BOOK REVIEW- Rosanna's Gift by Susan Lantz Simpson *

Description

In Southern Maryland’s serene Amish country, one young woman’s life is changed by an unexpected request . . .

“She’s yours.” Until now, Rosanna Mast’s hopes for the future have all revolved around handsome Henry Zook. But when a young Englisch girl places her newborn daughter in Rosanna’s arms and utters those words, shock quickly turns to fierce, protective devotion. Between helping her midwife mamm and caring for her own siblings, Rosanna has plenty of experience with babies. And who wouldn’t love a sweet-natured boppli like little Mollie? Yet to her dismay, Henry has no intention of ever taking on another man’s child. Instead, it is steady, thoughtful Paul Hertzler who becomes Rosanna’s staunch supporter.

Paul knows he should have acted sooner on his feelings for Rosanna. Now, as her dream of adopting Mollie meets unexpected hurdles, he sees a way to help. Rosanna would do anything to keep baby Mollie—perhaps even agree to marriage. But will Rosanna continue to hold him at arm’s length, or see that he longs to offer her the love and family she deserves? AMAZON LINK
                                                                                                          4 STARS


I really wasn't looking for a Amish book to read.
Because so many have disappointed me and there is just so few that I liked.  But I have to say when I saw this book cover, I slowed down to take a closer look.  I think it was the tenderness on the woman's face , freshness of the picture and the title of the book.   And the book information pulled me in even  more.  So, I did end up liking this book.

Emma is Rosanna's best friend and she was someone that added some honest, fun spice to the book.  Their friendship was also sweet and wholesome with laughter too.
I also enjoyed the Amish family that Rosanna was part of.  You could feel the love shine in their interactions.  They were shown in a positive light but with the usual quirks you might find in any family.  Like brothers teasing their sisters and brothers practically eating everything in  sight.  Family.
Frannie (another Amish girl) shows that girls will be girls no matter where they live.  As English or Amish, they can be catty.  Can anyone say Meow? 
Paul wasn't sure about how to really get Rosanna's attention on him but he did show up and they start a slow friendship. He was such a good person in so many ways and I liked that we got both of their P.O.V.'s.   Rosanna was a bit gun shy with Paul.  She didn't trust her feelings about guys after her non-starter romance with Henry.   The story did slow down for a bit at one point. Mainly because of several issues being re-hashed a few extra times.  I had to remind myself that Rosanna was a young girl who was disappointed in her "first love" experience and was trying to find her way.  Then, add a baby.   However, about the time I was going to mentally complain, things began to happen again in the story.    
Overall, I enjoyed the story. So glad that I picked it up to read.
 

  “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- Much Ado about a Widow (The Widows' Club Book 4) by Jenna Jaxon *

Description

Lady Georgina Kirkpatrick defied her family, jilted her fiancé, and married the man she loved. But when her husband died at Waterloo, she was delivered right back into her father’s power . . .

Victory is sweet—but England’s triumph was Georgie’s rout. Now that she’s widowed, the loathsome marriage her father first arranged has simply been renegotiated. With neither money nor rights, and nowhere to flee, all she can do is cherish her last weeks of freedom. . . . Until a band of ruffians overtake her carriage and kidnap her. When she escapes in seaside Brighton and encounters her brother’s rather wild friend, Lord St. Just—whom she suspects aspires to be a pirate—she’s prepared to entertain more of his adventurous suggestions than usual . . .

St. Just knows his mind and his duty, and he loves a challenge. Helping a fair lady make her farewells to hoodlums suits his talents well. Within the hour he has Georgie, her lady’s maid—and her little dog
too—sailing for his castle in Cornwall. Meanwhile, the lady’s entire family, her kidnappers, and her scheming intended are in pursuit. But as he and the indomitable Georgie grow closer, he begins to suspect that together they will prove a match for them all . . . AMAZON LINK
                                                                 3 STARS

I had a hard time getting into this story.  It started out okay but it didn't really draw me in all that well.
No one should be forced to marry someone they don't want to of course.  And I understood why Georgina was going to go along with marrying Lord Travers.   HOWEVER, I had a problem with Georgina's thinking.  She is repulsed by Travers, he's a leering creep, with a horrible reputation that she has heard about.   But more than once she thought she had already married the love of her life so how bad could it be?  Yes, I know the alternative is to be tossed out on the street without anything and no one to help her. Come on...and she's been married before and she doesn't think it couldn't be that bad?  Ah, someone slap that chick on the side of her head!    Okay, I've calmed down now and realize that Georgina has been doing a whole lot of lying to herself in order to force herself to marry The Creep.    And speaking of force, her father is one arrogant, my-way or the highway kind of guy.  And nothing is below him when it comes to forcing people to do things his way.  Sorry never going to like that guy.  

