Courting Greta

Courting Greta by Ramsey Hootman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Samuel Cooke, a social awkward computer nerd, gives up his cushy job to teach computer programming to high school students. Samuel has no idea what he has gotten himself into with his new career choice. A principal that is more frat boy then a leader, a fellow teacher that is over zealous in his friendships and students that could care less. And then there is Greta the gruff P.E. teacher and girls basketball coach that has everyone at the school trembling in their shoes.

This is not your every day love story, in fact it is not like any other romance you have ever read. No one is brutally handsome or terminally pretty. This is a story about real people, people you probably know, that live down the street. Its that couple that you see at the grocery story and say how did that happen? That is what makes this book so wonderful. Characters that are wonderfully flawed and have real life problems. The book is at times hard to read because it is so honest and you want to yell at the characters to get it together and move forward.

One of the aspects I really liked was that the story was told entirely from the male perspective. I was instantly drawn to nerdy Samuel and his quest to start a new life. I was unclear why he was drawn to gruff Greta who in most all ways was his polar opposite. As their relationship grew I started to realize that she was exactly what he needed. And just as clearly she needed him.

This may not be your beach read for the summer but it is a must read.

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The Husband List

The Husband List by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Caroline Maxwell's mother has a list not your average ordinary list its a list of potential husbands for Caroline and Caroline is not happy about it. She would rather be on a grand adventure or a lecture at the museum. Or at least have a say on who is on the list instead of the stuffy Lord Bremerton she wants her brother's friend Jack on the list but he according to her mother is not acceptable his money is to new.

Despite her mothers objections Caroline and Jack are determined to be together and the only way that will be possible is if they can prove that the great Lord Bremerton is hiding something big and is not th e man he claims.

Caroline was a fun character to read and was surprisingly appealing. In fact I liked her so much that I finished the book in one night. Did I mention it was a fast read. Jack like all heroes was conflicted about loving Caroline, witty and very yummy to read about. What could be a better way to spend an evening?


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Happy Ever After

Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Parker Brown is the force behind the wedding company Vows. With help from her 3 best friends she has turned a childhood game into a successful business. She has also watched her best friends fall in love and start planning their own weddings.

Although she thinks there is no one for her former stunt man and local mechanic Malcolm Kavanaugh has different ideas. Parker is not about to give in to just any guy she has definite ideas about who she should date and Malcolm is not that guy. Mac knows Parker is wrong and is determined to win her over and change her life.

The best part about these books is the relationship between the 4 friends. While reading it you start relating to the characters as you remember similar (minus the charmed life) conversations you have had with your friends.  In this aspect Nora Roberts has created memorable characters that has you reading to late and proudly proclaiming yes I am reading a romance and yes it has a steamy sex scene.

If you are looking for a sweet romance that requires little from you as a reader then this is a great book to read.


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The Next Always

The Next Always by Nora Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meet the Montgomery Brothers who are taking on an ambition project restoring an historic building and turning it in to a romantic bed and breakfast. The architect of the family, Beckett, is deeply contact to the project and the residential ghost Lizzy. But Beckett has another project besides restoring the Inn he wants to kiss single mom and book owner Claire. He kissed her once when he was 15 and hasn't been the same since.

I have mentioned before that I am not a huge fan of Nora Roberts books especially her love stories. I usually find them to be very predictable and not interesting but since I liked her series The Bride Quartet I thought I would give this series a try. And while I did find the love story to be the same as her other story, I still enjoyed the story.

Not because of the love story but because of the relationship between the Montgomery brothers. I felt like I was easy dropping on a real family not always perfect but loving.

If you are looking for a nice summer read then I recommend this book. be warned its part of a trilogy and only the first 2 books are out.


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Love in a Nutshell

Love in a Nutshell by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Kate Appleton is trying to turn her families summer home into a B&B unfortunately its taking more money than she thought and she is in desperate need of a job to continue. Enter Matt Cullhane he gives Kate a job trying to find out who is sabotaging his business. With a town full of suspects and love in bloom Kate and Matt have to work together before something really bad happens.

This was an ok romance...nothing special but a great way to spend the evening. Easy to read and with characters that are likable I would have no problem recommending this book to my mother.

