Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Series. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 18, 2026

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Love Is Patient

 Good afternoon, readers.

We went after the end tables  yesterday, requiring pretty much an all day trip. When most everything you do is at least an hour in either direction, to take care of as many things as you can while you're out. Bob treated me to dinner at Big Whiskey's. We've never been before. I'm more a Chinese Buffet kind of girl, but something different now and then isn't a bad thing either.



LOVE IS PATIENT is Book 1 in the Prairie Promise trilogy by K. P. Dawson.

Here's a bit about the book:

Promise...

"In her heart, Kathryn knew this was the place she was meant to be. And she couldn’t wait to prove it to her father, herself, and anyone else who might doubt it."

All her life, Kathryn has known she didn't belong in the city where she was raised. So when she is offered a teaching position in the small, frontier town of Promise, in the Dakota Territory, she doesn't hesitate to accept. When she arrives, she knows she's found the place she belongs.

However, she is faced with many obstacles as she proves to her family, and herself, that she is cut out for life out here. The biggest problem she comes up against is in the form of a man who is determined to prove she won't make it until snowfall.

"Miss Kathryn Reeves wouldn’t be here come the winter.

He guaranteed it."

Colt Hammond has no desire to deal with another spoiled city girl who thinks living on the frontier will be a fun little adventure. He did that once, and he won't make that mistake ever again.

Just because she's living on his property, and teaching at the little schoolhouse where his children will be going, doesn't mean he has time to look after her until she's ready to admit defeat and head back home.

What neither of them counts on though, is how strong the promise of love can be between two people who are destined to be together.


This story had a lot of things to love. For starters, the story is very well written with little things you might not notice that make a big impact.

For instance, Katherine standing up to her father and following her heart. Not for a man but for a dream she's held since a very young age. That takes a lot of courage. Remember, this was a time when women were supposed to get married and raise a family, not buck the 'system' and do something on their own. 

Then there's the nuance of giving the reader a sense of place by giving a character we are all familiar with a walk on part. The man most of us know from our own literary and television childhood is only there for a paragraph, but that small part gives us a clear picture of the time and place Promise exits in the vast Dakota Territory in history. 

I'm going to be reading the remaining 2 books in the series, and I hope you'll click on the Amazon link to read them as well.
I'm giving Love Is Patient:


You can find out more about K. P. Dawson and her books by following any of the links below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   BOOK BUB   NEWSLETTER

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela


Tuesday, February 17, 2026

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - K. P. Dawson

 Good morning, readers!


This week I'm shining the spotlight on K. P. Dawson. She writes sweet contemporary romance, just my kind of stories. 

Here's a bit about, K. P.:

USA Today Bestselling Author, Kay P. Dawson writes sweet western romance - the kind that leaves out all of the juicy details and immerses you in a true, heartfelt love story. Growing up pretending she was Laura Ingalls, she’s always had a love for the old west and pioneer times. She believes in true love, and finding your happy ever after.

Happily married mom of two girls, Kay has always taught her children to follow their dreams. And, after a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 39, she realized it was time to take her own advice. She had always wanted to write a book, and she decided that the someday she was waiting for was now.

She writes western historical, contemporary and time travel romance that all transport the reader to a time or place where true love always finds a way.

Tomorrow, I'll be reviewing Book 1 in a 3-book Prairie Promise series.

In the mean time, please pop by her links below to learn more about this author.

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   BOOK BUB   NEWSLETTER

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~ Angela



Thursday, February 5, 2026

REVIEW WEDNESDAY (on Thursday) - Valentine Bride

 Good morning, readers!

Thank you for your patience yesterday.



BLURB:

Two unlikely matchmakers set the stage for love

Fynlee Dale returns to Holiday to take care of her wacky grandmother. Although it means giving up her dreams of a career and husband, she needs to be there for Grams.

Carson Ford vows to take care of his elderly aunt after buying her ranch. Comfortable with all aspects of his life, his world turns upside down when he meets a woman who's impossible to forget. 

They find themselves in the midst of a plot by two scheming old women determined to make them fall in love.

I don't know about you, but when I find an author whose books I thoroughly enjoy, I want to read them all. Normally, I wouldn't repeat an author in the same month (usually, not in the same year) but when I saw Valentine Bride, I knew I needed to kick off the 'season of love' books with this one my Shanna Hatfield.

Shanna has a unique way of giving us sexual tension through the character points of view when the couple aren't together. We feel their struggling with their independent feelings for the other, not just when they share the same air space. 

