WHAT'S THE BUZZ: Upcoming Titles for Your TBR!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Alrighty guys, we're doing the WHAT'S THE BUZZ once again to get you EXCITED about a few upcoming releases you want to have on your radar!  Maybe they already are on your TBR, but if not, consider this your sign to add them STAT!  Both titles featured today hit bookstore and virtual shelves NEXT WEEK, and, because I love variety, we have a Young Adult pick as well as a Contemporary Romance.  Ready to get between the pages?  Here.  We.  GO!

Here Lies Olive

by

Kate Anderson

9781635830910

Flux

-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -

Something's off in this little safe haven type town, and it's not just their obsession with the gothic side of tourism!  No, you can feel it from the word GO, but you can also tell that its not something to simply write off.  Things take on a SPOOKIER connotation when Olive seeks to reach out not just to the new girl in town, and, in a roundabout way, her ex-best friend, but to someone on the other side.  She had a close call of her own, and it made her question things, and they are only questions that another soul that's been there can truly answer.  Ever hear that old adage of being careful what you wish for?  Yeah, that's definitely a case in point situation here, but without asking the question, she never would have faced her fears for the sake of another, inadvertently helped lay a soul to rest, and...okay, well she also wouldn't have come close a SECOND time to an unplanned expiration date, but she finally quiets the voices of doubt in her mind, and rebuilds friendship foundations she didn't know how to mend, all while discovering a bit more about herself along the way.

I really got into the story of not only Olive and friends, but Jay!  It was just the right amount of creepy to give you the chills without causing you to actually lose sleep, while still being believable enough to keep you on the edge of your seat.  I admit, I had my doubts about a particular person...things just seemed too convenient at times with them...but my suspicions weren't confirmed until closer to the end, so don't worry about spoilers, you'll get everything at once in the big reveal!  A great read for the season for Young Adult Fiction fans, while also serving as a reminder to not worry so much about what lies beyond the veil, but more so about today.    

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The Sweetheart Crush

Blossom Glen, Book 3

by

Miranda Liasson

Entangled Publishing  |  AMARA

-   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -

Oh.  My.  Goodness.

This book was SO SWEET!

I was literally sitting there reading each epage with a sappy grin, going awww as the story progressed!  There was simply nothing to it, but to do it. and yep, I was all on board.

We've got childhood friends that went separate ways in a hurry thanks to an ill-timed kiss...well, not so much ill-timed as perhaps the headspace of one wasn't in the right frame of mind, but I digress.  We've got a second chance at a first time romance that might happen, or might not happen, thanks to secrets littering the landscape of their past and present.  We've got sweet interactions, and moments that AGAIN make you say AWWW!  We've also got family connections, bullying assists (for teenagers AND adults!), and such a BIG dose of hometown spirit, you can't help but feel like one of this gorgeous community.  I laughed, I sighed (A LOT), I cringed, and hoped (so so SO much!), and by book's end, that happily ever after was in reach, if only they'd both step over their self drawn lines in the sand to grab on tight.  I loved Logan and Viv so very much, individually and for the potential they held as a couple.  I could feel the bonds of friendship they built from the ground up, could see the "something more" that developed once upon a time gain a new spark of life, and couldn't wait to see it come to fruition.  All the small moments along the way added up to a sweet romance readers won't be able to stay away from...at least, that's THIS reader's point of view.  💕

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Special thanks to all the authors (and publishers!) listed above for the chance to read and share these amazing works (as well as the copies for review!). (THANK YOU!) For more information on any of the books featured, feel free to click through the links provided. Both titles release next week, so mark your calendar or pre order today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

WHAT'S THE BUZZ?: Romance Edition 💗

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're answering the bookish cry of WHAT'S THE BUZZ with a special ROMANCE EDITION.  That's right!  Who doesn't love a good romance?  Am I right?  The titles on the docket today are spread throughout the genre that quite literally has something for everyone.  A few have been released, while a few others are coming up fast, but one other thing they all have in common...I would highly recommend them all!  Ready to add to your TBR?  Here we go!

