SNOWFALL ON LIGHTHOUSE LANE by JoAnn Ross

A Honeymoon Harbor Novel, Book 2

Harlequin Books

October 30^th, 2018

978-1-335-55678-3

Contemporary, Small Town Romance

Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

4 Hearts

Jolene Wells knows what its like to grow up without all the cool things in life. Being on the wrong side of the tracks has that effect on people but with a hard-working mom encouraging her to reach for her dreams, Jolene left Honeymoon Harbor and made her way to the bright lights of Los Angeles. She hasn’t really been back to her hometown in years, preferring her mom come visit her in LA. But when her mom faces a cancer scare, there is nothing Jolene will do than run back home and help her in any way she can. But that means running into Aiden Mannion, the one guy she fell in love with as a teenager and never really forgot.

Aiden was the black sheep as a kid. Getting into trouble, doing stupid teenager stuff that had him join the marines. But with everything he has endured while serving in the military has left their mark on him and he is back in Honeymoon Harbor to heal and see where he should go next now that he is done with the military. Running into Jolene was a surprise, but the sparks fly between these two and as they grow close once again, can the past be put to bed for the future to open for them? Can Jolene and Aiden give their romance one more chance this time?

I just loved the first book, Home to Honeymoon Harbor, when I read it and this second book in the series, SNOWFALL ON LIGHTHOUSE LANE, is just as good. I loved meeting some new faces as well as some old friends from book one. Ms. Ross delivers another heartfelt and at times, emotional story that will leave you spellbound and flipping the pages on a cold snowy night while rooting for these two people to find their own happy ever after. The story is full of amazing well written characters that are vibrant, diverse and just down right enjoyable to read about. I really enjoyed meeting some new faces in the Mannion family as well as catching up with other residents of this wonderful town. I love small town stories, and this is by far becoming one of my favorites to read now.

Ms. Ross does a great job in capturing the heart of Honeymoon Harbor as well as the residents there. The story flows smoothly, keeps the reader glued to the pages and leaves you with a smile on your face when the last page is read. This is a story of second chances, of forgiveness, of secrets coming out and being upfront with someone. Its also about love in all its forms-from parental to friendship to romance. Ms. Ross delivers a story that readers will enjoy for the ages and one I couldn’t put down. If you enjoy small town stories with engaging characters and storylines that will just grab your heart and not let go, then grab this series and get ready for the feels when you read the Honeymoon Harbor books. I can’t wait to see who is next to find their own happy ever after in this unique and romantic town in book three.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

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HERONS LANDING by JoAnn Ross

A Honeymoon Harbor Novel Book 1

Harlequin Books

May 22^nd, 2018

978-1-335-94935-6

Contemporary, Small Town Romance, Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Self-purchase

4 Hearts

 

JoAnn Ross introduces readers to the small town of Honeymoon Harbor and the residents that make up this lovely town. When Brianna Mannion decides to quit her high-profile job as a concierge in Las Vegas, she falls in love with this big old Victorian house that she loved as a child in her hometown of Honeymoon Harbor. But when she returns home, she finds her childhood friend Seth Harper grieving for the loss of his wife (and Brianna’s best friend) and she is determined to make her dream a reality, even if it means working closely with the one man she had a crush on as a kid and teenager.

Seth Harper is enjoying running his family construction business but after the loss of his wife, Seth has just put one foot in front of the other and tried to just live each day even as he missed her terribly. But now that Brianna is back in town, Seth finds himself seeing her in a new light, one that has his frozen heart and emotions ready to thaw. But what happens when the sparks that fly between these two cause a flame to burn out of control and Seth will have to take the leap to the future that includes Brianna and a life filled with love once again?

