Melinda CurtisCritiques

HOLY CRAP! I couldn't get enough of Coop and Nora's story the give and take that left Coop in Alaska through no fault of his own and he gave up his dream to play professional hockey. I loved how determined Nora was to not let a one night stand keep her from letting Coop know that he had a daughter. Now I have to see who is next book!

Grandma Dotty is full of spunk despite some dementia and older age issues. She loves her grandkids and definitely wants to see them find their person. And she definitely gets involved in their lives. Its a cute story that is a feel-good type of story that will keep you smiling and reading. This is a fun book to read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was a wonderful addition to this fun series, It is always fun to see the very interesting and diverse group of people living in this little town as well as seeing characters from a previous book making it feel like you are going back home. The book moves at a good pace and characters are enjoyable and add to the the previous towns people. This romantic comedy has some humor, which I so enjoy in any book I read. The World is serious enough, and this book gives a bit of comedic relief. There are some engaging twists and turns that keep you reading. Nate and Julia make the book a truly awesome story. Don't miss this title and addition to the series.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In this book of the Love in Harmony Valley series we find Vince and Harley as the main characters that had been dating, but then ended that. As Vince needs a plus one for a family wedding, he asks Harley to pretend that they are a couple. Its a light story with interesting characters and so if you like fake relationship stories, this is for you! There were funny parts and more serious ones in the pasts of some that needed to be resolved. The book keeps you turning pages and is a fun read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a very enjoyable read in "The Cowboy Academy" series. It was a sweet story of Tate and Ellie. Tate had feelings for Ellie in high school which never seemed to work and she ended up with Buck. Things just didn't work out with Buck and Ellie comes back to the ranch, single and with cute twins in tow. They spend time at the rodeos together and the twins have something in mind. They start to have feelings for one another but there are things that are holding them back.
I really liked the characters and the storyline was engaging and interesting. I think you will love it I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Claudine Giordano is a chef who is back in town to help her grandma with her pizza restaurant. Just across the street is Enzo, a cook at his family restaurant with whom Claudia had a relationship that didn't turn out well with as a teen. How will this competition of the two restaurants fair with Claudia and Enzo?
This was a cute novella that was very entertaining and a fun read. The characters were great and the storyline was good.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This collection of Christmas short stories is a continual book written in 8 parts with each being written by a different author. Each of these authors is on my "go to" author list. I have read books from each and knew that this would be a book that I totally enjoy. And it was!
It follows through the fun location of Christmas Town, Maine. There are different types of romances in this collection, ranging from second chance romance to various other romances. It revolves around making a movie in Christmas Town and the participants from crew to townspeople. So fun! Especially for me, an old dramatics arts person! Loved it! I am sure it will keep you entertained throughout, as well!

I received a complimentary copy and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Can I say this probably might just be my absolute fave book of this series!? Well, that is the case and it was such a sweet story that I really didn't want it to end. Single mom, Mina loves her son and will do anything to protect him. Including keeping a secret that weighs heavily on her mind. Hudson McCloud is a prominent man from an also prominent politically oriented family. He has secrets in his past, too. The secrets seem to hold both back from moving forward and on with their lives.
Liam is a sweet chess-playing boy and Mina's son. The characters are all so engaging and the book was one that I couldn't put down easily. So good! Sweet romance and a wonderful realistic and believable story line. In a few words: I loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are mine.

Book 8 of The Love in Harmony Valley series was a sweet romance that I enjoyed very much. Brittany Lambridge is opening a beauty shop in Harmony Valley. I enjoy Harmony Valley as it reminds me so much of the little town that I lived in as a young girl, which is now almost a ghost town. Brittany is also looking for junk to create into art. Then there's Joe and he is the mechanic with a not so good rep.
Joe is a single dad who is trying to put life back in order. It's a sweet story with ups and downs and townspeople that add to a great story that I really liked. It's a book you will enjoy and keep your interest throughout!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but wasn't obligated to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I enjoyed these books, all interrelated. Although I'm a fan of romance novels, several of the tropes used were too similar, making very fast happily ever afters, so many of them all at once, a bit hard to chew. My favorite would have been the very first one, Ms. Curtis's story well written and well edited. The others were also well written, but might have benefited from a sharper pen. Minor issues, and yet noticeable.

Light hearted seasonal fluff, and I really did enjoy them overall.

I love a sweet, clean romance and this book was that. It's a second chance around for Dix Youngblood, who has had a crush on Allison Burns since school years. The book is definitely a good read and very entertaining. The characters were well written and I enjoyed this book very much. It was fun to watch how both Allison and Dix grew as the book progressed. I recommend this book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.

Having experienced a car accident, Tracy returns home to Harmony Valley. She has much healing still ahead of her as she meets Chad a travel writer that comes to town and whose ambitions and goals do not coincide with hers. Yet there is something between them that neither of them expect. The story is again set in little Harmony Valley and is a sweet and clean romance filled with fun characters that are fun to read about.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this sweet romance and I have really enjoyed this series, as well. This book is about Jessica, a master baker, who has amnesia and finds herself pregnant with now an unknown father. As she seeks to find her past and future, bits of memory return, enough to lead her to Harmony Valley. Here in this small, quiet place she searches for her memory and the pieces to her past. I think this is one of my favorites in this series. I really enjoyed the romance and the story line. The elderly people in Harmony Valley remind me of the town I grew up in and the warmth that one finds in small town life. I think you will enjoy this one!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I enjoy sweet Grandma Dotty books and this was a great continuation of the series. She is always a fun character to read about. Her antics keep everyone on their toes!
The story is very enjoyable and is a cute matchmaker story, and you know who the matchmaker is! This was a fun contemporary romcom! I loved it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