Bazaar Girls

Townsend Harbor, Book 3

by

Kerrigan Byrne & Cynthia St. Aubin

Release Date:  08/29/23

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

As much as I've enjoyed getting to know this series, I can honestly say that I think THIS ONE was my favorite thus far!  Grant it in book one, we have a bookstore owner getting it on (eventually) with a mysterious recluse that seems to have nothing but her best interests in mind, and yes, they make a damaged (who isn't?), yet mind blowing couple...all making it memorable for certain.  Book two gave us the story of the newcomer in town selling hot double cups of...joe with a side of snappy sarcasm, whit, and wonder, all while equally ticking off and intriguing the local man with a badge that was recently made single (after book one!), until hot under the collar becomes more hot, and sans collar (and then some!), granting us an unexpected couple, but a great fit all the same.  Now, book three, we have opposites attract with the story of the best friend meeting the less than blue collar man of her never dreamed dreams...and while he may be a lot to handle, so is she, in her own way, and remarkably they GET one another...not just get it on.  The layers that are peeled back on each of them, revealing how much more they BOTH are despite the way they get pigeonholed by people, really speaks to embracing your true self, learning to love you first, and not being afraid of letting someone in, nor letting them back out again!  It's just as hot as the others, but it didn't feel like quite as much focus was on ONLY that, giving me more of the story aspect that I love and adore!

Snowy Serendipity

by

Melissa Ferguson

Narrated by: Talon David, Kayla Jackson

Release Date:  09/26/23

In this double novella from Thomas Nelson, you get two GORGEOUS Christmas stories in one fabulous package...or in this case, audio book!  That's right!  I listened to this one through NetGalley (did you know that was a thing?!), and quite honestly fell in love with it!  As opposed to the prior novel featured, this one is squeaky clean, but that doesn't mean there aren't moments of sparkage, moments of closeness, or moments that will make you wear a silly grin and sigh (yes, I totally did this!).  Dashing Through the Snow .... gives us a woman on the romantic holiday trip of a lifetime, having to go it solo thanks to her now ex-boyfriend pulling the plug on the most wonderful time of the year.  Willow seizes the day, thanks to her pushy but loving friend, and not only revels in the spirit of the season, but finds that while her heart may be wounded, it doesn't mean she won't love again...perhaps sooner than she thinks!  Pining for You... delivers the story of Skye and Theo which takes place on a Christmas tree farm.  Old wounds are healed, recreated, and potentially healed once again, but a lot of old truths are brought into a clarifying light, allowing these two matched at heart to find a start in the here and now.  Of the two, I gotta play favorites with the first, but I have no regrets in listening to the second. 

Beachside Kisses with My Bodyguard

Hallmark Beach Small Town Romance, Book 1

by

Kristin Canary

Release Date:  10/11/23

Alright guys and gals, so we're back on track with this one where I'm getting the scoop out to you before the release (woo hoo!).  This time, we're heading to Hallmark Beach as we read and share the first novel in the new series...much love to the author for the chance to be a part of the ARC team!  I loved the setting.  I loved the characters.  I loved how the Princess was so much more than just royalty, even when many kept trying to label her for past mistakes.  I loved that she was eventually able to put that behind her, and discover what she truly wanted in both love and life so that following her dreams was simply the next most logical step, even if she did have to sort out exactly what they were in order to take that step.  I loved our fearless Muscles (obvious nickname, but cute nonetheless!), and his noble desire to keep HIS desire off the table, and under lock and key.  The back and forth between them was a little torture, but sweet and as it eventually leads to a HEA that we readers love with all our hearts; it was totally worth it.  The other story line running through it, regarding her brother's "normal" wedding, was a spectacular way to keep things moving along, build a little tension, and also capitalize on creating a memorable setting with notable side characters that (if rumors are true) will be getting their own stories in the future!

Perfect Imperfections

by

Mariah Ankenman

Release Date:  10/24/23

🔥🔥🔥

Last, but certainly not least, we have the forthcoming release from an author whose work I've read several times, and the love for those stories just keeps growing!  This particular title is near and dear to the author's heart because it features a character with OCD. You may know what it is, heck you might even have it or know someone who does, but a few important things to remember...it varies from person to person, the compulsions or rituals they perform are specific to them and not something that can simply be turned off, and a person with OCD is just that a PERSON with ocd...they are not their diagnosis; they are themselves.  Unique, original, and with their own idiosyncrasies, just like the next person.  No one is exactly the same as the next, but all deserve love, kindness, and acceptance.  In this story, the characters are true to themselves.  There are no magical turn of events that solves their problems.  There are no potions or amount of attention that removes their symptoms, or diagnosis...and that is SIMPLY PERFECT.

