REVIEW ~Dreamweaver Trail by Emily March~

Title: Dreamweaver Trail

Author: Emily March

Series: Eternity Springs #8

Release Date: May 27, 2014

My Rating: 3 Stars

Love and forgiveness spin their magic as a woman discovers that home is where her heart belongs in Emily March’s moving new Eternity Springs novel.

After another lonely Valentine’s Day, Gabi Romano trades mountain snowfall for sunshine and sand at a luxurious Caribbean getaway. There she discovers a hidden talent for creating fine art glass. She also meets Flynn Brogan, the sexy caretaker next door who brings her fantasies to life. But when violence interrupts their romantic interlude, she learns that Flynn is living a lie. Heartsick, she decides to concentrate on her craft. Playing with fire is safer than loving a man like Flynn.

Flynn is determined to make things right with Gabi—until his enemies interfere. Now damaged and driven by a need he cannot define, he seeks out Gabi’s Colorado community, hoping for reconciliation and some peace. But he never imagined a place like Eternity Springs, where lives are changed, second chances are given, and the possibility exists for two wounded souls to find their way home . . . to each other.

Gabi Romano has taken to finding herself. After a traumatic event and leaving behind her career she's hell bent on finding someone that makes her feel good again. Ironically, Flynn Seagraves is on that same path. He's got a murky, and devastating path that he's running from and being high profile doesn't help matters. The hurt, and loss send these two running right into one another. However, they can only escape from reality for so long. After a blissful couple of weeks secrets are unearthed, old wounds are reopened and after a strange turn of events they'll find themselves on opposing sides and running once again. 

The good: 

You can definitely expect the same heart warming and quippy dialogue from Ms. March in the eight installment. Gabi has been such a firecracker in the previous books, but she really lays it out in this one. She got on the fast track to becoming one of my favorite heroines in Eternity Spring. Flynn on the other hand- my heart just ached for him. He had the worst of the worst hands dealt to him. As a result he became brooding and shut off. Although, you know how much I love a brooder so it worked in his favor. The dynamics between Gabi and Flynn were quite adorable. They may be tough on the outside, but they melt when they're around each other. A trait that I always find so incredibly endearing. Side note- Bismarck is the absolute BEST! Love that dog. Probably made the story 5 times better with his antics. 

The bad:

This book took a very strange turn. I won't give it away, but about a third to a half of the way through the book I was left completely baffled. Take the circumstances out and I sort of like where the story arc was headed. However, the circumstances seemed too far-fetched for me. It took this once fun-loving series so a very peculiar place. Second bone to pick- I didn't get enough time in Eternity Spring catching up with everyone. I understand that at book eight something has to give otherwise the book would be 1,000 pages long. BUT a the first half of the book doesn't even take place in the quirky little town.

Overall: 

I still loved my trip to Eternity Springs. I don't think I'll ever say no to reading a book in this series because I feel like I know everyone in real life. I have a laundry list full of characters who I can't wait to see what happens to. These books do have a reputation with adding some semi-outlandish suspense into the mix. I just think this plot twist took it a little too far. Don't get me wrong I still thoroughly enjoyed this book, I'll just have to put aside the whole mind-boggling aspect. Bottom line- if you love the Eternity Springs series I still think you'll enjoy it. If you haven't read them, then you need to and start with book 1 right now! :)

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by the publisher in exchnage for an honest review*

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REVIEW ~When We Met by Susan Mallery~

Title: When We Met

Author: Susan Mallery

Series: Fool's Gold #13

Release Date: April 29, 2014

My Rating: 4 Stars

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery invites you back to Fool's Gold, where a newcomer to town might finally meet the man she never knew she needed…

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

It never ceases to amaze me that we are now 13 deep into the Fool's Gold series and I'm still devouring every book. Over the last half of this series Ms. Mallery has been expanding this quaint small town, while keeping intact its charm and endearing qualities. Let me just say, I have thoroughly enjoyed the fresh meat that has come along with the growth of this town. Football players, yes please! Back on track, When We Met follows in line with the free spirited nature of the previous books. The hero and heroine, Angel and Taryn, have very unique communications skills. I found them both to be quippy, and easily incite laughter throughout the pages. The two of them had a very comfortable relationship, that you can tell stems from basic friendliness. Even if they weren't romantically involved I could still see them hanging out and confiding in one another. Their relationship was one of those that came out of left field and left them both a little stunned.

This book jumps right into the deep end with Taryn and Angel. When we see them for the first time Angel is warning her, that under no uncertain terms their chemistry and relationship is going to come to a crossroads soon. They both intrigue each other, almost to a fault. They also drive each other crazy. I feel that their personalities may be different, which is why they get along so well. However, they both have suffered in the past. That connects them on an even deeper level. For their own reasons they try to keep people at arms length, and it takes a little twist of fate and the smothering love of this small town to knock down their walls. I will say one thing, this book made it clear that their is a difference between scarred and broken. These two may have scars that run deep but, they are clearly not broken and refuse to be. They try to make the best of the life they are living but, I think it took their connection to really make it all click. 

