The Best Man by Kristan Higgins

Faith Holland and Levi Cooper




The Best Man (Blue Heron book 1)

by Kristan Higgins

Book Blurb:
Sometimes
The Best Man
Is The One
You Least Expect...

Faith Holland left her hometown after being jilted at the altar. Now a little older and wiser, she’s ready to return to the Blue Heron Winery, her family’s vineyard, to confront the ghosts of her past, and maybe enjoy a glass of red. After all, there’s some great scenery there....

Like Levi Cooper, the local police chief - and best friend of her former fiancé. There’s a lot about Levi that Faith never noticed, and it’s not just those deep green eyes. The only catch is she’s having a hard time forgetting that he helped ruin her wedding all those years ago. If she can find a minute amidst all her family drama to stop and smell the rosé, she just might find a reason to stay at Blue Heron, and finish that walk down the aisle.

My very first Kristan Higgins book. 

I just loved it. Unlike her scores of fans, I can't compare The Best Man to her other books. It is interesting that some of my other friends who devour Kristan Higgins' books didn't care for The Best Man. For me this news is fabulous because if I loved The Best Man as much as I did, I must be in for a real treat when I read her other books. Oh yes I most definitely am going to read her other books. 

I am a book heroine lover. Faith had me in stitches. Her personality gave me constant chuckles. The situations that she found herself in and the way she handled them were so relatable to me. I will share a small spoiler that the bathroom scene in the restaurant had me laughing so hard, I lost my breath. I was dying people. Dying!!

Faith was left at the alter by her long time boyfriend, Jeremy. I loved how Kristan Higgins didn't make Jeremy out to the be the villain when he came out of the closet. In fact, the entire handling of the situation was stellar. Faith earned a lot of respect from me on how well she handled the news about him being gay. She was still wearing her wedding gown at the church. It broke my heart. You can always deal with another woman but there is nothing you can do about him being gay. 

I also really liked how Kristan Higgins continued to make Jeremy a likeable character throughout the story. There was no reason to needlessly make him out to the bad guy. Major points from me on this plot direction.  

Levi was Jeremy's best man and his best friend. Levi is the strong silent type. Like really silent. He didn't have many lines or at least it didn't seem like it. As a reader you end up judging Levi more on  his actions rather than his conversation. I liked him even though he was hard to read.

The dog Blue was an excellent secondary character and he acted exactly the way a golden retriever acts. Blue had me missing my own golden that passed away years ago. 

The Holland family seemed like a great bunch and their dinner time conversations also had me giggling. A big bustling family with all of them having something to say. The dynamics of Faith's grandparents was very interesting. I actually thought they had the most believable long term marriage that I have ever read about. 65 years is a very long time to be married. Its not always sunshine and roses and in fact 65 years is a long time to also build up resentments. Another set of major points from me for being so realistic. 

I will not hesitate to move on to the next book. In fact, just getting ready to start it next. 

Teasers: child-sucking toilets, nicely incorporated epilepsy as part of a main character's life, heart shaped rock, Dad dating lessons

Chesapeake Blue Series by Nora Roberts

 Chesapeake Bay Saga 

by Nora Roberts

Books 1-4

I was really looking for a short series that I could sink my teeth into. I didn't want a long drawn out series and I also was looking to enjoy some contemporary romances. Let me tell you, the Chesapeake Bay Saga hit the nail on the head. 

I was at my local used book store and found these gems for a mere $15 for the set. It was the trade paperback style so they were light and the font was a perfect size. 

Sea Swept is the first book and it was Cam and Anna's story. 

Sea Swept

Cameron Quinn is coming home to say goodbye to the only father he ever loved. And he’ll have to put his fast-paced life on hold to care for the last lost boy Ray Quinn hoped to save… 

Book 2, Rising Tides is the story of Ethan and Grace's story

Rising Tides

Though not born to the tradition of a waterman, Ethan Quinn has embraced the life. But now, he must face his own dark past to accept not only who he is but what he hopes to become…

Books 3 continues to deliver with Phillip and Sybil

Inner Harbor

As Phillip Quinn struggles to draw his new brother into his life, he must deal with a beautiful woman who has secrets that will affect them all—a woman who needs both his trust and his heart…

And the finale is Seth and Dru's tale

Chesapeake Blue

When world-renowned artist Seth Quinn returns to his home on Maryland’s eastern shore, he finds the woman of his dreams. But someone from his past is determined to destroy his newfound happiness… 

These books are much more than romance stories. There is a deeply embedded family theme going on and what a special family the Quinn's are. Due to the sad and untimely deaths of the family patriarch, Ray and the matriarch, Stella,  the readers don't get the privilege of reading about their family interactions with their adult sons. Well that is to say, you do get a wee glimpse through their son's memories and a few sweet apparitional visits. The light paranormal spin is not over done. Just a slight extension for the great story. 

