A Better Man (Sunshine Creek Vineyard #1)
   by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: March 29, 2016
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 368 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

Meet the Kincade brothers: they’ll do what it takes to protect their legacy—but what happens when love gets in the way?

Hockey star Jordan Kincade wasted no time ditching Sunshine Valley and everyone who mattered for a career in the NHL—a truth Jordan confronts when his parents’ deaths bring him home. Now he’s back to make amends, which begins with keeping his younger sister from flunking out of school. It’s just his luck that the one person who can help is the girl whose heart he broke years ago.

Lucy Diamond has racked up a number of monumental mistakes in her life, the first involving a certain blue-eyed charmer. She has no intention of falling for Jordan Kincade again, but when he shows up asking her to help one of her students, Lucy just can’t say no. Worse, the longer he’s back, the more she sees how much he’s changed. And so when a blistering kiss turns to more, she can’t help but wonder if her heart will be crushed again . . . or if she’ll discover true love with a better man.

 

I adored Candis Terry's Sweet, Texas series, so I was beyond excited for a new one by her! While A Better Man was an enjoyable read, it wasn't my favorite of Terry's books. I am definitely interested in the Kincade brothers, especially Ryan, and I think this series has real potential. However, I felt like something was missing in this one. I was engaged but I wasn't fascinated. The romance was cute, but it wasn't anything to write home about. I liked Lucy and Jordan together and they definitely had some sweet, sexy moments together. It's hard not to compare books, but when I finished reading this one, I just felt I lacked the satisfaction that I felt upon finishing her Sweet books.

 

I did really enjoy the family dynamic in this one. Jordan has been the absent brother for so long due to his career in the NHL. This has definitely caused some rifts between himself and his siblings and after tragedy strikes he wants to make amends and be a better brother. The sacrifices he was willing to make on their part was quite admirable and you couldn't help but feel warm and fuzzy over it. I loved his relationship with his baby sister Nicole. She is a central part of the story because of how angry and withdrawn she is, and Jordan is determined to get her back on track. He enlists the help of her creative writing teacher, Lucy, and the two work together to figure out how to best get through to her.

 

I did like that there was a hint of a second chance romance in this one though. Lucy and Jordan had a missed opportunity in high school after he stood her up before the big dance he invited her to. He genuinely liked the brainy girl, but circumstances prevented him from following through and she has resented him since that day. Lucy has been through a lot in her life and it takes some work on Jordan's part to get her to open again. My heart hurt for her as she is such a good person and never deserved the hurt that was inflicted upon her.

 

Overall, while this wasn't my favorite of Terry's books, I do want to continue the series. I liked meeting Jordan's brothers and look forward to hearing their different voices and stories, as well as watching them fall in love.

 

Truly Sweet (Sweet, Texas #5)
    by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Candis Terry returns to Sweet, Texas for the last time when former Marine Jake Wilder discovers how truly sweet love can be.

"When the one you've always wanted "

At sixteen, Annabelle Morgan hoped her crush on Jake Wilder was just a passing phase. Now she's twenty-nine and nothing has changed except Jake. The once-carefree marine has come home with a giant chip on his shoulder. He insists a single mom like Annie deserves more than he can offer. Yet no matter how gruff his gorgeous exterior may be, Jake's toe-curling kisses convince her that this attraction is definitely mutual.

"Becomes the one who wants you back "

Butting heads with feisty Annie was always a thrill. Add other body parts to the mix, and Jake is in serious trouble. He can't be a forever-and-family guy and Annie's not a friends-with-benefits kind of woman. But love has a way of changing the best-laid plans, and surrender has never been so tempting.

"The outcome is truly sweet."

 

 

I have so much love for this series and finishing it was a very bittersweet moment for me. Candis Terry has created such a beautiful series that is filled with heart and soul. I have fallen in love with the Wilder clan and their significant others and friends. I am so pleased with the way all of the storylines have been resolved as there were a few that spanned a few books. I was hoping Annie would be the one to wrangle Jake's heart and sure enough, she was!