Georgina's brother Jemmy and his wife Elizabeth add to the story although there really isn't much they can do to help her.  They want to but daddy dearest holds the purse strings and there is no give at all on that.  Georgina's maid, Clara and Georgina's beloved dog, Lulu are on her side.  But once again not much they could do either. 
Things speed up rather rapidly around Chapter Twenty as one time after another the main characters are pursued.  Not to worry though, not only is there danger but also some humor and a H.E.A.   It  wouldn't say that it's a favorite but it did have some good points. 

  “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- Forever My Duke ( Unlikely Duchesses) by Olivia Drake *

Description

“I find Miss Fanshawe to be quite charming—for an American.”—The Prince Regent
Hadrian Ames, the Duke of Clayton, needs a bride. He even has the perfect one picked out. That is, until he meets the lovely, free-spirited Natalie Fanshawe. She’s the opposite of what a man of his high rank should desire in a wife—an outspoken American who has never even set foot in a London ballroom.
But Natalie doesn’t have time to be swept off her feet by a handsome duke who must be a spoiled scoundrel like every other British lord. And she couldn’t care less about Hadrian’s title. After all, it’s not as if he actually worked to attain his wealth and status. He surely can’t understand what it’s like to be a busy woman, planning to open a school while trying to reunite a six-year-old orphan with his English relatives. Nevertheless, Hadrian launches his campaign to win her heart. Can the utterly delightful American beauty ever find a way to love him…despite his being a duke?
AMAZON LINK
                               4 STARS

I had mixed feelings on this one at first but for the most part I liked it.  That probably had to do with the complex, interesting main characters.  Hadrian came across as haughty, cold and unfeeling as well as arrogant.  I have to admit that I didn't like him much at first.  But as the story goes on you get to know that he is also so much more.  Everything in the area of his emotions have been locked down tight. And as you read about how he was raised by his cold, unfeeling guardian it gets real clear how that came about. 
That is about to hit a wall when he meets up with Natalie. His high handed ways and his title don't impress her one bit.  In fact she wouldn't have ever set even one foot on English soil if it wasn't for her promise.  A promise to her dying best friend to bring her son, Leo to his grandfather in England.  And a cold "welcome" is what Natalie and Leo encounter. 
Leo was quite the scamp who kept things lively.  I also enjoyed the interactions between Leo and Natalie.  And eventually Hadrian, who teased him by affectionately calling him brat.  
There are times when the story slows down and it doesn't feel like much is happening.  That was one of the things that I didn't enjoy as much.  
While Natalie and Hadrian try to work out their differences and there feelings, there is a greedy threat that has to be addressed.  But both of our main characters are well up for the challenge.  Bringing the story to a happy conclusion.  


 “I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- The SEAL's Unexpected Triplets by Katie Knight *

 Book Details

Cora Caspian has been nanny to adorable triplet girls since the day they were born. But when their parents die in a tragic fire, she’s more than a bit stunned when their will dictates that a particular former Navy SEAL become the girls’ co-guardian with her. She’ll be in charge of the girls’ health and happiness…and William Royce will keep them safe. Of all the men in the hired security firm, William seems to her to be the least likely to take care of three toddlers. He’s all alpha male, muscle, and military might—not at all what the girls need. And certainly not at all what Cora needs—even if he is the sexiest man she’s ever seen. Having been raised as a military brat, she knows what it’s like to grow up in a home with a man who puts duty first and feelings last—just like William. Turns out, though, William is nothing like her father. He takes his job seriously, but he’s good with the girls in a way she never could have anticipated. And when he’s alone with Cora, good doesn’t begin to describe how he is…

As an orphan with no idea how to be part of a family, being named guardian of three toddlers just might be William’s worst nightmare. Even worse is sharing a home with their stunningly attractive nanny-turned-mother, who’s made it perfectly clear she thinks he’s the wrong man for the job. But when it becomes apparent someone’s trying to harm the triplets, William’s protective feelings get riled up. Cora is riling up feelings too, ones he can’t ignore. Suddenly, being part of a real family may be what his lonely life needs—even if it’s only temporary.

