Review of Roxanne St.Claire's PEPPERMINT BARK

 

Rating: 4.5

Colleen Kilcannon Mahoney is the Dogfather’s widowed sister. She co-owns a dog-treat store with her daughter. Colleen finds herself the latest victim of the Dogmothers’ matchmaking. However, the man they chose is the same boy who stood her up forty-five years ago. Colleen decides to assist Tim with his goodwill mission. Being with him again reawakens some of her teenage dreams. Can Colleen prove to her family that she is not averse to change? Or will she let doubt stand in the way of a second chance?                                 

Timothy “Tim” McIntosh is the vice president of property development for a high-end hotel chain. He returns to Bitter Bark, North Carolina, to settle his late father’s affairs. Tim agrees to fulfill his father’s deathbed request. He needs to find three certain people and grant them their heart’s desire. Tim also wants to apologize to Colleen for skipping out on her on prom night. She helps him discover his own heart’s desire. Will Tim manage to finish his mission in time? And can he convince Colleen to see the world with him?

I am so glad that Colleen got a happily-ever-after. She definitely deserved one. I adore Colleen’s devotedness to her family. She would do anything for family, especially her sons and daughter, and she knows her family would do the same for her. What I like the most about Colleen is her willingness to help Tim with his mission. She did not hold a grudge against him, especially once he explained his reason for leaving. Colleen respects Tim for helping his late father make reparation to the people he wronged.

Tim is a sweetheart. I like that the first thing he wanted to do in Bitter Bark is to find Colleen and to apologize. Tim lived forty-five years with regret about standing her up that long ago night. What I adore the most about him is Tim’s willingness to complete his father’s deathbed request. He knew what kind of man his father was. The two may have parted on bad terms; however, Tim did not hold that against the man.

PEPPERMINT BARK is book nine in Roxanne St. Claire’s dog-themed, contemporary romance series, THE DOGMOTHER, a spinoff from her THE DOGFATHER series. The story can easily standalone, but I recommend reading the prior books and novellas, along with the previous series, to appreciate the three families’ dynamics. I am generally not a fan of the second-chance trope. However, I did not mind as much with this story since it is between a much older couple.

PEPPERMINT BARK is a sweet and wholesome tale focused on a second chance at a later-in-life romance. I am dying to know who is next on the Dogmothers’ matchmaking radar? Ella? Or Nick?

Review of Janna MacGregor's A DUKE IN TIME

 

Rating: 4.5

Christian Vareck, the Duke of Randford, is a celebrated war hero. He wants nothing to do with his half-brother’s messes, especially the man’s three widows. One widow insists that Christian help them find a solution to avoid social ruin. He needs Kat’s assistance to establish a business to support his soldiers. Christian never imagined he would fall in love with her. Can Christian overcome his emotional demons? Will Katherine’s secrets destroy any hope of a future together?

Katherine “Kat” Vareck owns and operates a popular linen and begging store. She hopes to further her business by winning the contract to be a royal supplier. After her husband’s untimely death, Kat discovers the cad had two other wives. She wants to help the women avoid ruination by asking their brother-in-law, the Duke of Randford, for help. However, Kat’s own past threatens to destroy everything she has built. Can Katherine put her past to rest for good? Or will her secrets stand in the way of her future?

Christian is such a sweetheart. He is a man who has been hurt by his father and stepmother’s cool indifference and wild ways. His gruff attitude hides a vulnerable heart.  I admire Christian’s determination to help his soldiers, mainly the ones born in the common case. He is even willing to use his noble influence for their benefit. What I love the most about Christian is his acceptance of Katherine. He never looked down on her, once he learned about her background and past. Also, Christian acknowledges and admires Kat’s business sense.

Katherine is such an inspirational woman. She proves that a woman does not need a man to succeed in the world. Katherine may have come from a murky background, but she never allowed that to dictate her future. I admire Katherine’s ability to build a successful business from nothing, especially in a male-dominated society. She purposely hires those the public snubs or looks down on. What I adore the most about Katherine is how she willingly takes care of the other wives. She could have left them to their own devices. Instead, she invited them into her home and looked after them.

A DUKE IN TIME is book one in Janna MacGregor’s brand-new historical romance series, THE WIDOW RULES. This is my first venture in this author’s works. The story’s premise is what captured my attention. The trigamist angle is not commonly found in historical romances, especially amongst the echelon. I plain to check out the author’s backlog once time permits since I enjoyed her writing style.

A DUKE IN TIME is a captivating tale of two wounded souls realizing where they truly belong. I have an inkling on who the author plans to pair Beth Howell with; however, I am looking forward for Constance and Jonathan’s book first.

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies

Review for Anna Bennett's GIRLS BEFORE EARLS

Review Courtesy of Romance Junkies
 Rating: 4.5

Gabriel “Blade” Beckett, Earl of Bladenton, searches for another finishing school to accept his rebellious niece. He needs her away from London for the summer, so he can properly court a potential bride without any problems. Blade offers a generous donation to Miss Lively’s school if she will take on his niece. The woman agrees, only if he will visit the girl every other week. Blade cannot resist tempting the button-upped headmistress to improperness. Can Hazel teach Blade to love again? Will her love heal his wounded heart?

Miss Hazel Lively is the headmistress of a seaside finishing school for girls. She hopes to attract wealthier clientele to her fledgling enterprise. Hazel agrees to take on a rebellious teenage girl but under one condition: the girl’s guardian must visit every other week. She fights her growing attraction to the charismatic earl with each visit. However, he cannot give Hazel the one thing she truly wants. When her school’s livelihood is at risk, she has no choice but to turn to Blade for help. Will Hazel choose her school over Blade? Can she truly give him up?

Blade is such a sweetheart! He is a man who has been hurt and betrayed in the past. Blade refuses to expose himself to any form of love to protect himself. I like how Blade uses his charm and influence to help Hazel and his school. He could have turned a blind eye to her predicament. What I adore the most about Blade is his open mindedness. He does not share his peer’s views on a woman’s place. Blade never tried to curtail his niece’s interests and pursuits.

I adore Hazel! She presents a tough exterior to the world. This is her defense mechanism to protect her compassionate heart and nature. I like how Hazel empathizes with Kitty. Being an orphan herself, she understands why the girl behaves as she does. Hazel also wants to give Kitty what she desperately needs. What I love the most about Hazel is her dedication to her students. She encourages them to pursue their interests. Hazel also believes all girls, nobles and commoners alike, deserve a good and proper education.

GIRLS BEFORE EARLS is the first book in Anna Bennett’s new historical romance series, ROGUES TO LOVERS. I really enjoyed the author’s novella in the KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE anthology, so I decided to try out one of her full-length novels. It did not disappoint. I soon found myself immersed in the characters and the plot.

GIRLS BEFORE EARLS is a charming tale of two people who are afraid to love, learning to open their hearts to each other. I will be keeping an eye out for the next installment. I cannot wait to see who is next!