Sugar Rush by Rachel Astor

Synopsis:

There’s nothing quite like your first bite.

Dulcie Carter has been running her family’s homemade sweet shop, Candy Land Confections, on her own since her mom passed away. But business is slow and rent is high, so Dulcie knows if she wants to keep her mom’s dream alive, she’ll need a miracle. Winning the annual Assembly of Chocolatiers competition will change everything, if only she can overcome her fears and bring herself to create something new for the first time in a long time.

Then she meets Nick, a molten-hot guy with a sexy smirk and chocolate brown eyes. The attraction is stronger than any sugar rush—until she discovers he’s set to inherit his family’s big-box candy shop in town, which is her strongest competitor for first prize. Nick’s got his own reasons for needing the win, but then being around Dulcie is proving addictive.

As the competition heats up, so do the sparks between them. Can they keep their sights on winning, when love might be the sweetest prize of all?

My Review: 4 Stars

Dulcie has been running her family business, Candy Land Confections, by herself since her mom passed away. Times are tough and business is slowing down. She needs to do something before she loses everything. The Master Chocolatier competition with the $50,000 prize is just what she is needing. But the last time she entered it was a disaster and she is NOT looking forward to going back. Between the business, school and competition she has no time to waste on love. But that doesn't stop her best friend, Lila, or her Grams from harassing her about her non-existent love life.

While out with Lila one night she meets Nick. Things seem to be going pretty good until they find out that they are mortal enemies. You see Nick's family owns the competition... How Sweet It Is. Nick isn't the nicest guy when he's trying to get far away from Dulcie. And of course once he's away he just can't stop thinking about her. There is just something that intrigues him and he does his best to make it up to her.

While both Nick's father and Dulcie's Grams tells them to stay away from the other, they just can't seem to do it. You know what they say... when someone tells you NOT to do something... it makes you want to do it even more. The beginning of their relationship is lots of sneaking away and stolen moments.

Amongst the romance there is sabotage, personal growth, new friendships and relationships. Sugar Rush was definitely a cute, quick, fun read. If you are looking for something that you can read in one sitting then this is definitely a book to consider. This was my first Rachel Astor book and I will definitely be looking into more of her books. :)

And yes... even though this was a novella I was still able to come up with my casting choices... ;)

 

The Organized Bride by Lucy McConnell

Synopsis:

Early on, Pamela Jones realized she had an unusual talent for putting two people together. Over the years, she's turned it into a successful matchmaking service for the ultra-wealthy: Billionaire Marriage Brokers. While she specializes in "business" marriages--paring people off because of their skills, education, or training--she can spot a potential love match a mile away. When Pamela has a "good feeling" about a bride and groom a business marriage can become so much more.

MaKayla thought taking a job as an event planner for a high-end hotel would be a wonderful lead into opening her own events business. However, a one year no-contact clause leaves her clientless if she quits. With nowhere to go, she is intrigued with Pamela's offer for a one-year contract running charities and overseeing contributions--until she finds out that to take her dream job, she also has to take Gabe...for better or worse.

My Review: 4 Stars

Book 2 in the Billionaire Marriage Broker series! While I absolutely LOVED the first book... The Academic Bride... this one was good for me. I enjoyed it but not as much as the first one.

MaKayla enjoys being a party planner and loves all the little details that go into planning the perfect event. Her dream is to own her own business but the way things are going for her in the job she is currently in it does not look promising. When Pamela stops by the hotel after one of MaKayla's events to discuss the chance of a lifetime she is scared to make the plunge but does it anyway.

Gabe's ex-girlfriend really did a number on him and all of his charity events. She was all about the money and spend, spend, spend. So by the time they break up he has absolutely no faith in women. When he meets Pamela and is able to explain all that he has been through she is able to present the perfect solution. Yep... that's right! Marriage! ;)

MaKayla and Gabe are very cute together. They fit each other perfectly. However, their life together doesn't start out being the greatest. There are misunderstandings and stubbornness but in the end they are determined to succeed. They both have to find just the right balance to make everything work.. they have to learn how to communicate and just be who the other person needs. I really enjoyed the little things that Gabe would do for MaKayla. And I just have to say that it really is refreshing to see the Alpha male role portrayed in a good, clean romance book. I love it! :)

The only thing that would have made it better was an epilogue! I have said it over and over again... I don't like to be left hanging. Books that just end make me sad! I like to have closure! I guess what they say is true... when a book is good... you just want MORE!! ;)

Lucy McConnell has become and auto buy author for me. Can't wait to read what she has planned for us next! :)

And yes... I do have casting for this book! Admit it... it's one of the reasons you read my blog posts... am I right?! ;) Hehe.

