My Cherie Amour

My Cherie Amour

by Gwen Piercy

My Review

I had a hard time getting into this it has a great plot with some great characters. There were parts I loved and places where I thought to much filler were used.  The things you want in life are in your sites when a new man walks into your life and the past comes back home. There is a little of a love triangle more or less one sided but still there. Selena is on her way to becoming a top chief she just needs the big break.  That big break is about to break her but there is still hope when Dean comes in out of a storm and tries their soul food. It isn’t long before he is not only hooked on the food but the little lady serving it.

Selena is a lady full of sass which I love she tells it like it is I really liked her. She is a go getter, family is important to her, she gives up so much to help run the family business which is falling apart. She works hard and doesn’t expect anything to be given to her. I really liked her personality at times she has me smiling. Other times my heart broke for her a little.

Dean is an alpha male who knows when to step back and regroup. He shows this over and over again. He has lots of money but it doesn’t guide him, to just meet him you won’t think he did he is very sweet, kind and pleasant to be around as well as being very down to earth. He wants a woman who wants him and not his money he puts Selena to the test will she pass or will he walk away?  Dean kept me smiling with his kind heart and wonderful personality.  There is something big that happens that will put Dean and Selena at odds with each other. It is any ones guess if their new love is strong enough to weather it.

I did not feel the pull or the chemistry between these two. They felt more like very good friends than want to be lovers. I really enjoyed how Dean pulled her out with her getting her way but him getting his. He is a very sneak man which makes him so much more Dearing. Handsome, has money, and so giving what else could a girl want.  I like how Selena stood up for herself didn’t let Dean’s money and business sway her. One of the reasons I have given this a low star is for me if I can turn pages after pages and not miss anything then it has too much filler and not enough of the main story. If you were to skip pages most likely where you pick up you most likely could not tell you have missed anything.  

Mark who knows about him he worked for me at the beginning but after awhile he just seemed misplaced. He was a great character which you will not like and you aren’t supposed to. There was one part where Selena meets the Chief again and they go at it, once he said something she changes her mind. I thought that was a little too fast. That scene didn’t work for me. I loved her father and that he didn’t give up the dream he and his wife built. I think it was his way to stay busy and keep her memory alive. I really liked the plot and the characters. All in all it wasn’t a bad read at all just a little too many fillers. Some reads love this I am not one of them. I do hope you will give this story a read. For me it was worth reading.

Sadly at this time it is not up for sale. I was asked by the author to read and give an honest review. 

Goodreads link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32051244-my-cherie-amour?ac=1&from_search=true

Summary

Selena Campbell does not believe in love. Love belongs in movies. If her past had taught her anything, it was that love only gets in the way of your real life dreams- in her case, the dreams of being a successful chef.

There was no man in the world who could deter Selena from her path.Or so she thought. Till one fine night, of all the barbecue joints, in all of the world, he walked into hers...

Dean was Selena's worst nightmare. Drop dead gorgeous, flamboyant and kind.The more time she spent with him, the less she could deny that they had some serious chemistry. But it was not long before his wild past crept into their lives. Sometimes, the past creates walls that are impossible to climb... unless you risk it all.

What do you do when love leaves you no choice?

A Gambler's Hear

A Gambler's Heart (Love's A Gamble Book 1)

by Kay P. Dawson

My Review

There is nothing worse than having high hopes and wonderful dreams about your future but to be a mail order bride moving far from home only to find the person you have been writing to is not the person he promised is horrible. Than to find out the man you are to marry owes money to another man from a card game and you are the prize would just about do you in. That is what happens to Fiona. As the author builds the plot your heart really goes out to Fiona she has gotten a raw end of the deal from the day her father remarried to traveling over the pond to start a new life to be given to another man for whatever he wants for a few weeks.

What I really loved about this story was Fiona is not just your every day wealth Brit but one who doesn’t mind getting her fingers dirty. She has the heart of an angel along with the beauty.  She has so much going for her but has been cut down year after year by her stepmother. Yes it is hurtful but she makes the best of it. I love how she handles herself even in trying times. It really was a pleasure watching her bloom and outshine her family back home.  I enjoyed the baiting between her and Brook, he really needs to learn she isn’t what he thinks and let her give a helping hand.

I have to say my heart really went out to Brook who is haunted by his father’s death and almost losing it all. He has worked hard to keep the land, his sister and his father’s dream alive if only he could get over his sense of revenge.  He works his self to the bone on the farm day in and day out, then goes into town gambling but only with those who have money to give. He takes it gladly getting back to those he feels are just like the man who took it all from his father. You can really feel his pain and trying to make his daddy proud. He has some big lessons to learn but will he learn them before he losses it all?

The author gives you a wonderful clean handsome plot with wonderful characters you can relate to. They are everyday people with everyday problems going through trying times just trying to get by making the best with the cards they have been dealt. Revenge isn’t always what it is cracked up to be. Brook has a big lesson to learn it is any ones guess if he will make it out alive. When cheaters cheat they will do anything to make sure they win even kill you. I adored Brooks sister I have a feeling her story might be next. I can’t think of another who deserves happiness more than her. She has had a very painful life it is time she gets a HAE. I am so looking forward to reading her story. All the supporting characters add so much to this story as the plot takes off they stand behind their friends. This really was a very emotional read learning what is truly important. I loved watching these characters grow and learn. This was a read I could not put down given me smile after smile along with a few sad times. The author does throw in a few surprising twist that will leave you with your mouth open. I feel everyone will find something here they will love. I do hope you give this story a read.

