Bookish Ramblings: Bookstore Romance Day 2022

Love is In the Air – 2022

It’s time to celebrate love, all shades of love. August 20, 20221, is officially Bookstore Romance Day. This is the fourth year of celebrating romance in fiction. According to the website: “Bookstore Romance Day is a day designed to give independent bookstores an opportunity to celebrate Romance fiction—its books, readers, and writers—and to strengthen the relationships between bookstores and the Romance community.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m always up for grabbing a good romance book to read (okay, I’m always up for grabbing any good book to read). Contemporary romance, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, or historical romance, I’m always up for the HEA (happy ever after) or HFN (happy for now). Steamy romance or mild romance, it’s all good. If you’re not a romance reader, I hope my recommendations will help you become a Romancelandia convert.

No list is complete without my all-time favorite author, the incomparable, the Slayer of Words, the Queen…Beverly Jenkins! I’ve repeatedly recommended her books to you in the past and I sincerely hope you’ve taken my recommendations. Where do you start? I suggest beginning with her Blessings series (soon to be a television series [we hope]). This series, inspirational with hints of romance, begins with Bring On the Blessings, A Second Helping, Something Old, Something New, A Wish and a Prayer, Heart of Gold, For Your Love, Stepping to a New Day, Chasing Down a Dream, Second Time Sweeter, and On the Corner of Hope and Main. If you enjoy historical romance, then I encourage you to grab copies of Ms. B’s Indigo and Vivid, especially the 25th-anniversary editions. You definitely don’t want to miss out on her “Women Who Dare” series: Rebel, Wild Rain, and the soon-to-be-released, To Catch a Raven.

If you haven’t read anything by Lyssa Kay Adams, now is a good time to start. The Bromance series features men learning how to be better husbands or significant others by reading romance novels. This is one series you’ll want to read in order, so start with book one, The Bromance Book Club, then on to Undercover Bromance, followed by One Crazy Stupid Bromance, and Isn’t It Bromantic?. Make sure you add A Very Merry Bromance to your list for reading later this year.

Another favorite is Jasmine Guillory and her Wedding Date series. This series includes The Wedding Date, The Proposal (one of my favorites), The Wedding Party, Royal Holiday (another favorite because the main female character is named Vivian!), Party of Two, and While We Were Dating (a new favorite). New additions to Ms. Guillory’s list of works include By The Book, released earlier this year, and Drunk On Love scheduled to be released next month.

I can’t say enough good things about Ayesha at Last and Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin. These are fantastic stories that feature Muslims as the lead characters and have just as much drama and comedy as seen in other romance reads. Come on people, read diversely! Again, I’m not just saying that because I’m a Black Muslim woman from Appalachia or a Muslim Affrilachian, I’m saying that as a Book Diva!

Need more author suggestions, here’s a partial list for you of authors I’ve read and can strongly recommend: S.K. Ali, Sandra Brown, Alyssa Cole, Lori Foster, Linda Howard, Sarah Jio, Susanna Kearsley, Sandra Kitt, Alexa Martin, JJ Murray (only male on this list), Alisha Rai (I have read and can highly recommend the Modern Love series: Girl Gone Viral, The Right Swipe, and First Comes Like), Vanessa Riley, J.D. Robb & Nora Roberts, Farrah Rochon, Juno Rushdan, Sharon Sala, Meg Tilly, Sarah Title, Tia Williams, Lauren Willig (love the Pink Carnation series), and more.

Bookstore Romance Day is also providing a host of virtual events, please click here to learn more. Registration may no longer be available for some events, but you can always watch any missed events on YouTube.

Let’s celebrate romantic love in all its forms, as well as support our beloved romance authors and indie bookstores. Love is Love! I hope you’ll be able to spend some time at your favorite indie bookstore today and treat yourself to a romance book or two.

Bookstore Romance Day heart-shaped logo

I’m super excited and pleased to announce that there are two indie bookstores in West Virginia participating in Bookstore Romance Day this year. I’ll be heading to Booktenders in Barboursville, West Virginia to grab some books. Who knows, I might also buy a few from WordPlay in Wardensville, West Virginia as well.

Happy Reading, y’all!

