Hard-working Kate Clark opens a thriving coffee shop that quickly becomes the local hang-out for students and the community. Her one wish is to eventually buy out her sister’s share of the old Florida home they inherited. However, Violet is in desperate need of cash and has other plans.Tappe Vanderberg, Kate’s childhood friend and high school sweetheart, has sold his lucrative internet security business to return to Little Heron Shores and fulfill his dreams of owning a marina. Now the handsome Dutch-born businessman is making waves with single women all over town—including loony, post mistress Eva May Poole who’s in search of husband number three.But it’s Kate Clark who’s wreaking havoc with Tappe’s heart, not Eva May. Can he find a way to shake the dingbat post mistress and convince Kate to give him a second chance and the sweet kiss he remembers from an earlier time?
Excerpt:
Tappe picked up the grimy jar of candy hearts. “No
way! I can’t believe Fay saved your candy hearts.” He twisted off the lid and
shook one into his hand.
“Neither
can I. Don’t you dare put that into your mouth. Those candies are over a decade
old!”
“So?
Sugar doesn’t spoil.”
“Okay,
go ahead. Eat it. Poison yourself. Why should I care?” Kate said drily. “Just
don’t call me in the middle of the night.” With a shake of her head, she turned
back to the stove, took out a cold plate from the freezer, and plopped a
teaspoon of the liquid from the bubbling pot on it, then ran a finger through
the mixture to see if the jam stayed parted and stable, refusing to run
together. She removed the pot from the stove, set it on the table, and started
filling the pint and half-pint jars.
“You
don’t mean that.” He dropped the candy back into the jar, and came up behind
her. He started nuzzling her on the side of her neck.
“Do
you realize I’m working with hot liquids?” She tried to be stern as she
squirmed away still holding the hot pot. She could never quite pull off
reprimanding Tappe, especially
when he was on a roll. And he was
on a roll.
“Not
as hot as you are. Want to make out?”
Kate
looked at him askance. “Now? Here? Are you sane?”
“Yes,
I’m fairly lucid. But if your answer is a no to making out, then can I lick the
pot instead?”
“If
you promise to quit licking my neck.”
MY TAKE:
First I have to say that this is one of my favorite covers in the series! I'm not sure why, but I totally love it. R.J. Morris did a wonderful job with these cute cartoony covers that tie the whole series together and give it a light, fun feeling.
Sweet Kiss is a small town story set on the Florida coast. Kate and Trappe were childhood friends and high school sweethearts, until he left the country to visit his native Sweden and decided to stay. Now he's back (and newly divorced) and its time for them to decide if the kisses are still as sweet as they were in high school.
I enjoyed this well written story, and appreciated the Happy-For-Now ending, but felt like there were still so many loose ends to the story. Several mysteries were introduced and left unsolved, leaving me with the feeling that I'd read a teaser and not a novella. On the other hand, I really love the characters and their world, and totally look forward to reading a full story set in this small Florida town. Bring it on, Judy Ann Davis, but make it quick! I don't like to wait! I'm giving this 4.5 candy hearts, only because the author is making me wait for my satisfaction.
About the Author:
Judy
Ann Davis began her career in writing as a copy and continuity writer for radio
and television in Scranton, PA. She holds a degree in Journalism and
Communications and has written for industry and education throughout her
career.
Over
a dozen of her short stories have appeared in various literary and small
magazines, and anthologies, and have received numerous awards.
When
Judy Ann is not behind a computer, you can find her looking for anything
humorous to make her laugh or swinging a golf club where the chuckles are few.
She
is a member of Pennwriters, Inc. and Romance Writers of America, and lives with
her husband in Central PA.
Website: http://www.judyanndavis.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/JudyAnnDavisAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyAnnDavis4
The Wild Rose Press: http://www.wildrosepublishing.com
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Judy-Ann-Davis/e/B006GXN502/
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