Penalties and Proposals (Love on Thin Ice series)

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Synopsis (from Amazon):  It only takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch. When life hands me reformed hockey star Noah Beaumont, AGAIN, am I supposed to make cider or is there a sweeter surprise in store?

Willa: I never wanted to see Noah Beaumont again. EVER. When I kicked him off my set after he showed up intoxicated, his PR team tried to blacklist me. I made it over that hurdle, made a name for myself, and I’m heading to Maple Falls to cover a charity ice hockey team that’s making headlines...only to find out I have to work with HIM.

But this Noah seems different. He’s reformed and seems to be determined to show me he’s changed. Can I trust him, or will he be the same disaster I remember?

Noah: I’ve spent years trying to make amends for my past mistakes, questioning if I still belong in the world of hockey or if it's time to step back, be ‘normal’. But seeing Willa again brings everything into sharp focus. She’s the woman who’s haunted my thoughts since the day I met her.

Now, she’s here in Maple Falls, and I’m determined to prove I’m not the same man she remembers. I want her to see the real me, the man I’ve worked so hard to become. Can I convince her to give me a second chance?

Penalties and Proposals is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It's a second chance enemies to lovers story with forced proximity in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.

Content warning: This IS a lighthearted and fun romantic comedy, but there are subjects mentioned in this book like parents passing away and former substance abuse.

Slide into the Love on Thin Ice Series for a sweet romantic escape. Seven authors, seven short novels, and one charming town. Get ready for heartwarming short novel love stories and all the fall feels. Start reading now!

Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen
The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe
The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington
Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin
The Parent Playbook by Elsie Woods
Love at First Skate by Ellie Hall
Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  I have read three of the seven books and I can't wait to get to the other four.  I usually like to read a series in order, however, I read Breaking the Ice and The Rebound Play (books 1 and 2) before jumping to Penalities and Proposals (book 7).  Guess what?.....it doesn't matter what order you read them in!  

Penalties and Proposals is another must-read book in the series.  Give me a rom-com any day....add hockey as the background story and I am hooked.  I loved Willa and how she was able to work through her hurt from the past which was a result of Noah's "people".  Noah was an amazing character who worked through his past mistakes and realized how they impacted others. He owned up to his past behavior and was looking to redeem himself.  

Great story in a small town I wish was real (I would love to visit) with wonderful people.  I really appreciate that Anne Kemp didn't make excuses for Noah's past, which made me like him even more....he owned it.  Willa was strong and didn't let anything stop her from her goal.  I love a strong female character! 

I highly recommend Penalities and Proposals along with the rest of the series.  Three out of seven I have really enjoyed.  I can't wait to get to the other four!

Anne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she does it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.

Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.

You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com

On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp

On TikTok: @annekempauthor

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The Next Step

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Synopsis:  Christmas has been all but forgotten as a negative pregnancy test makes Rachel reconsider her future with Todd. The realization sends her to the small town of Abbeyglen where the opening of Caulfield’s Café is all anyone’s talking about. But it also has her beginning to see her returning colleague at Blackwater Financial Services, the loud, hilarious Owen Larrson in a new light.

Natalie has decided she needs a change. In the midst of Christmas craziness, with the grand opening of the café and the excitement of her two children’s Christmas concert, Natalie can only hope the people of Blackwater Financial Services can help her find the job that will change her life. But as ex-boyfriend Darren returns, she realizes luck might not be on her side for a bright Christmas after all …

Join two women who are trying to figure out what the rest of their lives hold, in the midst of the mayhem of the most wonderful time of the year in the most wonderful place to be!

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  This is my first book by BR Maycock and I would l ike to go back and read the other books in the series.  It isn't needed and The Next Step stands on its own.  

I realy like Natalie.  She was a strong person, but when Darren came on the scene I felt she became a little timid....however, she found her inner strength and steped up to him.  

Rachel was a little harder for me to relate to as she didn't seem to know what she wanted, except what she had before.  She did figure it out in the end and I think "grew up" through the novel.  I really did appreciate her journey. 

I really liked Rachel and Natalie's friends Holly and Bex.  They all supported each other through all their ups and down as true friends do.  Abbeyglen sounds like a beautiful community! 

