California Dreamin' Collection

by Heather B. Moore, Kaylee Baldwin, Annette Lyon

Six brand new contemporary romance novellas with bestselling and award winning authors.

In the sweet novella TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore, Gwen uses her wedding photography business to keep her life simple and focus on something other than her own broken heart. When Jack, a guy too handsome for his own good, helps her clean up after a photoshoot, then asks her out, she doesn’t know if she can handle dating again. But Jack’s charm wins her over, and she agrees to meet him for dinner. The more she gets to know Jack, the more she likes him, but everything about him seems too good to be true.

GONE FISHING, a charming novella by Kaylee Baldwin, follows Claire as she tries to convince her dad to leave his start-up company as a boat guide and come back home to Colorado. He’s the only one who can defend Claire against her domineering mother. But when she arrives at the San Diego harbor, she’s met with more than one surprise. First, that her dad is truly living his dream and has never been happier, and second, she’s unexpectedly attracted to his business partner, Miguel.

In THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING, an enchanting novella by Annette Lyon, Alexandria has one last task to perform for her late husband, who died much too young: scatter his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. She goes to the Santa Monica Pier to do just that, but her plans get sidetracked after meeting Michael and feeling an immediate connection to him. They grab lunch, and the more time they spend together, the more they discover that they have in common—including past romantic hardships. As the day wears on, Alexandria begins learn that her heart just might be able to find love again.

In Jennifer Moore’s captivating novella A HERO’S SONG, AnneMarie’s career as a romance novelist is skyrocketing and her agent books her on a late night talk show. The host gets her to admit that she was in love once, with a guitar player. Moments after her segment, Lance Holden appears on the same stage, to perform his newest song. Is it a terrible coincidence? AnneMarie hasn’t seen Lance ever since he broke her heart ten years ago, and she has refused to think about him again. Their lives are worlds apart, but as Lance tries to reconcile with AnneMarie, she finds herself taking a second chance.

In STAY WITH ME, an endearing novella by Shannon Guymon, Jolie moves to L.A. to take on a nanny position for the summer, since apparently having a degree in art doesn’t translate to getting a job as a graphic designer. When Fitz, the family’s chauffeur, picks her up at the airport, she wonders if every man in LA is model-gorgeous. When Jolie meets her two charges, she finds them adorable and needy. But it’s harder to hold onto her job than she thought with a hostile Mrs. James and her spoiled brother. Fitz becomes both the silver lining of her job and the man who just might convince her to stay in L.A.

In the delightful novella, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, by Sarah M. Eden, Ada is the best realtor around. The best. She prides herself in matching each client with the house that will fit all of their needs. She hasn’t failed yet. So when Craig hires her to find him the perfect condo for him and his son, Ada is up for the challenge. What she may not be prepared for is her unforeseen attraction to Craig, her immediate attachment to his nine-year-old son, and her heart telling her that it’s okay to take another chance.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Anthologies, Clean Romance, Chick Lit, Short Stories

350 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 2, 2015

About the author

Heather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than ninety publications. Heather writes primarily historical and #herstory fiction about the humanity and heroism of the everyday person. Publishing in a breadth of genres, Heather dives into the hearts and souls of her characters, meshing her love of research with her love of storytelling.

Her ancient era historicals and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes historical women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore, and . . . speculative fiction under Jane Redd. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. Despite failing her high school AP English exam, Heather persevered and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in something other than English.

Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact/
Website: HBMoore.com
Twitter: @heatherbmoore
Instagram: @authorhbmoore
Facebook: Fans of Heather B. Moore
And yes, the Blog still lives: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com

Literary honors: 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Semi-Finalist, Foreword 2020 INDIES Finalist, ALA Best New Books - September 2020, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner.

Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.

Reviews

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a set of six short and sweet romance novellas, about 50-60 pages each, in this Timeless Romance series, on sale for 99c right now, and good for a quick romance fix.

This is the second of these anthologies that I've read in the last month (I'm kind of a sucker for free/cheap romances). I have to commend the authors for taking to heart the realities of modern life. While still keeping the stories clean, most of these stories have at least one main character with a difficult past, including divorce, a childhood in multiple foster families, crime, difficulties in school, past promiscuity, and so forth. It's one of the more realistic clean romance reads that I've come across. There are the usual issues with some of the stories being not quite as fleshed out as I would have liked, due to their length, but I noticed it here less than I did in A Timeless Romance Anthology: Mail Order Bride Collection. Otherwise I think this is an unusually good read for its genre. Romance readers who like meet-cute (or meet-again-cute) will be pleased.

