Made the Grade: Fool's Gold Series, Book 12

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Hardcover - Pages: 447; Paperback - Pages: 336; Kindle Edition - File Size: 790 KB; Audible - Unabridged; Audio CD - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: August 1, 2013 | Publisher: Harlequin : HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"Three Little Words" [Fool's Gold Series, Book 12] by Susan Mallery

Author's Book Description : Can first love turn into the real deal?

Isabel Beebe thinks she’s cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another…man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she’ll pursue her real dreams. At least, that’s the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again….

Seeing Isabel all grown up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can’t take his eyes—or his lips—off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool’s Gold forever—if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same….

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! The Hendrix family is back in action in this riveting contemporary romance! Ms. Mallery does it again! From getting updates from past characters in Fool's Gold to learning about new characters moving into town, this quirky romance brings love into the lives of the last two brothers in Fool's Gold's Hendrix family, Ford & Kent. Both brothers are complete opposites and so are their love interests.

The main couple is Ford, an ex-Navy Seal who is now part owner in a new security firm in Fool's Gold, and Isabel, a woman who use to have a major crush on Ford when she was a teenager. After Ford's engagement to Isabel's older sister ended years ago and he joined the Navy Isabel wrote to him from when she's between the ages of 14 to 24, at first in hopes it was that he'll return her feelings and then over the years the letters turn into diary entries of sorts because Ford never once responds to them. What Isabel doesn't realize is that Ford has memorized those letters over the years and while he never responded to any of them, they have helped him heal over the years giving him hope. So when they both move back to town, about 14 years after Ford left Fool's Gold, Isabel is roped into a "fake" relationship because Ford doesn't want to deal with his mother's relationship schemes. But as their relationship continues and turns into something more, they have to find out if what they share is really true love or just a really good friendship (with benefits) to pass the time.

The secondary couple is Kent, a single dad and a high school math teacher, and Consuelo, an ex-special forces military personnel who is now part owner in the new security firm with Ford. They meet because Kent's son Reese is taking a martial arts class where Consuelo is his teacher. They both have an instant attraction but because of their past backgrounds, they are unsure as to how to start a relationship between them. It makes for a lot of false starts before they agree to begin something with one another, and even that is hard for them both to get into at first but once they stop letting their pasts dictate their futures everything comes together for them.

It’s hard to choose which couple I liked best as they both had their good points and annoyances at times, yet they were all wonderful characters and I really enjoyed whom they all ended up with! From the very beginning, it is easy for the readers to tell where Ford and Isabel’s storyline was going. Yet, because of how charismatic and quirky the couple is together, I was very intrigued by their HEA. While Kent and Consuelo appear to be opposites in every way, I was endeared from the beginning by their vulnerabilities that they have when it comes to building a relationship with one another. In addition, I appreciated how Kent didn’t give up easily when it came to keeping his relationship going with her and how determined he was to be the man for Consuelo no matter the cost. Everyone hooked me from the start and I’m so happy I read this novel!

The only flaw that I found in this novel was how the ending completed both their HEAs but left me feeling like there should be more, like an epilogue or something. Nevertheless, I DO recommend this novel to those who are fans of this series (like me) and/or to those looking for a charming contemporary romance (as you don’t need to have read the series to get into this novel)!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

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Amazon (Paperback) USD : Three Little Words (Book 12)	Amazon (MP3 CD) USD : Three Little Words (Book 12)	Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : Three Little Words (Book 12)
Barnes & Noble (Audiobook - MP3 CD) USD : Three Little Words (Book 12)	Barnes & Noble (Hardcover) USD : Three Little Words (Book 12)	Barnes & Noble (Paperback) USD : Three Little Words (Book 12)
Amazon (Kindle Editions) USD : Fool's Gold Series	Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : Susan Mallery Fool's Gold Series Volume Four: Halfway There\Just One Kiss\Two of a Kind\Three Little Words	eBooks.com (eBook) USD : Susan Mallery Fool's Gold Series Volume Four

Amazon (Paperbacks) USD : Fool's Gold Series
My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : May 2012

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : The Appeal of Romance - June 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6 | E-novella 2 | Book 7 | Book 8 | Book 9

