Blog Tour: Lilac lane by Sherryl Woods

Author: Sherryl Woods

Publisher: Harlequin (Mira)

Date of publication: October 17, 2017

No one writes about friends, family and home better than Sherryl Woods. Told with warmth and humor, Lilac Lane is a brand-new story in her beloved Chesapeake Shores series, one readers all over the world have waited two years to read!

At the heart of Lilac Lane is Keira Malone, who raised her three children alone after her first marriage broke apart, and who, after years of guarding her heart, finally finds love again. But that love is short-lived when her fiancé suffers a fatal heart attack. Grieving and unsure of what’s next, Keira agrees to move from Dublin to Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, to spend time with her daughter, Moira, and her new granddaughter, Kate, as well as to help her son-in-law, Luke, with his Irish pub, O’Briens.

Not wanting to live underfoot, she rents a charming cottage on Lilac Lane, replete with views of the ocean and her neighbor’s thriving garden—not to mention views of the neighbor himself. The neighbor is none other than Bryan Laramie, the brusque and moody chef at the pub, with whom Keira is constantly butting heads. But things get real when Bryan’s long-lost daughter, whom he hasn’t seen since she was a baby, shows up out of the blue. As Bryan and Keira each delve into their pasts, reopening wounds, the rest of the town is gearing up for the Fall Festival Irish Stew cook-off, and making no bones about whose side they’re on. It’s Kitchen Wars meets This is Your Life—a recipe for disaster…or a new take on love?

You won’t want to miss this epic return to Chesapeake Shores, a place we’re betting you’ll want to stay forever.

Lilac Lane is the first book in this series that I have read.  While I think it can ultimately be read as a stand alone, a new reader would benefit from reading at least Moira and Luke's story before this one.  It think it might give more context for Keira's situation. 

I was looking forward to a good romance, but in the end it was just OK for me.  The book kind of dragged and I just wasn't invested in Keira and Bryan's relationship.  For me, it just lacked heat.  What I did find enjoyable were the secondary characters that rounded out the story.  I enjoyed watching them help Keira find a place to belong in Chesapeake Shores.  I think fans of the series will enjoy this addition. 

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

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About Sherryl Woods

With her roots firmly planted in the South, Sherryl Woods has written many of her more than 100 books in that distinctive setting, whether in her home state of Virginia, her adopted state, Florida, or her much-adored South Carolina. Sherryl is best known for her ability to creating endearing small town communities and families. She is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition.

Connect with Sherryl

Website |Facebook | Twitter

Review tour for LILAC LANE:

Monday, October 16th: From the Library of Mrs. Gardner blog and Instagram

Monday, October 16th: The Sassy Bookster – spotlight

Tuesday, October 17th: The Sketchy Reader

Tuesday, October 17th: From the TBR Pile

Wednesday, October 18th: Stranded in Chaos

Thursday, October 19th: Reading Reality

Thursday, October 19th: Readaholic Zone

Friday, October 20th: Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot

Monday, October 23rd: Katy’s Library blog and Instagram

Tuesday, October 24th: No More Grumpy Bookseller

Tuesday, October 24th: What is That Book About – spotlight

Wednesday, October 25th: Books and Bindings

Thursday, October 26th: Bookchickdi

Friday, October 27th: View from the Birdhouse

Friday, October 27th: Book Reviews and More by Kathy – spotlight

Monday, October 30th: A Holland Reads

Monday, October 30th: A Chick Who Reads

Wednesday, November 1st: Novel Gossip

Thursday, November 2nd: Suzy Approved

Saturday, November 4th: Girl Who Reads

Monday, November 6th: Palmer’s Page Turners

Tuesday, November 7th: Bewitched Bookworms

Wednesday, November 8th: Moonlight Rendezvous

Thursday, November 9th: LiteraryJo Reviews blog and Instagram

Friday, November 10th: Thoughts on This ‘n That

Monday, November 13th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Tuesday, November 14th: The Romance Dish

Tuesday, November 14th: Blogging with A

Throwback Thrusday: Three Down the Aisle by Sherryl Woods

Author: Sherryl Woods
First published in 2005 by Silhouette

When Melanie D'Angelo arrived at Rose Cottage, she was only looking to mend her shattered heart and restore the beautiful house her grandmother once called home. The last thing she wanted was to become involved with her landscape designer!

Mike Mikelewski couldn't deny his instant connection with the gorgeous Melanie, but the single dad already had a woman in his life--his adorable, but troubled, young daughter, Jessie. Even though Melanie made his heart pound--and Jessie smile--he wouldn't allow himself to take a chance on a love that was blossoming like the Rose Cottage garden. Or could the trio become the family that Jessie had always dreamed about?