 

I really enjoyed this story, but I have to admit Jake drove me a bit crazy. His story is one we've seen before in romance, so it's not overly original, but it still packs an emotional punch. Jake is a former Marine, and after failing to save his best friend and some other men in his unit, he has survivors guilt and doesn't feel like he deserves to move forward and be happy with his life. He is attracted to Annie, but his guilt is always at the forefront of his mind and just when he gives in a little, he pulls way back and puts her in the friend zone.

 

Annie has always had a crush on Jake, but she never thought he really noticed her. Having grown up with two absentee parents who didn't have any investment in their kids, Annie flees to Seattle and ends up living with an aspiring musician who gets her pregnant and then ditches her. I felt for Annie, because she feels like people walk out on her and even after she confesses this to Jake, he ends up doing the same because he can't get a handle on his emotions.

 

Once Jake finally decided to go after Annie and make her his, I felt much happier because I really thought they made a great pair. They bicker and fight, but they also confide in one another. I liked seeing this dynamic first because it really solidified their relationship for me. And man, do they have some sexy times. And some incredibly sweet ones. I adored seeing Jake with Max and Hank, his new dog. There were a few scenes in this book that actually made me tear up- that's how much of an emotional impact it had.

 

The epilogue was perfection, as it was told in Mama Wilder's voice and it gave me all the warm and fuzzies to see her reflect upon her life and how her kids are settled and happy. It was a great ending to a wonderful series and I am beyond excited for Terry's next series, which is set in Oregon's wine country!

Home Sweet Home (Sweet, Texas #4.5)
   by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 112 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

A shorter version of this story previously appeared in the For Love and Honor anthology

Before Candis Terry's wild Wilder brothers met their matches, a soldier gets a homecoming in Sweet, Texas

He's given up …

Army Ranger Lieutenant Aiden Marshall fought in some of the most hellish corners on earth and survived. Those closest to him, did not. When he returns home to Sweet, Texas, he believes he's broken and has lost everything—including his soul. The only fair thing he can do to the woman who's patiently waited for him to come home is tell her to move on with her life—without him.

… but she never will

Sassy waitress Paige Walker has no intention of walking away from the man of her dreams. He gave his all for his country and served with honor. Now it's time to pull him from the darkness and give him hope. With a heap of love, the help of the entire town, and a tail-wagging companion, Paige makes sure her hero knows there's no place like home sweet home.

  

 

 

I don't read many novellas because I end up feeling bereft when they're finished. I am always wanting more and don't feel I get enough time with the characters. However, I love Candis Terry's Sweet, Texas series and her novellas actually work really well for me. I have always wondered about Paige and Aiden, so it was nice to see these two getting together.

 

Aiden has just returned from being deployed in Afghanistan and he comes home bearing a pretty heavy dose of survivors' guilt. Having lost his best friends, he doesn't feel like he deserves happiness when they cannot experience any emotion ever again. He is a changed man and for that reason alone, he cannot be the man for Paige. Paige and Aiden have a history though, and she isn't going to let him go without a fight. I admire her for standing strong and knowing that Aiden just needs some convincing that his friends would want him to go on with his life and be happy. I'm glad for Paige's strength. She knows Aiden loves her, but is holding himself back, which is what makes his letting her go a bit easier to swallow. Still, I wanted to shake the man for being so silly!

 

This is a super quick read, so we only get to see a few of Sweet's famous townsfolk. However, the town steps up in a really big way for Aiden and even though I knew it was coming, the end completely melted my heart into a puddle of goo.

 

I loved Paige and Aiden's chemistry too. For such a short novella, there were some very sexy times between them and I totally loved those. I like that they already had a shared history of love together. It made the book that much sweeter for me.

Sweet Surprise (Sweet, Texas #4)
   by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: Jan. 27, 2015
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3/5 stars

Playing naughty or nice...

Fiona Wilder knows all about falling in lust. Love? That's another story. Determined not to repeat past mistakes, the single mom and cupcake shop owner is focused on walking the straight and narrow. But trouble has a way of finding her. And this time it comes in the form of a smoking hot firefighter who knows all the delicious ways to ignite her bad-girl fuse.

Can lead to heartbreak...

