Shannon here: Today is a bit of a departure from the norm. I’m sharing three books I’ve been looking forward to all year. I know what I’ll be reading for the next three months. Any comments will go into the Connie Stevens and Rose Ross Zediker drawings. Deadline: April 4th, 11:59 pm central time.
April 7th: From the Start by Melissa Tagg
Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn’t kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays…until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley. Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend’s hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he’s lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he’s never really done normal before. While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it’s like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jumpstart their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn’t part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that’s ever happened to them?
May 5th: A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade
Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships. When Lyndie James, Jake’s childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion’s reluctance to run. Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake’s will, Lyndie’s sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he’s built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he’d thought he’d lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?
June 9th: Married ’til Monday by Denise Hunter
With a big anniversary party in the works for his ex-wife’s parents, Ryan has just one weekend to play Abby’s husband . . . and win back the woman of his dreams. Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive two-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight into his lap.Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party. Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Summer Harbor, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?
Kav says
That’s an incredible line up!!!!!!! I haven’t read Melissa Tagg yet, but in preparation for this one I’ve put her first two on hold at my library. And Denise Hunter and Becky Wade are two of my favourites as well. It’s going to be a great spring for reading (and hopefully snow melting.) No need to enter me in the draw, I just wanted to say ‘hey’ and chat books.
Melanie Backus says
What a great trio of books! It is so refreshing to see wonderful books that beautiful writers have penned. I would love to read any and all these books!
melback at cebridge dot net
Shannon Taylor Vannatter says
Hey Kav,
I happened on Melissa Taggs first book in the bookstore. The cover hooked me, and the blurb sold me. I’ve followed the series since and will buy anything she writes. She recently had an e-book that went with the series. I enjoyed it too.
With Denise Hunter and Becky Wade, I stumbled into the middle of their series, then bought their entire backlists. I’ve never been disappointed by any of these three authors and all their books are on my keeper shelf.
Happy reading, Malanie.
Britney Adams says
I am excited about these, too!
Kelly Blackwell says
These are all on my wish list too! Of course that list is getting mighty long. I even put it on my Paperback Swap list just in case.