Slow Dancing at Sunrise (Rendezvous Falls, Book One)

JO MCNALLY

Stats for my copy: Mass market paperback, HQN, 2019.

How acquired: Via Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, the best subscription box around.

First line: Whitney Foster was stuck in a traffic jam.

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

My thoughts: I've had a run of really good books recently, with my beloved enemies-to-lovers trope, from new to me authors! Halfway through this book I already knew it was going to be a five star read.

After losing her job under very trying circumstances, Whitney is taking temporary refuge at her Aunt Helen's winery, but is shocked to see the shabby state of the place. Uncle Tony passed away a couple of years ago, and the winery seems to have gone downhill since then. And Whitney is sure that the hired hand, Luke, is taking advantage of her aunt. So of course from their first meeting she and Luke clash, and clash hard.

I loved Whitney, and Luke, and Helen. Helen and her book club group of friends set out on a hilarious matchmaking scheme, trying to find dates for Whitney in hopes that she'll fall in love and make Rendezvous Falls her permanent home. It never occurs to them that she will fall for Luke, since those two obviously do not get along. They must not read a lot of romance novels in their book club!

It's always refreshing to not have a hero who is rich and successful. In addition to shouldering the burden of running the winery after Helen checked out in her grief over losing Tony, Luke works a second job as a bartender in order to pay rent to Helen for his apartment over the tasting room. Whitney puts her accounting skills to the test and begins going over the winery's messy finances, and when she discovers Luke's solution to how to pay the bills, I was a bit horrified and admiring at the same time. Not to mention very amused.

Once they finally give in to attraction, there was steam coming off the pages, very well written steam, without being crass or too graphic. The whole book is just delightful, and I'm glad I haven't used up the B&N gift card I got for Christmas – I'll be looking for the next Rendezvous Falls book, “Stealing Kisses in the Snow”, on my next trip to the bookstore! 

Goodreads synopsis: When accountant Whitney Foster's carefully calculated life blows up, she escapes to the one place that's always felt like home. But Rendezvous Falls has changed since she's been away. Her aunt Helen's winery is in trouble. And she doesn't trust the sexy, surly stranger working the vineyard as far as she can throw him.
Luke Rutledge would do anything for Helen, who's been like a mother to him. Revive the winery? Sure. Repair her property? No problem. Tolerate Helen's infuriating, big-shot niece? Well...maybe. But as he and Whitney are forced to work together to rebuild the business, her chilly facade reveals a woman as complex and intoxicating as a fine merlot. Throw in a matchmaking book club hell-bent on happily-ever-after and it's a potent cocktail.
Love should never be calculated. But it doesn't take Whitney's math skills to see that this is adding to up to one tantalizing adventure..

Lean On Me (Family is Forever, Book One)

PAT SIMMONS

Stats for my copy: Trade paperback, Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2020.

How acquired: Via Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, the best subscription box around.

First line: Marcus Whittington wasn't expecting to see a woman on his surveillance camera, trespassing on his domain.

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

My thoughts: A new to me author. Tabitha and her sisters are taking turns caring for their elderly Aunt Tweet, who has dementia/Alzheimer's. Aunt Tweet is living with Tabitha for six months, and Tabitha is realizing being a caregiver is harder than it sounds. When Aunt Tweet manages to slip out of the house and wander the neighborhood, she sits on a neighbor's porch. He thinks Tabitha is not caring for her aunt properly and that her safety is at stake, and keeps threatening to call the police. So right off the bat, from their first meeting, we have two characters at odds with each other, which is one of my favorite ways for a book to start! Though I do like a little more bickering than what goes on here, but Tabitha also holds her tongue because she wants to appear to be doing well with Aunt Tweet, no matter how stressed she is, and doesn't want Marcus to carry out his threats.

I've never been a caregiver, and I hope I don't ever have to be. It sounds like hard work and stress inducing, no matter how much you love the person you're caring for. Tabitha took a lower paying job in order to not have to travel, and has rearranged her life for Aunt Tweet, but Tweet has been one of the most important people in her and her sisters' lives and they all adore her, so it's a sacrifice they are all willing to make.

And who can blame her? Aunt Tweet is delightful. And I very much liked Tabitha as well. She's strong and determined to do the best she can for her aunt. And when Marcus decided to appoint himself as Tabitha's caregiver, aw man, I was a goner. I only have a dog and a cat to care for, but I still need a Marcus!

This is a Christian book, so the romance is very clean, which was fine with me. I like the build up, and the relationship between Tabitha and Marcus moved along at a believable pace as they got to know each other better. There is also a subplot about two of the employees of the janitorial service Marcus runs with his brother, which gave a lot of insight into Marcus's character. And when Aunt Tweet suddenly decides she needs to go to church every week, Tabitha of course has to go with her, and then eventually Marcus joins them, and the sections with them at church were some of my favorites.

