Swoon Worthy Spotlights #6

Welcome to Swoon Worthy Spotlights hosted by Bookworm Nation, Katie's Clean Book Collection and KJ's Book Nook! Once a month we will feature 1-3 of our favorite books that we have read during the month. We will share the cover(s), our review(s) and a link to each other's post so you can check out which books we have all chosen!

For this month's Swoon Worthy Spotlights I am going to choose...

Sweet Regrets by Jennifer Peel

Sweet Dreams By Stacy Claflin

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And don't for get to check Kathy's post here and Katie's post here!

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Do you have a blog and want to join us for Swoon Worthy Spotlights? Then grab the picture and post with us! We will be posting on the last day of each month. Make sure you share your link with us so we can check out your favorite authors as well!

Happy reading my fellow bookworms!

Sweet Dreams by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:

Ever since her twin became a singing sensation, Sky Hampton has struggled to be appreciated for who she is—apart from her sister. She wards off Aspen’s fans, who beg for autographs and selfies everywhere Sky goes. She can’t even find a guy who likes her for her. Sky flees to the small coastal town of Indigo Bay in hopes of blending in and building her blossoming career.

Jace Fisher is the textbook definition of the strong silent type—nobody can break through his tough exterior. He has suffered more than his fair share of tragedies, and to protect his shattered heart, he pushes everyone away. Jace spends his days fixing the Indigo Bay cottages, and his nights… nobody really knows. He keeps to himself.

When Jace shows up to fix Sky’s AC, he barely notices her and she’s distracted with settling in. It takes an emergency situation to get them talking, and when they do, the two find they have more in common than first appeared. As their attraction grows, defenses soar. Will they be able to risk love when they’ve both been burned in the past?

My review: 4 Stars

Sky Hampton is tired of living in her sister's shadow. In need of a fresh start, she heads to Indigo Bay in hopes of finding some place to settle down and continue building her career. 

Jace Fisher has been hurt one too many times. In order to keep his heart safe, he does his best to keep to himself. He can't handle any more heartache. 

When Sky and Jace first meet, they are too distracted with what's going on to really see each other. But when an emergency strikes, they can't help but notice each other. The more time they spend together, the more they want to see where everything will lead. 

But with past hurts at the forefront of their minds, they are both afraid to get too close to the other. Will they be able to let go and open up in order to get their own HEA? Or will misunderstandings and drama keep them apart? 

I really enjoyed Sweet Dreams! What a great start to a fun, new series! I am really looking forward to reading the other books! 

Stacy Claflin is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine! I have really enjoyed all the books I have read so far and can't wait to read more by her! :)

And of course no review of mine would be complete without my casting. What do you think?!

Bayside Wishes by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:
She’s guarding a family secret. He’s investigating a murder. Will a second homecoming lead to true love?

Freya Hunter is living the fabulous life. The west-coast girl rakes it in as a fashion model in New York City, but everything changes after she returns home for a quick visit.

The reunion with friends and family in Enchantment Bay is sweet, especially when she hits it off with Nico Valentin, a ruggedly handsome police sergeant. As Nico investigates the death, Freya learns a family secret big enough to turn her world upside down.

Freya is torn between her new life and her hometown — the life she loves vs. the brother who needs her and the sergeant who wants her. When her decision doesn’t go nearly as well as she planned, she wonders if she can help her brother and keep her growing feelings for Nico at bay before they consume her.

My Review: 4 Stars

Freya has been doing what she loves most... modeling. She has worked hard to get where she is and she loves it. Or at least she thought she did. But an unexpected trip home, a chance encounter with a gorgeous stranger and an incident at a photo shoot has her second guessing what she wants to do with her life and where she wants to be. How long will she last in the Big Apple when her heart is back in Enchantment Bay with Nico?

Nico has moved from the Big Apple to Enchantment Bay to take a Sergeant's position. He is one of the youngest police officers to be promoted to this position so he definitely has a lot to prove. When he loses one of his guys in a drug bust gone bad, he will do anything and everything he can to catch the killer. But the more he gets to know Freya, the more he has himself questioning just how much he's willing to sacrifice for his job. 

