Review: Love Overdue by Pamela Morsi

Title: Love Overdue

Author: Pamela Morsi
Publication Date: Aug 27, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin MIRA
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

MEET DOROTHY JARROW: DEVOTEDLY UNSEXY LIBRARIAN Buttoned-up book lover DJ is all sensible shoes, drab skirts and studious glasses. After an ill-advised spring-break-fueled fling left her mortified, she's committed to her prim and proper look. When she's hired by a rural library in middle-of-nowhere Kansas, she finally has the lifestyle to match-and she can't wait to get her admin on. But it's clear from day one that the small-town library is more interested in circulating rumors than books. 

DJ has to organize her unloved library, win over oddball employees and avoid her flamboyant landlady's attempts to set her up with the town pharmacist. Especially that last part-because it turns out handsome Scott Sanderson is her old vacation fling! She is not sure whether to be relieved or offended when he doesn't seem to recognize her. But with every meeting, DJ finds herself secretly wondering what it would be like to take off her glasses, unpin her bun and reveal the inner vixen she's been hiding from everyone-including herself.

Look, I'm a sucker for books about librarians and booksellers. Let's just be up front about that. Clean-cut, boy-next-door, Captain-America-esque love interest? Check. Throw in a meddling but sweet, Betty-White-type mom with a sense of humor? Dude, I'm already on page 30. Did I mention the cute dog? Melt.

It's been a while since I have read a romance that both tickled my funny bone and made some other parts of me pleasantly tingly too. (My heart, you guys; get your minds out of the gutter!) Love Overdue had just the right balance of silly and serious. Maybe I was a bit delirious from the sleep deprivation, but I was actually laughing out loud at some of the jokes. I am lucky the hubs is a heavy sleeper.

It's not without its problems, most prominently some very guessable cases of mistaken identity combined with a shaky premise (DJ overcompensating for a one-night-stand she had years ago). I would have rolled my eyes every time a certain item, a tacky belly chain (which you'll read about pretty early on, so don't worry) came up, but I was too busy trying to finish my book before I had to get up for work in the morning.

Meanwhile, Morsi manages to wend all kinds of issues through the plot holes and shore it all up with sensible yet emotional topics: small town dynamics, gender issues, elder psychology, and sexual politics. Tongue-in-cheek chapter headings aside (they are all labeled with a relevant Dewey Decimal number) this book was as informative as it was entertaining! I learned about wheat harvesting, lunar illusions, first aid, you name it. Mixed reactions to Asperger's, PTSD, homosexuality/gay marriage, infidelity, suicide, and simple orneriness ground this book firmly in reality.

I love that the author writes about just plain old everyday folks, but manages to make even the secondary and tertiary characters memorable and relevant. Her motifs might seem quaint and a little too perfect for some readers, but for me the town of Verdant felt charming, nostalgic, and could I please move there and live in the library forever? She also manages to write dreams that both make sense, reveal various characters' true feelings and worries, as well as occasionally steam up the windows. That's some serious range in her writerly repertoire.

Scott and DJ's chemistry hit just the right spot between fear, resistance, and devil-may-care. My one reason for not giving this a full five star rating is that the steam factor in this novel was set to a sedate medium-low! Still, I'd be more than happy to read any more book/smalltown-themed fiction this author has to offer. Her voice is pleasantly readable and her story well-crafted. And I can be pleasantly surprised if I come across a story where she's really turned up the heat. One can dream.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at pamelamorsi.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @PamelaMorsi

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Simply Irresistible - Review

Simply Irresistible (Lucky Harbor #1) by Jill Shalvis

Publication date: 01 October 2010 by Grand Central Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 044657161X | 9780446571616
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Romance, contemporary, realistic, family, sisters, small town
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook

From Goodreads:

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

Thuy's Review:

Simply Irresistible is the first book in the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. A sweet, sigh worthy romance, Simply Irresistible will have you wanting to move to a small harbor town to find your very own Jax Cullen. The book begins when three very different and somewhat estranged sisters meet in Lucky Harbor after their free spirited mother’s death. A hippie who had three children with different men, Phoebe Treager wasn’t the most present of mothers. Maddie is The Mouse, the soft spoken middle daughter who plays peacekeeper between her sisters. Maddie’s recently fired, homeless, and is trying to get over an abusive relationship. To her, Lucky Harbor promises to be a new start, a place to find herself. She finds more than she bargains for when she meets the super sexy Jax Cullen at the local bar.