Stella and Ray did such a phenomenal job raising their adopted troubled boys.  You know and understand what kind people they were. 

The camaraderie between the brothers felt so real. They bickered, rough housed, made fun of each other but more than anything, they were fiercely loyal to one another. It was a pleasure to read about each of their different personalites and how they found love. 
Real life love.  

Excellent series. 

Top Secret Twenty One by Janet Evanovich

Top Secret Twenty-One

by Janet Evanovich

Book Blurb:
Trenton, New Jersey’s favorite used-car dealer, Jimmy Poletti, was caught selling a lot more than used cars out of his dealerships. Now he’s out on bail and has missed his date in court, and bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is looking to bring him in. Leads are quickly turning into dead ends, and all too frequently into dead bodies. Even Joe Morelli, the city’s hottest cop, is struggling to find a clue to the suspected killer’s whereabouts. These are desperate times, and they call for desperate measures. So Stephanie is going to have to do something she really doesn’t want to do: protect former hospital security guard and general pain in her behind Randy Briggs. Briggs was picking up quick cash as Poletti’s bookkeeper and knows all his boss’s dirty secrets. Now Briggs is next on Poletti’s list of people to put six feet under.

To top things off, Ranger—resident security expert and Stephanie’s greatest temptation—has been the target of an assassination plot. He’s dodged the bullet this time, but if Ranger wants to survive the next attempt on his life, he’ll have to enlist Stephanie’s help and reveal a bit more of his mysterious past.

Death threats, highly trained assassins, highly untrained assassins, and Stark Street being overrun by a pack of feral Chihuahuas are all in a day’s work for Stephanie Plum. The real challenge is dealing with her Grandma Mazur’s wild bucket list. A boob job and getting revenge on Joe Morelli’s Grandma Bella can barely hold a candle to what’s number one on the list—but that’s top secret.

Guess what? I actually liked Top Secret Twenty-One. I loved that it wasn't as whimsical or quirky and there was actually a bit of mystery this time. Oh yes, Ranger was in Top Secret Twenty-One a lot more too so that was a total bonus. 

Yes there was the very exact same formula in every other previous book. Stephanie's mom continues to relieve her stress by ironing, lots of explosions, lots of pizza and donuts and Stephanie's grandma is hilarious.

I did find the writing style a bit different this book though. The plot seemed to actually have a mystery behind it which is something I have missed when Janet Evanovich's previous books hit the midteens. I don't think I have rated her books a 5 star since Twelve Sharp and Top Secret Twenty One won't be getting one either. However, I did enjoy it a lot and it was great reading. There are the guaranteed laugh out loud moments and for sure the great big smiles. I read the majority of the book in the waiting room at the hospital and people kept looking over at me every time I giggled. That happened a lot so that was a good sign. 

I will continue to purchase these feel good books because they serve their purpose with me. I smile. I laugh. I giggle. Worth the money. 

Teasers: minions,  war of the grandmas, Stephanie's best 3 seconds, Russian terrorist

A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

Dougless Montgomery and Nichols Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck






A Knight in Shining Armor

By Jude Deveraux

Book Blurb:
Dougless Montgomery couldn't believe it. She had tried to be the very essence of the modern American woman -- competent yet sexy, financially independent yet ready to love and be loved. She had planned this holiday tour with special care, wanting everything to be perfect for Robert, the man she hoped one day to marry. Yet here she was, after a stupid quarrel, abandoned in a church in the midst of rural England. Abandoned, with no luggage, no money, no credit cards, while Robert drove off without so much as a backward glance. 

As Dougless lay upon a cold tombstone, crying in fury and frustration, she longed for a knight in shining armor to save her from this abysmal mess. Suddenly, as if in answer to her prayers, the most extraordinary man stood before her.... He was Nicholas Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck, who accodring to his tombstone had died in 1564. Tall, broad-shouldered, attired in gleaming silver and gold, he was magnificent. He stood in the dim light of the church, thunderstruck, drinking her in: her strange costume, the uncased hair that flowed to her shoulders, her long, lovely, BARE legs. He could scarce keep his wits about him, but of one thing he was certain -- she was the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. Drawn to his side by a bond so sudden and compelling it overshadowed reason, Dougless knew that Nicholas was nothing less than a miracle: a man who would not seek to change her, who found her perfect, fascinating, just as she was. Yet she could not imagine how strong were the chains that tied them to the past... or the grand adventure that lay before them.…

Okay are you ready for this statement? A Knight in Shining Armor is my very first Jude Deveraux book. Like, ever. 


