boroughs was an accomplished stage and film actor who appeared in the TV series “Degrassi Junior High,” and top-rated movies such as “It Must Be Love,” starring Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen.
Look for her romantic comedy “Crazy for Cowboy,” her suspense series “Psychic Heat,” featuring the award-winning novel “A Stranger’s Touch,” and the popular “Frost Family Christmas” series, marrying sweet romance with cozy mystery. Other holiday titles include “The Sprite Before Christmas,” published in the sweet romance anthology “Hugs, Kisses and Mistletoe Wishes” (An Amazon Bestseller), and “A Christmas Carole,” featured in “Christmas Romance Digest 2021: Home for the Holidays,” edited by Tracy Cooper-Posey. Watch for “A Cowboy This Christmas” coming in the fall of 2023.
Roxy is married to her first love, so she not only writes romance, she lives it! If she’s not typing away at her desk, she’s reading, quilting, playing her purple ukulele, whipping up a fabulous new recipe, or hiking around the Rocky Mountain village she calls home, where mule deer and bighorn sheep roam the streets.
Victoria was born in Clifton, one of the oldest areas in Bristol, England. As a small child she lived in various places in South Wales and England and now divides her time between Canada and visiting with her family in England.
Her very first attempts at writing, in crayon on a wall, were not appreciated but in everything she later came to write she tried to bring a sense of place, of putting her reader in the environment she created so they could see it and feel it.
Now retired, she has the luxury of writing full time. When she’s not at her keyboard she’ll have her nose in a book or her Kindle. She’ll read anything that catches her interest, from Regency and contemporary romance to thrillers. Victoria loves horses and dogs, daily walks and gentle yoga and especially loves being an author with Books We Love Ltd.
Amy Jo Fleming writes romantic suspense and she loves a story that leaves you wondering about the characters after you read the final page. Amy Jo has always been a writer. In university, she wrote poetry when she should have been studying. She loves to read a good mystery or legal thriller.
In another life, Amy Jo was a lawyer. Now she is a free-lance writer. Amy Jo loves to hike all over the world, from Calgary to Australia, and from Scotland to Spain. Her favorite place to hike is in the Rocky Mountains just a few miles up the road from her home.
She lives in Calgary with her husband David (an engineer) and their dog, Abbie.
Raine Hughes was born in central Canada, growing up on a dairy farm in a prairie province. She milked cows in the lands down under (Australia and New Zealand) as well as in Canada before settling down with her husband and assorted livestock and exotic birds. With a favorite TV show being the I Dream of Jeannie series, naturally Hughes thought of writing something similar and started her own Down to Earth Magical Romances in sub-genres including paranormal, fantasy and contemporary. She likes to write on the ‘sweeter’ side rather than ‘dark’ because the world needs more ways to lighten the mood. As a member of a Canadian chapter of the Romance Writers of America, as well as having membership in other writing groups, she enjoys reading most any romance along with books in a variety of the other genres. Now she’s part of a Christmas Anthology titled Hugs, Kisses, and Mistletoe Wishes, where she wrote a contemporary romance in the sweet mix of eight other authors, no genie’s involved (as has been her books published to date).
Lawna Mackie is a highly acclaimed fantasy and romance author known for expertly weaving together love, suspense, and fantasy in all of her captivating stories. Her skillfully developed characters and thought-provoking plots have earned her a devoted fan base around the world.
Born in Jasper, Alberta, Lawna is Canadian through and through and draws much inspiration from the stunning natural beauty of her home province. With a passion for animals, Lawna ensures that every one of her novels includes at least one of these beloved creatures.
She invites fans to connect with her and learn more about her writing journey on her website at www.lawnamackie.com. With a belief in the power of true love, Lawna writes various forms of romance, from contemporary and paranormal to fantasy and erotica.
Shawna Mumert has lived most of her life in Southern Alberta then moved with her husband to a farm in Central Alberta. Now, instead of working as a training facilitator, she spends her summer days gardening with some of their five cats, four of whom were rescue kittens, and her winter days writing, reading, learning to paint and enjoying the snow.
A former family physician and academic, Jan O’Hara left the world of medicine behind to follow her dreams of becoming a writer. These days she confines her healing tendencies to paper—after making her characters undergo a period of delicious torture, naturally.
She writes love stories (and biographies) that move from wackadoodle to heartfelt in six seconds flat.
Jan lives in Alberta, Canada. A columnist for the popular blog Writer Unboxed, she loves to hear from readers.