I'm not going to bother with a summary of each of the six novellas, since they're so short and the Goodreads blurb does an unusually good job of summarizing them. I have to say that I got a good chuckle out of the blurb writer using almost the identical set of adjectives for these stories that they used for the Mail Order Bride collection: each novella is described as "sweet," "charming," "captivating," "endearing," "delightful" or "enchanting/engaging." D'aww!



I'm curious whether any thought was put into which adjective to attach to which story, or whether it was luck of the draw?

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to grab this one the day it released. It was another fun collection of short stories. There were a few I wish were full-length novels, but overall they were all a fun mini escape. This is one of my favorite from the Timeless Romance Anthologies.

Too Good To Be True by Heather Moore
This ended up being one of my favorite of the bunch and one that I think would make a good full-length novel. I wouldn't mind spending more time with Jack and Gwen! Gwen and Jack come from totally different backgrounds, but find love in each other. I really enjoyed this one!

Gone Fishing by Kaylee Baldwin
Ms. Baldwin is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. This was a really cute story and I was quickly sucked in and sad when it ended. Great characters and a fun plot.

The Pier Changes Everything by Annette Lyon
This was a sweet story about long-lost love and finding peace. Alex and Michael meet at the Pier, both going there to try and find closure on their painful pasts. They realize they have chemistry right away and take a chance on each other. Cute story.

A Hero's Song by Jennifer Moore
I've really enjoyed Ms. Moore's historicals and was curious what one of her contemporaries would be like. I was not disappointed, it was great! I hope she continues writing historicals and throws in some contemporaries while she's at it! One of my favorites of the collection!

Stay With Me by Shannon Guymon
I knew this one would be good, I love all of Guymon's books and this was a fun treat while waiting for her next book to come out. I thought this had a fun plot and likable characters.

A Place to Call Home by Sarah Eden
Why doesn't Eden write contemporaries more? I LOVE her regencies, but I have really enjoyed reading her contemporaries through this Timeless collection. She really has a knack for writing, no matter what the setting. This was another hit, I really enjoyed it!

Overall, this was a fun collection. I lived in San Diego for a few years and it was fun to revisit some of the places I used to go. California is a great setting for books and for falling in love. If you enjoy contemporary romance you need to check these out.

Content: Clean

[Aimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooh, this one was L*O*V*E for me! My favorite authors all combined with my favorite setting in the world. California. Yes, I'm biased. I grew up in California, my family is in California and even though I'm not living there now, bits of my heart are scattered all over that state.

These romance novellas are all sweet and clean. They made my romantic heart flutter and brought a smile to my face. I really loved all of them. As per usual, I plowed right through them all, one right after the other. The great thing about these collections is you can read them one at a time when you have a few spare minutes, or you can devour them all in one sitting like me. :)

Love, love, love!

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's for sale on Amazon now, and there's a story by Shannon Guymon in it! I'm in "instalove" already!

I love the Timeless Romance Anthologies, and California Dreamin' did not disappoint! When I first saw that it would be a collection about California I pictured Hollywood. I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of the novellas. Granted all of the stories took place on or near the beach, but I met a photographer, fishermen, old friends reunited, an author, a musician, a nanny, and a realtor. The novellas are the perfect length for reading in one sitting, yet developed enough that they don't feel rushed or abrupt. I enjoyed all of the stories, and am having a hard time trying to decide which was my favorite (Shannon Guymon's, Sarah Eden's, or Kaylee Baldwin's).

If you're looking for a clean set of romances that will leave you smiling, this is the book for you!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed every story in the California Dreamin Anthology Collection. They are each sweet, lighthearted, clean, contemporary romances, based in California. (Hence the title:) My favorite thing about these anthologies is that you can read one of the stories easily in one setting, rather than having to set it aside repeatedly or loose tons of sleep to finish it. As a busy mom that comes in very handy! It's also a great way to be introduced to new amazing authors that you might not be familiar with and therefore search out some of their other work. The only thing I struggle with them is that, because they are so short, I find myself at times wishing for more depth. I will get so lost in some of the stories and enjoying the characters so much that it makes you want more. :)....and wish that they were full novels. Having said that, I would still definitely recommend them to anyone looking for just a fun, sweet, quick read that will leave you smiling. :)

