Title: Summer In Snow Valley
Series: Snow Valley Anthologies
Publisher: Birch River Publishing
Release Days: 1st June 2015
BLURB from Goodreads
#1 Bestselling Amazon Authors of Christmas in Snow Valley, have teamed up again with six wonderful summer novellas that are sure to make your summer sweet and sassy!
Catching Caytie by Cindy Roland Anderson
On the night Caytie Holbrook intends to break up with her cheating boyfriend, he blindsides her by announcing their engagement at a dinner party. When Caytie discovers her father is in on the scheme, she runs away from her home in Beverly Hills to hide out at her uncle’s ranch in Snow Valley, Montana. While Snow Valley is a beautiful place, Caytie only plans to stay until her twenty-fifth birthday when she’ll inherit a trust fund her grandmother left her, allowing her to pursue her dream to move to Italy. That is until she meets Jace McAllister, an incredibly sexy—although somewhat grumpy—cowboy who threatens to disrupt her plans.
Tin Foil Tiaras by Jeanette Lewis
Cameron Elliott has come to Snow Valley to coach Annalisa Drake in the Miss Snow Valley pageant, and prove to her demanding boss that she deserves a place at the prestigious Westbrooke Agency. But Annalisa’s handsome and protective big brother, Kyle, is determined to keep his sister from becoming a reluctant beauty queen. As Cameron tries to win Kyle over, Kyle insists some things are more valuable than a title and as crazy as it sounds, Cameron might just believe him.
On the night Caytie Holbrook intends to break up with her cheating boyfriend, he blindsides her by announcing their engagement at a dinner party. When Caytie discovers her father is in on the scheme, she runs away from her home in Beverly Hills to hide out at her uncle’s ranch in Snow Valley, Montana. While Snow Valley is a beautiful place, Caytie only plans to stay until her twenty-fifth birthday when she’ll inherit a trust fund her grandmother left her, allowing her to pursue her dream to move to Italy. That is until she meets Jace McAllister, an incredibly sexy—although somewhat grumpy—cowboy who threatens to disrupt her plans.
Tin Foil Tiaras by Jeanette Lewis
Cameron Elliott has come to Snow Valley to coach Annalisa Drake in the Miss Snow Valley pageant, and prove to her demanding boss that she deserves a place at the prestigious Westbrooke Agency. But Annalisa’s handsome and protective big brother, Kyle, is determined to keep his sister from becoming a reluctant beauty queen. As Cameron tries to win Kyle over, Kyle insists some things are more valuable than a title and as crazy as it sounds, Cameron might just believe him.
A Touch of Love by Cami Checketts
Annie Stirland has endured a lifetime of teasing, embarrassment, and isolation due to her speech impediment. When irresistible cowboy, Luke Wilson, seems to be falling for her, she’s certain he’s too good to be true. A tragedy involving his ex-girlfriend proves she’s right. What man can resist sheltering someone they once loved? Annie knows she should walk away, but Luke isn’t ready to give her up.
First Love by Taylor Hart
Janet Snow doesn’t expect to get caught in a full-blown make out session at her brother’s wedding. Especially not with Michael Hamilton, the boy she’d written off ten years ago. Even though they both agree to no complications, Janet's not sure they can stick to it given their past. After a trip to the hot springs, a helicopter ride, and a proposal, even the most cautious single mother would start to wonder if true love really is just about the timing. Now Janet has to make a choice—play it safe or trust that her first love could also be her last.
Romancing Rebecca by Kimberley Montpetit
Rebecca Dash loved spending her teen summers swooning over Jane Austin and helping her aunt at the Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast in Snow Valley. But as a recent college grad, she’d rather write sappy romance novels than go out with guys that make her a nervous wreck. When a team of fire-fighters set up camp on the lawns of the B&B and Captain Wade catches her eye, Becca soon learns that there’s more to a happily-ever-after than a flirty firemen with muscles the size of the Montana hills.
Love in Light and Shadow by Lucy McConnell
Mercedes O'Shay has sworn off gorgeous men because they have a tendency to break her heart. When she meets her new neighbor, Chet Bauer, she immediately puts him in the Do Not Date category based on his well-defined muscles and stunning blue eyes. But the more Mercedes learns about the cowboy who reads classics and forges iron, the more she realizes the heart doesn't see in black and white; it sees light and shadows.
