Book Review: Sreenades by Nikki Duncan

 SERENADES  by Nikki Duncan

Coming Nov 26

With passion this hot, it’ll be anything but a silent night.
Whispering Cove, Book 9
Aimee Smith found a home and friends in Whispering Cove. During the Fall Festival she found no-strings fun in the arms of her favorite country singer. Then her fling left town—and she discovered how much of himself he left behind.
Josh Bryan loved life on the road—until one Whispering Cove waitress ruined it. Not that he’s complaining. Before her, there were willing women at every stop, but none stayed in his mind, under his skin, or left him wanting a second taste. Not like her.

Book is also a standalone.

 Author Information

 http://nikkiduncan.com/blog/

 

Heart stopping puppy chases, childhood melodrama and the aborted hangings of innocent toys are all in a day’s work for Nikki Duncan. This athletic equestrian turned reluctant homemaker turned daring author, is drawn to the siren song of a fresh storyline.
Nikki plots murder and mayhem over breakfast, scandalous exposes at lunch and the sensual turn of phrase after dinner. Nevertheless, it is the pleasurable excitement and anticipation of unraveling her character’s motivation that drives her to write long past the witching hour.
The only anxiety and apprehension haunting this author comes from pondering the mysterious outcome of her latest twist.

MY REVIEW:

Serenades (Whispering Cove 9) by Nikki Duncan
This is 9th in the series and I've yet to read any of the prior ones.
I didn't feel too much out in the dark, felt right at home with the storyline. Aimee lives with her sister Carmen over the bar.
Aimee waitresses at the bar and care for her infant daughter. Others who know of the child have told her she needed to tell the father. Well she did try, several times but coudln't get through to him.
Josh is back in town for a special appearance with his band at the bar. It's Christmas and after she does tell him there are hot passionate love scenes but he has one stipulation about Christmas. When he
leaves to tend to some business Carmen thinks he's run out on her. Will he return or is Aimee going to have to carry the burden?
Love the group of musicians and think the rest have their own story in the other books in the series. Interesting the things that come into play in this book.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 30 books read

super x read!

Surrender to Temptation by EB Walters
This family saga is about Chase and the woman of his dreams. He runs many successful restaurants. Keira is a food critic for the LA Times.
Nikki has arrived at the ranch to make a web page for them. Chase is the rancher and she has ulterior motives. Her sister was at his restaurant when it burned one night, scarring her and leaving her with many surgeries.
She has found Chase to have an eye problem since the fire and she and he both are sexually attracted to one another.
Love hearing of the food combinations and the lifestyle on the ranch-so many new things to learn about.
Hot steamy passionate love scenes and a mystery man who may have started the fire after all as others in the family check out the trails and clues.
Excellent read even by itself but it's always nice to catch up with the family...
I received this book from  the author in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 30 books read

awesome read

The Lightkeeper by Susan Wiggs
Fantastic story about a man Jesse Morgan who operates the light house at Cape Disappointment. It's a tricky section of the coast in the northwest.
He has already lost his wife and their unborn son and is a hermit, keeping to himself until one day he rescues a pregnant woman and tends to her health.
Over the months he learns about her Irish upbringing and who the father is. She learns his secrets as well.  He births the child and she says it's their son.
When he returns one day after chores and finds that his sister in law has been to the cottage and now everybody is gone. He tracks Mary and her son David to the vessel that the coast guard had not even sanctioned seaworthy.
His sister in law and her husband Granger-the boy's bio father are in the vessel as well and he knows what he has to do to safe the women and child. He vowed never to turn the light off at the lighthouse...
Loved hearing the story of how in the 1850's they would use horses and stallions to rescue people on the shores. Loved the ending and learning about antique light floats.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Bubbles Day by Ally Nathaniel
This book reminds me of the time we spent with our grandson this summer and we did make bubbles. So fun to be able to act like a kid again.
Illustrated very colorful children's book about bubbles. The girl is named Bubbles.
You get to play a guessing game what bubbles likes and on the next page it shows you what was suggested.
When you find out what bubbles likes the best it is shown how to do it and what makes it so fun.
I like this book because it reminds me of my grandson and how he loves doing step by step instructions.
 I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

