Queen of Hearts by Judy Duarte Jennifer Kramer, divorced, mother of one girl lives with her mother and writes a love advice column. He recalls Marco from school but nobody can locate him in time for the class reunion. She's been given the job of reporting all about, so now she will have to go. Marc Alvardo is in town and has moved his business to the area and they offer a high school scholarship. Takes them some time to realize who he really is... . ( )

Almost Home is a collection of four novellas, headlined by bestselling Debbie Macomber.

Whale Island by Cathy Lamb is about a reclusive children's book author who lives on a coastal Washington state island and the reporter sent to interview her. Chalese steels herself for what Aiden will uncover. Not just her present as the popular creator of animal stories but her past as a victim.

Queen of Hearts by Judy Duarte tells the story of Marcos "The Brain" Taylor and his high school crush, Jenn Kramer, when they meet up again just before their 10 year reunion. Jenn doesn't recognize her handsome new boss, Marc, but feels drawn to his kindness and strength. Although there is something familiar about his eyes ... Jenn writes the advice column in the local newspaper and several of the recent letters from a self-described lovelorn geek hit pretty close to home.

The Honeymoon House by Mary Carter is Kate and Andy's story. And Amanda and Pete's. And Kate and Jeff's. But really it's Kate and Andy's. Amanda called off her wedding to Pete just before walking down the altar and ordered her best friend to strip the Martha's Vineyard cottage of anything romantic. While fulfilling her maid of honor duties, Kate runs into the cottage's owner, Pete's friend Andy. Both Andy and Kate have literal and psychic scars to heal before they find their happily ever after.

The Marrying Kind by Debbie Macomber starts with Jason Ingram seeing a woman from his past in the hotel bar just two days before his wedding. Kate Kern was his first love. Also his first wife. When their honeymoon was interrupted by her parents dragging her off, Jason lost her. Seeing her again awakens old feelings for both Jason and Kate. But he's engaged.

All four books are fun and fit together well in this collection. Each have strengths and a weakness. In Whale Island, Chalese and her friend Brenda and sister Christie are a bit over the top in their shenanigans. I don't believe two people could fall through a glass skylight onto a butcher block table without severe injury. But Chalese's emotional journey rang true for me so I could forgive the inconsistencies in the story.

Probably the weakest story for me was Queen of Hearts. I just never really connected to the stiff-as-cardboard Jenn. And I didn't believe she wouldn't recognize Marc, a young man whom she remembered quite well.

The Honeymoon House has plenty to enjoy, and I did, in spite of the overly dramatic and unlikeable Amanda. The ending felt rushed as Kate's emotions ran the gamut too quickly to ring true.

The Marrying Kind shows Debbie Macomber's experience in telling engaging stories. Kate and Jason's chemistry jumped off the page, but I disliked that they hopped into bed so quickly. I get that it's all about the story and that got the story ticking, but it didn't make me sympathize with either of them when they were guilt-wracked the next day.

Overall, Almost Home is a fun book to pick up and pass a few hours with. The four novellas make it easy to read one story in a sitting.

I recommend it!

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes and it did not influence the honesty of my subjective opinions. ( )

4 short stories in one. Nice easy cute enjoyable summer read. ( )

Authors: Debbie Macomber, Cathy Lamb, Judy Duarte, Mary Carter
ISBN: 978-1420108866
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: July 28, 2009

5 Hearts

This anthology boosts a 1996 novella from #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber, but the other three lesser known authors have brand new never released stories in the book.

While all of the stort stories are great romantic stories, the first story in the book, Whale Island by Cathy Lamb was just outstanding. The author's wit and charm came through in flying colors throughout the story. The story was written in the first person, which I generally don't like that much, but the author was well versed and made the text flow. I couldn't put the story down. I found the hero and heroine so true to life characters I could easily picture their romance happening and the two sticking together forever.

The other three stories were equally interesting and fun to read. There were heartwarming romantic stories that you don't get to read often enough these days. Judy Duarte's Queen of Hearts, was a little slow to get into at first, but I simply enjoyed the way Judy wove the letters from the advice columnist's readers into the fabric of the story that soon I was engrossed in the story and couldn't put it down until the very end.

The Honeymoon House featured two sets of friends that just knocked my socks off. I just loved Kate's friend Amanda and her relationship with her on again-off again fiance, as well as Kate's relationship with Andy.

Debbie Macomber has long been a favorite of mine. Her inspirational stories full the need for any romantic at heart. I liked the fact that the lead heroine, Katie, has a conscious and worries for the bride-to-be, even as she gets carried away with the moment, with the groom.

Delightful stories every one, I think that the traditional romance novel lovers will like this collection of stories.

Description:
The Marrying Kind by Debbie Macomber
High school sweethearts Katie and Jason haven't seen each other in ten years - and now she's walked back into his life. With one look, the love they shared comes flooding back - only now the odds seem stacked against them.

Whale Island by Cathy Lamb
Family secrets and imposing friends are making Chalese feel like an outsider in her very own home on beautiful Whale Island. But it's only when a shocking revelation makes her feel truly lost that she opens her heart to the possibilities the past offers - including a chance at love with the last man she expected.

Queen Of Hearts by Judy Duarte
Her high school reunion is coming up, and advice columnist Jenn Kramer couldn't be dreading it more - until she lays eyes on Marcos. Jenn hardly noticed him when they were kids, but know he's all grown up.

The Honeymoon House by Mary Carter
It doesn't get more romantic than Andy Beck's cottage on Marth's Vineyard. But love is the last thing on his mind - he just wants to get the cottage ready for his best friends honeymoon. At least that's the plan, until he finds the gorgeous Maid of Honour ransacking his house - in the most irresistible way. ( )