The Mariposa Hotel (A Tangerine Street Romance) by Julie Wright, Melanie Jacobson, and Heather B. Moore

The Mariposa Hotel (A Tangerine Street Romance) by Julia Wright, Melanie Jacobson and Heather B. Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
The Mariposa Hotel
A Tangerine Street Romance
(a novel in three parts)

Welcome to Tangerine Street

Tangerine Street is a must-see tourist stop with a colorful mix of one-of-a-kind boutiques, unique restaurants, eclectic museums, quaint bookstores, and exclusive bed-and-breakfasts. The Mariposa Hotel, a new resort, has revitalized Seashell Beach, bringing new life to the sleepy beach town. In the charming gardens of the hotel sits a three-hundred-year-old wishing well transported from Mexico. One toss of the coin, a sincere wish, and lives are changed forever… 

Other books in the Tangerine Street Romance series: 
The Fortune Café 
The Boardwalk Antiques Shop

4.5 Stars

Received an ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
So far these 3 authors have put together 3 Tangerine Street Romances.  The first is The Fortune Cafe. The second is The Boardwalk Antiques Shop.  This 3rd installment is much like those in that there are 3 separate stories, each by one of the authors. Each book takes place in the small beach town on the touristy Tangerine Street full of shops.  The authors have a "townful" of possibilities for more stories and I look forward to reading each of them.

The Mariposa Hotel has a beautiful and somewhat secret garden on the main floor.  In the middle is a beautiful old wishing well.  The characters in these 3 novellas have the opportunity to stay in the hotel and visit this wishing well. There is romance, miscommunication and magic from this amazing well to create 3 separate, yet connected stories. 

I appreciate that in all three stories, the characters are a bit more mature (meaning they are older than 20).  They have experienced relationships, education, jobs and in some cases have children they care for.  They have had successes in life as well as disappointments.  This allows them to bring a little "baggage" to the stories that gives them depth and interest.  

This is a quick, fun, and romance filled book.

Warnings: None

I would let my 17 year old read this book.

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Sarah M. Eden British Isles Collection

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Sarah M. Eden British Isles Collection

Summary from Goodreads:
The SARAH M. EDEN BRITISH ISLES COLLECTION contains two brand new historical romance novellas A FRIEND INDEED and A HAPPY BEGINNING, as well as four hand-picked readers’ and reviewers’ favorites of Sarah’s popular Timeless Romance Anthology novellas. Readers will love this selection of six historical romance novellas set in the British Isles.

5 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
It is no secret that I love Sarah M. Eden.  I love having a collection of her stories, especially ones in the British Isles.  I am a sucker for British Isle Historical Romance.

This collection starts off with 2 new stories by Sarah M. Eden.  Then there are 4 stories from previous anthologies.  I am happy that Sarah M. Eden included the very first A Timeless Romance story that I read.  In the first collection, Winter Collection, in 2012, the very first story is The Road to Cavan Town. It reminds me why I fell in love with these collections.

In the 2 new stories, Sarah M. Eden adds to my love of her story telling.  The first story, A Friend Indeed, is not at all what I expected.  Although the story is a romance, it doesn't have the sweep you off your feet, butterflies in your stomach kind of romance.  It leaves the reader with a sense of hope about love and its possibilities.  The second story, A Happy Beginning, shows how 2 people can overcome obstacles and work together for their happy ending, or in this case, their happy beginning.

I recommend reading any of the A Timeless Romance Anthologies for anyone who likes clean romance, both historical and contemporary.  

Warnings: None

I would let my 17 year old read this book.

A Healing Spirit by Melissa A. Hanson

A Healing Spirit by Melissa A. Hanson

Summary from Goodreads:
A freak ski accident brings nineteen-year old Mia Kinney within minutes of death. Hurt and scared, Mia is calmed by the southern drawl and clear green eyes of her rescuer. 

Twenty-one year old Dylan Blackburn is one of the first Ski Patrol members on the scene. As his patient is airlifted to the local trauma center, he can’t shake her from his thoughts. 

As Mia fights for her life, Dylan, is haunted by the blond hair beauty, and knows he needs to make sure she’s going to be okay. 

