romance

Room to Breathe review

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Author: Liz Talley

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Pages: 336

Daphne spent her life being the wife and mother that she was expected to be. Now that her daughter is grown and she has divorced her husband, she’s living the life that she wants: one with a successful career and a younger man…who happens to be her daughter’s ex. Ellery, Daphne’s daughter, has graduated from college and done something that was never part of her life plan: moved home and taken a job as her mother’s assistant to support her fiancé who’s in med school. While working this new job, she begins an online flirtations with someone who thinks he’s flirting with Daphne, and things go a bit too far. Daphne, Ellery, and their lives entangle, secrets come to light, and things get inevitably messy. Mother and daughter have a lot to learn and a long road to redemption.

I first decided to pick up this book, because it was recommended by a favorite author, who I also think is just a fabulous person, Darynda Jones. Then I found out that Liz Talley, like me, is from North Louisiana. Now I don’t know exactly where, as I don’t go stalking authors, but North LA is not that big, so it can’t be far from my hometown. That sealed the deal, I had to read it! I’m so glad that I did! Guys, I laughed out loud so many times while I was reading this. These characters are well fleshed out and developed. They are all so real and flawed, but none of them are particularly unlikable. I was rooting for them to have a redemption arc! It’s always great to see people find their way in the end. I was engaged and entertained throughout the book, and it read really quickly. It really didn’t feel like it was over 300 pages.

Warning!!! If you’re looking for a Hallmark type romance without the alcohol, cursing, and sex, this will not be your jam! If you’re good with all of those things, highly recommend!

Cocoa & Carols Cover Reveal

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Guys!! Do you remember how excited I was and how much I loved Marshmallows and Mistletoe by Marianne Rice last year?

She’s back with a new Christmas story from Wilton Hills this year! The cover is so cute and the blurb has me just as excited for this one!!!

Finishing up his patrol as the sun sets on Thanksgiving Day, officer Patrick Johnson stumbles across a woman and her dog sleeping in her car. She refuses to go to a shelter and masks her dire condition, but the Johnson manners run deep and he finds himself inviting the stranger to his parents’ Thanksgiving dinner. Before the meal is over his heart grows soft for her and her scruffy dog.

Trying to make ends meet as an understudy in the Wilton Hills town play isn’t enough to keep Jocelyn fed and a roof over her head. She doesn’t like handouts but the police officer with shoulders that could compete with Captain America and the kindest eyes she’d ever seen leaves her no choice but to go with him to his family’s home. She’s instantly greeted with warmth from his parents, brother, and sisters, and before the meal is over, she believes in miracles.

Their newfound friendship turns quickly to something more, only Jocelyn doesn’t plan on staying in Maine for very long. Her lifelong dream is to star on Broadway and Patrick has no desire to leave his small town. Will her dreams and his stubbornness get in the way of their relationship? They’ll need a Christmas miracle to help them find their happily ever after.

What do you guys think?!

I’ll be back with a review just as soon as I can get a copy in my hands!!

This will release on November 1!

Coming Soon: Finding Our Way Back (Well Paired, Book 5)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Happy Monday, everyone!!

I hope you all had a great weekend! I thought I’d start the week of with some fun news: the next book in Marianne Rice’s Well Paired series drops this Friday! I’m super excited about it!!

Are you ready??!!

Isn’t that a beautiful cover?!

If you’ve been following the series, this is Jenna’s story, so it should be good!!

I’ll have a review up for you before Friday, and you can pre-order at the link below!

Have a great week, y’all!!

https://www.amazon.com/Finding-Back-Well-Paired-Novel-ebook/dp/B07VC9TTW6/?tag=smarturlebook-20

Off the Grid

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Hi all!!

Are you all getting excited for the Thanksgiving holiday?! I’m going to have a house full of family and friends here tomorrow, and I am making so much food! I love to feed people, so I’m really happy to have everyone coming to dinner. We’ll also be joining the mad shopping crowds afterwards, so that should be a blast!