I plan on reading books 1 and 2 featuring Holly and Bee, respectively.  Again, no need to read them in order.  

B R Maycock is the author of laugh-out-loud romantic comedies. She lives in the midlands in Ireland with her four little men, kooky husband, dog Eddie, and cat Shadow!

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Wild Wonder

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Synopsis (from Amazon):  An invitation to explore the life-giving lessons we can learn from the Earth, featuring stunning photography and reflections from an acclaimed visual artist

The Earth is the first tangible gift we were given. Yet when did you last pause to appreciate the immensity of the ocean, wander in silence through an ancient forest, or behold the grandeur of a mountain? How long has it been since you’ve felt grass beneath your feet?

Accompanied by awe-inspiring full-color photography from landscape cinematographer and visual artist Stephen Proctor, Wild Wonder: What Nature Teaches Us About Slowing Down and Living Well combines pastoral observations about creation with an explorationof how it can provide healing to our minds and bodies. Divided into five parts that are each devoted to a unique aspect of nature—oceans, forests, rivers, ice, and mountains—Proctor encourages readers to recognize how being outside restores us and offers us a renewed sense of awe and wonder for the Creator.

In each of the thirty brief essays, he points to some of the deep lessons nature can teach us. We can appreciate the gift of silence while observing a glacier, gain a new perspective on top of a mountain, learn the skill of slowing down from a river, and experience a metaphor of redemptive life after death through nurse logs. Each part includes an interview from an artist whose inspiration has been drawn from nature and ends with a “Time to Fly!” section that features reflection questions, simple action prompts, and sources for further exploration.

Whether outdoor enthusiasts or armchair adventurers, readers of this book will be drawn into a more holistic and contemplative way of life and a deeper awareness of the beautiful world around them.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Oh, what a beautiful book!  My daughter is a forest management major in college and we both just fell in love with Wild Wonder.  The photos are absolutely stunning.  We had no idea the Oregon coast was so beautiful. 

I also love the Psalm (my favorite 96: 11-13) and quotes throughout the book. Wild Wonder is dividied into five parts, Ocean, Forests, Rivers, Ice, and Mountains. There is also "Time to Fly! A Moment to Reflect" after each part that allows the reader to stop and be guided by Stephen through some reflections. 

Beautiful book all around and would make an amazing gift.

Stephen Proctor is a visual artist who specializes in landscape cinematography and aerial photography to curate calming, imaginative experiences. Many of his current collaborations are with film composers, ambient artists, and modern classical musicians. For the past twenty years, he has toured with various bands and authors, producing visually immersive experiences for live concerts and conferences all around the world. Stephen lives in a small cabin in the Columbia River Gorge just outside Portland, Oregon.

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The Art of Falling in Love with Your Grumpy Neighbor

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Synopsis (from Amazon):  

All’s fair in love and war…ESPECIALLY with your grumpy, smoking hot, former football-superstar neighbor. 

Bex: Expecting solitude from my new home shouldn’t be the exception. But when you move next door to the grumpiest human on earth, what’s a girl to do? Austin Porter may be a former football star, but this man does not have an attitude of gratitude.

When the strip of land that divides our properties becomes a literal bone of contention, we finally find something we can both agree on: war. Only, I don’t want to fight. I want to show this man that sometimes, the greatest comebacks happen once you’re off the field.

Austin: Was I defined by the game I played? Probably. Judging by the darkness I seem to be most comfortable sinking into, the memory of days now gone by is a weight that threatens to drown my soul. Then she moves in next door.

I never expected a woman like Bex to appear and get me so fired up, but I can see a beacon of light for the first time in a long time. She’s everything I’m not––warm, caring, full of life. And I’m pretty sure I’m falling in love with her.

The Art of Falling in Love with Your Grumpy Neighbor is a closed door, enemies to lovers, grumpy sunshine rom com with no third act break up. Like all of my books, there are super swoony (steamy adjacent!) kissing moments, tension, and plenty of chemistry in this small town romance!

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Perfect Rom-com (maybe more Rom than Com). A super-fast read with a great story, believable characters, small-town wholesomeness, and football players! 