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby | Barefoot Season

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : The Monday Update [September 13, 2010] | End of the year 2010 Update | Teaser Tuesdays: Only Yours | When & Where Are You? Thursdays: Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday | When & Where Are You? Thursdays: Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday | Winter Themed Books To Warm You Up During the 2011 Holiday Season | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2012 | "Waiting On" Wednesday: Summer Days | Teaser Tuesdays: Barefoot Season | "Waiting On" Wednesday: All Summer Long | BBAW 2012 :: What does book blogging mean to you? | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013

A photo posted by From Me to You ... (@fromjesstoyouservices) on Mar 17, 2016 at 2:11pm PDT

Author's Novel Extras :

Posted by Susan Mallery on Wednesday, December 30, 2015

A photo posted by Susan Mallery (@susanmallery) on Feb 28, 2016 at 5:46am PST

Author's Series Extras : Fool's Gold Magazines | About Fool's Gold | Fool's Gold News | Meet the main characters from the Fool's Gold Series


Author's Book/Series Trailer(s) :





Book Teaser(s) :

THREE LITTLE WORDS by Susan Mallery -- Read my #bookreview here:...

Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Monday, March 21, 2016

She held out her hand. Kent didn't want to take it in his. Oh, he wanted to, but he was terrified about what would happen. He thought he could either grab her and try to kiss her or actually ejaculate in his pants. Neither scenario had a positive outcome. ~ within Chapter 3

THREE LITTLE WORDS by Susan Mallery -- Read my #bookreview here:...

Posted by From Me to You - Video, Photography, & Book Reviews on Monday, March 21, 2016

"Friends don't let friends get mauled by their families." ~ within Chapter 5

Book Preview(s) :
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Interview with Susan Mallery

Today I'm pleased to share an Interview with Susan Mallery author of "Summer Days," which is the 7th book in her Fool’s Gold Series!!

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A Q&A with Susan Mallery :

Tell us about "Summer Days!"
"Summer Days" is the perfect beach read. It’s funny, romantic, sexy, and it’s light both in tone and in actual weight – you can toss the paperback into your beach bag and go. (It’s also available wherever ebooks are sold.)

Heidi Simpson had a vagabond childhood with her grandfather. The one thing she wanted most in the world was a home of her own. Now, in her late 20s, she finally has one, but her ranch is put on the line by a scam her grandfather pulled in order to pay for a friend’s surgery. Rafe Stryker is the son of the woman whose money was stolen, and the first of the Stryker brothers to move to Fool’s Gold. He’s on a tear when he arrives, determined to protect his mother’s interests at all costs.

Since possession is nine-tenths of the law, neither is willing to leave the ranch until a judge can decide the matter. Sparks fly right from page one between Heidi and Rafe! The people of Fool’s Gold take sides in a pretty hysterical way.

You can find "Summer Days" wherever books are sold – bookstores, online, even the grocery store check-out line. You can read a free excerpt on my website, www.susanmallery.com or in the free app for iPhone and Android (www.mobileroadie.com/apps/susanmallery).

Who are these Fool’s Gold cheerleaders I keep hearing about?
Oh, the cheerleaders are beyond fabulous! This year’s squad is made up of 60 Fool’s Gold super fans who are earning prizes all summer for telling other readers about Fool’s Gold. They’re driving around with Fool’s Gold car magnets, wearing Fool’s Gold T-shirts, handing out bookmarks like candy to everyone they meet.

For those of my followers who have never read a Fool’s Gold book, tell us about the small town known as the Land of Happy Endings.
"Summer Days" is the seventh book in my series set in fictional Fool’s Gold, California. Fool’s Gold is a small town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. It’s a quaint place where people truly support each other – mostly with casseroles. And margaritas. Women rule in Fool’s Gold. For many years, there was a man shortage, which is just now beginning to level out, thanks to the town’s efforts to bring in some pretty spectacular men.

Fool’s Gold is the most popular series I’ve ever written. In fact, last year, one of the Fool’s Gold books hit #3 on the New York Times and #8 on the USA Today bestsellers lists. Those were personal bests for me and very thrilling.

Each book is written as a standalone, which means that you can jump in and start with "Summer Days," and you won’t feel lost or confused. While previous characters make an appearance, you don’t need to know their stories to understand this one.