Along with great characters in Carson and Fenley, she also gives us quirky characters. I loved Aunt Ruthe and Grams Matilda in this book. I couldn't even dislike Hillary. Every character Shanna creates brings something to the table, not just items tossed out there. 

If you want a fun read for Valentine's Day then I highly recommend VALENTINE BRIDE by Shanna Hatfield. Valentine Bride is Book 1 in the Holiday Brides series and I'll be reading the rest of them.

I'm giving Valentine Bride:

You can get your copy by clicking the Amazon link below the cover image above. Also, check out all of Shanna Hatfield's links. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter!

WEBSITE   BLOG   FACEBOOK   X-TWITTER   GOODREADS   BOOK BUB

AUDIBLE   APPLE   B & N   PINTEREST

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~Angela





Tuesday, January 6, 2026

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Ruth Troyer

 Good morning, friends!

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. Was nice having Bob home, knowing he's home for good.

I'm stretching the holiday season just a week because I thought this was the perfect read to kick off 2026. I was looking for winter-themed books for January but I guess winter is synonymous with Christmas.

I have a six-book box set from author, Ruth Troyer. I'll be reviewing the first book in the collection tomorrow, then leave you to read the rest while you wait to see what is in store for next week.

There is no picture for Ruth Troyer but here's a bit about her:

Ruth has always loved writing and being able to publish her own stories has been like a dream come true.

Having always enjoyed reading about and watching programs and movies about the simple lives of the Amish, it seemed the perfect fit to bring those two things together. Writing stories about the Amish, their lives and their loves as they make their way through the world with God guiding them is such a joy. 

Ruth loves being able to share these stories with her readers and feels blessed that she has been given this opportunity.

Ruth is mum to adult children and 3 demanding cats. An avid gardener and crafter. She likes walking through the countryside, where she gets most of her inspiration and would rather be out in nature, amongst God’s creation than inside whatever the weather.

Ruth and I have a lot in common. While I'm not a total homebody (I get my wandering feet from my dad), I do focus on making our home a sustainable place. For example, I'm spending January as a CANUARY participant. I'll be canning and dehydrating lots of goodies while I wait for weather to shift just enough to let me get in the greenhouse.

I invite you to check out Ruth's links below. I'll be back tomorrow for my review of the first book in the collection, Love In A Christmas Storm.

FACEBOOK  GOODREADS

All my best!

~ Angela


Tuesday, November 18, 2025

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Nala Henkel-Aislinn

 Good morning, readers!

I'm shining the spotlight on Nala Henkel-Aislinn, today.


Let's get to know, Nala:

Nala Henkel-Aislinn fell hard for love stories and mysteries back in school, when she read her first Harlequin Romance and the entire Encyclopedia Brown series in a month. Now she writes warm, emotional happily ever afters and hilarious whodunits in cozy, quirky small town settings. She lives in the Pacific Northwest, where finding the perfect cinnamon bun is a legitimate life goal!

She is the author of the contemporary sweet romance series Cranberry Hill and the Maple Cove Dog Lovers' Society, as well as the Christmas-themed series, Magic at Snow Fox Lodge. Her cozy crime comedies are written in The Hitman's Daughter series.

I'll be reviewing her Christmas book, The Billionaire's Christmas Wish, which is Book 1 of 5 in the Snow Fox Lodge series.

You can find out more about Nala Henkel-Aislinn by following any of the links below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE


All my best!
~Angela


Wednesday, October 29, 2025

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Halloween With A Vampire

 Good morning, readers!

We have reached our final October read and this was a good one. Good enough that I want to read Book 2 of the Holiday Romance series. 



BLURB:

He’s a vampire haunted by his past. She’s a cursed black cat shifter. This Halloween, will love finally set these two tortured souls free from the shadows of their past?

Joe Evensen has never been a fan of Halloween. However, as the owner of Last Drop bar, each year he hosts a Halloween Bash for Crescent Creek. It’s a business decision, but it also serves as a distraction from the ghosts of his past who torment him while the veil between the living and the dead is thin. Joe doesn’t expect this Halloween to be any different, but it is. 

Ivy Pendle has been cursed since her eighteenth birthday. She’s spent years only allowed to walk in her human form on Halloween in search of her mate and never finding him. Doubting she ever will, she decides to spend her last Halloween allotted as a human enjoying herself instead of stressing about being stuck in her shifter form forever.

