Wednesday, August 5, 2015

With a Dreamboat in a Hammock by Marcia Lynn McClure


Excerpt:

“Sir, I am so sorry,” Valynn started to apologize as her intestines began to twist themselves into knots of anxiety. “I had no idea who you were. I thought you…well, that you were here to lock up the building or something. I don’t even know what I thought really…but I didn’t think you were, you know, you.”

Valynn found herself uncharacteristically breathless as he smiled down at her and said, “It’s fine. Valynn? Is that right?”

“Yeah,” she managed to answer.

“It’s good to finally meet you,” he said. “And your work is…” He shook his head with admiration. “Your work really is the best I’ve ever seen.”

“Th-thank you! Wow, that means more than you can imagine…coming from you.” she stammered...

Instantly Valynn realized that she’d never really seen a photograph of the well-known photographer and entrepreneur. His work was so popular, as well as artistic, that she’d never paused to wonder what the man behind the camera looked like. But if she had taken a moment to wonder, she never, ever, ever would’ve imagined he was six foot three-ish, with gorgeous raven black hair, eyes that looked like two sapphires had been placed in them, the firmest, squarest, most perfectly shaped chin and jaw she’d ever seen on a man, and an overall appearance of just plain sigh-inducing hotness!

My Review: 3.5 Stars

Valynn loves photography and restoring old photographs. When an opening presents itself to join Wolfe Photography doing the very thing she loves, she jumps at the opportunity. She was not expecting the owner Jensen Wolfe to be so young or so good looking! She is definitely going to enjoy her work and the scenery while there! ;) 

When Jensen first lays eyes on Valynn he was hooked. Seeing her little victory dance after restoring an Edwardian bride had a lot to do with it but he can't help but think how adorable, funny and passionate she is about her work. They were both goners from the very beginning. ;) Their courtship was cute and drama free.

While this book was cute and I enjoyed it, it seemed to lack some of the Marcia trademarks that I fell in love with. I can't explain exactly what was missing but just that something was. But if you are looking for a quick, drama free, cute, fluff read then this is definitely a good choice to curl up with! :) 

And yes... I did casting for this one too! Aren't they cute?! ;)


 

The Professional Bride by Lucy McConnell


Synopsis:

Amber Appleby is not the blushing bride. She makes a career out of being a wife—a business wife that is. After signing divorce papers with her third husband, Amber’s looking forward to a few months in a tropical location when Pamela calls her into the office to ask a favor. Pamela explains that her life-long friend has passed away leaving a world-class ski resort and extensive financial holdings to his grandson, Rym, with the stipulation that he marry a BMB bride to coach him through his first year as a billionaire. Amber’s up for the assignment but Rym turns out to be a maverick—and a gorgeous one at that. Amber’s skills as a life coach are tested at every turn right along with her heart. Faced with a law suit that could wipe out the resort Rym’s grandpa built from scratch, Amber has to decide if she’ll protect her marriage or the thing Rym loves most. Marriage was much simpler when love wasn’t involved.

My Review: 4 Stars

Rym has been estranged from his grandfather for years. When he receives a phone call telling him that he must head to his grandfather's house right away he has no idea that his life is about to change. When he gets there he finds his grandfather on his deathbed and learns that he is the sole heir to his grandfather's estate and ski resort. Of course there is one stipulation that he must abide by in order to inherit.. he has to get married. But not to just any bride... a bride from BMB... a bride that his grandfather has hand picked for him. To say Rym is a bit irked is an understatement. But he will do anything to keep the ski resort in the family and running the way his grandfather did. He is definitely stubborn in the beginning but once he opens his eyes he sees exactly what he has been looking for and needing in his life.

Amber has just signed the divorce papers for her 3rd marriage and is looking forward to a tropical getaway. But before she can walk out of BMB she is called into Pamela's office and is told she has another marriage already lined up for her. There will be no getaway. She is heading to cold, snowy Park City, UT. She definitely does not like the cold but she loves her job and with this marriage she will be one step closer to her goal. Little does she know that this marriage will be different than any of her other marriages. She was definitely friends with her other husbands but with Rym... well... let's just say the heart wants what the heart wants. ;) And when a decision needs to be made and Rym isn't around to make it she will do anything she can to make sure Rym keeps the ski resort that he loves... even if that means sacrificing what she has been looking for and needing in her life.

I really enjoy this series! Each story has been fun and I find myself always looking forward to the next book to be released. Lucy McConnell definitely knows how to grab me and suck me into her books. I love it! Definitely an auto buy author for me! :)

And of course I can't forget my Amber and Rym! I have Lucy to thank for my hero choice. Once the seed was planted it stuck and I was definitely NOT complaining... ;) Hehe.