Seven brand new novella’s to finish off your summer!
Melanie Moreland – The Summer of Us
She was the light in my dark life. The sunshine that warmed me and made me smile.
We had one summer. One perfect summer, until the day it ended.
Years later, she walked back into my life. Older. Sadder. More beautiful than ever.
How can I prove to her that summer was real?
How do I make her see that boy … real?
How do I make her see that boy that loved her then, still loves her now?
How do we get back to the summer when we were us?
Amy Briggs – The Inheritance
In the affluent seaside town of Port Henry, New York, Riley Maxwell inherits a house with more than one surprise she doesn’t intend to keep. When the local veterinarian meets her, he can’t resist pursuing a new summer fling. But, when secrets are revealed, they find themselves in more than just a summer affair.
Caisey Quinn – Summer Seduction
Emersyn Tyler is having one rough summer.
When her mom’s violent temper and recent diagnosis send her dad packing, she’s left to take care of her little brother alone.
Forget basking in the sunshine, she’s busy working full-time and taking summer classes at the local college so she can graduate high school. Until her friend drags her to a carnival where she runs smack into him.
The blue-eyed Adonis from her art history class.
Aiden Singleton isn’t looking for anything more than a meaningless hook-up. Finishing his graduate degree so that he can teach history and coach hockey in the fall, he’s got plenty on his plate without any added complications. But when a blond-haired beauty needs his help, all he can say is yes.
Heidi McLaughlin – By the Seaside
Dr. Danny Weatherly never had planned to take over his dad’s practice but when everything changed after one awful day, the summer before college, he really didn’t think about much of anything at all — because his life was over. His true love hated him. . . and for good reason.
Kelly Taft is moving back to her hometown, Gray, North Carolina. Back to her family, back to her friends — back to some good memories and back to some memories that were not so good. In fact, she’s never gotten over that one horrible day that sent her running in the first place.
Danielle Pearl – Love’s a Beach
Liza Farrell is a townie and she has no qualms about it. It’s her quasi-boyfriend who has issues with the “summer people” and at this point she wishes he wasn’t her boyfriend at all.
With college looming just a couple of months away, she couldn’t be more eager to begin the next stage of her life. That is, until Noah Reed returns to town, shaking up both her present, and her future.
Katy Regnery- Single in Sitka
A single Dad. A personal ad. What could possibly go wrong?
When Seattle journalist, Amanda McKendrick, pitches a new story about the increase of bear attacks in Sitka, her newspaper sends her north for two weeks. While there, she answers the personal ad of single dad, Luke Kingston, looking for a little no-strings-attached fun to pass the time.
But the sweet, widowered father of three—who just happens to be a smokin’ hot state trooper—turns out to be a lot more than Amanda bargained for. As the days go by, she wonders if it’ll be possible to return to Seattle without leaving her heart behind.
Shari J. Ryan – The Secret at Sunset
When a girls’ weekend getaway turns into more than Alexa Cale bargained for, she sets off alone on a sunset stroll, seeking a small cove nestled in the ocean’s inlet of Cabos San Lucas. No one warned Alexa that the high tide will swallow the hiking path. Stranded on rocks between the beach and ocean, Alexa finds herself thankful for Lincoln Holt, an attractive survivalist who purposely loses track of the tide’s time.
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I am reviewing Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery.
First off, this is featured in the One Hot Summer Anthology, so don’t go searching for the wrong book!
I nearly gave up on this one at the beginning. Our Heroine, Amanda, seemed like such a terrible coworker at the start – I nearly quit then and there.
But I’m glad I continued. The chemistry between Amanda and Luke was electric. Both of them are looking for a rebound – Amanda after a bad breakup and Luke after the death of his wife. And as you can guess, what starts off as casual turns into something more.
Their story doesn’t end there though (okay it sort of does), but there is more to come! The final half of their story is to still be released in the full novel in October.
Great side characters, and real emotional depth. Will surely be picking up the rest of their story!
A selection of hot summer tales.
