Four Chambers (Power of the Matchmaker Series) by Julie Wright

Four Chambers (Power of the Matchmaker Series) by Julie Wright

Summary from Goodreads:
Every time Andra Stone crosses paths with Everett Covington, trouble follows. First she loses her scholarship. Then she loses the apartment she’d wanted more than anything. But tragedy hits hardest when she loses her grandmother—the best friend Andra has ever known. She determines that Everett is a talisman of ill fortune. When Everett comes to work in her hospital and is applying for the same position she’d been working toward since residency, Andra believes him to be her personal poltergeist.

The human heart has four chambers—four chances to get it right. Andra has only one chance left.

4 Stars

I received an ebook for an honest review

My Review:

Mike and I on our wedding day

This book hit close to home for me. Not the romance part, but the medical school, residency, job part. My husband is an Anesthesiologist. We married when we were both still in Undergraduate School. We have been married for 22 years. During that time we have gone through the arduous task of getting in to Medical School, completing an MD AND a PhD, completing a 4 year Residency Program, and then finally getting a job, that my husband LOVES. Yes, this process took 12 years of EXTRA schooling/training, post undergrad. I could identify with the process that these 2 characters went through to get to where they wanted to be in their medical careers.

Mike and his sister, Dr. Kinghorn,
 at Graduation,. Dr. Carter MD, PhD

As someone who has gone through the medical career process, I was very frustrated that these two characters put their careers before their relationships. I understand that career is very important. But to me, having gone through this, I wished that the characters recognized their need for each other sooner. I know the statistics for divorce is high in medical careers. And, in some ways I see why the characters didn't make that leap. However, it was difficult for me to read them going through that process.

Julie Wright did an excellent job of creating the angst between these two characters. I was grateful that Miss Pearl, the Matchmaker, was there to help these two through the years of seeing each other. Miss Pearl had a bigger role in this book than in some of the others. She showed up several times, and in different cities. I loved how she was able to take on a different career. In some of the Power of the Matchmaker books, Miss Pearl was a woman without a specific career. And, in books like this one, Miss Pearl took on a career that she doesn't have traditional training in (at least that we know of). 

Once again, I look forward to reading more in the Power of the Matchmaker Series. The books are stand alone. The common thread is Miss Pearl, the Matchmaker.

Warnings: None

I would let my 18 year old read this book.

You can purchase this book:
Amazon
BN
Kobo

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Road Trip Collection by Jolene Betty Perry, Sarah M. Eden, Ranee S. Clark, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, and Aubrey Mace

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Road Trip Collection by Jolene Betty Perry, Sarah M. Eden, Ranee S. Clark, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, and Aubrey Mace

Summary from Goodreads:
WHAT FALLING FEELS LIKE by Jolene Betty Perry
High school was years ago, and Kendell is ready to admit that Tyler, her best friend’s younger brother, has matured into a good-looking man. But the once-popular Kendell is recovering from a marriage-gone-wrong, and she regrets turning Tyler down for high school prom. On their road trip to deliver a refurbished camper, Kendell rediscovers all the reasons she liked Tyler, but it might be too late to rekindle their friendship.

ANTIQUES ROAD TRIP by Sarah M. Eden
Kelsey is living out her dream for the weekend as she participates in a reality show contest by living on a 19th century film set. The contestant who wins the show receives a trip to England and $100k, more than enough to get her through grad school. When she meets Devon, who was coerced by his sister to participate, friendship blossoms. When things go wrong for Kelsey, Devon is there to help, and she soon realizes that winning the contest isn’t what she most desires.

WOULDN’T IT BE NICE by Ranee` S. Clark
When Jacqueline's boyfriend Colin drops out of their long-planned road trip with friends to put his job first—again—it's the final nail in the coffin of their dying relationship. But then Hudson, her best friend’s brother, takes Colin's spot for the road trip, and Jacqueline’s disappointment in her ex takes a back seat to the chance for reestablishing the close ties she once had with Hudson. When their friendship detours into romance, it forces Jacqueline to question her reasons for breaking up with Colin and her future with Hudson.

