I Love You By Brandy Wilson

Title: I Love You

Series: Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Brandy Wilson

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 57

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Tate Campbell liked his life.  Running his bar kept him busy and paid his bills, and a relationship with anyone wasn’t on the horizon.  He sure wasn’t expecting a Valentine surprise, especially one who looked like a fallen angel-with a broken-down car.

Dace Robinson’s career as an ER doctor left little time for relationships.  Valentine’s Day was just another day on the calendar, albeit one filled with annoying decorations and sad reminders she had no one special in her life.  Until the night car trouble compelled her to seek help in a biker bar, and the handsome owner claimed Dace as his woman – she had no idea how sweet Valentine’s Day could be.

REVIEW:  I liked the characters. They were both so different it was very interesting how they got together. He was her hero rescuing her with a broken down car. Then he rescued her again from a leader of a biker gang, by claiming her as his in front of the gang.  

Before long sparks started to fly, they both weren’t looking for love but found it. They both were very strong characters by themselves but together they were even better. The hot, sex scenes made it even steamier too.

I highly recommend this book.

SWEETIE PIE BY WILLA BLAIR

Title: Sweetie Pie

Series: Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Willa Blair

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy/Futuristic Romance

Pages: 73

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Makenna Stewart flees Scotland for the Big Island of Hawaii intent on making real a cherished dream-a bakery of her own.  Hard work and long hours leave Makenna craving some fun I her life. Her best customer, Greek-god sexy surfer Tom may be just what she needs, but she suspects there’s more to him than board shorts and a devastating smile.

Retired professional surfer and real-estate multi-millionaire Tom Bensford, is there when she opens every morning, but he’s not craving her Morning Glory muffins. Fascinated by the dark-haired, blue-eyed wahine with the creamy Celtic skin and devastating Scottish accent, he’s never met a woman like her.  Too bad he’s about to destroy her dreams.

To him, it’s just business. To her, it’s the kind of betrayal she fled Scotland to escape.  Can the island magic in Makenna’s heritage save her dream and their romance, or will his secret tear them apart?

REVIEW:  I loved this story. The two characters kept me engaged in the story. I was cheering them on but couldn’t feel a little betrayed by Tom too. He was keeping a big secret and should have confided in Makenna.

Makenna’s has wanted her own bakery and now the man she loves may be selling the property out from under her. She is crushed by this betrayal. Tom hates it but doesn’t know how to solve this problem. He tries to come up with another solution which proves to Makenna how much he cares about her.

I highly recommend this book.

REAL LOVE BY CHARLOTTE COPPER

Title: Real Love

Series: Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Charlotte Copper

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy/Futuristic Romance

Pages: 52

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  As a young girl, Monda was placed into the tutelage of Mistress Teevac.  Trained to use her empathic skills and educated in the ways to please a man, Monda is on her way to her new mate and master when her spaceship crashes.  Rescued by a handsome space lieutenant, who literally makes her heart race, Monda’s eyes and heart are opened to new possibilities.

When Lieutenant Patrick Lancaster looks at the exotic Monda, he sees beautiful not alien.  With an instinct to protect her and the desire to have her, he’d be honored to call her his own, but the stars have something else in mind. Or do they?

REVIEW:  I loved this short read of two people falling for each other from different worlds literally. Monda is an empath so she knows that the Lieutenant is having strong feelings for her. But they both are fighting their attraction.  She is promised to another but hopes to be able to stay where she is. 

The paranormal aspect of this story kept me interested in it and hopeful for the two to get their happily ever after.

I recommend this book.

GOT LOVE? BY ANGELA HAYES

Title: Got Love?

Series: Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Angela Hayes

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy/Futuristic Romance

Pages: 79

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, gorse fairy, Flora Hawthorne is up to her neck in flowers, chocolate, and all things romance. She has no time for love, until she comes face to face with her own personal Cupid and the sparks fly!

