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Showing posts with label Blue Heron series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Blue Heron series. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

SUGAR & SPICE BLOG TOUR: Guest Post with Author Kristan Higgins + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Can you believe it?  It's already FEBRUARY!  It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the winter holidays and such but here we are on the cusp of all things flowers and hearts.  Will wonders never cease...if I can help it, they certainly won't.  ^-^  ...and along with the help of TLC Book Tours and Harlequin Books, you're gonna have another reason to celebrate this month.  That's right!  It's time for a little blog tour fun starring a selection of titles and fabulous group of authors from the ranks of HQN Books in....



...the Sugar & Spice Blog Tour!

Yep.  It's a little bit sweet and a little bit saucy but a WHOLE lotta fun.  Today, I have the pleasure of bringing you a guest post from one of my favorite Contemporary Romance authors who shares with us a little of herself and how she gets the feels in her works just right for her readers.  But wait!  Before I reveal the WHO, let's reveal the WHY behind her being on the tour.  The WHY is simple, to celebrate the latest release in the Blue Heron series.  Ahh, you've guessed who it is now have you.  Smart little readers...but let's get that spotlight primed with a quick look at that new title, shall we?  Ready, set, here we go!




Anything for You
by
Kristan Higgins

About the book...
Before you get down on bended knee…
…you should be pretty darn sure the answer will be yes. For ten years, Connor O'Rourke has been waiting for Jessica Dunn to take their on-again, off-again relationship public, and he thinks the time has come. His restaurant is thriving, she's got her dream job at Blue Heron Vineyard—it's the perfect time to get married.
When he pops the question, however, her answer is a fond but firm no. If it ain't broke, why fix it? Jess has her hands full with her younger brother, who's now living with her full-time, and a great career after years of waitressing. What she and Connor have is perfect: friends with an excellent benefits package. Besides, with her difficult past (and reputation), she's positive married life isn't for her.

But this time, Connor says it's all or nothing. If she doesn't want to marry him, he'll find someone who does. Easier said than done, given that he's never loved anyone but her. And maybe Jessica isn't quite as sure as she thinks…




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Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble




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Shot Through the Heart
A guest post by New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins



That horrible, awful, wonderful moment.

Call me a sadist, but I really do love writing—and reading—those scenes where my hero or heroine is—to quote the great poet Jon Bon Jovi—shot through the heart.

I only love those scenes because I know what lies ahead. And I love having the feels, that wonderful ache in my chest, the sting of tears, where I have to press my lips together or cry. That’s the mark of a great book.

In that moment of loneliness and rejection and sorrow, I always see myself. Like a lot of female characters in romance novels, I loved and was not loved in return.

I remember this one particularly painful time when I was in my twenties, dating a nice guy. His only flaw was that he didn’t love me. And I loved him! I loved him so, so much! He liked me fine. But I loved him, did I mention that?

One night, we went to a going-away party for this other couple. This perfect couple. This couple where you wanted to be her and have him. They were going to the Peace Corps, together. They were engaged, soon to be married.

While we were eating dinner, The Perfect Man reached over and stroked the Perfect Woman’s ear with one finger, and she turned to him. (I think I’ve used this gesture in at least one book, and if I haven’t, I’m going to.) There was such love between them that the air shimmered with it. Time seemed to stop for a second while they simply looked into each other’s eyes.

It was beautiful. Their love was so tangible that my chest ached. And my stomach hurt, because I didn’t have that with my boyfriend. It was undeniable and wrenching. We would never be that in love, that connected, that committed. I loved him. He liked me.

The rest of the dinner party was endless. My boyfriend was having a great time—these were his friends, not mine—and I sat, trying to be cheerful, trying not to cry, swamped by the knowledge that this wasn’t going to work.

Shortly thereafter, we broke up, and it really was for the best. It hurt, but man, it was such a relief, too! Not just to be free of our lopsided relationship, but free to find the kind of love that would make the air shimmer.


And I did. It was worth the wait.





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About the author...

Image result for kristan higgins

KRISTAN HIGGINS is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author and two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA® Award. She is the mother of two lovely kids and the wife of a brave firefighter who is also (perhaps more important) a fantastic cook.

