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Sold on Love–Harper and Rusty’s story
Sold on Love
by Kathleen Fuller
Harper is a hard-working, stylish realtor. Rusty is a hard-working, rough around the edges, skilled mechanic. Neither one has time for dating, but they have something else in common—Harper’s beautiful Mercedes. Despite its mechanical problems, Harper loves it, and Rusty is committed to keeping it running for her. Their paths keep crossing when Rusty decides he needs to sell his current house when his grandfather needs to move back in with him. Later Harper convinces Rusty to participate in a bachelor auction to raise funds for ALS. Sparks fly but neither wants to admit their attraction to the other. Both have leftover hurts from their childhoods that make loving someone risky.
I enjoyed watching Harper and Rusty get to know each other. They are likable characters with insecurities that they handle quite differently. Rusty’s grandfather Senior is wise and is an amusing character. There is a subplot involving Harper’s parents and another that showcases Harper’s nemesis and an ex-boyfriend. There are plenty of problems and misunderstandings, but the author handles them well with some surprising solutions.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Rating: 4/5
Category: Romance
Notes: 1. #3 in the Maple Falls Romance Series which should be read in order.
2. Includes a map of Maple Falls and Discussion Questions
Publication: 8/2/2022—Thomas Nelson
Memorable Lines:
He didn’t want to be single. More than once he’d put himself out into the dating scene only to have his heart stomped on like a wood floor in a country bar each and every time.
She’d known her fair share of disingenuous people, not only in the business world but personally. Jack came to mind, and she shoved him off the cliff of her thoughts. She didn’t want to think about him right now. Or ever.
This was what she was reduced to—watching infomercials and pigging out on ice cream on a Tuesday night. Even at her worst moments, she’d never resorted to such clichéd behavior. But after one taste she was helpless to stop eating her feelings.
Deadly News–small town editor with big city roots
Deadly News
by Jody Holford
In Deadly News, the start of a new series by Jody Holford, Molly Owens accepts the editor’s job at the Britton Bay Bulletin. Owner Alan introduces her to the staff: old-timer Vernon with an insulting attitude and nothing good to say, reserved and polite Elizabeth, lecherous Clay, and enthusiastic intern Hannah. It is immediately obvious that it will take some time to fit in, but Molly is determined.
One of the staff members is murdered and Molly feels responsible. She also thinks it is important to follow up on that reporter’s last assignment. The waters get muddied quickly as Molly follows various leads, and someone in town makes it clear she is not welcome there.
The characters are interesting, and the mystery provides a challenging puzzle to solve. Romance is thrown into the mix in the form of Sam, whose dazzling smile attracts lots of attention. There is even a cute stray dog who plays an important role in directing Molly to a clue. Molly is likable and you’ll want to see her succeed in her job…and in staying alive.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Lyrical Underground (Kensington Press) for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #1 in the Britton Bay Mystery Series
Publication: October 30, 2018—Kensington Press (Lyrical Underground)
Memorable Lines:
Word of mouth was the fastest form of communication in any place with less than a dozen stoplights.
Sam’s smile made her feel like she’d just snuggled into a warm jacket on a cold day.
“We should do something fun this weekend. Do you like to camp?” Molly scrunched her nose up. “Only when I’m pretending I can’t afford a night in a hotel.”
Bad Neighbors–another fun ride with Agnes and Effie
Bad Neighbors
by Maia Chance
Grab your hat for a whirlwind ride with Agnes, a self-professed nerd, and her wacky Aunt Effie in Maia Chance’s new cozy mystery Bad Neighbors. Agnes, recovering from the breakup of a long term relationship, has still not unpacked her boxes as she continues to try to figure out her future. Meanwhile Agnes, Effie, and cousin Chester take on their first four guests at the Stagecoach Inn, which they have only barely begun to remodel. Their four nonpaying guests are part of a tour group who have come to small town Naneda to view the changing leaves. Unfortunately their bus broke down. The whole town scurries to accommodate the tour bus participants because the town is also hosting their Harvest Festival along with the obnoxious judge of a yearly contest among towns in the area.
With this autumnal backdrop, the plot thickens as one of the locals is found murdered and Agnes’ old high school flame Otis is a suspect. Along the way there is a lot of suspicion thrown on various characters, and Agnes picks up a lot of ridicule from various townspeople who resent her sleuthing. Her arch rival turns out to be the snarky cupcake queen Delilah who sets her eyes on Otis.
Agnes, Effie, and their gaggle of equally quirky guests engage in numerous adventures in the name of investigations. Agnes has some close brushes with death and seriously considers leaving the craziness of the Stagecoach Inn behind to return to graduate school. What will it take to discover the murderer and to invest Agnes fully in life in Naneda? The end of this fun and humorous cozy mystery will reveal all.
I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Crooked Lane Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5/5
Category: Mystery
Notes: #2 in the Agnes and Effie Mystery Series, but works as a standalone
Publication: April 6, 2018—Crooked Lane Books
Memorable Lines:
…in my “new” car. This was a fifteen-year-old whitish minivan that looked like a cross between a handheld Dustbuster and the Space Shuttle. Its undercarriage was about two inches from the ground and bumped and scraped on every last pebble. At speeds over forty-five miles per hour, it felt in danger of disintegration.
To say I had butterflies in my stomach is an understatement. It felt as if I had pterodactyls swooping around in there.
Over the past weeks, our new relationship had felt like a fragile, enhanced bubble. I had made sure not to get too comfortable, because if I got comfortable, settled in, made myself at home, it would hurt that much more when the bubble inevitably popped.