With a troubled past Dylan has vowed never to completely open himself up to another girl, but Mia continues to knock down every wall he’s constructed. When his past arrives at his front door and threatens once again someone that he loves, will Dylan be able to save Mia yet again? Or will he be too late this time?

A story of love, friendship, and the determination to turn a horrible experience into something worthwhile.

"A Healing Spirit" is book 2 of the Riverview Series, however each is a standalone story.

4 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
As the summary states, this book starts with a freak accident.  It really took me off guard.  The author does an excellent job of keeping the adrenaline going in the first parts of this book.  The action goes from the accident all the way through the rescue process and surgery at the hospital.  One could find the details of the process tedious, but I really like seeing it unfold.  Also, the entire book is told in different points of view. By doing this, the author gives us the first hand experience in the action.

The romantic elements of this story are lovely.  I really like seeing these characters come together from a difficult situation.  The characters even state in the book that although the accident was horrific, they are glad that it happened so that they could meet and fall in love. There is one scene where the couple take their physical relationship a little farther than I usually like.  As they are kissing, there is touching under clothes, but it is very brief.  The couple discuss it and what they see in their physical future.  

As the story continues, there is yet more action at the end of this book.  As one of the main character's past relationship comes back in to his life, it turns in to a cat and mouse game.  This person is out for revenge and nothing will stop him.  It is an unexpected aspect of the story.  I can tell about half way through the book that something is going to happen, but it is more action packed than I expected.

This is a good mix of action and romance.  Again, I really like seeing the different points of view throughout the book.  And the action and romance are just the right amount for me.

Warnings: Scene with touching under clothes, very brief.

Even though there is that brief touching scene, I would let my 17 year old daughter read this book.  

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection
by Cindy Roland Anderson, Annette Lyon, Julie Coulter Bellon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, and Jennifer Griffith

Summary from Amazon:
Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Under the Mistletoe Collection. Six contemporary novellas, all adding sweet romance to the Christmas season. 

In the enchanting novella FORGOTTEN KISSES by Cindy Roland Anderson, costume designer Madison Taylor has no love lost when the male lead playing Sir Lancelot in a TV series is fired. She couldn’t stand working with him anyway. But when she discovers who his replacement is, her heart nearly stops. Caleb Matthews is one of the hottest male actors ever… and not to mention Madison’s former boyfriend. When things got too serious between them, everything fell apart. And now, Madison must play nice or lose her job. She just has to forget all of the reasons she’d fallen for him in the first place. 

In THE LAST CHRISTMAS, a sweet romance novella by Annette Lyon, Meredith only has to make it through the Christmas holiday pretending that she and her husband Eric aren’t on the verge of divorce. She doesn’t want to ruin the holiday for her two grown daughters and their boyfriends. But when Eric hurries home after weeks of living in a motel to unpack before their daughters arrive, he starts pressing Meredith with questions about why she filed for divorce. The last thing Meredith wants to do it give Eric a second chance, but it seems that Eric is not willing to let her go without trying to win her back. 

In Julie Coulter Bellon’s captivating novella TRUTH OR DARE After a year of recovery, wounded war veteran Jonah Harrison comes home for Christmas. No longer the outgoing high school track star, he just wants to be left alone, away from well-meaning friends and neighbors. But when a blizzard strands him with Cami Jackson—the girl who once knew him best—he can’t hide anything from her, no matter how much he wants to. Cami has a wounded heart of her own, though, and it might take a Christmas miracle for them to find the healing they both long for and the courage to reach for a chance at love. 

In the charming novella HOLIDAY BUCKET LIST by Sarah M. Eden, Celeste Lagorio has officially given up on Christmas. A single mother, with her children grown and unable to return for the holiday, Celeste determines to take a break from everything. When her single neighbor and almost-best-friend, Mike Durham, discovers her non-plans, they discuss things they’ve always wanted to do, but never had time. Mike and Celeste put together a friendly competition of checking off the things on their bucket list, all the while drawing closer and discovering they have more in common than they thought. 

In CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY, a delightful novella by Heather B. Moore, Monica is on the verge of buying her dream store, but when she tells her boyfriend, he turns it into an embarrassing public argument. Heartbroken, but determined to follow her dream, she goes to her employer’s Christmas party to play Mrs. Claus, only to be paired with someone unexpected. A young Mr. Claus who is the complete opposite of her ex-boyfriend in all the most important ways. Yet, Monica is not sure she can risk opening her heart again. 

In Jennifer Griffith’s exciting novella FIRST (AND LAST) CHRISTMAS DATE, pilot Juliet Law has been in a holding pattern, dating the wrong guy, until she gets a holiday shake-up: old flame Tag McClintock e-mails her to ask for second date—after ten years. Their first date, back in high school, had been an unmitigated disaster culminating with Pepto Bismol and the police. Still, Juliet would have gone out with Tag again the next day—and the next—had he asked. So now that he’s finally popping up in her in-box again, Juliet must decide whether to say yes to the date, even if it puts her at risk of another decade of carrying a torch for Tag McClintock. Will their second date be their last? 

4 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
I love these collections.  This one was good, but I have liked others better.  Usually I love all of the stories, but in this one there were a few that I didn't particularly enjoy. At least not like I usually do.

One of the things I LOVED about this collection: There were some stories of older couples.  As a "not 20 something" adult, I liked reading about older people (and by that I mean "not 20 something").  The relationships have a different feel.  The couples bring more maturity and also more baggage to the relationship.  But it reminds me that falling in love happens at all times in life.  And it can happen again and again within your own marriage.  

Warnings: None

I would let my 17 year old read this collection.

Timeless Regency Collection: Autumn Masquerade

Introducing a new line from A Timeless Romance Anthology!  The stories are all Regency.  It is called Timeless Regency Collection.  This is the first one and I look forward to many more.

Timeless Regency Collection: Autumn Masquerade by Josi S. Kilpack, Donna Hatch, and Nancy Campbell Allen

A MERRY DANCE by Josi S. Kilpack. When Lila overhears her uncle talking about a man coming to look for property in the county, she doesn’t think twice, until her uncle says he hopes Lila will find enough interest to marry the man. How can she marry someone named Mortimer Luthford, not to mention that his advanced age of thirty-three, and especially since she’s already in love with her absent cousin Neville? But when Mortimer arrives, Lila has to try every trick known to women to act not interested in the rather fascinating man, which proves a very difficult façade to maintain. 

UNMASKING THE DUKE by Donna Hatch. The last thing Hannah Palmer wants to do is flirt with men in a crowded ballroom, but when her sister throws a Masquerade Ball, Hannah can’t say no to the invitation and takes comfort behind a mask. She dances with a charming masked man, matching him wit for wit. When the glorious evening culminates in a kiss, and the two remove their masks, Hannah is horrified to discover the man she’s been flirting with all night is her most despised neighbor, the Duke of Suttenberg. No matter how charming the duke was at the ball, and how wonderful the kiss, he is the last man she’d ever accept.

WHAT’S IN A NAME by Nancy Campbell Allen. Penelope Timely has a terrible secret. She’s been writing letters to the Duke of Wilmington, pretending to be her ever-proper twin sister, Persephone. Now, the duke has written that he’ll be coming for the Autumn Masquerade Ball and Festival. Penelope will have to continue the charade while the duke is in town in order to protect her sister. The Duke of Wilmington isn’t fooled for a moment, but instead of confessing that he knows about the deception, he finds himself utterly charmed by Penelope and jumps into the game of deception to see how far the twin sisters will take it.

5 Stars, I love Regency!

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
Ahh, I love Regency Romance, especially when it is clean.  That is one of the reasons I love these Anthologies, they are clean, fun, and swoon-worthy.

Each of these stories takes place with an Autumn Masquerade.  This is so fun for this time of year.  The characters get to dress up, wear masks, and dance the night away.  All of this leads to miss information and some deception and of course, love.  I enjoy seeing how the authors play with this theme.  Each story has its own feel, but it is fun to have it all connected with the Autumn Masquerade.

Warnings: None

I would let my 17 year old read this book.

The Power of the Matchmaker by Heather B. Moore

The Power of the Matchmaker by Heather B. Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
A prequel novella to the POWER OF THE MATCHMAKER Series
Mystical . . . Beautiful . . . Romantic . . .
12 novels by 12 bestselling authors
Released once a month in 2016
Read the matchmaker’s story to find out where it all starts . . .