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Summary

**A Sweet, Mail Order Bride Western Romance**

Is Love Worth the Gamble?

Fiona is tired of the London society, where status and looks are the most important traits a man is looking for in a woman. Wanting a chance at a new life, away from the pitying stares and loneliness of her life in England, she answers an ad as a mail order bride in America.

Brooks is a gambling man, who wants revenge against his father's killer. His plans are complicated when Fiona lands in his lap after a winning hand.

He doesn’t have time to be looking after a woman, especially one who should have known better than to come to a strange country on her own. But, somehow, she has become his problem.

Will the final wager cost him his heart?

Mail Order Bride - A Bride for Matthew

Mail Order Bride - A Bride for Matthew: Sun River Brides, Book 5

Written by: Karla Gracey

Narrated by: Alan Taylor

Length: 1 hr and 26 mins

Series: Sun River Brides, Book 5

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:08-25-16

Publisher: Karla Gracey Books

My Review

I really enjoyed this story it is short and sweet but it pack a lot into it. I would have liked to have seen them get to know each. The author does show some of this but most is done behind the scenes. I love the Circus part, the animals and how Emily bought her beloved animal into the story. The love of animals shows very much. I totally enjoyed the stories about the animals and all they could do. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the tricks. It was a very enjoyable read from start to finish.

Mr. Taylor’s narration was wonderful he really brought the characters to life. His male voices were just as pleasant as his females were.  There was not any background noise, or any places where the volume was higher or lower at the start of a chapter. If any breaks were taken you could not tell.  You can hear and feel the emotion of each character as they go through the trying times of Emily’s accident to her healing. Her mother’s pain of watching over her and learning to let go. I thought the narrator has a very smooth voice you have no trouble listening to for hours. He character voices are very pleasant you have no trouble knowing who is talking and what they are feeling. You can feel the excitement of a young boy learning and the heart stopping emotion of a father letting his son learn. It was just a pleasure listening to this narrator. I look forward to listening to more of his work.

The author gives you wonderful characters with a plot you can’t put down. I thought this was well written giving meaning to starting over not knowing if you will walk again and those that love you not wanting to let go. I loved how the mother explained her part and her feelings. I really enjoyed how Emily took a hold of her life in a new place as she tries to heal. I had to laugh as she teaches Matthew’s young son and watching their closeness build.  Matthew is a dear sweet man not looking for love just someone to help raise his son. I think he was very surprised to find there was love after death.  With the story being so short there isn’t much more I can say. I loved this from start to finish leaving me with smiles and laugh time after time through some very trying and heart breaking times. The audio was a good as the book. I do hope you will give this audio a try I think you will really enjoy it.

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Summary

Emily Wilkins has led a glamorous life, part of a famous Circus family she has her own Act and a loving family. But a dramatic accident in the Ring means she has to face up to the fact that she never felt she fitted in. With her faithful donkey Claude she sets out for Montana to heal and find herself, but she gets much more than she ever bargained for.
Widower Matthew Simmons wants something more than he always has had. As a boy he longed to run away with the Circus, but now he is taking the biggest gamble of his life. It could be the best thing to ever happen to him, or could it ruin his life, and that of his beloved son.

The Reunion

The Reunion: The Friessens, Book 1

Written by: Lorhainne Eckhart

Narrated by: Valerie Gilbert

Length: 4 hrs and 30 mins

Series: The Friessens, Book 1

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:07-11-16

Publisher: Lorhainne Eckhart

 My Review

When starting this I felt a little lost and thinking this was part of another series that explained it a little better.  As I continued to read I found this to be turn as the author talks about other storylines. It took me a little while to catch up but soon it all fell into place.

Valerie Gilbert did a great job on the narration. She gives a very smooth listen with wonderful character voice. She goes give wonderful emotion and you can tell what each are feeling. Her characters voices were great you did not have any trouble telling who was talking. I did enjoy her many character voices you could always tell who was talking and just what was on their mind. I found no background or any places where the volume was higher or lower at the beginning of a chapter. You could not tell if any breaks were taken the audio was a smooth clean lesson. Her male voices were a good as her female ones.  I really enjoyed her voice and the feel she gave to the read.

The family comes together after the mother has a stroke to celebrate Ronald and Becky's Wedding anniversary. They also have to come to terms with Becky’s recent stroke. The family are overcompensating which leave her feeling suffocated. For those of you that have read the other series the author lets you get caught up on each family member going over pass struggles. I really thought it was an emotional read but I kind of felt left out. I would recommend you reading the other books about this family I feel if I had I would have enjoyed it more.  I am sure once you do you will totally enjoy this read. It was well worth the listen just to get to know the narrator.

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Summary

The family you thought you knew.
A reunion you'll never forget.
A love that lasts forever.
Welcome back to a very special Friessen reunion, in which Becky and Rodney renew their wedding vows. Joined by their sons Brad, Jed, Neil, and their nephew Andy, along with their wives and children. This family will show you how love will see them through all the heartache and obstacles life throws their way.