Looking to settle down, Cupid Tharin Terize wants fairy Flora Hawthorne to be his valentine, not just for one night, but for the rest of time.  Now, all he has to do is convince her.

REVIEW:  I loved these characters because they were so different and extraordinary. It was believable that they would have a whole town of these different breeds. Flora and Tharin kept me engaged in the story and I was rooting for them to get their happily ever after even if Flora was a little reluctant.

Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days for her owning a flower shop but she makes time for romance. Tharin has bought the house Flora has dreamed about owning one day and offers to show her the inside.

You know from the beginning they were meant to be together. As the story unfolds you can’t wait for them to become each other’s Valentine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story in the paranormal world. It kept me guessing and enhanced the story.

I am giving it 4 Flaming Hearts.

BE MY LOVE BY J.C. MCKENZIE

Title: Be My Love

Series: Candy Hearts Romance

Author: J.C. McKenzie

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 80

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Broken-hearted and bitter, Brenna Jones plans to spend Valentine’s weekend at her parent’s cabin, reading romance novels and devouring heart-shaped candy. When her truck hits a snowdrift and plows into a bank-during a storm, no less-her plans take a drastic detour.  Eric Buchanan, the playboy jerk from her past, comes to her aid.  He’s her only option for reaching safety.

Eric can’t wait to escape his parent’s latest attempt to set him up. He’s given up on happiness, knowing he blew his chance at love a decade ago. When his snowmobile ride turns into a harrying escape from a blizzard, he discovers Brenna stranded in the storm.  After he ensures her safety, he plans to explain the misunderstanding that tore them apart. Can a secluded cabin help Eric convince Brenna to be his love?

REVIEW:  This was a really good book. The characters drew me in and the more they interacted the more I liked their dynamic. Their chemistry was evident and it held my attention through the whole story.

I would recommend this book.

STEP ON ME MORE BY JOAN C.AFMAN AND MARY M. RICKSEN

Title: Step On Me More

Author: Joan C. Afman and Mary M. Ricksen

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance

Pages: 304

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS: Shelburne High School teachers Kailyn Hartigan and Lisa Stone have had enough.  Bullying among students is reaching an all-time high, and the rest of the staff is either in denial or too afraid of repercussions to help address the problem.

When Stephanie Moore-aka: Step On Me More-is welcomed by Shelburne High as the new principal, taking an anti-bullying stance becomes a dangerous game.  One that could cost Kailyn and Lisa not only their careers, but the lives of the students they seek to protect.

REVIEW: This is such a touching story that shows just what goes on in schools. Both teachers Kailyn and Lisa had been bullied in school. Little did they know they were bullied by the same person? They both fought to try and protect the students being bullied but the principal, Stephanie Moore would hear nothing of it. She had everyone eating out of her hands. They believed her when she said there was nothing going on and it took 2 different students actions to show the school board to see what was happening. 

Although the 2 students’ fates were already determined, they did help the school and administration get rid of Stephanie Moore and have the school and town assembly about the bullying. They adopted a no tolerance policy and it changed the whole school atmosphere. While the story was about the bullying there was also some romance going on when both teachers found some great guys to confide in and stand by them. They could put their bullying past behind them and move on with their lives.

I really liked this story. I highly recommend it.

MELT MY HEART BY MARIE TUHART

Title: Melt My Heart

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Marie Tuhart

Genre: BDSM, Erotic Romance

Pages: 90

Publisher:  Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS: Veterinarian Lexi Mallory wants to submit to the sexy Dom from the club, but trauma from her past keeps getting in the way.  It’s a good thing Gabriel Huntington has a special way with difficult subs and sees the gorgeous Lexi as a delicious challenge.  Unfortunately, Lexi fears her inability to relinquish control will finally test Gabriel’s patience and he’ll end their contract. Can Lexi lower her barriers and allow Gabriel’s touch to melt her heart?