HEAD OVER HEELS by Annette Lyon
Tristan is proud to be an entrepreneur, running a popular singles’ lifestyle blog. So when she gets an offer to cover a singles convention in Las Vegas, she needs to find a way to get there from another freelance job in Salt Lake without breaking into her personal savings. Her friend sets her up with a co-worker who happens to be driving that way, and Tristan is more than surprised to come face-to-face with a man she has a lot in common with, not to mention seems to click with right away. The two decide to play a prank on Tristan’s friend, and pretend that they are smitten with each other, but soon, the lines between pretend and reality start to fade.

TWO DOZEN ROSES by Heather B. Moore
Dayna reluctantly takes time out of her busy work life to drive her mother up the Pacific Coast Highway from California to her brother’s home in Oregon. Strangely enough, they keep running into two brothers who are traveling the same route in honor of their sister’s memory. The older brother Garrett is a merciless flirt, but the younger brother Roman is who captures Dayna’s attention. Soon she realizes that the brothers are extremely competitive, and she’s just become their next target.

TRY, TRY AGAIN by Aubrey Mace
Sarah’s secret crush on Justin takes a sudden turn when he breaks up with his girlfriend and declares that he’s interested in Sarah. She believes he’s just on the rebound, and they slowly drift apart. Six months later, Sarah still can’t stop thinking about what might have been. She ropes her friend into taking a road trip to visit Justin, hoping for a second chance. When Justin sees her, he wants answers, and Sarah has to decide if she’s brave enough to finally tell him the truth.

4.5 Stars

Received an ebook from one of the authors in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:
Road Trips. The word alone brings up feelings from traveling across the country as a kid to the trip our family took last fall to Steamboat Springs, CO. I'm sure you are having some of those same feelings. Some good, some bad. It might be "don't make me get back in that car" to "what other snacks do we have?". Our family makes traveling playlists. My daughters bring movies that we sometimes watch, sometimes don't (that wasn't an option when I was a kid). We play the alphabet game. Again, we each have our own experiences with Road Trips, but whatever that is, this collection of short stories brings those feelings to the surface.

Road trips confine us to a small space for long hours at a time. Some of the stories use that to the advantage of developing relationships. Some of the relationships are "old", but this time in the car is perfect for rediscovering the friendships and seeing what might lay ahead. Other stories find the characters discovering something new. Again, a confined car is a great place to get to know one another! There is only one story that didn't have the 2 main characters sharing in the road trip. This gives the main character time to work through thoughts and feelings as she travels. It is a different take than the other stories.

I enjoyed this collection as I do all of the A Timeless Romance Anthologies. Next up - Blind Date Collection coming in September according to the website.

Warnings: None

I would let my 18 year old read this collection.

You can purchase this collection:
Amazon
BN
Kobo

Timeless Regency Collection: Spring in Hyde Park by Jennifer Moore, G.G. Vandagriff, and Nichole Van

Timeless Regency Collection: Spring in Hyde Park by Jennifer Moore, G.G. Vandagriff, and Nichole Van

Summary from Goodreads:
Join three bestselling Regency Romance authors, Jennifer Moore, G.G. Vandagriff, and Nichole Van, for three new novellas in SPRING IN HYDE PARK:

A HAPPY ACCIDENT by Jennifer Moore. Jonathan Burles' father has just died, making him the new Marquess of Spencer and the most sought after bachelor in London. An unfortunate accident leads to a forced marriage to Maryann Croft, a young woman who possesses no title, and an unexpected secret. With the unstable beginning to their marriage, finding love together seems impossible.

THE DISDAINFUL DUKE by G. G. Vandagriff. Lady Saphronia Huffington has always thought of herself as plain next to the beauty of her sister, Lady Lavinia. So when her sister becomes engaged to Lord Gilbert Caldwell and Saphronia is paired for wedding events with his brother, the granite-faced Duke of Mayfield, who is known to prefer beauties, she sharpens her wit. Thus begins a lengthy sparring contest during which the Duke realizes Saphronia is anything but plain.