Anthologies are a great way to discover new authors while catching up with the latest offering from some of your favorites. One Hot Summer certainly fits that trope. I haven’t read all of the stories yet but these three were my favorites so far.
Heidi McLaughlin~
Great story. Danny and Kelly were pulled apart as teenagers and had to find their way back to love fifteen years later.
Nice second chance romance.
Melanie Moreland~ The Summer of Us
Melanie Moreland never fails to deliver on a story. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a full length novel, or a short novella like ‘The Summer Of Us’, she always brings the feels with them. Queen of a roller-coaster ride filled with angst and heartbreak, where you get ripped to pieces before she picks you up off the floor and gives you that wonderful ending that leaves you craving even more. Morish Melanie, that should be her nickname.
Linc and Sunny were certainly treated with Melanie’s emotional gloves. I got all the feels and was left wishing for more.
Katy Regnery~ Single In Sitka
Single In Sitka is just a little taster of a novella. It’s sweet, sexy and just enough to whet your appetite for the whole story. The insta-love of Luke and Amanda made me smile, and there are some cute kids too. This new series is based in Alaska. Is there something about that State?? Two new series begun there this year. At least as far as I know anyway. But, with this being the start of a new series, it does leave us with one thing. A cliffhanger. Love them or hate them. It’s here and we just have to deal with it.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 2, 2019
NOTE: My review covers the following 3 novellas:
Melanie Moreland – The Summer of Us
She was the light in my dark life. The sunshine that warmed me and made me smile.
We had one summer. One perfect summer, until the day it ended.
Years later, she walked back into my life. Older. Sadder. More beautiful than ever.
How can I prove to her that summer was real?
How do I make her see that boy that loved her then, still loves her now?
How do we get back to the summer when we were us?
•••••••••
REVIEW: THE SUMMER OF US by Melanie Moreland is a contemporary young adult to adult novella focusing on childhood sweethearts Lincoln Thomas Webber, and Sunny Jenson.
THE SUMMER OF US follows Linc and Sunny as they embark on a summer camp romance that will be destroyed by Linc’s abusive and controlling father. At seventeen year old, Lincoln and Sunny were in love but life behind closed doors was a nightmare for Lincoln Thomas. Controlled by an abusive father Linc would find himself alone, without the girl that he loved, until it was time to come home and claim what was his. Fast forward ten years, and Lincoln Webber returned to the small town he once called home, a town he began to reshape one business at a time. After his father’s death, Lincoln knew that to complete his life, he would have to be forgiveness from the only woman he had ever loved.
THE SUMMER OF US is a quick read; a tale of young love destroyed by abuse and power; of one man’s battle to take it all back. The premise is heart breaking and emotional; the characters are broken and alone.
_____________
Caisey Quinn – Summer Seduction
Emersyn Tyler is having one rough summer.
When her mom’s violent temper and recent diagnosis send her dad packing, she’s left to take care of her little brother alone.
Forget basking in the sunshine, she’s busy working full-time and taking summer classes at the local college so she can graduate high school. Until her friend drags her to a carnival where she runs smack into him.
The blue-eyed Adonis from her art history class.
Aiden Singleton isn’t looking for anything more than a meaningless hook-up. Finishing his graduate degree so that he can teach history and coach hockey in the fall, he’s got plenty on his plate without any added complications. But when a blond-haired beauty needs his help, all he can say is yes.
Aiden knows he and Emersyn share something special. What he doesn’t know is that they also share a secret, one that could fracture both of their futures forever.
••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars—SUMMER SEDUCTION is the introductory novella in Caisey Quinn’s young adult to new adult story line focusing on twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler.
NOTE: SUMMER SEDUCTION can be found in the multi-authored anthology ONE HOT SUMMER.