Why did you decide to write about three cowboy brothers?
With each year’s Fool’s Gold books, I try to create heroes who represent iconic male archetypes. The men of Fool’s Gold have been athletes, businessmen, pilots, surgeons. Each is a leader, powerful in his own way. His strength goes deeper than the physical. He does what’s right even when it’s not easy. When he falls, he falls hard... and he loves forever.

This summer, three cowboy brothers will ride into Fool’s Gold on horseback in "Summer Days," "Summer Nights," and "All Summer Long." The Stryker men represent everything I love about a cowboy hero. They are protective, honest, tall and strong. And wow, do they do nice things to a pair of blue jeans!

Since this is Fool’s Gold, these cowboys come with a special twist – humor. Rafe is undone by Heidi the Goat Girl. Shane has to teach the local librarian how to do the ancient Dance of the Happy Virgin – while riding a horse. And Clay, the youngest, made his fortune as a Hollywood butt double.

What’s next for Fool’s Gold?
In "Summer Nights" (July), Shane Stryker will meet Annabelle who, oh my WORD, do I love! Annabelle is my gift to all the librarians who have supported me so wonderfully over the years, putting my books into readers’ hands with a fervent, “You’re going to love this!” Annabelle is a librarian who defies the stereotypes – she’s fashionable, modern... a dangerous, pint-sized sexpot, as far as Shane is concerned. He’s completely undone by her the first time they meet, so much so that he can’t even remember his own name.

Then comes Charlie, to be paired with Clay in "All Summer Long" (August). Oh, Charlie. She’s so tough and oh, so wounded. She’s got that hard-as-nails firefighter exterior, but when it comes to matters of the heart, she is as vulnerable as they come. Something happened in Charlie’s past that has made her afraid of intimacy with a man. She’s the kind of person who tackles her problems head-on, much to Clay Stryker’s delight. She’s determined to learn how to be with a man, and she’s decided to ask Clay to teach her.

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About the Author :

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women and the relationships that move them. Publisher’s Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says, “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Visit Susan online at www.susanmallery.com.

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"Summer Days" [Fool’s Gold Series, Book 7] by Susan Mallery
My Book Summary :

Heidi hasn't been living in Fool's Gold that long but for someone who has grown up as being a part of a carnival being able to settle down in Fool's Gold with her grandfather and take care of her goats is a piece of heaven she never knew before. However, the security she has made for herself is about to be destroyed after her grandfather scams Rafe's mother into thinking she's buying Heidi's ranch. In the end, while Heidi, Rafe, Glen (Heidi's grandfather), and May (Rafe's mother) wait to see what the judge decides to do about their legal situation, May and Rafe move onto the ranch with Heidi and Glen. Throughout the time that they try living together, they learn about each other’s pasts and presents while sharing what they hope for the future. They all grow closer only with the knowledge that soon they'll find out what the judge has planned soon, which means only one of them can win between them especially since Rafe doesn't seem to know the meaning of compromise. However, what will happen after Heidi and Rafe's feelings involved? Will they be able to reconcile their difference and problems? Or will everything implode between them, making it so the town will have to take sides? [Click HERE to read my review of this novel!]

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Find Susan Mallery :

• Susan Mallery - Website
Fool's Gold - Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads
• Susan's Members Area

Disappointmentville: Fool's Gold Series, Book 15.5

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Kindle Edition - File Size: 563 KB; Audible – Unabridged; Audio CD - Audiobook | Expected Release Date: October 28, 2014 | Publisher: Harlequin : HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"Yours for Christmas" [Fool's Gold Series, Book 15.5] by Susan Mallery

Author's Book Description : Step out of the winter chill and into the warmth of Fool's Gold, California, the charming small-town setting for a new holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery

Famous former NFL stars don't date single working moms like Bailey Voss. She'll allow herself to daydream about Kenny Scott's muscles and killer smile, but wanting more would lead to post-holiday regret. Then Kenny volunteers to run a toy drive with Bailey, and she learns that he's not just hot...he's also generous, funny, nice. The whole package—tantalizingly out of reach.

The ache of past loss reminds Kenny why he needs to avoid getting too close to anyone. Especially to a gorgeous redhead and her adorable little girl. Mess it up, and he'd lose them both. Yet Kenny can only resist Bailey for so long. And as festive spirit spreads throughout the town, he's all wrapped up in Bailey's sweet, sexy kisses and determined to make this the first of many Christmases together...