Join Jan’s mailing list for updates on her forthcoming books, exclusive content, and access to reader giveaways ➜ http://janohara.net/newsletter
“From vikings to viscounts, join the adventure, live the romance.”
Living by the motto “You don’t know unless you try”, A.M. Westerling started writing historical romance because she couldn’t find the kinds of stories she enjoyed. After all, she thought, who doesn’t enjoy a tasty helping of dashing heroes and spunky heroines, seasoned with a liberal sprinkle of passion and adventure?
Westerling, a former engineer, is a member of the Romance Writers of America and active in her local chapter. As well as writing, she enjoys cooking, gardening, camping, yoga, and watching pro sports. She lives in Calgary, Canada.
Joanie Wilde has dreamed about writing romance every since she read If This is Love by Anne Weale in 1972. Years went by and she fell in love with romance all over again watching Hallmark movies. She is finally ready to share her romance and cozy mystery stories. Her first romance novella A Heart Creek Christmas is included in the Calgary Association of Romance Writers of America (CaRWA) anthology A Cowboy for Christmas: A Sweet Romance Collection.
Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Mini Book Reviews for the first four stories in Naima Simone’s Rose Bend series. I have been binge reading all of these fantastic romances and I am happy to still have four more to go.
These romances are multicultural, have characters that break your heart before healing them with their HEAs, and do have some very smokin’ hot sex scenes but they are not gratuitous. This series is set in the small town of Rose Bend which is located in the Berkshires and I really hope there is a place just like it in the real world.
Each book numbered with a 0.5 is novella length and features new side characters from the town and all of the whole number books feature a brother or sister from the Dennison family who you follow throughout the series.
I highly recommend this romance series and I am so glad I found this author because when I am done with this series, she has written more.
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Book Description
Goodbye is never easy…but neither is love.
Cherrie Moore is just passing through, the same way she does every year. Rose Bend’s annual motorcycle rally has been her sanctuary—two solid weeks just for herself, just for a little while; one long, peaceful ride through the Berkshires, then back home to bustling Chicago. In and out, and gone again. No strings, no commitments. Until she meets Maddox Holt.
The man is pure temptation, and he sure has a mouth on him—a redheaded bullet Cherrie knows she’d be smart to dodge. When the mysterious dive bar owner pulls her onto the dance floor that first night in town, her plans for a clean getaway turn muddy. Something’s there between them, sure…but Maddox has roots in quiet Rose Bend, and he’s looking for more than a fling.
Cherrie came here for a break from it all. After the year she’s had, her heart can’t take another hit. But before long, she’ll have to decide—should she risk her freedom for a second chance at love…or just enjoy the ride while it lasts?
My Mini Book Review
SLOW DANCE AT ROSE BEND (A Rose Bend Book #0.5) by Naima Simone is an intense novella length contemporary romance featuring independent jewelry maker Cherrie Moore and Rose Bend bar owner Maddox Holt. This love at first sight novella is packed with more emotion than some full-length books.
Cherrie is once again in Rose Bend for two weeks to attend the annual motorcycle rally, to sell some of her jewelry, and catch up with old friends. When the hot bartender hits on Cherrie, she is at first not interested after just getting out of a difficult relationship, but the sparks are flying around her and Maddox. She agrees to two weeks of fun, but Maddox has other plans.
Explosive chemistry, hot sex, and finding the person who loves you for who you are. Yes, please!
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Book Description
If it was only about her, she might never have come back to Rose Bend.
But it’s not only about her anymore.
Sydney Collins left the small Berkshires town of Rose Bend eight years ago, grieving her sister’s death—and heartbroken over her parents’ rejection. But now the rebel is back—newly divorced and pregnant—ready to face her fears and make a home for her child in the caring community she once knew. The last thing she needs is trouble. But trouble just set her body on fire with one hot, hot smile.
Widower and Rose Bend mayor Coltrane Dennison hasn’t smiled in ages. Until a chance run-in with Sydney Collins, who’s all grown-up and making him want what he knows he can’t have. Grief is his only connection to the wife and son he lost, and he won’t give it up. Not for Sydney, not for her child, not for his heart. But when Sydney’s ex threatens to upend everything she’s rebuilt in Rose Bend, Cole and Sydney may find that a little trouble will take them where they never expected to go.