AN INVISIBLE HEIRESS by Nichole Van. Miss Belle Heartstone has everything money can buy—houses, servants, carriages, clothing, jewels. A husband, however, is proving much harder to, ehr . . . purchase. Colin Radcliffe, the newly minted Marquess of Blake, is in desperate need of funds—preferably of the wife-free variety. When circumstances draw the two together, Blake might be the only man able to see beyond Belle’s outer façade, and fall in love with the woman inside. 

4 Stars

Received an ebook from author in exchange for an honest review

My review:
I love the A Timeless Romance Anthologies. Last year they added Timeless Regency Collection. They include 3 longer novellas all taking place in the Regency Period. This specific collection includes 3 stories which all have Hyde Park as an important part of the story.

I would love to travel to England. And after reading these stories, if I ever get to go, I'm putting Hyde Park on my list of sights to see. 

Hyde Park is a gathering place for the upper crust to see and be seen. However, in 2 of these stories, the main action in Hyde Park takes place with very little to no other people around. I find that interesting. Rather than have it be a big public event in Hyde Park, these incidents are fairly private. The 3 stories include other scenes in Hyde Park as well that are more along the lines of typical scenes in Hyde Park, with pomp and circumstance.

My favorite story of the 3 is the first, A Happy Accident. It tugs at my heartstrings. I definitely am drawn to this kind of story. 

I look forward to reading more of the Timeless Regency Collections. The next one due out is Summer House Party.

Warnings: None

I would let my 18 year old read this collection.

You can purchase this book:
Amazon
BN

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden

The Sheriffs of Savage Wells by Sarah M. Eden

Summary from Goodreads:
He's the most fearsome sheriff in the West. A force to be reckoned with. The stuff of legend.

So is she. . . . May the best sheriff win.

Paisley Bell knows the eccentric people of Savage Wells. From the absentminded shopkeeper who always thinks she's been robbed to the young man who has returned shell-shocked from the war, Paisley has compassion for them all. When the sheriff up and leaves town, Paisley steps up and assumes the responsibility, partly because she loves the work, but also because she needs the income to take care of her sick father. So when the town council decides that the position of sheriff should really go to a man, Paisley finds herself fighting to prove that she's the perfect candidate for the job, even though she wears a skirt.

Cade O'Brien is heartily sick of shooting people. In his many years as a lawman, Cade has seen his share of blood and violence. So when he answers an advertisement for a sheriff job in the sleepy town of Savage Wells, he believes he's found the peace and quiet he's always desired. But when he discovers that his biggest competition for the job is a woman, he begins to question his decisions.

Tension between the two begins to sizzle when both Cade and Paisley realize the attraction they have for each other, but when Paisley's former beau shows up in town, along with a band of bank robbers, the blossoming relationship between the two sheriffs is tested. They will have to work together to thwart the bank robbers and keep the town safe. 

5 Stars

Received an ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
I will read ANYTHING by Sarah M. Eden. I absolutely love her books. When I saw that she had a new book coming out I was so happy. Yay! Another Sarah M. Eden book!

This book is yet another great book by Sarah M. Eden. She creates such great stories and her writing brings you right in to the story. I fall in love with the setting, the characters, the plot. 

The characters are incredible in this story. I love the back stories on both of the main characters. In addition, there are fantastic secondary characters. There are many quirky characters, but also some that I wish I could know more about. The doctor in particular is a character that I would love to have his own book. I really appreciate the story of the war veteran. His character added another layer of interest.

The romance in the book is just the right amount for me. There is attraction and tension. There is also respect for one another and their abilities as Sheriffs. That adds another dimension to the romance. They truly are equals, no damsels in distress here.

Which brings me to one of the most wonderful parts of this book. Paisley is awesome. Sarah M. Eden has created a strong woman who is completely capable. She is also kind and friendly. She has a heart. Being strong and capable does not make her a hard woman. I love reading about women with these qualities.

