Married 'til Monday by Denise Hunter

With a big anniversary party in the works for his ex-wife's parents, Ryan has just one weekend to play Abby's husband . . . and win back the woman of his dreams.
Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive two-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight into his lap.
Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.
Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Summer Harbor, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?
Ryan has one week with which to win back the love of his life.  Abby does nothing but shut him down at every turn.  I can’t imagine having parents like Abby did.  If I had parents like that, I probably wouldn’t even have made the effort to show up at their anniversary party.  Abby’s obvious issues with Ryan stem from her childhood and her feelings of unworthiness.  Ryan knows nothing of her childhood and therefore doesn’t understand her at all.
I have enjoyed reading the Chapel Springs Romance stories.  This one was probably my least favorite.  But I did enjoy it.  I am looking forward to the next series by Denise Hunter.
I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Desperate Measures by Sandra Orchard

Researcher Kate Adams has finally pinpointed the medicinal plant responsible for tearing her family apart. She's certain that discovering its secrets is her only hope of solving the mystery surrounding the disappearance of her father. Kate will risk anything to find the truth--even her budding relationship with Detective Tom Parker. But more people than she can fathom are after the plants and going it alone just might prove to be a fatal mistake.

I’m not sure how to review this book.  From the first page I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a movie with no explanation.  Characters and situations were mentioned from the previous two books that I had no clue who or what had happened.  This is definitely not a standalone book.  To understand this book I would highly recommend reading books one and two. 

I have read several books my Sandra Orchard.  The characters were all well defined and I enjoyed the plot.  For these reason I am giving this book three stars.  I enjoyed the book enough to want to go back and read books one and two.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Now and Forever by Mary Connealy

Shannon Wilde is the middle sister--and the one who loves animals. She's established her own homestead and is raising sheep for their wool. Things are going fine...until Shannon gets swept over a cliff by Matthew Tucker!

Tucker seizes every opportunity to get away from civilization, but one particular walk in the woods ends with him sprinting away from an angry grizzly and plunging into a raging river, accidentally taking Shannon Wilde with him. Their adventure in the wilderness results in the solitary mountain man finding himself hitched to a young woman with a passel of relatives, a homestead, and a flock of sheep to care for.

As Tucker and Shannon learn to live with each other, strange things begin to happen on Shannon's land. Someone clearly wants to drive her off, but whoever it is apparently didn't count on Tucker. Trying to scare Matthew Tucker just makes him mad--and trying to hurt the woman he's falling in love with sets off something even he never expected.

This is the second book in the Wild At Heart series.  It begins where Tried and True left off.  This is basically a story of how Shannon and Tucker survive the river and rapids after they plunge into the roaring river and falls.  As previously stated, they end up married when they parson finds out they spent nights together unchaperoned while fighting for their lives.  When they do get back to Shannon’s homestead someone is trying to force them off the land.

 In typical Mary Connealy fashion there is humor laced throughout the entire book.  I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a humorous, romance, light mystery western.  It isn’t necessary to read the first book in the series.  But it would be helpful as some of the storyline continues into the second book.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Every Bride Needs a Groom (Brides with Style Book #1) by Janice Thompson

Somewhere in a sea of tulle and taffeta, satin and crepe, Katie Fisher needs to find a key ingredient of the perfect wedding--the groom.

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is busy planning her fairy-tale wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn't managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? Anyway, she's sure he'll be getting down on one knee any time now. And a one-of-a-kind designer dress doesn't just fall out of the sky right when you need it.

But when Katie's boyfriend takes a job in another town and breaks up with her--on the very same day she wins her dream dress--her world is turned upside down. Dare she go to Dallas to claim her prize? And will the hunky pro basketball player who runs the beyond-swanky bridal shop--yeah, you read that right--discover her humiliating secret if she does?

Katie goes to Dallas and tells the shop manager that her boyfriend jilted her and she has no groom.  Madge, the manager, insists she still go ahead with the dream dress.  What follows is an entertaining story.  Although sometimes the narrative thoughts of Katie is a little drawn out.

Then there is Brady.  He is a professional basketball player who blew out his knee and had surgery.  He is also the store owner’s son and is taking over in his mothers place while she is in Paris.  As you can guess, he soon becomes the love interest for Katie. 

I would recommend this book to anyone.  It is a good clean foul language free romance book. I have enjoyed all of Janice Thompson’s books and this one is no exception.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Chance of Loving You by Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert, & Susan May Warren

For Love of Money by Terri Blackstock Trying to launch her own design firm while waitressing on the side, Julie Sheffield was drawn to the kind man she waited on at the restaurant last night . . . until he stiffed her on the tip by leaving her half of a sweepstakes ticket.

The Recipe by Candace Calvert Hospital dietary assistant Aimee Curran is determined to win the Vegan Valentine Bake-Off to prove she’s finally found her calling. But while caring for one of her patients—the elderly grandmother of a handsome CSI photographer—Aimee begins to question where she belongs.

Hook, Line & Sinker by Susan May Warren Grad student Abigail Cushman has agreed to enter the annual Deep Haven fishing contest. She’s a quick learner, even if she doesn’t know the difference between a bass and a trout. But nothing could prepare her for competing against the handsome charmer she’s tried to forget since grief tore them apart.

One chance for each woman to change her life . . . but will love be the real prize

My review:  I found these novella’s to be fluffy reads.  I can’t truthfully say I will ever read them again.  It was not a book I couldn’t wait to get back to.  My genre is normally suspense so please take that into consideration when you read my review.  I have read many books by these authors and enjoyed them immensely.  I just couldn’t get into these.  Maybe because everything seemed to happen so fast.  They all seemed to fall in love within a matter of days except for Hook, Line & Sinker.  If you enjoy quick fluffy reads this collection is for you.

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.

Taken by Dee Henderson

An investigator who knows tragic loss firsthand,
and his new client, missing far too long...

Abducted at the age of sixteen and coerced into assisting the Jacoby crime family, Shannon Bliss has finally found a way out. She desperately wants to resume some semblance of normal life, but she also knows she has some unfinished business to attend to. She might have enough evidence to put her captors behind bars for a very long time.

When Shannon contacts private investigator Matthew Dane, a former cop, to help her navigate her reentry into society, he quickly discovers that gaining her freedom doesn't mean her troubles are over. If the Jacoby family learns she is still alive, they'll stop at nothing to silence her.

If justice is to be done, and if Shannon's life is ever to get on track again, Matthew will need to discover exactly what happened to her--even if it means stirring up a hornet's nest of secrets.

My review:  I really enjoyed reading another Dee Henderson book.  She didn’t let me down.  The story line kept unfolding with new secret that Shannon revealed.  It kept my interest throughout the entire book.  The story had several twists that I did not expect.

There were a few things I would have liked to see.  Taken is told pretty much from Matthew’s view point.  We see very little of Shannon’s view point which I would have liked.  There were a few places that I skimmed over that seemed to be too much detail. 

Overall I would recommend this book.  Anxious for another book by Dee Henderson

I was given this book by the publisher for an honest review.  I was not compensated in any way.