Contemporary Romance Archives

Right Where We Belong by Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg and Courteney Walsh

August 30, 2017 by bubblebathbooks 1 Comment

Whether in a quaint home bakery in Langhorne, Missouri, a cozy boho coffee shop in Maple Valley, Iowa, or a charming lakeside cottage in Sweethaven, Michigan, love grows best in small towns just like this!

In Deborah Raney’s A Langhorne Romance: Lily O’Neal’s thriving at-home bakery means working alone in her state-of-the-art kitchen, so how’s she ever supposed to meet the man of her dreams? But when delivery truck driver, Gage Simmons, shows up at her door—crooked grin and all—she can’t help making sure he has a reason to return…even if it means ordering her supplies one at a time.

In Melissa Tagg’s A Maple Valley Romance: After years of mistakes and regret, coffee shop owner Megan Harrow has finally built a new life for herself and her daughter in quirky, but charming Maple Valley. But she’s not ready for the sparks that fly when she meets local nonprofit owner Eric Hampton . . . or for the sudden reappearance of an unwelcome face from her past.

In Courtney Walsh’s A Sweethaven Romance: Eleanor Waverly is practically Sweethaven royalty, but her comfortable, cushy world is turned upside-down when she discovers an old map hidden in the bottom of a 125-year-old time capsule. Her only hope of uncovering the truth lies with local firefighter (and Waverly rival) Jason Holloway, and with his piercing eyes and troubled past, it’s clear from the start it’s not only her way of life that’s on the line, it’s her heart.

Bubby:

Now as much as Sissy and I were ready to spread our wings and leave our little hometown, sometimes there really is no place like home, the place where you grew up, the place where your memories are, and the place your family calls home too. All three of these books take place in hometowns just like that.

Sissy:

I like my little hometown now way better than the little hometown I had in high school. Is that bad?

Bubby:

Nope. I feel the same, although my little hometown now isn’t so little. I think that once Mom and Dad moved away, it was hard to have ties in California anymore. Besides, we’ve lived here longer than we lived in California at this point!

Sissy:

The essence is, we totally get the small town vibe of Right Where We Belong; the good and bad parts. Like everyone knows your business, but also everyone is willing to help you when needed. Aside from the small town element and love stories, A Langhorne Romance, A Maple Valley Romance and A Sweethaven Romance all bring different components to the collection. There is some mystery and danger, some deep issues are addressed, and there is also some cute, quirky fun (like me).

Bubby:

I’d say you’re short and quirky. Cute only when you’ve been fed. All the Right Where We Belong tales have a satisfying happy ending. That makes me happy! I thought that I’d be less busy once school started but man was I wrong! These three stories are the perfect length to fit in my super crazy schedule. We can all use a little more happiness and love in our day, right?

Sissy:

Right. That’s why I come to visit Bubby all the time. I’m like a ray of sunshine in her pocket! Speaking of a ray of sunshine, Right Where We Belong, with its relatable, loveable characters, is a totally gratifying, “happy making” read!

Click HERE to buy Right Where We Belong

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Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones (Plus a Giveaway!)

July 12, 2017 by bubblebathbooks 12 Comments

Paisley Sutton shot to stardom as a teenage rock sensation, but ten years later that star has fizzled out, just like her bank account. When she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s wedding planning business, Paisley leaves the glamour of Los Angeles for a charming small town in Arkansas. Thinking she’ll arrive in Sugar Creek and liquidate the property, Paisley’s shocked to find Enchanted Events has experienced a major makeover and is now the place for brides. She’s got two months to keep Enchanted Events afloat if she wants to sell and rekindle her music career with the profits.

Paisley’s tossed into a world of vows and venues, but her most difficult challenge comes in the form of one demanding bride. When this Bridezilla’s found facedown in her cake, all fingers point to Paisley as the prime murder suspect. This former pop princess will need the help of her gun-toting, ex-CIA grandmother and her handsome neighbor, Beau Hudson, to unravel the mystery and clear her good name. The closer Paisley gets to the truth, the more her own life is in danger. Love is in the air this wedding season, but before Paisley can help the ladies of Sugar Creek say, “I do,” she’s got to unveil a killer. Or find herself the next target.