When an author can pull together hilarity, a little bit of steam and tragedy and make it into a captivating story, you know you've got a winner. I've just fallen completely in love with this town and Ms. Mallery's ability to have my heart aching for a character one minute then laughing out loud the next. She is surely one of my go-to authors for a light-hearted, entertaining read. When We Met was a blissful break from my angsty, emotional books.  I can't wait to see who gets a hold of those aforementioned football players in the upcoming books!

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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ARC REVIEW ~Chance of Rain by Amber Lin~

Title: Chance of Rain
Author: Amber Lin
Release Date: November 4, 2013

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

The only things Natalie Bouchard wants to change are the weekly specials in her Gram's diner. So when her high school sweetheart strolls back into Dearling, Texas, she allows herself to indulge in a little flirtation, but that's as far as it goes.

Navy SEAL Sawyer Nolan has returned to sell his father's land and get the hell out, no matter how enticing he still finds Natalie. Until a storm rolls over the Texas hills, stranding them together at the farm…and the memories of their steamy past lead to a reunion filled with hot days and long nights.

Soon Natalie's so far under Sawyer's skin he can't imagine being without her. But he has a lot of history in Dearling he'd like to leave behind, and Natalie is practically married to this town. If Sawyer wants to be more than just another person who leaves Natalie, he'll have to give his hometown—and himself—one more chance.

It seems like forever ago (it was only a year ago..) that I was reviewing Giving It Up by Amber Lin. I absolutely fell in love with her writing style and her no-apologies, raw, and honest story. So I started to hear rumblings about a her new book that was separate from the Lost Girls series, called Chance of Rain and got super excited. I read the synopsis, flailed a little, and requested it on Net Galley ASAP. And I'll have you know that Ms. Amber Lin has so many facets to her writing ability, that it is astonishing. Chance of Rain is not as "dark" as the Lost Girls but, it is every bit as wonderful. At first, I thought it wasn't going to hold the grit that I had come to love from Ms. Lin's books but, fear not it definitely does.

"His hands on her hips and his mouth over hers. He would swallow her whole, and please, yes, where could she sign up?"

When Sawyer Nolan returns to Dearling to determine the future of his late father's farmland, Natalie Bouchard's heartbreak and girlhood crush come back with a vengeance. He might have up and left without a proper goodbye, but she can't help how her heart and body reacts when she sees him again. Up until now, Natalie as been stationary in her life. She never left Dearling to explore the world, instead she took over her grandmother's diner and has been content to lead the life she always has. That is until Sawyer pops back in her life, and awakens a yearn for more. Sawyer would have loved to never have to step foot in Dearling again, not even for a glimpse of the girl he thought he could have a future with. But just has he makes her want new things out of life, she is beginning to tear down the 10 foot wall around his heart. Sawyer and Natalie and two peas in a pod. They both are not thrilled with how their life turned out in some form or fashion. And while all Natalie knows and wants is to stay in Dearling, that is the exact opposite of what Sawyer wants. Truth be told, I saw Natalie and Sawyer both slowly changing the other's mind set on to stay or not stay in Dearling and I couldn't tell how this was going to end. Was Natalie going to break away from the obligation she thinks she has to keep running her grandmother's diner? Or was Sawyer going to put his seemingly ugly past with his father aside and make Natalie and Dearling his home for good?

"My sweet girl. My practical, crazy girl. Love you."

~Sawyer

I felt for these two so much. I wanted both of them to find the happiness they deserved. But, that's easier said than done, because they are two of the most bull-headed people ever! Natalie is so unsure of herself and of Sawyer, however part of that is due to Sawyer's aloof nature. On the other hand, Sawyer has blocked himself off from any feeling for so long, that once he feel a glimmer of anything for Natalie he turns into a real asshat. Although, their interactions and squabbles were quite hilarious. Eventually, they enter into a physical only relationship. Well, they try to but, those pesky feelings.. *tsk tsk*. Logically, Natalie knows she can't expect anything more from Sawyer than what he's offering at face-value. Her heart on the other hand, has no qualms about going haywire and becoming emotionally attached. She wants a family and a home and try as she might, she's finding it hard to sell those points to Sawyer. I think Natalie wants a family so bad so she can reinvest herself into something that is her own. Right now, she's just filling the void of her ailing grandmother, and it's breaking her heart and spirit. So while they're busy playing doctor every time they set eyes on one another, they missed the part where they have irreparably become a part of one another. They have a very distinct symbiotic relationship by the end and I was thrilled to see these two find their own version of a happy ending. So, if Amber Lin is one of your faves- pick this up, you'll love it! If Amber Lin is a new-to-you author- pick this up, you'll love it! :) All joking aside, this a fantastic book and I am so thrilled to have gotten an advanced copy so I could share my enthusiasm for it.

Happy Reading!

*ARC provided by publisher/author in exchange for an honest review*

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