Burning Soul
John Connolly
The Burning Soul (Charlie Parker #10). By John Connolly. 2011. Pocket Books. ISBN-13: 9781439165287 (paperback).
The Christmas Bookshop (The Christmas Bookshop #1). By Jenny Colgan. 2021. Avon (ARC eBook).
While The Christmas Bookshop is enjoyable enough and I liked the development for the old bookshop owner Mr. McCready, I found that there were too many characters floundering. I’ve read/listened to the Little Beach Street Bakery series by Colgan and appreciate her writing style and the incorporation of turbulence that couples, families and communities experience. But the protagonist in this story is not particularly likable to begin or end with, so the “self-discovery” is just off-putting; as she comes off more as one of many failed adults that permeate so much of our reality. I suppose I would’ve liked a bit more escapism at the moment. So if this story continues I probably will not revisit, but I would try another of the author’s series.
*Avon ARC via NetGalley
While The Christmas Bookshop is enjoyable enough and I liked the development for the old bookshop owner Mr. McCready, I found that there were too many characters floundering. I’ve read/listened to the Little Beach Street Bakery series by Colgan and appreciate her writing style and the incorporation of turbulence that couples, families and communities experience. But the protagonist in this story is not particularly likable to begin or end with, so the “self-discovery” is just off-putting; as she comes off more as one of many failed adults that permeate so much of our reality. I suppose I would’ve liked a bit more escapism at the moment. So if this story continues I probably will not revisit, but I would try another of the author’s series.
*Avon ARC via NetGalley
Cowboy Ever After. Jennie Marts. 2022. Hallmark Publishing (ARC eBook).
Romance author Kaylee Collins is struggling with achieving realism in her romance stories about cowboys an ranching. To help, her editor Faye send Kaylee to the ranch of Faye’s brother, Luke, to gain real-life experience with the people and lifestyle. There hasn’t been a Jennie Marts book I met and haven’t liked. Overall, an engaging romance with sweet characters and small town charm.
*Hallmark Publishing ARC via NetGalley
Cowboy Ever After. By Jennie Marts. 2022. Hallmark Publishing (ARC Audiobook).
Cowboy Ever After is a sweet cowboy romance and Virginia Rose's narration is well-paced and nicely fits the characters.
*Hallmark Publishing ARC via NetGalley
Romance author Kaylee Collins is struggling with achieving realism in her romance stories about cowboys an ranching. To help, her editor Faye send Kaylee to the ranch of Faye’s brother, Luke, to gain real-life experience with the people and lifestyle. There hasn’t been a Jennie Marts book I met and haven’t liked. Overall, an engaging romance with sweet characters and small town charm.
*Hallmark Publishing ARC via NetGalley
Cowboy Ever After. By Jennie Marts. 2022. Hallmark Publishing (ARC Audiobook).
Cowboy Ever After is a sweet cowboy romance and Virginia Rose's narration is well-paced and nicely fits the characters.
*Hallmark Publishing ARC via NetGalley
Targeted in Silver Creek (Silver Creek Lawmen: Second Generation #1). By Delores Fossen. 2023. Harlequin Intrigue (ARC eBook).
A Wedding to Die For (Wedding Bells and Magic Spells #1). By A.R. Winter. 2018 (Kindle).
For a Scot’s Heart Only (Scottish Treasures #3). By Gina Conkle. 2023. Avon (ARC eBook).
A satisfying conclusion for the Scottish Treasures series. As a member of a Scottish league looking to reclaim lost Jacobite gold, corset maker Mary Fletcher becomes embroiled in a mystery and heist that brings back an old enemy and introduces a new one. Thomas West decides to act upon the feelings he has been harboring for Mary, but finds his attempt at courtship entangles himself in adventure that could ruin, or save, his whaling company. Overall, For a Scot’s Heart Only, and the previous two books connect a story full of swoon-worthy heroes, adventurous heroines, and a plot that intrigues.