When the two meet by chance, there’s a spark of something between them. But is it simply a case of misery loving company, or something more?

I've never been one to read shape shifters but this one was really good... like high number of quills good. Wait, I won't get ahead of myself.

I loved Ivy. Took me a minute when she talked about her cat after she'd shifted to human she was talking about her 'inner' cat. See, I told you I was new to this shape-shifter thing. I really got in tune when Ivy went to the Last Drop bar and felt something for Joe. Ivy's inner cat was not shy about voicing an opinion on the hunky bar owner. 

I also loved how Ivy felt at home the minute she was behind the bar. Like she'd found not only her soulmate but a true home where she felt comfortable. I won't give any spoiler alerts but I suggest when you pick up Book 1, go ahead and check out Book 2, New Years With A Dragon. It is also not lost on me that the word BOB is in the link for Book 2 - my husband's name and he collects dragon figures. LOL

I hope there will be more stories from this community. Crescent Creek kind of reminds me of Halloweentown before the evil mayor did his thing. 

If all the gore of the season is not your thing, then this cozy Halloween romance is the perfect quick read between trips to the door to pass out cand - if you can put the book down long enough to answer the door.

I'm giving HALLOWEEN WITH A VAMPIRE...

All my best!

~ Angela





Wednesday, October 8, 2025

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Countdown to Halloween!

 Good morning, readers!

I leave for the Ozark Creative Writers conference early in the morning. If you've not registered, there is still time to join us. The link icon is in the sidebar. This is a great multi-genre conference I look forward to attending every year. If you come to the conference, be sure to look for me. I promise to help make your first time at our conference a memorable one.

Today's read, Countdown to Halloween!



Blurb:

In the heart of October, with just twenty days until the most haunting night of the year, the town of Winterwood is buzzing with excitement. From finding the perfect Halloween costumes to setting up the eeriest decorations, the anticipation grows. But beneath the layers of pumpkin spice and candy corn, family drama simmers, threatening to boil over.

Amidst the chaos, an upstart social media influencer with a reckless streak, turns Winterwood upside down with wild antics and viral challenges. Every post, every video becomes more ridiculous than the last, upping the stakes and stress-levels of everyone involved.

Countdown to Halloween is a delightful tale of love, laughter, and lanterns, where every tick of the clock brings a new twist, turning a quaint town's Halloween preparations into an unforgettable adventure. It's a reminder that even in the midst of darkness and drama, there's always a reason to celebrate. Prepare for a spirited ride full of twists, turns, and treats that you won't forget!

While each book has its own special charm, this series follows a continuing storyline with growing relationships and deepening connections. For the coziest and most rewarding reading experience, I recommend starting from the beginning and enjoying the journey in order.

Countdown to Halloween is Book 6 in a 9-Book series; each one counting down to a different holiday.

I'm taking into consideration I should have, and do recommend, starting with Book 1 (perhaps a great book to kick off your Christmas reading)

Because I started with Book 6, there were a lot of characters to attempt to remember their names and position within the small town. For instance, One of the early mention of Granny by Grace (granddaughter) you get the impression she's past on. Yet in a future chapter, Granny comes into the room, along with her bestie, Gladys.  I had to read that passage three times to make sure Granny was still among the living and not a typo in the story. I know this is a Halloween story but I didn't think she meant raising her characters from the beyond.

I also realize this is a 'small-town' romance, with everyone coming together but there are a lot of characters trying to play a roll that I believe would best be played behind the scenes, not actually IN the scene. 

The sole focus should be on Grace and Cody, their romance and Grace trying to do too much. Even she admits she needs help. She and Cody put a plan into place to help balance that so they can both spend more time together. by the way, Cody is the hot cowboy in this story. 

I read books to escape the drama of real life. This story did not deliver that key component in why I curl up with a book.

For that reason, I'm giving Countdown to Halloween...

You'll find more about Dianna Houx and her books by following any of the links below.

WEBSITE   GOOD READS   INSTAGRAM

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 

All my best!

~Angela



Tuesday, October 7, 2025

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Dianna Houx

 Good morning, readers!

We're back with a new theme - October/ Halloween. Bet you saw that coming with Mr. October last week, huh? hehe

I thought I'd start the month off with a book series, so you can go back and catch the others. Which brings me to this week's author:


Here's a bit about Dianna:

Hi! I'm a small-town girl who never outgrew her love for heartfelt stories and happily-ever-afters. I live in a rural Missouri town of twenty-five hundred people with my husband and three boys in a late 1800s home we're lovingly restoring—one project (and paintstroke) at a time. 