REVIEW: Lexi has had to be in control of herself her whole life. Even from an early age she was taking care of herself. Now she finds it hard to let go and give control to a man. Gabriel is the Dom to tame her and make her feel safe. Lexi is a vet and when Gabriel finds a puppy at a job site he immediately takes the puppy to Lexi. He lets her take complete control of the situation and he appreciates how confident she is in her job. Gabriel decides to keep the puppy and takes Lexi shopping for him.

They both have been working on trust and letting go. Over the past few weeks Lexi has let Gabriel dictate certain aspects of her life. It could be small things like ordering food for her at lunch but eventually she begins to let go. They share some steamy nights together at Gabriel’s home and he decides he doesn’t want to end their relationship. He wants to get rid of the contract and be with Lexi. She is worried that the time for them to end the contract is coming soon but doesn’t want to end their relationship either. They both are afraid to say anything.

The time comes for Lexi to submit to Gabriel at the club and he knows she is very nervous. He makes her feel completely comfortable with touching her and moving around to observe the different scenes playing out. He goes to their play area and Lexi hesitates for a brief moment then takes her place at the cross. She becomes nervous when she notices people around watching. Gabriel blindfolds her so she can feel what he is doing to her. She actually reaches subspace and she has never done that before. Gabriel and Lexi have to figure out where to go now with their arrangement.

I loved this story. I was pulled into the story from the beginning and read it in one sitting. The title is very fitting since not only does the characters melt your heart but having the puppy, Zeus included just makes the whole story come together. Gabriel was such an understanding man and even though Lexi was so down on herself for being a failure he continued working with her. He saw strength in her and didn’t want to give up on her. He got to know her before he rushed her into anything. It was baby steps but it all worked out in the end.

I highly recommend this story.

ASK ME BY LAURA STRICLAND

Title: Ask Me

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Laura Strickland

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 72

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Alone on Valentine’s Day, Leo Rankin attends the library’s Blind Date With a Book event hoping for something he can take to bed with him that night, and finds himself competing against Gerri Webb for the last remaining book. Wild child Gerri is not his usual type. Yet he feels an immediate, sizzling attraction and agrees to share the book and its accompanying bag of candy hearts.

The whole idea of a Blind Date with a Book is to go off genre, so Gerri doesn’t mind when their flirty conversation suggests they unwrap each other rather than the mystery book. When a candy heart advises, “Ask Me,” she asks Leo back to her apartment.  She never expects button-down Leo to hit all her buttons, but by the next morning she fears her heart’s in danger. Can one night spent of genre translate to real life?

REVIEW:  This story was a great read. Such a great idea for a blind date, I really could relate with the two characters and how opposites did attract on this blind date. Leo is a history teacher and Gerri is a tattoo artist. Could you get these two any different but they seemed to click together. I really enjoyed this story.

I recommend this story.

DEVILISH DELIGHTS BY LEIGH PAUL

Title: Devilish Delights

Author: Leigh Paul

Genre: Erotic Romance

Pages: 32

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Artist-for-hire, Laura Chambers, has been commissioned to create a collection of paintings capturing the essence of the tarot.  She’s nearly finished with each card but has left the scandalous for last – the devil card.  In her search for the perfect muse, Laura hires Todd Drake, a nude model with a sinful body and a naughty gleam in his eyes. Though his panty-melting smile and fiendish essence will ensure her devil will be caught on canvas, he just might driver her to delicious distraction in the process or… capture her heart.

REVIEW:  Laura is an artist who needs to find a muse to complete a painting of the devil or her interpretation of the devil. She hires Todd to do the nude modeling and she can’t concentrate once he disrobes. She decides to take a break and then asks him to come back the next day. She is still struggling with getting the inspiration she needs. Todd gives her that evil, tempting grin and she decides to have some fun if he is willing? She hasn’t been able to work staring at him so she releases some of her sexual tension. Once they have exhausted each other she has a clear picture now of the devil’s painting.  She finishes the painting and gets the complete set of paintings to the buyer.

Todd and Laura wind up together. They are lucky they found each other.