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Lucky's Lady

Lucky's Lady by Tami Hoag


My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Serena Sheridan is returning home to Louisiana to deal with some family drama. But its not going to be as easy as she thought one her grandfather is hiding in the swamp and the only way to get there is to accept a ride from Lucky Doucet. Not appealing options for Sheridan but you do what you must. And no matter how she tries to distant herself from Lucky she keeps crossing paths from him. But something is not right in the Swamp and Sheridan is going to need all the help she can get to save herself and her family.

This is a reread for me, in fact I have read it several several several times. There is something about these broken and lost characters that are trying to overcome their own emotional baggage and fears that I find very appealing to read. Its a simple romance with a mystery and danger thrown in to keep us reading.

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Wild Ride

Wild Ride by Jennifer Crusie
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Mary Alice has a unique job she repairs old amusement park rides and she has returned to her home town to repair The Dreamland amusement park. But Dreamland is not your average park it is the prison to 5 of the most powerful demons in the world. And someone is letting them out of their prison to run amok in the park. Now park personal are dying and Mary Alice along with her new friends will need to stop them before they take over.

I didn’t really like this book as much as other books written by Jennifer Cruise and Bob Mayer. I found it a bit confusing and the story did not appeal to me really at all. I keep reading just to see if it would make sense.

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To Tame a Highland Warrior

To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning


My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Gavrael McIllioch is a powerful savage Highlander. Jillian St. Clair is the daughter to a powerful Highland lord and deeply in love with Gavrael. When Jillian’s father sends a message to Gavrael saying only Come for Jillian, he drops everything to rescue her.

Sometimes you just need a nice romance to keep you live in balance. I’m not sure why but just it’s what you need. And this book fits all the criteria. Strong hunky tortured and one beautiful, independent and compassionate woman. And then there is the smut. And boy is this book smutty. It will make you blush, sigh and what to read it out loud to your significant other.

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In the Company of Vampires

In the Company of Vampires by Katie MacAlister


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fran is all grown up and she has left the GothFaire behind along with her Dark One boyfriend Ben. But being she hasn’t given up on him she just wants a chance to grow and mature away from the pressure of being Ben's Beloved and her mother's scrutiny. But when her roommate is kidnapped by what appears to be Loki's henchmen. Fran heads back to Europe and GothFaire to take care of Loki once and for all. But Fran is not the only one who has changed in the last 5 years. Ben has a new girlfriend, her mother is missing and there are Shape-shifters all over the place. Fran will need to start using her gift if she is going to solve the mystery and win back Ben's heart.

This is book is part of MacAlister's Dark Ones series and her two short YA books she wrote. And while I loved the story and the series I have been disappointed in the ending of the last few books. Previously she wrapped up the story line and the characters would go off and live happily ever after. Sometimes characters from previous books would make an appearance in the new book but the storyline always felt completed. And if by some tragedy MacAlister was not able to write any longer I would be sad but (cause I do like her books) but not left with that empty what happens next feeling when a series is left undone. However in the last few books in this series; Zen and the Art of Vampires, Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang and this book MacAlister has been leaving the reader with a little cliff hanger that honestly has made me a bit annoyed. I always feel like it’s a trick to get you to keep reading the authors’ book and I was already reading the series and now I’m feeling coerced. I may be over thinking the whole thing. The book was good and worth the read.

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The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story

The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels--A Love Story by Ree Drummond

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the true life romance story of city girl meets cowboy we have all been reading about for years and pretending we don’t. While staying with her parents, Ree Drummond was regrouping after a move from California and planning her next step in life to conquer Chicago when a casual night out with friends introduced her to her Marlboro Man. The kind of man every good romance with a cowboy is written about. Causing Ree to change her plan to move to Chicago and instead conquer the heart of a cowboy and life as the wife of a rancher.

To be honest I am a big fan of Ree's blog I check it daily. And I had already read the story of their romance on her blog. But the story is just as good the second time around. She has added a few new stories and the last part of her book picks up where her blog story ended and takes us through the 1st year of marriage.

Wither she is dealing with her ex-boyfriend J, ignoring her parents impeding divorce, her uncontrollable sweating or her post-partum depression, Ree is open and honest. And this is very enduring. While reading this story you are laughing and crying right along with Ree, seeing a little bit of yourself in her and secretly falling half in love with her Marlboro Man.