When I'm not writing, I enjoy reading, perusing antique stores, or dreaming up my next story on the porch swing with glass of lemonade in hand!

My stories are seasoned with over-the-top, funny happenings in small-town settings, but at their heart, they’re about real people with relatable struggles, hopes, and dreams. I write to entertain—and to remind readers that even the wildest moments can lead to something beautiful.

This author has a unique way of presenting herself. I love her concept. You can see for yourself by checking out her 'website' and other links.

WEBSITE   GOOD READS   INSTAGRAM

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE 



Tuesday, September 23, 2025

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Brooke Skie

 Good morning, readers!

I have a great author for you to meet this week. She has given me something (though minimal) to work with.


BIO:

A cat person who owns a dog - how did that happen? Brooke is a writer of cozy small town romance, cats with attitude and places with a touch of magic. Brooke often gets lost in the worlds she writes and the characters she finds there.

I'll be posting my review of The Next Chapter Book Shop : Book 1 in the Leafwood Falls series

In the mean time, here are a couple of links for you to follow Brooke around:

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE    GOODREADS

All my best!

~ Angela



Wednesday, July 30, 2025

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Her Christmas Wish

 Good morning, readers!

This is our final #ChristmasInJuly read. Have you been picking up the books in some form and enjoying the cooling summer reads? I hope so.

This week we read HER CHRISTMAS WISH by Mitzi Fine. 



I met Mitzi several years ago at the last Romance Readers Convention. I'm so glad I went. I always said if I published a book then I'd spend the money. I didn't realize at the time that would be my final opportunity. Don't put off doing something you really want to do lest the chance pass you by.

Okay.. the important stuff:

BLURB:
A lonely young woman

A handsome rancher

And a wish...

All alone after her aunt passes, Avery Davenport leaves Texas for Wild Rose Ridge, Washington. Her uncle promised to rent her a tiny cabin on his property, and she plans to take him up on it. She also plans to give him a piece of her mind once she gets there. He didn't so much as call her back after she left him a message about his ex-wife's passing. Worse, he didn't even show up for the funeral. When she finally gets to his ranch outside of Wild Rose Ridge, she finds the cabin a mess, and is shocked when a handsome rancher finds her in the shower!

Hudson Weaver bought a ranch complete with sixty acres, a big red barn, and a woman he discovers in the tiny cabin at the back of the property! No one told him there was a renter! But Avery Davenport is in a bad way. She's grieving over the loss of her aunt, and came to Wild Rose Ridge to rent the cabin from her uncle, who no one has seen for weeks. It's as if the man has disappeared off the face of the planet. Can Hudson help Avery find him? More importantly, can he do it without losing his heart to the grieving young woman? Find out in this sweet, small town holiday romance!

My, my, my! Mitzi Fine knows how to melt the snow (in a sweet way). Between Hudson the strong, hot cowboy, Avery the damsel in distress and a missing uncle there is everything to love about this story. One thing I can always count on from Mitzi's books is that she brings everything to a cohesive conclusion and in this case, tied up in a pretty Christmas bow! I think for Hudson he fell hard at first sight. But you know cowboys (or men in general) sometimes things just take them a little while. Then there's Avery. She needed a friend and what better husband material than a friend. I know, I married mine. ;-) While this was book six in the series, I think I need to go back and pick up the previous 5 to see how we got to here. Come along with me to Wild Rose Ridge. Here are the links to Books 1 - 5. Just click on the title.

Book 1 - The Christmas House by Kit Morgan (Also writing as Mitzi Fine)

Book 2 - Kellie's Christmas Box by Linda Jo Reed

Book 3 - One Starry Christmas  by Mary A. Felkins

Book 4 - Holland and Ivy by Kathy Geary Anderson

Book 5 - The Inheritance Clause by Dalyn Weller

I'm giving Her Christmas Wish:

You'll find Mitzi Fine by following any of the links below:

FACEBOOK   ROMANCE.IO   GOODREADS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

All my best!

~Angela





Thursday, July 17, 2025

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - The Littlest Cowboy - A Brand of Christmas

 Good morning, friends.

Coming in a bit late. I took a ME day yesterday to sit in my favorite coffee shop and read The Littlest Cowboy. While I didn't have an issue with the book, I did with the marketing.

