Welcome to Morgan's Grove... LOVE STARTS HERE by Traci Borum - REVIEW!

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, I'm pleased to bring you the first in a new(ish) series from a new-to-me author that Women's Fiction and Sweet Romance readers will DEFINITELY want to know. The woman behind the pen is Traci Borum, the series is Morgan's Grove...and I simply can't wait to whisk you away to this lovely place full of history, love, laughter, and its own special brand of magic. SO, if you're ready to escape the element of crazy in your day, set your inner compass for today's ebook of choice...

Love Starts Here
Morgan's Grove series, Book 1

by

Traci Borum

Red Adept Publishing

About the book...

Feeling her life is at a standstill, Jill McCallister jumps at the chance to visit Morgan’s Grove, the town founded by her great-great-great-grandfather. Eager to discover her roots and do research for a new book, she drives from Colorado to Texas, excited to meet the inhabitants of her grandfather’s legacy.

Jill immerses herself in the charming community, enjoying the residents and their quirky traditions. When she meets the mysterious Rick Wright, she almost forgets she’s sworn off men, but she’s not willing to risk getting too involved, especially since she will be returning home in a few weeks.

When the winter festival kicks into high gear, Jill and Rick are thrown together to work on a project, and sparks soon fly. Although she fights it, Jill can’t help falling hard for his soulful eyes and flirty smile. But as tempting as Rick is, he’s hiding something, and the mystery writer in Jill is determined to discover his secret.

With the clock running out on her time in Morgan’s Grove, Jill needs to decide what “home” really means to her.

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There's just something extra special about a small town at Christmas...

...oh, wait...I DID mention this story takes place around the holidays, did I not?  Oops!  Let's try that again...

Jill is a writer that's hit the dreaded block in a big way.  Wanting to break free, she turns her attentions to a genealogy article for a magazine, and begins researching the finer art of family trees.  Thing is...it takes a decidedly personal turn when she follows her own roots back and discovers a possible home away from home in a little town called Morgan's Grove.  Following her leads there, she'll uncover much more than she ever dreamed, from friends that are as close as (or closer than) family, traditions made to include all...even those newbies to the bunch...and even the chance to have a place her heart can truly call home.

So, have I hooked you yet?  GOOD because you SO NEED TO BE!  I know the holidays are a ways off still and it's about 100 degrees on a good day where I'm at right now, but there's never a time that is too off center for a heart warming story filled with wonderful characters that takes place in a town like Morgan's Grove.  Seriously, I was captivated by the passages as the author described things from the quaint-almost-too-perfect-yet-not town square to the beauty of the surrounding countryside.  I wanted to traverse the town shops, the covered bridge, the mansion, and the library.  I wanted to meet Lucille, her darling little corgis, and the mysterious Rick with the heart of gold.  I wanted to make the acquaintance of the sisters that run The Pit, converse with all the locals, and sample some of that delicious sounding gingerbread!

In short, I loved my time in this town and getting to know everyone from start to finish was definitely something that memories are made of.  If you're a Women's Fiction or Sweet Romance fan (or even a Hallmark movie fan!), make the trek to Morgan's Grove for your next reading escape. 

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About the author...

Traci Borum is a writing teacher and native Texan. She’s also an avid reader of women’s fiction, most especially Elin Hilderbrand and Rosamunde Pilcher novels. Since the age of 12, she’s written poetry, short stories, magazine articles, and novels.

Traci also adores all things British. She even owns a British dog (Corgi) and is completely addicted to Masterpiece Theater–must be all those dreamy accents! Aside from having big dreams of getting a book published, it’s the little things that make her the happiest: deep talks with friends, a strong cup of hot chocolate, a hearty game of fetch with her Corgi, and puffy white Texas clouds always reminding her to “look up, slow down, enjoy your life.”

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to author Traci Borum for the ebook for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the author, or her previous works, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via Red Adept Publishing, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today!

