Lovely, gentle romance
597876
D.C. Clark has forged a romance that is tender and infinitely pleasurable. Erin Forbes, a nurse who inherits her beloved grandfather's property in beautiful Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, suddenly discovers that she may have a cousin she knew nothing about. Michael Cameron is on the search for the truth about his grandmother's past and enlists a reluctant Erin's help. Initially suspicious of his motives, they discover a secret history of their grandparents which brings them together beyond family ties. This story builds a gentle romance against the complexities of modern living and the careful secrets of the past. It's the perfect antidote to a long day, and I recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good read on a cold winter's night.
4311460
Skip's journey from being broken-hearted sap to happily in love again is delightful. His civil union with Monty ends after almost a decade of being together. He feels blindsided, heartbroken, and like a complete wreck. He decides that he needs a major change of scenery and moves back home with his mom until he gets his act in order. In the meantime, he has a new teaching job at his old high school, where his high school crush is also a teacher. And the sparks fly.

I really enjoyed this story. Paul is amazing - almost too perfect - and his gentle wooing of Skip is full of fun, quiet moments, as well as some pretty hot sex. The chemistry between these two can bring on a hot-flash. These guys are more than just lovers, though. There's a playfulness in their 'non-relationship' that is genuine. This is a couple you'd totally want to hang out with. They're lovely with each other. They exchange looks, little touches, funny texts. They're always communicating with each other, consciously or not. I like how their relationship develops. There is immediate sexual attraction, but it's so much more than that in a short amount of time, which, of course, freaks the hell out of Skip, but he keeps justifying it in his head so that his mind can accept what his heart surely knows. The interactions between the MCs and their families and friends are funny and sweet. I don't know, I just really liked this quiet romance. Skip's angst and skittishness really has no chance against Paul's charm, hotness, and love, but it's fun to see how it happens.

Highly recommend.
2819338
This is a sweet western romance, with a likeable couple. I liked that the H was the only person who didn't see the h's handicap as a problem, but just as a difference that she could handle. I was also really glad when her mother finally got what she deserved, after years of mistreating her daughter.

One note, there is a sex scene (within marriage) in this book. It is not explicit at all, but actually very sweet. However, if you don't want any sex scenes at all, this is not the book for you.
2420088
This is my second Susanna Kearsley novel.  The first one I read, THE WINTER SEA (aka SOPHIA'S SECRET), was exceptional for me in the historical romance category, so I looked for more by Kearsley.  I have enjoyed MARIANA very much although perhaps not as much as THE WINTER SEA.  Both are feel-good romances with heroines who have flashbacks to a former life centuries previous and in both lives the heroine has a love interest that is satisfyingly romantic without being excessive and we also learn a bit of history in the flashbacks.

In this case modern-day heroine, London-based Julia Beckett, is an illustrator of children's books who is inexplicably drawn to an old farmhouse in the village of Exbury.  She buys the house and moves in, only to begin to have strange flashbacks to the 1660s in which she is a young woman named Mariana, who has lost her mother to the plague and is forced to move in with her Puritan, Roundhead uncle in Exbury.

The transitions from Julia's life to Mariana's and back again are smoothly done, and, as is the case with THE WINTER SEA, the historically-older story is more compelling than the modern one.  This time because it takes place in Restoration England, a period in British history that fascinates me.  Here Mariana finds herself falling in love with a Loyalist aristocrat and, of course, complications arise because of her Roundhead uncle.

Modern-day Julia's story is also very enjoyable because the heroine, her vicar brother Tom, and all her new village acquaintances and friends are very likeable and interesting people.  However, interesting as the flashbacks were and the issue of reincarnation is, I really don't quite understand the need for reliving a past life in the present just to close the circle of a romantic relationship by finding that love again in the new life. It's, of course, quite romantic to do so in a book, but it seems to me that reincarnation is to give one the opportunity to grow and improve upon one's former self.  That wasn't evident here.  It's just a romance from the 17th century repeated in the 21st with less dangerous political complications.