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2017 Book 65: THE UNDATEABLE by Sarah Title

The Undateable (Librarians in Love #1) by Sarah Title 
ISBN: 9781420141832 (paperback)
ISBN: 9781420141849 (eBook)
ASIN: B01GBAG6MI (Kindle edition)
Publisher: Zebra Shout
Publication Date: February 28, 2016


One San Francisco librarian would rather check out a good romance than dare to experience it herself. Luckily, her own next chapter is full of surprises…

Melissa “Bernie” Bernard isn’t familiar with fame. After all, she works at a college library with hardly any visitors. But when a video of a marriage proposal in her stacks goes viral, it’s not the bride and groom who capture the Internet’s attention. It’s Bernie—caught rolling her eyes. Now, just as she’s ready to go into hiding and permanently bury her nose in a book, a handsome reporter appears with a proposal of his own…

If Colin Rodriguez doesn’t do something big to attract new readers, his boss will hire someone else to dole out dating advice. Determined to prove he’s an expert at romance—despite his own pitiful track record—he pitches a story: He will find dates for the undateable. Specifically, for the now-infamous, love‑hating librarian at Richmond College.

Even though Bernie doesn’t believe in happily-ever-afters, she’s not one to resist a good challenge. Yet with one disastrous date after another, she’s ready to give up. Until Colin proves he’ll do anything to find her the perfect match—even if it means putting himself up for the role…



Imagine living a quiet life as a college librarian. One day you go into work, a flash mob descends on your workplace, a co-worker is proposed to, and the only thing that comes out of this (other than the co-worker becoming engaged) is an internet meme featuring your face. That’s exactly what has happened to Melissa “Bernie” Bernard. Her quiet and somewhat reserved, and yes, somewhat stereotypical life as a librarian has been destroyed. She is now the butt of librarian jokes due to the viral “disapproving librarian” meme. If that’s not bad enough, her boss has made bookmarks and other promotional items featuring the meme to take advantage of the free publicity. The only thing left for Bernie is to take a few days off work. Happy to stay at home with her elderly neighbors and their adorable poodle, Starr, Bernie is then asked to take part in a makeover and dating project for a local online magazine. Colin Rodriguez is a journalist at women’s interest online magazine. His role is to provide the man’s point-of-view on all things female. Now Colin’s job might be on the line as the online magazine seems to want only one reporter and there’s a young journalist on staff vying for Colin’s job. Unbeknownst (great word) to most, Colin also operates an online advice blog as his alter-ego “Dear Maria.” Colin’s younger sister knows Bernie from college and before you know it, Bernie has committed to 30 dates in 30 days, a radical makeover (so long comfortable shoes), and a nosy journalist, Colin Rodriguez, tagging along documenting everything. Is it possible for Colin to find the perfect date for Bernie? Will this experience cause Bernie to turn her back on dating? Will Colin’s career be saved? Can Colin take his own advice when it comes to work, life, and love?

The Undateable is the first book in a new series, Librarians in Love, by Sarah Title. Bernie enjoys wearing comfortable clothing and shoes and doesn’t feel that women have to wear makeup in order to be considered attractive. Unfortunately, the online magazine doesn’t agree. Bernie is pushed outside of her comfort zone with a new wardrobe, new lingerie, new shoes (that she can’t walk in without falling), a new hairstyle, and makeup. You probably know this whole dating thing isn’t going to go well, but reading about the dates and the date prep is often laugh-out-loud hilarious. Both Bernie and Colin are at turning points in their lives and it’s fascinating reading about what happens next. (No, I’m not going to tell you what happens next. Read the book!) I enjoy reading romance as much as I enjoy reading mysteries and thrillers, and The Undateable was a fast-paced, engaging, and wholly enjoyable read. It’s also pretty cool that Ms. Title included her poodle Starr as a character in the novel (trust me, read the book!). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Ms. Title provides stories that are smart, sassy, and sexy. Her female characters are unapologetic (and rightfully so) in their desire to live their lives on their own terms. Her characters are easy to relate to, the stories are plausible, and the settings are the perfect complement to the storylines. Yes, the books have HEA endings, but isn’t that how romance stories are supposed to end?! If you’ve read any of Ms. Title’s previous stories, you’ll definitely want to grab a copy of The Undateable to read as soon as possible. If you haven’t read any of Ms. Title’s previous stories what are you waiting for? Seriously, I’ve recommended them to you repeatedly. Go, grab a copy of The Undateable, and spend a few hours smiling, laughing, and falling in love with her characters and story. I look forward to reading more in the Librarians in Love series. 