[Heidi Robbins (Heidi Reads...) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm seriously addicted to these novella collections. I love reading them in between longer books and especially on busy days to get a quick fix. I enjoyed all these stories equally and the California setting was definitely close to home! The first one by Heather Moore was even set at a beach we go to frequently throughout the year and especially in the summer. It is impressive that the characters and plot are introduced quickly but in a way that doesn't feel rushed. It was easy to connect with the emotions of the main characters and even though the stories are often wrapped up before I'm ready for them to end, they are a pleasure to escape with :)


(Thank you to Ebooks For Review for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review)

[Tori (Book Chick) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always fun to be able to read a collection of stories from authors you already know you like. That's how th is California Dreamin' novella collection was for me. I was familiar with 3 of the 6, but I am now a fan of all 6. These novellas were lighthearted and left me feeling happy, although a little sad to have each story end so quickly. I was impressed with each author's ability to suck me in and make me care about these characters in such a shoe amount of time. All the novellas were great. If I had to pick a favorite it would either be "A Hero's Song" by Jennifer Moore or "A Place to Call Home" by Sarah M. Eden. However, the entire collection was super.

**I was given a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved every story in this anthology. My only complaint is that they were all novella length. I would have loved to have a more in depth story on all of them.

The characters are all lovable and likable. I am always amazed at how the author's are able to decide on a certain setting and come up with very unique and different stories. Each of the author's in this anthology are talented and have proven their ability to write well.

You can't go wrong to pick up any of the "A Timeless Romance" anthologies. They are perfect for poolside, snuggling up next to a fire, or wherever you want to relax and enjoy time getting lost in a story.

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love California and having a whole anthology set in this fabulous setting was absolutely brilliant! I love the way each story had a similar thread, yet were each so different. And oh, so good! I loved meeting each of these couples and wished each and every story could be full-length, as I was completely enamored with every single one of them. This is one of my favorite anthologies to date and my heart was pounding with romantic anticipation throughout the whole thing. This is perfect for fans of sweet and clean romances, with nothing more than kissing, and each story can be read in a sitting. I always plan on savoring them, but end up devouring the whole book. I love these authors!

Too Good To Be True by Heather B. Moore
I love it when a normal, everyday girl meets a dream guy and doesn't even know it! Gwen is very down to earth and focused on her photography business, but she can't help but notice good looking Jack. He's charming and everything about him really does seem too good to be true, but he's only human. The way the interest in each other builds is utterly delightful. I loved his adorable sister almost as much as I loved Jack and Gwen is just as sweet as can be! This is a darling story set in a fun setting.

Gone Fishing by Kaylee Baldwin
I love the ocean and a story with a strong presence on a boat was just perfect for me! Claire needs her dad to come home, but is surprised to meet his partner, who knows a lot about her. First meetings aren't also a good indicator of how a relationship will be because things sure didn't start out on a great foot for Claire and Miguel! Another charming story is found in this one and I devoured every minute of it.

The Pier Changes Everything by Annette Lyon
Second chances are so romantic. Michael and Alexandria both have pasts to recover from and after spending a day together, find comfort in each other and in a surprise revelation. This story is filled with nostalgic moments, as well as hope for the future and really tugged on my heartstrings.

A Hero's Song by Jennifer Moore
Once again, I love a good second chance story and this one fit the bill perfectly! AnneMarie, a romance novelist, reconnects with her former love, guitar player, Lance, on a talk show. Can you say sparks?! I love the way he tries to win her over with music and the journey they take to find reconciliation.

Stay With Me by Shannon Guymon
I've always wondered what it would be like to go out of state to nanny and felt that the experience Jolie had was so romantic--and scary! I was living vicariously through her. I would hate to work for someone as mean as Mrs. James, but to have a fun, flirtatious fling with the chauffeur would make it totally worth it. Fitz is darling and I loved the way Jolie worms her way into the hearts of her charges in a snap.

A Place to Call Home by Sarah M. Eden
I need a friend like Ada in my life! She's a dream realtor and such a sweet person and friend. Craig hires her to find the perfect place for him and his son, but she doesn't count on finding a place in her heart for this incredible duo. I loved these characters and their fun personalities. I think these kind of people totally make a story that much more enjoyable.

*I received a copy from an author in exchange for an honest review*

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review first appeared on my blog Christy's Cozy Corners.

You all know by now that I love clean romance books. This collection is full of more winners. These are really short little novellas that will capture your heart and imagination. The entire compilation is only 350 pages, so this is a book you can finish quickly.

