No Shoes, No Shirt, No Spells

Rose Pressey
Paranormal Romance
E-Book

"For the love of all things deep-fried, how was I going to live up to her talent?"



As far as Elly knew for the past 28 years, there is no such thing as magic.  That is until she comes home to take over her grandmother's cafe to find that Imelda has been supplementing her recipes.  Now faced with helping the people in her small town with magical helps Elly is slightly overwhelmed.  And when the handsome Rory accidentally gets a love spelled order meant for something else, things start to unravel.  Now Elly has to find a way to reverse the spell in order to keep the cafe open.  But her feelings for Rory are getting in the way - especially if the only solution is to help him get back with his ex-girlfriend.

My Opinion: Fun, sweet and light romance mixed with a little magic!  Who could ask for more?  With the magical slant you get a paranormal romance that isn't as dark as vampires and witches are.  Elly is an adorable character, slightly clumsy but with a good heart.  Rory is a great "white-knight" hero.  I loved the side characters - especially Tom.  The light mixture of a slightly magical world along with fairly realistic reactions made this a great read.  The romance was super sweet and made me smile and curled my toes a few times.  Definitely a good read and I would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book to review.  No other compensation was given.  The summary and opinion are 100% my own.

What are YOU Reading? Thursday

Well, it's Thursday again and thanks to Rachel Rossano, we have another great reader review.



Title: Seeking Persephone
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Genre: Regency
Format: Print




Was this book recommended to you?  If so, by whom?  If not, why did you pick it?
I discovered Sarah M. Eden by accident on Amazon years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed every one of her books. I read them over and over.

Plot Summary
Persephone is basically bought as a bride by the Duke of Kielder. She marries him willingly for the sake of her destitute family. She wishes for more and sets about trying to win her distant and prickly husband's heart. Adam Kielder is accustomed to people leaving him. His mother left emotionally and physically repeatedly throughout his childhood. He is actually quite good at driving them away. Once married, he steels his heart for Persephone to leave too. However, he soon realizes he wants, needs, her to stay. He sets about discovering how he can entice her to stay forever.

Rachel's Opinion

"I enjoyed the references to the myth of Persephone. Eden wove them through the story seamlessly. I also appreciated the depth of character development and exploration.  Adam was a great character to explore. Strong (yet vulnerable), proud, honorable, and known to purposefully intimidate anyone who annoys him, he is a great mix of attributes, a joy to explore.  I am a soft touch for scarred heroes and the women who open their hearts despite their defenses. This novel portrays the process beautifully."

Thank you so much for this great review, Rachel.  It sounds wonderful.

Please check out Rachel's website at: http://rachel-rossano.blogspot.com

If you would like to submit your own review, please click here for the form.  Thanks!

The Baby Project

Susan Meier
Book1 of Babies in the Boardroom Series
Contemporary Romance

"To feel the pulse of another heartbeat, to know that she was alive."



Whitney Ross has been suffering for a tragic loss for the past three years.  Her husband and her daughter taken so unexpectedly.  The last thing she wants is to become the guardian of her late friends young baby.  Despite her difficulties, she cannot disappoint the little boy who needs a mother.  But adding to her difficulties are the disturbing feelings she has for the baby's step-brother and co-guardian.  Darius Andreas has never grown up with much of a family.  He and his two step-brothers never even met until they were adults thanks to their philandering father.  Faced with a chance to make a family with his newest brother, he jumps at the chance.  But where does Whitney fit into the picture - and how can he convince her to be with him?

My Opinion: This was a cute and fun read.  Light and quick, you will fall in love with the characters.  Darius is a serious man who doesn't believe in love, though he seems determined to make a family with his new brother.  The background is scarce, but enough to see him for who he is.  Whitney is a fabulous character with great depth and personality.  Despite her tragic background, it is not depressing.  The few side characters are fun and light.  The romance is natural and inevitable.  Their development into a family is a lovely read.  I can't wait to read books #2 and #3 and see what happens with Darius's brothers, Nike and Cade.

I received a free copy of this book to review.  No other compensation was given.  The summary and opinion are 100% my own.

CLOSED Giveaway!!! Harlequin Heartwarming August Books!