PURCHASE LINKS
OTHER ANTHOLOGY IN THIS SERIES
Tile: Christmas In Snow Valley
Series: Snow Valley Anthologies
Publisher: Birch River Publishing
Publisher: Birch River Publishing
Release Date: 3rd November 2014
BLURBS supplied by Christina Dymock
Christmas in Snow Valley is packed with six wonderful Christmas novellas sure to bring romance into your holiday season.
Snow Valley, Montana, is a small community with the tradition of doing Christmas big. Festivities begin with tree lighting in the town square the day after Thanksgiving and continue until the culminating romantic Christmas Ball. From the Polar Express to a Winter Carnival, there’s something for every wonder-filled child—and every couple who’s in love—or about to be.
An Unexpected Kiss by Cindy Roland Anderson
Lucy Phillips doesn’t want to spend her Christmas vacation dodging her ex-boyfriend, so when he turns up at the airport to give her a ride home, Lucy panics and asks a complete stranger to kiss her. Although the kiss is incredible, Lucy never expects to see the guy again. Is it bad luck or destiny when Lucy comes down with a sore throat and the new doctor in Snow Valley is none other than the guy she kissed at the airport?
Feels Like Love by Jeanette Lewis
Christmas in Snow Valley is the perfect way for April Winston to introduce her city slicker fiancé, Scott Mecham, to life on a farm. If only Wade Hadley, hometown boy and high school sweetheart, will cooperate! But Wade has no intention of letting April go without a fight. This Christmas, Wade is determined to overcome their painful past and show April that she already has what she’s been seeking all along.
Full Court Devotion by Cami Checketts
Kazlyn is too busy with her schooling and future plans to enjoy life, let alone fall in love with a man who has heartbreak written all over him. Tyrese Hamilton, a college basketball star and major heartthrob, is intrigued when Kazlyn doesn’t pursue him or even seem interested. Ty’s career is in jeopardy, and he needs a miracle and Kazlyn to save him.
The Christmas Eve Kiss by Taylor Hart
When Molly O’Hare gets a prediction that she will kiss her true love on Christmas Eve, she thinks it’s utterly ridiculous. But when she gets teamed up with Kevin Snow, aka her ex-boyfriend, to decorate a Christmas tree, things start to change. Too bad getting over the past is hard and seeing him kiss another girl is even harder. Now Molly is left with a choice—run away from home and heartbreak or let Christmas work out a miracle all of its own.
Risking it all for Love by Award-Winning author, Kimberley Montpetit
Succumbing to family pressure, Jessica Mason reluctantly comes home for Christmas. Ever since her high school boyfriend’s death from a car accident three years earlier, Jessica and religion have not been compatible. So, when she visits Michael’s grave, she’s surprised to meet the handsome James Douglas, Pastor John’s nephew, who’s studying for the ministry. James can not only dish back Jessica’s finely-tuned sarcasm but understands grief all too well, turning Jessica’s world upside down. Is she ready to take another risk on love?
Blue Christmas by Lucy McConnell
As head of Snow Valley hospital’s fundraising effort, Paisley Hackett barely has time to organize the craft show, cookie decorating party, and the annual Christmas Ball. What she doesn’t have time for is falling in love with Clay Jett, the incredibly handsome bass player who sweeps into town. She’s been burned by a tourist romance before and, with everything going on, Paisley will have to work overtime to protect her heart from Clay and his swoon-worthy ballads.
Goodreads Link
Goodreads Link
PURCHASE LINKS
LINK TO MY REVIEW OF CHRISTMAS IN SNOW VALLEY
MY REVIEW
Title: Summer In Snow Valley
Series: Snow Valley Anthologies
Publisher: Birch River Publishing
Release Days: 1st June 2015
BLURB from Goodreads
#1 Bestselling Amazon Authors of Christmas in Snow Valley, have teamed up again with six wonderful summer novellas that are sure to make your summer sweet and sassy!
Tin Foil Tiaras by Jeanette Lewis
Cameron Elliott has come to Snow Valley to coach Annalisa Drake in the Miss Snow Valley pageant, and prove to her demanding boss that she deserves a place at the prestigious Westbrooke Agency. But Annalisa’s handsome and protective big brother, Kyle, is determined to keep his sister from becoming a reluctant beauty queen. As Cameron tries to win Kyle over, Kyle insists some things are more valuable than a title and as crazy as it sounds, Cameron might just believe him.