Firefighter Mike Halsey learned long ago that playing with fire just gets you burned. He's put his demons behind him, and if there's one line he won't cross, it's getting involved with his best friend's ex. But when fate throws him in the path of the beautiful, strong, and off-limits Fiona, will he be able to fight their attraction? Or will he willingly go down in flames?

Or a sweet surprise!

 

 

I am so glad Terry decided to write Fiona's story! She is such an incredible woman with so much goodness inside of her that I felt it was important for us fans of the series to get her HEA. I love how unique Fiona's situation is. Having been married to Jackson Wilder, one of the infamous Wilder brothers, she still remains an important of his family. This isn't just because of the daughter they share together either. The Wilders genuinely LOVE Fiona. She fits in with them so well and it makes my heart burst with happiness that they embrace her as one of their own even though legally she isn't anymore. Now that Jackson has been reunited with his first love, Abby, their wedding is fast approaching and Fiona couldn't be happier for them. It's crazy to see how close Fiona and Abby are. You would think it would be awkward or there would be some underlying animosity there, but there genuinely isn't. Jackson and Fiona parted on good terms and remain close friends. This definitely helps keep things normal for their adorable daughter Izzy. Abby is already such an important part of Izzy's life, so I'm really glad Terry wrote their story the way she did.

 

However, my heart aches for Fiona as well. Things with Jackson might not have worked out, but she does long to fall in love and find the one person that she can trust with her heart and depend on for the rest of her life. Fiona isn't out looking for love though. She refuses to let herself go and just have fun. She wants to build her reputation in Sweet as a professional, independent woman. She isn't looking for a one night stand. I really admire her for that, but at the same time, she needs to put aside her reservations and take that leap of faith into the unknown.

 

Jackson's best friend Mike Halsey has had his eye on Fiona for awhile now, but knows he can't go there. It's against the guy code to go after your best friend's ex, so he decides to keep his distance from Fiona. Too bad matchmaker extraordinaire Jana Wilder has her own plan when it comes to pushing Mike and Fiona together. I just love that woman. Her meddling is so perfect, because no one can really be mad at the sweet talking southern woman.

 

I did feel this book was a lot slower paced than the previous ones in the series. Not only was there just not that much going on in the beginning, but I was really struggling to feel the connection between Fiona and Mike. Everything with them felt so awkward and forced. Mike is too busy fighting his attraction for Fiona because of Jackson and also because of the fact that he's got his own set of baggage to deal with. For someone who's attracted to Fiona, you would think he wouldn't be so abrupt and almost distant. I realize he's trying to keep his distance but it just felt off to me. Once I got to about the halfway point, I started to get more invested in Fiona and Mike's relationship. The scene where Fiona brings him lunch is the one that really got me on board with them.

 

I do like that they don't rush into anything. Both of them have been married before, so they are not looking to make the same mistakes. However, communication is key here. Fiona isn't afraid to tell Mike what she's looking for and if he can't give her that, then she'd cut her losses and move on.  

 

After that, I loved how their relationship progressed. Their time together was precious and while they were taking things slow, it was still steamy with anticipation. Mike really stepped up to the plate and decided to go all in with Fiona, even after his reservations about being the man she needed in her life. He decided he wanted to be that man and he was going to fight to win her heart.

 

For as long as it took to get into this one, I felt their conflict and the events concluding it went entirely too fast. I am grateful there is not this overabundance of drama, but I wouldn't have minded seeing things from Mike's perspective from when he had to go take care of some family business.

 

Jackson and Abby's wedding was adorable and I loved seeing how happy all of the other Sweet couples were. Terry also alluded to Jake and Annie and I am so for that match! Overall, while this wasn't my favorite of the Sweet, Texas books I am really glad I got to see Fiona get her HEA, because good grief that woman deserved one.

 

Sweet Cowboy Christmas (Sweet, Texas #3.5)
    by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: Nov. 25, 2014
Publisher: Avon Impulse
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided via Edelweiss in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 100 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Mistletoe, holly, and cowboys, oh my! Christmas in Texas has never been sweeter.

