Sunday, January 31, 2016

Candy Hearts Romance: Author Tanya Hansen and PICK ME

About the Book:

Volunteering at a horse rescue has helped heal schoolteacher Kelsey Hunter after her celebrity ex's betrayal. Life in the rural California community suits her better than the bling of Hollywood. When she seeks help for a classroom project, she's thrown into the sphere of a down-to-earth organic farmer and horseman who could really steal her heart...

Landry Mills, successful mega-spokesmodel for a famed Westernwear line, returns to his hometown to regroup and reconsider signing the next contract. Meeting Kelsey explodes feelings in him he wants to make real. But finding out a fancy director's son recently crushed her spirit has him take things slow. What will Kelsey do when she finds out he's a celebrity in his own right? He might not be able to bear it...
My Take:

Kelsey Hunter left L.A. to live in a more rural part of California, where she teaches elementary school and volunteers at a horse rescue. Okay, she may have moved there to follow a guy but when he turned out to be a loser, she stayed anyway.

When she meets Landry Mills, she's not looking for any kind of relationship, not even a date, and yet there's something about the simple, rugged cowboy that calls to her. Did I mention he's gorgeous? And totally hot? Yeah, that might have something to do with the attraction.

This is a totally cute Valentine's story with quirky, klutzy characters and a gorgeous setting in the California foothills. Neither character is looking to fall in love, and both have reasons to be wary. The author does a wonderful job describing the farmland, the horse rescue, and the slow burn between the characters. While I did feel Kelsey overreacted to Landry's secret, the resolution was swift, sweet and satisfying. 4.5 sweet candy hearts for this sweet tale!

Saturday, January 30, 2016

Candy Hearts Romance reviews: DARE ME by Debra Druzy

About the Book:


For wedding stylist Misty Morningside, mixing business with pleasure is a professional no-no. That is, until she runs into wedding photographer Adam Wright at a Valentine’s Day event. Dare they set aside business for one night of pleasure?

Excerpt:


“A girl could get used to this kind of TLC. Don’t spoil me or you’ll never get rid of me.” Misty licked the marinade from her lips.

“I have every intention of keeping you, Misty Morningside. Now that I have you, I’m not letting you go. Ever.” Hunger radiated from his gaze as if she were the next course.

Heat crept into her cheeks at his soulful secret that stole her breath. She dodged the last bite on the fork and swooped in for a first kiss but he stealthily avoided it.

“One more bite.” Adam fed Misty final morsel then dabbed her mouth with a white linen napkin.

He might be playing the role of a perfect alpha-gentleman, but beneath that proper tuxedo was the scrappy teenager notorious for cutting class to sneak onto the football field, under the bleachers with the flavor-of-the-week. She’d studied those smooth moves, watching bird’s-eye from the second story window of Scenic View High School, wishing she could be one of his many conquests. Now was her chance.


My Take:

Dare Me is a sizzling tale of second chances and fantasy fulfillment between two twentysomethings who went to school together but lost touch ten years prior. Each one harbored a secret crush on the other but never acted on their myriad fantasies, until one fateful day when they both end up working at the same Valentine event.

Misty attends the annual wedding showcase to represent her family bridal shop, not realizing the photographer is Adam Wright, the boy who secretly starred in all her high school fantasies. She also has no idea he's been carrying a picture of her in his wallet from kindergarten until now. One thing leads to another and they both end up confessing this mutual crush, and deciding to do something about it.

I enjoyed most of this story, and the author does a wonderful job of drawing out the sexual tension. However, the whole photography aspect made  me more than a little uncomfortable, especially when Adam is filming Misty without her knowledge. He seemed a little too premeditated about the whole thing, which took away from my enjoyment of this otherwise fast paced and fun tale of finally getting the guy of your fantasies right where you want him. I can only give it 4 candy hearts because of that, but other people might enjoy that aspect of this steamy story.


About the Author:


Debra Druzy is a married, stay-at-home mom, writing romance in between running errands and doing household chores.