A Summer Romance Boxed Set by Authors: Robyn Rychards, Holly Cortelyou, Ja’Nese Dixon, Khardine Gray, T. S. Sharp
SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM is a boxed set of 5 wonderful summer romance novella’s. You may have noticed I usually review one or two books from the collections. This time I reviewed each book. Therefore, this review will be longer than my usual post.
1. SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM
STORY-LINE: THE BODYGUARD’S CATCH BY ROBYN RYCHARDS:
In The Second Time’s The Charm containing, The Bodyguards’s Catch we find, Jordyn Souliere, who needs money desperately; then fate dropped an opportunity of a lifetime into her lap. Unfortunately, she will have to go against her principles to cash in on the photo’s and video of famous singing artist Maximillian Chanteur’s broke up with his girlfriend.
To make matters worse, her first love, Remo Vashenko is Chanteur’s bodyguard. Remo left her without a word and never returned. Now, he is standing in front of her, grabbing her phone and hauling her out of the bathroom stall where she hid.
Can Remo and Jordy resolve this situation peacefully? Will Remo and Jordyn resolve old hurts and forge a new relationship? My romance book review of Second Time’s The Charm, The Bodyguards Catch follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, AND DEVELOPMENT:
Although a sweet clean romance, The Bodyguard’s Catch, also has a mystery. Remo, the poor kid from the other side of the tracks, fell in love with Jordyn in high school. But a crisis forced him to make a choice which left Jordyn still hurting years later.
With an intriguing plot and well-developed characters, Rychards, crafted a first-rate romance as she slowly reveals the reason for his desertion. The scenes flowed seamlessly and with the pace in line with the length of the book, the reader will love this story.
Authors can not develop novellas with the same depth as a novel due to their short length. However, Rychards skillfully crafted a well-developed story-line and characters. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
THE BODYGUARD’S CATCH: RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
2. SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM
STORY-LINE: KISS ME, TROUBLE BY HOLLY CORTELYOU:
In Kiss Me, Trouble, we find Alix Porter. Work-alcoholic, driven, and almost emotionally spent. Alex takes a break with her friend, after a business conference, in Wescott Springs, Colorado. By a cruel twist of fate, her love from college, Cole McCaffrey’s hanging one of his paintings in the resort.
All the old memories and hurts rise in Alix. Why did Cole break up at the drop of a hat and leave her? Will they be friends and maybe something more? My romance book review of Kiss Me, Trouble follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Cortelyou created an emotional story in Kiss Me, Trouble. Alix’s character, driven and owned by her work, needed this break even if she would not admit it. However, meeting Cole ripped the scab off an old wound and hurt resulted. I could feel her emotions as she faced Cole for the first time in six years.
The attraction and love is still there for both. However, can they once again find what Cole threw away? Will they rekindle their love? Cole’s seen as a man who made a bad decision and regrets the hurt he caused and losing the love of his life.
The slow unfolding of the reason Cole left, keeps the reader glued to the pages. Including the abandoned pup added an extra element to the story. The pace of the book’s in line with the length of story and with well-developed characters, Cortelyou crafted a good story.
Her descriptions of the area were so vivid I could see the area in my mind’s eye, feel the breeze and smell the forest trails. I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or friend.
KISS ME, TROUBLE RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
3. SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM
STORY-LINE: HIDDEN DESIRE BY JA’NESE DIXON
In Hidden Desire, we find Bruce and Sandra in a fast paced tale. Bruce and Sandra are best friends, however, Bruce has a secret. He is in love with her. Planning a getaway, he hopes will bring them from best friend to lovers forever, he puts his plan in place. Bruce does not want a friend anymore; he wants Sandra to see him as man, capable of being a loving husband, and father of her children.
So, with ring in his pocket they set off. But will all work out as Bruce hopes or will his plans crash? My romance book review of Hidden Desire follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Dixon crafted a wonderful romance in Hidden Desire. Bringing the characters from best friends and revealing their interest in each other held my attention from the first page. Seeing Bruce as a man who so loved Sandra he’s willing to do anything to take their situation to the next level was heart warming; Dixon created a character in Bruce we could all relate. His journey took him 5 years to get where he’s today, and he wants Sandra with him for all his successes and returning his love.