JoAnn Ross delivers her introduction to her new series, Honeymoon Harbor, with a delightful tale of childhood friends, loss and more in HERONS LANDING. I got to admit, I was hesitant in trying this out but after reading just one chapter I couldn’t put it down. I love the history between Brianna and Seth as well as how the author weaves the past of the town into the storyline. I don’t want to give too much away so please note if you haven’t read one of this author’s books, then this is a perfect introduction story to get your feet wet. The story starts off slow as the author sets up Honeymoon Harbor and the main players in the HERONS LANDING. Just make sure to keep reading as it does pick up the pace after a few chapters in.  I loved how this author incorporates the past of how the town became in with the present. The characters, though, are where this author just shines. I love how diverse the population of Honeymoon Harbor is and we got a glimpse into characters that may pop in future books as well. The characters are what makes this story so enjoyable and entertaining in my opinion. You got the colorful characters such as these two 90-year-old twins who run a dress shop and then you got the ones who follow the rules and don’t take risks. Each resident we are introduced to in this first book makes the story more real to me. It could be any small town in any part of the world. This is an author who shines in creating entertaining yet diverse characters that readers can fall in love with.

HERONS LANDING is a delightful entertaining read that will lead the reader on an adventure as two friends find they have more in common than they thought and as hearts reach out to one another, it takes a measure of risk to let yourself fall in love again after the death of a loved one. If you are looking for a feel-good story that will charm you, then try Honeymoon Harbor and settle in for the perfect beach read this summer. I can’t wait to read book two, Snowfall on Lighthouse Lane and return to this charming seaside town.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

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CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET by Luann McLane, JoAnn Ross, Susan Donovan, Alexis Morgan

Publisher:  Signet
Date published:   November 5, 2013
ISBN:  978-0451419538

Genre:   Contemporary Romance, paranormal, fantasy
Book format: ebook
Obtained via:  Edelweiss, Above the Treeline
Reviewed by name and email address:  Gina Gina@loveromancesandmorereviews.com

Three hearts

In a series of stories, four favourite authors come together with Christmas stories that bring together secondary couples that readers have met before in each author’s series while catching up with a few known characters.  From Joann Ross’s Shelter Bay to Luann McLane’s Cricket Creek and a few stops in between Mss. McLane, Ross, Donovan and Morgan wish their readers a merry Christmas.

I’ve read all of the Shelter Bay and Cricket Creek stories leading up to CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET and have come to feel like I could be part of their communitiies.  Mss. Donovan and Morgan are new to me, but they have found a place for their series on my TBR.

First up is CHRISTMAS IN SHELTER BAY by JoAnn Ross.  After a lifetime of being a friend, or at least telling the world they are just friends, Kelli Carpenter has come to the point where she can no longer keep the truth hidden.  In truth she’s spent that lifetime of being just friends in love with Cole Douchett.  But Cole Douchett has pieces of his life missing.  Even with his close and loving family, there are pieces of him that he’s left along the way.  Taking a risk on loving a woman like Kelli may be more than he can take.  But the folks in Shelter Bay think it may be time for a little Christmas magic.

Less than thrilled with his life TV producer Nathaniel Ravelle takes off for Bayberry Island to investigate the legend of mermaids.  He’s pretty darn sure it’s a joke, but what the heck?  But one of Bayberry Island’s ladies may just have some magic up her sleeves—or at least in her life in Susan Donovan’s A SEASIDE CHRISTMAS.

In LuAnn McLane’s MISTLETOE ON MAIN STREET, Clint Sully has never gotten over his high school sweetheart, Ava.  Unable to figure out just how to get things back on track Santa appears on the scene.  At least a Cricket Creek Santa.  But can Ava let go of her past heartache and give Clint another chance?

Everyone in town loves Bridey Roke’s pastry shop in Alexis Morgan’s THE CHRISTMAS GIFT.  Business may be booming, but her heart remains a tad empty.  Oh she has her eyes on new neighbour, Seth.  But is there enough magic in Christmas to bring them together?

I’m not a fan of short stories/novellas, even in anthologies because I always feel like something is missing, especially when I’ve read an author’s longer, full length books.  I know from past reading enjoyment Joann Ross and Luann McLane can create complex characters that their readers (including me) feel that they come to know through the stories.  I love the Douchett family and in each subsequent Shelter Bay story catching up with them.  And it’s been wonderful to read how the town of Cricket Creek continues to come together and regain its footing in the aftermath of the recession.  In each story more depth comes to the towns and the characters continue to grow and develop.  In a novella, such as those in CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET, there just isn’t the word count to tell that full story—so they come across quick and cut to the chase.  There was recently an interesting article on how the major publishers have been pulling back from anthologies and sticking with full length books and I, for one, appreciate that.  Something just seems to be missing from the novellas, even when written by such favourites of mine like Joann Ross.  I wanted more in Kelli and Cole’s story. 

