Book Description:
In this sumptuous new novel, Barbara O?Neal offers readers a celebration of food, family, and love as a woman searches for the elusive ingredient we?re all hoping to find?. — It?s the opportunity Elena Alvarez has been waiting for?the challenge of running her own kitchen in a world-class restaurant. Haunted by an accident of which she was the lone survivor, Elena knows etter than anyone how to survive the odds. With her faithful dog, Alvin, and her grandmother?s recipes, Elena arrives in Colorado to find a restaurant in as desperate need of a fresh start as she is?and a man whose passionate approach to food and life rivals her own. Owner Julian Liswood is a name many people know but a man few do. He?s come to Aspen with a troubled teenage daughter and a dream of the kind of stability and love only a family can provide. But for Elena, old ghosts don?t die quietly, yet a chance to find happiness at last is worth the risk.
This is another first author for me. I LOVED it. I can't say I loved the ending though. I was wanting something more at the end. I loved the characters and the feeling they had - especially with the main character and her struggles with her past.
I would recommend this book. I can't wait to read others by this author.
3 1/2 stars
Monday, January 17, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
"The Marcelli Princess" by Susan Mallery
Book Description:
EVEN A STRONG-WILLED WOMAN CAN'T RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF A CHARMING PRINCE. — A smart, independent woman with a gorgeous four-year-old son, Mia Marcelli lost her one true love. Four years ago, while working undercover for the CIA, she watched Diego, the father of her unborn child, perish before her very eyes -- crumbling the world around her. But one mor... more »ning she awakens to find Diego lying next to her, alive and well with an unbelievable confession: he is really Rafael, Prince of Calandria, and he had been working covertly on the same mission when they met -- his death had been staged.
Utterly stunned, Mia is wary and delighted -- she may have suffered a broken heart, but her breathtakingly handsome lover is back to reignite the passion that existed between them. Little does she know that Rafael has returned to give his newfound son a proper upbringing back in Calandria -- even if it means seducing Mia into marriage. But when Rafael finds himself truly falling for this luscious beauty, he must decide between his royal duties and the woman who has claimed his heart.
This is the last in the Marcelli family series. This one was the most disappointing in the series. But every author is entitled to a 'oops' every now and then. This won't stop me from reading her books.
Happy Reading!
EVEN A STRONG-WILLED WOMAN CAN'T RESIST THE TEMPTATION OF A CHARMING PRINCE. — A smart, independent woman with a gorgeous four-year-old son, Mia Marcelli lost her one true love. Four years ago, while working undercover for the CIA, she watched Diego, the father of her unborn child, perish before her very eyes -- crumbling the world around her. But one mor... more »ning she awakens to find Diego lying next to her, alive and well with an unbelievable confession: he is really Rafael, Prince of Calandria, and he had been working covertly on the same mission when they met -- his death had been staged.
Utterly stunned, Mia is wary and delighted -- she may have suffered a broken heart, but her breathtakingly handsome lover is back to reignite the passion that existed between them. Little does she know that Rafael has returned to give his newfound son a proper upbringing back in Calandria -- even if it means seducing Mia into marriage. But when Rafael finds himself truly falling for this luscious beauty, he must decide between his royal duties and the woman who has claimed his heart.
This is the last in the Marcelli family series. This one was the most disappointing in the series. But every author is entitled to a 'oops' every now and then. This won't stop me from reading her books.
Happy Reading!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Book Review: "The Marcelli Bride" by Susan Mallery
Book description:
The rebel of the Marcelli family, Joe never joined his sisters Katie, Francesca, and Brenna in running the winery business. Instead he chose a life of military service. But now that this handsome, headstrong former Navy SEAL has received a new undercover assignment--protecting none other than the commander in chief's daughter--he finds himself back at the California vineyard he defiantly left behind. First-daughter Darcy Jenson has been placed in hiding at the Marcelli Winery after surviving a kidnapping attempt...and now it's Joe's job to keep the fearful, fiery beauty out of harm's way. Begrudgingly, Joe heeds his presidential order--until "babysitting" Darcy proves to be the greatest pleasure he's ever known. How can Joe protect Darcy from danger, when he's falling dangerously in love? And can Darcy trust that Joe's intentions are true--when now else's have been?
When starting the book and finding it skipped a couple of years, I almost wanted to stop reading it. One of the things I enjoyed about the first three in the series is that the time didn't lapse between books. This one was different. But I kept reading and I am glad I did. What a great story. I enjoyed hearing the 'updates' on the past main characters and most of them are a good part of this one. All in all it is still a great book and I am looking forward to final book in this series.
4 stars.
Happy Reading!