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



Everything looks.... BETTER IN THE MORNING by Fern Ronay

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Well, it's finally here.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2017.

Here's hoping you have plans to ring in the new year filled with family, friends, and fun.  As for me, I'll be up...not necessarily by choice though.  I've got to work and despite the fact that we're closing an hour early (seriously, 10 PM as opposed to 11 PM... *grumble*), I'll probably still be getting the fur babies in order when the new year rolls in.  Cie la vie...we have to do what we have to do...but one thing we don't HAVE to do, but rather CHOOSE to do is READ and that my friends is a reason to celebrate all its own!

So, we're closing out the year with a look between the epages of a book that, well...let's just say the title works ironically well for my chosen date to post.  It's a Women's Fiction title filled with humor, life changes, choices, and new directions...and a little bit of romance too.  Ready or not, here comes 2017's final title in the spotlight...

Better in the Morning

by

Fern Ronay

9781940215648

Red Adept Publishing

About the book...

Veronica Buccino has a plan: marry John Del Monico and quit her soul-sucking job as a lawyer. And when he tells her he has big news, she’s certain he’ll pop the question. But instead of proposing, John informs her that he’s moving to London. Heartbroken, Veronica feels lost. Salvatore and Antoinette, her dead grandparents,begin to visit her dreams in an attempt to steer her in the right direction. At their suggestion, Veronica takes a news reporting class, which leads to a challenging freelance assignment covering a conspiracy trial. She also begins dating an unlikely suitor: creative Syd Blackman. Just when her love life and career are looking up, Veronica is tossed back to square one by an event that makes her question all her new choices.

AMAZON

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Veronica, Veronica, Veronica...

...what on earth are we going to do with you?

You have the brains and the schooling to do great things in the world of law, but not the gumption to follow through.  That's okay...many people start off on one path in life, but end up choosing another.  The thing is...THEY MAKE THE CHOICE.  You, my dear, are stuck in a proverbial rut and although you wish for escape, you only want it one way...with a ring on your finger from the man you love and a lifetime of bliss ahead.  *snicker*  Hey, I'm not laughing at you or your dream, just the fact that you think there is only one way to achieve it.

I know it was hard for you to have the rug pulled out from under you time and again, but you had a great support system in place.  With friends there through thick and thin (mostly), family you can call on whenever you need (though they appear through pennies), and those uber interesting stories you engrossed yourself within on that human interest site, you've got it made in the shade...well, okay, so not made, so much as the beginnings of something that could be amazing, and that my friend is just as valuable.  I loved the conversations you had with your grandparents in the "place but not a place".  I loved the way you would jump off virtual cliffs to satisfy the desires of those you love without so much as a notion of where you might end up.  The trust you placed in others wasn't always for the best, but it certainly showed us how to approach life with an open heart.

All in all, it was a fun romp through life as it was and could be, if only we'd give it a chance.  Though not the ending I was rooting for (I must have missed the inclinations of a particular person because I seriously thought the love found would be with someone else...), it was a better ending than I thought I saw coming (holy heck if she ended up with that piece of work...). Should've listened to Grandma and Grandpa...knowing the future is no fun! Ultimately, it reminds us that we all have mistakes to make in order to be the person we were meant to be when we arrive at our final destination and reach our own HEAs.

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About the author...

Fern Ronay is a lawyer who has lived in Manhattan, Chicago and now sunny Los Angeles with her husband, but she will always consider herself a Jersey girl. She is working on her next novel. She is also a host at the AfterBuzzTV network. 

SITE  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK

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Special thanks to author Fern Ronay for the ebook 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 in "e" and "tree" formats, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today.

Until next time...HAPPY NEW YEAR...and happy reading!

Willowdale, Book 1: Storm of Attraction by Lily Black

Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're diving between the epages of a book I read earlier this week that took me by storm...pun totally intended and OH SO ON TARGET!  It's the first release in the Willowdale series from author Lily Black and while new on the writing scene, her writing comes off as old hat...as in her written voice sounds MUCH more experienced.  Let's not just speculate about it though, shall we?  It's time to get on with the show!  Ready or not, today's ebook of choice is...