This is a very short story but in the few pages you read you will be drawn in and turned on by it. This is very smoking hot and I couldn’t put it down.

I recommend this short story.

WANTON WORDS BY LAYLA CHASE

Title: Wanton Words

Author: Layla Chase

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 63

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS: A corporate retreat provides laid-back Tadeo Xalvador with the opportunity he’s been waiting for—close quarters with co-worker Kit Emelin.  She’s brushed him off in the past, but he’s banking on her brusque manner having less to do with the professional competition between divisions…and everything to do with avoiding the attraction sizzling between them.

Her type A personality drives Kit to view the forest retreat as another place to display her leadership skills. Nowhere in her plans does she allow for a board game of wanton words with the sexy wonder boy of sales.  She clings to her rule against dating a colleague.  But when coyotes drive them into an empty cabin, adrenaline and lust lead to unquenchable passion she can’t deny.

REVIEW: To say Tadeo and Kit have chemistry is an understatement. They can’t be in the same room without having heated stares and both getting turned on by the other. Kit fights it until the board games portion of the retreat starts to find Tadeo is playing scrabble with her and using very descriptive and sexy words that make Kit all hot and bothered.

They wind up in the same cabin on the way back to their own cabins due to wolves. Tadeo is grateful for the wolves appearing to help his seduction along. They steam up the sheets and Kit wonders what tomorrow is going to bring.

Tadeo knows that this is more than a romp in the sack. He decides to convince the stubborn Kit he wants to be with her.

I enjoyed this story. It shows that body movements can mean different things. Kit felt Tadeo was ignoring her and acting like a hot shot salesman, when all along he was trying to hold himself back from attacking her like prey. His restraint was the hardest thing he had to do. He wants Kit and makes it his mission to get her.

FORGED BY LOVE BY LAURA STRICKLAND

Title: Forged by Love

Series: The Lobster Cove Series

Author: Laura Strickland

Genre: Historical Romance

Pages: 100

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS: Newly returned home to Lobster Cove from the War Between the States, blacksmith Douglas Grier can’t forget the horrors he’s witnessed or the beautiful young woman he helped break free from her shackles one dark night after her master’s plantation burned.  He wishes he had at least asked her name, even though she and her family disappeared into the darkness and Douglas has no expectation of seeing her again.

Josie Freeman can’t remember the last time she felt safe.  Even though she and her family are freed, they’re being pursued by slave hunters hired by their former owner.  When their ship is damaged on the way to Nova Scotia, Josie is thrown into contact with the one man she never expected …the very man she wanted to see. But will her past catch up with her before Douglas can free her heart?  

REVIEW: Douglas remembers the war and has flashbacks about the night he rescued a slave family. They were shackled together and he and some of his buddies let them free. He wished he would have gotten the beautiful young woman’s name. He has a good life but wants for more. He is longing for that person to make him whole.

Josie Freeman and her family have been on the run since that fateful night that Douglas set them free. She is on a boat traveling to Nova Scotia when they have to stop for repairs. They dock in Lobster Cove. When everyone exits the boat for repairs, Douglas is called to work on it. They can’t believe who they see coming to the dock.  They discover they will be in Lobster Cove for a few days and need shelter. No one will open their homes for Josie or her family. Douglas gives up his little home behind the blacksmith shop he works at. He then sleeps on his best friends’ porch. He makes it a point to get to know Josie while they are repairing the boat.

They stroll through town and talk about their lives and everything. Douglas is falling in love with this woman and wants her to be his. Josie is also falling in love but knows it will never work between them. The day comes when Josie has to decide will she leave with her family or stay with the man she loves. She makes her decision and says goodbye to her family. Douglas marries Josie so that their life starts out on the right foot.

They start setting up their home. Josie goes to work sewing for Douglas’ best friends’ wife. They have taken to Josie and love her as family.

But you know the day was coming when the slave hunters show up and want to take Josie forcibly if necessary. Douglas will risk his life for her and Josie faces her enemies head on. What she finds out is that the town has accepted her and Douglas and they all stand up for her.