My Snow Day by Ally Nathaniel
Illustrated very colorful children's book about a snow day.
Gabbi, Abigail and Adam wake up and notice all the snow and collect all their clothes they will need to go outside.
When they get out there they all stick together and help one another to do some fun things, even make a snow woman.
They are very proud of what they did, together. Very simple concept for kids to grasp.
I like this book because it allows the child to image a day outside even when there is no snow yet.
Author's other works are highlighted at the end of the book along with her bio.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
 

Nov 29 books read

Homemade Christmas Cookbook: 31 Thanksgiving Christmas Recipes by Betty Belly Cook
Good selection of recipes for the holidays. Especially like the ones you can make ahead of time and the big casserole breakfast dishes.
My favorite is the one with Smithfield ham and hash browns-not sure I'd add a lot of other ingredients as we are watching our salt intake now.
Many ways to prepare the holiday turkey, very good useful information there.
Lots of side dishes to accompnay the turkey dinners.
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Homemade Christmas by Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper
Glad to see crafts in this holiday book-I've just read through 10 holiday cookbooks.
Clicked on the link in the book and it shows how to create a new Christmas eve tradition where you fill a huge box and put a small gift in for all the family members and it's to be opened when it gets dark on Christmas eve.
Good tips for being a frugal spender and making the gifts-something I do myself.
Big plan and written lists help make life easier and check them off as they are done. Love hearing how they survive the days leading up to the holiday.
Tips for feeding Santa and the reindeer to make an exciting time for the kids.
Gifts to put together for men, women and the kids, priceless memories!
Easy bake oven cake mixes and other treats can be made and put into a jar/can along with the directions.
Candy wreath idea had to grow on me and it's a great one to help get rid of Halloween candy...
Love food recipes at the end of the book.

Thanksgiving Recipes - 50 Dishes Plus 12 Leftover Recipes by Carol Vale
Love that this book has recipes for leftover as I know after this Thursday they will come in handy.
Just looking over the listings there are many recipes for every category for the big feast.
The book has links to the author's other cookbooks as well.
My favorite is the Shepard's pie, hands down.

The Christmas Cookie Plate: 50 Years of Award-Winning Cookie Recipes from the Russell Kitchen by Julie Schoen
Love baking for the holidays and always finding more cookie recipes to try and like. Each year I try to create one myself.
Much of the book is telling of the Russell kitchen and family and trips and their favorite desserts.
Treasure cookies and Danish Coconut Islanders sound like my pick for this year.
So many different categories.

Holiday Recipes: 150 Easy Recipes and Gifts From Your Kitchen by Bonnie Scott
Always looking for new recipes, especially with the holidays upon us. Love all the different categories in this one.
Colorful pictures showing the completed items all decorated-tips on doing that for ease of shipping also is included.
A site with gift tags is also mentioned in the book. Just glancing through some of these and I know they would be big hits with my family.
Our favorites to try: buffalo wings that we make our self, reindeer cookies!

5 Family Favorite Casserole Recipes - The Quick and Easy Casseroles Collection (The Casserole Recipes and Casserole Dishes Collection) by Pamela Kazmierczak
I thought I would browse through this book and maybe try a few as it's winter and once you toss everything into a casserole pan your job is done.
Lots of extra things in this cookbook after visiting the authors page and Kindle free downloads.
Love added notes inside some recipes as the dish might fail if you don't read the notes.
My favorite as we are severely watching our salt and sugar intake would be the ham and asparagus casserole.
The summer dessert casserole would be my all time year round favorite for all year round as it's fresh fruit.

Celebrating Advent: Family Devotions and Activities for the Christmas Season by Ann Hibbard
Story starts out with a frazzled mother of toddlers who are down for a nap and she's just finishing the wrapping of the gifts and it's so much work!
The holidays are so commercialized now that the meaning is lost in the season.
The idea is to spend family time along with the holiday and everybody can participate. Family traditions over the years can be renewed.
A plan and how much you expect to spend are crucial. The advent tree is one of our favorite where you put an ornament on the tree each day til Christmas.
Scripture readings are also included along with instructions on how to make things, music for the season, etc.
Includes sheet music for the Christmas carols and many ideas and templates.
This book covers a lot more than I ever thought it would.