I know, it's the end of September, but I have a new Harelequin Heartwarming giveaway for you with the books that were released in August.  Don't you just love these books?  I'm so glad that they came out with this line of clean and family-friendly books.  So what can you win this time?

For my reviews, click on the titles below:

Honeymoon at Home by Laura Abbott

Shall We Dance? by Lynn Patrick 

Five is Enough by Dawn Stewardson

Home at Blackberry Hill by Roxanne Rustand 

So how can you win your choice of one of these great titles?  Check it out below!

Rules: Entrants must be 18 years or older. This giveaway is open to the US only - you must have a US mailing address.  This contest will end at 11:59 CST on Oct 10, 2011. All entries must be submitted before then. The winner will be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response, a new winner will be chosen. 

Shadows From the Past

Ashley Dawn
Contemporary Romance
Christian Romance
E-Book

"Nosey friends were the best kind. At least she hoped that was true because that was the only kind of friends she had."


For five years Aurora has been haunted by the death of her brother.  A death that she blames herself, a cop, for - and God.  She lost her only family that night, and eventually gave up her fiance too.  But now the same man has come after her.  The urgency to solve the case has increased - because now her ex-fiance is back and in danger as well.  Jordan never stopped loving Aurora, even after she ended their engagement.  Keeping tabs on her, he knows when someone has come after her.  Not about to lose her again, he insists on he and the FBI taking over and protecting her.  And perhaps they might have time to figure out more than the case.

My Opinion: This was an interesting story that got bogged down by pacing, side stories and side characters.  The mystery of the drug-dealer and of Lance's murder were captivating, but that story kinda got lost in the middle two thirds of the book.  There was a lot of emphasis on Aurora's relationship with God and her quick re-courtship with Jordan that didn't keep the plot moving at all.  When there was action, it was well written and exciting - it just didn't seem to have a good enough pace to keep going.  The side characters were good - though a bit in depth - probably building up for later books.  Altogether a read that disappointed when I was hoping to be excited.

I received a free copy of this book to review.  No other compensation was given.  The summary and opinion are 100% my own.

Honeymoon at Home

Laura Abbot
Love

"Please, she pleaded to whatever deity was in charge of graceful exits, just let this be over."



Perhaps it was time for a change.  Meg and Scott Harper have been married for twenty years, and unhappy for much of it.  What started out as a blissful marriage turned into a miserable co-existence as pressures grew and paths diverged.  Deciding that perhaps a separation might be best, but then they are confronted with something they can't get through apart.  Postponing their decisions and working together, they may just have to go through the hardest trials of their lives.  And they may just discover that the one thing they really need is each other.

My Opinion: This was an intense read delving into the complicated relationships of those who have been married for a long time.  Perhaps long enough to have forgotten why they got married.  But while problems swirl around them and the temptation to give up is there, it sends a great message of love, hope and encouragement to work harder at love.  Both Meg and Scott are fabulously written characters and you genuinely see that no one party is at fault.  They both let their marriage slip away and they both have to work to get it back.  It almost made you want to cry as one problem and trial built up on the next, but it didn't get you depressed which was really nice.  Great story of love and the power it has.

I received a free copy of this book to review.  No other compensation was given.  The summary and opinion are 100% my own.

CLOSED Giveaway!!! Double Crossing

Another giveaway is here.  Meg Mims, author, has offered a PDF copy of her wonderful new book, Double Crossing.  This exciting read has a wonderful story and you don't want to miss it!  I stayed up half the night to read it because I couldn't put it down.  It is currently available as an e-book, but print versions should be coming soon.  So enter to win a copy of this great story and don't miss out!

Rules: Entrants must be 18 years or older. This is open internationally.  This contest will end at 11:59 CST on Oct 5, 2011. All entries must be submitted before then. The winner will be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response, a new winner will be chosen. 

What Are YOU Reading? Thursday

Welcome to our first What Are YOU Reading? Thursday.  A chance for all of you to submit the wonderful clean romances that you have been reading.  A special thanks to Marci for being the first to submit a review.


Book Title: What If Guy
Author:  Brooke Moss
Format: Print
Genre: Young Adult



Was this book recommended to you?  If so, by whom?  If not, why did you decide to read it?
Recommended by many of my friends from church.

