When the HEA is just the beginning
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By now you've read the Senses series and know what's going on. IF you haven't, go back & catch up. You really need the background, the history of the previous books before you take the plunge into Blur.

Every story has a natual ending, a spot where you can comfortably close the book (or kindle). The characters have their lives wrapped neatly, their love tied in a perfect bow.  Max and Logan have always been messy though. Nothing about their love has been smooth or easy. Together, they have fought for every bit of their HEA.  Logan has retired from fighting, Max is heavily pregnant with their second child. Dean is going to school and living his life. Yet behind it all, secrets fester. Past demons won't stay banished. The very thing Max and Logan have worked so hard for it about to crash and burn. Sometimes, reaching your  HEA is just the beginning.

I LOVED how real Max and Logan are. They are open, honest and flawed. They love, they fight, they hurt and they laugh. Blur is a book that once you start, you  have to finish. Once you finish, you still think and feel.
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Often in fiction, the story ends and readers are left to assume the happily ever after. Its usually at high pointa declaration of love, an engagement, a wedding. But what happens after the last first kiss? After the I dos? When real life encroaches on the high of falling in love? What happens when there are hiccups in the happily-ever-after?

In her latest book, Denise Hunter explores this concept while delicately balancing on the line of realities of life and the hope of love.

Noah and Josephine had a whirlwind romance, one that seemed to set them up for a lifetime of love. But it ended too soonor has it?

Josephine didn't completely open herself up to her husband while Noah hadnt wanted to push his wife whenever he saw that expression of sadness cross her features. Yet, in successful relationshipsones that last lifetimescommunication is so key.

Forced together due to a storm, Noah and Josephine must fast their failures and faults in their relationship while admitting there is still something between them. Will they allow past hurts and angry words to overrule Gods grace, forgiveness, and healing? Sweetbriar Cottage presents a picture that reminds the reader that only Gods love is limitless. That people make mistakes and errors that hurt deeply but unconditional love is not something we earn, its something given freely.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.
3611262
I read the second book of this series, Serenity, first. As I said in that review, that could be a standalone book. However, reading this one first does clarify the second. What happened with Jason and his family. Why Meghan was allowed to see him. How the first year at the Academy went. All these things are explained here. Especially how Meghan meets Mick. All women need a Mick in their lives. I have this only four stars because it was not as textured as the second. I wasn't turning pages as fast. The beginning of a really great series can be like that as the author introduces you to the story, the characters, and the setting. I already know I will love books 3 & 4!
1670306
His Family of Convenience by Amy Ayers is the first book in The Medina Legacy series.

A second chance romance with a baby included? Oh yeah, count me in!

This is one of my favorite tropes, reason why I decided to read it. I liked Senna and Marco's story, just didn't quite loved them. However, I do want to point out that it was a very enjoyable read. I do have a soft spot for this kind of stories.

As I mentioned above, this is one of my favorite plots so no problem there. I liked how the author decided to start the story. She didn't waste time and went right to the point. At first, I have to say I wasn't so sure about that part but once the story started flowing effortlessly, I realized I didn't need the "hows and wheres". Although, she did give them to me in the form of little memories.

The characters. Senna & Marco weren't perfect and their stubbornness and lack of decision were the firsts downers. Followed by the moment when they "got together". I mean, their situation wasn't an easy one, so their "hard to get" then "take me-here-right-now" kind of relationship got on my nerves.

There was a character that caught my attention, so I will be reading the next one hoping she gets her own book with one of the Medina brothers!

His Family of Convenience was a very enjoyable and not too hard story, an easy warm read that you can snuggle up with when you just want a have a good time.
2110795
It was great seeing a HEA and not a major cliff hanger... But I felt it was too short and too little substance even for a novella. The length wouldn't be terrible if there was a point to the story....
Spoilers below....

All it was really was the leading up to the wedding, which I'm happy for the HEA but other than recaps from earlier stories it had nothing truly new or exciting. Personally I think it should have been added on to her last book.
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No one expects that a short six months into their marriage, they will be tested beyond all expectations. But that's exactly what happens when Mark, a journalist, is kidnapped and held prisoner for over two years, leaving his new wife Sophie to pick up the pieces and try to keep it together, not knowing whether he is alive or dead. When he is finally released, they are strangers to each other once more. Can they recapture the love that guided them to start their married life in the first place?

