Kilby Blades

Snapdragon is a very sexy story about Darby and Michael. They meet at wedding and begin a friends-with-benefits arrangement with lots of rules. Kilby Blades used a common trope to tell a story that is unique and original. These are two very driven people with real problems. Workplace issues, family issues, mental health issues. It's so very relatable despite the fact that these are two very successful, talented and wealthy people.
Snapdragon is part one of a duet and is narrated solo by Erin Mallon. She is, as always, amazing.
I am excited to get started on part two of this duet and the continuing story of Darby and Michael.… (más)

Part two of Michael and Darby's story. Told from Michael's POV, which was nice. I did sometimes get frustrated with his refusal to communicate completely with Darby. It's like he forgot what he told her at the beginning of the relationship. I think that is more just my own issue with the character. I would have liked to get a little more with Darby's father. I really enjoyed the other side characters and would love to get future books for some of them.

All in all, I enjoyed the second part of their story and was satisfied with the way their HEA played out.… (más)

So many of us have yet to return to traveling, and if you want to travel to Italy without leaving your chair, Kilby Blades It Takes A Villa will have you feel like you are on the Amalfi Coast.

Natalie and her grandmother had planned to buy an abandoned villa in Amalfi. After her grandmother passes away, Natalie went through with their plans alone. Italy runs a program to encourage foreigners to buy homes for $1, with the stipulation that the buildings must be renovated within a six month time period or the buildings revert back to the towns.

Italy has a reputation for having a slow bureaucracy, which makes this program problematic. But Natalie is determined to renovate the abandoned villa on her own. It's go big or go home. She meets other Americans in the program, and as a group they support each other, sharing ideas, supplies, and work loads.

Natalie also meets Pietro, an architect and the son of the town's mayor, who is helping people (especially Natalie) renovate their buildings and manuever through the maze of regulations. Pietro wants this program and his town to succeed. He's also handsome, single and very attracted to Natalie.

Along with the traditional romance tropes, we get the added benefit of the lovely setting of the beautiful Amalfi Coast and the lessons of life lived in a different country and culture. That is what set this interesting novel apart from most books in the romance genre.

Fans of all the HGTV renovation shows will get an extra level of enjoyment from It Takes A Villa. And if you like Italian food, your mouth will water at the descriptions of the delicious food. This one would make a terrific Hallmark movie.

Thanks to TLC Tours for putting me on Kilby Blades tour.… (más)

Forrest for the Trees is a small town story with ties to the Green Valley series. I am a fan of enemies to lovers romances and this story had a bit of that, but Forrest knows what he wants and has the patience to wait it out in this slow burn delight.
It also has a great twist on grumpy/sunshine trope with the heroine the grumpy one!!! It is first in a series and new to me author that I think I’m going to be obsessed with from here on!

“Sierra was selfless at a time when the world was in trouble. It needed people to care. How much she did kicked Forrest right in the feels.”

This book is populated with interesting characters including Sierra’s Bernese mountain dog, Everest :) I loved the office politics mixed with the mystery of who is behind a series of forest fires. Forrest for the Trees is definitely one of my favorite books this year.
-5 Stars!-… (más)