Ava Stone

Dazzled at the Wedding
By Kate Pearce, Ava Stone & Nicole Locke

Dazzled by enough to fall in love, three couples meet their mates with ghosts, pixies, brownies, water sprites, mermaids, a god and perhaps others lurking, watching and perhaps prodding. This is an excellent addition to the previous books (six I believe) that take place on or near the Castle Keyvnor premises. In this collection the locale is Bocka Morrow, a village that is down the hill from the castle. All hree stories take place during the time of a scheduled wedding though the characters have little to do with the actual event.

What I liked:
* The magical beings
* Being reminded of previous stories in the series
* The strength of the women
* The delightful romances
* Each story had a flavor of its own with the common themes magic and romance
* Hezekiah & Malakia: So right for one another and that Hezekiah was so much MORE than he first seemed to be
* Garrett & Franny: Loved how Garrett was able to “see” Frannie and appreciate her. Also enjoyed Maddie, Lucy and the trip to the Gypsy camp
* Hugh & Abigail: Abigail had Hugh’s head spinning with her question for each of his questions. Loved the house as a thwarting device.
* The time that I was taken away from thoughts of covid-19
* Being reminded of how much I used to love fairy tales as a child.

What I didn’t like:
* Having the book end and wondering what would happen to the characters in the future.

Thank you to the authors for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars… (más)

It’s Christmas time at Danby Castle and Lady Patience has been summoned along with her mother and 2 sisters. The three sisters, Patience, Hope and Grace are identical triplets and Hope and Grace had already had somewhat of a reputation but Patience was a question mark for the Duke of Danby to decipher.
The Duke is famous (infamous) for matchmaking for his family members. Now that all his children and grandchildren have been taken care of his is working on his grand-nieces and the triplets are in his sights.
When Patience is bitten by her little kitten (in the title role) Doctor Matthew Campion is called in to tend the wound. Of course it is love at first sight (or first bite as is was). Since the kitten was making trouble at the castle, Matthew takes him to his home, inviting Patience to come visit it.
Though the two are in love, how can a mere doctor think of marrying the Duke’s grand-niece? After an incident at the local inn, Matthew and Patience seemed to be separated forever by her family. But, you have to read the story to see how the Duke sorts it all out.
I am a big fan of the many stories featuring the Duke of Danby but his Christmas match-meddling always are great fun to read. You don’t need to know anything about the Duke to read and enjoy this story but be warned – once you start you’ll want to read more about him.
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review but I would definitely have bought it anyway. Ava Stone always manages to create characters that you can’t help loving.
… (más)

I read this book originally as part of the Forget Me Not Anthology. I had also read other books in the Desolate Suns series. While I liked the characters and the story I felt like something was missing when I got to the last page. I probably would have given this one more star if there had been a little more of an end to the story.
Molly travels with her college friend to NY. While there she decides to get a tattoo in honor of her dead brother. In the waiting room at the Tattoo Parlor she meets her brother's best friend Seth. This wouldn't be such a coincidence except they grew up in Iowa, she is a student at a Southern University and he is attending NYU. They get matching tattoos and while the work is being done the rekindle their old friendship and learn that they both had been attracted to the other back in High School.
After a misunderstanding, they meet again and begin a romance - but that's where the story falls short - what happens afterwards.
I realize that this story was originally written as part of an Anthology about a tattoo parlor so that is where most of the action takes place but I as left wanting more… (más)