Happy Release Day in The World of True North: Studfinder by L.B. Dunbar + Firefly by Krystyna Allyn + Wildflower by Mae Wood

 

Studfinder - L.B. Dunbar 

Who does that sexy silver fox think he is, sitting in her spot in the Busy Bean Cafe?

Over forty, with zero filter, Rita Kaplan loves her coffee, her hiking boots, and her law practice. Life hasn’t always been carefree, though, and Rita’s past holds the scars of poor decisions after deep loss. She survived, though, and no smirky silver fox is going to get in the way of her happiness. Even if he knows how to use his drill, screwdriver, and every other tool in his box to tempt her . . .

Former arson investigator Jake Drummond could add ex-con to his resume if he had one. Instead, he’s serving the final year of his sentence on probation. This involves mandatory AA meetings, hosted by a feisty local attorney, and working on a renovation project, supervised by the same annoyingly attractive whirlwind, who also believes she owns the exclusive rights to a comfy couch in his new favorite coffee shop. Soon she’s everywhere, including the few places she shouldn’t be--like in his bed and in his heart. 

Can opposites lower their walls and construct something everlasting . . . or will their connected past lead to demolition for two hearts in need of a rebuild?

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What I thought about Studfinder

Rita Kaplan doesn't care much for the handsome man who seems to have taken her special spot to sit in the Busy Bean. He gets under her skin, and she might like more. Jake Drummond likes getting under her skin, and it isn't long before these enemies turn into so much more. But all of their chemistry and budding relationship could be for nothing when Jake and Rita find out where their past has intersected. it's a serious situation.

 

I loved this story. The writing is terrific and keeps the story moving forward, the romance is nicely developed and reactions are tempered with the wisdom of age and experience. Studfinder was a terrific reading experience for this reader.  

 

I was absolutely thrilled to get a story about Rita Kaplan, AA sponsor and May Shipley's partner in law and Studfinder was absolutely perfect!

Wildflower - Mae Wood

 

 Release Date: August 2, 2021

When the prize is love, sometimes you get stung. But if you’re lucky, you just might hit the sweet spot…  

Juliana Burton needs a medal at Speakeasy's beer festival to push her brand-new, woman-owned brewery into the spotlight. She thinks she knows just how to do it, too--with a beer made exclusively from Vermont ingredients. Hops, check. Barley, check. But what she really needs is the best honey in the state. Too bad the only thing standing in her way is six feet tall, smokin’ sexy, and her secret high school crush.

After a very public disaster in Boston, Riggs Lyon is home with his teenage son in tow.  Riggs is taking over the family beekeeping business with an eye to offload it and start life over somewhere where "Lyin' Lyon" isn't a joke. Selling honey to Juliana doesn't make business sense. She can't afford the high prices Lyon honey fetches in specialty shops and farmer's markets. But somehow, he’s having trouble saying no to anything she asks him for, whether it’s in the hive or in the bedroom.

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What I thought about Wildflower

Juliana is focused on the success of her woman-owned brewery and really doesn't have time for Riggs Lyon, her old high school crush of thirty years ago.  But old feelings die hard, and she could really use his business expertise, so off they go.  

There are no big surprises here, but I did like the women-as-business-owner aspect of this story.  I also liked the our H/h are both older and have experiences life's ups and downs as it makes for a more relatable characters. I thought Riggs' return to small town life was well done.  I thought Juliana and Riggs fit well together in this second-chance romance.

 

Overall, an entertaining romance in the Speakeasy world of True North.

 

Firefly - Krystyna Allyn

 

Release Date: August 2, 2021

It’s my last night in New York. And the woman of my dreams is three feet away, expertly twirling a bottle of vodka behind the bar and making the perfect pour. I’ve never seen anyone as beautiful as Melody, with her enigmatic eyes and a gorgeous smile. All I have to do is introduce myself. And then... 

I choke. And my chance for something--anything--with her is gone. 

Months later, I think I’m dreaming when I see her doing bartender tricks here in Vermont. Now all I can think about is having those long, beautiful, fingers performing their magic on my body. 

But I’m pretty sure she’s hiding something. It’s painfully obvious she’s keeping me at arm’s length just when I need to hold her close. She brings out my protective instincts, but I’ve got problems of my own. If I’m not careful, I’ll destroy everything I’m trying to build.

Losing her again might break me this time, because now I can’t imagine life without the light of my Firefly.

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 What I thought about Firefly

 

Mel and Trevor meet one night in Brooklyn and when Trevor doesn't think it could go anywhere because he's returning to Vermont, he walks away.  When Mel has to go on the run, she just happens to pick the same Vermont town where Trevor now lives.  Small world at work! 

 

It takes a while, but Trevor woos Mel into dating him, and all might work out for them until unresolved issues from the past make an appearance and threatens their relationship.

 

The conflicts here have the potential to be large and not easy to resolve, but Firefly chooses to resolve them very quickly.  Bot characters were so secretive about themselves and their situations, I didn't really feel like I connected with them and for that reason, I'm giving Firefly 3 and 1/2 stars.