As the danger to the triplets grows, William realizes all the warm and fuzzy feelings are getting in the way of his duty. To protect the triplets, he’ll have to put up a wall between the new family he’s built, but losing Cora and the triplets might just destroy him.

                               4 STARS

The unusual story line in the book information is that first thing that grabbed my attention. I'm glad that I picked up the book because I did like it.
Paige, Melody and Haley (the triplets) were a handful and they are wearing Cora down to the bone.  But she loves them with every ounce of her being and will do whatever it takes to protect them.  Which brings her to the uncomfortable presentation of William being brought in.   It's more than a suggestion though that he be a part of their household.  The girl's dead parents had made it a part of the guardianship for the triplets.  An unusual condition but it soon becomes clear just how necessary it is.  It does take a while to get to the point where the danger really stands out.  But during that time, "the girls" and Cora start to work better as a team with William.  As you can expect though there will be some flare ups!
Each little girl has such a distinct personality.  Paige is the leader with kind of an Alpha like personality.  Melody is the smiling, cheerful one, who only pushes back when she needs to.  Haley is the quieter, shy one, who is very tenderhearted.  It was interesting to watch as time went on how other strengths started to show up as time went on.  William is very secure in his ability to keep everyone safe.  Not so secure when it comes to interactions with kids.  We do find out through his actions that he has abilities in that area that he didn't know he had.  After a few things happen he begins to question those security abilities because of his split attention with Cora and the girls.  More than once he cuts himself off from them to keep them safe. You can just image the confusion that causes and not just for them. One of the cute quirks that Cora had that made me smile was when she got a chance to read, she left odd bookmarks in a book. 
I had someone on my radar as a suspect when it came to who was threatening the girls and it turns out that I was right.  But that didn't ruin things for me because curiosity kept me going.  What other dangers are going to be thrown at the "family" and how does the villain get found out? The "why" is always a nice touch but not too hard to figure out.  I wanted the "Who",and "How" exposed and overcome.
Cora and Williams have their moments of "heat" as they struggle to overcome their baggage about a true romance.  
It all ends with a smile-worthy Epilogue. 


 "I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- Cut and Run by Fern Michaels *

Description  -THE 30TH SISTERHOOD NOVEL

The Sisterhood: a group of women from all walks of life bound by friendship and a quest for justice. Armed with vast resources, top-notch expertise, and a loyal network of allies around the globe, the Sisterhood will not rest until every wrong is made right.

It’s been three months since Countess Annie de Silva slipped away from her home before dawn, leaving a cryptic note and no clue as to her destination. That’s an eternity for friends as devoted as the Sisterhood. Now they’re desperate to ensure that their founding member is alive and well, and that means tracking her down—wherever in the world she might be.

Myra Rutledge, Annie’s closest confidante, knows the secrets of Annie’s past, including the remote mountain in Spain where Annie spent some of the best—and worst—days of her life. Annie vowed that she’d never return to the mountain or the stunning monastery there. But the memories of the past have called her back. Now, she needs allies who are fearless, loyal, and willing to do whatever it takes to see justice done. And with the safety of one of their own on the line, the Sisterhood won’t let her down . . .  AMAZON LINK

                                                  4 STARS

I've read quite a few books in this particular series.  They generally fell into one of three categories for me.  I either thought it was Just Okay, I liked it or I loved it.  This one is a solid I liked it.  
I will say that I thought Myra made kind of a bone head decision when she went haring off to try to save Annie.  But I get her emotional motive too.  She loves Annie like a sister and has for years; they are tight. 
This time around Annie and Myra are more all on their own.  They encounter unusual circumstances but also some unusual help too!
Not to worry their "Calvary" does show up to help them.  Their Calvary included both the female and male versions of their select group.  That included multi-talented Cyrus who finally gets to put the bite on someone in the story.  For those of you who don't know Cyrus is an unusual dog who owns Nikki and Jack.  And he would be highly offended if anyone was to call him just a dog.  Although in this story his quirkiness isn't as up front as in the other stories.  
I will say that even if you haven't read any of the other books in this series, it would still be pretty easy to follow.  You'd miss some of the background that would have added more depth but you wouldn't get lost. 
I also liked the touch of softness that we got to see with Avery Snowden, the super spy. 
Everything comes to a good conclusion which is covered in the Epilogue.  With a sweet surprise that Annie, The Countess helps bring about.
However, I sure would have liked to see more of what happens to Enrico.  In the "old days" of this series there was more of a punishment that fit the crime and we would see where the villain ended up. I know it might not seem nice but I miss that.   Only part of the move against him was seen. The rest was left to the imagination once Snowden helped remove him. It was like "pouf" he was just gone.

