Hidden Identities
Sweet & Sassy Anthology
by Paige Timothy, Jo Noelle, Lindzee Armstrong, Stephanie Connelley Worlton, Ruth Roberts, Candice N. Toone, Laura D. Bastian, Kaye P. Clark, James C. Duckett
by Paige Timothy, Jo Noelle, Lindzee Armstrong, Stephanie Connelley Worlton, Ruth Roberts, Candice N. Toone, Laura D. Bastian, Kaye P. Clark, James C. Duckett
Adult Contemporary Romance
ebook, 320 Pages
March 26th 2015
ebook, 320 Pages
March 26th 2015
Summary
Readers will be delighted with nine sweet, contemporary romance novelettes in Sweet & Sassy: Hidden Identities. In this charming anthology, you will fall in love again and again.
THE BEST OF ME by Paige Timothy
Becky is a cancer survivor who has been blogging about her journey. She’s shocked to find that Josh, her one-time love and now-famous oncologist, is the main speaker at the symposium she’s been asked to attend. Has fate given them a second chance at a future together, or just a shot at miserably ever after?
SECOND-HAND HEARTS by Jo Noelle
When Elena sees Chase for the first time, his turquoise eyes and tousled blond hair convince her that she might believe in insta-love. Just in time, her brain takes over, reminding her that her business is in trouble, making the future uncertain—not a good time for love. But being with Chase is as easy as following her heart, until she finds he has a secret big enough to break it.
FIRST LOVE, SECOND CHOICE by Lindzee Armstrong
When wedding planner Keslee gets asked on a date by her long-lost high school crush, Bryce, everything should be perfect. But Bryce mistakes Keslee for her deceased twin sister, Jadyn. And she doesn’t correct him. Now they’re unexpectedly working together. Keslee knows the charade can’t last much longer, and fears she’ll lose Bryce forever when she tells him the truth.
HACKED by Stephanie Connelley Worlton
NSA data analyst Samantha Perry never being an introverted computer geek could get dangerous until she digs a little too deep into a greedy blackhat’s business, forcing her to change her identity and relocate. As She risks everything to try to close the case, but may end up putting a nail in her own casket. And if she doesn’t, Seth, her hot new neighbor, just might.
TO LOVE AND PROTECT by Ruth Roberts
First Son Daxon Hayward has refused a secret service detail since the day his father was elected President. This time the threat against Daxon is very real, and his father plants an undercover agent to protect him, Lorelei Davis who is capable and beautiful. She’s received her assignment: Protect the First Son, don’t let him know she is an agent, and don’t fall in love.
CLOSING TIME by Candice N. Toone
Chef Will Morrison can’t help himself after watching Kelsey sit alone at a table waiting for a blind date. When he steps in to save her from being stood up, he expects to exchange dull first-date pleasantries, but finds himself drawn in by her quick wit and spunk. Will hears himself confirming plans for a second date only to realize that she still believes he’s someone else.
SINK OR SWIM by Laura D. Bastian
Shelly can’t believe she’s fallen for another cheater. The last few weeks at the gym swimming next to Brandon had almost convinced her she could date again. Brandon’s excited to be back home with a career that can finally hold a candle to his twin brother’s success. When Shelly suddenly turns cold, Brandon can’t help wondering if it has something to do with his brother.
WRITE AND WRONG by Kaye P. Clark
Jon Patterson is burned out. After publishing a series of blockbuster novels under his pen name, he’s hit a brick wall. He escapes to a rural town in Idaho where he meets Abby, the local librarian. She ignites his imagination and quickens his heart. Without the pressure of his pen name, Jon is free to be himself. But will he lose Abby when she learns his secret?
UNDERCOVER LOVER by James C. Duckett
Agent Johnny Anderson is struggling with an investigation that could make or break his career. However, it’s love at first sight when beautiful and witty Hannah moves into the neighborhood. Will Johnny lose Hannah when she finds out his cover story is a façade? As things get hotter between them, his love for her might endanger her life.
My Review
I always enjoy reading sweet romance novellas. It's so easy (and can be rather satisfying) to pick one up and find a little romance and a sweet story that can be finished in a short time and leave me with that happily-ever-after feeling. I found this compilation mostly satisfying. Some stories I loved more than others, or maybe connected with more than others, but overall it was a fun and sweet read. I also loved that several of the stories had a little suspense and intrigue in them.
THE BEST OF ME by Paige Timothy
This was a fun story, but also had some depth as the main character is six months away from receiving a cancer-free diagnosis after undergoing treatment. I liked that she and her love interest already had a former connection (makes the shorter length more workable) and that their former feelings were rekindled when they chance to meet again. I also loved the exchange while they were on a panel together.
SECOND-HAND HEARTS by Jo Noelle
Wowsers! This one had some heat while still being clean. Just some great scenes and some serious chemistry. I pretty much loved this one the whole way through, including the two main characters, the jealous cop, and especially Tug who looks tough, but is really just a big teddy bear. I'd read this one again, so a definite favorite from this collection.
FIRST LOVE, SECOND CHOICE by Lindzee Armstrong
This one was tough. I was totally pulling for Bryce and Keslee to pull through after her initial fib and things were going well and then Bryce does something that totally derails the relationship and it took some time to get back on track. I loved how Bryce reacted and it made me pull for things to still work out.
HACKED by Stephanie Connelley Worlton
Hacked had some nice suspense and a little bit of danger. I really liked the combination with the romance that was pretty intense as well. I liked the writing and the characters. In fact, I liked this story so much that I looked up the follow-up novella, Hunted, to be released this summer that Hacked leads in to and which I definitely plan on reading. I'm bummed that I have to wait. Another one that I loved from this collection.
