Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown

Sometimes it's really difficult to write a review for a book that is so loved, that the feeling of not doing the book justice in the review makes one anxious. This is how I feel about Carolyn Brown's Daisies in the Canyon. I will start off with the fact that this is one fabulous read where you feel apart of what's going on. 

Ezra Malloy was something else. In life he made waves and even in death he cause a tizzy when the daughters he fathered by three different women come together to duke it out for an unconventional inheritance. The three young ladies who grew up with their mothers since Ezra didn't see much need for females in his home, meet for the first time under the direction of a will that has them in competition for Ezra's land. The three must live together for a year, whoever is left after that year will inherit. So of course there is some tension right off the bat when the three Malloy ladies must go at it to see who will come out on top in the end.

Much like her new siblings, ex-Army Sergeant Abby Malloy only feels animosity towards the man who denied her mother and herself a family. Going through life never really feeling she belonged wreaks havoc on a person's soul. The resilient Abby accepts the challenge put forth in her father's will to prove to herself she can do it. When she meets the man that puts a kink in her plans to take the money and run, Abby thrown for a loop. 

Local sheriff, rancher and neighbor to the Malloy home, the handsome Cooper Wilson is a distraction Abby doesn't need, or thinks she doesn't need,  but Cooper on the other hand has set his sights on the skittish Abby and those sights are set to cause some action. Honorable and dependable, Cooper is everything Abby has never had, but always needed. Now he's got to convince the woman who is ready to run, that running isn't all it's cracked up to be, and maybe, just maybe the love of a small town rancher is all Abby really needs. 

Heading back to Palo Duro Canyon, Texas, has never felt so good as it is when reading Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown. Miz Brown has the unique way of combining humor and romance to achieve perfection in the form of a wonderful story. The characters are all distinctive and essential and each one becomes a friend to the reader. Abby Malloy is not your typical heroine, for this stubborn Miss can certainly take care of herself, but why would she want to when she has perfection in the form of Cooper Wilson who wants to do that caring for her? I for one would fawn for that boy's attention.  Picking up Daisies in the Canyon by Carolyn Brown is a no-brainer really for anyone who loves a good romance with a hint of humor and whole lot of feeling. A must read.

~KIMBERLY~ 

A Christmas Code by Jacki Delecki

She's loved him since she was practically a child who followed him and her brother around in hopes of garnering his attention. Now years later Lady Gwyneth Beaumont has decided she must make him notice her before it's too late. This beauty can have any man, but she has lost her heart to Viscount James Ashworth and no one else will do.

The Viscount has been in France for the past three years undercover for the crown. Ash, as James is called, intends to finish with his final case and return to life of lord of his home, but when an assignment protecting the Prince Regent and a Christmas gathering goes awry, only Lady Gwyneth's presence with his will help. Ash has been trying to resist Gwyneth for years. Being his best friend's sister doesn't help the situation and James in no way wants Gwyneth in any sort of danger. Gwyneth is a force to be reckoned with and when she discovers a secret, she could potentially be in a great deal of danger.

Ash doing his job is paramount, but it protecting Gwyneth becomes more than a job and when sparks begin to fly between the two, things become very interesting.

A Christmas Code by Jacki Delecki is a novella that really packs a punch. This is the first story I have read by Ms. Delecki and I have to say that I truly enjoyed it. Both Gwyneth and Ash and interesting and engaging and their romance is a draw. The backdrop of the Christmas season along with the espionage is a great twist. I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.

~KIMBERLY~

A Christmas Code Giveaway Info: • $25 Amazon Gift Card • 2 eBook copies of A Code of Love Rafflecopter Code: a Rafflecopter giveaway



 Author Bio: Descended from a long line of storytellers, Jacki spins adventures filled with mystery, healing and romance. Jacki’s love affair with the arts began at a young age and inspired her to train as a jazz singer and dancer. She has performed many acting roles with Seattle Opera Company and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Her travels to London and Paris ignited a deep-seated passion to write the romantic, regency The Code Breaker Series. Jacki is certain she spent at least one lifetime dancing in the Moulin Rouge. Jacki has set her Grayce Walters Mystery Series in Seattle, her long-time home. The city’s unique and colorful locations are a backdrop for her romantic mystery. Although writing now fills much of her day, she continues to volunteer for Seattle’s Ballet and Opera Companies and leads children’s tours of Pike Street Market. Her volunteer work with Seattle’s homeless shelters influenced one of her main characters in An Inner Fire and Women Under Fire. Jacki’s two Golden Labs, Gus and Talley, were her constant companions. Their years of devotion and intuition inspired her to write both dogs as heroes in each series. A geek at heart, Jacki loves superhero movies--a hero’s battle against insurmountable odds. But her heroines don’t have to wear a unitard to fight injustice and battle for the underdog. Look for more heart-pounding adventure, intrigue, and romance in A Code of the Heart—A Regency Novella, next in the Code Breaker Series, to be released on Valentine’s Day, 2015.