I’m heading out in to the woods for a week beginning this weekend, to decompress for a bit. I’ll have limited, if any, internet access and I am really looking forward to it. Sometimes it’s nice to go a bit off the grid! I’m taking my kindle, a few books, and my MacBook to format some reviews for when I return.

I have at least one review that will post while I’m gone, and I’m going to try to get another written up before I go. I wanted to give you guys a peak at a couple of the things I’ll be reading while I’m away, though!

First is one that I have really been looking forward to since I heard it was coming out:

Becoming by Michelle Obama

I think she is so brilliant and inspiring, and I can not wait to see what she has to say in this memoir!

Next:

Marshmallows and Mistletoe by Marianne Rice

New out from the lovely lady who made me enjoy contemporary romance is this holiday story. This looks like it will fit right in with those cozy, feel good holiday reads that I was wanting, so I’m excited for this one as well!

There are, of course, several others going with me, but these I’m very excited to talk to you about when I return. What are your holiday plans?! Anything exciting?! I hope that you all have a lovely holiday and a great week ahead!

Always-

T

A Christmas Date (First Comes Love, Book 3)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

A Christmas Date cover

Author: Camilla Isley

Series: First Comes Love

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Pink Bloom Press

Pages: 231

 

Nikki is not a Christmas fan. In fact, she could be described as quite the grinch. She dreads the holidays and having to having to go home to face her family every year. It has been increasingly difficult since her younger sister has been in a serious relationship, and she has been seen as the “old maid”. This year is looking to be even worse, as Nikki just found out that her sister and her boyfriend (whom Nikki has long been in love with) are now engaged. Dreading this Christmas more than any in recent memory, she takes the advice of her assistant and decides to hire someone to play her boyfriend while she’s home. Luckily, her job gives her access to the perfect database to find her man. There’s only one thing that may pose a problem…she may have trouble separating business and feelings.

This was the first book in my foray in to the sweet, cozy, wintry, holiday reads that I told you guys in a previous post that I was wanting to read this season, and I will say that it was a good start. It had some fun, interesting characters. Some were maybe not completely fleshed out, but this was a short book, so it would have been a bit difficult to flesh out the secondaries more than they were. The story moved quickly, and it was all there. It is a great read if you’re looking for a sweet little holiday romance. This is the third in a series, but it is the first one that I read, and I didn’t feel that I was missing anything as far as the plot or storyline. If this is the type of book that you’re feeling in this season, give it a try!

It’s out now!

 

What Makes Us Stronger (Well Paired, Book 3)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

What Makes Us Stronger cover

Author: Marianne Rice

Series: Well Paired

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Star Hill Press

Pages: 312

 

Lily has built a wonderful life for herself in Crystal Cove. She has a fantastic job, great friends, and no one has asked too many questions about her past. The only thing missing is the hot guy that she would really like to land…who also happens to be to be her friend’s brother, Ty. Ty returned to Crystal Cove after his stint in the Army, and is now working as a carpenter. He has lived a pretty quiet life, without having to face any major problems, until the day that he sees smoke coming from Lily’s place. His adrenaline kicks in, and he rushes to help, only to find Lily in her thong. There is no denying that there are sparks between them, and a romance begins to blossom. Will the secrets that Lily is hiding end this budding love, or will she trust Ty enough to tell him the truth?

I don’t know how many times that I can tell you guys (but I’ll keep telling you until I find out!) how much I love Marianne Rice’s books! Like all of her books, the characters are all well developed. They really feel like someone that you know, or are friends with, or maybe just want to be friends with (or friends with benefits, whatever!). They are real, beautiful, and flawed. The imagery throughout is all great. The reader can really picture all of the beautiful scenery while reading. As I’ve said before, and will say again, if you like contemporary romance (or just want to try it) this is an author that I would recommend every time. This is the third novel in the Well Paired series, but like all of the other can be read as a standalone (but just go ahead and grab them all!).