My Mini Book Review
THE ROAD TO ROSE BEND (A Rose Bend Book #1) by Naima Simone is an emotional contemporary romance that features the return of rebel Sydney Collins to her small hometown in the Berkshires and the widowed mayor of Rose Bend Coltrane “Cole” Dennison. This story brought me to tears in so many scenes and yet it is balanced with happiness and love throughout with an extremely satisfying HEA.
Besides the main romance plot, Sydney is dealing with being pregnant by her ex-husband after their divorce and unresolved issues which lead to her rebellion all through her teen years with her parents after her sister died from cancer when she was younger. Cole is a widower of only two years and besides losing his young wife, he also lost his son. Even with all this angst, Ms. Simone is still able to find moments of joy and love between these two because they really have empathy for each other’s pasts and present problems. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous.
The entire Denison family is introduced in this book, and they are fully drawn and realistic. I am looking forward to following them in future books in this series.
I love Sydney and Cole, the entire Dennison family, and the small town of Rose Bend. I highly recommend this contemporary romance!
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Book Description
It starts with an unexpected kiss…
Remi Donovan doesn’t know what possessed Declan Howard to sidle up to her desk and ask for a kiss—but she’s not about to turn him down. After all, she’s had a secret crush on the sexy-as-sin wealth manager ever since he set foot in Rose Bend two years ago. Still, why steal a kiss from a small-town librarian when a man like Declan could have any woman he wants?
For Declan, the plan is simple: fake a relationship with Remi to keep his ex off his back and his matchmaking mother happy. As the charade brings them closer, it ignites something real—something neither can ignore. But before they can build a happy future together, they’ll both have to reconcile with the past…
My Mini Book Review
A KISS TO REMEMBER (A Rose Bend Book #1.5) by Naima Simone is a fake relationship contemporary romance novella in the Rose Bend series featuring small town librarian Remi Donovan and wealth manager Declan Howard. What starts with an unexpected offer of a kiss in the library then turns into a declaration of a relationship to family and friends which leads to an emotional journey for both Remi and Declan. Ms. Simone is able to pack so much emotion in such a short novella.
I especially loved and had empathy for Remi in this story. She has learned to love herself and her plus size even with the negativity from some people in town including her own mother. Declan may have started out just trying to make life easier for himself, but he truly appreciates the full bodied and intelligent Remi. I enjoyed their fake to real relationship and their journey to get there.
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Book Description
The holidays have never been her thing. But Christmas in Rose Bend has more than one surprise in store…
Grieving ER nurse Nessa Hunt is on a road trip with her sullen teen half sister, Ivy, and still reeling from her mother’s deathbed confession: Nessa’s dad wasn’t really her dad. Seeking answers, they arrive in Rose Bend to find a small town teeming with the kind of Christmas cheer Nessa usually avoids. But then she meets the innkeeper’s ruggedly sexy son, Wolfgang Dennison.
Wolf’s big, boisterous family is like a picture-perfect holiday card. Nessa has too much weighing on her to feel like she fits—even though the heat between her and Wolf is undeniable. And the merriment bringing an overdue smile to Ivy’s face is almost enough to make Nessa believe in the Christmas spirit. But with all her parental baggage, including lingering questions about her birth father, is there room in Nessa’s life for happy holidays and happily-ever-after?
My Mini Book Review
CHRISTMAS IN ROSE BEND (A Rose Bend Book #2) by Naima Simone is a an emotional holiday contemporary romance featuring ER nurse Nessa Hunt who is visiting Rose Bend with her stepsister and staying at the Dennison’s Family Inn. She is literally knocked off her feet by carpenter Wolfgang ‘Wolf’ Dennison as they wait to check in. The attraction is immediate, but Nessa has been hurt so often by men in her past, she no longer lets anyone completely into her heart.
Nessa no longer celebrates Christmas, but here she is in small town Christmas hell. Both Nessa and Wolf’s histories are heartbreaking and yet Wolf is determined to help Nessa bridge the rift with her stepsister and get her to enjoy the Christmas season again. The realistic dialogue between these two was either making me laugh or cry. Even with their fears, they could not stop their intense physical attraction to each other which led to sex scenes that are explicit, but not gratuitous. The road to the HEA in this romance is rough, but very satisfying.
This romance is full of angst, love, laughter, family, small town life and Christmas cheer. This series can be read as standalone romances, but they are so well written that they pull you in and you will fall in love with the Dennison family and Rose Bend and want to read them all, just like me.
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About the Author
Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”
She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