To learn more about Jacki and her books and to be the first to hear about giveaways join her newsletter found on her website: http:// www.jackidelecki.com  Follow her on FB—Jacki Delecki; Twitter @jackidelecki.

 Book Blurb: Lady Gwyneth Beaumont has long awaited the opportunity to show Viscount James Ashworth that she is no longer the impetuous child who dogged his footsteps. Now a much sought-after debutante, she is determined to prove to the hard-headed rake that she is a grown woman and a worthy participant in both the spy game and the game of love. Ash, recently returned from three years undercover in France in His Majesty’s service, wants nothing more than to complete his final mission and retire to his bucolic country estate. However, what seemed a simple assignment to protect the Prince Regent at a Christmas party turns into a maze of intrigue, desire, and treachery. Adding to the perilous secret operation is one problem Ash never anticipated: The appearance of the reckless, enticing Gwyneth, who has blossomed into a gorgeous woman and self-appointed spy. When a snooping Gwyneth uncovers a shocking secret, she puts herself in mortal danger. Can Ash protect Gwyneth and the Prince from French assailants and, at the same time, win the passionate lady's heart? Can Ash and Gwyneth both triumph as winners in the game of spies and love? 

 Purchase Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1rjUKCG

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/15fPSdA

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1yNnWq3

iTunes: http://bit.ly/1tf4m2u

An Oath Taken (The Oath Trilogy #1) by Diana Cosby

All Sir Nicholas Beringar, the new castellan of Ravenmoor Castle,  wanted to do was restore the holding to its former glory and get the inhabitants to trust in him and leave peaceably. All Lady Elizabet Armstrong, petite Scottish hell-raiser wants to do is save her people who have been taken prisoner in Ravenmoor Castle. When the two meet, it's in a very unexpected way and begins this tale of deception and awakening.

When Lady Elizabet sets out to rob a seemingly weather traveler, she gets more than she bargains for when she discovers that her victim is no victim at all, but the new castellan of the castle where her father, brother and people are being held prisoner, and he is no one to cross. She is mistaken for a lad and in an instant becomes "Thomas", who Sir Nicholas offers a position as his squire.

Thomas/Elizabet appears at Ravenmoor with her beautiful hair shorn and in menswear, Sir Nicholas begins to train his squire. After Nicholas comes to believe that Thomas was abused by men, he takes Thomas under his wing. The only problem there is that he begins to have unconventional feeling for the boy and doesn't know what to do about them.

Elizabet as Thomas, tries her darnedest to live up to the expectations of the squire that Nicholas wants. The inner struggle to help her people but maintain a loyalty to her castellan is eating away at her. The fact that she also has feelings for Nicholas makes the deception of her boyish appearance even more difficult. What will happen when her identity is finally discovered? Will the trust that Nicholas placed in Thomas be destroyed completely when he discovers Thomas is in fact the beautiful troublemaker, Elizabet? Finding all this out is all in the discovery in this tale by Diana Cosby.

An Oath Taken by Diana Cosby, the first tale in her latest Oath Trilogy is a well written in engaging saga. The backdrop of English and Scottish strife along with this very intimate story of rousing emotion between the two main characters, Nicholas and Elizabet. I truly enjoyed this story. I think Ms Cosby's writing only gets better and better. The only point I found to be a tad bothersome was that how Elizabet could be continually mistaken for a boy by Nicholas when in such close quarters with him. I couldn't completely buy into that ease of deception and it probably is why I gave this book a 4 instead of 5 Star review. Aside from that niggling doubt, I really did enjoy this book. Sir Nicholas is a character of such honor and integrity truly attempting to make up for the wrongs done to the people under his protection by the evil castellan who proceeded him. His part of this story cemented my enjoyment of the story as I adore a strong but fair hero and Sir Nicholas is all that and more.

~KIMBERLY~ 

Gut Instinct (The Campbells of Creek Bend #2) by Barb Han

FBI agent, Luke Campbell is one of several siblings in law enforcement who is dedicated to his job. Luke was also a dedicated soldier, but when he returned from Iraq with PTSD, his life fell apart, including a divorce from his wife Julie that still, years later, leaves him raw. Luke has been on the tail of a serial killer who has eluded him, but now, Julie is involved and Luke will stop at nothing to protect her, even though his heart still yearns for her.