Don’t miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!

Bubby:

Engaged in Trouble is the first book in the Enchanted Events cozy mystery series. You readers already know that we LOVE ourselves some Jenny B. Jones – (In Between, On the Loose, The Big Picture, Can’t Let You Go) and we loved this one too. It’s a departure from her other novels in that it’s a cozy mystery instead of a sweet romance, but never fear! There was still enough romance to make us happy.

Sissy:

We do very few cozy mystery reviews these days because they tend to feel all the same to us after a while. But because Jenny B. Jones’ hilarious, sarcastic, sassy humor is the light of my life whenever I read her, I had to give this cozy a try. She did not disappoint. Just the arrival of the two unpredictably crazy ex-CIA grannies Sylvie and Frannie was like freakin’ Christmas morning!

Bubby:

Oh my gosh I loved them so much! Sylvie and Frannie might be two of my favorite characters ever. The best aspect of Engaged in Trouble for me was the slow, simmering undercurrent of romantic tension between our heroine Paisley and her hunky neighbor Beau. I’m so interested to see where their relationship goes in the next book.

Sissy:

Paisley, though she’s a self-described “disaster magnet”, is surprisingly endearing, with her troubled back story and determination for the future. She’s a good match for Beau, with his demons from his military service. Hopefully they can figure it all out and have another smoldering kiss for us to drool over.

Bubby:

I’m a sucker for all things bridal (we binge watch Say Yes to the Dress around here) and the descriptions of the gowns, cakes, venues, and even the interior of Enchanted Events made me so happy. I briefly worked at a bridal salon once and I really loved it. Maybe we should open up our own salon and event planning service, Sissy? Could be fun…

Sissy:

Not. Fun. Do you really want to be around psychotic brides/bride’s families all the time? I want to throw my shoe at the TV when I watch Say Yes to the Dress, because some of the brides are so spoiled and ridiculous! So I could perfectly picture Sasha, the bridezilla (and subsequent murder victim) in Engaged in Trouble.

Bubby:

Yeah, Sasha was a piece of work. I’m not surprised someone killed her.

Sissy:

That’s a horrible thing to say! I sort of agree… But that’s a horrible thing to say!

Bubby:

You were thinking the same thing. Horrible thoughts! Engaged in Trouble is another stellar piece of entertainment from Jenny B. Jones. Great plot, great characters, great ending.

Sissy:

I gotta admit, I did not know whodunnit until the end, and what a wild ending it was! But the best thing about this book is the sharp witted, side-splitting dialogue. Especially when Sylvie or Frannie open their mouths or do practically anything. I’ll go out on a limb here and say the Enchanted Events series may just be my favorite cozy mystery outing ever. While you’re wondering (with us) when the next book in the series will come out, don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below for a chance to win a copy of your own!

Click HERE to buy Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

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Love in an English Garden by Victoria Connelly

June 1, 2017 by bubblebathbooks Leave a Comment

Love In an English Garden: The Jacobs family has lived at Orley Court for generations. But when Vanessa Jacobs’s husband dies and leaves the property to her, she finds costs spiraling out of control. In order to stay in their beloved home, she and her daughters will have to sell part of it off—a decision that drives a wedge between Vanessa and her live-in mother-in-law.

The new owners of the north wing are Laurence Sturridge and his father, Marcus. Laurence wants to escape the constant pressure of his corporate job in London, while Marcus longs to heal from the grief of losing his wife. Could the beauty of Orley Court offer them a fresh outlook on life?

As the two families embark on a challenging new chapter over the course of a glorious English summer, secrets are revealed and relationships tested. But as Orley Court begins to weave its magic over them, will it be love, above all, that brings the two families together?

Sissy:

When Bubby and I were in the English countryside last October (I still can’t believe we did that!) we saw many stately manors and beautiful gardens. You can imagine how easy it was for us, then, to completely immerse ourselves in the beautifully described setting of Love in an English Garden.