	“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- A Princess in Theory (Reluctant Royals #1) by Alyssa Cole *

Between grad school and multiple jobs, Naledi Smith doesn’t have time for fairy tales…or patience for the constant e-mails claiming she’s betrothed to an African prince. Sure. Right. Delete! As a former foster kid, she’s learned that the only things she can depend on are herself and the scientific method, and a silly e-mail won’t convince her otherwise.
Prince Thabiso is the sole heir to the throne of Thesolo, shouldering the hopes of his parents and his people. At the top of their list? His marriage. Ever dutiful, he tracks down his missing betrothed. When Naledi mistakes the prince for a pauper, Thabiso can’t resist the chance to experience life—and love—without the burden of his crown.
The chemistry between them is instant and irresistible, and flirty friendship quickly evolves into passionate nights. But when the truth is revealed, can a princess in theory become a princess ever after?   AMAZON LINK
                                                      4 STARS


This book was different, a bit unusual in it's plot.  But I liked it.  Well, at first I wasn't sure and kept swinging back and forth about it.   Still, the interesting people with complex personalities drew me in When I got to know them it was easy to like them.  Even as different as they were.  Naledi got my sympathy pretty quickly not only because of her childhood but also because of a hardworking life that got little credit.  She was beyond tired but look at all that she is trying to juggle.

 Thabiso has a lot to learn and Naledi (or Ledi as she is often called) is right there to teach him how the regular people live.  It leads to some pretty funny situations.  
This story was not only funny, but it was emotional, romantic with a mix of some mysteries.   There were several well hidden secrets that need discovery.  And they do get exposed.
Something that added to the story was Thabiso's personal assistant Likotsi who has known him for years and keeps him on track.
Ledi had her friend Portia who keeps things interesting too. 
The only thing I didn't care for was the goddess angle but  it is part of that story's culture.   It also doesn't totally take over the story, so there is that.
 

BOOK REVIEW- The Duke's Desire (12 Dukes of Christmas Book 8) by Erica Ridley *

Description

From a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author:
Meg Church adores two things: life in a village of perennial Yuletide, and the freedom of being a spinster with no reputation to protect. Oh, very well, three things: She’s harbored a secret tendre for Christmas curmudgeon Lucien le Duc since the moment she first glimpsed him. But the sexy blacksmith won’t give her the time of day, much less a night of torrid passion.
Ever since Lucien le Duc was forced to flee his beloved France during the revolution, his all-consuming goal has been to recover not only his lost land and fortune, but also his rightful place among the French aristocracy. He would never be distracted by an English dairy maid’s sultry glances… or her soul-consuming kisses… or the temptation to turn one night into forever…
The 12 Dukes of Christmas is a series of heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. Twelve delightful romances… and plenty of delicious dukes!  
AMAZON LINK   

                           4 STARS

 When I first started reading this book I wasn't sure I was going to like it.  But then I fell in love.  I never stood a chance against totally improper, unflappable, hysterically funny Meg Church. And the things that came out of this woman's mouth, oh, my gosh!  She made me laugh so many times throughout the book.   When I wasn't laughing, I was grinning.  And pretty much everyone else in her vicinity ended up feeling her caring, her humor  and were pulled into her "web".   
Scowling Lucien never stood much of a chance against Meg either.   Meg and Lucien both had hard-times and pain in their childhood but Meg met everything with her zest for life.  Both were also hard working and responsible and they were all about family.  In Meg's case she didn't have all that much family left but loved the people she had.  She's also sort of "adopted" other people along the way too.  It was sad to hear her say that every time she was she got something that she wanted, she lost it.  No matter how much she hurt, she just smiled, laughed and tried to move on.  So you can see that this is also an emotional story as well.
Later on Lucien came to an unusual but utterly true conclusion about Meg.  That she was extraordinary, utterly fearless, as unstoppable as a tornado and with a heart big enough to crumble Lucien's staunchest walls. 
There is a wall or two between them though.  One of them is the lure of France for Lucien and Meg's heart being in this forever Christmas village.  Add to that there is another wall between; it's a secret that Meg holds.
The Epilogue holds the details of their H.E.A. which I liked seeing.

"I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”