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Savor the Moment

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laurel McBane spends her days making beautiful wedding cakes for the brides at Vows and spends her nights alone. Then one day she kisses her best friend and business partner's older brother Delaney changing their friendship permanently. Being 2 very practical people Laurel and Delaney decide to take their relationship slow so that they can remain friends and not disrupt their circle of friends to much. Fortunately for Laurel and Delaney what you want and what you get or two very different things for these life long friends.

Every time I read one of these books I think this is my favorite book in the series. However I think my favorite is the one I am reading at that moment. What I truly enjoy about these books is the interaction between the friends. They relate, react and talk to each other exactly as my friends and I do. I think this is why the books are so fun to read. I feel as if I could be friends with these women I want to laugh and cry with them. These are great books for anyone who loves a happily ever after story.

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Bed of Roses

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Running a wedding business with her 3 best friends is a dream job for florist Emma Grant. Unfortunately her own love life is going no wear at all. Never with out a date Emma cant seem to find Mr. Right. In fact most of her dates she ends up fixing up with someone else. But after one breath stealing kiss from long time friend Jack Cooke Emma realizes that Mr. Right is right under her nose.

I love this series so far. I am not a fan of Nora Roberts but these books are the exception and her JD Robb books. This is a great series to read for a nice time out with funny witty dialogue and characters that you want to be your friends.

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Vision in White

Vision in White by Nora Roberts


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mac Elliot along with her 3 best friends are in the wedding business. They help couples have the wedding day of their dreams and Mac's job is to photograph the special moments to preserve for the couple. She excels at getting to know her couples and giving them their moments. In her own personal love life she is not so lucky. Enter Carter Maguire, the brother of one of her brides. What Mac thought would be a fun casual romance turns serious and now Mac is torn between what she wants and what she thinks she can have.

I am not a fan of Nora Roberts (I do like her J.D. Robb books) in the past I have found her books very predictable and boring cookie cutter romances. But after listening to some friends go on and on about the Bride Quartet books I decided to read the first one Vision in White. And I am glad I did. What a fun bunch of characters. And even though the romance was very predictable I truly enjoyed reading this book and immediately got the 2nd one to read and have the other 2 on reserve at my library. I have even considered reading other recent books by Ms. Roberts. We will see.

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Mind Games

Mind Game by Christine Feehan


My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Dahila has spent her time hiding from people due to her amazing psychic abilities and know someone wants her dead. Nicolas Trevane has his own abilities and arrives just in time to rescue Dahila. This starts an adventure for them both that will only end with them falling in love.

I did not like this book. I usually enjoy Feehans books but this one I found predictable and a chore to read. I do not think I will read anymore in this series.

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Fast Women

Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nell Dysart is a woman on the edge recently divorced and out of work she gets a job working as the secretary to P.I. Gabe McKenna. Nell thinks Gabe will be an easy boss to manage and Gabe thinks Nell will be a biddable. Little do they know that nothing is going to be the same in for either one of them. Investigating an old case that involves Nell's friend's dead mother and another friend's husband could put a damper on this budding couple but first they would have to admit they like each other.

What a likable a book!!!! Nell and Gabe were not only characters that I felt the need to stay up all night reading just so I can be sure they end up together but I really wanted to know how the mystery turned out and who the killer was and who was involved. I really was not sure who was doing the blackmail, who murdered who and if the missing person was really missing. Its a fast read mostly because you wont want to put it down.

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Agnes and the Hitman

Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Agnes's life isn’t going according to her planned schedule. Her fiancée is being a pill and then someone breaks into her kitchen to kidnap her dog Rhett and her would be hero, Shane no last name, is climbing through her bedroom window to rescue her. Talk about a bad day!!! Or is it? Now she has hit men coming after her and her dog and Shane has a big bad secret he is not sharing about his past. With a wedding that has to be perfect, hitmen popping out of the woodwork and the brides grandmother hell bent on ruining the wedding, Agnes has more than enough on her plate to deal with and an attraction to Shane is definitely not in the menu.

I love a good Jennifer Cruise book and this is one of my favorites to date. Fast, funny, sexy and with a few plot twists Agnes and the Hitman is a fun read you will not want to put down.

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