CoCo Saves Monstertown by Amy McNeil
Illustrated colorful children's book about monsters. Coco is the new monster in town and it's his first day at school. He hopes the other monsters like him.
They come in different shapes and sizes and colors. The other monsters all look mean and scary and Coco does not.
Monstermania contest for the scariest monster and we find Coco hiding in the firehouse when Meeko finds him and tells him to just be himself.
Love the message this book sends: to be yourself.
Other works by the author are featured at the end.

Nov 27 books read

Last Chance Knit & Stitch by Hope Ramsay
I first wanted to read this book because it shows yarn and knitting needles.
I have read other books by this author and know it's going to be a good read.
Love that within the first chapter there is talk of a knit top done in the seed stitch. I had just finished a scarf with that stitch and it's stunning.
Molly Canaday is the tow truck driver and she stops at the side of the road to tow the man's car.  Simon Wolfe It's an old football star that left town and never looked back. His father had just passed away and he was only in town for the funeral.
Her brother hands her a note from her mother informing her she's taken off to see the world, Molly needs to run the Knit & Stitch and make meals and learn how to cook.
Simon is an artist in CA. His aunt hopes he'll stick around, run the dealership and take care of his mother who has dementia. Molly and her buddy were going to lose the garage space where they restored cars in the dealership...
The book also follows others romances and breakups and there's always something going on in town: book club, knitting club, etc
Anything that can go wrong does and then more things go wrong and more and more...
Love the knit along for poppies and how they are distributed-such community...so many other charities they knit for. Love the surprise at the end of this book.
They talk of the past and clear up some misconceptions and tragedy strikes and the community helps as a combined force.
Excerpts and praises from the authors and her friends other works are at the end.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 26 books read

Secrets on Cedar Key by Terri DuLong
Love this series and know even without knowing who the book is about that it's another keeper. It involves knitting, a city in Florida and a sense of good community feelings.
Marin has lost her husband Andrew and moved to Cedar Key with her mother now that the boys are grown and set in their locations with work. She helps her mom and others run the yarn store. She wants to run a needlework area and when the contractor has a heart attack, Worth Slater takes over.
She finds out some money was being sent to two people who she has no idea who they are and will investigate.
The part I love about this book is the atmosphere of the yarn shop to everybody who walks in the door. The weekly meeting is also a time for great food, sharing and others with a similiar need to bond with one another.
As island life goes on Marin is getting closer to knowing the truth about her husband and arrangements are made for the funeral of a friend. She confides in others who are not sure what to believe and they are there for her regardless of the outcome.
If you have not read the other books in the series you are told of the important things that happened in the past-just NOT everything so the books can be read out of order. There are a lot of characters but you tend to remember who goes with who (names and careers are mentioned) and the story is easy to follow.
Marin takes things slow and gets acquainted with Worth. They have dinner a few times and she's able to go with him to his house where he claims he and his wife, now dead, had met her and Andrew at a charity function for the college. He had left an impression on her back then... and likewise...
Love all the charity work in the book: locks of love hair cuts, and fund raisers.
Funny how the gossip travels around town and the concept of a movie being filmed in town have some scurrying to shape up their shops. Love all the chat about the shops and changes that have occurred and new owners with other ones.
Marin learns neither of the boys will be home for Thanksgiving but her BFF will come for Christmas. She does have to face what to do with the account and tries to find some answers on the internet. Many stressful days and she books a flight to Paris which Andrew and her were to return to.
Her mother tells her why she was against her buying the house and she hopes she can forgive and move on with her life and that the trip to Paris will help. So many details besides booking the flight and she's grateful to have the offer of a place to stay while there.
Travel in Paris is breathtaking, many details and I feel as if I'm there, I've always wanted to go with my daughter.
She recalls things that bring up images of Andrew and their sons and how they interacted with one another and thought he did deserve forgiveness.
Symbolism of the afghans during the war was enlightening to listen to and so much needed then.
Sparks of romance and love in Paris. Marin feels good about herself and her decision, is it the right one?
Love how the book got it's name and this series just keeps getting better and better. I'm not sure how the author can put so much into 300 pages. If another wrote it, it'd have to be 600 pages. Prefer the 300 page myself. She's got a way with words, the right ones together.
What I also really like is having many generations of families so you see how the author is able to solve the current day problems with any age group.
I received this book from Kennsington in exchange for my honest review.