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. Over the holiday season, Kenny (an ex-pro football player) and Bailey (a widowed mother) are thrown together because Mayor Marsha needs them to help the children’s FWM Sprouts with their holiday service project. In doing so, while it opens them up to a unique romance, it also brings up old trust issues from Kenny’s past. Will they be able to overcome their pasts and have a great future or will friends be the closest they’ll be able to get?

While I am a huge fan of Ms. Mallery’s Fool’s Gold Series, this one didn’t capture my interest as greatly as I hoped. However, it kept up with the series’ usual hype with updates from the other characters. In addition, I enjoyed getting to know Bailey, Kenny, and Chloe. They became a sweet family that was intriguing to read about.

Though it wasn’t my favorite novella in this series I did like it and would recommend it to those who are fans of Ms. Mallery looking for a sweet holiday romance.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - MP3 CD) USD : Yours for Christmas (Book 15.5)	Kobo (e-Book) USD : Yours for Christmas (Book 15.5)	Amazon (Kindle) USD : Yours for Christmas (Book 15.5)
Amazon (Audio CD) USD : Yours for Christmas (Book 15.5)	Amazon (Audible) USD : Yours for Christmas (Book 15.5)	Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : Yours for Christmas (Book 15.5)
Barnes & Noble (Audiobook CD) USD : Yours for Christmas (Book 15.5)		Amazon (Kindle) USD : Fool's Gold Series Amazon (Paperbacks/Hardcovers) USD : Fool's Gold Series Kobo (e-Books) USD : Fool's Gold Series

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : May 2012

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : The Appeal of Romance - June 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6 | E-novella 2 / Book 6.1 | Book 7 | Book 8 | Book 9 | Book 12

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby | Barefoot Season

My Previous Mention(s) of this Author's Books/Characters : The Monday Update [September 13, 2010] | End of the year 2010 Update | Teaser Tuesdays: Only Yours | When & Where Are You? Thursdays: Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday | When & Where Are You? Thursdays: Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday | Winter Themed Books To Warm You Up During the 2011 Holiday Season | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2012 | "Waiting On" Wednesday: Summer Days | Teaser Tuesdays: Barefoot Season | "Waiting On" Wednesday: All Summer Long | BBAW 2012 :: What does book blogging mean to you? | Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2013 | Second Sentence Saturday: Three Little Words


Author's Novel Extras :

A photo posted by Susan Mallery (@susanmallery) on Dec 15, 2015 at 10:50am PST

Author's Series Extras : Fool's Gold Magazines | About Fool's Gold | Fool's Gold News | Meet the main characters from the Fool's Gold Series


Author's Book/Series Trailer(s) :

Book Teaser(s) :

"I hate all this stupid happiness," Taryn muttered.
Bailey grinned. "You need to get over that. Happiness is part of the tradition. It's good for you."
"No, it's not. Worse, I'm fighting hormones. I cried over a commercial last night. It was horrifying."
"There's so much more to come."
Bailey knew that Taryn was holding off on telling people about her pregnancy and couldn't wait for the news to come out.
"The toy thing was good," Taryn admitted. "Needy kids and all that." ~ within Chapter 11

Book Preview(s) :
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Made the Grade: Fool’s Gold Series, Book 7

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 384; Paperback - Pages: 384; Kindle Edition - File Size: 548 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: May 29, 2012 | Publisher: HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"Summer Days" [Fool’s Gold Series, Book 7] by Susan Mallery

My Book Summary : Heidi hasn't been living in Fool's Gold that long but for someone who has grown up as being a part of a carnival being able to settle down in Fool's Gold with her grandfather and take care of her goats is a piece of heaven she never knew before. However, the security she has made for herself is about to be destroyed after her grandfather scams Rafe's mother into thinking she's buying Heidi's ranch. In the end, while Heidi, Rafe, Glen (Heidi's grandfather), and May (Rafe's mother) wait to see what the judge decides to do about their legal situation, May and Rafe move onto the ranch with Heidi and Glen. Throughout the time that they try living together, they learn about each other’s pasts and presents while sharing what they hope for the future. They all grow closer only with the knowledge that soon they'll find out what the judge has planned soon, which means only one of them can win between them especially since Rafe doesn't seem to know the meaning of compromise. However, what will happen after Heidi and Rafe's feelings involved? Will they be able to reconcile their difference and problems? Or will everything implode between them, making it so the town will have to take sides?