Julie Davis was devastated when Luke returned from Iraq and shut her out. All she ever wanted to do was help him overcome the nightmare of war, but Luke hid away his pain and pushed away his love in favor of isolation and loneliness. When Julie walks in on the aftermath of a murder and then becomes a target for the killer, Luke appears to her dismay to crack the case and put the murderer away. Only thing is, Julie still has feelings for Luke and the more time she spends in his company, the more she wants him, and he her for that matter. With a killer on the trail, Luke and Julie try to keep it casual, because any slip could lead to Julie being hurt. Now it's a game of cat and mouse Luke, Julie and a violent killer who is more determined than ever to punish Julie for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Only with Luke at her side will she be able to get through the horror of this serial killer's fascination with her downfall.

Gut Instinct by Barb Han is a winner in my book. It has everything that a romantic suspense needs and it has it in spades. I love the way Luke and Julie interact with one another after all they went though when he returned from the military. The way Julie notices every nuance of Luke's personality, the way he has worked so hard to leave that tortured soul that left their marriage in a shambles is a breath of fresh air. I adore the way that each aches for the other and that ache takes over. Barb Han has taken suspense to another level with this brand of serial killer who is cool and collected. Gut Instinct, the second book in the Campbells Of Creek Bend series is temptation rolled up into a little package that I highly recommend.

~KIMBERLY~ 

Love Finds Its Way (Way of the Hearts Saga #2) by Wilhelmina Stolen

Lucas was adopted by the Sullivan clan at a young age, but as his years with his new family passed, he became more and more enamored of his adopted sister, Callie. When Callie is eighteen, it becomes clear to Lucas that if he remains in the Sullivan home, without having found out his true identity, his life may not be as it should. So with a heavy heart and deep feelings for Callie, he sets out for Texas in search of his name and legacy.

At first, Callie didn't understand what those feelings she was having for Lucas meant. After she and her sister were abducted and her mother killed, Callie found it difficult to trust anyone but Lucas and as her feelings for him grow, she yearns for more. As hard as it is for Callie to allow Lucas to leave, she knows in her heart he must find out who he is. Before he goes he elicits a promise from her to wait for him.

Eighteen months after Lucas left Virginia for Texas Callie still waits and pines after him, even though she hasn't had a letter from him in six months. Callie has now taken over management of the family business for her father and he has hired an accountant from New York to train her. When the accountant hits a nerve with Callie and hints that he would be a good choice for her, Callie is more determined than ever to hold onto Lucas. When a mysterious telegram arrives from Texas, Callie in the company of her father and the accountant set out to save Lucas from whatever he has gotten involved in. 

Love Finds Its Way by Wilhelmina Stolen has it all, murder, intrigue and romance. There is a lot going on around both Lucas and Callie, some of the goings on are determined to keep the two apart. Callie's sheer determination to bring her man back is truly a revelation for the reader as well as for the hero. This is the first title I have ever read by Ms. Stolen and I am very interested in reading more. This Western historical romance is well written and attention inspiring. Love Finds Its Way is the perfect example of the adage "where there's a will, there's a way", for both Callie and Lucas have a lot of will.

~KIMBERLY~

Wanton Christmas Wishes (Self-Made Men #2) by Monica Burns, Eliza Lloyd, Madelynne Ellis, Jess Michaels, Samantha Kane, Kate Pearce

This collection of not only heartwarming holiday reads, but sizzling and sensual as well, leaves the reader fulfilled in more ways than one. Each and every tale in this well written anthology is unique and exciting. As a reader of both Monica Burns, Jess Michaels and Samantha Kane, it is a pleasure to continue to read works by them as well as find new go-to authors like Madelynne Ellis, Eliza Llyod, and Kate Pearce, who I have added to my must read lists as a result of reading Wanton Christmas Wishes by all of the above authors.

Each and every slice of life is a epic in itself.  Whether it be the finding of a new love or the reawakening of it, these masterful, erotic historical tales are a must-read for any discerning reader. I highly recommend Wanton Christmas Wishes to one and all.

~KIMBERLY~

Christmas Novella Blog Tour: Featuring Jill Shalvis, J.S. Scott, Jessica Scott, Nadia Lee, and Rita Herron + Giveaway!