Storm of Attraction

Willowdale, Book 1

by

Lily Black

9781940215860

Red Adept Publishing

About the book...

Alexa Wolving has just one rule: never give a guy a second chance. That works just fine in the safe life she’s built. In the charming town of Willowdale, her day job as a librarian balances perfectly with her evening job as a black belt instructor. But when she attracts the attention of a stalker, Alexa’s carefully built world begins to crumble.

Drew Cosimo knows he broke Alexa’s heart five years ago when he took his first Ranger assignment and disappeared from her life. Now that he’s out of the army, he’s moving back home to Willowdale. He’s not looking for a fight, but making peace would be easier if Alexa hadn’t told the entire town he was a money-grubbing jerk. Despite the tension between them, Drew is quick to offer his protection when a stalker forces Alexa from her home.

As the stalker’s attacks escalate, Alexa and Drew are forced to face their painful past and the simmering attraction between them. They must fight to save each other before everything they care about goes up in flames.

AMAZON  |  B&N  |  GOOGLE  |  KOBO  |  iBOOKSTORE

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Here's the deal...

...this is my site, and I like to keep it "real", so my reactions, while completely my own, may not always sound like the glowing praise of a professional reviewer, nor the burning scorn of a non fan...but you can trust that they are my HONEST opinion from start to finish.  Now that we've established that...

At first glance, I was not enamored with this book.  Taking the cover and the synopsis into account, I thought it might lean too much towards the scary stalker story and leave no room for the potential romance, and though in the past I loved me some Crime Fiction, I've strayed away from it on the regular more recently.  Hey, you already knew that my reviews were scattered across the board.  I refuse to be pigeonholed into one particular niche or another, letting my interest in a title guide me towards or away from any book that crosses my path.  HOWEVER, something about this one called to me despite my initial trepidation and guess what?  I'm OH SO GLAD I heeded that call!

Once I began reading, I just couldn't stop.  Alexa was a strong female lead, and while she could seriously kick some booty if need be (and it definitely "need be" at some point in this book), it was nice to see her considering other options, like giving a particular blast from her past another chance even though she is staunchly against do overs when it comes to relationships.  Hey, I'm not saying she's going to make it easy or that she actually succumbs to those feelings still sizzling away after all these years, but even the moment's thought she gives it is a triumph when considering her past.  Drew, on the other hand, could fulfill all your military man dreams in the blink of an eye...too bad he's stubbornly hung up on the only girl that really got beneath his skin.  Why too bad?  Because, as I said, she's not going to make it easy, nor does he really deserve it to be with the exit strategy he employed the last time they were in each other's lives.  Guess it's a good thing fate (and a crazy butt stalker!  Eeek!) is pushing them together (and testing their limits of self control) despite the imminent danger they are BOTH in....

In the end, it was a thrilling rush of a read that while filled with heart stopping action (it just keeps escalating!), danger (crazy stalker alert!), and suspense (who is more wily, the stalker or them?), still held enough battles of the heart to keep a romance fan's hopes alive and well.  Definitely a must read that should be on your reading list this summer as well as a new series to stay abreast of in the coming months.

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About the author...

Lily Black believes in true love, but she is also quite certain that going after it is the scariest thing we'll ever do. She explores this dynamic in her romantic suspense novels, which are set in the small imaginary town of Willowdale, where people dream big, love deeply, and kick butt if necessary.

Lily has a black belt in Chung Do Kwan Tai Kwon Do, and she has also trained in everything from judo to broadswords. She lives in North Carolina, where she tries to divide her free time between the mountains and the sea. She shares her home with a very patient and loving husband and their teenage daughter. 

SITE  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

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Special thanks to author Lily Black and the Red Adept Publishing team for the ebook 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 seek out your favorite retailer to snag a ecopy or tree copy today!

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