I really enjoyed this story. I don’t usually like historical romance but because of the way this was written it wasn’t focused so much on the past. It had some flashbacks which really worked for me. I loved that no matter what, Douglas and Josie loved each other truly. Also the little town of Lobster Cove protected their own and wouldn’t let an outsider come into the town and cause problems.

I highly recommend this story.

RED HOT BY KAYDEN CLAREMONT

Title: Red Hot

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Kayden Claremont

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Mature 

Pages: 55

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Treena Stanton, artistic coordinator of Sierra’s Cowboy Theme Park, wants to exact revenge on Clayton Wagner.  She had a crush on him in school, but he never acknowledged her existence. Revenge is sweet but not as sweet as the pleasure of his touch.

Strategic accounts manager, Clayton Wagner lost a bet and has to work the next twenty-four hours at this buddy’s theme park. But when his “boss for the day” with mouth-watering curves demands he wear a cowboy costume, all he can think about is finding out what’s under her petticoat.

But when the truth is revealed about their past, will the sparks of passion fizzle or burst in Red Hot Flames?

REVIEW: Short story but packed with humor and sexy scenes. Dress up hasn’t been so much fun for Treena. Now she gets to dress up Clayton Wagner who never acknowledged Treena in high school. She goes into this with revenge in mind. What she finds out that Clay is a good sport and is very interested in her. Also that revenge isn’t that important now that she and Clay have a connection. She can finally let go of the past and look to the future with Clay in it. Clay is charming and very sexy. He turns into a standup cowboy for the show and for Treena.

I recommend it.

SAY YES BY KATIE O'SULLIVAN

Title: Say Yes

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Katie O’Sullivan

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 79

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Darby Malone has trouble saying no. Hosting a children’s Valentine party at her recently renovated gallery is the last straw, and the last time she intends to say yes to anything.  That is, until she meets Ben, a well-known Cape Cod artist with eyes as deep and blue as the ocean. He stirs feelings in her that have been dormant for too long. Can she afford to say yes to him?

Ben Phillips needs this gallery show.  His life has been empty since his wife died four years ago, his paintings the only things giving him solace. But his style has changed, his art completely different than the breezy shore paintings he staked his reputation on. Can he convince Darby to give him a chance—and to consider him for more than just a place on her gallery walls?  Will she give him a place in her heart as well?

REVIEW:  Darby Malone has moved home from New York to open up an art gallery. She had had it with the big city and the artists she had been involved with. It never turned out good. She had just given in to her sister to have a little girls Valentine party at her gallery and said no more favors as she is cleaning up blue juice off of her gallery floor.

Ben Phillips walks in and watches her clean up the floor. He is an artist that is known in town. He has moved back to his parent’s house. He needs a favor and Darby is hypnotized by his ocean blue eyes. He has been shut off from the world and wants to display his art in her gallery. It signifies the dark times he has had since his wife died. He warns Darby that it isn’t his famous beach scenes. He wants to have the showing on Valentine’s Day.

Through the whole story I could tell Darby really wants to help Ben but is holding herself back. She doesn’t want to make the same mistakes with her heart. She is falling for him and she doesn’t see it. They had a great chemistry and the whole story is about the show. I felt that it wasn’t complete at the end. I think if the gallery show would have taken place that would have made a better ending for me.

They did get together in the end but again I felt their story wasn’t finished.

I recommend this story.

YOU & ME BY STEPHANIE KEPKE

Title: You & Me

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Stephanie Kepke

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 59

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Forty year old Alex Spencer has given up on love. Having escaped five years earlier from the verbally abusive and two decades older, Trent Peterson, her life revolves around her daughter, sixteen-year-old Josie, even if Josie wants nothing to do with her.

