The Lovestruck Blog Tour with Abigail Sharpe & Sandy James

 

 

 

Title: Signed, Sealed, Delivered
Series: The Ladies Who Lunch #2

Author: Sandy James

Release Date: July 1, 2014

Juliana has spent thirteen years in the same teaching job. She’s ready to dive into a new career with both feet . . . when a run-in with the hottest man she’s ever seen knocks her head over heels. But with her failed marriage to a fellow teacher fresh on her mind, Jules can’t afford to lose herself in a relationship—no matter how perfect it may seem.

Connor Wilson has hit rock bottom when he loses his career as a top-notch Realtor because of a large gambling debt. Now, in a small town he finds a fresh start—and a gorgeous redhead who sparks new life into him. Together they start a successful real estate company, but when pleasure sneaks into the business, they’ll have to decide what they can let go . . . and what they can’t live without.

 

 

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When I was asked if I was interested in reading Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I had two immediate reactions. One, oh hell yes, because I read The Bottom Line – the first book in the Ladies Who Lunch series – and really enjoyed it and two, I start singing that old song. I haven’t stopped singing it either, even though I only know the one line...Signed, sealed, delivered, I’m yours... I also haven’t stopped smiling, basking in the afterglow of reading a sweet, sexy book that has me salivating for book three. Yeah, I said salivating. What of it?

 

Juliana Kelley is burnt-out. After teaching Special Needs kids for thirteen years, she knows it’s time to make a major life change and she thinks she has the perfect plan. Telling The Ladies Who Lunch that she’s leaving the school they work at together to pursue a career in real estate isn’t easy – and it’s only the first hurdle she’s going to face. When she meets Connor Wilson at a seminar, she’s immediately drawn to him but she needs to concentrate on finding her feet first.

Connor Wilson is also looking to start afresh. After losing his career, moving to a small town and beginning again is his best chance of getting back in the game. Juliana is a distraction that he doesn’t need but can’t seem to ignore. When a chance encounter throws Connor and Juliana into a partnership, they have to decide whether they can or should keep their relationship strictly professional...or take a chance on love.

 

I was really taken by the Ladies in the first book, although I’ll admit I was particularly annoyed with Jules at certain points. I wasn’t sure if I’d like her in this book, despite being eager to read her story, and honestly, I didn’t. I loved her. Sandy James really excels at writing her female characters – both Jules and Mallory, from The Bottom Line, are women that I want to read more about (you heard me say I was salivating for book three, right?) Jules was strong, brave (I can’t even imagine starting a new career in my mid-thirties) and fiery.  And her chemistry with Connor was exceptional. They sizzled right from their first meeting and I was chomping at the bit for their scenes together – especially those scenes that *wiggles eyebrows* well, you know... I imagine it would be hard not to sizzle with Connor though – he was sexy and smart, and that’s just a little bit appealing. I was, at times, frustrated with his lack of communication but it worked for the story, so I can’t stay too mad at him. And he proved himself in the end, which is really all that matters.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered is one of those books that’s perfect for when you want to relax and have fun reading, and it’s also one that’ll stay with you for days afterward...kind of like that damn song.

 

Signed, Sealed, Delivered is the second book in the Ladies Who Lunch series and can be read as a standalone. No cliffhanger.

~ Review by Beth

 

 

Sandy James lives in a quiet suburb of Indianapolis with her husband. She's a high school social studies teacher who especially loves psychology and United States history. Since she and her husband own a small stable of harness racehorses, they often spend time together at the two Indiana racetracks.

 

 

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Title: Who Wants to Marry a Doctor?
Series: With This Ring #2
Author: Abigail Sharpe
Release Date: July 1, 2014

As a single mom and pediatrician, Sabrina Bankhead doesn't have time for romance. All that changes when she reluctantly agrees to take part in a dating show fundraiser for a children's hospital. But once she sets eyes on the journalist hired to cover the show, none of the four contestants stand a chance. If she doesn't choose one of the eligible bachelors, the hospital doesn't raise a cent. What's a lovestruck doc to do?

 

Investigative journalist Quinn Donnelly is on the mend after an assignment in Afghanistan left him both physically and emotionally scarred. Though he's itching to return overseas and finish his story, he'll have to be content with this fluff piece assignment to cover a local dating show. One-night stands are Quinn's forte-but after he meets Sabrina, he's ready to say yes for the long haul. After years of chasing the next big story, Quinn is starting to wonder if maybe home really can be where the heart is . . .

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Scars are sexy. There, I said it. And I know I am not the only one who thinks so. Journalist Quinn Donnelly is scarred and it’s one of the things that interested me about this book. It’s not something I’ve seen a lot while reading and more and more I find myself drawn to perfectly imperfect characters. Know what I mean? Smart, sexy but a little bit physically broken. Makes them more attainable. Except for the fact they’re fictional, but that’s a problem for a different day...

 

Pediatrician Sabrina Bankhead hasn’t had a lot of time for or luck with men. She’s a single mother and she’s working hard to give her patients the care they need, but the facilities in her town are lacking. It’s because of that lack that she is willing to make her personal life public and participate in a charity dating show to raise funds for a children’s hospital. She doesn’t relish the idea of dating four men on TV, especially not when the man she wants is on the other side of the microphone.

Quinn Donnelly is recovering from injuries sustained while reporting in Afghanistan when he comes to Harbin, Wyoming to host Who Wants To Marry A Doctor? He’s not expecting to be mesmerized by the petite doctor currently looking for love on television. He knows he’s headed back into a war zone when this gig is finished. She knows that men always leave before committing. And they both know that falling for each will jeopardize not just the hospital, but also their hearts....

 

I’ll admit, I would likely have overlooked this little gem if I was judging the book by its title alone, but I am truly glad that I didn’t. From the first page, I was taken by these small-town characters and their easy banter. In particular, the playful Melora dispensing advice at her bar. What an awesome visual that gave me. I’ve never really been one to go to a bar but for a place like Shy Ann’s, I might be tempted. I really enjoyed the overall story here and quickly found myself getting attached to Sabrina and Quinn. Sabrina was smart, kind and a great match for the wounded journalist. Quinn was smart, kind and hurting – both physically and emotionally. The change in him as the book progressed was well written and gradual enough to be realistic.

Abigail Sharpe did a wonderful job illustrating that scars can be emotional as well as physical when she gave us Quinn. His struggle to overcome the stress of his time in Afghanistan adds weight to an otherwise light story and reminded me that so many people sacrifice so much to keep us safe and informed. I was grateful for that. 

While I felt the book moved a little too slowly in places, I still found myself eager to read on to the end and find out what happened to Sabrina and Quinn. Like Quinn, this book was perfectly imperfect and I finished it with a smile on my face and a happy heart. Can’t ask for much more than that....except for my scarred hero to be real.

 

Who Wants To Marry A Doctor? is the second book in the With This Ring series and can be read as a standalone.

 

~ Review by Beth

Abigail is a Boston-bred Yankee now eating grits and saying "y'all" in North Central Florida. She dreamed more of being a stage actress or joining the CIA than being an author. While she still enjoys participating in community theater productions and singing karaoke, the secret-agent career was replaced by hours at her computer, writing stories of love and laughter and happily ever after.  Abigail lives with her husband, two kids, and one crazy princess puppy. You can keep up with her on Goodreads, Facebook or on her website.

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