Freya and Nico definitely had an instant and strong connection. They didn't let the long distance bother them. Instead they chose to get to know one another better. When Freya finally moves back to Enchantment Bay, they have a few hiccups in their relationship but are able to overcome them to grow stronger and closer together. I loved that their relationship started out as friends and grew into more. There were definitely some swoony moments between those two. *dreamy sigh*

While I enjoyed this book, there were some things that had me rolling my eyes and just were not believable. I do not know anyone who would let a psycho chick into their home, assult the guests, destroy valuable property and NOT be arrested on the spot.. especially when there are 2 police officers and 1 lawyer present. It just wouldn't happen. Other than that the story was a cute, quick, fun read. I am definitely looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

And for my casting... this one was fun to find. What do you think?

Content: Scenes with drinking, drugs, mild violence and eating disorders. No language that I remember but there are some strong name calling by the psycho ex-girlfriend. 

Seaside Christmas by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:

He can’t stand her. She thinks he’s crazy. Will their feelings stay etched in permanent ink?

Cruz Hunter has always stuck out in his small hometown. Now that he’s covered in tattoos, the residents peg him as even more of an outcast. It seems like the whole world is against his dream of opening a local tattoo parlor.

When he finally finds the perfect place for his new business, Cruz discovers a pastor and his daughter have already bought it. The only thing more irritating than the change in his plan is Talia, a beautiful and feisty argument in a dress. Cruz would like nothing more than to have her out of his life and his mind, but for some reason, she’s the only thing he can think about.

If Cruz and Talia can stop arguing long enough, opposites may do much more than attract.

My Review: 4 Stars

Cruz has always been the outcast in his small town of Kittle Falls. People have always been quick to judge him because of what he looks like on the outside. His dream has always been to open a tattoo parlor but when he approaches the town council they give him the run around. They see him as a trouble maker who will only bring shame and seedy characters to their small tourist town. But he is determined to make his dream come true and he refuses to give up. Just when he thinks they are finally okay with his shop he is duped and lied to by them. The building that he has chosen has been sold out from underneath him to a pastor and his daughter. How will he ever make his dream come true if everyone refuses to see past his exterior and see him for who he really is?

Talia and her father Allen move to the small town of Kittle Falls in search of a fresh start after her mother's sudden death. Her father is ready to make the move from assistant pastor to head pastor and has found the perfect building. It is in need of a lot of work but they are up for the challenge. Little did they know that part of that challenge would include the hurt and angry Cruz. They had no idea that the building had been promised to him before they purchased it. How can they get him to understand that they had nothing to do with what the council has done? 

Allen is very understanding and reaches out to help Cruz in any way he can. But Talia isn't as trusting as her father is at first. She too was guilty of judging Cruz by his outer appearance. But when he's willing to help them do whatever he can, including halting the progress on his own shop, to open up their church as soon as possible she's quick to right her wrong. She slowly starts seeing the real Cruz and is drawn to him even more. But can two people from different walks of life really make a relationship work? Outside forces and insecurities will work double time to keep them apart but when it's meant to be, nothing and no one will stand in their way. 

I have really enjoyed this series. It was a fun getaway and along the way I discovered a new author to add to my list! I have to admit I was sad to see this series just end. I would have loved an epilogue of some kind tying everything together and wrapping up all the lose ends. It would have been perfect! I am definitely looking forward to reading the next series... The Bayside Hunters! :) 

And of course I cannot forget my casting! I am a bit in love with these two... ;) What do you think?! 

Seaside Dances by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:

Dream big. Dance often. Love completely.

Zachary Hunter is no stranger to rejection. After multiple failed efforts to get his novel published in New York, he's counting on a trip home to turn his luck around.

Jasmine Blackwell has big dreams. She hopes her internship as a dance instructor in Kittle Falls will be the stepping stone she needs to achieve her lifelong goals.

After a chance meeting, neither Zachary nor Jasmine can deny their attraction. They fear their aspirations are too big to let a relationship tie them down. Can they have both love and the careers of their dreams?

My Review: 4 Stars

After living in New York for a few years, Zachary feels like he has been chewed up and spit out. His writing career didn't take off like he had hoped, he lost his job at the local newspaper when it closed down and his ex-girlfriend is one of the biggest jerks around. He is in desperate need of a fresh start and decides the best option would be to move back home to Kittle Falls. But with rejection after rejection, he has no clue how to move past it to get himself back on track. Finding love was the furthest thing on Zachary's mind. In fact, after his last relationship, he has sworn off women for good.