I adored Ellie for everything she did, and everything she was.  From her problems to her solutions, her witty wardrobe (so would wear those shirts!) to her care of others, the way she interacted with the animals to how she handles Sullivan...and now I'm getting off track.  (LOL!)  There is not a moment that I felt a disconnect from her character, or a falsity in her personality.  She was simply her, and eventually learns to love that even more about herself.  Sullivan was a perfectly imperfect specimen of a man that most woman and their mother's would go gaga for..but for me, though his outer beauty can't be denied, his inner beauty is a real heart breaker.  He adores his little girl (who wouldn't?  Charlotte is a doll!), cares for all of his patients beyond the clinical aspect of medicine, takes the white coat off at home but leaves the amount of care and understanding that he has remains because it's simple him.  Watching these two come together was PURE MAGIC.  I laughed, I gasped, I blushed, and grinned like a lovelorn schoolgirl, and by book's end the HEA was in the bag!

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Special thanks to all the authors (and publishers!) listed above for the chance to read and share these amazing works (as well as the copies for review!).  (THANK YOU!)  For more information on any of the books featured, feel free to click through the links provided.  Several are available now, while the others are coming soon, so be sure you don't miss out on all the bookish love!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

REVIEW starring... Mail Order Cowboy by Victoria James

2023 is rolling on and the GREAT READS just keep on coming! Today's featured title is newly out via Entangled Amara, and on tour now with TLC Book Tours, hence this being my day to host. Can't say I'm disappointed in the least...because I'm not...I'm over the moon! I love me some Entangled titles and this is an author whose worked I've read before...this series specifically, or at least two of the other three books (*makes note to correct that...must read the missing book*), and thoroughly enjoyed myself between the pages, so it should come as no surprise that this one fell right in line with the rest!  Ladies and gents, today's blog tour guest and book of choice is...

Mail Order Cowboy

Wishing River, Book 4

by

Victoria James

9781649373120

Entangled Amara

Release Date:  December 27th, 2022

About the book...

Hope Roberts has a strict No Cowboys Allowed policy. Between raising her daughter, running her business, and trying to settle into her new ranch, Hope has no room for romance - especially when it comes to cowboys. What she needs is someone to help fix her ranch. But the only person to respond to her ad is the one man Hope still blames for her husband’s death…

In Wishing River, Dr. Dean Stanton is pretty much a legend. Cowboy, doctor, heir to his family’s ranching empire?everyone knows and loves him…with the exception of Hope. But Dean doesn’t trust a complete stranger to keep Hope and her daughter safe. And despite their troubled past, he’s still the best cowboy for her job.

Bit by cautious bit, Hope’s little family of two is making room for the man she once thought of as her enemy. Until one day, Dean looks like the perfect exception to her “no cowboys” rule. But he’s been keeping a secret from her that could destroy their newfound family…

Each book in the Wishing River series is STANDALONE:

* The Trouble with Cowboys

* Cowboy for Hire

* Wishing For A Cowboy

* Mail Order Cowboy

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I've said it before and I'll say it again, the cowboy hat, boots, and massive buckles don't do a thing for me...so why do I read what can be classified as Western Romances?  Ah, well, if you already read them, than you're in the know, but if not, let me introduce you to the "hero type" represented in many of these stories.  They are flawed, but genuine.  They know how to treat a woman AND her family/friends.  Their circle of friends may not be large, but those within it know they are there for them come heck or high water.  There's nothing you could do to change their mind about you once they've seen your true heart, and that's not meant in a creepy stalker way, but in a he'll-be-there-however-you-need-him sort of way.  They may be good looking, but they don't generally lord it over you, even if the opposite sex does take note.  They live their lives in the moment while remembering the past and cherishing the future.  Have I turned your head yet?  Good, now let's get to THIS story...

Dean and Hope have been around each other since they were in school, but a hesitation to express teenage feelings and the chance to explore what they might have been went with the wind.  He wasn't one to step in on someone else's "territory", so Dean stepped back, politely, and pursued his dreams with the singular focus of someone wanting to make their own way in the world despite their family history, so that one day they could take the reins of the family legacy from the dirty hands of the one currently in charge.  Yes, there is family drama, on his side at least, and severely downplayed considering the pompous a**hat his father truly is, but he gets his comeuppance eventually, so have no fear even in the face of evil.  *glares at Dean's father*  Hope built her life with a husband and child, but was widowed too soon, and left with unanswered questions, heartache, and insecurities.  Her arrival back in Wishing River was suppose to be a new start, but it holds its own challenges that if she doesn't get in front of them, might just mow her down.  Okay, that was more to build suspense because Hope is one heck of a person.  A loving mom, there for her friends, unwilling to take charity without giving something of herself back...you can see why she's held in such high esteem in her circle, and why a certain gorgeous doctor cowboy type man may hold the idea of her close to his heart...but there are secrets they both hold that could tear them apart even if they manage to get out of their own way.

I'm telling you this is one you don't want to miss!  True, they are in their heads a wee much at times, but we all have to work through things before we make our move, it's called being human.  I really loved both of their characters, as well as their friends, because they felt genuine.  Their concerns were relateable, their dreams attainable, their potential for love reachable.  There was a lot of "able" running around, including her little girl that is just so sweet!  She actually helps with some of the adult problems because while they are stuck in their heads, she's reaching with her heart, and her genuine honesty helps them see the way.  A great add to the series, which, as noted above, can be read as stand alone titles, and the perfect way to kick off your new year of reading!

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About the author...

Victoria James is a romance writer living near Toronto. She is a mother to two young children, one very disorderly feline, and wife to her very own hero. Victoria attended Queen’s University and graduated with a degree in English literature. She then earned a degree in interior design. After the birth of her first child, she began pursuing her lifelong passion of writing. Her dream of being a published romance author was realized in 2012. 

SITE

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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours and the Entangled Publishing team for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Entangled Amara, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today! Be sure to CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE TOUR making its way through the blogosphere for more bookish fun!

INSTAGRAM

Monday, December 26th: @pastbookish

Monday, December 26th: @randi_reads

Monday, December 26th: @booksandcoffeemx

Tuesday, December 27th: @nurse_bookie

Wednesday, December 28th: @nsiabblog

Thursday, December 29th: @gallaghergirlreads

Friday, December 30th: @nerdy_book_lover_1987

Friday, January 6th: @everlasting.charm

TBD: Wednesday, December 28th: @megsbookclub

REVIEWS

Tuesday, January 3rd: @sarahs.bookish.reviews

Tuesday, January 3rd: Jathan & Heather

Tuesday, January 3rd: SusanLovesBooks

Wednesday, January 4th: @temmathomas

Thursday, January 5th: @kingarthurof_cat_onsville

Friday, January 6th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Friday, January 6th: @thesleepybookworm

Monday, January 9th: @jenniaahava

Monday, January 9th: Stranded in Chaos

Monday, January 9th: The Romance Dish

Tuesday, January 10th: @edensbookden

Wednesday, January 11th: @bookish.heidi

Thursday, January 12th: @books_and_biewers

Friday, January 13th: @lowkey.bookish

Friday, January 13th: From the TBR Pile

Monday, January 16th: @readaholicdeb

Wednesday, January 18th: @infinite.readlist

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Silver Dagger Book Tours presents... THE COWBOY'S ROAD HOME by Shirleen Davies - SPOTLIGTH + GIVEAWAY!

 

The Cowboy's Road Home

Cowboys of Whistle Rock Ranch Book 1

by Shirleen Davies

Genre: Clean Contemporary Western Romance 

Second chances aren’t a sure thing.
Not when sparks fly between the perfect woman
and a devoted cowboy whose father
is determined to keep them apart.

It’s been eight years since Wyatt Bonner left Whistle Rock Ranch.

After two college degrees and loads of experience helping to run his uncle’s dude ranch, he’s back and ready to take his place beside his father. Sunrise to sunset, he’s all business, hardworking, and dedicated to the family’s horse breeding operation—until Daisy Raines bursts back into his life.

A successful businesswoman, Daisy’s never forgotten her first love. Learning Wyatt has returned to Brilliance, Wyoming, and the family ranch, she faces a hard truth. She still loves the handsome, sometimes cocky cowboy.

After eight years, she expects little, and is surprised when Wyatt makes it clear he wants another chance. The independent Daisy is all in until a significant obstacle blocks their growing relationship.

There’s no sure path to a second chance. Not when Wyatt’s father is dead set against a union including Daisy.

The Cowboy’s Road Home, book one in the Cowboys of Whistle Rock Ranch Contemporary Western Romance series, is a clean and wholesome standalone, full-length novel with an HEA and no cliffhanger.

Watch for other books in the Cowboys of Whistle Rock Ranch series!

Goodreads * Amazon

Shirleen Davies writes romance—historical and contemporary cowboy romance with a touch of suspense, and romantic suspense. She is the best-selling author of numerous series including Macklins of Whiskey Bend, Eternal Brethren, MacLarens of Fire Mountain historicals and contemporaries, the MacLarens of Boundary Mountain, Cowboys of Whistle Rock Ranch, and Redemption Mountain. Shirleen grew up in Southern California, attended Oregon State University, and has degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Maryland. Her passion is writing emotionally charged stories of flawed people who find redemption through love and acceptance. She lives with her husband in a beautiful town in northern Arizona.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Will you be mine? - A VALENTINE PROPOSAL by Viv Royce - REVIEW!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're shining the bookish spotlight on another Entangled Publishing title that hit virtual shelves this past Tuesday (01/13/20) and is so good, it simply can't be contained.  If you're looking for a clean Contemporary Romance to call yours for the upcoming February holiday (or any day for that matter!), this is one you DON'T want to MISS!  Ready, set, let's read all about today's ebook of choice...

A Valentine Proposal

Little Shops on Heart Street series, Book 2

by

Viv Royce

9781682814963

Entangled Publishing/Bliss

About the book...

Just as free-spirited bookstore employee Cleo Davis faces closure of her beloved shop, the owner informs her it will continue as part of the successful Stephens chain. When the chain's risk assessor, the very reserved, very attractive Mark Stephens, enters the store to look over her business plan, Cleo clashes with him right away. Oil and water have nothing on them.

Mark has always followed the rules. But the minute he steps into vibrant and spunky Cleo’s store, he knows he’s in trouble. One moment he’s in her “craft corner” painting bookends with kids, the next in a bidding war with Cleo at a charity auction. He can't deny that opposites attract, and Cleo’s vivacious personality has him rethinking his life in more ways than one.

But when Cleo’s store officially becomes part of the bookstore chain, Mark will become her boss…and completely off limits.

💜     📚     💜     📚     💜     📚     💜

Be still my bookish heart!

This story had all the love, all the unexpected romance, all the bookish joy readers long for and more.  From an adorable meet-cute (picture a bear rescue involving a book castle with a damsel not so much in distress as she in need of assistance and a somewhat unwilling knight in shiny armor happening upon the scene!) to several near misses, smile inducing bonding (where you totally know they are meant to be) to a big fat question mark of if they will actually end up together (not spoiling it...sorry, not sorry!), it's a Contemporary Romance written for the bookish heart in you, and what's more, it's part of a series that sounds rather heart warming too!

I adored (maybe identified with as well) Cleo for her heart, her warmth, her determination, and her spark.  She knew books were more than simply books, and a bookshop was more than a place to house, showcase, and sell them.  It's a place to build community, a place to make connections and lifelong friendships, a place to celebrate the bookish word as much as the thoughts, feelings, and discussions they spark.  It's a living, breathing "being" as much as a place can be all of those things, and the people that run them play just as much an integral part of the equation.  My heart was with her every step of the way as she fought to find a balance between what she wanted for her future while keeping in mind the good of the current shop owner, and the community at large.  As for our reluctant love interest... Mark was definitely a work in progress, but he had good bones as they say.  He knew in his heart of hearts, buried under all that business mumbo jumbo, that what Cleo had was something special...and I'm not just talking about her business sense.  Yes, she made valid cases for the way they did things, and helped shed light on the "why" behind small town bookshops existences, but she also unknowingly opened his eyes to the beauty around him, helped him recapture the joy he had lost, and aided him in rebuilding his inner foundation in such a way that he could essentially have his cake and eat it too.  Whether or not he'd have a partner for sharing that said cake with...you'll only know if you read it!

In the end, a TOTAL MUST READ, and a series that I might just have to backtrack and check out the first installment.  If you like clean romance with oh-so-much heart and book love to spare, this is definitely the book for you.

💜     📚     💜     📚     💜     📚     💜

About the author...

With the same trademark atmospheric settings, relatable characters and cute canines that made several of her cozy mysteries #1 Amazon US and Canada bestsellers in multiple categories, Vivian Conroy pens romance as Viv Royce, creating heartthrob heroes ranging from rugged pilots to royals reluctant to believe in true love who meet their match in that girl next door or the co-worker with the business ideas exactly opposing their own – happy endings guaranteed! When not frequenting fictional worlds, Viv loves to hike (especially in the mountains), craft with paper, felt and clay, and hunt for the perfect cheesecake. Quite active on Twitter, she's the founder of #HistFicChat, a live Twitter chat about historical fiction, featuring authors like Kate Quinn, Anna Lee Huber and Susan Spann, and would love for readers to follow her and connect via @VivWrites.

💜     📚     💜     📚     💜     📚     💜

Special thanks to the Entangled Publishing team for the eARC for review! (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to score your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

Summer Lovin' BLOG TOUR: The Girl He Used to Love by Amy Vastine

Hi guys!

Welcome back to the Friday edition of Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.  

Today, we're playing host to a TLC Book Tours promotion starring a few FAB titles from the wonderful folks at Harlequin Books.  These particular titles are from their "Heartwarming" collection...a series that focuses on heart warming stories (go figure!  ^-^) that make it easy to step into but hard to walk away from.  For those that shy from the Contemporary Romance category for fear of content, let me reassure you now...this is so squeaky clean it could be read in Church, but that doesn't mean the feelings aren't there.  Ready or not, here comes today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

The Girl He Used to Love

Grace Note Records

by

Amy Vastine

9780373367962

Harlequin

About the book...

The past will always be between them 

He swore he'd never return home. Then a flat tire lands Dean Presley back in Grass Lake, Tennessee, and he's forced to confront the woman he left behind. Faith Stratton was once the love of his life. Now her gifted brother could be the rising Nashville star Dean needs for his struggling music label. But it means taking Sawyer away from the horse therapy farm that Faith's so proud of. That won't be easy, especially since those old feelings that started all the trouble… Well, let's just say he can't go back there, because he doesn't want to relive the memories of the terrible accident that drove them apart.

Harlequin   |   Barnes & Noble  |   Amazon

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Faith and Dean are a match made in heaven...if they could ACTUALLY get together in the first place.  Once upon a time, they were attached but then a twist of fate and a horrible tragedy set things in motion that were never meant to be, including the death of more than just their budding relationship.  They say time heals all wounds, but what if the wound itself is never truly dealt with?  The surface may look "all better" but underneath, is it truly part of the past or simply festering for a future blow up?  It may be true we all deal with loss in our own ways, but DEALING WITH IT is the key and one half of this potential happily ever after never truly sorted through their feelings.  That's a lot of bad feelings to bury within, especially when there are so many better ones to feel it up with.  As fate would have it, it looks like an unexpected reunion is in order and they'll be doing a whole lot more than catching up.  Hearts can be broken, but they can also mend...love is funny that way, as Faith and Dean are about to find out.

Honest to goodness truth....I had the HARDEST time getting into this one.  No, really...it was literally painful for me because I wanted to love it SO BADLY, but it just wasn't happening...until it did, and all was well in my reading world.  Let me explain but those former feelings though.  It wasn't the writing, nor the story line itself, both were something believable, enjoyable, and easy to follow.  No, the problem for me was how intent the characters were on blaming themselves or each other (depending on which character we're talking about) for the tragedy that was just that, a tragic accident.  

Faith has been blaming herself F-O-R-E-V-E-R, in no small part to our leading man (Dean...you fool!)...so much so that she's almost handicapped herself from ever finding true happiness again.  She lives for others instead of herself and while it might sound like my logic there is twisted, trust me when I say she quite literally puts EVERYONE before herself.  It's not a kindness when you're not treating yourself kind too.  On the other end of the spectrum, we have the horse's behind that is Dean.  Yeah, yeah, yeah...he's easy on the eyes even when drenched from head to toe after an unfortunate (or perhaps fated) car mishap, but his grief driven reactions, the gut clenching anger he's held on to, and the distance he ran when everything came crashing down were far from noble moves.  At his heart of heart's, he's not a bad guy, and Faith knows that on some level, but the two of them reconnecting is going to take SO MUCH MORE than the power that either of them have.  Good thing they have friends up above...

So you see, not all that started less-than-stellar ends up that way.  By book's end, I was well invested in BOTH of their stories, as well as that of our songbird Sawyer (who's not so bad a catch either!), the family horse ranch (they offer therapy sessions, how cool is that!), and the whole lot of friends/family in Grass Lake, Tennessee.  They're a memorable bunch for many reasons but the biggest one of all is the amount of heart they put into everything they do.  We could all use a place like that now, don't you think?  Perhaps you could be the start of it in your neck of the woods and watch how the ripples spread beyond your own inner circle....just a thought.  Recommended read for Contemporary Fiction fans of all ages.

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About the author...

Amy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read. This USA Today bestselling author lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, three fun-loving children, and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog.

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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours, the Harlequin publicity team, and the authors on this tour for the chance to bring their stories to life from my own experience between the pages (and the review copy too!).  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the other books in the Heartwarming collection, the author, the publisher, or THIS TOUR, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time...happy reading!