Valentine’s Day is chocolatier Chloe San Valentino’s favorite day of the year. Not only is it the busiest day in her candy shop, Caramelle de Chloe, but it’s also her birthday. Chloe’s got a birthday wish list for the perfect man she pulls out every year: he’d fall in love with her in a heartbeat, he’d be someone who cares about people, and he’d have one blue eye and one green eye, just like her. So far, Chloe’s fantasy man hasn’t materialized, despite the matchmaking efforts of her big, close-knit Italian family. But this year for her big 3-0 birthday, she just might get her three wishes.
Purchase Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Wishes-Candy-Hearts-Romance-ebook/dp/B019YHFGWQ
REVIEW:
RATING: 3.5 Stars
Chloe San Valentino runs a successful candy store and faces a very busy Valentine’s Day. But that is also her birthday. This year she turns 30, and she’s still single, much to the concern of her very Italian family. For years, Chloe’s held on to a birthday wish-list, three specific wishes: a man who would fall in love with her at first sight, who would care about people, and who would have special eyes, just like hers, one blue and one green. Could this be the year those wishes actually happen?
‘3 Wishes’ is a somewhat predictable, but also a fun story, as you follow Chloe and her family through what turns into a very challenging Valentine’s Day. Not only does she get a very attractive customer who does actually have eyes like hers, and appears very interested in Chloe, but when the San Valentino family rushes one member to the hospital, they meet the man again – he’s a doctor, caring for people. So, while the whole family copes with their medical crisis, Chloe faces the possibility of at last getting her three wishes.
The San Valentino family may be predictable, but they are good characters; there are a few interesting plot twists, and the chemistry between Chloe and her long-dreamt-of beau is lovely. As the other Candy Hearts Romances I have read, ‘3 Wishes’ is easy to read, enjoyable, and both amusing and touching in the right places. The family may feel just a little TOO Italian occasionally, but in many ways, this adds to the fun.
I give this book 3.5 stars, and recommend it to romance readers looking for a fun, easy story.
I am grateful for the reviewer’s copy I was sent.
Reviewed by: Roberta
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A hacker is targeting Meredith Crismis’s struggling new dessert company. But when the tech firm she depends on sends hunky computer expert Vlad Wiznitsky to fix the problem, things begin improving for Meredith, both personally and professionally.
First, her relationship with Vlad heats up to the sizzling point, then Meredith’s given the chance to snag a wealthy customer who could put her company’s bottom line permanently into the black. It seems like a dream come true, until the persistent hacker turns her “Divine Desserts” website into an X-rated marketplace, the wealthy customer demands a discontinued decorative item or else no sale, and her relationship with Vlad begins to unravel under the pressure of her obsession with professional success.
For a woman who deals with creating intricate wedding cakes and luscious muffins, life has suddenly become the ultimate recipe for disaster.
Purchase Links:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B019G06ANK
REVIEW:
RATING: 3.5 Stars
Meredith Crismis (nicknamed Merry, of course) has worked very hard to establish her own business, a dessert company called ‘Divine Desserts’, and although it hasn’t been a crazy success, it’s doing reasonably well for a six-month-old business, especially with the seasonable demands coming as Valentine’s Day approaches – and now she’s gotten a new, wealthy, influential customer who could bring about that great success, if Meredith can give her the exact, perfect wedding cake, decorated with candy hearts, that must all have the same words, and only those words, imprinted on them
Meredith is up for the challenge, but obstacles keep getting in her way. First, her computer system is having a major problem: a very determined hacker. For the latest attack, instead of her regular computer tech, the company sends a new expert, Vlad Wiznitsky, who is not only a very gifted tech, he’s also a pretty incredible hunk. Meredith finds herself dreaming of a more personal relationship. Then, unfortunately, she learns that those particular candy hearts have been discontinued, and she starts a frantic search for some other supplier. And then, the computer hacker hits yet again, and now her website is advertising a wide range of pornographic toys instead of cakes and other delectable desserts.
So, Meredith is now facing what could be a complete disaster until Vlad ends up saving the day – and winning her heart as well.
‘Adore Me’ is a fun, enjoyable romance, with the difficulties of starting a new business and the computer problems adding some nice challenges for the very likeable couple. I really liked having the mystery of the computer hacker blended into the story, giving the plot a little suspense. Meredith and Vlad are nice, believable characters, and there are some interesting secondary characters who add to the overall enjoyment. I recommend this book to readers looking for good romances with solid characters, humor, and even some mystery blended in. I rate ‘Adore Me’ as being worth 4 stars.
I am grateful for the reviewer’s copy I was sent.
Reviewed by: Roberta
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Ellen Carter deeply grieves for her husband Dan, but at least she still has Dixie, her beloved Malinois. However, soon Dixie leaves her too. But the faithful dog cannot rest easy in heaven while her mistress is unhappy. Dixie pleads with the Archangel Michael to let her send help, and intercedes for Ellen in the only way she can. But will Ellen get the message, and more importantly, will she accept Dixie's gift?