A Knight in Shining Armor has been on my TBR list for years. Years and years I'm telling you. I was finally motivated to read it because I really wanted to read an exceptional historical romance and something that was a "sure thing" as a great read. I've often heard that A Knight in Shining Armor is some people's all time favourite historical romance so I pretty much figured that with an exclusive label like that, I certainly would be bound to like it. 

And I did. I loved it. I admit to being a little iffy at the beginning because Dougless certainly seemed as close to a doormat as possible but she definitely redeems herself throughout the book.  

A Knight in Shining Armor also wasn't what I had expected. Half the book takes place in modern times (in this case the 1980's) and the other half of the book takes place in the 1560's. It was a really good plot and it was a page turner for me. There wasn't any cliffhangers or anything like that and I really liked that is was not as predictable as some romance novels can be. I liked that. I liked that the story didn't allow their romance to come easy and smooth. There were a lot of bumps along the way and much conflict to overcome. I liked that a lot too. 

It has been a few days since I finished and I still find myself thinking about the characters and the ending. I think that is a pretty good sign of how much I enjoyed reading it. 

Teasers: Time travel, Arabella's table, changing history, the true meaning of soul mates

How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Mo and Cooper's book




How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf book 1)

By Molly Harper

Book Blurb:
Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble. 

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question. 

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

Molly Harper wins for the best opening line ever:

"WHEN A NAKED MAN shows up on your doorstep with a bear trap clamped around his ankle, it’s best just to do what he asks."

I was introduced to Molly Harper's writing with her "Nice Girls" vampire series. Very much like that other series, this Naked Werewolf series is witty and was sure to guarantee me lots of smiles. She has such great lines. 

"Well, that cinched it. He was an asshole. I was definitely going to end up sleeping with him."

Molly Harper writes such personable female characters. She makes you want to be their best friend and hang out with them. Mo was just like that; totally cool. Mo's birth name is actually "Moonflower Freedom Refreshing Breeze Joplin Duvall-Wenstein."  Wow that is a mouthful so it was shortened to just, Mo. How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf is a feel good book. I loved it because there was not a long and drawn out conflict between Mo and her love interest, Cooper. They met. They were physically attracted to each other but they didn't like each other. They overcame their hostility and started dating. 

When they did come together as a couple, it was blazing hot. Not in an erotic sense but more that their chemistry was amazing. Cooper and Mo are perfect together. 

There are murders happening in Alaska around their area and it appears that the deaths are caused by a rouge wolf. Being as Cooper is a werewolf and he seems to have secretive baggage, Mo needs to work through holding his secret wolf identity or sharing that information with the authorities. It weighed heavy on her conscience and I felt bad for her. 

I purchased How to Flirt with A Naked Werewolf on a super Amazon deal which is sadly over. I'd love to continue with the series but they are too pricey on ebooks for me. I will have to see if my library has them to lend. 

Teasers: hippie loving parents, chess brownies, jumbo pack of condoms

The Wedding Day Collection by various authors

The Wedding Day Collection 

By Various Authors

Book Blurb:
The honor of your presence is requested to the pages of The Wedding Day Collection, an anthology of tales celebrating that love-inspired event. All of these short stories rev
olve around the romance of the wedding day. From an unexpected bump and an outspoken wedding crasher to a missing groom, we hope these stories will make you smile and warm your heart.

Always the Groomsman
by Margaret Ethridge

What a treat! If you've read Margaret Ethridge's fabulous book, Commitment you are going to reaaallly love Always the Groomsman. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading the full length novel Commitment than you are still going to enjoy Always the Groomsman because it is a sweet, light hearted story that has an overbearing family take over what was to be a small, discrete wedding ceremony. Maggie and Tom are a mature couple (not twenty something) and they already have a sweet baby boy with another baby on the way when they finally make their way to declare their wedding vows. The story starts with poor Maggie puking while squatting on the floor at Dunkin Donuts and ends with a river of pink and white streamers and a spray of confetti in a Judge's office. So much fun. 
This is the wedding readers didn't get in Commitment and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Lots of family and love surrounding them. 


