BOOK REVIEW: The Trouble With Love by Beth Ciotta

April 23, 2013August 27, 2014 / Linda / 1 Comment

This is book two of the trilogy Cupcake Lovers. Rocky Monroe is the owner of a bed and breakfast in Sugar Creek, Vermont. She’s also president of the Cupcake Lover’s club, a group of women (and one hunky man) that bakes cupcakes to raise money for charities. Ten years ago, when she was only 17, she lost her virginity to her brothers’ best friend and family friend, Jayce Bello. He was 22 at the time and overwhelmed with the love he felt for Rocky and the fear of being found out by her brothers. He felt at the time that the best thing he could do was leave town, so he begins a new life in New York City. Rocky was hurt and confused and claims to hate Jayce, but in reality, she can’t get him out of her head. It would be helpful to read book one first – Fool For Love – as it sets up the background story of Rocky and Jayce. But if you don’t get to read it, you can still understand the dynamics between them.

Rocky needs to go to New York City to help negotiate a publishing deal for the Cupcake Lover’s Club’s first cookbook. Of course the very first day she is there, she gets mugged and hit by a car. Having no money and reluctantly needing help, she calls Jayce, who is more than happy to help. He’s been doing a lot of thinking and has just made the decision to move back to Sugar Creek and try to come to terms with his demons about his family and to try to reconcile with Rocky. The timing of Rocky’s call couldn’t have come at a better time. He begins his plan to woo her while she’s in New York and continues it when they return to Sugar Creek.

There are many twists and turns in Rocky and Jayce’s journey. With true love, you have to fight hard for that someone special and that’s what this story is about. The whole Town is behind them and the cast of characters provides comic relief as well as emotional support. It was also nice to see the continuation of Dev and Chloe’s story from book one, and Luke’s story is nicely set up for book three – Anything But Love coming out in September.

Listen Up! with an Audiobook

April 22, 2013April 17, 2013 / Susan O. / Leave a comment

Don’t have time to read? Driving a long commute, or perhaps an out-of-state trip? Do you have trouble focusing on printed words? Try an audio book! Cheshire Library has a large collection of books on cd, from mysteries to romance, to fiction, non-fiction, science-fiction, and foreign languages, and we add at least one new selection a day. Here’s a list of just some of our newest additions in the past month:

Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Toms River by Dan Fagin

The Hormone Cure by Sara Gottfried

Suspect by Robert Crais [Cover]

Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell

Coming of Age in Mississippi by Anne Moody

Pukka’s Promise: The Quest for Longer-lived dogs by Ted Kerasote

Rita Moreno: A Memoir By Rita Moreno

The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte [Cover] Cristo by Tom Reiss

The Dogs of War by Lisa Rogak

When Your Parent Becomes Your Child by Ken Abraham

Car Talk: 25 Years of Lousy Car Advice

Savage Continent: Europe in the Aftermath of World War II by Keith Lowe

A Land More Kind than Home by Wiley Cash

The Butterfly’s Daughter by Mary Alice Monroe

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte

Red Ink: Inside the High-Stakes Politics of the Federal Budget by David Wessel

My Beloved World by Sonia Sotomayor

BOOK REVIEW: Once Tempted by Laura Moore

April 20, 2013May 1, 2015 / Linda / Leave a comment

This is book one of the new series Silver Creek. We are introduced to the Knowles family who own and operate the Silver Creek Ranch in California. Not only is this a working ranch with cattle, goats, and sheep, it is also a first class resort. This book centers on Ward Knowles, the oldest son of three children. He was once engaged to a woman who turned out to be a gold digger, so he is not at all looking for romance. He is dedicated to making the Silver Creek Ranch the best ranch and resort it can be.

Tess Casari is a born and bred New Yorker and Events Planner. She endured a horrific marriage, then stood by her ex-husband while he died from a brain tumor. Wanting to totally escape and start over, she and her friend come up with a unique idea that lands Tess in Acacia, California – home to Silver Creek Ranch. She finds sanctuary there as an assistant to Ward’s mother, Adele.