THE WINTER SEA had less emphasis on this close-the-circle of the old romance in the new life.  The modern-day heroine Sophie of that book has flashbacks to a previous century but the emphasis is not on Sophie reliving the old romance and focuses more on other historical aspects.  That may be the reason I enjoyed it more.
2691352
Julian Price was allowed to run free as a  child, because after the death of his immediate family a wastrel uncle took over his care. He did have very good friends in the neighbourhood. But since so many of those friends died in the war, he feels he has nothing left to lose. Even when he finds out that his uncle has run the estate into debt.
Henrietta Houghton was considered one of the chaps when she was playing with her twin brother and his friends.  That was until they noticed she was turning into a woman. Years later she has made up her mind to remain a spinster, because the only man she has ever wanted doesn't want her.
This is a gentle romance, with two people who have been friends for life, but have changed in adulthood, and are terrified of spoiling what they have.
No great surprises, but an entertaining read. With lovely characters.
4421694
I have been a fan of Isabel Allende for quite some time and she covers the scope of life and emotions from A to Z with both complex and simple plots and characters. This book was almost a light touch compared to her others and yet, it was endearing and sweet with some sharp edges. All the characters had a neat role in the plot, no one was superfluous or gratuitous no matter how small their part - which doesn't mean you like them all. I loved the setting; San Francisco being one of my favorite cities and found the vast difference in the socio-economic circumstances of the main characters easy to accept given the time period.  All in all, a worth-while book that is interesting and comfortingly pleasant to read.
2027836
I wasn't looking for "great literature" when I got the free kindle version of this book, I was simply looking for a feel-good, uplifting and enjoyable romance - I was not disappointed.  Morgan weaves an enjoyable story - did I know where it was going? Well yes often I did, but that didn't mean the ride wasn't fun.

I connected with the characters enough that I promptly bought both&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Wings-of-Morning-These-Highland-Hills-Book-2/dp/B001WAK90S/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Wings of Morning (These Highland Hills, Book 2)</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/A-Fire-Within-These-Highland-Hills-Book-3/dp/B002U0KQOS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">A Fire Within (These Highland Hills, Book 3)</a>&nbsp;(both of which I enjoyed even more than this one, but you should still read this one both because it is an enjoyable read and because it introduces you to characters and plot that are good to know later).

I enjoyed the series enough I've now purchased another 4-book series from Morgan and fully expect to enjoy those as well :)
1158230
I truly enjoyed this sweet romance, set in Riverbend, Tennessee. Anna and Liams story was both moving and mysterious. There were familiar characters from Knights Sweetwater County Series, and more of the story of Cynthia and Mitch, (from the Riverbend Novella).

The flow was good, and the characters very likable. Author Ciara Knight was very successful in creating the history, struggles, and future for Anna and Liam. I definitely felt a part of their story.

I wished that the resolution had been a little more drawn out, and that there was more development of the plot line concerning Annas father.

Otherwise, I found this book very enjoyable. I found it to be a quintessential, sentimental and sweet romance. 4 stars
4961558
Nice romantic story, without any scary stuff.
942202
A gentle love story.  The main characters are likable but not cloying.  Towards the end, the reader can tell who the next book will be about; but this is a stand-alone novel--no nasty cliff-hangers.  This author goes in my "Get the Next in the Series" list.
960074
Karen Witemeyer's books are as comforting as chocolate - her writing silky smooth, the romance delicious, and the heart of it all too good to resist. She has the Christian Historical Romance genre down to a sweet science. And might I add that the covers her stories are "wrapped" in are so lovely and enticing? (I'm glad that Bethany House went with this cover - with the pretty pink and chocolate dress, the soft background colors, and the connection with a piece of the plot, which is always fun!)

I love the mixture of humor and seriousness, cute situations and sobering ones - all tied together with a ribbon of faith throughout the pages. Stealing the Preacher is signature Witemeyer in that way, with another quirky premise that leads to a heartwarming story.

This particular book might come across as a tad more "preachy" than some of her other books because of its premise (the hero is a preacher and the heroine has a certain loved one's salvation weighing on her heart), but the compassion and passion evident in the pages are touching. I think what kept me from loving it quite as much as some of her other books was the plot... Not to say that there weren't exciting elements, but it felt like the basic storyline was stretched out to fill up the pages. I just didn't think the stakes were high enough throughout the entire book to keep me completely enthralled. Everything felt rather soft and slow - from Crockett's decision-making, to the building up and breaking down of relationships, to the passing of events. (And I confess that I generally prefer my love triangles a little heavier on the "male" than the "female" elements.)