Creating a whirl wind trip full of surprises, Dixon gives Sandra the trip of a lifetime. As Dixon revealed Bruce to Sandra, she comes to know a different side of Bruce; the successful business side and his loving side. Which Sandra finds she likes.
At times Sandra felt over whelmed and insecure by it all as she comes to realize her feelings. Sandra has deep issues she will have to resolve and Bruce has secrets of his own. Dixon created a crisis of large portions for Bruce and Sandra.
Hidden Desires is a wonderfully romantic book. With pacing in line with the length of the book and well-developed characters, I found the story engrossing. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
HIDDEN DESIRE RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
4. SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM
STORY-LINE: THIS TIME AROUND BY T. S. SHARP
In This Time Around, we find Victoria and Dillon, high school sweethearts in love and plans to go to the same college, Duke. To say things did not work as Victoria thought they would, is an understatement. Leaving her a note, Dillon left for Berkley; Victoria’s world fell apart. Now fast forward 10 years later, Victoria and her sister are vacationing in the Bahamas; who should appear but Dillon. He’s full of apologies and regrets.
Explaining how stupid he had been to leave her, he wants to take up where they left off. However, he’s gone once again without a word; leaving only a note. “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me”. Victoria’s devastated again and burns the letter without reading the content. Why did Dillon leave again? Will these two star-crossed lovers ever come together? My romance book review of This Time Around follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
Sharp created an emotional roller coaster ride in This Time Around. I could feel the emotions rolling from Victoria when she met Dillon again; anger being foremost. Sharp infused this book with emotion. I felt so sorry for Victoria, her pain and disillusionment’s heart breaking.
But have no fear, Sharp skillfully brought Dillon back into the picture. Revealing the reasons for his abrupt departure, I could feel his desperation for Victoria to understand and return his love. Sharp’s skillful plotting and well-developed characters kept me quickly turning the pages.
As a result of including a protective sister, Sharp added an extra element to the story. A sweet romance which has a mild love scene, this book will entertain the reader. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
THIS TIME AROUND RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
5. SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM
STORY-LINE: I LOVE YOU AGAIN BY KHARDINE GRAY
In I Love You Again, we find Trina and Brad in Hawaii; participants in the same wedding. Trina dreamed of having the kind of love the future bride and groom have. Her worse date during the last year, Captain Chicken Feet, was a disaster and the few others were not much better.
Who knew the best man would be Brad Henderson; once known as the “bad boy” always in trouble. However, that did not stop her from loving him. Still tall and gorgeous with a muscular physique, he’s the kind of man who will break your heart and destroy everything inside you along the way.
Both devastated, Brad knowing he’s not suppose to have her and Trina’s hurt at seeing the love of her life again, cause her to run in tears. Pain and anguish fill Trina. As coincidences go, this was a dilly. However, Brad a had a very good reason for leaving as he did. Fate has intervened, will these two find the love they lost so long ago? My romance book review of I Love Again follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
In I love You Again, the reader finds a another great romance story. Infused with emotion, you will experience the characters intense feelings. Gray skillfully portrayed Trina’s betrayal and Brads heart-felt confession. Trina recognizes the how far she had gone to shield herself from further hurt; as well as, the fact no one considered what she wanted in all of this. She felt betrayed all over again.
This story will invoke intense emotions in the reader as you find Brad…well that would be a spoiler. So I will just say, you will love this book. With pacing correct for the length of the book and well-developed characters, this book will entertain anyone who loves a solid romance. Also, the authors descriptions of Hawaii were so vivid, I could see the scenery in my mines eye.
I feel I must say, I found a few editing error in this story which did not take away from my enjoyment in any way. However, it could be the way the book downloaded to my e Reader. Errors have occurred in the past due to download error. I would not hesitate to buy this book for my self or a friend.
I LOVE YOU AGAIN RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM COLLECTION, CONCLUSION: Stars 4
I found every novella in this book a solid sweet romance filled with emotion. The reader will become invested in the characters. This book containing 5 novellas will give hours of enjoyment. The novellas total page count’s close to a standard novel length. Each author did a wonderful job of plotting and developing the characters and story-lines. I would not hesitate to buy this book collection for my self or a friend.
FINALLY PLEASE NOTE:
In addition, I received this book from the authors and chose to voluntarily review the book collection with an honest romance book review. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. No one influenced my voluntary romance book review of Second Time’s The Charm.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
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