Told from three first person perspectives (Aiden, Emersyn and Drew) SUMMER SEDUCTION follows the summer romance between twenty-four year old Aiden Singleton, and soon to be eighteen year old Emersyn Tyler. Forced to look after her younger brother for most of her life due to her mother’s chronic illness, Emersyn takes some down time for herself, only to come face to face with a young man she met in one of her summer school classes. But a night together ends with a trip the hospital when her best friend Drew is found beaten and barely alive. Struggling with her life at home, and the attack against Drew, Emersyn goes in search of Aiden Singleton, to finish the night that had barely begun.
SUMMER SEDUCTION is a quick story of forbidden romance; of secrets, betrayal, family and friendships; of whispers in the dark, and a taboo relationship. The premise is engaging; the romance is passionate; the characters are colorful and energetic. SUMMER SEDUCTION ends on a cliff-hanger. Aiden and Emersyn’s story continues in STUDENT SEDUCTION.
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Heidi McLaughlin – By The Seaside
Dr. Danny Weatherly never had planned to take over his dad’s practice but when everything changedafter one awful day, the summer before college, he really didn’t think about much of anything at all — because his life was over. His true love hated him. . . and for good reason.
Kelly Taft is moving back to her hometown, Gray, North Carolina. Back to her family, back to her friends — back to some good memories and back to some memories that were not so good. In fact, she’s never gotten over that one horrible day that sent her running in the first place.
•••••••••
REVIEW: 4 stars— BY THE SEASIDE by Heidi McLaughlin is a contemporary,adult stand alone novella following the rekindling romance and relationship between former high school sweethearts Dr. Danny Weatherly, and cafe owner Kelly Taft.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Kelly and Danny) BY THE SEASIDE focuses on second chances. Fifteen years earlier Kelly’s life spiraled out of control. Embarrassed by the action of Danny Weatherly, Kelly left the seaside town of Gray, North Carolina, never looking back.Fast forward to present day wherein, Kelly, now a divorcee and mother of a five year old daughter, returns to Gray in an effort to start anew. But seeing Danny Weatherly brought too many memories of the past, memories that continued to pick at her still broken heart. What ensues is the rebuilding romance and relationship between Kelly and Danny, as Danny makes amends for sins of the past.
BY THE SEASIDE is a story family, friendship, betrayal and love; a story of second chances and forgiveness. The premise is entertaining; the romance is sweet; the characters are real and colorful.
Review for Katy Regnery- Single in Sitka
***5 Stars***
I got sucked in.
I loved all the characters.
And was totally down with all that was going on…
And then that ending that isn’t really an ending…okay it’s a cliffy, but it wasn’t meant to be..UGH…I’m getting a tinsy bit ahead of myself here…
Rewind.
Okay, so I really enjoyed Single in Sitka. It’s only part one, but it packed a punch and I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the book!
I loved Amanda and Luke. They are both good people with good hearts who have found themselves in situations where they are stuck and can’t/won’t look for away out of them…at least not until their respective friends and family shove them out of their comfort zones. The way Amanda and Luke first collide was definitely one for the books, but the spark was there and I really enjoyed watching as they became more to each other than either had expected.
As I rambled in the beginning, their story isn’t complete ~ the author does give an explanation which makes perfect sense and if you follow her on her social media you’ll already know what happened ~ but where she left things off is a real doozy. I swear the evil eye came out because that just wasn’t cool, but it definitely has me wanting to get my hands on the book when she releases it in a couple months…so here’s to practicing patience!
~ Copy provided by Buoni Amici Press & voluntarily reviewed ~
4 “My Heart Is Yours” Stars!
*Read The Summer Of Us by Melanie Moreland*
Lincoln Thomas grew up in the small tourist town of Mission Cove where his wealthy, controlling father owned and ruled just about everything. He was counting the days until he would get his trust fund, and get as far away as possible. The only bright spot in his life was Sunny Jenson. They’d been best friends since grade school, and he’d liked her for as long as he could remember. As they got older their relationship turned into so much more. She was the light in his dark life, and the sunshine he looked forward to seeing. They share one perfect summer together when their seventeen, and then things abruptly ended.