Jasmine had one of the worst childhoods. Growing up with alcoholic parents, never having money and having nothing but negativity around her, Jasmine's life could have turned out a whole lot different than it did. She had decided long ago that she would be the one to break the cycle. She graduated high school, went to school to become a dance instructor and was on the verge of getting her certificate. All she needed to do was complete her internship in Kittle Falls and she will officially be an instructor. With so much to accomplish, she doesn't have time for love.

But a chance encounter with each other has both Zachary and Jasmine rethinking their stance on love. Jasmine is just what Zachary needs to face past hurts, inspire him to start his next book and help him take the biggest step in his career. And Zachary is just what Jasmine needs to prove that not all relationships are like the ones that she grew up around. True love, trust and loyalty can be found in relationships, you just need to have a little faith.

The Seaside Hunters is such a fun series! I really am enjoying it. Seaside Dances was definitely a good addition to this series. I really enjoyed Zachary and Jasmine's story. It was believable and I liked seeing the roles reversed a bit. Jasmine being the strong, bold one and Zachary being the shy, nerdy one. I was kind of worried about this working but I'm happy to announce that I was pleasantly surprised. The execution was really done well. I can't wait to read more by Stacy Claflin. She is definitely being added to my favorite authors list. :)

And of course we can't forget my casting... ;)

Seaside Heartbeats by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:

Sometimes love shows up when you least expect it.

After years of hard work, architect Lana Summers just wants a relaxing vacation in the beach town of Kittle Falls. Instead, she suffers unexpected heart problems, and finds herself in the office of a gorgeous cardiologist—who only makes her heart work harder.

Brayden Hunter left his successful cardiology practice in Dallas to be closer to his aging parents. Focused on building a health care clinic in his hometown, he doesn't want any distractions. However, the beautiful Lana is one he can’t seem to avoid.

As their attraction grows, they stumble upon a 160-year-old mystery. Brayden catches her adventurous spirit as they chase after answers, and he can’t help falling for her. But can he convince her to stay in the small beach town and with him?Sometimes love shows up when you least expect it.

My Review: 4 Stars

Lana has spent the last 9 years in school trying to get her architecture degree in record time. When her family decides to vacation for the summer in Kittle Falls after she graduates, she is more than ready for the break. She is definitely looking forward to the down time before she starts working at the same firm as her father. But after a trip to the emergency room where she discovers she has a heart condition, she decides it's time to get her priorities straight. Does she still want the same things that 18 year old Lana wanted or does she see her life heading in a different direction?

After his dad has a medical scare, Brayden decides that it's time to move back to Kittle Falls to be closer to his family. He'll work at the hospital that's 30 minutes outside of town until he can find enough doctors who are willing to help him open up a 24 hour Urgent Care clinic in Kittle Falls. With so much going on around Brayden it's causing him to step back and reevaluate his life. He knows that someday he would like to get married and have a family. But between working long hours at the hospital and working on getting the Urgent Care up and running, there is just no time for dating right now.

From the moment Lana and Brayden first laid eyes on each other they felt an instant connection. But dating is the furthest thing from both of their minds. After a couple of chance meetings they decide that maybe fate has something else in store for them.

I really liked Lana and Brayden's relationship. Yes, it was a little fast but when it's right, it's right! I also enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book. It was fun to see them figure out the 160 year old murder of their town's founder. Another plus for me was their families. I loved the closeness that they all shared. And little Ryland and Nolan were adorable! Such a fun age! :)

There were just two things that kind of bugged me. Lana's dad being one of them. The way he treated Lana when she told him she wasn't sure which direction she wanted her life to go in got on my nerves a bit. You're an adult for crying out loud! Act like one! I swear I wanted to Gibb's slap him a time or two. Haha. And Cruz.. what is up with the way he's talking?! At times he's normal but every once in awhile he would break out in "slang". I had a hard time believing that a man his age would be ending his sentences with "yo". I have noticed it in the 3 books I have read so far and I have to admit I am a bit nervous about his book. Not sure if I'll be able to handle the "dudes" and "yos". Lol. But other than that I really enjoyed the book. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series.

And my casting... *sigh* Love them! :)

Seaside Surprises by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:

Work hard. Play often. Love unconditionally.

Tiffany Saunders is on the run. When she winds up stranded in a seaside town, she wants nothing more than to forget her horrific past and kept moving. But a chance meeting with a handsome local changes everything.

Jake Hunter has some deep emotional scars and is trying to cope with running the family business. The last thing he wants is a relationship—until a mysterious brunette walks into his store and complicates it all.