First Love by Taylor Hart
Janet Snow doesn’t expect to get caught in a full-blown make out session at her brother’s wedding. Especially not with Michael Hamilton, the boy she’d written off ten years ago. Even though they both agree to no complications, Janet's not sure they can stick to it given their past. After a trip to the hot springs, a helicopter ride, and a proposal, even the most cautious single mother would start to wonder if true love really is just about the timing. Now Janet has to make a choice—play it safe or trust that her first love could also be her last.
Romancing Rebecca by Kimberley Montpetit
Rebecca Dash loved spending her teen summers swooning over Jane Austin and helping her aunt at the Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast in Snow Valley. But as a recent college grad, she’d rather write sappy romance novels than go out with guys that make her a nervous wreck. When a team of fire-fighters set up camp on the lawns of the B&B and Captain Wade catches her eye, Becca soon learns that there’s more to a happily-ever-after than a flirty firemen with muscles the size of the Montana hills.
In this novella, we are back with Rayna Dash, the owner
of Starry Skies B&B and her niece Rebecca Dash. Rebecca has always spent
her summers in Snow Valley helping her aunt in the B&B. She only missed
last summer as she had an internship that was too good to pass up on. Rebecca
ends up with the possibility of three men she could date. There's one of the
firemen who end up camping on her Aunt Rayna's B&B lawn whilst fighting a
forest fire, called Pete Roderiguez. The second possibility is the fire
chief himself Wade Kinsella who seems to be flirting with her, he is also
determined to help organise a surprise birthday party for Aunt Rayna, but how
old is he, could he be nearer her aunts age than hers? The final possibility is
Nick Walton, the guy that Rebecca has quite literally grown up with. The one
she has spent every summer with (except her intern year). I'm not going to say
who she ends up with but exploring the possibilities with each guy along with
Rebecca was a great read. I loved the characters of Aunt Rayna, Wade Kinsella
and Nick Walton. I'm not toally sure why but I wasn't as captivated with
Rebecca as I had been the main characters in the other novella's. I became a
little irritated with Rebecca as she failed to see which guy was the right one
for her even though he was basically right under her nose all the time.
One of the things I loved about this novella was the mini
quotes from different authors, such as Jane Austen, and the added touch of some
of the quotes been written by "Rebecca Dash" It was a perfect
additional touch to the book.
Love in Light and Shadow by Lucy McConnell
Mercedes O'Shay has sworn off gorgeous men because they have a tendency to break her heart. When she meets her new neighbor, Chet Bauer, she immediately puts him in the Do Not Date category based on his well-defined muscles and stunning blue eyes. But the more Mercedes learns about the cowboy who reads classics and forges iron, the more she realizes the heart doesn't see in black and white; it sees light and shadows.
INITIAL THOUGHTS
So after reading loving Christmas In Snow Valley I felt
this new anthology was a must read. Then I wondered if I'd like it as much, I
mean would there be enough new characters? Would we get to catch up with the
old characters at all? Or would they not be mentioned?
What I did know for sure was that I wanted to read the
anthology to answer all these questions. I was really looking forward to
reading this book, it felt like re-visiting a favourite place, or visiting old
friends in a way.
I decided the best way to go with the review is to give
my Initial Thoughts, then review each individual novella and finally do a sum
up of the anthology as a whole at the end.
Catching Caytie by Cindy Roland Anderson
On the night Caytie Holbrook intends to break up with her cheating boyfriend, he blindsides her by announcing their engagement at a dinner party. When Caytie discovers her father is in on the scheme, she runs away from her home in Beverly Hills to hide out at her uncle’s ranch in Snow Valley, Montana. While Snow Valley is a beautiful place, Caytie only plans to stay until her twenty-fifth birthday when she’ll inherit a trust fund her grandmother left her, allowing her to pursue her dream to move to Italy. That is until she meets Jace McAllister, an incredibly sexy—although somewhat grumpy—cowboy who threatens to disrupt her plans.
On the night Caytie Holbrook intends to break up with her cheating boyfriend, he blindsides her by announcing their engagement at a dinner party. When Caytie discovers her father is in on the scheme, she runs away from her home in Beverly Hills to hide out at her uncle’s ranch in Snow Valley, Montana. While Snow Valley is a beautiful place, Caytie only plans to stay until her twenty-fifth birthday when she’ll inherit a trust fund her grandmother left her, allowing her to pursue her dream to move to Italy. That is until she meets Jace McAllister, an incredibly sexy—although somewhat grumpy—cowboy who threatens to disrupt her plans.