Go! Read! Enjoy!

Where There’s Hope

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Where There's Hope cover

Author: Marianne Rice

Series: Well Paired

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Star Hill Press

Pages: 272

 

Hope and her daughter live a comfortable, quiet life in a small Maine town. It has been Hope’s safe place, until Cameron Smithfield arrives. He is a stranger to Hope, but she has hated him for years. Cameron, the man who killed her daughter’s father, the man that she loved, is in town and doing a wonderful job of becoming a town favorite.

Cameron had his life turned upside down the night that he killed his brother in that car accident. After serving his time, he is determined to make amends with his niece, and help in any way that he can. Her mother, however, won’t let him in. This isn’t the shocking part…What shocks him is what he is feeling for her.

Hope has hated Cameron from afar for many years, and now he has shown up wanting to be in her daughter’s life. She had no intention of letting him in at all, but suddenly she is having feelings that she never expected to have. When all signs point to him as the culprit, will she believe the evidence or her heart?

I swear, it is Marianne’s goal to make me in to a romance reader one series at a time. This is another great read from this author! It sucked me in by the second chapter, and before I knew it I was almost done with the book! The characters are all very well fleshed out, as I have come to expect. The reader can feel their complex emotions and inner turmoil as they are going through the process of figuring them out. The secondary characters are well rounded, as well, so maybe we’ll see some of them get their own books?? Anyway, if you’re looking for a fun romance read and/or you’ve liked her previous series’ definitely pick this one up! It’s the second in the series, but can be read alone with no problem. Enjoy!!!

 

Where There’s Hope Release!!!

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Where There's Hope cover

The Amazing Marianne Rice has a new release!!!

BLURB:

Hope Windward’s life in Crystal Cove, Maine is comfortable, if not predictable. The small town has always been her safe haven, until Cameron Smithfield—the man who killed her daughter’s father—shows up. Now the stranger she’s hated from afar is working to become the town’s favorite citizen.

 

Cameron Smithfield’s life went horribly wrong the night he killed his brother in a car accident. After a decade in prison, he’s ready to make amends and do everything he can for his niece. There’s only one problem with his plan, he can’t seem to get past her mother’s protective instincts. While he’s not surprised by Hope’s guard dog instincts, he is surprised at the connection he feels with his brother’s old flame.

 

Hope doesn’t want to feel anything for Cameron, but his heart-melting smile and genuine affection for her daughter have a way of breaking through her carefully guarded emotions. That is, until her worst fear comes true, and all fingers point to Cameron. Now, Hope has to decide if she’s going to believe the evidence, or trust the newfound love within her heart.

WTH Teaser 3

EXCERPT:

The front door opened before his foot touched the front step. Hope’s welcoming smile lit up the front stoop, and he did all he could to keep from picking her up in his arms and covering her mouth with his.

Those lips, though. Julia Roberts had nothing on Hope Windward.

“Hey,” she said coyly, her voice wrapped around his heart, giving it a gentle squeeze he hadn’t felt since he was a young boy.

“You’re beautiful.”

Hope looked down at her feet then back up at him, scrunching her nose in that adorable manner she did when she was confused. “I’m wearing jeans and a sweater.”

“I didn’t notice.” And he hadn’t. It was her rich hazel eyes and her sunshiny sparkle that brightened his dark world. She wore her hair down tonight, soft ribbons of dark blonde hair flowing just past her shoulders. Hair he longed to run his fingers through.

Cameron walked up the steps, stopping in the open doorway.

“Well, I’m noticing you. And you look very handsome. I don’t know what I like better, though. Sexy whiskers or the soft skin.”

Cameron rubbed his cheeks with his fingers. He’d shaven tonight for her family, thinking the clean look was more presentable to her parents and her daughter than the usual scruff on his face.