I loved this book. I liked the characters of Gage and Shelby and his love of animals, especially horses. The story line was well written and kept me very engaged throughout. I enjoyed the townspeople and the small town feel of the book, and where friends can be friends or perhaps more? It was a sweet story that keeps you smiling and reading till the end. Mae, an elderly woman was an enjoyable and caring person that made a lasting impression on me. Very good book which I would definitely recommend
I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Happy to see that this will be a new series! Because I really enjoyed this book. I love these sweet romances. I love the different states this author takes me to. I really enjoyed the matchmaker storyline and the family and friend feelings throughout.
Ronnie starts a matchmaking business and her first client is Wade, widower and cowboy with a ten year old daughter to raise. Although there were some feelings between them, Ronnie is sure that her goal is to set him up with the eligible young ladies and tries hard to keep a promise to his late wife to help him find someone after her passing.

This is a sweet and tender story along with some humor, as well. Can't wait for the next in the series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This is a sweet story of a caregiver in a very small town looking for work and trying to clean up a "few situations" from the past. She intends to make sure everything is right and without causes of concern. This contemporary romance with interesting characters that I definitely enjoyed. I love how the grandfather is a kindly person even though others are not willing to trust her.
I enjoyed this story and Becca's story as to tries to restore her good name. I am sure you will enjoy it, too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

A friendship torn apart by a tragic accident. Two girls, inseparable friends, now separated. Kept away from Tracy by her brother, Emma is trying hard to regain the friendship that they had. Tracy's brother Will, feels Emma is careless and one who has always taken chances without regard to possible results.
I enjoyed the story and the romance that blooms. The book was well-written and your heart goes out to the girls as they struggle with their relationship.

It is a very different story then others I have read from this author. I am sure you will enjoy it.
I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.

But did he pass the kissing test??? This is a really fun story of Aubrey and Nino. And there's chocolate! What could be better than that? The story takes place in Ecuador and you learn a little about the customs of marriage there, as well. This was a fun and quick read and I think you will enjoy it!
I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.

This was a really sweet story. The characters really were easy to relate to, to understand their feelings, despite their past divorce. Despite a painful divorce, Helen knows she has never stopped loving Nash. It was great to see how they worked to get over their previous problems and both felt the desire to become a family working together to help save the family's ranch.
I loved the way this book worked out. It was a book that brings the Holiday spirit home. It was a wonderful last book for this series. And a clean romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.

This story actually connected to me quite well, as my daughter was a dancer as well. So it touched me a lot as I saw the common paths of decisions that some dancers have to make.
As Allie takes a job waitressing at the Sleigh Café an old friendship seems to have new sparks. This is just the sweetest Christmas Story as the two, Allie and Nick find a renewed interest in one another. As they help their family with some problems that have arisen, the warmth of Christmas Mountain and the holiday spirit warms all their hearts.

The mysterious Christmas Cards with inspiring messages was a cute highlight in the story. One that gives me some personal thoughts of a sweet Christmas plan of my own. The characters were easy to like and this is definitely a great Christmas story to add to the Holiday Season.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. All thoughts are my own.

Christmas Town Bake-Off: A 7-Book Connected Holiday Romance Collection by Melinda Curtis, Anna J. Stewart, Cari Lynn Webb, Beth Carpenter, Cheryl Harper, LeAnne Bristow, Tanya Agler
that I love about this book is each of the authors got their own section but the story flows smoothly and seamless.
bout Christmas Town, Maine and the holiday bakeoff is about to begin. Story starts out with those who help organize and run the event, judging, etc. Also love stories of those who had left and are back in time for the events.
Some hated to leave, some feared coming back. Lot of unspoken wishes and misconstrued things said or heard.
Love the gazebo in the town square and how magic happens there. Love all the trades and the careers they all choose and what they do and how are described. So many behind the scenes.
Love baking and recipes at the back, can't wait to try a few.
Life gets in the way in some circumstances and it's just SO real. Love especially the ideas of helping the autistic man and how to keep him calm. Can't wait to try the vest on my grandson.
Love all the different sections of the bakeoff and how baking goes, judging and gala to wrap it all up.
Have read holiday anthologies before but never a connected one, way to go!
Wish there were recipe listings or links to recipes online. Book ends with authors other works.

A sweet anthology of seven interconnected Christmas stories centered around Christmas Town’s first annual bake off. Even though it’s part of a yearly series set in Christmas Town going back to 2015 I had no problem becoming invested in the seven new couples and the bake off. Going back and starting at the beginning is definitely going to be on my holiday to do list this year!

Just in time for the holidays! This book is sure to put you in the Spirit of the Season! Seven great authors, and seven great stories. These stories connect and form a wonderful holiday experience. The stories were all sweet with touching scenes to set the perfect holiday experience.
The authors are all talented writers and their stories all are about Christmas Town. I love each authors addition and how well the stories blend. I have to mention I couldn't help but love the story with a Polish grandmother's special recipe. I am Polish-German and Polish grandma's know how to cook and bake! All the stories are great and will transport you to a Christmas frame of mind!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

So I love Grandma Dotty. A little crazy yet very loveable matchmaker! And she's back in this story. As she wants to see some little babies coming along, she wants to make sure that her grands are happily married! This is a romantic comedy that is sure to keep you laughing throughout. Violet is her target and if you like a little Shakespeare, this is a must-read for you! Grandma Dotty has some crazy plans and you will be totally engaged! The storyline was such fun and keeps you reading! It is a clean romance.
Dottie is taking exercise class and has a goal of being a model. Can you just visualize her doing hip-hop?

So grab a copy of this fun story and you will have some enjoyable reading! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own.