REVIEW
The central character in this novella is Catherine
Holbrook. Catherine has recently discovered her boyfriend Edward Childs has
been cheating. Catherine's reaction is to end her relationship, but her father
Richard Holbrook actually begs Catherine to wait until after an important party
they are all attending. It's at this important party that Edward announces
their impending marriage. Catherine is shocked as it isn't something they had
discussed, yet her father seemed to be expecting the announcement. Catherine
needs room to think so she sneaks away from the party and ends up at her
estranged Uncles home. Her father and Uncle George have not spoken for many
years. Uncle George who has a ranch, a housekeeper Ilene, her grandson
Kellen. Kellen is 19yrs old and has been in the military and served in
Afghanistan. It's whilst he is there that he has to have one of his legs
amputated below the knee. He is taking the whole amputation extremely hard as
he was so active prior to the accident. The other male on the ranch is the good
looking cowboy/ranch hand Jace who was kind of adopted by Uncle George, with
housekeeper Ilene being a surrogate mother. The ranch is the perfect escape for
Catherine, she falls easily into a new routine there. Uncle George has had a
bedroom all ready for "his Caytie Bug" (his nickname for Catherine)
to stay in. Caytie needs to stay until her next birthday in a couple of months
when her trust fund her Grandmother left for her, will be released to herCaytie
and Kellen get on well, working out together in the gym, which initially
irritates Jace as he has been trying to encourage Kellen to work out and to go
have a prosthetic leg fitted.
I loved the Snow Valley "Bachelor Auction",
the female members of Snow Valley get to bid for the gorgeous cowboys to raise
money for a new playground for the children. People really get together as a
community in Snow Valley. By the time of the auction Caytie has promised to bid
high on Jace. Though that arrangement doesn't go exactly to plan. A jealous
mother of a baseball kid that Jace coaches has done something rather underhand
on a pique of jealousy. Something she later regrets and ends up confessing to.
There's lots going on in this book, ranch life, memories
shared with Uncle George and Caytie. She even wishes Uncle George was her
father. Caytie finally feels like she may have turned her life around, when she
is dragged back to her old home and made to cut off all links with the family
she has become part of at the ranch. Will they believe her short sharp texts
signed Catherine, or will they know she is being coerced into writing them and
cutting off contact. Once again I find myself totally loving this novella and
declaring it the best one to start this anthology with.
Did I enjoy this novella? I loved it, a great one to begin the
anthology.
Would I recommend the novella? Yes I would. I loved
the characters in this novella from the very beginning to the end of it. You
really do want Caytie to be happy. This novella is such a feel good read, and
gives you the "warm n fuzzies".
Did the novella make me want to read more by this author? I
really loved both this novella and the one in Christmas In Snow Valley by this
author, so I think I can say I will keep an eye out for any books by this
author.
Tin Foil Tiaras by Jeanette Lewis
Cameron Elliott has come to Snow Valley to coach Annalisa Drake in the Miss Snow Valley pageant, and prove to her demanding boss that she deserves a place at the prestigious Westbrooke Agency. But Annalisa’s handsome and protective big brother, Kyle, is determined to keep his sister from becoming a reluctant beauty queen. As Cameron tries to win Kyle over, Kyle insists some things are more valuable than a title and as crazy as it sounds, Cameron might just believe him.
REVIEW
In this book there is more than one main character to
focus on. There's Cameron Elliott who loves pageants even though she has never
entered one herself she is a coach to others that enter the pageants. Cameron
has been sent off to Snow Valley by her boss the formidable and quite ruthless
Dotty Westbrooke. It's Joyce Drake a former pageant winner that is paying the
Westbrooke Consultancy for Cameron's help for her own daughter Annalisa. Another
character that features a lot in this novella is Annalisa's brother Kyle.
Cameron soon realises that the only person dead set on winning the Snow Valley
Summer Pageant is the mother of contestant Annalisa, Joyce. To say Joyce is a
perfectionist is an understatement, she literally hounds both her daughter and
Cameron about the pageant 24/7. It seems the only person who can have an
opinion other than Joyce is Kyle. He regularly butts into conversations that
are becoming heated between his mother and sister. He is also a source of
sarcasm and wit when Cameron speaks about the pageant. Cameron is staying at
the Starry Skies B&B so we also get to meet the owner Rayna Dash, who
appears in one of the other novella's.