Veiled Threat 
by Cheryl Norman

I wasn't a fan of Veiled Threat. The story was to deep requiring far more background and time to tell the story rather than having it jammed into a short anthology. I liked the premise but the leaps of assumptions that the protagonists had to make to move this story forward quickly were way to unbelievable. Also due to the how short the story was, there was too many conveniences. For example she was drugged, kidnapped, made a clean get away from kidnapper (he tripped while chasing her) then to have her run to the car (completely not groggy despite just waking up from said drugging) to find the keys conveniently still in the ignition. I bet if the author was able to stretch out the story and not make everything so favourable, it would have been better. 


White Wedding
by Karen Stivali

White Wedding was a fairly undramatic story of a couple, in love and getting married. It was a whole lot of fluff. Sweet instant messages over the computer, lots of gooey compliments and love. Unfortunately, a very unforgettable story. 


Wine, Roses and Twins
By Suzanne Lilly

Well that was fun! I read Wine, Roses and Twins so fast because it was action packed. I think I was exhausted from the adrenaline rush reading about the trek to get the maid of honour to the hospital in time for her baby deliveries. I have to say, I adored this story. There was such closeness between the sisters and I loved how sweet and fitting it was that a new set of sisters entered the world. 


Schrodinger's Cake
by Ute Carbone

Another cute story. When Evan had a slight car accident bumping into the back of Gina's bakery van, he may have been thankful that she didn't get hurt but the smashed wedding cake was a different story. I actually saw this story all playing out in my head. I really liked it. I thought it was a bit of a reach that Evan was already thinking about "love" regarding Gina but maybe that is what love at first sight is really about. Evan and Gina made a great team.  


Not Getting Married Today
by Jennifer Johnson

I loved Not Getting Married Today. I think I loved it so much because I could really relate to the David's girlfriend, Janie. You see David is a preacher (a really cool preacher I might add) and his girlfriend Janie is not religious at all. She is a very nice person, she has high morals and all her friends lean on her for support but she does not attend church. The problem is that David really wants to start with some sort of marriage conversation with her and she is just waiting for the dreaded "Jesus" talk. She has been waiting and waiting and waiting and yet, David never brings up how he plans to save her soul. This belated conversation is exactly how I feel when I find out someone is religious. I almost avoid them because I am so sure that they are going to pounce on me and try to convert me or shame me. 
     Ultimately the interesting thing about Not Getting Married Today is that the story is actually about a couple who are at the church about to get married by David when a massive secret comes of the closet. David and Janie are supposed to be the side story but really they are the main protagonists. Very clever of the author. 


All Action, No Talk
by Evelyn Jules

All Action, No Talk is a delightful story that includes circus performers and love. When I think of romantic couples, I admit that a clown and a mime are not a likely pair that comes to mind. However Evelyn Jules pulls it off. Alice (a professional circus clown) finds herself about to get married to the wrong man and knows she is going to make the biggest mistake of her life. Thankfully the man she has been secretly in love with for years decides that even though he is a professional circus mime, now it is the time to speak up. Alex is used to acting out his story through body motions but he realizes if he doesn't act out in real life, he could lose Alice forever. Now this was a wedding that I would have loved to attend. 


Magnolia Brides
by Valerie Haight

I am on the fence deciding if I liked the story of Magnolia Brides or not. There is a supernatural twist in this love story. I do have to say that I loved this quote and I highlighted it because it rings so true. "A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts." That is a brilliant line. Jorrie receives a drunken breakup phone call from her fiance the very night of the wedding rehearsal. My heart was sad for her but I wasn't really feeling the devastation on her part. I suppose it was because her lifetime friend made a huge confession that same night. A memorable night for her in so many ways. 

NOTE: A Wedding Day Collection has a zero heat rating as nothing more than a kiss appears in the stories. Lots of love and fluff. 

Lover at Last by J.R. Ward

Blay and Qhuinn's book 



Lover at Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood book 11)

by J.R. Ward

Book Blurb:
Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

I just closed the cover on my long awaited read, Lover at Last. I can't really write a full out review because there was just to much stuff and I am probably the last person who is addicted to this series that has finally read the book. Here are my first impressions, likes and negatives:

1. J.R. Ward seriously needs to do some spin off books because there are waaaaaay to many stories swirling in one book. (and some I couldn't care less to read about *cough* iAM & Trez *cough*

2. J.R. Ward gave Qhuinn and Blay complete justice and this part of Lover at Last was stellar. There was emotion, great conversations and excellent M/M sex. At times it was raunchy & sexy and other times it was touching & soft ( even if no prep or lubrication was required *frowns* ). If the book was only about this long awaited couple, it would have been a solid 5 for me. Plus I totally love Blay's parents.

3. Now regarding Qhuinn & Blay's relationship, why was it so necessary for Qhuinn to determine and state if he was gay or not. Why can't he be bi? Why does it matter that he needed to be defined into one category or another? I don't know but it really annoyed me. 