Simply Irresistible is a romance that will have you feeling happy, giddy, and breathless all in one go. I may have had a stupid smile on my face after finishing (I was alone so I have no proof). While I enjoyed the entire cast of quirky characters, I was especially drawn to the main couple of Maddie and Jax. Maddie is refreshingly realistic and relateable. She’s not perfect by a long shot and her trust issues frustrated me at times, but she wasn’t going to let her past drag her down. I admired her tenacity in trying to keep her family together and she was always striving to be a better person. Flawed but also sweet, stubborn, and loving, Maddie is a character I was rooting for right from the start.

And Jax. Oh Jax. Who can blame Maddie for falling for him? Sexy and confident, Jax knows what he wants and goes after it. Thoughtful and sweet, he helps Maddie believe in herself and allows himself to be healed by her as well. And I agree with Maddie when she declares that tool belts are sexy. If only more men knew how to use them. Sigh.

I am definitely a fan of this series and Ms. Shalvis and can’t wait to pick up the next book and find out what happens to Maddie’s sisters. If you like fun, feel good romances, don’t hesitate to pick up the Lucky Harbor series.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at http://jillshalvis.com, Twitter @JillShalvis, and Facebook

Short Story Review: Melt by Natalie Anderson

Melt by Natalie Anderson

Publication date: 06 December 2011 by Entangled Publishing

ASIN: B006O59TDO

Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Romance, contemporary, realistic, Antarctica
Format: eBook

From goodreads:

When two frozen hearts collide…

Emma Reed closed her heart to love years ago after a lifetime spent getting kicked around foster homes and bad relationships. Now she’s on a mission to prove she deserves her recent award to paint a mural for a research base in Antarctica. Nothing and no one is going to get in her way.

After months working in recovery zones around the world, Hunter Wilson planned to escape everything this holiday season by rebuilding a lab at the Kiwi Research Base. Alone. No to family, no to fun. It’s isolation not intimacy he’s aching for. But when he sees the determined artist, that ache becomes an urge – after all, shouldn’t someone show her what two people can do with twenty-four hours of brilliant sunlight?

In the coldest place on earth, even the most frozen hearts can melt.

Thuy's review:

Melt, by Natalie Anderson, is a short and fun read about to solitary people who find more than they were looking for in the stark but magical setting of Antarctica.

Emma Reed is embarking on the trip of a lifetime. The winner of an art competition, she is chosen to paint a mural in a facility in Antarctica. Determined to prove herself as an artist, she has no time for romance or the distraction that is Hunter Wilson. Hunter has come to Antarctica to escape his family for the holidays and isn’t looking for any entanglements. However, that doesn’t stop him from flirting outrageously with Emma.

While Hunter and Emma start of their relationship with lots of flirting and innuendo, they don’t just jump into bed together. Hunter takes Emma under his wing as the veteran Antarctica visitor and they become very good friends. Though Hunter still manges to flirt at every opportunity, it’s clear that it’s not just about sex, and they are both surprised by the connection that develops as they get to know each other. Neither of them wants their time together to end. When a sudden snow storm extends Emma’s stay for a couple of days, they both finally give into their attraction and boy, is it worth the wait.

A sweet story with sizzling chemistry, Melt pulled me in with great characters, a compelling story and an incredible setting. I loved the little details about life in Antarctica. A truly unique and fascinating setting, it was the perfect backdrop to the story.