The Missing Dough by Chris Cavender
This mystery series is about Maddy and Eleanor and they own and run A Slice of Heaven pizzeria. They have part time help, one is Josh the police chief's son who's also a guru at the PC.
Grant, the ex husband is killed after being a nuisance to many in town during the fair and where many were threatening him when he dropped beer over them.
The woman are sisters and often spend the night at one another houses. This case is about the money that Grant had swindled out of others in the investment firm. His mother is also dead now and she's bequeathed something to Maddy in her will. 
Rebecca is the sister who also is trying to find the money. There are ex's of Grants and his business partners that also come into the picture. Love the way the women come up with leads as to who the suspects are and how they are able to clear their names.
Love the tip at the end of the book, after the mystery is solved about left over bread dough. Love the combinations used and just the fun of experimenting...
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Serenades (Whispering Cove 9) by Nikki Duncan
This is 9th in the series and I've yet to read any of the prior ones.
I didn't feel too much out in the dark, felt right at home with the storyline. Aimee lives with her sister Carmen over the bar.
Aimee waitresses at the bar and care for her infant daughter. Others who know of the child have told her she needed to tell the father. Well she did try, several times but coudln't get through to him.
Josh is back in town for a special appearance with his band at the bar. It's Christmas and after she does tell him there are hot passionate love scenes but he has one stipulation about Christmas. When he
leaves to tend to some business Carmen thinks he's run out on her. Will he return or is Aimee going to have to carry the burden?
Love the group of musicians and think the rest have their own story in the other books in the series. Interesting the things that come into play in this book.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 25 books read

Behind the Fire by Susan May
This book starts out with the trial of Bobbie and Emily Jessup. It alternates back in time to when the black things were discovered by Em.
I wanted to read this book because of the talk of coal mines. I love hearing how the brave men work down below the surface and the new technology that some have in place to aid the miners and keep them safe.
The book goes back to when Bobbie first discovered the paper by a man who had rented a truck and he started putting things together and found himself at many of the sites.
Em is stricken when her brother Jimmy is in the mine when the accident happens and only one man makes it out alive. He tells of the black form thinking it's poisonous gas that is forming the shape. Nobody can understand what he's talking about.
At the court trial again Bobbie testifies and then it's Em's turn and her testimony isn't what they had planned for her to say...
Love the mystery and the unknown and allowing the reader to form their own opinions.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 24 books read

Jane Bakes a Pumpkin Pie: Pumpkin Pie Recipe Rhyming Book (A Thanksgiving Children's Picture Book for Ages 2-8) by Betty Palatin
Illustrated colorful children's book showing a girl baking a pie. It's just the perfect time for this book, being that it is Thanksgiving.
Jane and her friends help to bake a pumpkin pie. Good rhyming story.
This actually comes with the recipe-what a bonus! The pages also show the picture of what's happening along with the words at the bottom so you don't have to flip a page to read the text.
Also you can sign up to get a free ebook. There are many that the author has written

Suzy Snowflake  by Angela Muse
Illustrated very colorful children's book about winter and snow.
Love snowflakes and how each one is different. Just the cover captivated my attention along with the penguin on the front.
Suzy notices as it's winter and she's skating with others like her that she is different and prays to God.
She also talks to Frost her friend and together they understand it's OK to be different.
Other books from the author are shown at the end of this one

The First Thanksgiving: The Mayflower, Pilgrims, American Indians and Giving Thanks by Ifeanyi Esimai
I am very familiar with the tale and wanted to be sure it's accurate. I do knit for the Plimoth Plantation interpreters.
Love this version as it talks about the people who left England and arrived in America and the Indians shared food and ideas and helped them start their new life.
Very colorful pictures and lots of rhyming words.
There are other works of the author at the end of this book to check out.

