This was my first book by Marquita Valentine and I won this book in a contest, and I'm glad I did as it introduced me to a new writer, whose voice I enjoyed.Wonderful book to curl up with on a cold rainy day. I connected with Rose right away as she was well drawn out, and Sasha is a romance hero which readers will fall in love with, although at times, the reader will want to shake him, but that's what is endearing, he's not perfect and he does redeem himself.Sexual tension, very well done as was the love scene, passionate and loving. Their road to happy ever after is filled with a lot of conflict, which the author weaved very well throughout the story.Charming, fun story with a splash of the paranormal that was not over the top, but fit extremely well into the story.Well done, Marquita Valentine. My Review:Okay, let me just state for the record that when I read this book, I was coming down with a bad head-cold. As a result, I kept feeling like I was missing parts of the story especially at the beginning with the first few opening scenes. I don't think it was truly an issue with the book...I think my brain was just foggy. But even with that (perceived) issue, I got completely caught up in this story.This is a book that has a little bit of everything. It takes place in a small town where Rose's family has centuries of reputation behind it...and it's not exactly a good reputation. Rose herself has a little bit of a witchy side...mysterious things happen around her. Some of them were explained and some never were. It definitely added an aura of mystique around her and her "abilities". There are family issues for both Rose and Sasha. Sasha is being blackmailed by his uncle to do some truly awful things...right now the focus of those things is Rose...since his uncle is trying to take her land away for corporate/money-making purposes. Rose has all kinds of family issues...her sisters, her missing mother, her surprise of a father who also isn't above blackmail. Overall, neither of these characters has a family that they can turn to or count on....for the most part.Rose has an herbal shop in town where she sells herbal remedies, soaps, and oils that come from centuries of recipes from her ancestors. Despite having served almost everyone in town at one point or other, she really doesn't have many friends or much of a support system. She's raising her sister's baby and working to support her other sisters college schooling. She has a LOT of responsibility and a 10-year back-tax notice breathing down her neck. Sasha hasn't spent the last few years doing anything that he's proud of. His mother's in a coma and his uncle is responsible for her care. If Sasha doesn't do what he says, then his mother's care suffers. For the most part the things he's had to do have been okay with him though because he was going up against men that were just as despicable as his uncle. That's not Rose's situation and he can't feel good about what he's having to do. Sasha was an interesting character...much more in touch with his feminine side than most guys in romance novels. He's into fashion, likes decorating, adores the baby...but he also has these super-sexy nipple piercings, is really jealous, and is so into Rose. He's really a sensitive soul when it comes to her. It was an interesting dichotomy. And I absolutely loved his relationship with Blackbeard, Rose's cat...their relationship kept me giggling.Rose is tough... she doesn't give up and just keeps giving to this town that probably doesn't deserve her loyalty after the way that a lot of them have treated her. She's always the first to forgive and offer a helping hand...to absolutely everyone...including the guy who broke her heart a few months ago, Sasha. I loved her witchy side and the way that the weather seemed coincidentally in-tune with her emotions. It added a really fun little paranormal twist to the story. The history of her family was interesting and added some other fun elements. This was an entertaining story. It's the second in the series, but it definitely works as a stand-alone. I haven't read the first, but I did go out and buy it after reading this book. It features Sasha's cousin, Christian. I'm hoping his other cousin and Christian's twin, Sebastion also gets a story because I LOVED his actions at the end of this book.
What do You think about Third Time's A Charm (2000)?
The Romanovs and the Hollands are growing on me. Love the series.
—mich