Anderson packs a lot of punch into a very short story. Filled with witty dialogue and funny, likable characters, Melt was the perfect quick read. This is my first Natalie Anderson but not my last. Hers is definitely a name I will keep an eye out for in the future.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the author online at www.natalie-anderson.com and follow @authornataliea on Twitter

Holiday Kisses: A Holiday Romance Collection - Review

Holiday Kisses: A Holiday Romance Collection
  by Alison Kent, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon, Shannon Stacey

Publication date: 05 December 2011 by Carina Press
ISBN 10/13: B005Z18F60

Category: Adult Romance
Keywords: Romance, contemporary, realistic, holidays, Christmas
Format: eBook, Kindle (e-ARC received from Netgalley)

From goodreads:

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...Love!

A man gives the gift of trust and receives a second chance at love in return. A woman helps to heal the wounded heart of a soldier. A couple finds that true love knows no distance. And a young widow learns that there can be two great loves in a lifetime. Love, romance and passion come together in this collection of four seasonal shorts.

Anthology includes:
This Time Next Year by Alison Kent
A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton
It's Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon
Mistletoe and Margaritas by Shannon Stacey

Stories also available for purchase separately.
103,000 words

Thuy's Review:

I am on a total holiday reading train right now. I've read lots of holiday themed stories (that I still need to write reviews for). I picked this one up on Netgalley a couple of weeks ago hoping for some fun holiday romance and that's exactly what I got. I had a lot of fun with this one and hope you enjoy my review.

This Time Next Year by Alison Kent – 4 stars

I really enjoyed this story story about two very different people who find each other during the holidays . Dillon’s a true hero, a doctor who spent a good deal of time healing people during the war in Afghan. Retired now, he continues taking care of the people on his mountain, which is how he finds Brenna after her car crashes in the snow. Dillon still has a lot of guilt over what happened and what he saw in the war and has closed himself off emotionally. Brenna’s funny and compassionate and, as the week goes on, she gets Dillon to open up about himself. With her help, Dillon begins to realize that he needs to stop blaming himself for the decisions he made and the people he couldn’t save. Only then can he get over the guilt and move on with his life. An endearing and touching romance that had me sighing at the ending, This Time Next Year was a great read.

A Rare Gift by Jaci Burton – 3 stars

I am usually a fan of Jaci Burton but this one didn’t have quite the impact that her stories usually have for me. I liked Calliope a lot. She’s strong and independent and I loved watching her interact with the children at the day care center. Wyatt’s extremely closed off emotionally which isn’t unusual for males in romance novels but, in this case, Calliope’s relationship as his ex’s sister has made him even more wary of pursuing a relationship with her. Wyatt was also extremely stubborn and I wanted to smack him in the head several times. I am sure Calliope felt the same way. When they finally to succumb to their attraction, it’s hot like only Jaci Burton can write it. Though ultimately satifying, this story just wasn’t as compelling as what I usually expect from Burton.

It’s Not Christmas Without You by HelenKay Dimon – 4 stars

This is probably my favorite story in the anthology. Funny, sweet and totally endearing, I fell in love with both Austin and Carrie in this holiday tale about two people finding each other again. Austin is adorable as the (ex)boyfriend with a plan to woo Carrie back to their hometown. I loved his flirty and unapolgetic attitude and he had my laughing with his attempts to win Carrie back. I loved that Carrie didn’t give in to Austin right away and that she fought for her dreams and her career. There are no easy answers but Carrie and Austin work to understand each other in order to have a future together. A story about hope, understanding, and a love worth fighting for, It’s Not Christmas Without You is a wonderful story for the holidays.