Each of these stories grabbed my attention right away and kept me reading straight through to the ends. I found myself wishing that these were full sized novels. The characters are charming and the romance is sweet and clean. Each story is unique, yet they all are set in California on the beach which makes this the perfect book to pick up for the summer. Summer just makes me want to read beach themed books.

I can’t say that one story stood out as my favorite, but I think that Stay with Me’s characters gripped my heart the most. The little ones that Jolie was hired to watch only want love and attention, and they don’t get a lot of it from their famous parents. The way the story plays out is very cute.

I highly recommend this to all of you who want a quick, sweet romance to read whether you’re on the beach or not!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these short stories! These were so great. I liked all of them and enjoyed reading each story. Each story was located in California, each was very different. These are clean well developed short stories.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written by some of my favorite authors. Of course I loved it. It's a nice light break from all the heavy drama in my romance novels. Thank you ladies for a little port in the storm I like to call life. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to reading all of your next novels.

[Rob Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ladies of the Timeless Romance collections don't disappointed. They have turned out another fun and sweet collection. I loved all the stories in this collection.

In Too Good to be True, by Heather B. Moore, Gwen is a wedding photographer still smarting from her divorce. She has a hard time believing something good can come her way. Jack, on the other hand, is disillusioned by his money and not knowing if the girls he dates like him for his money or for himself. Besides the fact that he's too busy to date anyway. This is a cute story of girl meets rich, famous guy but doesn't recognize him, so she gets to know him for who he really is. Jack enjoys the fact that she doesn't recognize him and takes advantage of it for a day or two. Jacks sister is a hoot and just fun to watch. I liked the story about learning to love again and accepting the good things that come your way.

Gone Fishing, by Kaylee Baldwin it a fun story. It is also a great story about second chances and looking past the exterior and finding the good inside someone. The story starts out with a splash (pun intended) and goes from there. Claire has to remember her dreams and Miguel is just the person to help her. I thought the story was fun and had a great lesson.

Annette Lyon’s The Pier Changes Everything, fate brings Alex and Michael together on the pier. I liked how they both ended up there at just the right time. This is another sweet story about changing and learning about yourself and looking beyond the outer shell to see what's beneath. Alex and Michael are on a journey of love and discovery. Michael has to overcome his fear of dating and realize that all women aren't shallow. I thought the fun scrapes they got into while re,e,Bering who hey really were, made the story believable and made me cheer for them.

A Hero’s Song, by Jennifer Moore made me want to jump up and cheer. There was deception and maneuvering to get the two of the together that made me just laugh and cry at the same time. This was another story of forgiveness and change, looking beyond the past mistakes and realizing that people can change and that there are two sides to every story. AnneMarie and Lance have to dig deep inside themselves to see if they can make it work this time around.

In Stay With Me, by Dhannon Guymon, you will find a fun, sweet romance that warms your heart and makes you want to fall in love again. Jolie must step outside her comfort zone and reach out for love. I liked the realness of this story and how she not only fell in love with the good guy, but fell in love with her life and the people around here especially the kids.

Sarah M. Eden does not dissapoint in her story, A Place to Call Home. As usual, she draws you in and brings her characters to life. I love the attention to detail and the realness of the characters. Ada and Craig are real and believable. Of course they have their trials. I especially laughed at Craig and his inept attempts to ask Ada out and actually go on a date. The ‘proposal’ was the best!

The timeless romance collections are the best and this one is right up there with the rest. You will laugh and cry and cheer!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I always jump at a chance to get a book from this series. They are always clean and sweet.

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore
I enjoyed this sweet novella about a wedding photographer and a business tycoon who meet on the beach and, despite their different backgrounds and some family opposition, start to fall in love. Is he too good to be true and can she get over her broken heart?

GONE FISHING by Kaylee Baldwin
I really liked this charming novella about Claire, a website designer, and Miguel, her father's partner on his deep-sea fishing tourist business. There are definitely some chuckles as this rough around the edges man with a past tangles with the city girl with a barracuda mother. =)

THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING by Annette Lyon
I loved this enchanting novella about Alexandria and Michael. They meet on the beach where she is performing one last task for her deceased husband, who died much too young, and he is trying to finally put a past relationship to rest. As they grab lunch and then proceed to spend the rest of the day together, they began to believe they just might be able to find love again.