Three Down the Aisle is the first in the Rosewood Cottage Sisters series.  Melanie finds out her boyfriend has a wife and two kids and is devastated by the betrayal.  her sisters convince her to take some time off and restore their grandmother's cottage.  Mike is the local landscaper and cringes at the ruin of a garden every time he passes Rosewood Cottage.  When he offers help to Melanie to get the garden back in shape, he didn't count on falling for her.

I thought that this was a super cute and sweet romance.  I loved how Mike and Melanie became friends before lovers.  They were really sweet together.  I also love how Melanie was with Mike's daughter Jessie.  It's a pretty short read, so the romance is quick.  But I didn't mind, I actually found it quite believable.  I definitely recommend this one. I look forward to the rest of the series.

Throwback Thursday: Mending Fences by Sherryl Woods

Author: Sheryll Woods
First published by Harlequin in 2007; reissued September 2016

For ten years Emily Dobbs and Marcie Carter have been the closest of friends. They've raised their kids together, shared joy and heartache, exchanged neighborhood gossip over tea. But when Marcie's son, now a college freshman sports star, is arrested for date rape, the bond between the families could be shattered forever. 

As the Carters try to deal with the unthinkable, Emily discovers her daughter has been hiding a terrible secret…a secret that threatens the futures of both families. Recently divorced, Emily struggles to keep it all together—to support her terrified daughter, to maintain her friendship with Evan's mother and to have faith in the detective who could change all of their lives. 

When things seem darkest, both she and Marcie discover that sometimes the first step toward a better future is mending fences with the past.

Mending Fences has recently been reissued by Harlequin.  It's an earlier work by this author.  But, one I'm glad they decided revive.  The Dobbs and Carters have lived next to each other for years and have been friends just as long.  When Evan Carter is arrested for raping a fellow college student, the friendship is put to the test.  

 The story isn't a "happy" one, in fact, it's pretty gut wrenching at times.  Especially when it comes to Dani and her secret.  I'm sure you can guess what it is as it's revealed pretty early on to the reader.  My heart just broke for her as well as both families. They both struggled with staying loyal and going with their gut? I won't give away too much more of the plot as it';s something you should experience for yourself.

Intertwined in the story is a little bit of a romance.  I'm not sure I totally bought into it as the timing of it was off for me.  But I guess love has its own timeline right?  In the end, I was filled with a sense of hope and justice.  I highly recommend this one.  If you didn't catch it the first time, why not give it a try now?

Throwback Thursday: Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods

Author: Sherryl Woods
First published on 2007 by Mira

Maddie Townsend might live in a town called Serenity, but there's been nothing calm or peaceful about her life since her marriage broke up. This stay-at-home mom has no job skills, an out-of-control sixteen-year-old son, a talkative fourteen-year-old who's suddenly gone silent, a six-year-old daughter whose heart is broken, an ex-husband whose younger girlfriend is expecting their baby and two best friends who think she's somehow qualified to help them open a fitness spa for women. But if Maddie is a tad on edge with all that on her plate, it's nothing compared to the chaos that ensues when she discovers that her son's baseball coach has feelings for her and the whole town disapproves. Maddie's faced a lot of challenges lately with strength and resolve, but Cal Maddox may turn out to be more than she can handle.

Then again, he could just be the one man in all of South Carolina who can help her find serenity.

Stealing Home is the first book in the Sweet Magnolia series.  It's months after Maddie's husband tells her that he wants a divorce and that he is having a baby with his girlfriend.  She is now trying to figure out how to move on with her life and take care of her three kids.  With a little help from her friends she may find herself and a little love along the way.

This story was just an OK read for me.  I did enjoy watching Maddie come out of her shell and start sticking up for herself.    I also thought that her budding relationship with Cal was very sweet and fun to watch.  From a romance point of view, it was pretty clean and tame.  What I had a hard time with was the ridiculousness of the town's reaction to Maddie and Cal dating.  Yes, there is a 10 year difference. But really, the guy is in his mid 30s and she is in her mid 40s.  It's not like either of them are underage.  The principal threatening to get Cal fired from his teaching position was just over the top and unbelievable.  I think that whole story line could have been left out.  It made me almost make this a DNF.

I am curious to read the next book in the series, so stay tuned.  I'm sure it will show up here at some point in the future.

Throwback Thursday: Courting the Enemy by Sherryl Woods

Author: Sherryl Woods
First published in 2001 by Silhouette

Foe...or Fiance?