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars! This novel is all about the meaning of love and what the main characters willing to give up or do to make sure everything works out for the best. I loved Rafe and his family!! I can't wait to see where they will go from here. Plus, ever since reading more about Heidi, Charlie, & Annabelle in "Only His" I was so happy to read about them again in this book!!

Rafe is a man who had to grow up quickly when he was a kid after his father past away, and now he has based his life around making sure everyone he loves is protected. Heidi has built a life for herself that she loves and is willing to do just about anything to protect it and her grandfather. Together they make a wonderful couple, if they can only get over the complication that Glen (Heidi's grandfather) put them in. It's very sweet how they are able to turn their situation around and be there for each other!

I recommend this novel to anyone who is a fan of the Fool's Gold series!!! Also, this is the perfect contemporary romance to put you in a good mood!

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6 | E-novella 2

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby | Barefoot Season

Author's Series Extras : Fool's Gold Magazines | About Fool's Gold | Fool's Gold News | Meet the main characters from the Fool's Gold Series

Author Book/Series Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

Annabelle and Charlie exchanged a look.
"That's quite a list," Annabelle said.
"Most of it was about Rafe and she's drinking more than usual," Charlie added. "You know what that means."
"Trouble." Annabelle shook her head. "Big trouble."
"Man trouble."
"There's no man trouble," Heidi announced. "None. Zero. Zip. I'm not attracted to Rafe."
"But you've kissed him," Annabelle said smoothly.
"Yes, but it was---" Heidi slapped her hand over her mouth. She wasn't going to mention the kiss. She dropped her arm to her side. "It's not what you think."
"Was there tongue?" Charlie asked.
Prepared now, Heidi pressed her lips together and didn't speak.
"That's a yes," Annabelle said with a sigh. "I miss tongue. Or any kind of kissing. I miss sex and men and orgasms." She sighed again. "I'm sorry. What was the question?"
"Tongue is exactly what I think," Charlie said. ~ within Chapter 7

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her website. To find out more about the town of Fools Gold then click here.

Made the Grade: Fool’s Gold Series, Book 8

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 378; Paperback - Pages: 378; Kindle Edition - File Size: 527 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: June 19, 2012 | Publisher: HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"Summer Nights" [Fool’s Gold Series, Book 8] by Susan Mallery

My Book Summary : Shane has recently moved to Fool's Gold in hopes of settling his horses in his mother's barn and building his home and his own stables on the neighboring property. What he gets instead is a whole menagerie of his mother's rescued animals to take care of, a well-meaning town that change up his life in ways he never expected or originally wanted, and a small redheaded librarian who has the making of a bad girl that Shane could get lost in. Everything but Annabelle, the librarian, Shane believes he can deal with, but if it was his choice, he wouldn't get close to Annabelle at all, as she seems too much like his ex-wife.

Annabelle will do whatever she can to prove him wrong and become his friend. However, will she loose her heart to the gruff cowboy in the process?

My Book Review : 3 out of 5 stars, this novel is humorous while keeping up with all of the typical antics that run around Fool's Gold! Annabelle and Shane are both dealing with their pasts throughout this novel but along the way, they end up losing their hearts to each other too. I really liked reading about the build up to "All Summer Long" while getting to read more about the Stryker brothers!!

I wish I could give this novel a higher ranking because of all of the humorous things that go on and because I enjoyed the characters. However, the plot was too drawn-out for me to thoroughly enjoy. Also, I wasn't happy with how redundant Shane was, when it came to his belief that Annabelle was just like his ex-wife, even though she wasn't anything like her.

With that being said, I still recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys the Fool's Gold series!! It's always fun to catch up on the town! =0)

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : May 2012

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : The Appeal of Romance - June 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6 | E-novella 2 | Book 7

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby | Barefoot Season

Author's Series Extras : Fool's Gold Magazines | About Fool's Gold | Fool's Gold News | Meet the main characters from the Fool's Gold Series