As the pageant draws closer it becomes clear that
Annalisa has a great shot at being crowned the winner. Though she does become
more and more anxious as the preparation for the pageant heightens. Kyle and
Cameron are getting to know one another better, so much so that Kyle trusts
Cameron with a secret about Annalisa and why he is so worried about his sister
being pushed into the pageant world. Cameron backs off and tries not to
pressure Annalisa, though Cameron herself is under increasing pressure from her
boss Dotty to deliver a pageant winner.
When the winner of the pageant is crowned it isn't a
great surprise as she really stood out from the other contestants in each of
the pageant stages. However the winner certainly shocks everyone with her
reaction and what she does!
Did I enjoy this novella? I
did, this novella featured a social issue that really does need more exposure
too. Again I loved the characters in this one, Kyle and his sarcasm. It turns
out that Cameron is on as much of a journey as Annalisa is in this novella.
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, its another
great "feel good" novella.
Did the novella make me want to read more by this author? Yes,
after reading this novella I will take a closer look at books by this author.
A Touch of Love by Cami Checketts
Annie Stirland has endured a lifetime of teasing, embarrassment, and isolation due to her speech impediment. When irresistible cowboy, Luke Wilson, seems to be falling for her, she’s certain he’s too good to be true. A tragedy involving his ex-girlfriend proves she’s right. What man can resist sheltering someone they once loved? Annie knows she should walk away, but Luke isn’t ready to give her up.
Annie Stirland has endured a lifetime of teasing, embarrassment, and isolation due to her speech impediment. When irresistible cowboy, Luke Wilson, seems to be falling for her, she’s certain he’s too good to be true. A tragedy involving his ex-girlfriend proves she’s right. What man can resist sheltering someone they once loved? Annie knows she should walk away, but Luke isn’t ready to give her up.
REVIEW
Annie is the focal character in this novella, she's a
quiet, perhaps nervous, anxious person. Annie is used to being picked on, at
times patronised, as she has a speech impediment. Annie has a stutter,
her family have made her even more nervous about speaking in fact her mother
refers to it as a deficiency as if Annie is a lesser person. People either
ignore her or try to finish her sentences, she's not sure which is worst which
is why she tries to avoid speaking at all if she can. Annie owns and works in her
own business called "The Healing Touch". Annie is at work when a good
looking male called Luke enters her holistic shop asking to pay for and book a
treatment for his sister Kazlyn. Luke is intrigued by Annie, he loves her mad
curly hair and the smattering of freckle she has on her face. Luke is back
living in Snow Valley as he is needed at home to help run the ranch his family
owns. Luke loved his previous job and that's why he still works as a consultant
for Boeing. Luke ends up having an holistic treatment or two himself, he is
hoping Annie will relax with him and talk to him. He takes her to lunch etc
taking things at a pace Annie is comfortable with. I did like the fact when
Annie answers Luke's questions with "maybe" and he replies "maybe,
. . I can work with. Though part way through the novel it became a bit old and
irritating. Having said that it is said again and it's the perfect finishing
touch to the novella.
At one point in the novella an ex girlfriend tried to get
her claws back into Luke but he admits the way he feels with Annie, is new and
he has never felt that way with anyone else. In fact Missy even visits The
Healing Touch and sort of gives Annie a "pep talk".
I like the way this novella shows the differing attitudes
people have toward Annie and her stutter. I'd say this novella is another one
that makes you sit back and think how you yourself would have treat Annie.
Did I enjoy this novella? I loved it. I was so drawn into the book
I felt like getting a hold of Annie and shaking her to tell her Luke was meant
for her not Missy! I love the feel of Snow Valley too, it seems such a warm and
friendly place.
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, another great
novella! A must read!
Did the novella make me want to read more by this author?
I will be checking this author out on Goodreads etc.
First Love by Taylor Hart
Janet Snow doesn’t expect to get caught in a full-blown make out session at her brother’s wedding. Especially not with Michael Hamilton, the boy she’d written off ten years ago. Even though they both agree to no complications, Janet's not sure they can stick to it given their past. After a trip to the hot springs, a helicopter ride, and a proposal, even the most cautious single mother would start to wonder if true love really is just about the timing. Now Janet has to make a choice—play it safe or trust that her first love could also be her last.