*Avon ARC via NetGalley
A satisfying conclusion for the Scottish Treasures series. As a member of a Scottish league looking to reclaim lost Jacobite gold, corset maker Mary Fletcher becomes embroiled in a mystery and heist that brings back an old enemy and introduces a new one. Thomas West decides to act upon the feelings he has been harboring for Mary, but finds his attempt at courtship entangles himself in adventure that could ruin, or save, his whaling company. Overall, For a Scot’s Heart Only, and the previous two books connect a story full of swoon-worthy heroes, adventurous heroines, and a plot that intrigues.
*Avon ARC via NetGalley
The Prospector’s Only Prospect. By Dani Collins. 2023. Entangled: Amara (ARC eBook).
I couldn’t put this book down. The romance between Marigold and Virgil is wholly satisfying. The story is well-written and the backdrop of a mining camp in the Kansas Territory provides added interest as Marigold comes to know Virgil and his three children. I’ve liked the contemporary romance I’ve read by Collins and am definitely interested in reading more historical romances by her. And The Prospector’s Only Prospect would be a solid springboard into a series.
*Entangled Publishing, LLC ARC via NetGalley
I couldn’t put this book down. The romance between Marigold and Virgil is wholly satisfying. The story is well-written and the backdrop of a mining camp in the Kansas Territory provides added interest as Marigold comes to know Virgil and his three children. I’ve liked the contemporary romance I’ve read by Collins and am definitely interested in reading more historical romances by her. And The Prospector’s Only Prospect would be a solid springboard into a series.
*Entangled Publishing, LLC ARC via NetGalley
The Friendship Pact (Sunrise Cove #2). By Jill Shalvis. 2022. William Morrow. (ARC eBook).
The Friendship Pact’s characters took some time for me to get behind, however I do always enjoy Jill Shalvis’s writing. So this story of second chance romance, family and friendship is a recommend.
* William Morrow ARC via NetGalley
The Friendship Pact’s characters took some time for me to get behind, however I do always enjoy Jill Shalvis’s writing. So this story of second chance romance, family and friendship is a recommend.
* William Morrow ARC via NetGalley
How to Cowboy (Creedence Horse Rescue #3). Jennie Marts. 2021. Sourcebooks Casablanca (eBook ARC)
In addition to the cowboys, horses and other rascally animals, How to Cowboy reunites a father and daughter, ex-bull rider Cade and Allison; and introduces them to Nora, a physical therapist. There is chemistry for the romance and some heart to the story of Cade and Allison reconciling. But Allison was pretty bratty (which yea, understandable, but still annoying). And Cade and Nora were a bit too speedy in starting up. I always look forward to a Creedence story from Marts, and while this was not my favorite of the Creedence Horse Rescue series, it was overall an enjoyable read.
* Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley
In addition to the cowboys, horses and other rascally animals, How to Cowboy reunites a father and daughter, ex-bull rider Cade and Allison; and introduces them to Nora, a physical therapist. There is chemistry for the romance and some heart to the story of Cade and Allison reconciling. But Allison was pretty bratty (which yea, understandable, but still annoying). And Cade and Nora were a bit too speedy in starting up. I always look forward to a Creedence story from Marts, and while this was not my favorite of the Creedence Horse Rescue series, it was overall an enjoyable read.
* Sourcebooks Casablanca ARC via NetGalley
The Lost Metal (Mistborn: Wax & Wayne #4). By Brandon Sanderson, Narrator: Michael Kramer. 2022. Macmillan Audio (Unabrdiged audiobook, 18 hr, 46 min).
The Retreat (Detective Elin Warner #2). By Sara Pearse, Narrator: Elizabeth Knowelden. 2022. Penguin Audio (Unabridged audiobook 10 hr, 36 min).
Surrendering to Hunt (Wyoming Wilde #2). By Jennifer Ryan. 2022. Avon. (ARC eBook).
This second book of the Wyoming Wilde series failed to engage me. I never bought into the romance between Cyn and Hunt. Even considering the mystery suspense in the mix, the timing/pacing of the romance just didn’t jive.
*Avon ARC via NetGalley
This second book of the Wyoming Wilde series failed to engage me. I never bought into the romance between Cyn and Hunt. Even considering the mystery suspense in the mix, the timing/pacing of the romance just didn’t jive.
*Avon ARC via NetGalley