Ten years later their paths cross again when he returns to his hometown to take care of some loose ends. All his good memories have always been tied to her, and he still has unresolved feelings for her that never went away. He wants another chance. A chance to prove everything between them that summer was real.
I reviewed The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland. It’s part of the One Hot Summer anthology featuring seven sexy novellas by seven different authors. The Summer of Us is a fantastic second chance romance about true love and soulmates. A story about a connection so strong that even time and distance can’t break it. I really enjoyed this short, sweet novella!
Review of Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland
I really enjoyed this story. It’s a beautiful mixture of first love & family angst. Linc & Sunny are a pair of best friends discovering the joy of first love, while Linc fights the hatred & greed of his father. There is a naive sweetness to Linc & Sunny’s relationship, but the circumstances they face daily show they have real strength.
I really need this story to be expanded. I want to know a whole lot more about Linc & Sunny.
Summer of Us
I loved this short story in One Hot Summer. Linc is a child whose mother passed and he is left with a very abusive and uncaring father. His father is a very ugly man. He is greedy and conniving. All he wants from Linc is his trust fund.
Sunny is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She is a wonderful girl in love with Linc. She works hard and takes care of her family. All Linc and Sunny wants is to love each other. But Lincs father is not having it.
This book is a story of true love and the perfect revenge. A story of a lonely young man becoming an amazing, caring and giving man, despite his rough upbringing. This is a short but sweet story, that has amazing characters and a beautiful story plot. I really enjoyed reading this book and think that you will love it too.
A truly beautiful story of overcoming even the darkest and most horrible obstacles to find love, forgiveness and happiness.
Rating: I read The Summer of Us by @morelandmelanie which is part of the One Hot Summer anthology. OMG you need to stop what you’re doing and go read this book!! Melanie’s section is a quick read but it’s jam packed with emotion. I would love to see this story develop into its own series or stand alone book. You are hit with so many emotions and you are brought into a struggling life of a young boy and his emotions for not just his family but for Summer his girlfriend! This is a must read for sure.
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One Hot Summer is a great collection of short stories. I enjoyed them all, they all had something different to offer me, and best of all I found some new authors to read.
There is one story that have stuck with me, an that happens to be Melanie Moreland’s, The Summer of Us. It is a second chance, full of emotion, and written so beautifully. You can’t help but fall in love with Lincoln and Sunny.
The summer of us – Melanie Moreland- 4 stars
I want more of Linc and Sunny!
Ms Moreland introduces us the the pair of 17 year old high school sweethearts and lets us see them over come obstacles to be together. She made me root for this pair of likeable characters. We even get to see a glimpse of the older pair reunited and I want to know what happens next!
The Inheritance – Amy Briggs – 3.5 stars
This is more the beginning of a book vs a full novella. What’s here – meeting Donovan and Riley- has me intrigued and I would definitely be interested in reading the full book once it’s published
Summer seduction- Casey Quinn – 4 stars
Oh my gosh, the twist at the end of this one is intense. This novella has entertaining characters and intense drama. I’m very curious to see how the full length follow up plays out.
By the seaside – Heidi McLaughlin – 4 stars
I loved Kelly and Danny’s story. It was sweet and touching to see these two reconnect and 15 years apart. I was sad to see their story end and I want more!
Love’s a Beach – Danielle Pearl – 3.5 stars
Entertaining YA read. Liza is figuring out what she wants from her romantic life when he “townie” boyfriend shows his true colors.
Seeing her reconnect with Noah after he helps her escape a physical confrontation made me want to know more about how their story played out.
Single in Sitka – Katy Regenry – 4 stars
Oh how fun! Amanda and Luke’s story is flirty, entertaining and I can’t wait to read the rest!
The secret at sunset – Shari j Ryan – 4 stars
I want more Alexa and Lincoln!
This is a short read, but it’s just enough that I want to know more about these characters and what happens next for them.