Author Book/Series Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

"That was a one-time thing," she said primly. "We won't be having sex again. We've come to an understanding. We're friends."
"Keep saying it," Charlie told her. "One day it might be true."
Annabelle glanced around to make sure no one was sitting too close, then leaned toward her friends and lowered her voice. "I have to admit, I do like him a lot. Maybe more than a lot. We want different things though and he doesn't trust me."
"Why doesn't he trust you?" Charlie asked. "You didn't do anything wrong."
"It's his ex," Heidi explained. "I never met her, but I heard stories from Rafe. Apparently she's a real byotch."
Charlie snorted. "You did not just say that. Seriously?"
"I'm hip," Heidi said with a sniff. "Is that the right word?"
Annabelle grinned. ~ within Chapter 10

"You're perfectly safe. You're not going to fall."
"Easy for you to say," she told Shane. "You're standing on the ground. I know. We'll trade. You sit up here while Khatar stands on his back feet and I'll watch. Then I for sure won't fall."
Shane turned away, but not before she saw him smile.
"You think this is funny?" she demanded. "It's not. Nothing about you trying to kill me is funny." ~ within Chapter 12

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her website. To find out more about the town of Fools Gold then click here.

Guest Post :: The Appeal of Romance by Susan Mallery

Today I'm turning my blog over to Susan Mallery author of "Summer Nights," which is the 8th book in her Fool’s Gold Series! Today's Guest Post is from the speech Susan prepared to read this summer at the American Library Association national conference in Anaheim, California, on a panel called “Isn’t It Romantic?” The conference ties in with Susan’s latest book, "Summer Nights," because it's dedicated to librarians who have done so much to introduce readers to her books.

Here you go ... I hope you'll enjoy!! =0)

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The Appeal of Romance
The appeal in romance is that our books offer readers a celebration of community. Romances are all about connecting. Sure the boy-meets-girl part is fun and exciting, but often what really brings a reader back again and again are the connections made within the novel.

Most romances happen in a larger context of relationships. Families and friends play an important role. We want to experience falling in love with a hunky guy, but we also want a sense of belonging. The most popular books feature a cast of usually likeable, sometimes annoying, generally realistic characters who are amazingly like people we know. Or people we get on an emotional level.

These other characters, sometimes seemingly unimportant, can be the glue that holds our books together. Our hero and heroine are revealed through their relationships with secondary characters. The gruff solitary man who unexpectedly cares for a wounded puppy wins our heart forever. The exhausted single mother staying up until midnight to frost cupcakes for her son's first grade class reminds us of ourselves. While the romance is central to the story and the reason we think we read "those kind of books" I believe the real truth is we love the sense of community a romance brings to the table. The sexy guy on the cover draws us in, but the heroine's relationship with her sarcastic best friend turns out to be just as satisfying and meaningful.

The majority of romance readers are women. Women are usually the keepers of relationships in their lives and the lives of those around them. We are the ones who maintain the friendships, remember birthdays, make sure each of our children has a moment to feel special. We can spend a weekend with our girlfriends and when we get home, still think of something we could have told them. When I travel to a writers’ conference and hang out with my writer friends for days, then return home and get a call from one of them, my husband can't believe there's anything left to say. I've tried to explain there's always more to talk about but he just shakes his head.

In our lives we want friends and family. We want connection. Romances offer that in our fiction. We can meet women we want to have lunch with and men we want to fall in love with. Romance isn't man against nature or man against himself. It's man and woman falling in love in a much bigger context. One or both of them have a family, there are friends, coworkers, pets. It's a real world populated by the funny and the strange and if done well, it's a world we want to return to again and again.

For years now, romances have been written in groups. Trilogies, sisters, brothers, a band of warriors. Sherrilyn Kenyon gives us her immortal warriors. Debbie Macomber gives us Cedar Cove. In between lie stories only limited by the imaginations of the writers who create them. It is the combination of the familiar and the unknown that draws us back.

I started writing in category romance. I wrote about 80 books for Silhouette. I wrote about sisters and cousins and brothers and even neighboring sheik kingdoms. The longer a series went on, the more readers responded. When I moved into writing single title, I continued with families. One day a very successful writer friend sat me down and said, "Write about a town. It's limitless."

From that very intelligent advice, my Fool's Gold series was born. www.foolsgoldca.com It's a small town set in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. I started with the idea of a town suffering a man shortage, which gave me the chance to put women in non-traditional jobs. I decided to write the books in trilogies, with the idea each trilogy would stand on its own, allowing readers to join at any point. By the second Fool's Gold trilogy I'd realized the man shortage wasn't that interesting, but the non-traditional jobs were, so modifications were made.