I can't wait to read the rest of the Sweetkiss Creek Series.  This is 100% stand-alone and you don't have to read them in order.  I usually prefer to read series in order, but I have not read any of the others.....yet. 

This was also my first Anne Kemp book - love her!  This for sure will NOT be the last book of hers that I read.  I can't wait to read more of her books!

Anne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she does it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.

Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.

You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com

On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp

On TikTok: @annekempauthor

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Mistletoe Moments ~ The Close #5

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Synopsis:  You are invited to spend CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE where each of the neighbors are celebrating in their own special way.

Veronica and Owen are looking forward to a happy Christmas on The Close with their friends and neighbors. Their son Travis, is due to take some important exams, but will he be able to concentrate when a serious crush derails his schedule?

As their fortieth birthday approaches, some significant celebrations will be required, but how can Veronica agree to Owen's life-changing request?

The fifth standalone episode of "Christmas on The Close" shows how sharing a treasured life with someone does not necessarily result in sharing the same treasured dreams.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Fast read that will get you ready for the holidays (which are right around the corner).  This is a standalone book, however, it is such a quick read, so why not read books 1 - 4 of The Close beforehand?  

Lots of activities and "issues" are covered and solved in this very short novel, which I appreciated.  I don't like it when books have to add "fluff" to get to a page count.  Likable characters, even though I felt bad for Travis.....to be a teen again!

I will be checking out the rest of the series so I can peak into all the other neighbors' lives!

Stephanie Wood writes contemporary fiction in the form of novels, novellas and short stories and her books explore a wide range of life’s challenges, dreams and responsibilities. The stories are all character based, so she has fun expressing each unique personality and the reasons behind their actions in a setting which always has a strong sense of community.

She published the AEGEAN SUN series of books as a fly-on-the-wall vision of life in a Greek resort during the summer season, using her extensive experience as a holiday rep to bring some unusual incidents to life on the page. The series began as an exploration of the various ways in which tourists make the most of their holidays and how they interact with the locals while they are visiting. The later books in the series have taken a closer look at the locals themselves to show how their lives and relationships are sometimes changed by the regular influx of seasonal visitors.

The CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE series is set in a British suburban cul-de-sac over the festive period and visits each house individually to discover how the neighbours who live there celebrate the season in their own special way.

A new series is planned for publication in 2025, so stay tuned for more details.

Stephanie lives in Lancashire where, apart from reading and writing, she loves gardening and cycling and is a huge fan of the soaps Emmerdale and Neighbours.

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Breaking the Ice

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Synopsis:  What do an entitled billionaire and small-town ice-skating coach have in common?

Ellie
My life is not turning out like I thought it would.

My mom’s arthritis has gotten so bad that I had to move in with her. I’m making ends meet by giving ice skating lessons at the arena in Maple Falls. I’d be in serious trouble had the Harts not given me that job.

Which makes it impossible to say no when they ask me to let Troy’s obnoxious billionaire brother stay in the cabin on my mom’s property during the charity hockey event they’re running.

Zach
First the tabloids call me out for being a cheapskate and then Yolanda Simms takes to national television to tell everyone what a vicious heartbreaker I am?

Yeah, my life has been better.

My brother thinks I can fix my bad press by coming to Maple Falls and donating big to his new charity endeavor. Too bad he didn’t mention the woman who owns the cottage I’ll be staying at hates me with a passion.

He also didn’t mention she’s everything I’ve ever looked for in a woman…

Breaking the Ice is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It's an enemies to lovers, billionaire romance, with forced proximity, It's a small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  This is the first book in the seven-author Love on Thin Ice Series. I can't wait for the next one!  Disclaimer: I have been a hockey mom for 17 years and a huge hockey fan.  I love that "hockey rom-coms" are so popular!

Breaking the Ice was a great first book in this series.  Very well laid out and you can see how new characters can easily be the focus of the next book.  I adored Elle and her mother! She was hard-working, put her family's (mother's) needs first, was down-to-earth, and kind. Zach was very similar, however, due to his money and name he was often perceived to be a jerk. 

Loved their story and how they found happiness in the end, despite one person trying to ruin it. Like anything you pick written by Whitney Dineen.......you will love it.  Guaranteed to laugh out loud, can't wait to read the next chapter and don't want the book to end!