I’m not familiar with Susan Donovan or Alexis Morgan but they are definitely on my radar now and I’ll be picking up their full length books. 

If you are a fan of these four authors you will want to catch up with the characters in these stories.  If you’ve been waiting to find out what’s going on with them, here is your chance in a short, sweet story.  Fans of anthologies will lap these up.  If you are looking for sweet stories with guaranteed happy endings, CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET is totally the book for you.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

 

CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET by JoAnn Ross, Susan Donovan, LuAnn McLane, Alexis Morgan

Publisher:  Signet/Penguin
Date published:   November 1, 2013
ISBN 978-0451419538
Genre:   Romance
Format:  Paperback
Obtained via:  Publisher
Reviewed by name and email address:  Angie angie@angieonline.net

4



Tis the Season… Four amazing authors take us to their small towns to enthrall us with holiday cheer.

JoAnn Ross’s Shelter Bay opens CHRISTMAS ON MAIN STREET with a classic love story about two old friends who live in Shelter Bay.  Christmas in Shelter Bay brings us Kelli who has had a crush on her brother’s friend Cole for their entire lives. Last year she thought she has a chance with him until he asked another woman to marry him in public and broke her heart.  While his engagement did not work out, she is not too embarrassed by her public humiliation when she realized the ring was not for her…  When their families team up to play matchmaker, this pair find themselves in a cabin together, all alone – snowed in.

Ms. Ross’s return to shelter bay may well be her best trip there ever!  She gives us a glimpse into happiness with a truly classic romance tail that will leave you sighing in love.  Her characters are fully developed, with personality that leaps from the page.  Her setting is a small town, with enough local charm to make any reader feel the holiday spirit.

SUSAN DONOVAN leads us to a small town for A Seaside Christmas called Bayberry Island.  When Nathaniel Donovan arrives there to do a documentary about a local mermaid legend, he is tired of his job, tired of the novelty of filming in odd locations and sure the legend is some kind of joke. However, when he arrives amidst a Nor’easter and gets snowed in with Annie Parker, a local woman, he finds that the legend may just have some truth buried somewhere.

Mermaids and legends are not usually this reader’s cup of tea.  Ms. Donovan however left me smiling and wanting more.  While the story opened slow for me, by the end I was not ready for the tale to finish.   This was a first adventure for me into Bayberry Island, but Ms. Donovan has hooked me, and come December I will be looking for my copy of her next book, Sea of Love. 

Mistletoe on Main Street brings us back to Cricket Creek with LuAnn McLane’s clan.  This talented author has a character whom left home years ago with big dreams upon becoming a famous baseball player.  When he never made the big league, he lost his way and could not come home.  His father’s failing health brings him home and leads him back to his first love Ava.  He has to figure out how to win her over and make her believe he never forgot her.

Ms. McLane is an amazing writer whose tales come to life.  Ava and Clint are characters who come from the pages and pull at your heart.  I am a true fan of Ms. McLane and just loved this short novella.  My only complaint was that it ended… Some books should go on forever!  It is a fairy tale romance with a happily ever after.

Alexis Morgan returns to Snowberry Creek and Bridey’s pastry shop.  Seth is living in town and hiding from himself.  His creative muse has taken a leave of absence and he needs to recover and find his mojo to go on as a famous artist.  When he tastes Bridey’s treats and discovers she needs someone to build her shelves, he finds himself offering more of himself than planned.

Ms. Morgan has created a town that I need to find.  Every one of her Snowberry    Creek novels leave me delighted and wanting more.  Her characters are realistic, they have become an extension of my family, I find myself waiting for each novel to hit the shelves.  Nothing in this holiday fairy tale could be better!  This novella must be listed upon my top 3 reads for 2013 – and I can’t wait until More Than a Touch hits shelves in January!