One Hot Summer is the perfect read to end your summer with! Seven delightful novellas by the following amazing authors:
Melanie Moreland
Amy Briggs
Casey Quinn
Heidi McLaughlin
Danielle Pearl
Katy Regnery
Shari J. Ryan
Single in Sitka and By The Seaside were the two stories I loved most. Full of romance and drama, I hated reaching the end!
5 Stars for The Summer of Us (One Hot Summer) by Melanie Moreland
This may be a short quick read but it still packs a mighty punch, it’s a beautifully written love story that will touch you on so many levels, it’s a romance that’s full of emotions so be warned.
A couple with a past, torn apart by a manipulative violent father and forced to move on with their life’s apart. Will Linc and Sunny find happiness second time around ………
This novella will certainly tear at your heartstrings because Linc and Sunny are a loveable couple and I’m sure like me you feel every bit of the heartbreak they go try to find their HEA in The Summer of Us. It’s a story that will draw you in and captivate you and if I had one bad thing to say it would be I wished this story was longer because I want more of the couple I fell Hook line and sinker for. I need to check out the other books in this anthology because if this book is anything to go by I’m sure the others will capture my heart. Emotional quick entertaining read.
The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland
A sweet story of first love and a second chance for Lincoln and his Sunny – 4 sunny stars.
Lincoln is a young man whose father is the richest man in their town. But his father didn’t get to be that rich by legitimate means, nor is he the well-meaning, nice person he portrays to the rest of the town. Nope, he’s evil with no soul and he will ultimately tear these two apart. But, can they have a second chance when Lincoln comes back to right his fathers wrongs?
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The Inheritance by Amy Briggs
Another sweet story, a prequel apparently, to the full length novel, The Inheritance – 3.5 stars.
Riley has been completing a writing job for Jameson for over a year now. She’s found him to be kind and lovely, a friend even. Then he goes away to Switzerland and never returns, and she finds out when his lawyer contacts her regarding her new inheritance…she’s now a very wealthy heiress and owner of a huge, but still a puppy, Great Dane named Scrappy. She has never had a dog, never wanted one either, but he brings Donovan, the town’s vet, into her life, so she is pretty grateful.
If I hadn’t read that this was a prequel to an upcoming full length novel, I would have been really disappointed, because it’s so short and incomplete. But as a prequel, it’s just fine. It sets up the relationship between Riley and Donovan in a sweet fashion, and makes me impatient to read what’s next for the two and for Scrappy!
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Summer Seduction by Caisey Quinn
This one is much hotter than the previous stories in the anthology – 5 stars!
Emersyn takes care of her ailing mother and her younger brother so much that she rarely has time for anything other than school and taking care of them. But when her best friend Drew convinces her to go to the local carnival with him and their other friend, it changes her life and brings someone into her life that has the potential to either break her heart or give her the love she deserves. Unfortunately, she withholds a huge part of her identity from him, and when he finds out…let’s just say them being together is so forbidden and taboo that it’s almost illegal!
I’m waiting very impatiently for the full length novel to come about Aiden and Emersyn, Student Seduction. I’ve gotta find out what happens between them!
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By the Seaside by Heidi McLaughlin
A sweet first love, second chance love story – 4 stars.
When Kelly moves back to her hometown with her young daughter in tow, she doesn’t know her first love, and the boy who tore her heart to pieces, is back in town and is the town’s resident doctor. She doesn’t know until he steps foot into her new coffeeshop and asks her if she recognizes him. Does she recognize him?! How could she not recognize the boy who humiliated her, then stood her up on prom night. Ouch…
Danny’s never gotten over Taffy, so seeing her back in their hometown hits him in the gut. He’s determined to not only get her to forgive him, but to give him a second chance at the first love they shared so many years ago. The only question is, will she let him back in?
I liked this story. Though short, it feels complete and I was rooting for Danny and Kelly to have the second chance at love they so obviously deserved.
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Love’s a Beach by Danielle Pearl
A sweet prequel to a new series – 4 stars.