Children's Book: I Love to Brush My Teeth (Jimmy and a Magical Toothbrush - Kids book for ages 2-6) (Bedtime stories children's books collection) by Shelley Admant
This children's book has few pictures but the ones there are very colorful. Each of the three bunnies has a favorite color and everything they have is that color.
Jimmy loves orange and one morning each of them gets a new toothbrush. It is magical and knows if you brushed your teeth. It talks to Jimmy and tries to get him to brush his teeth and tells him what will happen if he does not-teeth will turn yellow and a terrible odor in his mouth and food will not go in his mouth.
Jimmy throws the toothbrush into a corner in the bathroom to get rid of it. He goes to eat his breakfast....
The sandwich jumped into his brothers plate and Jimmy bit his fingers instead...
Not only that but other food his mother tried to give him, then he goes out to play with his friends...He knows what he has to do next...
Other books of the author are highlighted at the end.

 

Do Monsters Wear Undies? By Mark Smith
Illustrated colorful children's book monsters and the days they do wear underwear.
It also shows what they do the other day and it's a hilarious book.
The book introduces you to the many monsters and what color underwear they wear and other characteristics of their body.
Other books from the author are featured at the end.

Holiday Recipes: Quick Easy Recipes for the Holidays by Alexa Cookster
Lots of easy and quick recipes for any feast on your table. Lots of categories.
So many of the appetizers are ones we serve for a feast, glad to see they make the cut-they are easy to make and very quick.
Very colorful pictures of the item being baked. My favorite would be the cranberry muffins.

Beyond Gifted Education Designing and Implementing Advanced Academic Programs by Scott Peters, Michael Matthews, Matthew McBee and Betsy McCoach
I was interested in this book mostly for the welfare of my grandson's education as he's been placed in a specialized classroom just recently.
I was so glad to read that not only do you go by the test results but don't rely on them specifically for placement of the child in a gifted classroom.
People can determine if the child needs to be there without test scores. The references, resources found in this book are superior to the subject and I found the book easy to follow along.
It starts with having a plan and not only sticking to it but modifying it for each child.
I received this book from Library Thing in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 23 books read

Lolly: From Fishing to Fashion, Reeling in an Unlikely Fashion Success by Jeff Stewart
I usually read woman's romance novels and I found this book refreshing in many ways. First because it is from the male point of view-they are very descriptive details but in a different way from the woman counterpoint.
The book captivated me in many ways: the northwest as we've traveled once a year there while visiting relatives and to revisit them was great! Tidbits of information that only locals would know about that reminded me of the days we spent there in Oregon.
I loved the travel up and down the coast especially. The fashion industry was a bit hit-I only know a few knit designers and the drape is what I look for and I felt the men nailed the industry on the head. The company and make up of the people that gave their all in getting the company to what it is came through as ones' heart and soul was put into it.
Loved hearing all about the fisherman and their take and how the one writing the story finishes his commitments and has a personal life but is able to spend time with each of them to get an idea of what they have brought to the company.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Nov 20 books read

Aloha Rose Quilts of Love Series by Lisa Carter
Such a beautiful quilt on the cover. Laney Carrigan has just arrived in Hawaii with the hopes of meeting some of her mothers family. She was adopted and had done research to track them down.
She was to meet Teah or Elyse but Kai Barnes, SAR pilot was the one that showed up to take her to the family. He was also adopted and raised by the family.
She only had the one clue-red snowflake on a white background appliqued quilt she was wrapped in as an infant.
They didn't hit it off from the start..Love the descriptive tours.  Kai takes her for tours and they get many chances to really talk to one another and we find out they have much in common due to her writings. She can make things happen due to her connections...
She's overwhelmed with all the relatives she meets and it takes her time to get used to their ways, their ceremonies, religion and Spam. She is a freelance writer and she will do research while there on the Big Island as she's combining this as a leisure/business trip.
So much to take in on the trips around the islands, the sights, sounds, nature, flowers, sea and their talks of the war.
She was also there to meet her father and some family members are keeping secrets. Surprises in this book around every corner she takes...
After the accident God speaks to her and now she knows the route she must take...All the Hawaiian words put you in the mood as if you are on the island and there is a dictionary at the back.
Excerpt from Tempest Course the next in the Quilts of Love series is featured at the end.
I received this book from Net Galley via Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.

