Wednesday Reads

So nice to be home again. So nice to be writing again (okay, revising). So nice to be reading again, too. Here’s what I read during the week:

May 18: “An Unwilling Husband” by Tera Shanley, a historical romance. Blurb from Goodreads: For adventurous Margaret Flemming, arrived from Boston to be with her father, the Old West town of her childhood is a far cry from the drawing rooms and balls of the high society life she’s used to. Her fancy gowns and proper manners have no place in the dusty, cruel land inhabited by Indians and rough cowboys. And her fiercely independent streak constantly gets her in trouble. When tragedy strikes, there’s only one person she can turn to--her childhood friend, Garret Shaw--but he’s disgusted with her Society ways. With his ranch under attack from the land-grabbing Jennings, the last thing Garret needs is to be saddled with a high-falutin’ lady. Even if she is his friend’s daughter and her kind ways tug at his hardened heart. Duty to her father forces them to wed, but he knows sure as anything, when the chance comes along, she’ll go back to Boston. No matter how much he wants her, loving her is not a risk he can take. Will Maggie choose a life of luxury and ease over struggle and hardship with an ill-mannered cowboy? Only her heart can answer. This is not my usual genre, but the story intrigued me and didn't disappoint. Well, except for the part where it was a SWEET romance, and I would have enjoyed a little more STEAM, but that's me. If you like sweet, this is the book for you! I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

 

May 18: “The Start of Something Good” by Renee Vincent, a contemporary fiction novella. Blurb from Goodreads: Jamie Sutherland, coffee shop owner and serial ruined-relationship survivor, moves into a beautiful loft apartment for a change of scenery. What she doesn’t plan on getting is an eye-full of her handsome next-door neighbor—in nothing but a towel—arguing with his significant other in the hallway. Joseph Scarbrough's world crashes down on him one cruel morning when his childhood sweetheart rips his heart out of his chest and walks away. His humiliation isn't complete until he turns around to pick up the pieces and sees a beautiful brunette who just witnessed his Dear John moment. Caught in an awkward situation, the two backpedal into their separate worlds. But fate seems determined to make their worlds collide on a regular basis. Is it destiny just being clumsy when it comes to the two unlikely neighbors or is it the start of something good? I knew going in that this book would be sweet and was the beginning of a series. Would have preferred it to be a little longer, though (only about 100 pgs). Won’t stop me from purchasing Books 2 & 3 to see how it ends up (at least I assume Book 3 is the end) because I like Jamie and Joseph. I gave this book 4 stars on Goodreads.

So… how do you like your romance (if you read it, that is)? Sweet or steamy? And if you don’t read romance, what’s your favorite genre?

Happy reading!

Stacy