It is a must read.....and can't wait for book 2 in the series.

USA Today Bestselling author Whitney Dineen is a rock star in her own head. While delusional about her singing abilities, there’s been a plethora of validation that she’s a fairly decent author (AMAZING!!!). After winning many writing awards and selling nearly a kabillion books (math may not be her forte, either), she’s decided to let the voices in her head say whatever they want (sorry, Mom). She also won a fourth-place ribbon in a fifth-grade swim meet in backstroke. So, there’s that.

Whitney loves to play with her kids (a.k.a. dazzle them with her amazing flossing abilities), bake stuff, eat stuff, and write books for people who "get" her. She thinks french fries are the perfect food and Mrs. Roper is her spirit animal. 

***Super fans, please check out my reading group Eat, Laugh, Love on Facebook for early announcements and other good stuff: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1145541502567944 

***If you're the average run of the mill fan, go here--where you will still have plenty of fun: https://www.facebook.com/Whitney-Dineen-Author-11687019412

First Place at the Top Shelf Book Awards, 2020

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016, 2018, 2019.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

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Love Painted in Lies: A Maida Vale Tale

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Synopsis:  Every brushstroke a mystery, every canvas a lie.
Love Painted in Lies is a laugh-out-loud feel-good comedy romp. Minty's return to Maida Vale isn't just about the chaos of raising twins, Old English Sheepdog shenanigans, school runs, and caring for her parents. Her life is shadowed by whispers of her involvement in a family art forgery ring that once duped the London elite.

The watchful eyes of the law linger on Minty; they're convinced she’s back to unearth a treasure trove of truths about a legendary missing painting. Minty must prove her new life is a genuine fresh start. But does she know more than she's revealing, or is her return an honest attempt to repaint her life’s canvas?

Amidst it all, a mysterious stranger strolls into her already turbulent world, bringing a hint of intrigue and the possibility of romance. Is he a brushstroke of fate or a shadow from her past?

With gangsters on her heels and love at her door, Minty’s journey is a hilarious adventure, where art and reality comically collide in Maida Vale.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  For the love of Muffin....I LOVED this book! 

I absolutely love the other two novels by Holly Denham (Holly's Inbox and Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City).  I was so disappointed when I never saw other novels by Holly.  Last month Holly sent me an email letting me know she had a new book out, Love Painted in Lies: A Maida Vale Tale.  I was so excited and was told it  is not like her other two books. True......but it was another 5-StarL Must Read book!

I couldn't get enough of Minty and her parents. I was laughing out loud at some of the chaos that was always going on. Crickety - the owls were hilarious! As Minty is avoiding gangsters and the police she seems to always skirt around them we learn about her life and all the colorful characters.  She also falls for a guy who I loved, than didn't and in the end adored him.  He just got who Minty was and accepted her family. 

If you are looking for a laugh out loud book with an exciting plot (completely different than others I have been reading) than you MUST read Love Painted in Lies: A Maida Vale Tale.  Purchase it now (free on KindleUnlimited) and you will not be disappointed, and get ready to roll around laughing. ESPINACAS!!!

My favorite characters:

Minty - I want her as my BFF! She is hilarious (and artistic).

The Harries - Minty's twins are too funny.  Thinking of calling my twins The Ablies (Abbie and Allie).

Ned - I want to be friends with this quirky person who would make me laugh.

Minty's parents - I just want to hug them as we love life together and look at owls.

Devon (aka Craig or Barry) - The guy that comes through in the end when it really counts.

Holly Denham, known for her heart-warming romantic comedies, is back after fifteen years. Her first two books captured hearts worldwide, were translated into six languages and received a stream of excellent reviews from OK Magazine, Heat Magazine, Closer Magazine, The New York Post, Entertainment Weekly, Guardian Unlimited and many more. Now, Holly returns with a new, laugh-filled love story that's sure to enchant readers once more. Love Painted in Lies: A Maida Vale Tale is out 25th of May 2024. Get ready to turn your phone to silent, put the kettle on, and settle down for a page-turning adventure, because the fun is about to begin again. Discover more about Holly and her adventures in writing by searching for Holly Denham Books on your favorite social platform.

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