Reader response has been terrific. They love the town. Mayor Marsha, California's longest serving mayor, is a fan favorite. I keep track of previous heroes and heroines using a data base and often feature births in subsequent books. I use social media to increase the level of connection with my readers. We have the usual interactions, but there is another level on my Facebook page, www.facebook.com/susanmallery. Readers help me name characters, pick careers and suggest new businesses for the towns. When a former heroine is due to give birth, readers usually vote on the gender of the baby and offer name suggestions. Next year three new businesses will open in Fool's Gold and each one of them is the result of something a reader said to me.

A romance can take place nearly anywhere, in any time. We have smart ass heroines who rescue themselves, timid virgins and librarians who dance on bars in our books. Every romance writer has a specific vision for what she wants to write, but what we all have in common is connection. Sisters who are drawn together because of a dying parent. Vampires fighting enemies while protecting the women they love. Handsome dukes who marry the most unlikely of spinsters, drawn to her against all odds, in part because she takes care of her younger siblings.

In romances we find the relationships that matter most to us personally. Those who adore babies in books can be endless entertained by the antics of newborns. If you prefer sexy, sassy heroines, there are dozens of writers to give you exactly that. The appeal of romance is how the stories speak to us so personally. They show us women who are brave, who overcome odds, who always have a snappy comeback and in the end find not just love, but also a place to belong. Romances celebrate the very best of us, and that ideal state is often illustrated in the connections our characters make with each other.

Romances are a reading escape that also touches the heart. Romances affirm what is most important to each of us—the people we love, who love us back.

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About the Author :

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery has entertained millions of readers with her witty and emotional stories about women and the relationships that move them. Publisher’s Weekly calls Susan’s prose “luscious and provocative,” and Booklist says, “Novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.” Visit Susan online at www.susanmallery.com.

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"Summer Nights" [Fool’s Gold Series, Book 8] by Susan Mallery
Authors' Book Description :

Wild hearts cannot be tamed...

Horse whisperer Shane Stryker is done with passion. This time around, he’s determined to meet someone who will be content with the quiet life of a rancher’s wife. And the fiery, pint-size redhead who dazzles him at the local bar definitely does not fit the bill.

Small-town librarian Annabelle Weiss has always seen herself as more of a sweetheart than a siren, so she can’t understand why Shane keeps pushing her away. Shane has formed the totally wrong impression of her but only he can help her with a special event for the next Fool’s Gold festival. And maybe while he’s at it, she can convince him to teach her a few things about kissing on hot summer nights, too—some lessons, a girl shouldn’t learn from reading a book!

Author's Series Trailer :

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : May 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Chasing Perfect | Having Her Boss's Baby | Only Mine | Only Yours | Only His | Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday | Barefoot Season | Summer Days

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Find Susan Mallery :

• Susan Mallery - Website
• Fool's Gold - Website
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Goodreads
• Susan's Members Area

Idolizing In: Fool’s Gold Series, Book 9

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Hardcover - Pages: 376; Paperback - Pages: 376; Kindle Edition - File Size: 517 KB; Audiobook - Unabridged | Expected Release Date: July 24, 2012 | Publisher: HQN Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"All Summer Long" [Fool’s Gold Series, Book 9] by Susan Mallery

My Book Summary : Chantal (Charlie) moved to Fool's Gold, a couple years ago, after visiting on vacation and fell in love with it. Now she is happy with her life, being a firefighter, her friends, and the community. The only thing she would like to change is her fear of men that she's had ever since the rape experience she went through years ago. She'd like to get over her fear because ever since her rape she hasn't been able to move on from the incident, meaning she hasn't had a relationship with any men at all, and she would love to be able to be emotional whole enough for her to have children sometime soon. However, she doesn't want to go through with years of possible therapy that it would involve to move on. Therefore, she comes up with the idea that she needs to find a man who could personally help her out to heal her scars and after looking around she thinks her best friends' brother-in-law, Clay, would be the perfect man for her.

A few years ago, Clay's wife, Diane, died in a car accident. Therefore, because she was the love of his life he doesn't expect to fall in love with anyone else, yet he likes and respects Charlie so he agrees to help seduce her in hopes to teach her the wonders that life has to offer while healing her.