This is a great historical story with a great old west setting, conflict and competition, romance, and wonderful characters. I loved it!

Warnings: None

I would let my 18 year old read this book.

This book is due out in September.
You can purchase this book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Love is Come by Heather B. Moore (Power of the Matchmaker)

Love is Come by Heather B. Moore

Summary from Goodreads:
Nelle Thompson lives a life of privilege during the turn of the century New York City. When her parents are killed in a terrible accident, she’s forced to live with her aunt’s family in a small town in Connecticut, and treated as a poor relation with no financial independence. Broken hearted and riddled with insomnia, Nelle’s health begins a downward spiral. When a locked part of her heart blossoms around her cousin’s fiancé Mathew Janson, Nelle doesn’t know if she can endure one more heartbreak. Miss Pearl, owner of the local apothecary shop, becomes a mother figure to Nelle, but a fateful summer day has Nelle questioning everything she's ever believed and wondering if she’ll ever love again.

4 Stars

Received ebook from author in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:
This is the 4th book in the Power of the Matchmaker series. One book will be released each month during this coming year. Each book can stand alone. The common thread through the series is "The Matchmaker". Miss Pearl, the matchmaker, appears in each book.

The fun thing about this series is that there is no specific time or place for the story. Some are historical, some are contemporary. This is historical which is probably my favorite genre. I love being transported to a different time.

I like this story. I tend to like happy stories and this one is actually pretty sad to me. The main character has so much disappointment and heart ache in her life. I so desire for her to be happy, but it takes the entire book to get to that point.

In the Power of the Matchmaker books that I've read so far, Miss Pearl is a bright spot. She is positive, helpful, and her interactions with the characters are just wonderful. Her role in this one has some of that, but she also lets the main character flounder a bit. It upsets me that Miss Pearl isn't perfect. For some reason I like to think of her as not making any mistakes. I feel like she did make mistakes in this story.

I really like this series and plan on reading each one and seeing how Miss Pearl affects the lives of people across time and setting.

Warnings: None

I would let my 18 year old read this book.

You can purchase this book at:
Amazon

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection by Stacy Henrie, Kristin Holt, Annette Lyon, Sarah M. Eden, Heather B. Moore, and Sian Ann Bessey


Summary from Goodreads:
Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection. Six historical romance novellas set in the Old West.

WRITTEN IN HER HEART, a charming novella by Stacy Henrie, Georgeanna is getting desperate. She can’t fund her favorite orphanage unless she marries and secures the rest of her inheritance left by her father. But her father’s financial planner, Clay, can't understand why she's not content with her current situation. Georgie determines to send out a notice as a mail order bride to attract suitors who won’t know her financial situation. Little does she know, Clay takes up the pen and sends her letters of his own under an assumed name. After years of working for Georgie’s father, Clay realizes he isn’t ready to watch her marry another, not when his heart is already claimed by her.

In Kristin Holt’s delightful novella WANTED: MIDWIFE BRIDE Dr. Naomi Thornton thinks she has it all: a beautiful house, a loving husband, and a fulfilling career. But when everything she holds dear is ripped away, Naomi has no choice but to start over. What will she find in the wild and untamed Wyoming Territory? Dr. Joe Chandler has waited years for a wife with the knowledge, skills, and tender heart he yearns for in a medical colleague and lifetime companion. When a midwife arrives with more expertise and secrets than he counted on, Joe quickly discovers there’s more to love and marriage than a simple mail order contract.

In THE SOUND OF HOME, a captivating novella by Annette Lyon, Marilyn is given the choice of either marrying the despicable Victor or being charged with a murder she didn’t commit. Refusing to believe that either is her fate, she finds a third option: she answers a mail order bride advertisement and boards a train to Wyoming to wed a man named Harry. Moments after her arrival, she learns that Harry isn’t who he seemed to be, and the advertisement turns out to be a giant mistake. Harry’s brother Thomas agrees to let her stay until she can figure out what to do next—after all, she simply cannot return to New York—but Marilyn quickly finds herself developing feelings for Thomas.