Liza is an 18-year-old diving into the last summer before college when her boyfriend (although they’ve never labeled it that way) puts his hands on her in an unforgivable way. She’s tough, and defends herself, but it’s Noah, a guy she’s known for years, one of the summer guys, who comes to her rescue and makes sure Jonah doesn’t lay his hands on Liza again.
Liza’s noticing now how much Noah’s grown into himself. He’s not a boy, nope, he’s an 18-year-old man. But when he ghosts her after having spent a wonderful day together doing her favorite beach thing – fishing, she knows Noah’s just like all the other guys, and she’s not about to put herself out there for yet another asshole to take advantage of her. Will Noah be apologize and have an explanation for disappointing her? Or will they be starting college without being in each other’s lives?
Love’s a Beach is a great prequel. Noah and Liza, especially Liza, are interesting, vibrant characters, and I can’t wait for more of them in the new series, Summer Souls.
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Single in Sitka by Kate Regnery
Whew! 4 sexy single dad stars!
When Amanda gets sent to Sitka, Alaska for a story for her newspaper, she’s already got the idea of Luke in the back of her mind. Luke, the single dad who placed an ad in his paper seeking companionship. But when she actually goes on her first date with Luke, she’s very surprised to find he’s the hot cop who gave her a ride back to her apartment on her first day in Sitka. The hot cop who shut down after she told him she was a reporter. But both are on the rebound. She from her cheating ex, and he from losing his wife to a car accident, so a no-strings attached fling seems like a very good idea for two people not looking for a serious relationship, just some hot sex and some companionship while she’s in town. A rebound of sorts before both meet the person they’re supposed to spend the rest of their lives with.
I loved Single in Sitka. It’s sweet, it’s a tad emotional, it’s really sexy, and I didn’t even mind that it ended abruptly, because Kate Regnery promised at the end that it’s just the first half of Luke and Amanda’s story, that the full-length story is coming next month. YES, I can’t wait!!
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The Secret at Sunset by Shari J. Ryan
A sweet summer fling turned more – 3.5 stars.
Alexa and her friends Grace and Macy are headed to Mexico for Grace’s bachelorette weekend. Once there, she starts feeling a bit left out considering that Macy has a new man, too, and she and Grace start spending all their time talking about their men. So it makes sense that Alexa heads out to get away from all the lovey dovey talk. That she meets a hot guy trying to get her to take one of the hotel’s excursions makes her escape even better. And when she ends up on Lovers Beach (by herself) and gets rescued by Lincoln, she had no idea he’d come to mean so much to her. But it’s just living life in the moment like he says, right?
This one is sweet, but felt a tad incomplete, like maybe it’s a prequel or something, but I didn’t see anything indicating it’s a prequel or anything but a short story. I did like both Lincoln and Alexa, though, and it’s sweet so 3.5 stars seems fair.
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One Hot Summer is a great summer collection. There’s a little something for everyone – from first love to second chances to hot and steamy and forbidden. So 1-click today if you are all about those summer flings.
ARC via Buoni Amici Press.
A hot, steamy end of summer treat to heat up the nights!!
The Summer of Us: sweet hot second chance romance. Lincoln and Sunny are childhood friends who became each other’s first love, only to have life get in their way. Mostly told from Linc’s POV, full of feels, first love, that timeless quality summer love has, and thwarted plans and a reconnection 10 years later. Loved it!!
All of the stories are fantastic. I received a review copy of The Story of Us. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I have only read one story so far in this book. Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery.
This story was full of fun and flirty moments. These two have chemistry but also know that they have a time line. Will they be able to stick to the “rules” that they setup or will one of them want more?
Amanda and her best friend and coworker Leigh have to pitch an article for work. However, Amanda has been having issues with coming up with things because of things that have happened in her personal life.
Luke is a single father from Sitka, Alaska. He is making ends meet and doing all he can after the death of his wife. When he finds out that his sister is “looking out” for him by placing an add, he can’t believe her and wants nothing to do with. However, will he change his mind when he meets Amanda?