The rebel of the Marcelli family, Joe never joined his sisters Katie, Francesca, and Brenna in running the winery business. Instead he chose a life of military service. But now that this handsome, headstrong former Navy SEAL has received a new undercover assignment--protecting none other than the commander in chief's daughter--he finds himself back at the California vineyard he defiantly left behind. First-daughter Darcy Jenson has been placed in hiding at the Marcelli Winery after surviving a kidnapping attempt...and now it's Joe's job to keep the fearful, fiery beauty out of harm's way. Begrudgingly, Joe heeds his presidential order--until "babysitting" Darcy proves to be the greatest pleasure he's ever known. How can Joe protect Darcy from danger, when he's falling dangerously in love? And can Darcy trust that Joe's intentions are true--when now else's have been?
When starting the book and finding it skipped a couple of years, I almost wanted to stop reading it. One of the things I enjoyed about the first three in the series is that the time didn't lapse between books. This one was different. But I kept reading and I am glad I did. What a great story. I enjoyed hearing the 'updates' on the past main characters and most of them are a good part of this one. All in all it is still a great book and I am looking forward to final book in this series.
4 stars.
Happy Reading!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
"The Seductive One" by Susan Mallery
Book Description:
For the Marcelli sisters of California wine country, the season is ripe for romance!
Of all the Marcelli sisters, the one who dreams of running the family's winery is Brenna -- and she's about to get her chance. But taking the helm at Marcelli Winery is tougher than she bargained for -- especially when she butts heads with her grandfather, whose Old World ways dictate that a male should inherit the business. In need of some fast capital in order to prove her grandfather wrong, Brenna turns to Nic Giovanni, her family's nemesis....Years ago, she ended her secret relationship with Nic, choosing loyalty to her family over the hot passion they shared. But now he's back in her life, he's loaned her a million dollars, and their feelings for each other are stronger than ever. Brenna must find out for herself: is Nic the love of her life? Or the schemer who could topple the Marcelli dynasty -- and break her heart?
This is the 3rd in the Marcelli series. Oh MY! I couldn't put this one down again. I love the fact that each book is set in time just after one another. If you haven't read this series, it is a must read!! If you haven't tried Susan Mallery - this is the perfect series to start. I can't wait to see what is next up!!
Another 5 stars!!!
For the Marcelli sisters of California wine country, the season is ripe for romance!
Of all the Marcelli sisters, the one who dreams of running the family's winery is Brenna -- and she's about to get her chance. But taking the helm at Marcelli Winery is tougher than she bargained for -- especially when she butts heads with her grandfather, whose Old World ways dictate that a male should inherit the business. In need of some fast capital in order to prove her grandfather wrong, Brenna turns to Nic Giovanni, her family's nemesis....Years ago, she ended her secret relationship with Nic, choosing loyalty to her family over the hot passion they shared. But now he's back in her life, he's loaned her a million dollars, and their feelings for each other are stronger than ever. Brenna must find out for herself: is Nic the love of her life? Or the schemer who could topple the Marcelli dynasty -- and break her heart?
This is the 3rd in the Marcelli series. Oh MY! I couldn't put this one down again. I love the fact that each book is set in time just after one another. If you haven't read this series, it is a must read!! If you haven't tried Susan Mallery - this is the perfect series to start. I can't wait to see what is next up!!
Another 5 stars!!!
Sunday, January 2, 2011
"The Sassy One" by Susan Mallery
"The Sassy One" by Susan Mallery
Book Description:
Francesca Marcelli married at eighteen -- right on schedule, according to her warm, colorful family, who have always said a beauty like Francesca need never worry about finding love. But a few years later, finding herself on her own with a wide open future ahead of her, she pursues her educational passions -- with a risky experiment that takes her straight into the arms of playboy CEO Sam Reese. Delighted by Francesca's interest in a no-strings relationship, Sam suddenly finds himself needing her outside the bedroom when a secret from his past lands on his doorstep. But Francesca soon has a secret of her own to tell -- a bombshell that will force the diehard bachelor to show his true colors. Are there "I do"s in Sam and Francesca's future? Only if she can persuade him that home truly is where the heart finds happiness.
This is the second in the Marcelli sister triology. The first one I couldn't put down. This one didn't disappoint either. Loved it. I highly recommend this book.
5 stars!!!
Happy Reading!
Book Description:
Francesca Marcelli married at eighteen -- right on schedule, according to her warm, colorful family, who have always said a beauty like Francesca need never worry about finding love. But a few years later, finding herself on her own with a wide open future ahead of her, she pursues her educational passions -- with a risky experiment that takes her straight into the arms of playboy CEO Sam Reese. Delighted by Francesca's interest in a no-strings relationship, Sam suddenly finds himself needing her outside the bedroom when a secret from his past lands on his doorstep. But Francesca soon has a secret of her own to tell -- a bombshell that will force the diehard bachelor to show his true colors. Are there "I do"s in Sam and Francesca's future? Only if she can persuade him that home truly is where the heart finds happiness.
This is the second in the Marcelli sister triology. The first one I couldn't put down. This one didn't disappoint either. Loved it. I highly recommend this book.
5 stars!!!
Happy Reading!
2011 - A New Year - New Start
This year I am going to try and do better at keeping track of my books read, new authors read and even pages read. Come join me on my 2011 Reading Journey....
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