But for a gentle story in the Witemeyer tradition, with enough tension in parts to keep the story moving, Stealing the Preacher is an enjoyable read. I'm definitely curious to see whether Witemeyer writes a story for another Archer brother, or whether she introduces an entirely new cast. Her characters are great and her storytelling delectable, so I'm eager for more of her sweet stuff!

*With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion, to be shared during the Litfuse Publicity blog tour.*
3269682
Beggars Cant Be Choosier is a traditional, sweet regency romance with more than a hint of Georgette Heyer about it. In the opening chapters the reader is introduced to our impoverished hero, Brian, a man forced by circumstances to live frugally and cadge meals from friends to keep from starving. Next, we meet our heroine is the feisty Katherine, recently returned from foreign climes and heiress to the fortune her father made in India. He has something she craves (a title for her children) and she has something he wants (money) and so they enter into an arranged marriage. What could be simpler? Only this being fiction, nothing is ever straightforward
Part of the pleasure of this book is the in depth characterization and the gentle pace. Im surprised no one has as yet remarked on the semblance of the feel of this book to works by Georgette Heyer. In less skilled hands the plot has the potential to be far-fetched but marrying for money and the ensuing repercussions are handled in such a manner as to seem entirely plausible and the plot unwound cleverly.
Beggars Cant be Choosier excels in the strong believable characters and a real sense of the manners of the period. I especially liked some of the walk-on characters, such as Brians landlay who is basically a social snob who tolerates her impoverished tenant because of this lofty connections.
A very enjoyable, immersive read.
3036636
Beautiful close to a touching story.  Alexander the reluctant Earl of Rivendale, is determined to restore the estate left to him.  But without money he will have to marry a heiress to do so.  Burdened by his duty to provide for the estate's people, he is making acquaintances with the locals.  Arriving at a invitation for tea, he is
 shocked to find that he is the only person invited by a single woman neighbor.  Even more stunning is the marriage proposal that she extends to him.  Wren, as she is called, is a mixture of courage and fear, innocence and competence,  and a total lack of social experience.  She is hiding herself from the world.  Alexander Westcott is one of the kindest, honorable, most handsome man in this series.  The friction between them, their motivation, and their actual needs are worked out as this unusual relationship develops.  A wonderful romance.

I only felt a lack of resolution concerning Wren's  Mother who needed a come uppance .  Her cohorts were nicely taken care of, but she remained unscathed.  Perhaps in another book dealing with Colin.
4525732
Margaret Lake writes good clean sweet little romances.  Her characters have trials and tribulations they come through by their faith in God and goodness inherent in people- not hot hardcore steamy sex!  Sweet and gentle- reminds me of some of the romances from the 1930-40's that I used to read with my Nana! Uplifting!
1859386
This is a nice pleasant romance for someone who wants a little escape from everyday life. The couple have a history of a one night stand, but they have known each other forever and there is great chemistry. They are held apart by wanting different things - in a twist it's the guy who wants to settle down, have a family, etc. What's great about the book is how well you relate to the characters. She interweaves a variety of family members who make great supporting characters and really make the book come to life. The small town setting is charming. It is an extremely easy read, but I kept wanting to read more. I didn't get bored like I do with many romances. She has written other books, so it is great for someone who likes to continue with the same author. I would recommend it.
77250
Back to us is a very sweet romance. The author doesnt rush things, and the story flows organically. As I made my way through the book, I got to know Jessica and Justin, their past, their present and their aspirations. I could easily relate to these young people and to their growing feelings for each other. Unlike so many stories in which the main characters fall madly in love overnight, for no obvious reason, the protagonists of Back to US do it slowly, naturally--and take the reader along on their journey.
2661119
This is definitely a "gentle" read, it is so well written that I became immersed in the story. Ms. Stratton has created a writer's world that I would love to inhabit and populated it with lovely layered characters that are easy to connect to emotionally. Is there passion? Surprisingly yes, it was quite passionate and romantic even though it was more on the mild side. I liked the sweetness of the story, the strength of the character's connection and the happily ever after was lovely. The secondary characters were finely drawn and the scene has been set for the next book. I for one, will continue the series.
Well done.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.