Disclaimer: I received a free print copy of this book from the author for review purposes. I was not paid, required, or otherwise obligated to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


I enjoyed reading The Undateable by Sarah Title so much that I’m giving away one print copy. This is an international giveaway and the only limitation is that BookDepository must ship to your country (check to see if your country is listed here: http://bit.ly/2lPL3RC). This giveaway runs from 12:01 AM ET on February 28, 2017, through 12:00 AM ET on March 7, 2017. The winner will be announced within 12-24 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Please note that this prize is being sent via BookDepository and shipping times will vary. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form below.




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The Undateable

The Undateable

The Undateable

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2016 Book 282: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Sarah Title

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Title
ISBN: 9781601836854 (ebook)
ASIN: B018CGZ1JI (Kindle edition)
Publication date: August 30, 2016 
Publisher: Lyrical Shine


Sometimes the best surprises come wrapped in a bow-tie…

Helen Lee has a top-secret dream: to publish a romance novel. There’s just one problem, and her most recent rejection letter doesn’t mince words: Helen can’t write a love scene to save her life. As Head of Reference at Willow Springs, Kentucky’s Pembroke College, Helen is hoping her library research skills will do the trick. But she may have to resort to a far more “hands-on” course of study. Luckily, there’s someone who’s more than happy to instruct her…

History professor Henry Beckham has noticed that his friend, Helen, is behaving strangely. Known for her laser sharp focus—not to mention her snorting laugh—she’s been oddly distracted. He misses that laugh. But it all makes sense when he catches Helen researching erotic writing and discovers her ambition. She seems to think her only option is to die of embarrassment or give up and surrender to spinsterhood in the company of her two basset hounds. Good thing Henry has a much more real-life approach in mind. And his tutorial just might teach them both a thing or two…



Helen Lee is a research librarian extraordinaire. Her colleagues respect her research abilities. Her friends like and love her. Her two adopted basset hounds, George and Tammy, adore her. The only thing missing from Helen’s life is success as a romance author…oh, and having a love life. And apparently, the lack of the latter has gravely influenced the lack of success as a writer. The only thing left for Helen to do is research the heck out of sex/love scenes in Sarah Title’s latest addition to the Southern Comfort series, Practice Makes Perfect.

Helen finally receives a rejection letter that provides constructive criticism on her romance novel. Everything she’s written works except for the sex/love scenes and since the book is being submitted as an erotic romance there’s obviously a problem. Fortunately, Helen knows how to research almost any topic. Unfortunately for Helen, her friends, especially history professor Henry Beckham, notices that Helen is not being herself. After getting Helen to admit what’s going on, he does the only thing a true friend can do and that’s offer to help her in her research and that leads to lots of kissing and sex. 

Practice Makes Perfect is, in my opinion, the perfect addition to the Southern Comfort series by Sarah Title. It is a fast-paced and enjoyable read that provides all of the hallmark elements of a Sarah Title read: sweet and sexy romance, sassy characters and dialogue, and humor. Seriously, what’s not to love about a sex-starved librarian turned erotic romance writer and a history professor that hides his assets behind suits and bow-ties, throw in the two adopted basset hounds  and you’ve got the perfect romance read. If you’ve never read anything by Ms. Title and enjoy reading romance, Practice Makes Perfect may be the perfect entry into the world of the Southern Comfort series. If you’re not sure about romance reads but want something quick and sassy to read, then I urge you to read Practice Makes Perfect. Just in case you couldn’t tell, I enjoyed reading Practice Makes Perfect and I look forward to reading more from Ms. Title in the future.


Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not paid, required, or otherwise obligated to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”




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Book 108: HOME SWEET HOME Review



Home Sweet Home (Southern Comfort #2) by Sarah Title
ISBN: 9781601831361 (paperback)
ISBN: 9781601831156 (ebook)
ASIN: B00FY54N5E (Kindle edition)
Publication date: April 3, 2014
Publisher: Kensington


“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a ramshackle house must be in want of a handyman.”

Just because English professor Grace Williams is a woman whose “new” house is crumbling around her doesn’t mean she needs an arrogant, condescending man’s help, even if he does look gorgeous in faded jeans and a tool belt. What she needs is a working bathroom, not a ridiculous crush.

Jake Burdette has no use for the university types who stumble around Willow Springs, with their noses in the air whenever they’re not in a book. He may not be a scholar, but he’s proud of the hard, honest work he does—even if he would appreciate a little more of it. He doesn’t need Grace’s pity, even if he does wish she wasn’t so adorably sexy.

