Short and Sweet Book Reviews # 340 - Between You and Me by Susan Wiggs, Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts

Between You and Me by Susan Wiggs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a thought provoking story as two cultures meet. Each of the main characters want to be true to their family but each has to come to a decision about what is most important to them. I loved the book and the set up. Both Caleb and Reese should have never met but events bring them together and the attraction is immediate. I think my only problem with the book is wondering why Caleb waited as long as he did to pick up and leave.


Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This continues Fallon's story as she prepares for the battle to come. We see her first on her 13th birthday as she has to leave her family and learn the many things she will need. I liked following Fallon and the other side characters. I got to see how things were progressing in New Hope and other parts of this new world. Many things are set up in Of Blood And Bone but there is much more to come in book three The Rise of Magicks out in November of 2019.

Julia Whelan does a great job with the voices in Of Blood and Bone.

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A Sweet Life Boxed Set (Fourteen Contemporary Romances by Bestselling Authors to Benefit Diabetes Research)

Presents A Sweet Life Boxed Set to Benefit Diabetes Research

_________

I purchased this set when it came out on May 1st.  It is a great bargain and you have a chance to win one set. Scroll down to the Rafflecopter Giveaway to enter. One winner will be chosen and will receive the set by email on June 19th. If you don't win go ahead and buy. It is only 2.99 and the entire amount goes to Diabetes Research.  It is a great chance to read books by some of your favorite authors and a great introduction to new authors.

Book & Author Details for A Sweet Life Boxed Set

Synopsis:

Have your cake and eat it too–your purchase of A Sweet Life helps fight against diabetes!

Priced at only 2.99 (regular price 7.99), indulge in this stunning limited edition collection of fourteen contemporary romances by New York Times and USA Today Bestselling authors…

You can make a difference while you read! All proceeds from the sale of A Sweet Life will be donated to the Diabetes Research Institute via Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

Featuring a foreword by #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber.

Get your copy today!

1500 pages/ 675 000 words

I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre (The Sullivans)

The only woman wealthy Irish pub owner Jake McCann wants is the one he can’t have–Sophie Sullivan, his best friend’s off limits sister. But when the beautiful librarian appears on his doorstep as his every fantasy come to life, even though Jake knows loving Sophie isn’t the right thing to do…how can he possibly resist? (This is the only book in the group I had already read.  I love the Sullivans.  It is a series but you can start anywhere.  I loved Sophie and Jake's story so this is a good place to start.)

On A Night Like This by Barbara Freethy (Callways #1)

From #1 NY Times Bestselling Author Barbara Freethy comes the first book about the Callaways, a big Irish family born to serve and protect, many as San Francisco firefighters.

May Day! By Heather Graham

Members of the Krewe of Hunters team plan a relaxing vacation to jolly old London for the English celebration–they never figured that a May Pole just might be murder.

Shopping for a Billionaire by Julia Kent

When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men’s room of one of his stores, it’s love at first flush.  (I could not read for laughing.  This is a great short fun story).

Built to Last by Susan Mallery

The tale of Aaron Cross, a man who doesn’t know he needs saving…until he meets Marissa Spencer, a heroine inspired by the real life founder of the Motheread/ Fatheread Literacy Program.

A Baby of Her Own by Brenda Novak

Delaney is tired of waiting for the right man–all she wants is a baby. After seducing a handsome stranger, she returns to Dundee to find that same man is actually taking up residence on a ranch just outside of town–where he will very likely realize she’s expecting.

Dare to Love by Carly Phillips

In relationships, Ian Dare offers the bare minimum–until one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor changes his perspective. Their affair heats up and love comes into play, but Riley’s secret past just might cost them everything.

Executive Seduction by Jennifer Probst

When Chandler Santell turns to Logan Grant, the most ruthless CEO in the finance industry to save her beloved Yoga and Arts Center, she never intended to have seduction as part of the plan…

In Too Deep by RaeAnne Thayne

Though fiercely drawn to the comfort of Andrea McPhee’s arms, Will Tanner isn’t sure he can find room for a woman like her in a life focused on vengeance–until he discovers she has secrets of her own.  (Read on my new iPhone and loved the story and the phone.  This is a great RaeAnne Thayne story)

Every Girl Does It by Rachel Van Dyken

Amanda gets a flash from the past when the nerdy kid she rejected in high school suddenly reappears in her life…dead sexy, he’s all man and he wants her.

Homecoming Season by Susan Wiggs

Miranda Sweeney and her family find hope and healing while spending an autumn at Willow Lake after Miranda survives breast cancer.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21857185-a-sweet-life-boxed-set?ac=1

Purchase:

Amazon : http://www.amazon.com/Fourteen-Contemporary-Romances-Bestselling-Diabetes-ebook/dp/B00JGCK05S/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1397186598&sr=1-6&keywords=Brenda+Novak

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781928068112

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-sweet-life-boxed-set-barbara-freethy/1119058714?ean=2940045797030

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/book/a-sweet-life-boxed-set/id852423773?mt=11

Candlelight Christmas (Lakeshore Chronicles #10) by Susan Wiggs

Romance

What Goodreads says:

"#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR SUSAN WIGGS INVITES YOU TO AN UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS IN THE CATSKILLS

A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O'Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season.

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake— Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she's the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas.

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected—a love to last a lifetime."

Candlelight Christmas is the first time I have read a Susan Wiggs' book.  It was an Amazon Vine choice this month and since I have been overdosing on Christmas stories I decided to give this one a try.  It did say that it was great for Wiggs fans and for first time readers. There were a few times that couples were mentioned and I did not know their back-story but none of that mattered.  They were all background and not really a part of the story.

I loved both Logan and Darcy.  Both are divorced and when Logan’s sister tries to get them together they just click.  Seems like a quick romance but that is not what happens.  They have to meet again and again for anything to happen.  Darcy is busy protecting herself from being hurt again.  Logan is starting a new business.  It is fun to see how eventually they do get together but I loved how nothing was rushed. I also liked that there were not pages and pages of sex.

There was an added feature in the book.  At the start of several of the chapters there is a recipe.  Since this is my first Susan Wiggs book I don’t know if this is a regular feature or not.  I will say I would love to try several as they sounded like great.

Candlelight Christmas is a nice addition to the Christmas stories that come out this time of year and for me a good introduction to Susan Wiggs’s writing.    Pick it up for an enjoyable read.

Harlequin published Candlelight Christmas by Susan Wiggs in 2013.

The Charm School by Susan Wiggs

The Charm School by Susan Wiggs is set in the period before the Civil War. The book is a reprint. The Charm School was originally published in 1999. Isadora Peabody is the ugly duckling in a wealthy Boston family. Ryan Calhoun is a charming handsome southerner who is captaining one of the Peabody ships. Behind Ryan’s carefree exterior there is a serious and vital duty he feels he must perform. Isadora manages to secure a place on Ryan’s ship and finds a freedom she has never know. Both experience a life changing experience on the voyage. The fun is in the journey. It is wonderful to watching Isadora shed her stays and proper clothing as she loses her shyness and becomes the beautiful swan. As Ryan notices Isadora he finds in her someone who will help him make good in keeping his promise to his best friend. Together they overcome the problems that face Ryan. This is the first of two stories about the Calhoun brothers. Ryan and Isadora appear briefly in The Horsemaster’s Daughter, another reprint from 1999. Isadora, Ryan, and all the sailors on board keep the story lively and fun. Ryan's ship is Isadora's charm school.