Karen Hanson's oldest friends, the Calamity Janes, urged her to sell her struggling ranch & pursue her lifelong dreams of travel. But the only bidder for her land was brooding, enigmatic Grady Blackhawk - her late husband's worst enemy. How could she sell the land to him? Then Grady set out to prove that he wasn't the scoundrel Karen thought him. Spending time with her drop-dead handsome adversary might cost Karen a lot more than her ranch. Because Grady was becoming less interested in claiming her land...& more intent on claiming Karen herself!


Courting the Enemy is the second book in the Calamity Janes series.  This is Karen's story.  In the first book, her husband died of a heart attack and she is left with a failing ranch that she tries to keep afloat on her own.  Her neighbor, Grady has been trying to buy the land back for his family, but Caleb (her late husband) has always hated him.  When Grady shows up to try to help her, Karen has to decide if she can trust him, or if he was the one who has been sabotaging her ranch.

I liked this one a lot more than the first book.  I felt like Karen's hesitancy to get involved with Grady came across as genuine.  While she is attracted to Grady, she feel incredible guilt as if she is betraying her late husband.  Grady's patience with her was very sweet .  I loved them together.  The only thing about this book that I wish was better explained was who was really behind all of the sabotage.  There is a solution to who set the fire, but it wasn't clear to me whether or not this person was behind everything.

This is turning out to be a great series.  I look forward to reading the next Calamity Jane's story, To Catch a Thief.  

Throwback Thursday: Do You Take This Rebel? By Sherryl Woods

Author: Sherryl Woods
First published in 2001 by Silhouette

PREGNANT AND UNMARRIED, SHE LEFT TOWN...

Now Cassie Collins had returned to reconnect with her oldest friends, the Calamity Janes, and put her troubles behind her. But trouble found her in the disconcertingly sexy form of Cole Davis--father of her child. Having discovered her secret, Cole demanded a convenient marriage--or Cassie could lose her son to the powerful, wealthy Davis clan. Time hadn't dulled Cassie's anger at the man who'd betrayed her ten years ago...nor cooled the fiery attraction between them. Could she rekindle their long-lost love, and unite Cole, herself and their son in the precious bonds of family?

I really have mixed feelings about  this book.  Do You Take This Rebel is a mix of a second chance at love and a hidden child story.  I love the first and really detest the second.  In this one, Cassie and Cole were in love at a young age.  Their parents didn't want them to be together, After Cole gets sent off to college, Cassie finds out that she is pregnant and decides to leave town.  Now she is back after 10 years for her high school reunion.

Ultimately, I thought this was a sweet romance.  I loved Cole and Cassie together and it was apparent that their love never really died.  What I had a hard time with was Cassie keeping her son's paternity from Cole for so long.  I really couldn't blame him for his not trusting her after he found out. I just thought that was kind of crummy.  What I did like about the story was the friendship between the 5 high school friends.  This is the first in a series.  I look forward to reading the next one!

Throwback Thursday: After Tex by Sherryl Woods

 

Author: Sherryl Woods
First published in 1999 by Harlequin.  Reissued in 2013

Megan O'Rourke's beloved grandfather had always been determined to lure her out of New York and back to their ranch in Whispering Wind, Wyoming. Now his will makes it impossible for her to refuse. She's named guardian of Tex's daughter--a daughter Megan never knew about! 

Jake Landers has also come home to Whispering Wind. After leaving years before under a cloud of suspicion, he's returned to put down roots. When he comes face-to-face with the woman who shares his troubled past, he hardly recognizes the driven powerhouse Megan has become. Now she has big decisions to make--about life, love and where home really is. Jake's only too happy to help Megan rediscover their old dreams--and maybe this time, fulfill them forever. 

After Tex is a throwback by Sherryl Woods that was recently reissued by Harlequin this year. While it was a bit longer than it needed to be, I did enjoy the book.  The story was your typical one about a successful woman who find herself after she returns home to face her demons. While I enjoyed the story line, it was the characters that made the book for me.  After Tex is filled with great characters that give life to the town of Whispering Wind.  I loved Jake the most. He is just such a great guy who is willing to help anyone.  He has never forgotten or stopped loving "Meggie".  They were cute together.

There are a few side stories included in the book.  I liked them because it gave the story more of a real life feel.  Infidelity, domestic abuse, and corporate intrigue are just a few of them.  The ending of the story left a few of these stories unresolved, so I hope they are wrapped up in the next book, Angel Mine. I listened to the audio book. It was done by one of my favorite narrators, Christina Traister.  As always, she made it a very enjoyable listen.  If you missed this one, definitely check it out!