Misty Dreams by Josephine Strand

From Goodreads:

As a child, she filled his void. As a woman, she completed him. Clare has lived on St. Isabel Island all her life, except for a few months she can’t recall. A traumatic childhood experience has left a blank spot in her memory and a lingering feeling of having lost more than just a small, painful piece of her past. When the enigmatic Dr. Richard Kelly arrives on her island, she’s found that missing part. Yet she’s certain the man is a stranger to her, until she discovers he’s been hiding something from her, a secret that reawakens her childhood fears and threatens to upset her life again.

Richard Kelly’s hard-earned career as a world-renowned neurosurgeon has been derailed by his ex-wife’s unspeakable betrayal. His entire life is on a downward spiral. In a desperate attempt to outrun his demons, he sets off to a remote island in the South to trace the origins of an anonymous painting. He doesn’t expect to come face to face with the girl he once knew as Misty, and he’s instantly captivated by her genuine charm. But if the charismatic kindergarten teacher of the secret lagoon is the Misty of his past, why doesn’t she remember him?

My Take:

The story was a little slower than my normal reads, but it really picked up in part two. Part one is only from Richard‘s point of view and deals mostly with the past. I think this could’ve been shorter to get to the good stuff faster. In part two we finally get to see Claire/Misty’s point of view. For me, this is where the story finally started to pull me in.

There were times when I got very frustrated with the characters and their reasoning for not coming out and telling the truth. The book could’ve been a lot shorter if people had just talk to each other. Claire’s sister, Courtney, really annoyed me. Having said all of that, I enjoyed the journey the characters went on to discover the mysteries of the past and finally admit their love for each other. The final twist at the end was nice. It was believable, and fitting for the story.

I also appreciated the cleanliness of the romance parts. I give the book and recording 4 stars and a PG rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no intimacy on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, intimacy is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to intimacy), more talk about intimacy, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but intimacy is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen intimacy

R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” intimacy, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the intimacy and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

The Southern Bride by Lenora Worth

From Goodreads:

Melissa Sonnier is desperate to find her own happily ever after as she helps her sister celebrate her beach wedding in Driftwood Bay, but it’s difficult to move on and find love when she can’t let go of Judson Duvall, a boy she’s loved since middle school, even after their last break up in their on again, off again relationship. But as she watches her sister exchange her sacred vows, she sees Judson, waiting for her asking for one last chance. He vows he’s changed. Can she risk her heart one last time?

After his latest rodeo related injury, Judson Duvall is ready to hang up his spurs and always a man of action, defies doctors and drives all night to reach the only woman he’s ever loved. He begs for one last chance and is prepared to do anything to win back Melissa’s love. He claims he’s changed, but is it enough or is it too late?

My Take:
This one's been sitting in my kindle for a long time. It was a short read, and I think that hurt the storyline for me. I wanted more from the characters and their journey to their happy ever after. It felt too much like a summary. There were missed opportunities to build on this painful history that Melissa and Judson shared. It would have been really good to see them working harder to build trust and love but they just decided to do it and then months have passed and they're engaged again.

I really wanted to like this and give it a higher rating. The writing was good, but I didn't feel the emotional payoff at the end.

I give it a 3.5 and Clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:
Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"
PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door
PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.
PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on-screen sex
R--swearing (F-bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always

Shadows in the Curtain by Cami Checketts

From Goodreads:
Every stage actress wants fans, but what happens when one goes too far?

Emmy has the perfect life— a house on the beach, a successful career headlining the local theater, and love. But when a brutal murder brings unimaginable grief, Emmy’s world comes crashing down. As she tries to pick up the pieces, she can’t seem to avoid Josh, the new fireman in town.

Emmy does her best to fight the sizzle in her chest when Josh is near. But with the stalker still out there, terrorizing her and those she cares about, she can’t fall for anyone—especially Josh, a suspect in the murder investigation.

If Emmy allows a man to get close, it’s not just her heart she puts at risk, it’s her life.

My Take:
This one was hard for me. From the very beginning, before Emmy's husband is killed, she bumps into Josh and sparks fly. Emmy is married and feels guilty and thus stays away from him, but we get the impression that her marriage was more of a marriage between friends than ever between lovers. While this isn't bad, it kind of left a funny feeling in my mouth. Checketts does a good job though letting you know that Emmy loved her husband and that he was her world even though she never felt for him what she feels for Josh a year later when they start spending time together.

Josh is a great guy, but he does feel like a stalker. LOL, yeah, this story was definitely a different one for me. I enjoyed it though. Josh felt that immediate connection to Emmy and was disappointed to learn she was married. He respected that though and stayed away as well. However, he's also a fireman with an innate need to protect people. Add that to his attraction to a woman who does really have a stalker and it's understandable why he wants to look out for her.

I love how Checketts weaves a mystery while still giving you tender moments to let a romance grow.

I give this a 4.5 with a Clean rating.

1-5 scale and what it means:

1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad

2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing

3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive

3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love

4: Solid mind candy / worth reading

4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read

5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure

Movie Ratings in relation to my review:

Clean--Hallmark movies, some kissing, no nudity, no sex on or off "screen"

PG--Some innuendo but nothing kids don't hear every day, sex is all closed door

PG-13--some language (swear words not related to sex), more talk about sex, heavy petting, removal of clothing on screen, but sex is closed door.

PG-14—somewhere between PG-13 and R. Not erotica, but at least a paragraph of on screen sex

 R--swearing (F bomb, on “screen” sex, sometimes feels like the whole story is about the sex and not the relationship or some other plot, but not always