Tiffany prefers to keep the painful memories of the past where they belong—in her rear view mirror. But dark secrets cannot stay hidden forever. Just as the walls around Tiffany’s heart start to come down, the past catches up with her. Will true love be able to conquer all?

My Review: 3.5 Stars

When Tiffany's husband becomes too abusive, she turns to her grandpa for help. Between him and his poker buddies they are able to get her a used car, new identity and money for her to escape and start fresh somewhere where her ex will never find her. She had been on the run for several days when she stumbles upon Kittle Falls. Exhausted and in need of sleep, she decides to stay for a night. While shopping for food she meets Jake. There is just something about him that draws her in. But she is hurt, broken and trusts no one. Will she ever be able to undo the damage her ex has done and open up to anyone again? 

Jake has spent years putting everyone else's needs in front of his own. Between taking care of his dying sister for two years and then having to take over this parents convenient store so they can mourn the loss of their daughter, he is beyond physically and mentally drained. He needs a break and he needs things to change like yesterday. When he meets the beautiful Tiffany for the first time, he starts realizing all the things he has been missing out on. 

Jake is definitely intrigued by Tiffany and will do anything and everything in his power to get to know her better. She is resistant at first but slowly realizes that Jake is one person that she'll never have to worry about hurting her. But is she willing to put his life in danger to see where things could lead between them? Or will she move on to the next town before she gets in too deep?

Seaside Surprises was a cute, quick read that I enjoyed. There were a couple things that bugged me while reading. There were a few inconsistencies here and there but the main one was his parents. Ugh! I get that they were stressed, I get that they had lost their daughter but hello! Jake lost her too! They were absolutely horrible to him for the majority of the book in my opinion. He is the one that put his life on hold to take care of all their needs. And they pay him back by treating him like the red-headed step child?! Nope! Not liking that at all! That storyline really left a bad taste in my mouth for his parents. Especially when they treated his other brothers (who were never around mind you) a lot better than they treated him. I really wish we could have seen them actually admitting they were in the wrong and see them make an effort in fixing their broken relationship. 

But I am not going to let them stop me from moving on to the next book in this series! I am looking forward to Brayden's story! :) 

And of course my review wouldn't be complete without a casting... ;) What do you think?!

Seaside Kisses by Stacy Claflin

Synopsis:

People change, but some feelings last forever.

Rafael Hunter never thought he’d return to Kittle Falls, but life gave him no other choice. Los Angeles chewed him up, spit him out, and sent him back to square one.

Amara Fowler has lived in the small beach town her entire life. She’s overcome her shyness to grow into the woman she always knew she could be, but she never forgot her secret crush. When the alluring Rafael returns, he can’t help but stir in her a whirlwind of old feelings.

They’ve both changed so much. Has life kept them incompatible or has it molded them into a matching set?

My Review: 4 Stars

Growing up Amara was bullied because she was overweight and "nerdy". She was called names, had gum thrown in her hair, tripped while she was walking down the halls and tortured in any way the bullies could think of. In spite of all that, she grew up into an amazing woman. After high school she made several changes to her outer appearance, gained the confidence she was lacking and finally turned into the woman that she always knew she could be. When her old high school crush returns to Kittle Falls she will finally have the chance to catch his eye. But will he give the new Amara a chance or will he only see her as Four-Eyes Fowler?

Rafael never thought that he would ever return home to Kittle Falls. But when his business crumbles, through no fault of his own, he is in need of a fresh start far away from bad decision making business partners and cheating ex-girlfriends. He has definitely sworn off women for good. But when he runs into Amara for the first time in years, he has a hard time staying away. He can't believe that he had overlooked such an amazing person in high school. But with someone trying to sabotage his new business, will he have a chance to see where things can lead with Amara? Or will outside forces tear them apart for good?

I loved the relationship between Amara and Rafael! They both had their insecurities but they were the perfect fit for each other. And I enjoyed all the side characters. I can't wait to get to know them better.

I really enjoyed Seaside Kisses! It was a cute, fun, quick read. My only complaint is the ending. I wanted just a little bit MORE! I was bummed when it ended! This is my first book by Stacy Claflin and I can say without a doubt that I will be picking up more books by her! Starting with book 1 in this series... ;) I am not sure why I started with book 4 but it just kept calling my name until I gave in and read it. And I was glad I did! :)

And this casting... *dreamy sigh* I love them!