Mistletoe & Margaritas by Shannon Stacey – 4 stars

This is my first Shannon Stacey story but it definitely won’t be my last. Mistletoe & Margaritas is fantastic story about love and second chances. Justin’s been in love with Claire for years but kept silent because she fell in love and married his best friend Brandon. A widow of several years now, Claire still misses her husband but finds comfort in her friendship with Justin. Suddenly Claire finds her feelings for Justin veering towards a more romantic nature. I loved watching their relationship at the beginning of the story – the pizza dates and holiday traditions. It’s obvious that they both love each other but they have to deal with the guilt they have about Brandon and moving on. This emotional story about two best friends falling in love really pulled at my heartstrings and I was really rooting for Claire and Justin to find their happily ever after.

I was really pleased with this collection of holiday romances. Anthologies are a great way to find new authors and that was definitely the case with this one. If you’re in the mood for a few fun, sexy and heartwarming stories to read this holiday, Holiday Kisses would make a great gift to yourself or anyone else.

Total Rating

  

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the Alison Kent, Jaci Burton, HelenKay Dimon and Shannon Stacey online. 

Caught In The Act - Review

Caught In The Act (PI & Men To The Rescue #3) by Lori Foster
Publication date: 01 September 2001 by Harlequin
ISBN 10/13: 0441013813 | 978-0441013814

Category: Adult Romantic Suspense
Keywords: Contemporary, realistic, romance
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook

From goodreads:

COINCIDENCE?

Not.

Mick Dawson, undercover cop.

He's got his hands full with a pushy broad who claims she's just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Except all the perps seem to know everything there is to know about her. Who're you going to believe? Only one way to find out. Get real close.

Lela DeBraye (aka Del Piper), mystery writer.

She's as confused as he is, but mostly because he's got the sweetest smile, when he smiles. Still, he's sticking with her twenty-four/seven — is this love or duty? Is he her protector or her captor?

Thuy’s review:

Mick’s been watching Del for a couple of weeks. He first spotted her in his old neighborhood and immediately developed a small obsession for the dreamy mystery writer. The day Mick decides to make his move, Del’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. During an attempted robbery, Mick gets shot saving Del’s life. As drawn to him as he is to her, Del offers to take Mick in while he recovers. However, things about the robbery don’t quite add up and Mick isn’t sure if he can trust Del so he keeps her close while trying to unravel the mystery.

Caught In The Act is a light, fun romance with a little bit of mystery thrown in. Foster can be a bit hit and miss for me. I like some of her books a lot and other are just OK. I didn’t like this one as much of some of her other book. It was somewhat predictable but I still enjoyed it - good for a quick read. Caught In The Act is actually a part of a series, which I didn’t realize when I picked it up. I don't think you need to read the series in order though, as I was able to follow along perfectly fine.

This is definitely a case of love at first sight romance. Mick’s absolutely enthralled by Del and she seem to share the same attraction. Usually in romances (especially novella length ones), the falling in love is fast and hard. And normally I can suspend disbelief and go with story. However, in this case, the fast fall was a little too fast for me. Mick and Del barely know each other and he’s already moving in. Maybe it’s a bit of gratitude on her part and obsession on his but I wish they would have developed the relationship a little more.

Mick’s your typical romance lead - big, handsome and aggressive. He makes no qualms about telling Del exactly how he feels about her and is sweet and protective. His cop instincts get the better of him though and he makes a big blunder with Del. Even though I could see it coming, I wanted to smack him upside the head when it happens. Though I didn’t love Del, I did like her and find her to be a unique character. She’s a bit of an odd bird - a mystery writer with her head in the clouds and, while I couldn’t relate to her, I liked that she wasn’t your stereotypical romance heroine.

Mick’s two friends, Zack and Josh, provided some comic relief. Their scenes with Mick had a real feeling of camaraderie and their conversations were pretty funny. I would love to read more about both of them. Good thing they each have a book of their own.

This book wasn’t anything new or groundbreaking but it’s a quick and entertaining read with some good moments. I am picking up Josh’s book after this. :)

say "twee!"