As I mentioned yesterday, Ms. Shayne has begun re-releasing her back list. Originally, this was part of the cover I purchased back in 2016:

I can't link to the box set because they are no longer published this way. BUT... here's what I saw. A Brand of Christmas - Two series starters. So in MY mind, I see a box set of Christmas stories. When you open them up in Kindle, The Littlest Cowboy comes up first, so I dove in to reading the first 'Christmas Book'.  The Littlest Cowboy is NOT a Christmas story.  Now, I am going to take some responsibility for not digging a little deeper but at the time, I did not know she was releasing her back list as individual books. 

Meet the Brands... One set is Texas - aka The Littlest Cowboy, Book 1 in a nine book series. The other is set in Oklahoma... aka The Brands Who Came For Christmas, Book 1 in a six book series.



Here's the blurb for The Littlest Cowboy:

Baby on his Doorstep!

Sheriff Garrett Brand has raised his entire brood of siblings single-handedly, and he’s done his best to teach them some values, to mold them into honorable, responsible, and trustworthy human beings. So when a baby lands on the doorstep of the Texas Brand, his first question is which younger brother is in for a butt-kicking?

But the little fellow isn’t named after Ben, or Wes, or Adam, or Elliot. The little guy is named after him–Garrett Ethan Brand–according to the note his mama left behind.

He’s still racking his brain to figure it all out, when a woman shows up at the ranch in the dead of night, fighting mad and accusing Garrett of murdering her sister and stealing the baby!

She’s lost too much…

Chelsea is confused, heartbroken, and too mad to think straight, and the same trouble that found her poor sister is right on her tail.


You can see by the new cover, this is NOT a Christmas story. I went by the cover I had in my Kindle Library. My only question is "Why was this book included in a box duo?"

I hope someday to write as deep of a point of view (POV) as this talented author. One page in and I was hooked by every nuance Ms. Shayne showed. I was Garrett, hear the noises, feeling that something wasn't right and the stealth actions he took. In those actions we were also introduced to the rest of the household without waiting for them to just show up. Beautifully done, Maggie Shayne. Well done! I'll be reading more of the Brand series' as time allows.

I can't discount the quills for my own mis-understanding. I'm giving THE LITTLEST COWBOY



You'll find Maggie Shayne by following any of the following links:

All my best!
~ Angela


Wednesday, July 16, 2025

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT - Maggie Shayne

 Hello, friends!

Yes, I know it's Wednesday and you should be seeing a book review. Tomorrow, I promise, barring any more rain-related internet issues. I am so tired of rain!

I have a very special lady to feature this week. I've been reading her books for years and, by the looks of her website, I have some serious catching up to do!

Meet Maggie, Shayne:


BIO:

I was born a storyteller, and I will cross to the other side a storyteller, and when I get there, I’ll haunt some young writer who’s still on earth by whispering my stories into her ears, because I’ll still be a storyteller. I think that’s what our muses are. Storytellers gone by. I am so incredibly blessed, because I got a really good one. I love her.

My stories are Paranormal Romances like my groundbreaking Wings in the Night vampire romance series, (the original “Twilight” vampire novels) and my wildly popular Fatal Series, (rom-com ghost mysteries with a Scooby gang you’ll want to join.) I’ve also penned two epic witch series, The Immortals and The Portal trilogy, along with fantasy romance quartet By Magic

My stories are also small town contemporary romances all about family, loyalty and love, like The Texas Brand Series, The Oklahoma Brands, and The McIntyre Men.

I have spun Romantic Thrillers like my career-best Brown & de Luca series, The Mordecai Young Series, The Secrets of Shadow Falls, Shattered Sisters.

All info about my books and my CoffeeHouse blog are at MaggieShayne.com

I can tell you I've not paid much attention to Maggie for awhile. I did not know about her magickal side or that she has her own shop! There will be on-line traveling in my future! We might even pick up one of her books for our Halloween series in October, so stay tuned!

I'll be reviewing a Christmas book from Ms Shayne called, THE LITTLEST COWBOY... Book 1 in the 9-book series, The Texas Brands. 

In the mean time, you will find out so much more about Maggie Shayne and all of her books by following any of the links below:

WEBSITE   FACEBOOK   INSTAGRAM   BLOG   BOOK BUB   SUBSTACK

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE


All my best!
~ Angela



Wednesday, July 9, 2025

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Snowflakes & Sparks: A Feel-Good Christmas Romantic Comedy

 Good morning, readers! 