HERO'S SONG by Jennifer Moore
When AnneMarie, a romance novelist, admits on a late night talk show that she was in love once with a guitar player, she has no clue that that very man, Lance Holden, is booked on the same show to perform his newest song. AnneMarie hasn't seen Lance since he broke her heart ten years ago. As Lance tries to reconcile with AnneMarie, she finds herself taking a second chance. I didn't like this novella as much. I think because this one has more anger and angst in it than the others which are sweeter and fun.

STAY WITH ME by Shannon Guymon
I really liked this endearing novella about Jolie, an art major who moves to L.A. to take on a nanny position just for the summer, and Fitz, the family's chauffeur. With a model-gorgeous chauffeur and two adorable and needy charges, Jolie might just be persuaded to stay in L.A.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME by Sarah M. Eden
It's pretty much a given that I'm going to like a Sarah M. Eden story! I loved this captivating novella about Ada, the best realtor around, and Craig, an accountant. He's looking for the perfect condo to buy for him and his son. What they weren't prepared for was their unforeseen attraction to each other and the immediate attachment between Ada and Craig's adorable son. Will they listen to their hearts telling them it's okay to take another chance on love?

Another winner from the Timeless Romance Anthology series!

*Thanks to eBooksForReview for providing me with a free e-book copy in exchange for my honest opinion & review. All opinions stated are my own.*

[Tressa (Wishful Endings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed all of the collection from A Timeless Romance Anthology line of books to date. The California Dreamin' Collection was another compilation of sweet romantic novellas that I enjoyed from beginning to end with several that I would read again. Here are my thoughts on each one:

TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore. This was one of my favorites from this collection. It was sweet while having some definite swoon-worthy moments. It also had fantastic characters and a plot that felt authentic.

GONE FISHING by Kaylee Baldwin. This was another favorite. I loved the whole damsel-in-distress and the pirate saving the day, in a way. It was fun and sassy, with a few laughs and plenty of romance.

In THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING by Annette Lyon. This was just an all around sweet story. I thought that some of the focus being on food addictions and child obesity was interesting as was two characters who made a bond when children at camp finding each other years later.

A HERO’S SONG by Jennifer Moore. This was another story that I really enjoyed. I think every girl has had a crush on a rock star or a guy in a band at some point in their lives. I loved that the author let things evolve realistically - as in things aren't easy for these characters. At all. Great characters as well.

In STAY WITH ME by Shannon Guymon. I really liked the setting for this one. Jolie and the kids were my favorite characters by far with Fitz coming in next. There was some drama and maybe a little too much romantic fluff in this one that went over the top for me, but otherwise a cute romance.

A PLACE TO CALL HOME by Sarah M. Eden. This story felt like it easily could have morphed into a full novel in the romance or women's fiction genre. I loved the depth of the characters, that they have a rough kind of start and go, that they felt authentic, and I practically melted towards the end when Craig goes to visit Ada's book club. Seriously the sweetest, most down-to-earth guy ever! I didn't even talk about the sweet moments at the end... This was another favorite.

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through ebooksforreview.com, which did not affect my review in any way.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a new favorite Timeless Romance Anthology! I LOVED each and every one of the stories in this book. I was amazed to discover that Jennifer Moore is able to write contemporary romance just as well as she writes Regency romance. I love that this book was written by some of my very favorite romance authors. These books are so much fun because you get six cute, clean, well-written novellas in one book. I warn you that you won't want to stop reading when you get to the end of one of them though!

Each one of these books had a great female lead character. They each were set in California and had something to do with the beach, but that's pretty much where the similarities ended. I loved each of the characters for a different reason. I loved Ada because she went out of her way to respect Craig's wishes when it came to his son. Jolie because she was able to love her two charges and fight for them, even though she was working in a hostile environment, and she had planned to leave at the end of the summer. I loved AnneMarie because she's from a small town in Idaho close to where I grew up. She wants to stay out of the spotlight, but risks the spotlight for the love of her life. I loved Alexandria because she gets another chance for a happily ever after, and it's a surprise to her with just who. Claire for wanting to help her dad have a better life, but realizing that his idea of a good life and hers were not as different as she supposed at first. And Gwen for being willing to take a chance on love when she was scared.

Make sure you pick up this fun book, you won't regret it!

[Julie Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

*sigh* Another great collection from some awesome authors! I loved the setting...California. I loved reading about the beach and ocean as the backdrop for these sweet romantic stories. The length of the novellas were great, even though I wanted some to be longer I loved being able to squeeze in one or two in my schedule (especially since I was on vacation and trying to read a couple other books too).