TO LOVE AND PROTECT by Ruth Roberts
This was another story with some danger and suspense. I really liked it as well. The main characters were both great and I especially liked that they spent quite a bit of time together being friends before anything else. Lorelei's brothers were a great addition as well and made the short story feel more full. I'd definitely read more from this author.
CLOSING TIME by Candice N. Toone
This was a quirky and sweet story. Will feels bad for a girl, Kelsey, who has been stood up and fills in letting her assume he's the missing date so she won't get too hurt. Of course it all backfires and then Will has to try to win Kelsey over. There was some great humor and teasing in this one and a very adorable old lady that rounded off the characters.
SINK OR SWIM by Laura D. Bastian
What to say about this one... I liked that the two main characters just swim with each other and build their relationship from there. There was one very serious kiss in the pool... *sigh* And then one very huge misconception that provided some great tension and a problem that had to be worked out. Loved the little glimpses of Shelly's students and roommate, and then also Brandon's family. Loved this one!
WRITE AND WRONG by Kaye P. Clark
An interesting story. I felt like there was a lot of room for this one to have been developed into a longer novel, especially with the small town and fun characters that could have been added in and there also could have been a suspense element added quite easily. However, it did work in novella form and I definitely liked the characters. There was one blunt line and some stronger innuendo (especially compared to the other stories) that moved this one over the line for me on it being clean.
UNDERCOVER LOVER by James C. Duckett
This one was rather humorous in spots while also being a little suspenseful and romantic, of course. There was some danger as well since there was an undercover operation going on. What I loved the most was the humor and that John or "Johnny" was just an all-around great guy. Poor guy had it tough, so it was good there was someone to be sweet to him.
Overall, a sweet compilation. Several of these authors I've added to my list to be read again. I'm hoping that they do continue to write stories like these that I can curl up on the couch to and end each with that HEA feeling.
Content: There is some innuendo, but I would consider all of these clean except Write and Wrong, which has one line referring to a woman revealing her bust and strong innuendo.
Source: I received a complimentary copy for review from the tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.
This was a fun story, but also had some depth as the main character is six months away from receiving a cancer-free diagnosis after undergoing treatment. I liked that she and her love interest already had a former connection (makes the shorter length more workable) and that their former feelings were rekindled when they chance to meet again. I also loved the exchange while they were on a panel together.
SECOND-HAND HEARTS by Jo Noelle
Wowsers! This one had some heat while still being clean. Just some great scenes and some serious chemistry. I pretty much loved this one the whole way through, including the two main characters, the jealous cop, and especially Tug who looks tough, but is really just a big teddy bear. I'd read this one again, so a definite favorite from this collection.
FIRST LOVE, SECOND CHOICE by Lindzee Armstrong
This one was tough. I was totally pulling for Bryce and Keslee to pull through after her initial fib and things were going well and then Bryce does something that totally derails the relationship and it took some time to get back on track. I loved how Bryce reacted and it made me pull for things to still work out.
HACKED by Stephanie Connelley Worlton
Hacked had some nice suspense and a little bit of danger. I really liked the combination with the romance that was pretty intense as well. I liked the writing and the characters. In fact, I liked this story so much that I looked up the follow-up novella, Hunted, to be released this summer that Hacked leads in to and which I definitely plan on reading. I'm bummed that I have to wait. Another one that I loved from this collection.
TO LOVE AND PROTECT by Ruth Roberts
This was another story with some danger and suspense. I really liked it as well. The main characters were both great and I especially liked that they spent quite a bit of time together being friends before anything else. Lorelei's brothers were a great addition as well and made the short story feel more full. I'd definitely read more from this author.
CLOSING TIME by Candice N. Toone
This was a quirky and sweet story. Will feels bad for a girl, Kelsey, who has been stood up and fills in letting her assume he's the missing date so she won't get too hurt. Of course it all backfires and then Will has to try to win Kelsey over. There was some great humor and teasing in this one and a very adorable old lady that rounded off the characters.
SINK OR SWIM by Laura D. Bastian
What to say about this one... I liked that the two main characters just swim with each other and build their relationship from there. There was one very serious kiss in the pool... *sigh* And then one very huge misconception that provided some great tension and a problem that had to be worked out. Loved the little glimpses of Shelly's students and roommate, and then also Brandon's family. Loved this one!
WRITE AND WRONG by Kaye P. Clark
An interesting story. I felt like there was a lot of room for this one to have been developed into a longer novel, especially with the small town and fun characters that could have been added in and there also could have been a suspense element added quite easily. However, it did work in novella form and I definitely liked the characters. There was one blunt line and some stronger innuendo (especially compared to the other stories) that moved this one over the line for me on it being clean.
UNDERCOVER LOVER by James C. Duckett
This one was rather humorous in spots while also being a little suspenseful and romantic, of course. There was some danger as well since there was an undercover operation going on. What I loved the most was the humor and that John or "Johnny" was just an all-around great guy. Poor guy had it tough, so it was good there was someone to be sweet to him.
Overall, a sweet compilation. Several of these authors I've added to my list to be read again. I'm hoping that they do continue to write stories like these that I can curl up on the couch to and end each with that HEA feeling.
Content: There is some innuendo, but I would consider all of these clean except Write and Wrong, which has one line referring to a woman revealing her bust and strong innuendo.
Source: I received a complimentary copy for review from the tour host, which did not affect my review in any way.
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