 

*Cover Reveal* Love Under Construction by Danyelle Ferguson

They say that love and business don’t mix . . . 

Charlee is angry...

What do you do when your boss makes someone else the lead on a big renovation project that should rightfully be yours? You quit. On second thought, that might not be the best idea, but Charlee Jackson has never been one for second thoughts. Instead, she lands a big contract of her own. She’s jumping into her new life—work boots, tool belt and all. Now she just needs to form a company and hire contractors and buy supplies and get an office and not fall in love with her former boss's son. Yeah. Definitely not that last one.

Peter is torn...

You can’t date someone who works for you, but now that his dad let Charlee walk out the door, Peter Elliot is considering his options. Charlee was their top renovation expert, his best friend’s sister, and the only thing that made the drudgery of running a large construction business bearable. But how do you date a competitor, especially one your father is trying to drive out of business? It would be stupid to make your dad angry right before he retires and hands the company over to you. Right?

When Charlee and Peter are scheduled to work on the same Indulgence Row house, their feelings and priorities are put to the test. They need to make a choice, and they better be quick about it, because the whole mixture is curing fast and threatening to crumble to pieces.

LOVE UNDER CONSTRUCTION

by Danyelle Ferguson

Published by Wonderstruck Books

Coming Sept. 8th, 2015

Other books in the series: Sweet Confections

About the Author

Danyelle Ferguson discovered her love for the written word in elementary school. Her first article was published when she was in 6th grade. Since then, she’s won several awards and has been published world-wide in newspapers, magazines and books. She’s grateful every day to work in her dream jobs – author, editor, and nurturing her readaholic tendencies.

She grew up surrounded by Pennsylvania’s beautiful Allegheny Mountains. Then lived for ten years among the majestic Wasatch Mountains. She is currently experiencing mountain-withdrawal while living in Kansas with her husband and four angels-in-training. She enjoys reading, writing, dancing & singing in the kitchen, and the occasional long bubble bath to relax from the everyday stress of being “Mommy.”

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Blog

Share the Love Giveaway!

Share the Love Under Construction cover on your social media and be entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash, plus a Sweet Confections ebook by Danyelle Ferguson. There are several different ways to enter - and none are "mandatory." Choose your favorites, share & like away, and cross your fingers to win the prize. The giveaway is open internationally and ends at midnight (CT) on Thursday, May 7th. Good luck & thank you!

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Art & Soul by Brittany C. Cherry

Synopsis:

I had always been the invisible art student in high school. Passed by. Glossed over. Unnoticed. Now I was Aria Watson… that girl.

After one bad decision, and being labeled a slut, I was no longer unseen. I was the whore. The ignoramus. The tramp. I would never be invisible again.

Particularly to Levi Myers. He was the odd boy with the beautiful soul who accepted and understood the broken girl inside me.

Falling in love wasn’t the plan. But how could I resist his promises of hope? Of forgiveness? Of a future I had stopped dreaming of? We were shattered. We were scarred. We were something strange and beautiful.

We were two lost souls holding on to the only thing that could keep us together.

Each other.

My Review: 4 Stars

Aria and Levi are both broken in their own ways. They each have things that they are going through. Each trying to make the best of a bad situation. Neither of them feel like they have anyone to turn to... anyone who will understand.. anyone who will just be there for them. That is until they realize that they can be that for each other.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is from Aria's point of view and I just had to share it because it pretty much sums everything up! :)

"Maybe it wasn't about fixing the broken hearts. Maybe it was about loving the broken pieces the way they were. Maybe when someone you loved was hurting, all they needed was someone to hold their pinkie as a reminder that they weren't alone."