Plot Summary
The What If Guy is a book to read for anyone that has ever wondered what would have happened to my life if I were to bump into my "fairy tale" prince again.  Would things be different?  Have I changed?  Would there still be "sparks"?

Marci's Opinion
I loved the book!!  Placed in a rural northwest town close to where I live (Spokane).  I loved knowing it was just in my "back yard".  The book was very honest and modern without being too sexy... more PG, you know what was going to happen, but there were not explicit details- kudos to Brooke for juggling romance with being discreet.

Thanks for sharing this great book with us!  I believe this one is on my to-be-read list too.  I am excited to read it.

Check out Marci's website at: http://marcialderman.isagenix.com

If you would like to submit your own review of a clean romance book you have read, please click here and fill out the form.  See you all next week!

Double Crossing

Meg Mims
Historical Romance
Christian Romance
E-Book

"Waiting for an answer to prayer led to frustration, but perhaps that was best."





Lily is devastated at the loss of her father. But what is worse - no one else will believe her that he was murdered. Determined to set out for revenge she embarks on a harrowing trip to her uncle in California. And how far will her father's murderers go to get what they're after? With a devoted beau, a new found friend and a long-lost aunt - who can she really trust? Lily hires Ace Diamond to protect her, but may have gotten more than she paid for.

My Opinion: This book was a thrill to read. A gripping story of adventure and mystery. Ace was a fabulous smoky hero straight out of a movie. Lily is spunky and determined but still ladylike. The various side characters fill in a world of intrigue despite the limitations of travel by train. The romance is sweet and exciting. The adventure keeps you reading until the very end, anxious to see how it all turns out. A wonderful read and one I would recommend.

I was given a free copy of this book to review. No other compensation was given. The summary and opinion are 100% my own.

What Are YOU Reading Feature

Greetings fellow clean romance lovers!  I come to you today to introduce a new feature that I'm hoping to do on my blog.  I say hoping because it depends on all of you to make it a success.  I am realizing more and more that there are only so many books I can read and review - despite how many wonderful ones there are out there.  So I will start doing a "What Are YOU Reading" Feature to be published every Thursday.  What this will be is an opportunity for all of you, my readers, to submit your reviews of the wonderful clean romances that you have read.  Just fill out the form and submit the review.  Every Thursday I will select one review to post.  As a thank-you for sharing your review, I will post a link back to your personal review, blog, website or whatever else you'd like.  A link to the submission form will be permanently located on the right sidebar, under the sponsor information.  So, let me know....what have YOU been reading?

CLOSED Giveaway!!! Kiss Me I'm Irish

CLOSED! Today's giveaway has two firsts.  First of all, we have our first International giveaway that is for a print or a kindle book.  That's right, a print copy can be mailed to an international winner.  A special thanks to author Belle Street for her generous options in winning her wonderful time-travel romance, Kiss Me I'm Irish.

For my summary and review, please click here.

And for our second "first"....I am happy to introduce the new Rafflecopter for the entries.  If you haven't encountered it yet, you're in for a treat.  No more leaving a million comments....just follow the instructions and the widget does the work!

Rules: Entrants must be 18 years or older. This contest will end at 11:59 CST on Sept 30, 2011. All entries must be submitted before then. The winner will be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response, a new winner will be chosen. 

Great Blog

I wanted to introduce you to a new blog started by Julie Hockley, author of Crow's Row.  She wrote a fabulous debut post about clean romance.  She gives a nice shout out to yours truly :D  Check it out!

http://juliehockley.tumblr.com/

Shall We Dance?

Lynn Patrick
Contemporary Romance

"Gabby had to admit her mother was making sense - in a perverse sort of way.  "




Anita Brooks and Price Garfield were a perfect pair, both on and off the screen.  Until a breakup left them running in other directions and regret was left to fester in their hearts.  Now, fifty-five years later, their children are asked to dance their parents routines to help out an old friend in a nostalgia club.  Reluctantly Kit and Gabby agree to try it out.  But working so closely together might bring them to the same impasses their parents faced.  And when emotions get high they'll have to make a choice - just like their parents once did.  Meanwhile Anita and Price are forced to face each other once again.  And perhaps find the opportunity to correct a mistake?  Or will they continue in their pride and anger?

