Review: Crush on You - Christie Ridgway

The Baci sisters are on a mission to save the winery that's been in their family for generations-by transforming it into the perfect wedding destination. If only Alessandra Baci-affectionately known as the "Nun of Napa"-didn't need the help of tempting neighbor and business rival Penn Bennett.

My thoughts:

I wanna make this short, I am so tired today for some reason.

Right, so I read book 2 first I think, then book 3 and at last book 1. Don't say anything ;)

I wanted to read about Alessandra since day 1. The Nun of Napa. She was sweet and kind. In a way there was not anything special about her. Except for that her husband to be died 15 min before their wedding and the whole town has tip toed around her ever since. Mourning is one thing, but being the living memory of him and no men looking at her is another thing. As I got to know her, I felt sorry for her.

Penn is a bit full of him at first, I wanted to smack him over the head (yes I do love to do that ;). Quite a few times actually. Truth be told, I never truly warmed up to him. I did not feel all gaga over him.

I did rush the end a bit as it took a 3 days to finish the book (just not enough time). I did not like it as much as the other books. And I think that if I had read this one first I would not have gone for the rest. Still it was good, just not special.

Conclusion
I liked it, but it could have been better.

Cover 

Cute

Paperback, 304 pages
Published June 1st 2010 by Berkley
Three Kisses #1
Contemporary romance
Own

Book review: Can't hurry love - Christie Ridgway

Series: Three Kisses 3
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 320
Published: July 5th 2011 Berkley

Liam Bennett staked his claim to Tanti Baci after stepping in to help the Baci sisters save their family legacy. But Giuliana Baci doubts his motives. They've been at odds since the hot summer long ago that ended in heartache. With the fate of the winery on the line, the former lovers need to get a handle on their barely leashed hostilities-and the attraction that still draws them toward each other.

 

My thoughts:

This is the third and final book about the 3 Baci Sisters from Napa Valley. It can easily be read as a stand alone (though I did read book 2 but I have not read book 1 yet.)

Giuliana "Jules" Baci fell in love when she was young, but their love story came to a halt and they have not been civil to each other for ten years. Why they broke up is a mystery to everyone else and to the reader. Back to the characters, Jules is the mother hen for her two younger sisters, and Liam is still in her life as he owns a share of the winery and his half-brother is married to her sister.  These two sure can not get along and I did wonder what on earth made them like that, but little by little we understand what happened that fateful summer so long ago.

Jules has a lot on her plate. She is a strong woman but at the same time there is sadness over her cos of the things she has lost. While Liam also is portrayed as strong and the one who is doing the chasing. He wants her or just wants her out of his system. I do like a good lovers reunited story and these two clearly love each other and always have. But then there is that summer....

There is also other things going on. What will happen to the winery? And a slowly building romance between Kohl who works at the winery and Grace who also works there. I liked this story because they both had big emotional scars. Grace had been abused and Kohl was traumatized from the war.

Conclusion:

A lovely romance about lovers who find their way back to each other, and at the same time we get a second lovestory playing in the background. It was very enjoyable and sweet.

Rating:

Sweet summer read

Cover

Meh

--.....................................................

I am over at Alternative read today with a guestreview of Star of the Morning by Lynn Kurland

From the USA Today bestselling author comes the first in a magical romantic fantasy trilogy.

Darkness covers the north, since the black mage has begun his assault on the kingdom of Neroche. Legend has it that only the two magical swords held by Neroche's king can defeat the mage. Now the fate of the Nine Kingdoms rests in the hands of a woman destined to wield one of those blades. In this land of dragons and mages, warrior maids and magical swords, nothing is as it seems. And Morgan will find that the magic in her blood brings her troubles she cannot face with a sword-and a love more powerful than she has ever imagined

 

 

 

Come say hi :D

Review: Then He Kissed Me - Christie Ridgway

Three Kisses, book 2

Genre: Contemporary romance
Pages: 304
Published: January 4th 2011 Berkley

The three Baci sisters are on a mission to save the family winery by transforming it into a wedding destination. When Stevie Baci playfully names her own side business Napa Princess Limousine, she never dreams she'll be driving a real prince around Napa Valley.

Jacques Parini, aka "Jack", is looking to expand his family's wine interests. But after kissing Stevie, he finds this California girl in a black chauffeur's hat does more than drive him crazy.

Plot:

Stevie gets roped into arranging her ex fiancé's wedding to his princess bride. She is not too happy about that, and less happy is she about Prince Jack who seems to be everywhere she is.

My thoughts:

I truly must read more contemporary romance, it is so refreshing, and real, and still fairytale love, awww.

This is the second book, but I jumped right in and missed nothing. In the last book the first Baci sister found true love, and in this one it is time for Stevie, the tomboy to find her love. She always played with boys, and she is not seen as the most feminine person around, she also hides her feeling. But I liked her, she was perfect as she was, and behind that mask she hid a lot. Then there is the playboy prince from Europe, oh every woman should get to kiss a prince, so of course I liked him. Especially when they both start to realise how strong the attraction truly is between them.

There is also the sidestory with princess Roxanne and her groom, Emmerson, or shall we say Stevie's ex. What I did not like is how fast that happened, and truth be told, I never did see the attraction there between them. On the other hand I did not care, if it is there it is, if not then it is not.  Dunno of I liked her either. Anyway I was more focused on the main couple and not these two getting ready for their wedding. There was also some drama with Stevie's older sister, and that looks to be a good third book.

They are hiding a lot of feelings in this book. Stevie from way back, and Jack is still dealing with a kidnapping that happened when he was younger. It is not a whirlwind romance, there is lust, doubt about the lust, and exploring the lust.

Final thoughts and recommendation.

Oh, yes I wanna give this one a 4, I am so contemporary romance starved. It was so wonderful to read about real people in my own era. And I am such a sucker for a woman who falls for a prince, I always loved that scenario. The book was fun, romantic, and with a nice feeling all the way through. It also made me wonder about the next book, and made me wanting to read it. Because I liked her style.

Reason for reading:

He is a prince ;)

Cover:

Not perfect, but still lovely, and he is making a heart with his hands, awwww.