Review: Very Enjoyable
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 17, 2014
I never read novellas I’m a novel person.  The longer the better.  Having said that, I love to mix up my genres but I always want some kind of romance.  I came across Once and Forever and was intrigued by the description of each book.  The only author I was familiar with before picking this book up was Emelle Gamble.  I happen to admire her work.Talk about a “colorful” anthology!  Five quick romance novellas that run the gamut of romance.  Mystery, fantasy, paranormal, contemporary and regency are all weaved in this montage of entertaining stories.  I enjoyed each and every one of them and now have four more authors to add to my reading possibilities.Playing for Keeps by Mary Blayney:  A fun and sexy mystery/romance.  Featuring Kendall Marshall the sometimes-actress and Steve O’Hara the owner of a successful security company.  The banter and tension between the two is witty and creative.  Seems to me this story is setting up a possible connection between Steve’s brother, Mike O’Hara, the famous sports talk show host and Kendall’s sister, Jessica, the wealthy quilter extraordinaire.  I sure hope so.The Princess and the Pinot by Elaine Fox:  A fun romance with a bit of fantasy thrown in.  Kim O’Shea has loved Cooper since she was fifteen he just doesn’t know it.  Prin, a new employee at the winery Kim and Jack both work at (who just happens to be a bombshell) crushes Kim’s spirits but a disgustingly humorous fairy comes along to help her out.  Wine enthusiasts will love this story.Duets by Emelle Gamble:  A prequel to the novel, Molly Harper, this contemporary novella provides background and insight into secrets that are unraveled in the follow up full-length novel.  The relationship between Cruz Morales and Molly Harper is strained yet undeniably one that neither of them wants to end even though they are not together.  Meanwhile, another family faces an inevitable tragedy that leads them to Molly Harper.  A great introduction to a wonderful novel that I have read and would highly recommend.Never and Forever by Lavinia Kent:  A short, yet steamy, historical romance that left me wanting more.  Molly Watson and Duke of Radford seem to have an unlikely attraction to each other.  I can’t say more without spoiling it but I’m looking forward to a follow up to the way this one ended.The Psychic Detective by Evie Owens:  Paranormal romance/mystery.  Officer Erin Healy meets Martin Sterling the “psychic” private investigator under some very unusual circumstances.  Although she doesn’t believe in anything but scientific evidence, she’s desperate and needs his help to uncover what really happened the night she was wounded and why she’s being blamed.  Sort of a “sixth sense” crime teaser.  Great plot!I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an honest review.