In Sarah M. Eden’s endearing novella FOR BETTER OR WORSE Gerald Smith, on the advice of his well-meaning neighbors, has decided it’s time to change his lonely existence. Mary Hill, on the advice of her empty pocketbook and non-existent roof over her head, has decided it’s time to secure herself a future. A mail-order marriage, they both realize, is no guarantee of happiness, but it is a risk they are willing to take. However, coming face to face on the train platform, the hapless couple discovers an unexpected truth: marriage to a perfect stranger is sometimes far preferable to the prospect of a lifetime with someone you used to know.

Heather B. Moore’s sweet novella THE INCONVENIENT BRIDE sees Carmela traveling from Boston to Colorado, eager to meet the man she’s been corresponding with and will soon marry. Her brother’s new marriage leaves little room for Carmela in her old life. Upon arrival in Leadville, she faces a rude awakening, and the only one who can understand her predicament is her fiance’s brother, Samuel. But Samuel can’t possibly help her out of an awkward situation, can he? It would be better for all if she returns immediately to Boston and pretends she never traveled to Colorado in the first place.

THE PRICE OF SILVER, an engaging novella by Siân Ann Bessey, Katie leaves New York for Idaho to marry Jake, a man she’s written to a couple of times. But when she steps off the train, his brother Caleb is there to greet her. Jake has gone to take a mining job he couldn’t pass up. Caleb takes Katie back to the family ranch to wait for Jake’s return. The more Caleb gets to know Katie, the more he envies his brother, but he can’t let his heart overrule his head unless Jake changes his mind about his intended bride. 

5 Stars

Received ebook in exchange for an honest review

My Review:
It is fun to read an entire collection of Mail Order Bride stories. I think it is a fascinating part of our country's history. There is potential for adventure, love, a new start, and of course, the potential for disaster as well.

With many Mail Order Bride stories, there is a formula: Man advertises, Woman responds and travels to Man's location. Man and Woman meet and get married, and then fall in love. 

This collection mixes that formula up. With misunderstandings, heartbreaks and abandonment, desperation, loneliness and stupidity, somehow these stories find a way to bring 2 people together. There isn't a simple formula. Each has some sort of twist to keep the reader interested. With that being said, this is the Timeless Romance Anthologies, so each story does have happiness within all of the mix ups.

Warnings: None

I would let my 18 year old read this collection.

You can purchase this book at
A Timeless Romance Anthology Blog 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble
Kobo

Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson (Power of the Matchmaker)

Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderston

Summary from Goodreads:
From the Power of the Matchmaker series

Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She's learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother's bed and breakfast. She's also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken--relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment.

But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar.

As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her. 

4.5 Stars

Received an ebook for an honest review.

My Review:
This is the next story in the Power of the Matchmaker series. Each story is stand alone, they just have the common thread of Miss Pearl, the Matchmaker. She appears in each story.

In Not Always Happenstance, Miss Pearl plays an important role, not just as a matchmaker, but also in life lessons. Miss Pearl becomes a good friend to the characters in the story and I enjoy reading about her.

Lani is at a crossroads in her life. She doesn't want to face it though. What was meant to be a temporary situation has become a wonderful part of her life. She doesn't want to leave. With experiences and talks with her grandmother, Miss Pearl, and the new guest at her Bed and Breakfast, Lani is able to see what she truly wants and she is willing to face what may come with that decision.

As much as this story has romance, and I like it, what I truly like about this story is that both main characters, Lani and Easton (the man who becomes her love interest), come to know themselves better and what they want in their lives. Sometimes each of us has those times that we do what we think we are supposed to do. Or we do what we have always done, without giving it much thought. These 2 characters become more deliberate in their decisions and figuring out what they want in their lives and who they want to be. What a wonderful thing to be able to find that in your life and find love at the same time.

Warnings: None

I would let my 18 year old read this book.