4. I have no idea what the heck is going on with Xcor and Layla. I mean whaaaaaat?!?! I'm not liking it. I like the new Layla but I get so angry that she is completely stabbing Wrath in the back with her thoughts of Xcor. I need loyalty. I'm not feeling that with her. 

5. Why did Assail get so much page time? (refer back to #1) Regardless, I was totally digging the chemistry between Sola and Assail (even though I have no idea why they are getting any book time) 

6. Looove the King storyline. I love the battles of wits here. They are going to fight with words and laws and I have a serious, full of angst, love/hate relationship with those types of storylines. I find those types of stories really smart and probably a hell of a lot harder to write. It will be odd because the BDB are fighters not scholars so we will see. At least I don't have long to wait for the next book. 

7. Very interesting take on the laws in the vampire world. I love Wrath as king don't get me wrong but really when you think about it, it could be possible that a human (Wrath's offspring) could end up being the future king of vampires and that does seem really wrong to me. So much to take in. 

8. The Lessors are becoming a bit of a yawn. I wanted to skip over those parts although I didn't. I swear. 

9. I don't like the many inconsistencies.  What I mean is how come Z couldn't materialize with his gun shot wound but Blay could?  Why was it that Qhuinn flew the plane for Z when Blay was right there? John Matthew was left unprotected in a very dangerous position.  Of course the story was better because Qhuinn flew the plan but really it should have been Blay. If the glymeria were so freaked out about Qhuinn's different coloured eyes and they are uncomfortable with Wrath's eyesight (and the BDB needs to keep his total eyesite loss a secret) why oh why would anyone even for a moment consider a serious deformity such as Xcor's cleft palate (which has been compared to that of a monster) be fit for a king's position?   

10. The changing POV drove me nutso. I just hated that. Not a fan of that style at all. 

11. I love that Qhuinn is officially a brother but I just don't think he should have been made before John Matthew. It just didn't feel right to me. 

12. The last book had lots of Autumn & Tohr and John Matthew & Xhex. They were barely mentioned in this book. I was super surprised that John Matthew was hardly in Lover at Last at all because the trio have been best friends for so long. I didn't need a full out storyline but a bit more of a mention about Xhex or Autumn at least. It seemed very odd. 

  

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs

Frost Burned (Mercy Thompson book 7)

by Patricia Briggs

Book Blurb:
Mercy Thompson's life has undergone a seismic change. Becoming the mate of Adam Hauptman - the charismatic Alpha of the local werewolf pack - has made her a stepmother to his daughter Jesse, a relationship that brings moments of blissful normalcy to Mercy's life. But on the edges of humanity, a minor mishap on an ordinary day can turn into so much more. After an accident in bumper-to-bumper traffic, Mercy and Jesse can't reach Adam - or anyone else in the pack for that matter. They've all been abducted. Through their mating bond, all Mercy knows is that Adam is angry and in pain. Outclassed and on her own, Mercy may be forced to seek assistance from the most unlikely of allies: the vampire seethe.

I just love this Mercy Thompson series. A whole bunch of my favourite books recently came out in paperback and Frost Burned was one of them. I had to endure months and months of avoiding spoilers and book reviews while Frost Burned was only available in a hardcover issue or a really expensive ebook. Frost Burned was worth the wait!

The Mercy Thompson series are not stand alone books. Patricia Briggs provides great little reminders in each story so that the reader can quickly recollect where the last book left off but if you would pick up a book in the middle of the series, you'd not enjoy and understand the detailed and fabulous backstory. 

One of the reasons I totally love this urban fantasy series is the continuity of the married couple, Mercy and Adam. I just love a book collection where the protagonists are strong, happily married and each book is a new adventure. This particular couple is top notch amazing because of the wolf pack mentality that is so ingrained into each book. Whether good or bad,a wolf pack is a wolf pack and the story doesn't deviate away from the characteristics of a pack of wolves. (Just to quickly mention that Mercy is not a wolf shifter but rather a coyote shifter) Patricia Briggs stays true to form and doesn't bend her own rules just to make the story flow in a different direction. 

Mercy once again is the hero of the Frost Burned. She does so by being smart although no one is more surprised by Mercy's brilliance than Mercy. That is another trait that is so enduring about her. She has no idea how incredibly special she is. I could not possibly adore her any more than I already do. 

As always, a fabulous cast of secondary characters adds to action packed and mystical world that Particia Briggs has created. 

Teasers: baby question car crash, ghostly encounters, mating bond communication, silver puke