The ending was very abrupt, however, Katy did write a letter to smooth things over and I can’t wait for October for more of Luke and Amanda. Oh and I will be going back and reading more of the stories in this book.
I read The Summer Of Us by Melanie Moreland and enjoyed this short, sweet coming of age novella.
Lincoln and Sunny know their young love is true love. They are innocents and life throws some difficult hurdles at them.
I loved reading of their journey back to each other and really hope we will get more of this story in the future.
-4.5 Stars!!-
The Inheritance by Amy Briggs
This was a different and intriguing story. I was pleasantly surprised and invested in the characters and story. It was well written and moved along smoothly. Well too smoothly because then it was over and I was a little disappointed. I hadn’t realized it would be a continuation in a full novel. But I like the story so much I will be reading that book when it comes out.
Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery
It was fun and flirty with insta chemistry and lots of sensual moments. I loved the story and characters and was a little sad with the abrupt ending but Katy smoothed it over with her reader letter. I look forward to the continuation of this story.
The One Hot Summer anthology is packed full of fun! A great way to wind down the official Summer season. I am reviewing 3 of the 7 brand new shorts included, from Heidi McLaughlin, Melanie Moreland and Amy Briggs.
Heidi McLaughlin brings us By the Seaside, a second chance romance that brings Kelly back to her hometown to a fresh start after an ugly divorce. Opening a business with the support of her parents and best friends, Kelly is surprised to find the guy that broke her heart in high school. Danny is just as surprised to see Kelly once again, and he’s determined to make it right this time and get the girl back. It was sweet, funny and totally enjoyable (the Friends references were pretty awesome too!). I wanted to be in Gray with the way Heidi described this beautiful little seaside town. There’s nothing I love more than a second chance romance too! All in all a lovely little short story. 4.5 Stars
Melanie Moreland’s contribution opens the anthology with The Summer of Us. This short tells the story of Lincoln and Sunny, who are in high school and dealing with the cruelty that is Lincoln’s abusive father. Finding a way to be together is what their Summer is all about, and they get that chance at a camp. For a bit it’s perfect. And then it all goes terribly wrong. Ten years later we find Lincoln a totally different person than the boy his father tried to control. What started as a story of young love, becomes a second chance at forever. This may have been a short, but it felt like such a full, lovely story. Despite that I would love more, and will definitely be seeking out more of Melanie’s storytelling! 5 Stars
Amy Briggs brings us The Inheritance, a novella that is launching a new series from her. Told from the dual point of views of Riley and Donovan. Riley is a city girl, well she’s really a social introvert living in the city. When she inherits a fortune and a dog from her friend and boss, Riley is more than a little taken aback. Donovan is the town veterinarian and somewhat of a playboy. Their meeting is less than cordial the first time, and their second is made comical by the uber hyper Great Dane puppy named Scrappy, who I absolutely adore btw! I can’t wait to see where the full novel will take Donovan and Riley, because this short set up both romance and a maybe a bit of mystery too! 4.5 Stars
Sweet, Summer Heat ***** Review of The Summer of Us by Melanie Moreland *****
Linc and Sunny’s story is bittersweet and emotional with a HFN. I say HFN because I hope that Ms. Moreland decides to give us more of these two characters. The Summer of Us is a quick, steamy, and stirring love story. I was immediately enamoured with Linc and Sunny’s connection. Their relationship felt innocent, yet arousing. I was swept up in young love and felt every moment of joy, heartache, and hope.
I had the honor of reading Single in Sitka by Katy Regnery and it’s without a doubt the start of a beautiful love story! Amanda took a chance in a story and found something she wasn’t expecting! Luke wasn’t looking for anything at all but he found himself a spitfire when he met Amanda by chance and if he doesn’t follow his heart he might miss the chance of a lifetime!
Single in Sitka was hot and heavy and also full of laughs and sweet moments! I can’t wait to read the rest of their story but in the mean time pick up this amazing anthology and get yourself warmed up before the chill of fall starts to descend upon us!