They’re all wrong for each other. But Grace’s troublesome house seems to feel differently…



Grace Williams is not your typical English professor. She has a relatively good sense of humor, enjoys teaching, loves to read, and is rather excited about moving from California to Kentucky. This move puts her closer to her only surviving family members: her sister, brother-in-law, and adorable niece. The only problems are she left California after a disastrous love affair and has vowed not to get close to a man emotionally. Why is this a problem? Well her house, the “Spinster House” likes matchmaking and has set its sight on putting Grace together with the local handyman, Jake Burdette.

Jake Burdette is not your typical handyman. He was wrangled into helping his sister, a local realtor. He’s also an accomplished contractor and has made a wonderful living flipping houses. Yes he lives at his sister’s house (mind you in the garage apartment), but he’s waiting for the right house to speak to him as “home sweet home” before he moves out.

Appearances can be deceiving. Jake has decided that Grace is a snob and thinks she’s too good for the “normal” folk in Willow Springs. It doesn’t matter that he’s attracted to her physically or that they have a wonderful time when they’re together. Grace has judged Jake for being somewhat of a loafer since he lives in his sister’s garage and doesn’t seem to have a full-time job. Yes she’s attracted to him because he is “hot, hot, hot,” but she simply isn’t looking for a serious relationship. To say that Jake and Grace are filled with a bit of “pride” and “prejudice” toward one another is somewhat of an understatement.

Ms. Title has crafted a wonderfully romantic, often humorous tale of two people that are working at cross-purposes due to preconceived ideas and prejudices. I found Home Sweet Home to be a nice homage to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and a delightful read (and no I’m not just saying that because I know the author!). Both Grace and Jake are flawed and delightful because they are so very realistic as a result of their flaws. They both have issues going back to their childhood relating to love, commitment, and marriage. Although you know this is going to be a “happy-ever-after” story, it was a lot of fun getting from the beginning to the end and reading about all of the house’s machinations to get these two lovebirds together. If you enjoy romance mixed with humor then look no further, Home Sweet Home is just the story you’ve been waiting to read.


Read an excerpt here

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book free for review purposes from NetGalley. I was not paid, required or otherwise obligated to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Bookish Ramblings and a Book Giveaway


I had the pleasure of attending a reception at the West Virginia Culture Center yesterday for participants of the West Virginia Reads 150 program. I had a wonderful time with friends from several of my local book clubs. I also got to meet some wonderful WV-based authors and make some new bookish friends. For those of you that are unaware, the WV Reads 150 program took place from January 1 through December 31, 2013 in honor of West Virginia’s Sesquicentennial. The goal was to read at least 150 books throughout the calendar year as a team or individual. I participated on several teams last year, and fortunately we all succeeded our goal to read 150 books. The program was such a success that it is being continued this year as WV Reads 150+.


I reconnected with my bookish friend, co-leader of one of my local book groups, a librarian extraordinaire, and an esteemed author, Sarah Title (pardon my sunglasses, but I was dealing with another migraine). Sarah’s first book was published in 2013 by Kensington, Kentucky Home. What?! You haven’t read Kentucky Home? Well, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy today and read it! Sarah’s other titles include: Kentucky Christmas, and, “Full Moon Pie” in Delicious with Lori Foster & Lucy Monroe. Her book, Home Sweet Home, is scheduled for release on April 3, 2014 (review coming soon). Connect with Sarah at her website: http://www.sarahtitle.com

Kentucky Home (A Southern Comfort Novel):

In this warm and witty new series, author Sarah Title introduces readers to the down home Kentucky hospitality of the Carson family and their Wild Rose Farm and Stables. It’s a place where love is always possible–and sweeter than ever the second time around . . . 

Mallory Thompson and Keith Carson are far from impressed with each other when she arrives at his family’s horse farm, fleeing an abusive marriage. Mallory sees nothing but a gruff man who’s as patronizing as her soon-to-be ex-husband, and Keith has no time for a city girl who’s afraid of dogs. But the struggling Wild Rose is too small to allow anyone to keep their distance . . . 

As one by one, Mallory wins the hearts of his family, from his cranky father to his headstrong younger sister and three-legged dog, Keith finds himself more than a little attracted to her stubborn charm. And the longer Mallory stays, the more she realizes Keith is nothing like the overbearing bully she married–and the more she fantasizes about being in his strong, loving arms. Maybe some folks get a second chance to make a first impression after all . . . 