Years ago, Chase Morgan traded in his dusty cowboy boots for the shimmering lights of New York City and a fast track up the corporate ladder. But when his shiny life is turned on end just in time for Christmas, Chase knows he needs to re-evaluate even if that means going home to Texas to endure his least favourite holiday.

When Mr. Tall, Dark, and Smoking Hot walks through her door at the Magic Box Guest Ranch, Faith Walker sees just another handsome, rich exec looking to play cowboy for a week-at her expense. She’s sure the grumpy, but sexy as hell Scrooge will put a crimp in her holly jolly plans. Until a sizzling kiss has her seeing him in a new light.

Chase is haunted by secrets, and even though it goes entirely against her “hands off the guests” rule Faith is tempted to help him leave the past behind. As the magic of the season swirls around them, she is determined to succeed because now she is certain one sweet, cowboy Christmas will never be enough..

 

 

I don't normally read a lot of novellas, as they are simply too short for me, but when I saw Candis Terry was coming out with a Sweet, Texas one I knew I HAD to read it! I'm so glad I did too! I love this series SO much (it's my favorite adult romance series!) so I was excited to go back and spend some time in Sweet during the Christmas season.

This novella really focuses on Faith and Chase, so we don't see TOO many of our Sweet favorites. That's okay though- the one scene we do see them (with Chase and the Wilder boys at the party) was enough for me!

I really enjoyed reading Faith and Chase's story. While they might not start off on the best of terms, things quickly heat up between them in the short time Chase is staying at the ranch. Chase embodies everything Faith hates- he is a wealthy, successful businessman coming out to the ranch for some 'pampering'. However, as a favor to a friend, she agrees to let him stay. I liked Faith a lot. She doesn't put up with any bull and is really her own woman. She has been burned before by love and that is why she is so abrupt and skeptical of Chase. She sees wealthy businessmen and assumes they are just like her ex. Not too dissuaded, Chase really teaches her the meaning of not judging a book by its cover. While Chase may have been living in New York City, he is no pampered city boy who doesn't know his way around a ranch. Having grown up in Texas himself, but having left due to painful family memories, he really surprises Faith with his laid back, genuine persona.

Chase is also a really great guy. Having had a bit of a health scare, his life has been totally turned upside down and it's not easy starting from scratch to find yourself and your purpose at this point in life. He likes Faith, but he is afraid to get in too deep with her because he's at such a crossroads in his life. She is such a strong personality though and he can't help but gravitate towards her and want to spend time with her.

I liked their romance. It was cute and sweet and gave me plenty of feels. With the addition of the Christmas spirit, it really was a perfect read for this time of year. Lots of kissing, sexy times, sweet getting to know you moments, and a HEA... Sweet Cowboy Christmas was definitely what I needed.

Something Sweeter (Sweet, Texas #3)
   by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC received via Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

The men in Texas are hard to resist . . .

Seattle event planner Allison Lane is an expert at delivering the perfect wedding—even if she might not exactly believe in the whole "'til death do us part" thing. When her father decides to tie the knot with a woman he barely knows, Allison heads to Sweet, Texas, to make sure his new honey is the real deal. What she didn't expect to find at the local honky-tonk was a sexy Southern man as bent on charming her pants off as he is on blowing her "true love doesn't exist" theory all to hell.

And they always promise . . .

Veterinarian, former Marine, and Sweet's favorite playboy Jesse Wilder takes one look at Allison and knows she's a handful of trouble he can't deny. But even after a sizzling kiss and obvious mutual attraction, it seems Allison has no such problem. When Jesse uncovers her sweet side, can he crush his playboy image, melt her cynical heart, and change her mind about taking a trip down the aisle?

Something sweeter...

 

 

This is absolutely my favorite adult romance series. Candis Terry just has this way of pulling you in with her writing, her characterization, and her fun storylines! I love these characters so much and the small town feel just puts a huge grin on your face. There's so much warmth and love and the good people of Sweet don't hesitate in lending a helping hand when someone is in need of it. I really enjoyed Jesse's story and I was ecstatic we got to meet the youngest Wilder brother, Jake, as well as learn more about the eldest brother, Jared.