Real Romance by Ginny Baird
Love that this is a Thanksgiving love story. This is one holiday I find gets lost with the larger than life Christmas right on the doorstep.
Maggie McCloud runs the bookstore and is friendly with others that work there. Cecil runs the coffee shop part and they have been an item for 5 years now.
She's getting the signal that she needs to hitch up with someone soon and produce children and get on with her life but Cecil is not one to hurry. He's got his own agenda.
David Lake, the optician in the strip of stores in the mall has helped her get a new pair of frames. He attempts to get Cecil's help with learning what it is woman want...
Maggie gets a letter from Cecil and now she's single again and takes things slow with David and they do have some common connections. I found the Thanksgiving dinner at her house a bit comical with her family around them.
Loved the area-snow and foliage and just fun free things to do. Hot steamy romance and sex scenes just add to this book. Like how they each have fantasies about the other...
Excerpt from the next book is included at the end along with a note from the author.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

On the Right Side of a Line by Shandy Kurth
This book is about Valen and how he has had to join the group to get protection for his family and make money.
It's a hard life on the streets and he has many interruptions from others that he once sees as distractions and then something else.
Love the beach scene and how it's described-felt as if I was there..
Love how we hear what he's thinking when he learns that his brother wants him and the family to leave...
Liked how the book is from a gang member and his point of view-I mostly read romance novels so this is a refreshing change once in a while as you can picture the scenes taking place in front of you as the descriptions are so detailed and true to life.
I felt like I was on the edge of my seat and couldn't read it fast enough as the action is fast paced.

ebook Giveaway: Real Romance Review and Info by Ginny Baird

 SYNOPSIS

Shy bookstore manager Marie McCloud spends each night between the covers with a hot guy... The hunky hero from one of her romance novels, that is. Having been cheated on, disparaged then ditched, Marie turns to pure fiction to soothe her aching heart. What she doesn't count on is finding real romance where she least expects it.

Ladies' man David Lake is always up for a physical challenge. An intellectual one? He's not so sure. But when David meets pretty Marie, he's ready to leap through some hoops to get the brainy brunette's attention. With a little bit of research and a whole lot of reading, David prepares to sweep Marie off her feet -- for the romance of a lifetime

AUTHOR BIO

Ginny Baird is a big believer in happy endings!

Romance writer Ginny Baird has published novels in print and online and received screenplay options from Hollywood for her family and romantic comedy scripts. Her fiction has been published in the US, Australia, Brazil, Denmark and Norway, and translated into several languages. She delights in writing heartwarming romance, and is excited to have recently released a Halloween love story, The Ghost Next Door. Book 5 in her Holiday Brides Series, Baby, Be Mine, is now out on Kindle and available in print at different outlets.

MY REVIEW

Real Romance by Ginny Baird

 Love that this is a Thanksgiving love story. This is one holiday I find gets lost with the larger than life Christmas right on the doorstep. Maggie McCloud runs the bookstore and is friendly with others that work there. Cecil runs the coffee shop part and they have been an item for 5 years now. She's getting the signal that she needs to hitch up with someone soon and produce children and get on with her life but Cecil is not one to hurry. He's got his own agenda. David Lake, the optician in the strip of stores in the mall has helped her get a new pair of frames. He attempts to get Cecil's help with learning what it is woman want... Maggie gets a letter from Cecil and now she's single again and takes things slow with David and they do have some common connections. I found the Thanksgiving dinner at her house a bit comical with her family around them. Loved the area-snow and foliage and just fun free things to do. Hot steamy romance and sex scenes just add to this book. Like how they each have fantasies about the other... Excerpt from the next book is included at the end along with a note from the author. I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Purchase Links

Amazon (Kindle/print)

   Barnes and Noble (NOOK/print)

Apple iTunes (iBook)   Kobo (ePub)

ARe (ePub, HTML, PDF)

Create Space (print)

Smashwords (multi-format)

Enter below to win an ebook of Real Romance

https://www.facebook.com/GinnyBairdRomance/app_228910107186452

 lOOK FOR THIS NEW RELEASE:

Ginny has two ongoing novella series, The Holiday Brides Series (holiday romance) and The Summer Grooms Series (summer romance), as well as additional single titles available. Her two latest releases are THE GHOST NEXT DOOR (A LOVE STORY) and BABY, BE MINE (Holiday Brides Series, Book 5).
BABY, BE MINE
A sweet, romantic comedy novella.
When love is on the line...
Nobody else will do!
Now at Amazon, B&N and CS in paperback!
Coming in ebook everywhere January 22, 2014.