But with Valentine’s Day looming, Alex’s high school sweetheart, Billy Leibowitz, whom she kicked out of her life twenty years earlier thanks to Trent’s demands, has been invading her thoughts. Alex searches for Billy in vain-it seems as if he’s simply disappeared. Suddenly, Candy Hearts, which Billy sent to Alex every Valentine’s Day, start arriving in the mail.  Is Billy sending the Candy Hearts? Will this finally be her chance at happily ever after?

REVIEW: This story is about second chances at love. Both Alex and Billy are at different places in their life now. With Valentine’s Day looming ahead, Alex is wondering what happened to her first love, Billy Leibowitz. She has searched internet and every other way she could with no luck. It is like he disappeared off the face of the earth. When she starts receiving candy hearts she has to wonder if they are from a co-worker or from her first love.

She also tries to connect with her daughter to no avail. Her daughter, Josie is a sixteen year old girl who loves her romance books. Alex decides to look at the book she is reading and is shocked to see the writer looks a lot like Billy. The author’s name is Blake Lincoln but Alex is convinced that is Billy.

She gets a note to meet her mystery candy hearts sender at an ice cream joint that Billy and Alex used to go to. Alex is trying not to get her hopes up but when Blake gets there she knows it is him. It is chilly so they wind up going back to Alex’s house. They aren’t inside but a moment before they starting kissing and tearing each other’s clothes off.

Josie decides to pick today to come home early. Alex runs in the bathroom and Blake aka Billy puts his shirt on before Josie gets in the door. Josie is so excited to get to meet the Blake Lincoln that she can hardly speak.

They agree on meeting later in the week for pizza and Josie goes to her friend’s house. Alex and Blake picks up where they left off. Alex and Blake will get there happily ever after even though they had to wait for each other.

I really loved this story. I liked how Alex and Blake got a second chance. I was pulled into the story and I honestly was surprised that the author was Billy. I didn’t see that one coming and I usually can guess what is going to happen. I also liked that Josie started to interact with her mom even if it was to talk about romance books.

I highly recommend this story. 

MELT MY HEART BY MARIE TUHART

Buy Links:

Wild Rose Press:http://www.wildrosepublishing.com/wildcatalog_v151/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=200_87&products_id=1084

Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Melt-Heart-Candy-Hearts-Romance-ebook/dp/B019VMICFM

Barnes & Noble:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/melt-my-heart-marie-tuhart/1123176223?ean=2940157934798

All Romance Ebooks:https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-meltmyheart-1957758-147.html

Kobo:https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/melt-my-heart-1

ME + YOU BY BRENDA GAYLE

Title: Me + You

Series: A Candy Hearts Romance

Author: Brenda Gayle

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Later Life

Pages: 86

Publisher:  Wild Rose Press

SYNOPSIS:  Teacher Lori Tait has always wanted a family, but now she’s 40, she’s pretty much decided all the good men are taken.  Instead, she devotes herself to her students, particularly one little girl whose struggle with math seems inconsistent with an otherwise brilliant and artistic mind.

Mark Wilder hadn’t planned to become a father, but when a fling resulted in his daughter, Grace, he whole-heartedly embraced the role. Raised in a family of boys, what does he know about women and girls? Once he learns of Grace’s inability to comprehend basic math, he welcomes the role of tutor as a way to connect with his daughter; the opportunity to spend time with her sexy teacher is an added bonus.

When Lori crack’s the mystery of Grace’s problem, Mark’s world is thrown in to turmoil; he’s the last person who can help his daughter. He pushes everyone away, confirming Lori’s theory about men.  Grace, however, has other plans. Using her new-found understanding of math, she sets out to prove to her father and teacher that, together, they add up to the perfect match.

REVIEW:  I really liked this story. It showed Lori as a great teacher worrying about her students and trying to help them succeed. It also shows two parents, Mark and Jade, who are divorced still get along for their daughter, Grace. Grace still seems to be a happy child and wants her dad to be happy.

Grace is a very smart little girl and she comes up with a plan for the Valentines party at school to get Lori and Mark back together. It works out and as they say they get their HEA.

I recommend this book.