Review and Giveaway: Long, Hot Texas Summer by Carolyn Brown

Series: Standalone

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Standalone
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Montlake RomancePublication Date: 8/26/14

Format: ARC

Pages: 228

Source: Author

Rating: 3.5 stars

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A sassy redhead with an axe to grind…

After catching her husband kissing another woman in the barn, Loretta Sullivan Bailey left Lonesome Canyon Ranch and swore she’d never come back. But when her daughter threatens to drop out of college to become a rancher’s wife, Loretta refuses to let her baby make the same mistake she did. She returns to the ranch, determined to get her daughter back in school by the summer’s end…and resolute on ignoring her feelings for her ex-husband.

A bullheaded but oh so sexy cowboy…

A cowboy from his hat to his boots, ruggedly handsome rancher Jackson Bailey is none too pleased that his feisty—and gorgeous—ex-wife has suddenly shown up seventeen years after their divorce. But despite all their fighting and fussing, the two stubborn former lovers soon discover that old flames burn the hottest. Can they finally put aside their differences and find happiness together…forever?

My Review

REVIEW: AUTUMN IN THE VINEYARD by MARINA ADAIR

Series: St. Helena Vineyard #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication Date: 10/29/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 324
Source: Received from publisher for review
Rating: 4 stars

Frankie Baudouin has a hundred reasons not to trust Nate DeLuca. First, he’s a DeLuca. Second, he kissed her—in front of the entire town—and then never called. Oh, and he’s after her land. Sorrento Ranch is Frankie’s last chance to prove to her family—and to herself—that she has what it takes to be an award-winning winemaker. And she will stop at nothing to ensure her success—even if it means playing nice with the starched, sophisticated, and oh-so-sexy Italian.

For Nate, Sorrento Ranch is more than just soil and grape vines; it was his father’s dream—a dream Nate is determined to make a reality. So when he finds himself forced to cohabitate with a hot-headed, irrational, and incredibly gorgeous Baudouin, Nate is surprised to discover that chaos could be so much fun—especially when she sleeps in nothing but lace.

Earlier this year I read Summer in Napa, book two in the St. Helena Vineyard series. In that story, we had Marco and Lexie, fighting each other and fighting love. It was such a good story. We also got Marco's brother Nate, and Frankie, his would-be nemesis. What was so intriguing about Nate and Frankie was that even though they seemed to hate one another, there was definitely an undercurrent of intense attraction. For that reason, I was so happy to read their book, Autumn in the Vineyard.

True to what was promised, Nate and Frankie's love/hate relationship made Autumn in the Vineyard a fun read. I love when an author can pull of an antagonistic relationship without making either character annoying, or pushing the issue so far that I end up not caring. Adair did a great job of portraying the thin line of love/hate between Nate and Frankie. The dual narrative helped me understand exactly where both characters were coming from, and had me anxious for both to finally take a chance on love. I also appreciated that while the story was humorous, it also portrayed a nice amount of character growth for Nate and Frankie.

One of the aspects I enjoy about this series is the setting. I've never been to Napa, but Adair created an atmosphere in the books that made me "see" the setting in all its beauty. Also, she did a very thorough job of portraying the life and work of the art of producing wine. The passion the characters displayed for their way of life, their livelihood, was gorgeous.

Autumn in the Vineyard is another nice addition to the St. Helena Vineyard series. I like that the stories are companions, and can be read as standalones, though I would also recommend reading all the books. I would definitely recommend this series to Contemporary Romance lovers.



Favorite Quotes:


  "You could have at least told me that my grandpa was in the room."
  "I didn't see him," Nate defended.
  "He was looking right at you!"
  "Again," Nate said, pointing to his southern region. "Hands down my pants. Any guy getting a hand job would have had a hard time focusing."
  "Half a hand job," she smiled. "I never finished."
  "Believe me, I remember."     ~eARC, 17%


  There was something sexy and so damn feminine about those hands, soft and strong at the same time. But it was this new side of Frankie, the vulnerable side that wrapped her arms around his nexk and just held on as though he were the only thing grounding her to this moment, which made all logic disappear.    ~eARC, 51%

St. Helena Vineyard Series

 

  

(cover leads to GoodReads)

 

 

My Review of Summer in Napa

Purchase Autumn in the Vineyard

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

 

 

About the author:

Marina Adair is a National bestselling author of romance novels. Along with the St. Helena Vineyard series, she is also the author of Tucker's Crossing, part of the Sweet Plains series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive.