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Visit the author online at www.lorifoster.com and follow @lorilfoster on Twitter

Short Story Review: Cosmo's Sexiest Stories Ever

Cosmo's Sexiest Stories Ever: Three Naughty Tales
 by Jane Green, Jennifer Weiner, Meg Cabot

Publication date: 23 Auguest 2011 by Hearst
ISBN 10/13: 1453227806 | 9781453227800

Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Romance, short story, realistic
Format:  eBook (e-ARC received from Netgalley for review)

From goodreads:

The world’s best-selling magazine for young women asked three best-selling authors to each write a story steamy enough for the pages of Cosmo—a tall order, but these ladies so delivered. The trio of tantalizing tales was such a hit that they’ve been compiled into this must-have ebook. Now, readers can devour these naughty little nuggets whenever, wherever. Here’s a taste of the deliciousness inside: “Sex Under the Stars” by Jane Green. Maggie’s marriage fell apart three years ago—and now she has her eyes set on her ex-hubby’s smoke-show of a best friend. “Birthday Sex She’ll Never Forget” by Jennifer Weiner. Daphne’s turning twenty-six, and the best damn gift she could have ever asked for comes in the form of a hot guy from her past—and his spine-tingling mattress moves. “Falling in Lust at the Jersey Shore” by Meg Cabot. When Gemma agrees to go in on a house at the Jersey Shore, she assumes every dude there will be a gorilla juicehead. So she is pleasantly surprised by the yummy piece of eye candy waiting for her when she arrives.

Thuy's review:

Unfortunately these are not the sexiest stories I've ever read. I've read much sexier, steamier stories. However, I don't think this is the fault of the writers more than it's a fault of the format of the stories. They're just too short.  In fact, I don't know if I'd call them stories as more than sexy scenes. I don't know the actual page count since it was only available in eBook format but it three short stories. While they each had interesting premises and the writing was well done on all of them, they lacked character and story development. 

In “Sex Under The Stars,” Maggie is still hurting from the failure of her marriage three years prior when his best friend comes back to town. He’s always been attracted to Maggie but has stayed away because of his relationship with her husband. Now that she’s a free agent, he takes her out on his boat for a night neither of them will forget. While I liked this idea in this one, I found Maggie to be somewhat unlikeable. She feels very sorry for herself over the failure of her marriage but keeps saying that she knew she wasn’t in love with her husband when she married him. Then she gets mad when he leaves her and says that he never deserved her. I found myself thinking that she didn’t deserve a night under the stars with her sexy friend.

Of the three stories, “Birthday Sex She’ll Never Forget” was my favorite. The story of the high school nerd coming back as a grown up hottie was fun and sexy. It also felt that Daphne and Caleb at least had a little bit of history and an emotional connection. Their hot love scene still manages to be sweet and touching.

“Falling In Lust At The Jersey Shore” feels like the beginning of a really good beach read. Gemma heads to the Jersey Shore imagining it to be littered with tan buffoons and instead, finds an attractive male specimen working in the backyard of her rental house. I found myself wondering what happened after their hot encounter by the pool.

I am familiar with all of these authors though I’ve never read anything by Jane Green. Reading these stories wouldn’t make me go out and get a book by any of these authors but neither would I avoid these authors based on these stories. Since this is for Cosmo, I am assuming that these stories appeared in the magazine at some point, which explains why they’re so short. The scenes themselves were quite steamy and I enjoyed them but they left me unfulfilled and a bit frustrated. A quick roll in the hay is fun but I need more than hot sex to keep my interest. The buildup of sexual tension is sometimes the best part of a romance and this has almost none.  If you’re looking for a sexy read, I’d skip this brief collection and pick up a full length book by any of these authors or any number of great romance books out there.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

say "twee!"

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Visit the authors online
Jane Green and Twitter @janegreen
Jennifer Weiner and Twitter @jenniferweiner
Meg Cabot and Twitter @megcabot