Bubby:

I’ve heard people talk about “genetic memory” before and I wasn’t sure what I thought about it, but when we were in England, the home of almost all of our ancestors, it truly felt like home. Especially when we were in the Lake District – I could have bought a house and moved my family in and lived there happily for all time.

Sissy:

Me too! And the gentle, peaceful feeling we felt there is mirrored in Love in an English Garden. It is an easy paced, yet very satisfying tale of change and relationships. There are several little interesting stories going on all at once but it never seems too much. I immediately connected with and truly liked the main characters (quite liked the side characters too!). It is a read that induces the utmost in relaxification!

Bubby:

Now hold on a minute. There’s at least ONE character you didn’t like – the Mother-In-Law/Grandmother, Dolly. Even though at the end she does offer a bit of an explanation for her awful behavior, I still think she’s a big stinker. I loved everyone else, though, even the reforming delinquents that helped out with the garden upkeep.

Sissy:

O.K., you’re right. Dolly was a stink. And her explanation was stupid. People should not be allowed to behave that badly! It’s too bad that there isn’t some type of system where when we looked in the mirror, it could give us an evaluation of our behavior – “You are being a wretched poop-noggin. Stop it.” It should include some video proof of your poop-noggin-ness too.

Bubby:

I agree. Let’s invent this and make a bazillion dollars, shall we? And then we can go back to England and buy ourselves a lovely little manor house with a delightful garden, just like in the book. And then I’ll be relaxed and calm and happy and nice ALL the time. I promise.

Sissy:

Hmm. Could I have that in writing? We didn’t give you much of the storyline in our review, (you can find that elsewhere, I suppose), but I guarantee you will fall in love with the owners, previous and current, of Orley Court. You will be so happy with the bonds formed between surprising people and the ending is just delightful. Love In an English Garden — go get it!

Bubby:

I’m always looking for that perfect summer beach read that fills my daydreams with fancy and sets my heart to sighing. Love in an English Garden is just that. I wish that I’d been able to read it on a beach somewhere, but even though I was physically stuck in my living room, my soul was in merry old England. Perfect.

Click HERE to buy Love in an English Garden by Victoria Connelly

Silver Screen Kisses

March 15, 2017 by bubblebathbooks Leave a Comment

Silver Screen Kisses is a collection of stories inspired by movies from everyone’s favorite list. Written by award-winning and bestselling authors, these contemporary romances take the reader back to Echo Ridge in the spring, when the promise of new love is budding just like the tulips around the Emerald Inn Bed & Breakfast.

Sissy:

All you have to do is take a peek at the titles of the six stories in Silver Screen Kisses and you’ll get a fair idea what they’re about. For example, the first book, My Fair Lacey by Janette Rallison, may or may not be about someone changing someone else’s image. The changer of images may or may not be initially as annoying as one Henry Higgins. Give it a contemporary update and take out the singing and voila! Eliza Dolittle might feel right at home, just like Bubby when I correct her poor grammar.

Bubby:

You leave poor ol’ Grammar out of this! She’s innocent! Next up in our stories inspired by the silver screen is You’ve Got E-mail by Heather Tullis. We all remember the inspiration movie for this one: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan at their finest, as dueling bookstore owners. This time around we have Maria and Bret, two Echo Ridge residents who have gotten off on the wrong foot in real life but might just click quite nicely online. I can relate. I often click better with Sissy when she’s on the other end of my computer too!

Sissy:

You know I’m your favorite person and we’re the clickingest twosome ever. All the sisters want to be us. The Princess Bride of Riodan by Rachelle J. Christensen resembles the original Princess Bride story not a bit, except for the use of Mr. Sissy’s favorite line, “As you wish.” Which is also my favorite line to hear, by the way. Regardless, this new incarnation is sweet and enjoyable.

Bubby:

My Best Man’s Wedding by Cami Checketts is best described by the following line: “Jessica didn’t realize that fake fiances could kiss like champions.” I’m always ready to read about a silver screen worthy leading man like that! There is a fairly major deviation from the movie we know and love, but it was so worth it!