While I absolutely LOVED Art & Soul there were just some things that stopped me from giving the full 5 stars that I wanted to give! There were just a few too many crude one liners that I didn't care for and way too many F-bombs and other curse words for my liking. If there was an edited version of this book I would be recommending it to ALL my friends! But alas... there are just a few I can recommend this one too. :(

But I am glad that I decided to just push through and read the book despite the things that I did not like. It really was an amazing book! It really makes you think about life and what you see on the outside isn't always what's on the inside. Just because someone looks happy, doesn't mean they are. Just because someone looks strong, doesn't mean they are. Just because someone's life seems perfect, doesn't mean it is. We all have struggles, we all have moments of despair, we all feel unloved and unwanted at times. It really makes you think about life and how we never know what another person is going through. We should all treat each other with kindness... with unconditional love... with respect. You just never know when your actions... your smile... your love will be just what someone is needing in that point in time. <3

Getting Her Groom by Heather Tullis

Synopsis:

Angela Chestnut can’t wait to move to New York City to fulfill her dream on the stages of Broadway, but first she has to finish her last year of college. When a couple of the student stages are damaged in a flood, she moves the show she has to direct to a local community center in the hopes of raising enough funds that they’ll be able to keep their doors open. But someone wants The Center to fail, and if that means Angela’s show, and her final grade, have to fail as well, they’re totally okay with that.

Alex Checketts has had an unhealthy interest (in his opinion) in Angela, who is twelve years younger than himself, since they met at her sister’s place the previous summer. He finds himself roped into accompanying the musical she’s written for her project and gets caught up in the mystery behind who is trying to shut down the community center. His attraction to Angela only grows as they spend more time together and her interest in him isn’t helping his resolve not to date her.

Whether they’ll be able to make it work after she moved to New York worries them both. But first they have to survive to put on Angela’s show and save The Center.

My Review: 3 Stars

After 6 books our dear Alex gets his book! I was wondering if this would happen or if he would just be left hanging. I am glad that he got his HEA!

Angela is a lot younger than Alex but has had her eye on him since she spent the summer with Jonquil. Even though he ran out on their date she just can't get him out of her mind. Alex of course is stubborn because he sees Angela as being "too young" for him and refuses to turn into his father when it comes to women. He refuses to let himself fall for Angela but like all the other guys in this series.. he is a goner when it comes to the women. ;)

While I liked Getting Her Groom, I felt a little let down. There wasn't as much romance as the other books and Alex was stubborn for a lot of the book. I also didn't feel like there was much chemistry between Alex and Angela. While the mystery was pretty predictable again, it seemed to be one of the main focuses of the book. The other was Angela and Alex growing as individuals. It's kinda like their relationship was a side note while they worked more on themselves. And I have to say... I did not like the ending much. After 6 books it would have been nice to actually have an epilogue with where everyone was at after X amount of years. But this one? It just ended. And for those of you that know me... that is one of my biggest pet peeves. I need more... I need closure! Lol.

All in all it was a good series and I would read it again if I was in the mood. :) Heather Tullis has become one of my go to authors. Can't wait to read more of her books. :)

The Last Bride by Heather Tullis

Synopsis:

When Gage learned that George DiCarlo thought he would make a great match for his youngest daughter, Gage was not interested. Not even if she was beautiful, talented, kicked butt on hiking trails and could challenge even his love of skiing. When Jonquil's learns about it a year later, her reaction is exactly the opposite. After watching the rest of her sisters fall in love with the men her father hoped they would connect with, she is curious about the one he had planned for her. But Gage is not making it easy and plenty of problems stand between them-her half-sister, Angela, from her family back in Philadelphia seems determined to keep her on her toes and threats against Gage's family keep them guessing all the way.

My Review: 4 Stars

Finally we get Jonquil's story! Unlike all her other sisters she was very open to the idea of who her father has chosen for her. Gage on the other hand is the complete opposite! He does NOT want to have anything to do with Jonquil and does his best to avoid it at all costs! Stubborn man! Doesn't he know that it was inevitable that they would end up together?! ;)

Jonquil is an observer. She likes to sit back and watch people. She is very perceptive to all things going on around her and she doesn't miss much. She sees the kind of man that Gage is and she knows that he will do anything and everything for the people that he loves... whether they be family or friends. She also sees that he puts the needs of everyone else in front of his own. He takes care of them before he takes care of himself. When tragedy strikes she is right there at his side... doing for him what he does for everyone else.

Gage has a hard time figuring out what in the world he wants. He enjoys spending time with Jonquil and she bring happiness into his life. But no matter how much he likes having her around he is still stubborn when it comes to the wishes of her father. The more time they spend together, the more he starts to change his mind. Can his heart talk his mind into marrying Jonquil?

As for the mystery part of the book, like a few of the others in this series, it was kinda predictable. I knew early on who was in on everything and why.. but I didn't mind. I still enjoyed the book and felt like it was a good addition to the series.

I'm glad that I stumbled upon the DiCarlo Brides series. They were sweet, swoony reads that fit my moods when I was in a funk. I look forward to reading them again! :)