Quote-Tastic: We Almost Kissed

Fringe Benefits

The Ladies Who Lunch, #4
Sandy James

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Hachette Book Group
Date of Publication: April 21, 2015
Number of pages: 352
Word Count: ~80,000

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN    Kobo     ARe

Review: Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Sandy James

Signed, Sealed, Delivered


Ladies Who Lunch, #2
Sandy James


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever Yours
Date of Publication: July 1,2014
Number of pages: 256

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. High school teacher Juliana Kelley tells the Ladies Who Lunch that her life needs an overhaul... and gets a whole lot more than she wished for.

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.

Last week I gave a 5 star review to the first book in the Ladies Who Lunch Series, The Bottom Line. Signed, Sealed, Delivered is the second book in the story and focuses on Juliana, a special ed teacher and one of the women in the group. Juliana was a very active character in The Bottom Line, being especially close to Mallory as they were closer in age.

The book begins with Juliana contemplating a career change. Juliana has been a special education teacher at the high school the group work at for over 10 years and has become burnt out. For years her Uncle has told her that she is natural salesman and that she should come work for him selling houses. So when a fellow teacher and house renovator mentions to Jules that he is thinking about attending a seminar on becoming a Realtor to maximize his profits on the houses he flip, she decides to check it out as well. The seminar is a bust, but while she is there she meets Connor Wilson.

Connor is struggling to turn his life around and come back from the losing everything - his friends, his job, and his self-respect.  His best friend has given him some critical information to assist him in making a comeback, in real estate anyway. Once meeting Jules, he quickly realizes that she is the missing element in completely rebuilding his life.  But Connor is going to have to be completely honest with Jules or wind up losing everything, again.

Jules was a fiery, smart, protective woman. We saw it in The Bottom Line, and we continue to see it in this book. It was beautiful to see her friends giving love and affirmation when she needed it most.  Connor was a bit of a shocker, I'm going to be honest and state that I didn't actually read the blurb, so when his problem came out I was just as surprised as Jules. They both had some former baggage to resolve, and both fell into the trap of not being honest in their communication. As this was a romance, we knew the HEA would happen, but the twists and turns getting there were top notch.

After reading this, I see many similarities in structure to the Alliance of the Amazon series.  (And I like it!) Two pairs of women, who complement and complete each other, who work together and make each other better for their friendship. If the next two books go in a similar manner as the other, I am anticipating a powerful and emotional ending. Another 5 star read for Ms. James.

Review: The Bottom Line by Sandy James

The Bottom Line


The Ladies Who Lunch, #1
Sandy James


Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever Yours
Date of Publication: May 6, 2014
Number of pages: 336

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Kobo     ARe

When life gets tough and love is hard to find, four friends take their troubles to lunch. Surviving a failed marriage and an illness that almost takes her life, high school teacher Mallory Hamilton needs the Ladies Who Lunch more than ever...

After a year of upheaval, Mallory has had her fill of change—with one exception. Her house is a disaster, and she wants it fixed. Hiring a contractor to finish the projects her ex-husband started will help her banish the past so she can return to the life she had before everything went awry. But her contractor is sexy, sweet, and single, which threatens the peaceful, solitary life Mallory has planned for herself.

Ben Carpenter has had a hard time raising his daughter without his ex-wife’s help. His new client’s projects will give him the extra income he needs, not to mention afternoons alone with a gorgeous woman. Though their attraction is undeniable, Ben sees the fear and pain hiding in Mallory’s beautiful eyes. But how can he help her if she won’t let him in? Ben can fix just about anything—but can he fix Mallory’s broken heart?

I was introduced to Sandy James with her paranormal romance Alliance of the Amazon Series.  This was followed up by her historical western romance series, Safe Haven. Needless to say when I saw a contemporary romance, I just had to get it.  I truly believe that Sandy James can do romance in any style.

The Ladies that Lunch are a group of 4 women teachers, 2 in their 30's and 2 in their 20's, who eat lunch together every day and have for several years. The women have become not only best friends, but a support network for one another. This is Mallory's story.

Mallory Hamilton has survived a tough year. First she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and if that wasn't bad enough, her husband left when the going got tough. She is currently cancer free and fighting hard to get her life back in order, starting with her house.  Ex-hubby wasn't known for his follow through and has left the house in a state of disarray after years of DIY starts and stops. When a fellow teacher recommends Ben Carpenter as a contractor she can trust, Mallory meets with him to find out what will need to be done.

Ben Carpenter is a single father, struggling in a depressed economy to not only raise his tween-age daughter, but deal with the shenanigans of his crazy ex-wife. Working for Mallory after hours is the perfect way to supplement his income. The attraction between the two of them was instant, yet sweet.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I don't normally read books that I know will make me cry.  However, with this book, watching Mallory fight to get her life back, and her Ladies who have her back, is such a beautiful thing it brings tears to my eyes.  There is a scene where the Ladies show there love and support of Mallory, that just thinking about, brings a tear to my eye, even days later. This is such a book of hope and courage, you feel better just reading it.  I loved this book, 5 stars all the way.