 

Pacing: Always spot-on. I love how quickly I read these books. You'll immediately be charmed by these characters and desperate to find out how their stories end.

 

Storyline: Not only is Jesse Wilder the town's veterinarian, but he is also known as the town playboy in Sweet, Texas. He's a fun-loving guy and we see that right from the start. Allie saunters into his life and she is quite the spitfire. She's only in Sweet for her dad, who is actually engaged to Jesse's mom. She wants to make sure she's legit, as her dad has been hurt in the past by her mother and doesn't want to see that happen again. Seeing how her mom treated her dad really messed Allie up, making her think that love doesn't really exist. After blowing Jesse Wilder off one night at the bar, she never expects to run into him again, especially at her step-mother to be's house. Jesse is determined to prove her wrong and show her that love is real and it can be lasting. He just never expected to fall for her in the process....

 

Characters: Even though everyone thinks Jesse is the town playboy, that's not quite true. He just never corrects them in their assumptions. He is carrying the weight of a secret and a promise he made to his eldest deceased brother and that really plays a great role in Jesse's story. He wants to fall in love, have a family, etc but doesn't think it's his time- he wants to ensure everyone's happiness first. I love how selfless Jesse is. We expect it from him in his profession, but I love that that's just who he is.

 

Allie, while quite the cynic on love, actually has a really big heart. She jumps at the chance to help Charli and Reno when their wedding encounters a few kinks, despite her apprehension that the couple will even last. Spending time down in Sweet with the infectious Wilder clan will definitely change Allie's worldview and maybe even convince her that life really is sweeter and love does exist.

 

Final Thoughts: Jackson is still my favorite Wilder, but I loved Jesse. I'm so excited for Jake's story and I can't help but hope his story includes a side character we've already met. Fiona, Jackson's ex-wife, is getting the next book and I'm excited to read that one too. These books will just make you smile, sigh deeply, and put a dopey look on your face while you're busy swooning over the romance.

 

 

Some secrets are meant to be revealed…

Or so you’ll discover, in three sexy, unforgettable Valentine’s Day stories from New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Ryan and contemporary romance stars Candis Terry and Jennifer Seasons.

Waiting for You by Jennifer Ryan

Rancher Grant Devane has waited for Taylor Larson’s return to Fallbrook for more than ten years. Now that the fearless beauty has come home on her terms, he’ll do anything and everything necessary to win back her heart.

Sweet Fortune by Candis Terry

Sarah Randall is tired of being invisible to the opposite sex. So when a leap of faith sends her to Sweet, Texas, and into the path of ridiculously hot Deputy Brady Bennett, she’s determined to catch his eye … even if it means staying hidden just a little bit longer.

Major League Crush by Jennifer Seasons

Professional baseball player Drake Paulson can’t help wanting to know more about his cute, shy neighbor. But when he discovers her deepest secret and she flees, it’ll be up to him to win her trust—and her love—one gift at a time.

CONFESSIONS OF A SECRET ADMIRER: A Valentine’s Day Anthology

By Jennifer Ryan, Candis Terry, and Jennifer Seasons

Avon Impulse e-book; on sale: 2/4/2014

Here’s a sneak peek of a steamy secret confession from a love-struck admirer in each story!

I confess that…

“It's been ten long years, since Taylor left, and I've been planning how I'll get her back. I've got a Valentine's surprise that includes the key to my house - she already has the one to my heart.”

GRANT (Waiting for You by Jennifer Ryan)

“I went through hundreds of messages online before I found just the right ones to place in Brady’s fortune cookies. The temptation to stray to the X-rated ones was almost too much to resist.”

--SARAH (Sweet Fortune by Candis Terry)

“The way Drake Paulson fills out his baseball uniform makes me blush—in a good way.”

--BERTIE (Major League Crush by Jennifer Seasons)

Want more confessions? Click here to buy the e-book!

 

 

When I first saw this anthology come available for review, I immediately knew it would be a must read! I am absolutely in love with Candis Terry's Sweet series, so to see a novella by her was reason enough to snag this. I have been wanting to read books by Jennifer Ryan and Jennifer Seasons for awhile now, so to get a taste of their writing through these novellas was awesome. I will definitely be picking up their other books soon! All of these stories are cute, sweet, and have just the right amount of steam and romance to prepare you for the holiday of love.