“You name it, beautiful, and I’ll do it.”

Hope raised an eyebrow and her gaze dropped to his lips. “You should probably come in and meet my parents first, don’t you think?”

WTH Teaser 4

Get it Here!!!

http://smarturl.it/wherethereshope

Meet the Author Here!!!

https://www.facebook.com/mariannericeauthor/

https://www.amazon.com/Marianne-Rice/e/B00SICUIRM

https://www.instagram.com/mariannericeauthor/

http://www.mariannerice.com

https://www.goodreads.com/MarianneRice

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marianne-rice

 

Meet Marianne:

Marianne Rice writes contemporary romantic fiction set in small New England towns. She loves high heels, reading romance, scarfing down dark chocolate, gulping wine, and Chris Hemsworth. Oh, and her husband and three children. You can follow her all over social media, and keep up to tabs with her latest releases on her website: www.mariannerice.com

Marianne

Happy Book Birthday, Marianne!!!

*Review coming this afternoon!

The Dating Bender

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Dating Bender cover

Author: Christina Julian

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Pages: 242

 

Samantha grew up as a good Catholic girl. Under the intense scrutiny of her parents, she did what any good girl would do, she married her best guy friend to get away! Unfortunately, that marriage took a jump off of a cliff without a parachute. Sam decided to follow the advice of her mentor, in work and in life, and she moved halfway across the country for a new career and lots of sex! Thus, her journey to discovering herself began. Following her heart, and the advice of every magazine that she can get her hands on, Sam is determined to find her happily ever after.

This was a rather enjoyable, quick summer read. Samantha Serrano reminds me of a combination of all four Sex and the City girls rolled in to one. She is snarky, hopeful, smart, sexy: everything that you hope to find in a great girlfriend. I think that most of us can say that we have turned to a women’s mag for advice at one time or another, but this girl takes it to the extreme, and the outcome is delightful. Julian does a wonderful job of putting forward a flawed and loveable main character, that is easy to see reflections of yourself in. I read this in one sitting. It was witty, laugh-out-loud funny, heart wrenching, and above all- hopeful. If you’re looking for a quick, fun, sexy summer read, this may just be the book you’re looking for!

Wounded Love (Rocky Harbor, Book 3)

Posted on by The Novel Girl

Wounded Love Cover

Author: Marianne Rice

Series: Rocky Harbor

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Limitless

Pages: 318

 

Ellie ran from Rocky Harbor ten years ago, when she was pregnant and abandoned by those that should have been there to support her, including the love of her life. She has now returned, almost ten-year-old son in tow, after winning a local inn in an essay writing contest. She has not had an easy life, being a very young single mom, and doing her best to take care of a son that is sick a lot of the time. She is hoping that this life change will be good for both of them. Colton fled Rocky Harbor around the same time, only he fled to the Marines, after having his heart ripped out by the girl that he loved. He felt betrayed, and left without telling anyone why. Now, medically discharged after having his leg amputated, he has returned to Rocky Harbor as well. Rachael, his sister, is working for Elle at the inn and recommends Colton to help with some projects. Ellie doesn’t realize that who Colton is, until he shows up. The sparks fly in a hundred different ways when the two are reunited. How will everything end for the two (or three?) of them when all of the secrets are finally revealed?

This is the third installment of the Rocky Harbor series, and I blazed through it, just as I have done the previous two. Colton and Ellie’s story took on a bit of a more serious tone than the other stories in this series, covering some more serious topics (PTSD, chronic illness, war injuries, having a child very involved, parentage secrets). These topics were handled well, though, and were woven in to a beautiful story for these characters. This book carried a lot of emotional weight, but it was balanced with a touch of nice humor mixed in. Much like in the previous two books, the setting is lovely and makes me want to move to this magical place and never leave. I highly recommend this book (which can be read as a standalone, but would be much better read as part of the whole series) and series, if you are looking for a contemporary romance to dig in to.