Stranger in a Small Town by Kerry Connor

About the book:

Stranger in a Small Town by Kerry Connor

The mysterious blue-eyed stranger who showed up in the middle of the night wasn't just looking for work. No, when "John Samuels" signed on with Maggie Harper to restore the decrepit old house, he was hoping for answers and a chance to face the demons of his past. But then strange happenings started threatening his beautiful new boss—and disrupting the passion that sparked between them. Someone didn't want them in that house. Someone who knew the truth about what had happened there thirty years before, about the brutal murder that destroyed John's family.

John never expected redemption. But danger waited in the old house, haunting them both….

Publisher: Harlequin
Pub. Date: April 2009
Publisher: Silhouette
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 224pp
ISBN-13: 9780373745289
ISBN: 0373745281

My Review:

I read Stranger in a Small Town by Kerry Connor about a year ago and it was the first mystery/suspense book I read in a long time!  In addition to romance, I also enjoy a little mystery and suspense mixed in.  This book had it all and it kept me reading and wanting to find out “who did it.”  At first, Maggie comes off as a strong willed woman, wanting to rebuild the old house.  Unfortunately, she has had to deal with the entire small town trying to sabotage her efforts.  She has also had to deal with pranks with little help from the local police department.


Then, one night, she spots a stranger across the street, just peering at the house.  She thinks it’s another prankster and approaches the stranger ready to protect the house and herself.  It turns out, the stranger is “John Samuels” who is there to help her.  He wants to work for her and help her rebuild the house.  As you read deeper into the storyline, you will discover how John and Maggie depend on each other to find the truth as to why the whole town is against them and the secrets that will surface. 

There are a lot of secrets, twists and turns, and obstacles that Maggie and John will face and you will root for them the entire time! 

Stranger in a Small Town can be purchased online at Amazon, IndieBound, Borders, and Barnes & Noble.

Disclosure: The following review was written by Stephanie.  The opinions provided are my own and not influenced by anyone else.  I did not receive any financial compensation for this post.  I received a free product to facilitate my review.

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The Family He Wanted by Karen Sandler

About the book: 
The Family He Wanted by Karen Sandler

Raised without a father, Jana McPartland did not want the same for her unborn baby. So when the daddy-to-be took a hike, she turned to her closest friend, Sam Harrison. He'd always been her refuge from the storm...and this was one heck of a hurricane she'd found herself in.

The bestselling novelist offered her a roof over her head, a paycheck for her hard work and all the safety she craved. Yet Jana found herself needing more from the brooding bachelor--to finally give in to the unspoken attraction that had always burned between them. But as a former foster kid, Sam wasn't the type of man who stepped out of his comfort zone.

Until he proposed!

Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Limited
Pub. Date: April 2009
Publisher: Silhouette
Format: Mass Market Paperback, 224pp
ISBN-13: 9780373654505
ISBN: 0373654502

My Review:

I received and read The Family He Wanted by Karen Sandler over a year ago and during that time, I was just getting back into reading.  I missed reading and when I received the book, I finished it pretty quickly.  I love romance novels, it reminds of when my husband and I were dating.  Why, you ask?  Everything is new and you are just getting to know the person.  I like the “newness” of a relationship.

The Family He Wanted is a heartwarming story of Jana and Sam.  Jana ends up on her best friend’s doorstep because she has nowhere else to go.  Sam takes her in his big house and gives her a place to live.  They are best friends, nothing more.  They both develop feelings for each other but are afraid to reveal how they feel because they don’t want to ruin their friendship and they are afraid the other doesn’t feel the same. 

Sam reminds me of a man I would love to have in my life if I were ever in a situation where I needed help.  He’s the best friend you can depend on, offers a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, and someone who is just kind! 

This book is a quick and easy read and will remind you that there are good people out there.  I loved this book, as it is a very sweet and uplifting book if you are feeling down. 

The Family He Wanted can be purchased online at Amazon, IndieBound, Borders, and Barnes & Noble.

Disclosure: The following review was written by Stephanie.  The opinions provided are my own and not influenced by anyone else.  I did not receive any financial compensation for this post.  I received a free product to facilitate my review.

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