All around, this is a heartwarming story, and I'll never look at a caregiver the same way. Tabitha's younger sister, Rachel, gets to have Aunt Tweet with her for the next six months, and her story comes next, so there's that to look forward to!

Goodreads synopsis: Tabitha Knicely loves her career as a pharmaceutical rep, but even her health care knowledge isn't much help with the daily challenges she now faces caring for her aunt with Alzheimer's. Her once organized lifestyle is in disarray and her patience is tested. On Sunday mornings, when Aunt Tweet drags her to church, though Tabitha isn't a believer, the peaceful presence of faith is a welcome relief.
Marcus Whittington believes in second chances, so he hires former inmates to staff the industrial cleaning service he owns with his brother. When a mystery woman who keeps showing up on his porch turns out to be an elderly neighbor, Marcus is outraged at what he perceives as neglect on the part of her caregiver.
Marcus soon learns that being a caregiver is a demanding, compassionate act of kindness that he has never experienced before. After several encounters with Aunt Tweet and Tabitha, his heart is drawn to the family's distress. Marcus is determined to help Tabitha, and a friendship that started out with a grave misunderstanding soon begins to blossom into a relationship filled with love, faith, and partnership. Life is easier, when you have someone to lean on.

Just for You

Cute cover!

DOREEN RAINEY

Stats for my copy: Paperback, Arabesque Books, 2002.

How acquired: Bought.

First line: Alexis Shaw waved to the dealer as she drove off the lot into the late afternoon sun.

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

My thoughts: As I started this book I expected fairly standard category romance fare. Alexis has been voted Businesswoman of the Year by a prestigious magazine, and is out celebrating with a friend. Malcolm and his friend happen to be at the same restaurant, and a chance meeting occurs when Malcolm's friend makes a fool of himself over Alexis and her friend rejecting a bottle of champagne he has sent to their table, and then rejecting him to his face when he approaches their table. (“What are you ladies...gay?”) Thank god Rick isn't the hero of the story! Neither Alexis nor Malcolm expect to see each other again, but as fate would have it, Malcolm is the journalist interviewing Alexis for the magazine. Insults fly and they are promptly at each others throats. I'll tell ya, I love a good enemies to lovers story!

I really liked Alexis, despite her almost maniacal hatred of weddings and marriage. She runs a very successful event planning business, but refuses to plan weddings. Other than that small flaw, she's a wonderful spitfire character, and of course Malcolm is drawn to her. And I loved Malcolm. He's reached a point in his life where he wants to settle down, put down roots, have a family. He accepts his feelings for her much quicker than she does, and I loved how he met her prickliness with kindness and compassion, not to mention humorous admiration.

There are several supporting characters, such as Alexis' sister Melanie, who shows up unexpectedly to hide out while reevaluating her life. Their lives were shaped by their mother, who used her money and influence to buy success for her daughters. Alexis broke away while in college and never speaks to her mother, while Melanie always gave in and did what was expected of her. But now she's realized that she's very unhappy with her life, and I loved watching her grow and rediscover what's important to her. Malcolm, like Alexis, has never gone in for long term relationships, and his brother and cousin tease him mercilessly once they realize a woman is behind his sudden inability to concentrate on their weekly basketball games. He also has a nosy secretary who is eager to figure out who the mystery woman is, and an ex who seems to be stalking him – and Alexis.

This is a romance, but there's a bit of suspense thrown in, and a surprise twist towards the end, and when it was all said and done I got emotional and cried as I read. When you pluck a random book off the shelves, by an author you know nothing about, you never know what you'll get. In this case I got a wonderful love story and a new favorite author whose backlist I need to hunt down now.

Goodreads synopsis: Event planner Alexis Shaw's booming company, Just For You, plans everything – except weddings. As far as Alexis is concerned, marriage is a waste of time, heart, and money. The policy hasn't hurt her any – she's even named Businesswoman of the Year by Image Magazine. To celebrate, Alexis goes out to dinner with her best friend. All's well, until an admirer sends over a bottle of champagne – and won't take no for an answer, even when his handsome colleague, Malcolm Singleton, tries to convince him to back off. Fortunately, Alexis can take care of herself.

Magazine writer Malcolm Singleton knows his chances of seeing the spunky, sexy woman from the restaurant again are nearly impossible – until he learns that his next subject is the Businesswoman of the Year herself. Soon, he and Alexis discover they have a few things in common, including a mutual attraction. But as Malcolm resolves to warm Alexis's cynical heart, he discovers a devastating secret about her award nomination that could destroy their blossoming love. Will telling Alexis the truth mean the end of their relationship – or the beginning of the love of a lifetime?  

