Review: Taco ‘Bout Love (Taco Truck Romance Book 1) by Candice Y. Johnson

He needs a marriage of convenience. She can ’ t imagine anything more inconvenient …

Paisley Bent is having a day. The dilapidated ice cream truck she dreams of converting to her dream taco truck is next to inoperable, and she can’t afford to fix it. The social media show she launched cooking tacos has been poached by her brother-in-law, and just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, Paisley arrives home to find her boyfriend cheating on her. Enraged, Paisley starts to enact some creative revenge, but her public meltdown is interrupted by a hot, handsome stranger.

Everson Loving has a problem, and Paisley might be the solution. To honor his mother, he wants to open a library, but his inheritance is held up due to an irritating clause—marriage. Paisley is gorgeous, sexy, funny and a wicked talent fixing his favorite food. She’s also in desperate need of cash. Can Ever convince her to fake wedded bliss for six months?

They both have a reason to lie, but why does their fake love feel like the truth?

 

My Review: 

A little white lie leads to love. 

When Paisley Bent’s world comes crashing down, a real hero, Ever Loving, steps up to help her.  Paisley is also helping him in return. In order to claim his inheritance, he needs a wife. 

This is an entertaining marriage of convenience story with memorable characters and fun dialogue.  It is the first book in the Taco Truck Romance series.  I enjoyed it from the very first page.  I can’t wait to read the rest of the series.

Featured Book and Review: The Frog Prince (20th Anniversary Edition) by Jane Porter

What happens when the fairy tale is over?

Once upon a time, Holly Bishop married the man of her dreams. After the honeymoon, she patiently waited for the “happily ever after” part…until her Prince Charming turned out to be a toad.

Being married then divorced by the age of twenty-six was not a chapter Holly expected to add to her life. Heartbroken but determined to have a fresh start, she moves to San Francisco to become an event planner. She never could have anticipated her enchanting new boss or the colleagues who are out to sabotage her future. Not to mention the egomaniacal men Holly finds lurking at the bottom of the dating pool.

Holly is a recovering damsel in distress, but with no one to save her, she’ll need to face her battles head on. As Holly learns to stand on her own for the very first time, she must make a decision. Can she risk giving up her fanciful dreams to finally become the heroine of her own story?

 

My Review:

I originally reviewed this book many years ago and I was excited to read it again with the great new epilogue that is included in the 20 year anniversary edition.  It's always fun to revisit favorite books. 

Sometimes you just have to let go of the past and the fears and regrets you have. In Holly's case, it's her bad marriage that she can't seem to get past. But, in this book, you see how she is able to finally get past all of that and enjoy life and finds a new love. This is one of those books that you'll want to read over and over.

 

Review: Panic in the Panhandle (Elmo Simpson Mysteries Book 1) by J.C. Kenney

 

This is no ordinary wild animal removal call…

In the sleepy panhandle of Florida, Benjamin “Elmo” Simpson has carved out a comfortable niche as the go-to wild animal removal specialist. Life is sweet until a peculiar service request takes him to a local condo and an unexpected scene. Retired lawyer Fran Cohen is missing and in his apartment is a well-fed alligator that appears to have enjoyed a nice breakfast with…or rather, of…Fran.

All evidence points toward murder, and local alligator farmer, Waldo “Rambo” Quigley has the motive and the means. When Rambo pleads for help to clear his name, old debts and a history of friendship leave Elmo no choice but to investigate. With his girlfriend, Nicola, by his side, and Rambo’s freedom on the line, Elmo’s on the hunt for the real killer, but don’t panic…Elmo’s got a plan…sort of. Maybe.

Reptilian clues lead to unexpected allies, and the call of danger is addictive. Can Elmo uncover the identity of Fran’s killer before becoming the next victim, removed from the scene like an unwanted pest?

 

My Review:

Fast paced and highly entertaining.

This is the first book in the Elmo Simpson Mysteries series and I am already counting down the days until the next installment comes out.  I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the story.  It had a good pace with an interesting plot with fun quirky characters.  This is an all-around entertaining book that I highly recommend. 

Review: Making A Texas Cowboy (Home at Last Texas Book 1) by Justine Davis

 

Texas is a chance to start over….

Jackson Thorpe looks like he has it all—the star of the hottest modern day western—he’s wealthy and adored by millions. But after the loss of his wife in a horrific accident, he walks away from Hollywood to be close to his widowed sister in Last Stand, Texas, hoping the change will help his young son emotionally heal.

Sought after horse trainer, Nicole Baylor, is cowgirl to her core. She loathes the popular western series and its absurdly handsome star because the show is so fake—it’s even shot in California. Putting on a Stetson does not make a man a cowboy, and she’s had enough of men pretending. But when a worried Jackson asks for help with his son, Nic, though wary, agrees.

Jackson’s uncomfortable taking help from a beautiful cowgirl who clearly doesn’t like him or what he does, but after seeing his son’s progress, he now worries Nic may have lassoed his heart.

 

My Review:

A sweet and inspiring story.

Still grieving the loss of his wife, Jackson Thorpe decided to leave Hollywood and his acting career and headed to Texas, where his sister lives, to help his son through his grief.  They both fell in love with the little town of Last Stand and its people.  But one person in particular, Nicole Baylor, caught Jackson’s eye.  She was also good for Jeremy when she started teaching him to ride a horse.  But Nic didn’t want anything to do with the actor, until she realized he was completely different than she thought he would be.   

This is the first book in a new series and I am already loving it.