Mae Li has been in love with Chen Zhu for years, and he with her. But when the matchmaker arrives at the Zhu family home, she recommends another village girl for Chen.

Heartbroken, Mae Li watches as Chen does his duty by marrying another. Mae flees her village with the clothes on her back and her only possession—a pearl embedded comb, given to her as a goodbye gift from Chen Zhu.

Upon Mae’s arrival in Shanghai, she quickly learns that she’ll starve within days unless she sells her prized comb or joins a courtesan house. She goes to the Huangpu River and promises the River God that she’ll always be selfless if he will save her from becoming a prostitute . . . Her wish is granted when Ms. Tan, the matchmaker of Shanghai, finds Mae. But Mae must completely change her future and her name if she is to become the next matchmaker. 

5 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
As stated in the summary, this is going to be a series where 1 book is released each month for 12 months.  Put them all on your Goodreads shelf. To see which books are coming out which month and their beautiful covers, check out Heather B. Moore's Blog. I am looking forward to reading each of these.

This novella introduces the reader to the Matchmaker who will be involved in each of the books released next year.  We learn about her heartbreaking youthful love story.  We learn how she survives and heals from her heartbreak.  We learn how she is mentored by the local Matchmaker.  And, ultimately, we learn how she becomes the Matchmaker.  

This story is a great introduction to what is coming next.  It has definitely gotten me excited for each of the books and seeing how Mae Li, aka Miss Pearl,  works her magic in being the Matchmaker.

Warnings: None

I would let my 17 year old read this book.

Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore

Miss Burton Unmasks a Prince by Jennifer Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
1812

Southern belle Meg Burton is her parents’ last hope of avoiding financial ruin, and a distant cousin’s kind gesture seems an ideal solution: he will sponsor Meg for a London Season. The pursuit of a wealthy husband was not exactly how the bookish young woman had envisioned her first trip abroad—after all, what does a girl from Charleston, South Carolina, know about being a lady? Amidst the stunning gowns and extravagant balls of the ton, Meg feels like an imposter. Thankfully, she has one friend who knows her true self—Carlo, a handsome stable hand. Despite their difference in station, love blossoms between the unlikely pair, and Meg is sure of one thing: she wants nothing to do with the insufferable European aristocracy.

Prince Rodrigo de Talavera has lost everything to Napoleon. Jaded by war, he has become bitter and miserable—until he meets Meg, an American woman whose eccentric schemes and passion for life remind him what it is to laugh and to love. If only she knew him for himself and not as Carlo the stable hand. With the shadow of deception looming over their happy acquaintance and the dangers of war drawing ever more near, can Meg and Rodrigo find the courage to put aside their pretenses and discover if they can be loved as they truly are?

5 Stars

Received ebook from Publisher for an honest review

My Review:
My favorite book genre is historical fiction, especially the English Regency era.  This book falls right in to this time period, but also covers a topic with which I am unfamiliar.  The Prince from the title is a Spanish Prince who has fled Spain during the Peninsular War after Joseph Bonaparte has been made King by his brother, Napoleon Bonaparte.  Although the author is writing about fictional characters, she has placed them and referenced them to real historical events.  This interests me and causes me to look in to the subject further.  So I may be reading this book for entertainment, but I am learning about world history at the same time.  

I love the relationship development in this book.  I especially like Carlo and his interest in helping Miss Burton live out her gothic novel fantasies.  Miss Burton likes to be thrilled and scared, she likes to feel chills and goosebumps.  Carlo is sweet in his efforts to make her happy.  At the same time, Miss Burton's love of life and excitement help Carlo come out of his doldrums.  They fulfill each other's needs at a time in their lives where they each feel alone, even while being surrounded by many people.

I like this book a lot, but it is a bit predictable.  At times, I don't know how the author is going to resolve a conflict, but there isn't a lot of surprise in how it is resolved.  There is romance, adventure, some comedy and a satisfying ending.  

This book has a nice blend of history and romance, 2 things I really love.  And, because of that, I am going to look in to other works by this author, Jennifer Moore.

Warnings: None

I would let my 17 year old read this book.