 

Waiting For You by Jennifer Ryan tells of a woman named Taylor who has come back to her hometown to help take care of her now deceased grandmother's ranch, as well as run her grocery store. Running into Grant Devane reignites old feelings she's just barely been able to push below the surface. Yet she has also been hurt by Grant and is unsure of how her coming back into town will affect the two. Grant realizes he made a mistake with her and wants nothing more than the chance to rectify it and make her his. However, Grant certainly has his work cut out for him. He has a lot of explaining to do in regards to why things happened the way they did between the two of them, but he is determined to not let her get away this time. I really enjoyed both Grant and Taylor and watching him go to the lengths he did to show her how he really felt (and had felt all along) was really sweet.

 

Sweet Fortune by Candis Terry was probably my favorite of the three, but that's because I am already so invested in these characters! I was rooting for shy Sarah to find a love of her own ever since the first book in the series Anything But Sweet. Sarah has always been on the shyer, not so adventurous side. She doesn't have the bonds that her friends in Sweet do to their families. Yet, she does know she's tired of just sitting on the sidelines. I admire her so much for realizing that her life wasn't what she wanted and that she was going to grab the bull by the horns and take charge of it. Moving to Sweet was impulsive, but necessary for her and while she sees herself the way she does, I saw a girl with guts. As Valentine's Day nears, she doesn't want to let another year pass her by without love. After seeing the Sweet's Valentine's Day Most Wanted and finding Deputy Brady Bennett listed, she decides to take a chance. She doesn't think he would go for a girl like her, but she is willing to give it her best shot.

 

Brady is attracted to the sweet, vulnerable blonde, but is quite jaded when it comes to love and relationships. He vows he won't go down that road before, as it only leads to heartbreak and betrayal. Yet, Sarah manages to insert herself into not only his life, but his heart.

 

Terry does such a great job of bringing the sexual chemistry and I loved watching Brady and Sarah together. The thought of her being with someone else sends him into a jealous rage, which is his number one clue that he's already in pretty deep.

 

I also loved getting to see Charli and Reno again! They were the reasons I fell in love with this series to start, so it was great seeing them together and helping their friends.

 

Finally, Major League Crush by Jennifer Seasons ended the anthology and I loved the witty, quirky humor she inserted into her novella. Bertie Cogswell is not at all like the beautiful, statuesque women that frequent her drop dead gorgeous neighbor's doorstep. Instead, she is a bit a of nerd and with her curves and glasses doesn't attract many men to her own door. Yet, Bertie has character and she has heart and that is what made me love her. Some of the things she said had me cracking up at how awkward she was! She never in a million years expected her neighbor Drake Paulson, baseball player extraordinaire, to notice her. Drake is currently on hiatus from the dating pool, tired of the usual women that he associates with. He wants something real and when the adorably quirky Bertie ignites something in him he never expected to feel with someone like her, he can't deny that he wants her. Spending even a few minutes with her, he can tell she's different and it's like a breath of fresh air. He has harbored a crush on a comic strip artist for years and even though he's never met her, he's fallen for her wit and humor and he can't get enough of her strip portraying a baseball player and a nerdy almost stalker girl who lives across the hall. Sound familiar? Minus the stalker part, you've got it! Watching Drake put two and two together was quite amusing and several shades of HOT.

 

It was so much fun watching the two together, especially since Bertie knew she was way out of her league when it came to Drake. I hated her self doubts and insecurity, but I can understand where she was coming from. For someone who has never had men knocking down her door, she has a hard time discerning whether he feels something true or if he's making fun of her. What she doesn't realize is that Drake is a genuine, good guy even though he seems a bit insincere at first with all the 'girly' and 'girl' he uses with her.

 

If you are looking for some heartwarming romance this Valentine's Day, this anthology will definitely satisfy you and leave you high on love and all things sweet and sappy.