REVIEW
We first met/heard about Janet Snow in the first
anthology Christmas in Snow Valley. Janet is 26 yrs old and has had a tough
battle with cancer, she own's a flower shop called "The Flower Girl"
based on a nickname she was given when she was younger. Janet is divorced from
the guy she married fresh out of school Kurt. They have an 8yr old daughter
called Lacey. Things are certainly strained between Janet and Kurt. He wasn't
there for her during her battle with cancer and didn't seem to be bothered
about his daughter either. In fact he agreed that if Janet died. her parents
would become guardians of Lacey. His rather nasty nickname for Janet is
"the modern day Lazarus". Suddenly he has a new girlfriend and wants
to play happy families with Lacey. Kurt is to pick Lacey up today at 8pm after
the wedding of Janet's brother Kevin and his bride Molly.
Janet has been really busy doing the flowers for her
brothers wedding. It's the first wedding she has done so it's important it goes
well. Hopefully people will see the flowers and ask her to do their weddings or
celebrations too.
Janet meets up with an old friend Micahel Hamilton.
Micahel hasn't kept in touch so well with his father Joe either. Joe moved back
to Snow Valley as he feels closer to his wife. (Joe's wife/Michael's mother
that died). When Kurt come's to collect Lacey, he is very argumentative which
brings out the protectiveness of her male relatives attending the party, and a
little more surprisingly the protectiveness Michael feels for Janet too. In
fact Michael's temper snaps and her grabs hold of Kurt. Janet's father has to
intervene. Janet naturally feels upset that everyone saw what was going on and
she sneaks away and up into her old tree house. Michael finds her there and
they reminisce. Janet reveals that her family are selling some land called
The Springs. She confides in Michael that she had always wanted to build her
daughter Lacey a bright pink tree house there, but it is not to be as the family
need the money. Janet refuses to reveal why they need the money. I think she
enjoys talking to someone who doesn't know about her having had cancer. Michael
had only planned on staying overnight for his friends Kevin and Molly's wedding
but seeing Janet has made him want to stay longer and see more of her too. This
is the relationship that gives this novella it's name as Michael was Janets
first love. The title fits this novella perfectly. This one had to be one of my
favourite novella's.
This is a cosy happy ending novella, another great feel
good novella. It's amazing how Michael attending a wedding turns out to affect
so many people.
Did I enjoy this novella? Yes. I did.
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, I'm not so sure
how to explain this but I tend to draw away from books that have characters in
them that have gone through or are going through cancer. I read for escapism
from real life, but I did enjoy this novella.
Did the novella make me want to read more by this author? I
would probably take a look at anything written by this author so yes.
Romancing Rebecca by Kimberley Montpetit
Rebecca Dash loved spending her teen summers swooning over Jane Austin and helping her aunt at the Starry Skies Bed & Breakfast in Snow Valley. But as a recent college grad, she’d rather write sappy romance novels than go out with guys that make her a nervous wreck. When a team of fire-fighters set up camp on the lawns of the B&B and Captain Wade catches her eye, Becca soon learns that there’s more to a happily-ever-after than a flirty firemen with muscles the size of the Montana hills.
REVIEW
In this novella, we are back with Rayna Dash, the owner
of Starry Skies B&B and her niece Rebecca Dash. Rebecca has always spent
her summers in Snow Valley helping her aunt in the B&B. She only missed
last summer as she had an internship that was too good to pass up on. Rebecca
ends up with the possibility of three men she could date. There's one of the
firemen who end up camping on her Aunt Rayna's B&B lawn whilst fighting a
forest fire, called Pete Roderiguez. The second possibility is the fire
chief himself Wade Kinsella who seems to be flirting with her, he is also
determined to help organise a surprise birthday party for Aunt Rayna, but how
old is he, could he be nearer her aunts age than hers? The final possibility is
Nick Walton, the guy that Rebecca has quite literally grown up with. The one
she has spent every summer with (except her intern year). I'm not going to say
who she ends up with but exploring the possibilities with each guy along with
Rebecca was a great read. I loved the characters of Aunt Rayna, Wade Kinsella
and Nick Walton. I'm not toally sure why but I wasn't as captivated with
Rebecca as I had been the main characters in the other novella's. I became a
little irritated with Rebecca as she failed to see which guy was the right one
for her even though he was basically right under her nose all the time.