 

Connect with Marina at:

website  |  Twitter  |  Facebook

 

 

 

REVIEW: SUMMER IN NAPA (ST. HELENA VINEYARD #2) by MARINA ADAIR

Series: St. Helena Vineyard #2
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Publication Date: 5/14/13
Format: eARC
Pages: 340
Source: Received from publisher for review

Six months ago, New York restaurant owner Alexis “Lexi” Moreau walked in on her husband, Jeff, and their sous chef mixing business with pleasure. Now, Lexi is back in her hometown of St. Helena, California, rebuilding her life and hoping to turn her grandmother’s patisserie into the bistro of her dreams. All she needs is luck, lots of hard work, and a way to avoid the thirty blind dates her matchmaking grandmother arranged. Enter Marco DeLuca — Jeff’s handsome, commitment-phobe best friend who has always had his sights set on Lexi. In high school, Marco convinced himself that Lexi was off-limits. And she still is, especially since Marco’s family’s wine business all depends on a deal with Jeff. But a fake summer romance is the perfect way for Lexi to distract the would-be suitors her grandmother has set up for her. A perfect way for Marco to realize she’s the only one that ever mattered. And a perfect way to fall deliciously in love.

 

 

A bruised but not broken heroine? Check. A handsome, charming man who adores the heroine? Check. A sweet love story about a woman who goes home to reclaim her life and ends up finding the love that was always there waiting for her? You bet. Summer in Napa was a winner, guys!

 

So, yeah. I've been on a huge contemporary romance streak for a few months now (as most of you may have notice), and Summer in Napa did more than it's fair share to keep that love alive. What I found here was the perfect blend of heartwarming story and engaging characters.

 

Like many readers, I'm a sucker for a "going home" story. In Summer in Napa, Lexi Moreau has returned to her former home after a heartbreaking divorce. All she wants is to step back into her old hometown with some dignity, and to move forward. Luckily for the reader, author Marina Adair quickly throws complications Lexi's way. This is also lucky for Lexi's childhood friend Marc, who immediately steps in to help Lexi, but can't let the opportunity to give her a -good-natured- hard time pass him by. With this first encounter, these two are clearly off to the races. Their chemistry was undeniable, and despite a complicated past, it's soon clear that Marco and Lexi will not be able to deny their feelings for long. Like all good love stories, the two will encounter some very difficult issues, not the least of which is the fact that Marc is also the best friend to Lexi's ex. Whoops!

 

I also loved the setting of Summer in Napa. I'm sure anyone can guess that the book is set in Napa Valley. This is an area I've always wanted to visit, and is a favorite setting of mine. But another fun fact is that the Lexi is a very well-respected chef/baker. And my gosh, does this girl love eclairs! I thought it was awesome that every time she was stressed, Lexi would eat an éclair, or four. And it was great that she wasn't always elegant, often having her pastries stuck to her face/hair/clothes. This really made her a more fun, relatable character for me.

 

Marco is a man that any rational woman with a lick of sense would fall for. He's intelligent, gorgeous charming, successful, and best of all, a truly nice man. Of course I adored him. But when I learned about the feelings he's been sitting on for years, I just wanted to smoosh him with hugs and kisses. I loved that he always wanted to help Lexi, and wanted the best for her. I also adored him for being playful. And I now wish my husband would call me "cream puff"!

 

With it's engaging characters and their turbulent yet wonderful journey towards a possible Happy Ever After, Summer in Napa is a book that I can happily recommend to fellow Contemporary Romance lovers.

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

  Her body sank, dangling like raw dough over the windowsill. It was no use. She was stuck. Trying to move forward while dodging your past was clearly impossible. So she did what any reasonable woman would do under the circumstances: she reached across the table, plucked a petit-éclair from the tray, and shoved the entire thing in her mouth, making sure to lick her fingers clean in the process.  

 

 

  "I blew it, Gabe."

  "Can we fix it?"

  "I don't think so." He rested his forehead against the doorframe. "She likes my dog, doesn't take my crap, and looks at me like I can be the man Dad was. When she cooks...she wears this apron..." He paused and looked up at his brother and felt everything inside him tighten. "And I love her so damn much that I have no idea how I'm supposed to wake up tomorrow and pretend my life hasn't just fcking ended."

 

 

 

 

Purchase Summer in Napa at:

Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble  |  Book Depository

 

 

About the author:

Marina Adair is a National bestselling author of romance novels. Along with the St. Helena Vineyard series, she is also the author of Tucker's Crossing, part of the Sweet Plains series. She currently lives in a hundred-year-old log cabin, nestled in the majestic redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains, with her husband and daughter.

As a writer, Marina is devoted to giving her readers contemporary romance where the towns are small, the personalities large, and the romance explosive.

 

Connect with Marina at:

website  |  Twitter