Read the first Chapter.

Enter Goodreads Giveaway by December 1st to win signed copy!

SERENADES Cover Reveal / ARC Giveaway by Nikki Duncan

 SERENADES Cover Reveal / ARC Giveaway  by Nikki Duncan

Coming Nov 26

With passion this hot, it’ll be anything but a silent night.
Whispering Cove, Book 9
Aimee Smith found a home and friends in Whispering Cove. During the Fall Festival she found no-strings fun in the arms of her favorite country singer. Then her fling left town—and she discovered how much of himself he left behind.
Josh Bryan loved life on the road—until one Whispering Cove waitress ruined it. Not that he’s complaining. Before her, there were willing women at every stop, but none stayed in his mind, under his skin, or left him wanting a second taste. Not like her.

Book is also a standalone. 

Book review and giveaway: Maddie's Choice by Joyce Zeller.

 Maddie's Choice by Joyce Zeller.

Maddie's Choice Book Summary:

Romance writer Maddie Taylor is fed up with New York City. She is getting nowhere with her latest manuscript and does not believe true love exists outside of her imagination. When a friend, Jonah Spartman, dies and wills her half of his Arkansas cattle ranch, she sees the chance for a new beginning. Jonah has also left behind two orphaned great-grandsons desperate for affection and an accounting book in the red.

The other half of the failing ranch belongs to Gideon Spartman, Jonah’s grandson, who believes all capacity for love was torn from him during his tour of duty in Afghanistan. Rugged and sexy, Gideon is the enthralling physical manifestation of the hero in Maddie’s current manuscript. He is far from happy to be sharing an inheritance that is rightfully his. As she senses the need behind Gideon’s rough and unwelcoming exterior, Maddie acknowledges her own yearning for love and family.

Jonah’s will requires Maddie to stay on the ranch for three months. When that time is up, will she return to her comfortable but emotionally barren existence or embrace the challenges of her new life, which include cattle rustlers and drug dealers? Maddie’s choice proves to be far from simple.

EXCERPT

Glancing up, he saw Maddie and Abe approaching at a near run. The urgency in her step, and that look on her face—a mix of worry and fear, like she expected trouble—alerted him.

He got the picture. Blabbermouth Mark was telling him something he wasn’t supposed to know until she got here to explain, because she didn’t think he’d approve. She was playing him. She was going to try to talk him into doing something she was sure he didn’t want to do. Damn. He was going to enjoy this, but it nettled him a little. Her opinion of him was pretty low if she thought he’d object to a birthday party for Abe. And why the hell should he care what she thought?

Because you want her, stupid. But to get her, she has to return the want. For sure, giving her a hard time isn’t going to get you anywhere.

Eyebrow raised, head cocked to one side, he watched through narrowed eyes as she slowed her pace to a saunter and replaced her worried look with a casual smile.

“Why, Gideon. What a nice surprise to find you here,” she said.

He stared without commenting, liking the little flicker of doubt in her expression.

“But Maddie,” Mark said, “you knew he was here. Remember we saw Uncle Gid’s truck outside?”

She glanced at Mark, clearly exasperated, not saying what Gideon knew was on the tip of her tongue.

Abe said it for her. “Shut up, Mark.”

Sighing, she gave Gideon a falsely sweet smile and fluttered her eyelashes. “I see that Mark told you about Abe’s birthday party.”

“What about it?” He wanted to laugh. He barely managed a glare.

She gazed at him, trying to hide her unease at his response. “Well, it was the funniest thing,” she said, brimming with false enthusiasm, waiting for him to smile in return.

Eyes narrowed, he studied her. His silence was making her fidget.