Sissy:

And Jessica took WAY too long choosing the champion kisser, in my opinion. Silly girl! Lastly we have While You Were Skiing by Lucy McConnell. Yes, there is a handsome boy in a coma; yes, there is a pretend engagement; but the way things play out is really quite different from While You Were Sleeping. You’ll like the changes. They are yummy and delightful, just like these silver screen stories.

Bubby:

Silver Screen Kisses is the third installment in the Echo Ridge series of novellas and just like its predecessors, consistently ranks in the top 30 in its category over at Amazon.com. That should clue you in to how fabulous they are! Even if you’re not a huge fan of stories adapted from the silver screen, you’ll love these. We promise!

Click HERE to buy Silver Screen Kisses – An Echo Ridge Anthology

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A Portrait of Emily Price by Kathryn Reay

February 8, 2017 by bubblebathbooks 1 Comment

Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. But when Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family is another matter . . .Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.
But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart. Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit. Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?

Our Review:

Bubby: Art, especially painting, has always seemed like such a fascinating subject to me. Unfortunately, it’s only fascinating to me in theory. I can’t tell what’s good and what’s not, and I have no personal aptitude for art whatsoever. In fact, (art enthusiasts please skip to the next paragraph now) when I was in Madrid and my husband and I visited the Prado Museum, we barely made it through the first floor. I know, it’s a travesty. Art restoration is the same way. I think it would be so amazing to be an art restorer, but, again, no aptitude and certainly none of the required patience. But I sure like to read about it.

Sissy: And your point is?

Bubby: My point is that I was intrigued with A Portrait of Emily Price just from the book description, because of her profession. Then I realized that her love interest, Ben, is a chef and his parents run a restaurant, and I was hooked. Because I love reading about food, too. And I actually CAN cook, unlike painting or drawing. Happy, Sissy?

Sissy: I’m in a coma from your long-winded-ness, but I’ll survive. I actually think some art is exquisite and enlightening to my soul, but that just speaks to my elevated taste. I’m sorry you didn’t get that, Bubby. However, I like to look at and eat your cake, so you ARE an artist, Bubby. Truly.

Bubby: You’re just saying that so you can eat more cake.

Sissy: Nope. Got any cake? I want to point out that it is February, the month of love, and our offerings thus far are not your usual fluffy romantic fare. A Portrait of Emily Price does have traditional elements such as love at first sight and a whirlwind romance, but it also serves up a very complex storyline (or three), much drama and conflict, and some intriguingly deep characters. Much like real life romance, this tale takes a great deal of work before you get your happy ending. Even the happy ending is misted by some bittersweet life events, but again, that’s real life. We should write a whole post about Valentine’s Day and the reality of love, don’t you think, Bubby? Don’t let my comments dampen your enthusiasm for A Portrait of Emily Price, though. The realism is blended with lovely references to classic literature, moments of philosophic enlightenment, and, yes, sweet, sweet love. It is a thoroughly delicious mix.

Bubby: Maybe we WILL write a post about love for Valentine’s Day. Together, we’ve been married to our amazing men for over 50 years, so we should know what we’re talking about! There are so many types of love featured in this tale. The love at first sight of Emily and Ben, as mentioned above, several instances of unrequited love, and my favorite, the long-standing, deep and abiding love of Ben’s parents, Lucio and Donata. I hope my marriage is as rich and lovely as theirs. The descriptions of Italy were so detailed and picturesque. We must go there, Sissy! And the food…I wanted to try each of Ben’s attempts at making the perfect pizza. Now I’m hungry. A Portrait of Emily Price is a story with art and food as its central motifs, but ultimately the tale is about family and redemption and enduring love. Beautifully written, as always, by Kathryn Reay.

Sissy: We didn’t talk about the family secrets, lies and scandals that emerge (something Bubby and I are no strangers to. Knock on wood that no more will happen until after I’ve croaked.) At one point, main character Emily doesn’t know if she can handle all the drama that she becomes embroiled with through her new union, but Katherine Reay, in her unique and wonderful style, weaves us an ending that has us sighing with relief and reaching for our Valentine’s Day truffles. And a tissue. Another superb novel from Katherine Reay.

Click HERE to buy A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

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