I have a great book for you today. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, but more about that in a minute. 



SNOWFLAKES AND SPARKS is Book 1 of 3 in the Old Pine Cove series.

BLURB:

Uh-oh. I’m in trouble. My new neighbor is the gorgeous guy I shared my first kiss with ten years ago—right before I broke his heart.

If your boss ever asks you to run a bookstore in a charming small town, you have the option of saying heck no.

I wish I’d realized this earlier, but it’s too late for me now. I’ve already arrived in Old Pine Cove, the one place on earth I swore I’d never return to. Thank goodness it’s only for the holidays. Don’t get me wrong, managing a bookstore has been a lifelong dream of mine and I do love Christmas. The problem is Alex Denverton opening the door with that smoldering look of his. I never expected to see him again after breaking his heart, let alone live next door to the guy, yet here I am in this giant Christmas pickle.

Now all I want for Christmas is a second chance with him. Surely that isn’t too much to ask for, is it? Yeah, with my luck, I’m not getting my hopes up.

For the first time in a very long time, I loved the opening of a book - this book. When Alex Denverton is introduced I can almost see him rubbing his hands together in glee with an 'this is going to be fun' moment when he finds out he is the one Suzie must get the key for the book store fun. 

Years ago, I learned that if there is an apple on the table, there better be a reason. The key, like that apple, becomes a symbol for bigger moments in the story.

Often times, I don't see the climatic event coming until I'm there but Sophie-Leigh Robbins does this so well! She has created characters you don't want to root for, but people you will love from beginning to end. I do know if I wasn't married, I'd want a hottie like Alex living next door to me. Alex is quite the handyman and you feel right from the start he will do anything to help Suzie, even though he knows she may not be staying in Old Pine Cove.

There is a reason, Sophie-Leigh Robbins is a USA Today Bestselling author. I'm giving SNOWFLAKES AND SPARKS...



You'll want to pick up Addy's story in Book 2- Love To Prove You Wrong and Olive's story in Book 3 - In For A Treat.

You can learn more about Sophie by following any of the links below.




Thursday, July 3, 2025

REVIEW WEDNESDAY - Once Upon A Royal Christmas: A Sweet Holiday Romance

 Good morning, readers!

I'm excited to kick off the Christmas in July series today with a book by previously featured author; USA Today Bestselling author, Robi Bielman.



Once Upon A royal Christmas is Book 2 in the Palotay's of Montana series. We met the family last week with Book 1. 

BLURB:

After a cringeworthy first encounter, Rowan Palotay hopes she’s seen the last of Prince Theodore Chenery. But fixing her mistake garners even more attention from the prince, and when he requests she be his reporter for a news story, she can’t say no.

Prince Theo is completely enchanted with Rowan and finds her special brand of kindness and honesty impossible to ignore. Back home, his choices are made for him, but here in this small town where his mother grew up, he feels connections he never has before. And the more time he and Rowan spend together, the more he wants her—all of her.

When obligations back home take a turn he didn’t see coming, he’s ready to stake his claim. But when his father and the media get wind of his relationship with Rowan, Theo must decide whether to follow his heart or his royal duty.

Once I got into the story, I really enjoyed the ease of which we saw a 'royal' be like normal people - in this case, we really saw Theo's mom in him. 

At first, for me at least, there seemed to be a dump of information I felt could have been shown in a smaller bite. But again, that's just me. Some readers enjoy the deeper dive up front.  But as the story progressed, Robin did an excellent job of peeling back the layers of the heroine, Rowan. She is memorable, for sure. A little moody, speaks her mind and pretends not to be afraid of what other people will think.  

I also loved how Rowan's character brought Prince Theo out, making him comfortable. The way she did the interview over the course of days while showing him the town his mother loved so much was creative on both Rowan and the author's part.

My only contention with the story is actually part of the title. A Sweet Holiday Romance. While the overall tone is very sweet and loving, I don't equate 'sweet' and  'visual lovemaking scenes' to mean the same thing. When I think sweet, I think Harlequin. And, while a few of Robin's books have been made into Hallmark ( I need to look for those this month), this one didn't fit the advertising bill with me. 

For that alone, I'm giving ONCE UPON A ROYAL CHRISTMAS: A Sweet Holiday Romance... 


.8
You'll find out more about Robin by following any of the links below: