Hometown, Wendy Rich Stetson, reviewed by Diane Scott Lewis

 

The fourth in my series of small to medium press book reviews. This is a sweet romance with a hunky Amish man as one of the love interests. Enjoy.

HOMETOWN is full of folksy charm as Tessa fixes up her parents' house after being fired from her teaching job due to budget cuts. 

At the local market, she notices a tall, handsome Amish man. He and his niece sell Tessa's favorite dessert, whoopie pies. His sister, bitter Nora, also bakes delicious pies. And Tessa will require her help, soon.

Tessa has also met the local doctor, Richard, who is definitely interested in her. 

After she hires the Amish man, Jonas, to build a gazebo in her family's back yard, their attraction grows. Now she's torn between two men, one who lives in a different world.

Author Stetson writes with assurance, the emotions of her characters richly explored, detailed nuance throughout. They all have secrets from their pasts that skew their present. I found Richard too pushy from the onset, and Jonas sometimes not strong enough, but he's still a great character. Will he leave his community to forge a life with an outsider? Or should he stay and support his sister and niece after their tragedy?

Amish life is explored as Tessa finds it fascinating and limiting. Should she go with the sexy doctor who offers her a high-level life?

I loved fey Rebecca, Jonas' niece, who dances with fireflies. The late night drive through a storm baffled me since there was no emergency, though it made for great drama.

All the characters rang true for me and I vastly enjoyed this novel. Highly recommended for those who like their romances well-written and sweet.

To purchase Hometown, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and ne naughty dachshund. 

What Happens in Denver, book review, by Diane Scott Lewis

Here is my latest book review, showcasing small and medium press authors. Enjoy a wild ride into beer brewing and romance.

WHAT HAPPENS IN DENVER by Liz Crowe

Andi, who runs a popular bar and beer tasting establishment, is shocked when her husband kicks her out and takes over with his mistress. His actions are horrible. Now she must reinvent herself, with a new job, and eventually a new man.

This isn’t your typical romance. Andi is not attracted to big, burly James at first. He’s not her type. He’s gruff and dismisses her, too. She’s focused on finding a job, though she has to start at the bottom and relocate to a new city.

Well written, with nuance, where even Sloane, Andi’s new friend, is rounded out as a woman who barely nibbles on lettuce, constantly exercises, but runs a business. She’ll need help later. The politics of beer and the history of brewing adds interest to the story. These are two damaged people struggling to love again, wrapped up in making a success of their beer business.

I wish Andi had spent less time moping in the beginning, and over-drinking, instead of making plans to find a new job. Her mom and friend force her to do that. The author shows her experience in the brewing industry. I learned some fascinating facts in this compelling read.

To purchase this book, click HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

Fifty percent off sale, historical novels by Diane Scott Lewis

Enjoy strong women in authentic settings. Eighteenth century intrigue, adventure, mystery, and romance, all for a 1.50 a book.

If you've never used Smashwords you're missing out. A simple purchase of an ebook, no frills, no fuss. The site is full of top quality work.

Purchase at Smashwords

Book Review Death by Sample Size - Susie Black by Diane Scott Lewis

 Another in my series of book reviews of small to medium press authors. The Big Guys can't have all the fun.

Death by Sample Size

Ditzy Swimwear vice president Holly finds a dead body in an elevator on page two! Bunny Frank, an important fashion buyer, is sprawled out with a bathing suit stuck in her mouth. As you get to know more about Bunny, it’s not who wanted to kill her, but who didn’t.

Thwarted love, bribery, and Bunny’s arrogance irritated everyone in the Los Angeles clothing industry. There are multiple characters introduced fast and furious in the beginning, each with their own quirk, and extreme dislike of Bunny. A few had even threatened her.

 I learned fascinating details about the cut-throat fashion business. Like her character Holly, Author Susie Black is a successful apparel sales executive. The back-biting and off-beat humor had me chuckling. Holly is a strong woman, living in a houseboat, who even tries to play sleuth after someone is arrested. Did they really commit the crime? Even a villainess deserves justice. A fun, light beach read.

 This is a Holly Swimsuit Mystery Book 1.

 Buy link: HERE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. 

Book Review HEARTQUAKE by Terry Newman, by Diane Scott Lewis

 I'm starting a new feature, writing book reviews of up and coming authors, and small or medium press authors.

Today's review is Heartquake by Terry Newman.

About the author: Terry Newman has always loved words. As the editor-in-chief of a national natural health publishing company, she has written books on a variety of topics, as well as writing direct-mail advertising.

She’s also worked as a reporter, a communications specialist and a freelance writer. She’d had clients worldwide, and researched and wrote hundreds of eBooks and print books as well as ghostwrote novellas and short stories.
One day she woke and decided to make her dream of writing her own novel come true. She sets all her stories in fictional towns in northeast Ohio and writes about things she loves—like coffee.

Terry has led workshops on writing and character development.
She has a daughter, a son-in-law, and a grandpuppy, and lives in North Lima, a real town in northeast Ohio.

REVIEW, FIVE STARS: Riley is a billionaire trying to simplify his life by moving back to his Ohio home town. Charlee runs a coffee shop and is anxious for a huge change in her life. It's an immediate attraction when he walks into her shop. But Riley hides a dark secret. He's a lionshifter, his family notorious in decades past. He and his brother both change into big cats and roam the city at night. Will Charlee accept this bizarre aspect of the man she loves, or is she hiding her own secret?
The romance happens quickly, but the pace is brisk. Both Riley and Charlee are likeable characters. Riley runs a buy-out business. She's given more rounding out by being urged to run for city council, and fight the fracking that might be causing health problems in local children. Newman's prose is smooth and highly readable. You will enjoy following the love trials and adventures of Riley and Charlee.

Purchase: HEARTQUAKE

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund.

Dare Eseld and Robert fall in love again? Excerpt from To Entice a Spy by Diane Scott Lewis

 

"The author's research into the period shines through in every paragraph of this tale. I was never pulled out of the story by a tidbit that didn't ring true. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres, and To Entice a Spy ranks among the best." *Gina Rae Mitchell*

After years of being apart, and marrying others, can Robert and Eseld find love again, in the midst of the turbulence of England's spy service during the French Revolution? 

Here is an excerpt as they try:

Eseld finished her punch and looked away.

“I was being friendly with the viscount, on a purely decent

level, on my part.”

“I’m worried about you. Men can take advantage.

As in being purely mercenary.” Robert’s emotion rose to the

surface, rawer than he wished. “I want you to be very

cautious.”

“I’m aware of greedy men. And I’m not

romantically involved, if that’s what concerns you.”

She didn’t sound angry, more a question. A yearning?

“Are you collecting friends or inquiring where you

should not?” He toned down his rhetoric, not wishing to

upset her.

“That again. You think me foolish, or incapable.”

Her reply was soft despite what she stated. She didn’t

deny her motives.

He moved closer. His heartbeat thudded; was she

investigating a possible spy as he first surmised? “You

are one of the most capable women I know. Please,

confide in me.” They appeared to still dance around one

another—this time with words.

She turned and faced him. “I don’t want us to be at

odds.” She paused for a moment and lightly touched his

stock. “Is that all you seek, me to confide? Am I but a

contrary girl who must be guided by you?”

“Truthfully, as we were always truthful in our

youth, I want to kiss you.” He cupped her upper arms

and couldn’t believe he’d said that aloud. Her jasmine

perfume invaded his senses. “Pardon my boldness. I’m

not of your station anymore, am I?”

“That doesn’t matter to me,” she whispered. “But

aren’t you still in mourning?”

Is the notorious spy tracking them even at Truro's famous assembly rooms?

Purchase from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Entice-Spy-Diane-Scott-Lewis-ebook/dp/B09D9ZCRKX

Meet my Wicked Villain from To Entice a Spy

 

Today I blog about Pierre, my first Villainous POV. It was fun to write a character who doesn't have to follow the rules, though he does have a motive for his wicked ways.

Visit my blog post on Brenda Whiteside's blog.

https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-worthy-villain-for-wickedwednesday-by.html

Enjoy Pierre's first scene as he surveys the people he wishes to destroy in the name of Equality during the French Revolution.

I might need to write more villains, and get deep into their points of view, I so enjoyed being Wicked. Of course, my villain gets his just desserts at the end.