One of the things I loved about this novella was the mini
quotes from different authors, such as Jane Austen, and the added touch of some
of the quotes been written by "Rebecca Dash" It was a perfect
additional touch to the book.
Did I enjoy this novella? Yes, especially a special moment during
Aunt Rayna's surprise party!
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, its a light,
fluffy, uplifting read that leaves you with a warm and cosy feel.
Did the novella make me want to read more by this author? As
I have said I aren't a super fan of this genre but these novellas are
very good quality reads. So yes I think I would read more by this author. I
certainly wouldn't pass by a book shelf with books by this author without
taking a closer look.
Love in Light and Shadow by Lucy McConnell
Mercedes O'Shay has sworn off gorgeous men because they have a tendency to break her heart. When she meets her new neighbor, Chet Bauer, she immediately puts him in the Do Not Date category based on his well-defined muscles and stunning blue eyes. But the more Mercedes learns about the cowboy who reads classics and forges iron, the more she realizes the heart doesn't see in black and white; it sees light and shadows.
REVIEW
There are two main characters that are moving to Snow
Valley for the summer to fix up an old home that belongs to their Grandfather.
They are doing up the property in exchange for free rent on it for the whole
summer and are really looking forward to the challenge. These women are ready
for the hard work ahead and the break from their normal lives. The two females
are sisters, Mercedes and Catrina. Mercedes has quite literally had her heart
trampled on and is nursing a fragile heart with help from her sister Catrina.
Neither woman is looking for love, but there's always plenty of love going
around in Snow Valley whether you are looking for it or not.
The focus of this book also includes Bauer family, Chet,
Aiden, Aiden's mum Whitney. They are a typical super friendly Snow Valley
family.
Both Catrina and Mercedes are artists, Mercedes is
talented at drawing and painting, whereas Catrina is the writer of the two.
Don't be fooled by the women being artists these ladies are not helpless and
are up to the DIY skills needed to revive and restore the home on their
Grandpa's land. Having said that the ladies won't turn down any help they are
offerred either. The Bauer family really welcome the sisters. After an
initial shaky start it seems like Chet and Mercedes were literally made for
each other but they do have their share of mixed signals and problems, will the
couple end up together?
I did enjoy this last novella, even though not a lot of
the other people of Snow Valley featured
in it.
Did I enjoy this novella? Yes, it was a great read and ended this
anthology well.
Would I recommend the novella? Yes, it is what I
would call a novella with a wide audience appeal. It's another "feel
good" read.
Did the novella make me want to read more by this author? I would take a look at anything by this
author.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So first things first, I'm super greedy for more Snow
Valley please! I really enjoyed this anthology as a whole. The first novella by
Cindy Roland Anderson sets the bar really high for the following novella's to
live up to. I have to admit once again my favourite novella in this whole
anthology was Catching Caytie by Cindy Roland Anderson. I felt almost like I
was revisiting a favourite holiday place with the familiar surroundings being
visited once again in Snow Valley. One of the novella's did re-visit certain
characters reminiscing about a youthful high-jinks of a donkey being
stolen from the nativity display at church. The pastor of many years also
chuckles at the fond memory too. Letting the now adults know he knew who it was
all the time anyway!
I did notice that there were a fair amount of religious
references in this anthology, more so than in Christmas In Snow Valley. Though
I am not saying you need to be religious to read this novella's. I also enjoyed
the brief mentions of the characters featured in Christmas In Snow Valley, like
both Pastors and Paisle
Did I enjoy this Anthology? Yes, I really enjoyed reading the
anthology a lot. The novella's are quite addictive and in even though in
some you can really see early in them who will end up with who, they are still
a fascinating read.
Would I recommend the Anthology? Yes, it has
"clean romance" within the novella's.
Did the Anthology make me want to read more by these
authors? It has
made me check out other titles by these authors. To be totally honest Even
though I would probably say that this is a genre I don't often read I would
certainly check out any books I come across by these author's.
Did the Anthology make me want to read more about Snow
Valley? Yes though
I have "visited" Snow Valley twice now I'd still "visit"
again for even more.
Thank you for the wonderful reviews. It means so much that you would take the time to review each of the books and share them with others.
ReplyDeleteWarmest regards,
Cami