Sexy newcomer Michael Burke can barely take enough time from his successful restaurant for a decent night's sleep, let alone romance. Still, he is intrigued by the beautiful widow and can't resist entering her shop. Sparks fly, and when Ellen has an accident in a snowstorm, he comes to her rescue. Trapped by a blizzard and aided by Dixie's Gift, Ellen and Michael find more than shelter--they find love.
Purchase Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Dixies-Gift-Barbara-Edwards-ebook/dp/B017OJGVIY/
REVIEW:
RATING: 4 Stars
Anyone who has lost loved ones, people or pets or both, will fall
into ‘Dixie’s Gift’, immediately familiar with the feelings and
sensations being so well presented. This story is simple, quiet,
somewhat predictable – and very enjoyable.
It definitely is not difficult to understand, and sympathize with,
lead character Ellen Carter, who still suffers from the death of her
husband, and now is also grieving for her dog, Dixie, a faithful Belgian
Malinois who had been such a comfort after losing Dan. She still
pushes herself on, running her gift shop. As the story opens, she is
removing the Thanksgiving merchandise and replacing it with Christmas
items. Michael Burke, who is relatively new to town, having recently
opened a successful restaurant, is watching her through the store
windows – and eventually can’t resist. He goes into the store, to meet
this attractive woman he has watched through those windows before.
Under most circumstances, the meeting would not have moved these two
into a serious relationship, but Nature intervenes. Michael has to
rescue Ellen when a growing snowstorm leads to a car accident. The
storm continues, eventually stranding the couple, along with a stray
puppy, in Ellen’s little house outside town. They don’t realize it, but
none of this is entirely accidental; Dixie, worried about Ellen’s
loneliness, is watching from above, and has asked the Archangel Michael
for help. And as the blizzard continues, eventually leaving the still
stranded couple cuddled in Burke’s truck, feelings grow, and two lonely
people become nicely attached to each other.
Again, this is not a complicated story. But it is a lovely one, and
the added element of Dixie’s heavenly intercession gives it an original
touch. With the coming Christmas holiday serving as a pleasant
background, romance is still the center of the story, and it leaves the
reader with a nice, warm feeling. The characters are beautifully drawn,
and the warmth grows as the blizzard pushes them closer together.
I would have liked a little more detail about Michael Burke’s
background and current position in town, and perhaps some more
information about Ellen’s past, but overall, I rate ‘Dixie’s Gift’ as
worth 4 stars. I do recommend readers give it a try, a chance to enter
their hearts.
I am grateful for the reviewer’s copy I received.
Reviewed by: Roberta
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Laura Cortez, a single mom, works full-time and takes classes toward an accounting degree for a better income for her family. She meets her dream man on a blind date set up by their siblings but thinks she should have stayed home. When he asks her to his company’s Christmas party, she agrees against her better judgment; she’s attracted to him despite all the reasons she shouldn’t be.
Tony Alvarado has spent his life, ever since his marriage, building his accounting firm because his ex-wife nagged him constantly about money. When she divorced him, claiming he was always working, she took half his money, and his son. Now he believes women only date him because he’s rich. His reactions to Laura puzzle him, but he continues to see her because he can’t figure her out.
Will the holiday season help them forget the liabilities and balance out the miracle of love in adding together two lonely hearts?
Purchase Links:
http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/maincatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=6500
REVIEW:
RATING: 4.5 Stars
Laura Cortez and Tony Alvarado are both divorcees who have not quite
recovered from the pain of their failed marriages. Tony threw himself
into expanding his accounting firm, spending very little time with his
son, who lives with his mother – and her ever-changing list of
boyfriends. Laura threw herself into raising her two sons, with
virtually no contact with their father; she is working on finishing her
accounting degree, and also works full-time. Neither one is
particularly interested in finding another serious romance. But a blind
date brings them together right around Christmas, and despite
themselves, the attraction is undeniable.
No, this is not a love-at-first-sight story. There is a definite
mutual physical attraction, but they both try to fight it off, despite
siblings and co-workers who keep encouraging them to get – and stay –
together. And then there are three young boys, who might be able to
accept a new relationship for their respective parent, but have trouble
accepting each other. Drop in Laura’s plan for starting an accounting
career, mix it with Tony’s very successful accounting firm, and this
chemistry experiment keeps growing.
This is not a totally unfamiliar plot for a love story, especially
with Christmas always in the background, so, as with most books in this
genre, for it to succeed, the development of the characters has to
overshadow that plot. L. M. Gonzales definitely achieves that here.
Both primary and secondary characters are interesting, believable, and
understandable People. Laura and Tony are very well-portrayed,
with their own plans, goals, and problems, with sympathetic,
attractive, growing personalities.
‘No Accounting for Love’ is a nicely constructed, smoothly developed
feel-good story. I recommend it to any fan of the contemporary romance
genre, and rate it at 4.5 Stars. Read it, relax, and enjoy.
I am very grateful for the reviewer’s copy I received.
Reviewed by: Roberta
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