The Willow Park series is an interesting and always thought provoking set of books with a religious feel combined with a sexy contemporary romance (which mean that sex is included). This is the last one in the series, and a bittersweet ending to a delightful group of real and varied characters that have captured my interest. Sophie and Mark have been tested in ways other couples have not, and because of the publicity surrounding Mark's kidnapping, she moved away from the big city to the small town of Willow Park, where she found friends and a faith community to sustain her. For the most part, she just tries not to think of what's happened with Mark as the stress of that constant worry would be too much to handle. Instead she's left it up to God - and he's answered her prayers now, with her husband's relatively undamaged (physically at least) return. But he's obviously changed while being held captive, become quiet and distant, his coping methods with his captivity clearly evident when he is trying to reconnect with his wife. As the days go by, they re-establish a sexual connection, but Sophie still mourns the loss of the communication between them that is so important to sustaining a marriage. The story has a series of ups and downs, setbacks and progress as the two of them learn to trust each other with thoughts and feelings again. It's important for Sophie to realize that she has changed too, no longer the dependent woman that Mark married but one who has had to take charge of her own life, and built a business and a new life with new friends. She doesn't see that until Mark points it out to her, that the change has gone both ways. As they take those first tentative steps toward reconnection, the reader feels their pain and their heartache, but also their joy when things start to come together for them as a couple again. And the Christmas theme of rebirth and renewal is definitely felt. I can't imagine what it would be like in these circumstances, to have the strong faith needed to overcome such a challenge. But I imagine that one would hope it could be dealt with in this loving and heartfelt manner. 4 stars for an emotionally challenging story that succeeds in showing how love must adapt for marriage to succeed.
269007
After a short while, you just want them to at least kiss.
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A standalone read with a HEA.  The hero returns to his small hometown suffering from the effects of war.  As a doctor he saw way too much pain and destruction, the bombing of a school full of children sent him over the edge.  He has given up medicine and he just wants to be left alone with his misery.  Family and friends are determined to save him from himself.  The heroine has returned to the same small town to try and find her place in the world.  She too has issues.  She lost her mother in a car wreck when she was 12, she felt her father abandoned her because he was not there for her.  Deep in his own grief he did the best he could for his daughter but she was not easily pleased.  They left their home in Ireland and moved to the small town to try and come to grips with their grief.  Losing her mother, moving to a small town where she was different, she put up barriers to anyone that tried to be her friend.

Now she has finished college, been a teacher and is now a very successful writer, she returns to take the home her friend has left her.  She hopes to move in, be left alone and try to get on with her life.  But life just won't allow her to hide herself away.  This is a very good story.  There is a bit of mystery that seems to just plague this young woman.  There are also friends that will not allow her to hide away either.  Both the H&h come to grips with their issues and discover their love for each other and others.

This story is quite funny as a group of men that are best friends rag on each other.  The side characters are as valuable to the story as the H&h.  It is an interesting read that will hold your attention from beginning to end.  I would definitely recommend it.  The sex is about an 8 on a scale of 0-10.  So it may not be for all readers.

I was not paid for this review.  I am not an author nor do I know one.  I am not kin to this writer.  I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less.  8/4/17
2226250
This new episode in the Real Man series has a nice theme. It's about two characters who have been secretly in love for years, but only now get to share an apartment because he's helping her out. This leads to unleashing their pent-up passion.

I liked reading about their hidden thoughts about each other and how each day meant getting closer to acting on them. Brendan acts more possessive, yet there is this dance of denial between them that only makes their eventual surrender that sweeter.

The heat of their first time together combines perfectly with a couple of epilogues that complete their relationship in a most romantic way. I think one of my favourite parts was when they are not really sure of the other's feelings so they try to hide their own. Really nice.

(First reviewed on my blog Literaria)
4364199
I loved this story.  I have put off buying this book for at least six months or longer because the Hero sounded like a jerk. But that is not really the case.  It was a beautiful love story and once again shows us communication is the key to HEA.

Just one comment to the author and editor.  You need to make sure your ages and years apart add up.  It's confusing when it is off.
409445
A skillfully spun prelude to what hints of a sweet and touching romance to come. This is the perfect short story for those whose lifestyle only offers free moments in chunks. At the doctor's office? Waiting for your car to be serviced? Have a train commute home? Then be sure to download this story. It will surely keep you entertained. Can't wait to read what comes nextin the series!
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Mea Andrews has had an interesting life. She is called onto the carpet by her mother and is told that, if she leaves her mother's house, it will be for the last time. Mea leaves and has to start a new life. Then she meets Josh Anderson in line at her college and, within an hour of meeting him, she ends up moving into the house next door to him. What follows is a lovely story of what happens when you don't slam the door on your future, simply because you fear what happens next.