For more information, visit her website at KristanHiggins.com


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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this promotion to you and to author Kristan Higgins for letting us into her world for such a personal share.  I can definitely see why your writing affects readers like me, so much.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, the tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Harlequin Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.


BEFORE YOU GO...



DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!  JUST CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN ALL 10 FEATURED TITLES, A SPECIAL NOTEBOOK, AND A $50 GIFT CARD!


Until next time...GOOD LUCK...and happy reading!


Friday, January 22, 2016

Anything for You by Kristan Higgins

Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're taking a break from the promos to share thoughts from my time between the pages of a late December read that I've been too wrapped up in the Cybils reading to post.  Hey, no apologies here; I warned you I'd be busy this month and most of next!  My only regret would be that if you haven't discovered this one on your own yet, you've seriously been missing out, but then again that can be said about the entire series.  No sense in keeping you in the dark any longer though because it truly should be in the spotlight.  Ladies and gents, join me as we venture across the states to get the story on the other twin of the O'Rourke family clan with today's book of choice...



The Blue Heron series, Book 5
by
Kristan Higgins
9780373789085

About the book...
Before you get down on bended knee… 
…you should be pretty darn sure the answer will be yes. For ten years, Connor O’Rourke has been waiting for Jessica Dunn to take their on-again, off-again relationship public, and he thinks the time has come. His restaurant is thriving, she’s got her dream job at Blue Heron Vineyard—it’s the perfect time to get married.
When he pops the question, however, her answer is a fond but firm no. If it ain’t broke, why fix it? Jess has her hands full with her younger brother, who’s now living with her full-time, and a great career after years of waitressing. What she and Connor have is perfect: friends with an excellent benefits package. Besides, with her difficult past (and reputation), she’s positive married life isn’t for her.
But this time, Connor says it’s all or nothing. If she doesn’t want to marry him, he’ll find someone who does. Easier said than done, given that he’s never loved anyone but her. And maybe Jessica isn’t quite as sure as she thinks…



Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


I gotta say, this series just keeps getting better and better.

Connor O'Rourke is not the easiest chap to get to know and the combination of him with Jessica Dunn, make them about the toughest nuts to crack...or perhaps I should say grapes to crush.  They are both headstrong, loyal to those they count among their family and friends, and...get in their own ways when it comes to love.  I adored how chivalrous Connor was even as a lad.  He and his twin Colleen are as thick as thieves (then and now) and despite the usual brother/sister bantering, he's always been her protector...though she doesn't really need much protecting per se as she could make a stone gargoyle blush if necessary - which I wholeheartedly approve!  Anywho, back to Connor.  He's made quite a name for himself though not in a flashy way and he's the kind of man most ladies would love to have by their side....unless you're Jessica.


Image result for book love


Okay, truth be told, she's not immune to his courteous charms, stellar cooking skills, or ability to make even the most outside outsider feel welcome; she in fact knows this better than anyone else and that's why she's so vehemently stayed away...until now.  You see, she had a bit of a reputation growing up, not fully unwarranted mind you but with a much bigger reason behind it than loose morals, and that along with her shaky family history had led her to believe she's not worthy of the "perfect love" Connor seems to have on offer for her; well that, and her fierce obligation to her brother who is a special case but maybe not as special as she would like to think.  Basically, they are two similar peas in two separate pods that if they could ever get the timing right would be as unstoppable as a fairy tale happily ever after...but that's the challenge is it not?  Getting things right, but you see perfect and right are two different things and though these two may step on their own feet time and again, fate is going to have her say in the end.

In short, I LOVED this installment and getting to know these two colorful characters was fantastic.  They are memorable long after the final page is turned and vividly live on until your next read through, or perhaps the next installment.  ^-^  Recommended highly for Contemporary Romance fans that aren't afraid of a little family drama.





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About the author...

Kristan Higgins


Kristan Higgins is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. Her books have been honored with dozens of awards and accolades, including starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, Library Journal, the New York Journal of Books and Romantic Times.


SITE   |   TWITTER




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Image result for harlequin logo

Special thanks to the entire Harlequin team for the ARC for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the series, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Harlequin Books, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Stay tuned next month as this title along with a few others hits the blogosphere for a special Valentine's Day themed tour!  You never know what you might find...or have a chance to win.