Damn, she had a beautiful mouth—that lower lip distended softly in a coaxing pout. He imagined taking it between his own lips and pulling on it gently. She’d taste as sweet as strawberries warmed by the sun. Her voice faded. He was lost in a sensual haze that would have him agreeing to anything as long as he could taste that mouth.

“Doris Potter and Genevra Wilson are going to do most of the planning, but I worry about where we’re going to put all those people. Is there some way we can set up tables?”

All those people? Tables? He tried to remember what she’d said, but he hadn’t heard a word. Alarmed, he demanded, “How many people have you invited?”

“Uh, well, I guess most of the town. Genevra said the Spartman barbecue was an annual tradition, perfect for Abe’s birthday party. It’s two weeks from today, but all we have to do is supply beer and sodas and the barbecued beef,” she said.

He stared at her, aghast. “Hell, Maddie, we can’t do this. There could be two hundred people here. Do you know what that would cost? We can’t afford a party like that right now. We’re low on cash this time of the year.”

Her hand was on his arm, patting it soothingly. Sparks of electricity shot along his flesh, clear to his brain, took an awesome bounce and shot toward his groin.

“I’ll pay for it, Gideon. The party is my idea, and I can easily afford it. It’s the least I can do. After all, we’re partners, aren’t we?”

Easily afford it? Irritated because he suspected, vaguely, that his manhood might have been insulted, he geared up to retaliate, but then he caught the cruelly disappointed expression on Abe’s face and changed course. If she wanted to pay for it, why not? How much money did she make, anyhow?

He’d almost accepted the idea when reality hit him. He couldn’t host a party for the whole town. He didn’t know shit about parties or where to begin. He’d make a damn fool of himself. Ask him to kill a man with his bare hands, lead a strike force, or take out a target with a rifle at a thousand yards—yeah, he could do that—but throw a party with the whole town looking on? God, no.

MY REVIEW

I wanted to read this book after reading the synopsis. Sounded like a book that would explain about how a cattle ranch runs, something I'll probably never see in my lifetime.
The story starts out with Maddie and how she lives in a condo in NYC. She had once traveled and at a diner sat and talked to Jonah and they kept in contact with one another over the years. Next thing she knows she's a published writer and things are not going so well in the boyfriend department.
She gets a letter from a lawyer that Jonah has left her half his ranch. She goes to Arkansas and stays for some time til her condo is refurbished. She finds the boys, Abe and Mark and their Uncle Gideon who's now back home from the war with PTSD.
She is able to cross paths with Gideon and she stays out of his way while writing in her new novel. She learns of the boys birthday, 16th and wants to throw him a bash and before she knows it the whole will come to celebrate. She has a gift for him that he's been wanting.
Besides the work on the ranch I was able to learn about the new project Jonah was experimenting with. This is amazing because my father was hired to feed the steers here in town due to this new experiment. Liked learning about the cows and their significance.
Things start going bad, rustlers stealing cattle and a bad gang might be connected. Action really heats up when some forces join. Hot steamy sex scenes. This is a great story on many different counts.
Love how she is so strong she is able to pick up where Jonah left off-his dreams of the ranch.
I received this book from Tribute Books in exchange for my honest review.

AUTHOR Joyce Zeller

Joyce Zeller's Bio:

Joyce Zeller has written articles for a magazine and a cooking column for a chain of suburban newspapers north of Chicago. She has written five books and published two, The Hidden History of Eureka Springs, and Accidental Alien, a work of science fiction, both available on Amazon. Her short story, “Love is a Seed,” is featured in Embrace: A Romance Collection, (2012 Goldmine Press). Joyce has served in the United States Army. As a professional perfumer (School of Perfumery, London, England) and an aroma-therapist, she made custom fragrances in her store. Her creation, Mountain Air, was declared the Arkansas Sesquicentennial Fragrance in 1965. Her latest achievement was getting elected as Alderman to the Eureka Springs City Council. Maddie’s Choice is a romance with her favorite theme, that being human is a lonely business, but for everyone there is somebody to love. It’s a matter of finding them. There will always be kids and animals in her books, and always, humor, “because life without humor is unthinkable.”

Joyce Zeller's Web Site:
http://joycezeller.com/

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Pages: 274
Publisher: Camel Press
Release: September 1, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-60381-959-6

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