I did enjoy this sweet, but short love story. I did think it was rushed in places, and think I may need to re-read the novel to get a better grip on the events. As it turns out, this is not the first book in the series, and that might explain some of the gaps in my knowledge of the characters/story. However, the characters are fully-developed enough that I was interested to see what happens to them and to hope for a happy ending for them. I do want to know more about Sidney and Simon, so I will have to look for the first book in the series. And I hope that the author continues writing; I think it will only get better from here. I'm also greedy... I want to know what happens next for Molly and Morgan!
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Holly Haggerty is no where near ready to walk down the aisle, let alone ready to start a family and become the doting housewife her family expects her to be. She likes her independence and has no problem with relationships with the opposite sex, as long as they don't lead to a marriage proposal or anything permanent. She thinks she has found a guy who understands her relationship requirements, and that he wants the same things she does, but when he changes his mind and wants more, their relationship implodes. Not only is Clark leaving her alone, but also in need of a plus one for a work party, so she turns to her best friend Roth Esterly.

Roth Esterly enjoys his single status, with the exception of his family constantly trying to set him up, and push him down the matrimonial aisle. His views of relationships and happily ever afters are quite similar to Holly's, which is probably why they get along so well. When Holly wanders across the hall in search of a plus one, he is more than willing to help out his friend... on one condition, they work out a deal to be each other's occasional plus one with no strings attached. He figures not only will it help him from having to attend events alone and receive the pity look from family and friends, but will also lead them to think he is in a relationship with Holly, which means an end to being set-up on dates. Holly likes his idea, and thinks its the perfect solution to their ongoing problem. But when they both start to see things in each other they never noticed before the lines of their deal become a little blurred, and have them questioning their just friends status...

This was my first time reading a book by this author, and I have to say it left a really good first impression, so much so, I plan to make a return visit to this series very soon. Being the second installment in the series, I was concerned I maybe a little lost, but I am happy to report that wasn't the case at all, I think this book could easily be read as a standalone title, however, after you read it you will be left dying to get your hands on the other books in the series! I love reading friends to lovers stories and this one definitely hit the mark, the chemistry between Roth and Holly was undeniable from the start, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching there story unfold. I highly recommend you add this one to the top of your reading list, its sure to leave you with a happy heart and smile on your face.

I voluntarily requested, read, and reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book
488960
The author did a great job of developing the relationship between the characters.  I loved it.  The H and h had chemistry and everyone saw it including themselves.  I liked the other characters in the story too.  I hope for more books to make this a series.  It is a stand alone HEA.
3246413
Perfect Timing is a good introduction into the romance genre.  The romance is fairly simple and it involves music and musicians, a popular theme for many fans of the romance genre.  I enjoyed how the chapters were divvied up between characters and that we were able to gain multiple perspectives as the story went on.  J.C. Layne did well handling two characters at once while also making their thoughts and actions separate from one another.

Even though the writing could be wordy and flat at times, I thought that the romance was sweet and something that many girls will fawn over.  Layne understands her characters and the world she created well, and fans of quick romance reads will surely be pleased.  Even though this novel was not completely my cup of tea, I still found it to be a quick and enjoyable read.  Hopeful romantics will find hope in Jes and Mitch's love story, and they are sure to bring hope to us all.  Just be advised that this novel does end on a cliff hanger, and even though I am not a fan of cliff hangers, it might keep you reading to the next book in the series.

Brett and Becca are one of those couples.  You know, the ones who get it right?  They're great together and they give me hope that maybe one day I'll get it right, too.
160664
If you like stories that have epilogues you will love these, BECAUSE the epilogue is part of the story AND there is still an actual epilogue.
Where most gay romance books stop, these kept going.

So while the I love yous came early the story continued. And then I was surprised by an epilogue on top of the continued story.  These are low angst, wonderful HEAs.

I CANNOT wait for the next in the series.
2530927
I really liked this book, because the author is really starting to develope the characters.  This book takes place within the first 48 hours of their "marriage" and Justin and Kayla are trying to get to know each other again.  Justin's assistant is not happy when she finds out that he now has a wife.  She has feelings for him that go beyond "employee/employer".  It will be interesting to see how that plays out through the series.  Kayla is being referred to as a "gold digger" because of the quick marriage.  Justin brings her along to an EIEIO gathering, where Kayla meets another billionaire, Lazer, whom she finds that she has a lot of similar interests with.  It doesn't hurt that he is very good looking and rich either.  Justin finds himself getting jealous and wants Kayla all to himself.  His feelings for her are very real, but Kayla is just playing the role of a newlywed or is she developing feelings for Justin as well?  The book ends with a cliffhanger.  She returns to the penthouse only to find that she is not alone.  Time to meet the mother-in-law.