 

 

Sweetest Mistake (Sweet, Texas #2)
   by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: Dec. 31, 2013
Publisher: Avon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

Firefighter and former Marine Jackson Wilder has tough guy down to an art, but he’s learned the hard way that promises were made to be broken. Abigail Morgan was once his best friend, his first kiss, his first love, his first everything. He’d just forgotten to mention all that to her and she blew out of his life. Five years later, she’s back and he’s battling a load of mistrust for her disappearing act. But for some reason he just can’t keep his lips—or his hands—to himself.

When her stint as a trophy wife abruptly ends, Abby returns home to Sweet, Texas, and comes face-to-face with Jackson—her biggest and sexiest mistake. Time and distance did nothing to squash her love for the act-first-think-later stubborn hunk of a man, and when he suggests they renew their old just-friends vow, Abby realizes she wants more. She’d cut and run once. Could she do it again? Or could she tempt him enough to break his promise?

 

 

It's official. Candis Terry is one of my favorite adult contemporary romance authors. This says a lot because I have found that adult romances are really hit or miss with me. Candis Terry is a complete hit. I really enjoyed last year's Anything But Sweet and when I saw this pop up for review, I jumped at the chance to get back to my favorite small town of Sweet, Texas and those sexy Wilder brothers.

 

I really liked Jackson. He is a good man, a great father, and a hard worker. He is a former Marine and is now a firefighter. He not only works for the San Antonio department, but volunteers at their local station as well. Jackson is a bit of a stubborn character, though, as I'm discovering most of the Wilder men are! He doesn't always say what he feels and that tends to cause problems for him.

 

The book starts with him realizing that his former best friend Abby has returned to town. Jackson harbors a lot of hurt feelings toward her, as she disappeared from his life seven years ago after he deployed to Afghanistan. Jackson wants answers and I can't really blame him. We learn that these two were very close and shared a lot of moments together. Not only were they each other's first kiss, but they also were each other's firsts. There's a lot of history between them and Jackson can't believe that she left without a trace and wasn't there for him after losing his brother and father.

 

I felt bad for Abby. She, like Jackson, doesn't say what she feels either and these two end up dancing around what they really want from one another. Abby definitely made poor decisions seven years ago, but she did what she felt was the best at the time. She was trying to protect her heart from Jackson and thought leaving was the only way to do so. Now, she's back in Sweet to help get her parent's house ready to sell and Jackson Wilder comes storming back into her life. Abby left town to avoid heartbreak, but her life didn't end up quite the way she planned. Her marriage didn't work out and ended much the same way her and Jackson did. Abby is a bit lost, trying to figure out what she wants and where she wants to be.

 

I love Abby and Jackson's chemistry. Jackson can act as blasé as he wants in regards to his feelings for her, but deep down he is just afraid of what will happen. He's known loss in his life and has also been married once before. I think he's afraid Abby will take off again and his heart wouldn't recover again. There were a few moments where I literally wanted to smack Jackson upside the head for being such an idiot with her. I'm glad Abby decided to take control and tell him how she finally felt. It was a bold move on her part, but I was cheering her on because Jackson needed to get his head out of his ass and see what he would be losing.

 

I love that we get to see a lot of the characters from the first book in the series also. Reno and Charli show up, as does their mom Jana, who is a lot of fun and always meddling with her sons' love lives. She's a good woman and would do anything to see her boys happy. She also loves Abby and doesn't hold a grudge against Abby for leaving. We also get to see more of Jesse, Jackson's and Reno's brother, who is known to be quite the playboy. I'm really looking forward to his story next because there's a lot more to Jesse than people think.

 

We also get to see Jackson interact with his daughter Izzy and it will absolutely melt your heart. He's a great dad and loves his daughter to pieces. He is on good terms with his ex-wife, Fiona, and I was glad to see her accept Abby even though she still loves Jackson. However, she understands that Jackson doesn't feel that way and doesn't hold that against him or try to interfere with his life.

 

Overall, I thought Sweetest Mistake was a great addition to the Sweet series and watching Jackson and Abby forgive each other as well as fall for each other again was really what drew me in. If you are looking for a good love story with great characters, this is the series to check out!