Love a great Christmas romance, but pressed for time? Pick up a holiday novella to satisfy your craving for a great happy-ever-after. This season contemporary authors Jill Shalvis, J.S. Scott, Jessica Scott, Nadia Lee, and Rita Herron are all releasing Christmas novellas. Today these authors stop by to spread the holiday cheer and discuss their favorite holiday reads. Take it away ladies!

J.S. Scott author of The Billionaire’s Christmas:

I love The Gift Of The Magi by O. Henry. It's not exactly a novel, but a short Christmas story about the sacrifices a couple will make for true love. I think it embodies the spirit of the holidays and it's a short, sweet read.   

Nadia Lee author of The Billionaire’s Holiday Obsession: 

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs. It's urban fantasy, and I really loved it.

Jessica Scott author of All I Want For Christmas Is You:

I think A Christmas Carol is a big one. It’s easy to get caught up in the mayhem over the holidays but it’s important to sometimes step back and remember that they’re supposed to be about family and friends and giving. I love the change of heart in that story.

Jill Shalvis author of Merry Christmas, Baby:

The Polar Express! Gah. Makes me cry every. single. time. Love it, always have. 

Rita Herron author of Going To the Chapel:

My favorite Christmas story is The Polar Express. We read it to our children every year. It’s not only a beautiful picture book but it portrays the spirit of the holidays.

***

About the Novellas

Merry Christmas, Baby by Jill Shalvis

Wild child Chloe Thompson can't believe how much things have changed. She still can't get enough of her sexy husband Sawyer, but he seems to prefer working to impending fatherhood. So tonight, a very pregnant Chloe is escaping her troubles at the town Christmas party.

Sheriff Sawyer Thompson hopes surprising Chloe at the party will give him a chance to set things right. But as the snow begins to fall and the wind rages, he wonders whether he can make it back in time. While mother nature conspires to keep Sawyer and Chloe apart, an unexpected arrival will require them to kiss and make up . . . and ring in the happiest holiday Lucky Harbor has ever seen.

The Billionaire’s Christmas by J.S. Scott

Called an eccentric beast by the citizens of Amesport, Maine, handsome billionaire Grady Sinclair stays isolated in his mansion on a private peninsula. The arrangement suits Grady just fine—until an angelic woman rings his doorbell, awaking his long dormant passion with her fearlessness. All he wants is to make the fiery blonde his forever. But will he have to become the monster everyone thinks he is to get his Christmas wish?

Emily Ashworth is desperate. The Youth Center has been robbed of all its money, and as the director, she has to find a way to give the town’s needy children the Christmas they deserve. With nowhere else to turn, she ventures to the mansion of a mysterious billionaire to ask for help. Warned to expect a beast, Emily is shocked to find Grady Sinclair a handsome and passionate man. Is this misunderstood billionaire just a lonely soul who needs the gift of love for Christmas?

All I Want For Christmas Is You by Jessica Scott

All Major Patrick MacLean wanted was Christmas with the woman and child who were his family in everything but name. But Captain Samantha Egan has come back from the war a different woman than the one who left - and she doesn't know if she can love him anymore.

But neither of them counted on the determination of a little girl they both call daughter and if Natalie has her wish, her parents may have no idea what's coming for them. It's going to take Christmas miracle to bring these two wounded warriors back from the edge of a broken heart.

Going To the Chapel by Rita Herron

If there’s a naughty list, Izzy Sassafras is on it—but she’s ready to make a new start this Christmas. Especially after leaving her lying, cheating, no-good husband and fleeing to her old hometown of Matrimony, Georgia. Izzy’s made herself a promise: no more men. All she wants to do is get her wedding business up and running—and mend fences with her estranged sisters. But Izzy knows she’s in trouble when her very first client, a smooth-talking Texan, makes her light up like a Christmas tree.

Desperate for business, private investigator Levi Fox reluctantly takes a case involving a runaway wife in a town called Matrimony. When he meets sweet, sexy Izzy, he decides she can’t possibly be as innocent as she seems. At first, posing as her client is the perfect cover; but he soon imagines himself as a groom—with Izzy as his Christmas bride! Will this case end with a trip to the chapel…or the jailhouse?

The Billionaire’s Holiday Obsession by Nadia Lee

Deep in debt and stalked by a deadly conman, Jane Connolly needs a job and a safe place to stay. With no one to turn to in an unfamiliar city, she can't refuse the kindness of a magnetic stranger.

A former mixed martial arts fighter, billionaire Iain Pryce couldn't walk away from a small town girl in a big city, especially when it's obvious she's in trouble. But her sweet spirit threatens the single principle he's been living under for the past thirteen years: don't lose control...

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