Home Sweet Home (Southern Comfort #2):

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single woman in possession of a ramshackle house must be in want of a handyman.”

Just because English professor Grace Williams is a woman whose “new” house is crumbling around her doesn’t mean she needs an arrogant, condescending man’s help, even if he does look gorgeous in faded jeans and a tool belt. What she needs is a working bathroom, not a ridiculous crush.

Jake Burdette has no use for the university types who stumble around Willow Springs, with their noses in the air whenever they’re not in a book. He may not be a scholar, but he’s proud of the hard, honest work he does—even if he would appreciate a little more of it. He doesn’t need Grace’s pity, even if he does wish she wasn’t so adorably sexy.

They’re all wrong for each other. But Grace’s troublesome house seems to feel differently…


I’ll be giving away a copy of Delicious, signed by Sarah Title, to one lucky blog follower (see the rafflecopter form below to enter).

Delicious

With a full moon hanging over the apple orchards of Delicious, Ohio, romance is in the air, and three couples are about to experience the magic of falling in love. 

Down on Jonathan Avenue, the shy proprietor of the quaint bookstore can’t seem to keep her fantasies about a famous writer to herself.

While at The Old Orchard Inn the tempting smell of spiced hot cider lures an out-of-town investor to investigate the magnetic attraction of his sultry but strangely old-fashioned manager.

And over at Apple of My Pie a play-by-the-rules accountant wants much more than tasty treats from the pop up food truck’s capricious baker.

Satisfaction is just a bite away. 




I got to meet local author Eric Douglas. Mr. Douglas has quite a number of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books published. Here are just a few of his titles: River Town, Wreck of the Huron, Guardian’s Keep, Flooding Hollywood, and Cayman Cowboys. To learn more about Mr. Douglas and his wonderful books, please visit his website: www.booksbyeric.com




I got the opportunity to reconnect with Marilyn Sue Shank, Christy-award winning author of Child of the Mountains. This book was simply amazing and so captivating that I read it in one sitting. To learn more about Ms. Shank and her book, please visit her website: http://www.marilynsueshank.com

Child of the Mountains

It’s about keeping the faith.

Growing up poor in 1953 in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia doesn’t bother Lydia Hawkins. She treasures her tight-knit family. There’s her loving mama, now widowed; her whip-smart younger brother, BJ, who has cystic fibrosis; and wise old Gran. But everything falls apart after Gran and BJ die and mama is jailed unjustly. Suddenly Lydia has lost all those dearest to her. 

Moving to a coal camp to live with her uncle William and aunt Ethel Mae only makes Lydia feel more alone. She is ridiculed at her new school for her outgrown homemade clothes and the way she talks, and for what the kids believe her mama did. And to make matters worse, she discovers that her uncle has been keeping a family secret—about her.

If only Lydia, with her resilient spirit and determination, could find a way to clear her mother’s name . . . 



I had the pleasure of meeting Marie Manilla, author of Shrapnel, Still Life with Plums, and the upcoming The Patron Saint of Ugly. One of my friends read and recommended Still Life with Plums, so I’ll be reading that over the weekend. I’m hoping to get an advanced reader copy of The Patron Saint of Ugly to review before its release on June 17, 2014 (if not, I’ll review it after the publication date). To learn more about Ms. Manilla and all of her writings, please visit: www.mariemanilla.com

The Patron Saint of Ugly (coming soon)

Born in Sweetwater, West Virginia, with a mop of flaming red hair and a map of the world rendered in port-wine stains on every surface of her body, Garnet Ferrari is used to being an outcast. With her sharp tongue, she has always known how to defend herself against bullies and aggressors, but she finds she is less adept at fending off the pilgrims who have set up a veritable tent city outside her hilltop home, convinced that she is Saint Garnet, healer of skin ailments and maker of miracles.

Her grandmother, the indelible Nonna Diamante, believes that Garnet’s mystical gift can be traced back to the family’s origins in the Nebrodi Mountains of Sicily, and now the Vatican has sent an emissary to Sweetwater to investigate. Garnet, wanting nothing more than to debunk this “gift” and send these desperate souls packing, reaches back into her family’s tangled past and unspools for the Church a tale of love triangles on the shores of the Messina Strait; a sad, beautiful maiden’s gilded-cage childhood in blueblood Virginia; and the angelic, doomed boy Garnet could not protect.

Saint or not, Garnet learns that the line between reality and myth is always blurred, and that the aspects of ourselves we are most ashamed of can prove to be the source of our greatest strength, and even our salvation.