 

 

Anything But Sweet
   by: Candis Terry

Publication Date: June 25, 2013
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Adult
Source: e-ARC provided by Edelweiss and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4/5 stars

HE’S STUBBORN AND THOROUGHLY MALE . . .

If Charlotte Brooks thinks she and her TV makeover show can turn Reno Wilder’s hometown upside down, he’ll be happy to prove her wrong. The x-Marine has seen too much turmoil and he likes Sweet, Texas, just the way it is. Traditional. Familiar. A little dull. Everything Charli isn’t. But instead of backing off from his scowls like everyone else, Charli digs in her skyscraper heels.

SHE’S TENACIOUS AND WICKEDLY TEMPTING . . .

Reno Wilder is a one-man unwelcoming committee, but Charli isn’t budging. It’s clear the gorgeous cowboy needs an overhaul just as much as Sweet. Someone needs to break him out of that gruff shell and show him how fun and rewarding a little change can be.

THEY’RE ABOUT TO FIND THAT LOVE IS ANYTHING BUT PREDICTABLE.

                                                       -goodreads.com description

I'm really glad I got a copy of this off Edelweiss. It was a cute, light-hearted, read. I really enjoy books set in small towns that have the everyone knows everyone else and is all up in your business dynamic. I guess it's the Gilmore Girls fan in me of thinking how cool it would be to live somewhere to have a 'place' to go and have everyone know you. (Those of you that live in those types of towns are probably laughing at me right now to be real. That's ok. LOL.) I also love books about cowboys. Did I mention that Reno's a cowboy? Oh yeah.

This book alternates between both Reno and Charli's POV's, so we really get to see both sides, which I adore. As the synopsis states, Reno likes things the way they are. He doesn't like change. He lives by the motto, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." He's a former Marine, so he definitely is not a weak man at all. He has principles and expectations and doesn't want them to be impeded on. He has counted on stability and everything running like a well-oiled machine for years. Charli bursts onto the scene and all of that goes POOF!

Charli is such a fun character. Her job is to give towns a makeover to improve the state of things by doing renovations so they can bring in more revenue, etc. One of those places includes Reno's hardware store that has been passed down to him by his father. It has great sentimental value to him, which is why he is so irritated with her to start. Reno's first impression of her is that yes, she's attractive, but she's well-polished with her heels, clothing, and her prissy little dog. He sees that Hollywood persona and wants nothing to do with her. She however, also notices the rugged, handsome guy with the scowl on his face.

I loved the dynamic between these two. Watching Charli break down Reno's walls is worth reading in itself. There's a reason he doesn't like change and is so guarded and we find out those reasons a bit later in the book. There is definitely some serious sexual tension between these two. So naturally, the steam factor is quite high!

Charli and Reno both come from less than perfect family situations. Charli lost her mom at a young age and was forced to grow up with her strict military father. She found it to be quite lonely, never quite meeting her father's expectations. All her life she's been moved around, so it's no surprise that she longs for a place to settle down and call her own. Reno had a very difficult childhood in the beginning. However, it did get a lot better, due in part to his family now. I won't say much more because I definitely don't want to spoil anything for you. However, he is still haunted by his past and doesn't recognize his own self-worth. After getting over his initial dislike of 'Fancy Pants' (as he calls Charli), he begins to really fall for her, but keeps himself at arm's length because he thinks, "Nobody wanted-or needed- damaged goods."

We have a lot of fun side characters too. I loved Reno's mom, Jana, and her relationship with Charli. They get along so naturally and I think it's nice for Charli to have another female to spend time with besides her assistant, Sarah. Reno's brothers are also a lot of fun. They love to tease each other and you can tell just how close the brothers are. They are a close knit family and I loved watching them together.

Once the two finally give in to each other---- SIGH. I was swooning like crazy! However, with Charli only staying in town for a few more weeks- what does that mean for the pair?

Overall, this was a really enjoyable, cute read that I couldn't put down! The story did start off a little slow, and I did get a little bogged down by details, but it quickly righted itself to where I didn't have any problems continuing!

This is a great book about how change is inevitable but shows how it doesn't always have to turn out to be such a bad thing...