Until next time...happy reading!



Friday, November 28, 2014

In Your Dreams by Kristan Higgins + Black Friday FUN from Harlequin!

Hi guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.


Here's hoping that all my American friends had a FABULOUS Thanksgiving Day celebration yesterday...I know we did.  A family dinner at home and then....shopping.  Yep.  Sad (sorta) but true.  The whole Black Friday shopping craze of old is well...old according to modern America.  I miss it...but I wasn't going to miss ALL the sales and so after the meal and a little rest, 10:00 PM we could be found out and about.  In fact, I just got home not too long before this post with my haul of DVDs.  Hehe.  Hey, it's my guilty pleasure the day after Thanksgiving! Anywho...

I also managed to get in a but of reading this week, and one title not only served to get me in the winter wonderland spirit, but warmed me heart and soul.  It's the fourth book in the Blue Heron series from author Kristan Higgins and if I do say so myself, they just keep getting better.  Ready to meet and greet today's book of choice?  One...two....READ!



by
Kristan Higgins
9780373779314
Harlequin

About the book....
Everyone loves Jack Holland, but Emmaline Neal needs him. Her ex-fiancé is getting married in Malibu and, obviously, she can't go to the wedding alone. In Manningsport, New York, tall, blond and gorgeous Jack Holland is practically a cottage industry when it comes to rescuing desperate women. He knows the drill, Em figures, so he won't get the wrong idea. 

What Jack needs is an excuse to leave town. Ever since rescuing four teenagers from a car wreck, he's been hailed as a hero and the attention is making him itchy, especially since his too-pretty ex-wife is back, angling for a reunion. He's always liked Emmaline. She needs a weekend date? No problem. 

So when they wind up in bed together, Em chalks it up to red wine and chocolate cake, just one impulsive night not to be repeated. But Jack's pushing for more, and if she lets down her guard, either she'll get her heart crushed again, or discover that Jack's worth more than just dreaming about.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



You know, while reading this book, I finally figured out what it is I like SO MUCH about this series.  It all lies in the author's ability to spin her craft.  How so?  Well, first, she manages to spin a tale with characters you can't help but fall in love with.  Then, she places them in situations that are humorous but touching all at once.  Finally, and this is the BIGGEST one of all in my book, she not only gives us a sweet romance (fairly clean too, woo hoo!) but an actual story.  Seem odd to mention?  Ah, but really, it's well worth the time.




You see, sometimes you get into a book only to find out it has one focus in mind; in the case of the Romance novel, it's usually the lead characters getting together in more ways than one.  In Ms. Higgin's novels, you get that story but something MORE.  For example, this tale could have easily stopped and ended satisfactorily with Jack and Em's trip to California.  Enough had already happened and was happening to call it quits and be finished.  Imagine my surprise when I realized it couldn't possibly end there....I was after all only about halfway through the book!  Now, that could have been the time to panic; after all, how much more could really happen without losing the reader along the way?  However, much more DOES in fact happen and to my happy little reader heart, I wasn't bored for a minute, lost along the way, nor looking for a way to end things quickly.  Nope....in fact when things DID end, I wished I had read slower so as not to have to say goodbye to everyone in Manningsport so soon!

So, do I recommend this book?  I do indeed with a heart full of joy, a belly full of laughs, and a smile upon my face.  Jack Holland will get any girl's blood going and Em is the perfect answer to the swoony waifs that can often plague this particular genre.  If you haven't checked out the previous novels in the series, I suggest you do...but there's no need to delay this read, it works eloquently as a standalone as well.




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Special thanks to Lisa at Harlequin Books for the chance to bring this title to you as well as the review copy.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their full catalog, be sure to stop by their official site or connect with them on social media.  This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.  Speaking of this title as well as BOOKS in general....it being BLACK FRIDAY and all, I couldn't let you go without sharing a SPECIAL SALE going on RIGHT NOW!





SAVE 40% SITE WIDE TODAY ONLY!
VALID ON ALL TITLES, PRINT AND EBOOK!
JUST USE COUPON CODE BF2014 AT CHECKOUT!



Until next time...happy reading!