I don’t have space to mention all of the wonderful WV authors that were at this reception, but I just want to give them a quick “thank you” for giving up a beautiful Saturday afternoon to spend some time with fellow book lovers. A big “Thank You” and congratulations are offered to the West Virginia Library Commission and the Kanawha County Public Library for hosting a wonderful reception. I can’t wait to read books written by many of these new-to-me authors. Who knew little old WV had so many amazing authors within its borders?











My apologies to all of my loyal followers as I wasn’t able to truly celebrate my 3rd blogiversary with you. This has been a rough year starting with my father’s emergency admission on New Year’s Eve, followed by two surgical procedures; then there was the local water crisis, which seems to be never-ending; and, last by no means least, my own medical issues. I simply did not have the wherewithal to celebrate anything earlier this money and my finances really didn’t allow for much more than a token cupcake. This giveaway may not make up for the missed blogiversary, but I hope the winner will enjoy reading some wonderful stories written by Lori Foster, Lucy Monroe, and the wonderful Sarah Title. This giveaway is for one paperback copy of Delicious featuring stories written by these three wonderful authors, and it has been signed by Sarah Title. This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada, and will end at midnight ET on Saturday, March 29th, 2014. The winner will be announced on Sunday, March 30th by 10:00 AM ET.

Book 87: KENTUCKY HOME Review

Kentucky Home (A Southern Comfort Novel) by Sarah Title
ISBN:  9781601831149 (ebook)
ASIN:  B00AKI4IX2 (Kindle edition)
Publication date: April 18, 2013
Publisher: Kensington

In this warm and witty new series, author Sarah Title introduces readers to the down home Kentucky hospitality of the Carson family and their Wild Rose Farm and Stables. It’s a place where love is always possible–and sweeter than ever the second time around…

Mallory Thompson and Keith Carson are far from impressed with each other when she arrives at his family’s horse farm, fleeing an abusive marriage. Mallory sees nothing but a gruff man who’s as patronizing as her soon-to-be ex-husband, and Keith has no time for a city girl who’s afraid of dogs. But the struggling Wild Rose is too small to allow anyone to keep their distance…

As one by one, Mallory wins the hearts of his family, from his cranky father to his headstrong younger sister and three-legged dog, Keith finds himself more than a little attracted to her stubborn charm. And the longer Mallory stays, the more she realizes Keith is nothing like the overbearing bully she married–and the more she fantasizes about being in his strong, loving arms. Maybe some folks get a second chance to make a first impression after all…


Mallory Thompson appears to have it all — a loving husband, wealth, and a beautiful home . . . but appearances can be deceiving. Mallory has been on the receiving end of emotional, psychological and verbal abuse from her husband, Dr. Michael Thompson for a number of years. He has told her what to wear, sabotaged any possibility of her having a job, and made her daily life a living hell. Even after their “separation” he continued to demean her by bringing women into their home and expecting her to continue to provide for him as part of her wifely duties. Mallory finally decides to leave Michael after he hits her, but she has nowhere to go and is afraid for her safety. Luckily, the only friend she has, Luke Carson, comes up with a plan and takes her to his family in Kentucky. 

Mallory is quickly made to feel at home in Kentucky. Luke’s family opens their arms and home to her and she quickly finds enjoyment in the simple pleasures of life. In a short period of time Mallory has learned to overcome her fear of dogs and befriends Peanut (a three-legged rescue dog). She also learns what it’s like to be a part of a family for the first time in a long time. 

Kentucky Home is a contemporary story that blends just the right amount of romance with self-discovery not to mention humor. Mallory learns to fight for her freedom and begins to build a new life for herself in Kentucky. I found all of the characters, even the bad guy, to be well-developed and realistic. The simple rural life that Ms. Title provides is an excellent backdrop for the action within the story. Running a business is difficult work in these current economic times and this isn’t downplayed whether it’s the veterinarian’s business or the stables. It was nice to see Mallory grow in strength of mind and purpose. Good food, good friends and a simple life provide Mallory with the foundation she needs to learn to appreciate who she is and what she wants out of life. Kentucky Home is a well-written contemporary romance that you don’t want to miss. I found this to be a fast-paced read that provided just as many smiles from the humor as it did sizzles from the romance. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Title and the Southern Comfort series.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book free for review purposes from the publisher via NetGalley. I was not paid, required or otherwise obligated to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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