Let It Snow

NANCY THAYER

Stats for my copy: Hardback, Ballentine Books, 2019.

How acquired: Bought.

First line: Christina Antonioni could spot a shoplifter with her eyes blindfolded and both ears stuffed with cotton.

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

My thoughts: I decided to read some Christmas themed books – even though it was already January – and this one caught my eye while shopping at Barnes & Noble. I'd seen Nancy Thayer's name before, but this was my first time reading her.

I'm not a cold weather person. “Let it snow” is not something you will ever hear me say. I don't like snow, and ice, I don't like cold, I don't like winter. But I do enjoy reading about it! For most of this book, though, the residents of Nantucket were just wishing for snow.

Christina loves Nantucket, and loves her toy shop. Christmas is one of her busiest times of the year, but her joy of the season is marred when she receives a letter from the owner of the property advising that rent is being raised ten percent in the new year. If she can't convince the owner to not raise the rent, she will have to close her shop. I puzzled quite a bit over wondering how much her rent must be for a ten percent hike to affect her badly enough to go out of business. I even went to Google, but could not find anything definitive. But I finally told myself that even though her space was small, it's a tourist town and probably considerably more than anything where I live.

The property owner, a Grinch-like millionaire, has a young granddaughter, Wink, who Christina becomes very fond of. As did I. Wink was well written and was an integral part of the story, and not just a cloyingly cute moppet. Actually all the characters were well written. Christina is friends with the owners of three other shops (all on property owned by Oscar the grouch – and yes, his name really is Oscar!), and I loved their daily lunch get togethers. I especially developed a soft spot for slightly haughty Harriet (who in my mind I pictured as Elaine Hendrix in the remake of The Parent Trap, and now I want to watch that again). And I loved watching the romance between Christina and Wink's uncle Andy develop. The story takes place over a short period of time, but the romance still felt like it built up slowly, without being instalove.

There were plenty of amusing situations without being campy, and overall the book is a feel good heartwarming read, whatever the season.

Goodreads synopsis: Christina Antonioni is preparing for the holidays at her Nantucket toy shop, unpacking last-minute shipments and decorating for her loyal Christmas shoppers. But when her Scrooge of a landlord, Oscar Bittlesman, raises her rent, it seems nearly impossible for Christina to continue business on the wharf.

Even so, Christina hopes there is a warm heart underneath Oscar's steely exterior. When she bonds with Wink, his sweet, young granddaughter who frequents the shop, it becomes clear that perhaps he isn't so cold after all. And with the help of Wink's uncle, who happens to be a charming and very handsome bachelor, this may be the best Christmas any of them could have ever imagined. Nancy Thayer's enchanting Nantucket setting provides the perfect backdrop for this holiday love story 

The Judge Who Stole Christmas

WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS INFORMATION THAT SOME MAY CONSIDER SPOILERS.

RANDY SINGER

Stats for my copy: Hardback, WaterBrook Press, 2005.

How acquired: Bought.

First line: “Doggone it,” grunted Thomas, glancing toward the Holstein as the big fella lifted its tail.

(For the Goodreads synopsis, scroll to the bottom of this post.)

My thoughts: I'm not a religious person, and I found it hard to relate to or even really sympathize with Thomas. I think mostly because of the snippet of back story we were given, about how his and Theresa's two year old son had died of appendicitis because they prayed for three days before finally seeking medical care. If I hadn't known that, I probably would've more easily sympathized with his won't-back-down stance.

I did like Jasmine, and her struggle - balancing life and coming to terms with choosing the high paying corporate law job over making a difference in her hometown - was played out well. The judge...well, of course in the end it came down to putting her personal feelings aside and following the letter of the law, but why did she have to be so rude and condescending in the meantime? Though that was probably a defense mechanism she had learned to employ.

Overall, it was an okay read. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it.

Goodreads synopsis: It starts innocently enough in the town square of Possum, Virginia. But it ends up as a spectacular national scandal: Can a federal judge outlaw Christmas? Thomas Hammond and his wife play Joseph and Mary in the annual live nativity scene in their hometown. But a federal judge rules the display unconstitutional – and a Christmas showdown ensues. Thomas refuses to abide by the court order...and ends up in jail. From the courtrooms of Virginia to the talk shows of New York City, the battle escalates into a national media spectacle. Caught in the middle is law student Jasmine Woodfaulk – assigned to represent Thomas as part of her school's legal aid clinic. Only a surprising series of events – nearly as humbling and unexpected as the origins of the season itself – can reconcile a stubborn father, a crusading law student and a recalcitrant judge.