However, will both their hearts be able to withstand each other's charms? Or will they stick to their friend’s only status no matter what their hearts tell them?

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! Ever since this year's three-part series from Fool's Gold came out, I have wanted to read more about Charlie's romance! Therefore, I'm so happy that it turned out even better than I expected!!! This is a novel about what the heart is able to overcome when faced with the opportunity to heal. I LOVED CHARLIE & CLAY!!! Together or apart Charlie and Clay were a great duo that I couldn't get enough of!! I loved the way this novel dealt with Charlie's fears, helping Clay with his ambitions, and bringing Charlie and her mother back together again. It was a charming book, which I could not put down!!

While this novel also gave me a little idea of what to expect within one of the next books in this series and I can't wait to see where it'll take us....Justice & Patience! *hahaa* Their names even sound great together!

I recommend this series and DEFINITELY this novel to anyone who loves contemporary romances that have just the right amount of drama! =0)

My Previous Interview(s) with this Author : May 2012

My Previous Guest Post(s) by this Author : The Appeal of Romance - June 2012

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6 | E-novella 2 | Book 7 | Book 8

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby | Barefoot Season

Author's Series Extras : Fool's Gold Magazines | About Fool's Gold | Fool's Gold News | Meet the main characters from the Fool's Gold Series


Author Book/Series Trailer :

Book Teaser(s) :

"What do you want?" she demanded, before she remembered that perhaps she might want to be nicer to the man she'd asked to sleep with her.
One corner of his mouth twitched. "Not a morning person?" he asked.
"It's two in the afternoon."
"I was giving you the benefit of the doubt."
She sighed. "I don't like yard work. I'm not good at it. Not the physical stuff---that's easy. But knowing what to do. I think my plants make fun of me behind my back."
"Because they respect you enough not to do it to your face?"
"Something like that." ~ within Chapter 5

"Have you noticed how damn happy everyone is here?" he asked. "It's not natural."
"It's small-town America," Clay reminded him. "What's not to like?"
"Everything. I miss the city."
"You don't want anyone to know your name?"
"Exactly. The woman who cleans my room at the hotel was telling me about her kid playing football. She invited me to the game."
Dante sounded outraged, as if the woman had suggested he violate laws of nature. ~ within Chapter 11

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her website. To find out more about the town of Fools Gold then click here.

Disappointmentville: Fools Gold Series, E-novella 2

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 192 KB | Release Date: November 1, 2011 | Publisher: HQN Books | Obtained: Amazon.com

"Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday" [Fools Gold Series, E-novella 2] by Susan Mallery

My Book Summary : Rina has been in love with Cameron for over a year now but has never had the nerve to tell him, hoping instead that showing him through what he does for him (by helping him out around his vet office and with his young daughter) he'll take notice and put him into action. However, over a year has passed and they are still just good friends.

So, when an opportunity opens up to show him of her affections and (possibly) take their relationship up to the level will she have the guts to follow through with it? And if she does follow through, will Cameron even return her affections or will it completely change everything between them?

My Book Review : 2.5 out of 5 stars. Ever since Cameron was mentioned in Only Yours I was curious if he was going to have a story of his own, and this book is it! Sad to say I was disappointed. Its a cute story and I loved the characters but this story rushes through it's plot and that is what spoils it for me. If it was a bit longer it probably would have been better.

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1 | Book 4 | Book 5 | Book 6

My Previous Review(s) for this Author : Tempting | Accidentally Yours | Falling For Gracie | Having Her Boss's Baby

Book Teaser(s) :

"I told Daddy he could help with the cookies," Kaitlyn said, walking to the sink to wash her hands without being asked.
Rina grinned. "Did you? Do you think he'll do a good job?"
"I have some creative skills," Cameron told her, shrugging out of his jacket.
"Maybe you could audition," Rina told him. "Do one and if we think it's all right, you can do a second."
His daughter burst out laughing. ~ within Chapter 2

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Susan, then please check out her Amazon Page. To find out more about the town of Fools Gold then click here.

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Related Posts :

Idolizing In: Fools Gold Series, Book 6	Made the Grade: Fool’s Gold Series, Book 7	When & Where Are You? Thursdays: Only Us: A Fool’s Gold Holiday	Disappointmentville: Fool's Gold Series, Book 15.5	My Book Reviews & Book Index: ~ M ~ Authors