Ward and Tess are like water and oil and, at first, think the sparks between them are because they dislike each other so much. But as time goes on, they begin to realize there is something more and decide to have a no strings, no expectations relationship. It was fun to watch Ward and Tess navigate through their relationship. The author was also very adept at working their pasts into the storyline.

The pace of the book is a little slow. A lot of time is spent on the scenery and ranch life. But this sets up a beautifully written book. The story is compelling and there are a whole host of secondary characters that provide depth and interest. I can’t wait to see what happens next at Silver Creek Ranch!

BOOK REVIEW: The Summer He Came Home by Juliana Stone

April 16, 2013August 27, 2014 / Linda / Leave a comment

Juliana Stone

Author Juliana Stone loves the written word and 80’s rock. She sings in an 80’s rock band where her husband plays the guitar. So it’s no surprise that The Summer He Came Home centers around a bad boy rock ‘n roller. This is book one in the series Bad Boys of Crystal Lake.

Ten years ago, Cain Black packed his guitar and left Crystal Lake to chase his dream. The death of one of his best friends forces him back home. He thinks it’s going to be a quick trip to pay his respects, but his heart has other ideas. Cain has learned the hard way that fame and fortune is not all it’s cracked up to be. He finds out his wife (now ex) and best friend (also ex and key member of the band) were fooling around with each other behind his back and he’s also just plain tired of the rock star life style.

Maggie-Grace O’Rourke is a single mom and new to Crystal Lake. She works as a maid and is counting on living in the shadows to hide from her terrible past. The last thing she needs is the attention of a famous rock star. She’s looking for some peace and a good place to raise her 7 year old son.

Cain meets Maggie on his first day back in Crystal Lake. Neither one wants or is prepared for the attraction they feel for each other. The author takes her time in letting their relationship grow. It was fun to watch them get comfortable with each other and Cain’s relationship with Maggie’s son is very sweet. There is drama, suspense, and humor mixed in with a sweet and, eventually, hot romance.

One of the best aspects of the book was the relationships between Cain and the other “bad boys”. We are introduced to Jake, who is the twin brother of Jessie – whose funeral it is that Cain came back for. Jessie was killed in Afghanistan – his death witnessed by Jake. Jessie leaves behind his wife, Raine. Jake not only has issues with his twin’s death, but also what to do about Raine. We are also introduced to Mac, an architect who has his own demons to deal with – namely an abusive father. The author does an excellent job of weaving these characters, and others from this small town, into the story.

This is a beautifully written story of love and friendship with very realistic and likeable characters. I’m looking forward to the upcoming books in this series.

BOOK REVIEW: Currant Creek Valley by RaeAnne Thayne

April 14, 2013April 3, 2013 / Linda / Leave a comment

RaeAnne Thayne is a relative newcomer to the small-town romance genre, but she certainly has a winner with her series Hope Crossings. Currant Creek Valley is the fourth book in the series. The first three books of the series center around the town uniting to boost each other up after a terrible tragedy. The titles in order are:

Sweet Laurel Falls
Woodrose Mountain
Blackberry Summer

Currant Creek Valley, and the next two books, center around how the town comes together to help those outside their community.

Alex McKnight is a chef in the process of opening her very own restaurant. She has a quick wit and casual approach to life that masks a terrible secret from her past.

Contractor Sam Delgado is looking to start over in a new town with his 6 year old son after the death of his wife. Alex hires him to put the finishing touches on her restaurant’s kitchen.

They are instantly attracted to each other – much to their dismay! Neither one is interested in any kind of relationship because they have so much to deal with from their pasts. The author tells their story with gritty emotion and humor. There are wonderful descriptions of this picturesque town and the wonderful food Alex creates.

You don’t have to read the original three books first, but it might help you understand the enchanting secondary characters and their backgrounds. You’ll have time to read them before book five – Willowleaf Lane (July) and book six – Snowflake Canyon (October) are published.