Candy Hearts Romance

Surprise Me by Anita Kidesu

Josie and Carson Sandberg are on the cusp of being empty-nesters. With a cross-country move and Carson's busy work schedule, there hasn't been much time to connect. When gifted with a romantic getaway and challenge that says "Surprise Me," the two embark on a trip that reveals secret desires and more. But sometimes a fantasy is better left undiscovered.

Some authors can bring the funny, some authors can bring the heat. Anita Kidesu brings both the funny and the heat, in spades. I love the concept of two long married people committing themselves anew to their marriage, to bring spice and surprise to mix it up!

This is a Wilder Rose, so only 18+

Candy Hearts Romance

Text Me by Erin Bevan

When Erika’s ex becomes her boss less than a year after dumping her by text, she gets desperate to find a date to the corporate Valentine’s dance so he doesn’t suspect she still has feelings for him. Though not a fan of texting for the obvious reason, she doesn’t have much choice but to tap the keypad in order to gain the attention of the only viable candidate from the classified ads.

Grayson made the mistake of listening to his brother a year ago and has regretted what he did to Erika ever since. But his brother’s next suggestion just might be his salvation when he takes out an ad for a Valentine’s date…and Erika answers.

Using a pseudo name and keeping contact to text messages only, Grayson’s plans to make Erika fall back in love with him appears to be working…until the date of the dance draws near, and she pushes a meeting—face to face.

I smiled the entire time I read this story! There's not a beat missing. Ms. Bevan has a deft hand with humor; we're never laughing at the characters, we're laughing with them. Both Grayson and Erika are fun characters and the rest of the people in the story are awesome as well. I highly recommend Text Me!

Candy Hearts Romance

Pick Me by Tanya Hanson

Volunteering at a horse rescue has helped heal schoolteacher Kelsey Hunter after her celebrity ex's betrayal. Life in the rural California community suits her better than the bling of Hollywood. When she seeks help for a classroom project, she's thrown into the sphere of a down-to-earth organic farmer and horseman who could really steal her heart... 

However....Landry Mills is really successful mega-spokesmodel for a famed Westernwear line, He’s returned to his hometown to regroup and reconsider signing the next contract. Meeting Kelsey explodes feelings in him he wants to make real. But finding out a fancy director's son recently crushed her spirit has him take things slow. What will Kelsey do when she finds out he's a celebrity in his own right? He might not be able to bear it...

I had a very bad experience when I was young with horses, so I'm scared to death of them. So it takes a really good writer to make me want to try again and Ms. Hanson has done just that. Her dialogue sparkles and shines. Landry and Kelsey are great characters and you can't help but root for them!

Candy Hearts Romance!

Je t'aime by Ursula Whistler

Looking for inspiration, designer Genevieve Hoffman agrees to an apartment swap and heads to the south of France. But when the apartment owner's brother returns from deployment, she finds herself  with a man who inspires fantasies rather than fashion.

Etienne Gagnon barely made it out of Syria alive during his last special forces assignment. All he wants is a little R&R in the apartment he shares with his sister. But the woman making breakfast in his kitchen isn't his sister. He might not understand a word coming out of her mouth but he has no problem reading body language and likes what she's saying just fine.

This book took me far away from the cold, snowy weather in upstate New York to the sunny warmth of the south of France, Provence. Ms. Whistler's lovely descriptions of this beautiful setting are just the thing.

As my daughter is a fabric designer I loved the heroine's career as well her choice to gain inspiration from France. All of that rang true to me. Etienne is a very yummy hero!

Be aware that this book is for readers 18+

Candy Hearts Romance!

Adore Me by Darcy Lundgren

A hacker is targeting Meredith Crismis’s struggling new dessert company. But when the tech firm she depends on sends hunky computer expert Vlad Wiznitsky to fix the problem, things begin improving for Meredith, both personally and professionally.

First, her relationship with Vlad heats up to the sizzling point, then Meredith’s given the chance to snag a wealthy customer who could put her company’s bottom line permanently into the black. It seems like a dream come true, until the persistent hacker turns her “Divine Desserts” website into an X-rated marketplace, the wealthy customer demands a discontinued decorative item or else no sale, and her relationship with Vlad begins to unravel under the pressure of her obsession with professional success.

For a woman who deals with creating intricate wedding cakes and luscious muffins, life has suddenly become the ultimate recipe for disaster.

What a scrumptious romance! I warn you to not read this story while hungry - baked goods play a prominent part and each one sounds more delicious than the previous one. Vlad and Meredith are perfection together!

Now I'm off to find a cupcake. Or two. Or ten.