Thursday, July 17, 2014

Waiting on You by Kristan Higgins

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place where voracious reading habits are not only okay but ENCOURAGED!


With the summer sun boiling down (on most of us anyway), our thoughts tend to slip away to relaxing days spent lounging with a cool drink in one hand and a good read in the other.  Of course, summer is also the time for “beach reads” and “guilty pleasures”; you know, those ones that have a little romance to whisk your cares away.  Ah yes, well those of you that follow my site already know that while I can be a hopeless romantic, I like a good story as well.  None of this all “action” no attraction B.S.  I am a reader that wants it all…and guess what? I know an author who in my experiences thus far, DELIVERS!  Now grant it, my scope of experience is limited to TWO so far, but hey…you’ve got to start somewhere and BOTH reads have been wonderful; unbeknownst to me (initially), they also happen to be part of the SAME SERIES.  *gasp* *SHOCK* *awe

Yeah, color be surprised when I was looking at the cover about to embark on this read and discovered the Blue Heron series marker in small print.  I remembered the first one (The Best Man), realized I missed out on the second one (The Perfect Match)…something I’ll be remedying soon, and jumped right into this one without a worry or care if I’d miss anything.  Guess what guys?  I was right!  It works perfect as a stand alone but allows you to visit with the characters and couples you’ve met previously and…oh, wait.  I’m rambling aren’t I.  *ahem*  Allow me to introduce today’s book of choice….




(Book 3 in the Blue Heron series)
By
Kristan Higgins
Harlequin HQN
9780373778584


About the book….
Is your first love worth a second chance…? 

Colleen O'Rourke is in love with love…just not when it comes to herself. Most nights, she can be found behind the bar at the Manningsport, New York, tavern she owns with her twin brother, doling out romantic advice to the lovelorn, mixing martinis and staying more or less happily single. See, ten years ago, Lucas Campbell broke her heart…an experience Colleen doesn't want to have again, thanks. Since then, she's been happy with a fling here and there, some elite-level flirting and playing matchmaker to her friends. 

But a family emergency has brought Lucas back to town, handsome as ever and still the only man who's ever been able to crack her defenses. Seems like maybe they've got some unfinished business waiting for them—but to find out, Colleen has to let her guard down, or risk losing a second chance with the only man she's ever loved.






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Okay, so back to my rambling, but I promise to reign it in a little. ^_^
It’s a Contemporary Romance but it reads like the best romantic comedy movie you’ve ever seen.  True story!  I could not stop laughing, smiling, and in general sharing bits of what was happening with whomever happened to be around me at the time.  I’d be all…hahahahahaHA!  So she’s trying to make dinner for him and bites off more than she can chew…but then she tries to be all kitten-esque and REALLY sets things ablaze!  No with actual fire!  It’s HI-larious with a capital everything…trust me, you just have to read it.  *giggles*  Anywho….


The characters are FANTASTIC!  Colleen is a riot but with a good head on her shoulders (except maybe where Lucas is concerned [and even then she really tries] but can you really blame her?  No, no you can’t…) and a heart of GOLD.  As the town matchmaker, her acquaintance or friend status with everyone there serves her well, as does her bar owning/tending roles.  I loved her relationship with her twin brother though some real life siblings may beg to differ (not me, only child).  How she got on with her mother and dealt with her father was funny, tragic, and real all at once.  Her connection with her half-sister Savannah was so sweet and a definite “be yourself” message for all.  She even gets the “girl power” going when working with Paulie on her love interest.  She’s got a natural charisma that comes across fantastically…but where there’s charisma, there’s definitely without a doubt got to be Lucas. 

If you were going to swoon ladies, here’s your chance.  Whether it be his looks (*le sigh*), his smarts (would have been a lawyer if not for a fork in his life path), or his heart (whether objection of adoration or friend, he’s got your back), you’ve got the complete package here…with but one downfall…expressing himself.  He’s great with the action and the reaction but when it comes to just laying all his cards on the table and letting what be, well…be…he runs into a few road blocks.  The plus side, when you know the why behind it all, it not only makes sense but shows you he really was only trying to do what he thought would be best for all; limiting the hurt and protecting those he cares for most.  The down side…in those situations that he’d like it to work the most, it usually backfires leaving quite a path of destruction in its wake, usually in the form of a broken heart.  (Poor Colleen!)  Don’t worry ladies, not all roads end in heartbreak for our dreamy eyed leading man…you’ll see.



