RESCUED BY A BRIDESMAID By Melinda Curtis

An awesome read, I truly couldn't put it down. A fast paced, action packed, romantic thriller by Melinda Curtis, "Rescued by a Bridesmaid", is not your usual cutsey Brides Maid Romance.

I received this e-book from the author for an honest review and I can say honestly that you should get this one for sure.

Scarlett, the heroine, has several last names which are confusing at first but all makes sense as you get on her mission. We meet both she and Mike in the beginning as they face off and feel out each other at a poker game passing the time until the groom returns from Ecuador.

Mike Romero, an Iraq War veteran, wearing an eye patch because of the loss of an eye, sizes Scarlett up and determines she's beautiful but helpless. Being the protector type he wants to keep her out of the action. Scarlett, unbeknownst to Mike, has many hidden qualities and skills and she's determined to run the action.

Tiffany, the bride sends them to rescue her groom trapped in the aftermath of an earthquake in Drug Lord Territory in Ecuador. Between Mike's and Uncle Cletus's idiosyncrasies and phobias, there is never a dull moment.   This is a funny yet poignant read. It's hard to balance those two themes in a book but Ms. Curtis does a great job. The finale is a humdinger and you want to go on more adventures with these two and Scarlett's crusty old uncle-- a five star read.

COUNTING ON A COWBOY By Debra Clopton

I thoroughly enjoyed this contemporary cowboy jewel. Ms. Clopton does a superb job grabbing your interest and keeping you emotionally involved in her story.

Abby Knightly, distractedly driving  into Wishing Springs, Texas, almost runs over Bo Monahan. Immediately her uncharacteristic fear of blood becomes apparent as she passes out and falls into Bo's arms.

For different reasons, both Bo and Abby have aversions to developing any relationship with the opposite sex. Abby is running from tragic loss into what she hopes is a more vibrant and comforting future in the little town she has chosen as her new sanctuary. Bo, along with his brothers, is busy trying to save his family ranch from the deep debt their deceased dad left them in due to his gambling vice.  He has no time for marriage minded women gawking at him like he's a side of beef.

But then things get more complicated when a baby is dropped on Bo's doorstep, literally that turns out to be his. Suddenly, he needs Abby to help him cope; and Abby finds she needs Bo and Levi to heal.

I received this ebook from Netgalley for my honest opinion. The main negative I found were a lot of incomplete or nonsensical sentences that were very distracting to follow the story line. Definitely an editing problem I hope is fixed in the final product. However, I found this delightful story to be one I would read again and recommend to others. And I would consider purchasing a hard copy for my keeper shelf.

HOPE HARBOR By Irene Hannon

 

Irene Hannon is one of my favorite Romantic Suspense authors but she does a tremendous job with this contemporary romance set in Hope Harbor, Oregon.

In the opening scene, Michael Hunter arrives in Hope Harbor filled with emotional hurt and guilt over the loss of his wife. As often happens  with all of us when we are already feeling low, things go from bad to worse.  He finds his plans and motel reservations have fallen through and, still debating that he has made the right decision to come to Hope Harbor, his wife's favorite place, he doesn't know what to do.

Michael meets the heroine of the story, Tracy Campbell when he steps out in front of her and causes her to have a bicycle wreck--not a great first impression. Tracy is struggling with her own dark secrets and the financial stress of possibly losing her generational family cranberry farm.

Feeling dejected and all alone, Michael sits down on a bench in view of a taco stand. Charlie the Taco Stand Owner, sends some tacos to Michael through the town recluse, Anna Williams. Anna doesn't know why but she comes to Michael's aid offering to rent him the annex to her home--maybe because he reminds her of her son from whom she is estranged.

Whether you believe in divine intervention or not, we all have experienced times in our lives when things could not be explained or times when we simply needed something to happen to change the direction of our lives for the better.

What is endearing about this novel and makes it a page turner, is the interaction between the characters that draws you into the story and makes you like them and want to see them overcome the adversities life has sent their way. You want to cheer them on and help them make better choices. There is hope and it certainly can be found in Hope Harbor.

 

I received this ebook from Netgalley for an honest review. I enjoy Ms. Hannon's romantic suspense genre books much better but this makes for a lovely relaxing read.