My Opinion: This was a very enjoyable book.  I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this story.  It was almost a dual romance, following Anita and Price at the same time as Kit and Gabby.  I loved the intertwining of the stories.  I must say though, I felt the Anita and Price story was stronger with more conflict to deal with.  The mirrored conflicts were still fun to see.  Personally I sympathized with the men more than the women - but that's me.  The side characters were not very evident, aside from Lucille, but with four main characters that didn't feel like a problem.  Well written and fun - you definitely want to pick this one up.

I received a free copy of this book to review.  No other compensation was given.  The summary and opinion are 100% my own.

Foggy With a Chance of Murder

G.G. Vandagriff
Contemporary Romance
Christian Romance

"Maybe Mr Petersen's God had a sense of humor and had reached through the universe to tickle her funny bone."



A chance circumstance puts Chloe at the beach at the same time Rob Stevens is frantically searching for his missing son.  Devastation hits when they are too late to save the young boy.  But Chloe can't seem to leave Rob alone - wanting to be there for him now that he has no one left.  Both are dealing with grief and pain -looking for direction.  Mr Petersen offers comfort and friendship - teaching Chloe about religion and reminding Rob of what he grew up with.  But when it seems that someone is out to kill Rob, things speed up.  Will Chloe and Rob be able to figure out who is trying to kill him, and what is really worth living for?

My Opinion: I'd like to say that this was a decent book, but I had a hard time finding things in this book that were enjoyable.  The characters, though well written, were not good people with little to no redeeming qualities.  I found that the main characters seemed to take no responsibility for their own past actions, nor did they react realistically to the events that unfolded.  Their romance was almost non-existent, though apparently they did fall in love.  The religious aspect was overwhelming and very preachy.  It almost felt like two stories, one about the mystery and adventure and the other half about a woman learning the basics of a new faith.  Not that it's a bad thing, but it was really out of place in a fiction novel.  Overall it was a book that left me depressed - not something I look for in a romance.

I received a free copy of this book to review.  No other compensation was given.  The summary and opinion are 100% my own.

Closed! Giveaway!!! The Mercenary's Marriage

We have another e-book giveaway for all of my wonderful readers. Rachel Rossano is a talented author who is offering an e-book copy of her wonderful book, The Mercenary's Marriage. This was a great read and you won't want to miss it.

For my review, please click here.

How to enter: Please do the mandatory entry first. I will verify all entries and erase any that are invalid. Any comment without an email address (written in or found via google profile) will be erased since I will have no way of contacting you if you win.

PLEASE WRITE A SEPARATE COMMENT PER ENTRY. DO NOT WRITE ALL ENTRIES INTO ONE COMMENT.

Mandatory Entry:

- Tell me if you read e-books on a computer, e-reader, iPad, smart phone, etc. (1 entry)

Optional Entries:

- Follow this blog publicly via GFC. (1 entry)

- "Like" Clean Romance Reviews on Facebook (1 entry)

- Tell me another book that I have reviewed that you would like to read. (1 entry)

- Subscribe to my emails - must verify. Make sure I know what email address you're using. (1 entry)

- Add my button to your blog/website. Leave me a link. (2 entries)

Good luck and have fun!

Rules: Entrants must be 18 years or older. This contest will end at 11:59 CST on Sept 16, 2011. All entries must be submitted before then. The winner will be chosen by Random.org's random sequence generator. The winner will be notified via email and have 48 hours to respond. If there is no response, a new winner will be chosen.

September Sponsors!

Well, it's a new month and we have two wonderful sponsors this month.


First, we have a returning sponsor, Bonnie Blythe. She has written 7 clean Christian romance novels that have won many awards. Her titles include: Milagro for Miranda, Claire's No-So-Gothic Romance, How Sweet It Is, Restorations, Texas Whirlwind, Dearly Loved and Melody's Knight. They are all available in print and e-book versions! They all sound wonderful! Click on her link to check out all of her books available on Amazon.


Next, we have a new sponor, Kat Henry Doran and her new book, Embraceable You. This is a suspenseful contemporary romance. Dru is a photo-journalist who documents human rights abuses - and therefore escapes risking her heart. Rory an everyday man who has no intention of getting involved with another woman. But when Dru comes back in his life the threats abound, both to their lives and their hearts. Click on her link to check it out!