That my friends covers our leads but that’s really only a fraction of it all.  Character wise we’ve still got Bryce, Gail the Tail (funny story there…sorta), and…you see where I’m going with this? Perhaps characters aren’t your bag though and it’s all about the story for you….no worries there my friend!  We’ve got someone with advanced health issues nearing the end of their days.  We’ve got a love match that could be if one party would try someone outside their usual box.  We’ve got old flames reignited (not speaking of our leads here either!), new flames burning bright, the trials of childhood, doors that won’t open and those that should have a long time ago.  But enough about my time in Manningsport, I’d say you’re long overdue for a trip….

In conclusion, a GREAT, WONDERFUL, ENGAGING and SATISFYING read that you simply must check out….I insist!  If you’re a fan of this genre, the author, or just like a story that will make your heart melt and your tear ducts run dry, this is definitely a book that should be on your “to read” list.  Recommended for older teens through adults.




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About the author…



Kristan lives with her family in a small Connecticut town that boasts a wonderful library, a great agricultural fair, a really good ice cream stand and not much else. She is the mother of two lovely kids and the wife of a brave firefighter who is, perhaps more importantly, a fantastic cook. Pets include a cheerful Lab mutt, two cats and the occasional, short-lived beta fish.

Previously a copywriter, Kristan began writing fiction when her children graced her life with simultaneous afternoon naps. Writing, she found, was infinitely more satisfying than folding laundry, and so began her first novel. Kristan holds a BA in English from the College of the Holy Cross, which enables her to identify dangling participles and quote many great novels.

Kristan and her crew spend as much time as possible at the family home on Cape Cod, where they shiver in the Atlantic, ride bikes, swat horseflies and don't catch any fish.



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Special thanks to the fabulous folks at Harlequin for the review copy and always keeping us up to date on the latest and greatest. (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their growing catalog, be sure to stop by the official site, like them onFacebook, follow them on Twitter, or pin them on Pinterest.  This book was released April 2014, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.  Oh and for all you fellow Blue Heron fans out there (*jumps up and down while raising BOTH hands*), you’ll be pleased to know that there will be a FOURTH title joining this series this October entitled, In Your Dreams (at least at the time of this post)!  Did anyone else’s wish list just grow because MINE SURE DID.  ^_^

Until next time…happy reading!





Wednesday, March 13, 2013

BLOG TOUR: The Best Man by Kristan Higgins

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be whether you are dead to the world tired or so amped up on life that you're about to burst; there's room for one and all!

So, today we are playing host to a Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc (better known through BookTrib) blog tour featuring a WELL KNOWN author who has published MANY previous works but...is in a genre that I don't normally tap.  Correction:  I've NEVER previously read a book actually in THIS genre/category. Which one is that you might ask?  
*drum roll*


ROMANCE


Shocked?
So was I, especially since in my review policy I actually list it as one of those cat's I don't read.  Silly me, I should have remembered, banning (completely without individual consideration at least) is for the close minded...and if you can't be open minded in books than where CAN you be?  (Rhetorical question.  No need for elaborations...)  If you are quite over your initial shock, please join me in welcoming today's blog tour, and first of it's genre to this blog book of choice....


by 


About the book...
SOMETIMES THE BEST MAN IS THE ONE YOU LEAST EXPECT...
Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she’s ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family’s vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there’s some great scenery there....
Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief—and best friend of her former fiancé. There’s a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it’s not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she’s having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle.



Oh where to begin, where to begin.
Let's see...I loved the main characters, all of them actually (even her mis-directed love interest...ahem).  I loved the fact that for every ounce of perfection they seemed to have, they were equally balanced by a flaw whether self perceived or actually there.  Faith with her pureness of heart, always falling for the wrong guy even when she pretty much stalks them prior to accepting the actual date...not to mention the misplaced feelings of blame she's been harboring for so many years (you just want to hug her or offer your shoulder to cry on with a pint of Ben & Jerry's).  Oh and speaking of Ben & Jerry's, totally loving the fact that Faith wasn't described as a wisp of a thing but more along the lines of the "every woman"...you know, good looking/pretty but still wanting to lose a few pounds.

Jeremy with his football hunk physique combined with a heart of gold...which ends up beating for the "other team" if you know what I mean...who may know Faith like the back of his hand and yet doesn't have the sense (or perhaps strength of heart) to break things off WAY earlier.  Yeah, that was a shocking revelation...well to most of those in the story; us readers get the inside scoop in the prologue.  Then we have Levi who, yes, is Jeremy's best friend, and yes, definitely a contender for the "hottie" title, but the guy is as subtle as a moose in a china shop...except when it comes to his true feelings and that's what gets him into trouble WAY more often than not because he's a closed book!  Fort Knox would be easier to infiltrate. *shakes head*  So, you see....lots to love, lots to loathe but they are each granted a measure of both making them a bit more HUMAN.

Reminds me of a particular scene...
As far as the genre/category moniker, I have to say for me or at least what I think of when I think "Romance", it was more along the lines of Women's Fiction or Chick-Lit with a bit more bite...and no, no pun intended.  Minds on the book people, minds on the book!  No really though, the "hot and heavy" stuff was kept to a minimum and the "bodice ripping" moments are...okay, so there is a tank top that she loses but it's brief, merely inter-spaced within the story line. Speaking of the story line, as I said, there is MUCH more going on here than merely a search for love...not that there's anything wrong with THAT as a story line, but the role it played in this story for me seemed almost second fiddle.  Faith was left at the altar, a mind blowing experience especially the way it played out.  She ran, made a new life for herself and is brought back to the family homestead by her sister (which by the way, she has SEVERAL of - and a brother - and they are all memorable in their own right) to help in a family matter that deals with the heart, yes, but uncovers lost years of guilt and shame shouldered (as we discover...though I won't tell you how, by whom, or any other details...humpfh) in err.  There are friendships rekindled, new acquaintances met, and lost ties re-knotted...not to mention memories made.

Oh and speaking of those memories, just try picking just ONE as your favorite.  Like the time she flushes her sweater down the automatic toilet (bwahahaha!) or the date she is set up on with a seemingly regular "Joe" that turns out to be more "50 Shades" (whoa... *-*...yeah, she and I both were glad that was in conversation only and I loved how the author worked in a vague mention of the fairly infamous trilogy).  That's not even mentioning the flashback (and present day) encounters with the opposite sex (and no creepy perv guy SO doesn't count!); think weak knees and smile inducing moments that leave you breathless.  Too cute, too sweet, too funny, too FUN!

So, in conclusion...a sweet story with much MUCH more than a simple romance at heart.  The cast of characters are so quirky and endearing, so maddening and sweet, so "little bit of everything" all at once that you won't want to let go once the ending arrives.  You'll want to go back and join in their muddled conversations over dinner where everyone talks at once and yet is somehow heard midst the brouhaha.  You'll leave room on your calendar to take part in the frozen grape harvesting where you might freeze your butt off but you're part of a team that loves you just the way you are. You'll even be jonesing to pick up Blue's favorite tennis ball, all dirty and drool covered, to fling across the park so his Golden Retriever happiness can run amuck amuck amuck.  (He's such a sweetie!)  It's a big mix of what life has to offer with good friends, family and hope for a future filled with what else...LOVE.

Author Kristan Higgins
Recommended read for adult readers...and perhaps even older teens; as I said...the "usual" romance aspects are kept in check for the most part, but there are definitely a few steamier scenes...and yeah, can't say you'd want to miss them here.  So, yes...I'm GLAD I took a chance on this book; HAPPY even.  Just goes to show you that reading outside the box can sometimes net some pretty sweet results.


Review copy received courtesy of Liz at Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this tour as well as those upcoming, be sure to stop by their site or pay a visit to BookTrib, where everyday is a literary feast!  (Also, they're on Twitter! ^_^)  To learn more about author Kristan Higgins and her complete body of works, drop in over at her site, catch up on her blog, like her on Facebook or follow along on Twitter.  This book was released just last month via Harlequin and should be available now on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time...happy reading!




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