One Day to Find a Husband by Shirley Jump

One Day to Find a Husband by Shirley Jump
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

Back Cover
Ellie Winston is adopting her late friend's baby... But she hits a husband-sized hump: to adopt Jiao, Ellie has to be married Where can a commitment-phobic female find a husband in a day? Then cutthroat billionaire Finn McKenna comes to Ellie with a business proposition, only he isn't prepared for Ellie's merger-with-a-twist...marriage Finn never lets anyone close, even someone as feisty and intriguing as Ellie. But saying "I do," even when you don't really, has a way of making even the most stubborn people wake up and realize what they've been missing.


My Review:
Ellie and Finn get married as a purely business arrangement; Ellie gets a husband to help with her adoption proceedings and Finn get a chance to jump-start his failing business. So far so good…

I’m really on the fence with this book; there are parts that I like and parts that has me scratching my head saying ‘Seriously’?

I think my problem is not the story or the writing but Finn himself and that's a first! For a creative guy who is an architect he is rather somber and dull. I usually like uptight heroes but I just did not warm up to Finn and there in lies my dilemma….

Finn and Ellie spend barely anytime together as a couple, there is no real build up to their romance… this book is missing the “Spark and sizzle” I normally associate with Shirley’s books and Finn is to blame!

The Tycoon's Secret Daughter by Susan Meier

The Tycoon's Secret Daughter by Susan Meier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Back Cover:
The CEO's second chance Max Montgomery had it all-charm, good looks and a career as CEO of the family business. Marriage to Kate Hunter was the icing on the cake. Until a devastating family secret sent his world-and then his marriage-crashing down around him.... Years later, Max is accidentally reunited with Kate, who also has a secret-the daughter he's never met! Bonding with adorable Trisha may come naturally, but with the shadows of the past still haunting him, recapturing the heart of the woman he's never stopped loving is quite a different matter.

My Review
The Tycoon's Secret Daughter is a great story about second chances and starting over.

Max and Kate were in love and had it all until Max’s drinking problems drove Kate away in fear of her safety and safety of her unborn child. Eight years on Max is sober and regrets the break up of his marriage. Max doesn't know he is a father so when he runs into Kate now his ex wife and learns he is a father he is shocked and devastated.

I think Susan Meier did a fantastic job writing about a sensitive issue such as alcoholism and the effects it has on families.

I liked how the story flowed through the book; it was an emotional read to watch Max connect with his daughter. Max and Kate’s relationship wasn’t rushed, it was great to see them grow into it and fall in love again and realize that they are different people now who needed to live in the now rather than in the past if they were to have a HEA.

This is a solid read that stresses the fact that life does not come with any kind of guarantees…and that you have to take it one day at a time!

The Last Real Cowboy by Donna Alward

The Last Real Cowboy  by Donna Alward
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb:
A diamond like no other…

From the moment he turned up late to her charity’s meeting, placating everyone with a tip of his Stetson and a lazy smile, Angela Beck knew that Sam Diamond was going to be Trouble with a capital T.

Angela is the prickliest woman Sam’s ever met—let alone had to work with! He’d love to still her sharp tongue with a kiss, but first he has to get close enough to awaken the complex woman beneath the deliberately cool exterior. And that’s something only a real cowboy can do


My Review:

The Last real Cowboy was a great book! Considering the story here dealt with victims of abuse it was exceptionally well written.

The heroine Angela was a victim of abuse now a social worker in the midst of opening a shelter ‘Butterfly house’ for abused women, a shelter whose main sponsor is Sam Diamond.

This story begins with Sam and Angela butting heads but as the story progresses it is wonderful to see Angela come into her own, begin to trust and fall in love, Sam was a wonderful hero supportive and sensitive to Angela's needs an all around great guy.

The Last real Cowboy was a story of second chances; overcoming your fears and more than anything believing in yourselves.

Winning a Groom in 10 Dates by Cara Colter

Winning a Groom in 10 Dates by Cara Colter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book Blurb

As a teenager, geeky Sophie adored gorgeous Brandon. He protected her from the bullies, but was too tough for the sweet small-town girl to crack. Then he left for the army....

Now the rebel's back--just in time to rescue Sophie from attending her ex-fiance's engagement party alone. He'll be her stand-in boyfriend and convince everyone they're wildly in love

My Review:
A great story! I really liked this book with its small town setting and big heart. This book was funny at times, emotional at others and deeply introspective on the whole.

Brand was sexy and macho in a CIA covert operative kinda way and Sophie was funny and endearing. A perfect pairing! You can't help but fall in love with Brand and Sophie's story, both these characters go through a journey of self-discovery as the story progesses leading to their HEA.
A definite keeper!

Once a Good Girl by Wendy S Marcus

Once a Good Girl... U.S. edition by Wendy S. Marcus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

‘Once A Good Girl' is another winner from Wendy S Marcus from her Madrin Memorial Hospital series. This is the story Prim and proper Victoria Foley and town rebel and bad boy Kyle Karlinsky who were teenage sweethearts. Victoria’s one act of rebellion changed her life forever leaving her pregnant and alone at sixteen when Kyle skipped town. Now 8 years later Dr. Kyle Karlinsky returns to Madrin Memorial and the town that shunned him as a teenager, While at Madrin Memorial hospital he runs into head nurse and old flame Victoria Foley; this is where the story takes off.

This is not your average re-union story; it was fresh, heartwarming and totally captivating. I absolutely loved Kyle; he was kind, caring and a real darling. There was a lot of depth to the characters in this story, which tackled some serious issues. We were also introduced to Roxie in this book (The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal)
The writing was humorous, compelling and kept me engrossed to the end. The Epilogue was awesome. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. I would highly recommend this book and author (Wendy S Marcus) to anyone looking to read a good Harlequin Medical romance.


Madrin Memorial Hospital Series:
1. When One Night Isn’t Enough - Nurse Ali Forshay Story
2. Once a Good Girl - Victoria’s story
3. The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal - Roxie’s story. Read an excerpt here.




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We'll Always Have Paris by Jessica Hart

We'll Always Have Paris by Jessica Hart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book, another winner from Jessica Hart, one of my favorite authors. Clara and Simon's romance was fun to read, two people with personalities that were poles apart, a case where opposite attract for HEA. The characters in this book were life like and I enjoyed the references to the Sound of Music.
If you are looking for a feel good book to relax with I would definitely recommend this book.

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The Man Who Risked it All by Michelle Reid

The Man Who Risked It All by Michelle Reid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved this story!!! I have always been a big Fan of Michelle Reid and I think she has out done herself again! The man who risked it all is a beautiful reunion love story of Lexi Hamilton and Franco Tolle. The story starts with Franco and Marco his childhood friend taking part in a powerboat race where they are involved in a serious accident that leaves Franco injured and Marco dead. Franco is in the hospital and refuses to see anyone but his wife. When her father in law contacts Lexi and informs her of Franco condition and his request to see her she rushes to his bedside.

When Franco and Lexi first met they were young and easily influenced by the people around them. Franco and Lexi got married when they realized that she was pregnant but their marriage fell apart within six months when Lexi lost the baby and Franco was not around to support her. Lexi moved back to London and started to rebuild her life there.

This is a fast paced read and captivates you right from the start. I loved the interaction and the chemistry between the Franco and Lexi, you could tell throughout the story that they still loved each other. Michelle Reid has done a fantastic job in bringing this story to life, reading this book took me on an emotional filled journey filled with angst and hope, I was routing for Lexi and Franco all the way.