I enjoyed all the stories but my absolute favorite of the 6 was Heather Moore's "Too Good to be True."

Normally I'd break it down into each individual story but I'm traveling home after weeks of vacation and writing this on my phone! Hahahaha! I guess I could wait to use both hands at my computer instead of typing with my thumb but I've read through lots of books that I have several reviews to write, so..........it's one thumb typing. ;-)

Now onto my next book (it's a long drive home and I can get some more reading in so I can add one more book to my long list of writing reviews when I get home)!

All the stories were clean with some kissing and hand holding. :-) Language was clean...that's definitely one of my favorite things about these collections, they're all clean and I never have to wonder. Love them!!!!! I'm excited for the next anthology to be released, it's the Blind Date collection!

I bought a copy from Amazon.

Happy Reading!!!

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Timeless Romance collections are some of my all-time favorites! Each collection has six short stories by different authors that are all unique, yet tied around a central theme. The authors (some of my favorites!) all write such sweet, clean romance stories. I love that each story can be read in a single sitting and I love that they all have a happy-ever-after ending.
The California Dreamin’ Collection is the latest collection and it did not disappoint! Each story takes place in California and there is plenty of the beach, ocean and celebrity status to go around. Only one of the stories felt a bit rushed to me as far as the relationship development goes (as often happens in a short story), but that sort of thing generally doesn’t bother me too much. I loved that some of the stories had characters who already had a history together, and I also enjoy the stories where the characters are meeting for the first time. So much to love!
I received an e-book version of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six authors have come together to create a book with clean, sweet, romantic stories that will make you smile and warm your heart. Each story is completely separate, but the California setting ties them all together. The stories are the perfect length for a quick read when you don't want to get sucked into an entire book. They are light and often humorous, as well as romantic.

This was one of the better anthologies that I've read. All of the authors gave me a good sense of their writing style while creating an entertaining story. The timelines didn't feel rushed or lacking. There were some definite favorites, but I enjoyed all of them. I will be checking out several of these authors to read their full length novels.

I received this book free of charge from Inspired Kathy in exchange for my honest review.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great anthology by some of my favorite authors!

Content: Clean (a few stories may have had a few mild swear words)
Source: Amazon.com

[Lorieah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewer Heidi Robbins pretty much said everything I would: I love these anthology collections, and missing the Central Coast where I grew up, I had to read this as soon as Heather kindly made it available.

In general, I am not a huge fan of novellas, but the Timeless Anthologies rarely disappoint. It definitely takes talent to tell a complete story in (sometimes) less than an hour, but this group manages to pull it off in well-written, clean, and swoon-worthy ways. Definitely recommend.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too Good to Be True--Heather B. Moore
Gwen's work as a photographer is satisfying and helps her forget about her ex. Jack's business keeps him too busy to have much of a relationship with anyone, but when he runs into Gwen on the beach after a photo shoot, he realizes that maybe it's time to make time for romance. Although Gwen and Jack hit it off, the closer they get, the more Gwen can't help but think something's going to come along to ruin this relationship.

The actual conflict came kinda late in the novella, and the resolution came pretty easily, but this was a fun story and you can't help but cheer for the girl who has been down on her luck to find her happily ever after.

Gone Fishing--Kaylee Baldwin
Claire runs away from a marriage proposal from a business associate (who has been convinced by Claire's mother, who is also their boss, that he wants to marry Claire); she goes to California to find her father, whom she hasn't seen in four years since he decided to head west and start a tourist fishing business. Claire's plan is to convince her father to come home and help her fend off her mother, but her dad--and the business partner she didn't know her father had--might not be so easy to convince. And when that business partner, Miguel, starts showing Claire around a little, she's not so sure her plan is actually what she needs.

I don't think I've read anything of Kaylee Baldwin's before, but I liked this introduction to her work. I liked the banter between Claire and Miguel, as well as seeing Claire learn to stand up for herself.

The Pier Changes Everything--Annette Lyon
Alex is in California to scatter her husband's ashes on what would have been their fifth wedding anniversary; while there, she runs into Michael, who is on the beach seeing catharsis while his ex-fiancee marries someone else. Alex and Michael connect immediately--and when they realize that they'd met years ago at fat camp, their old attraction comes back full swing.

I would've liked to see a little more back story on this one (like why didn't Michael email Alex after camp, not just Alex try to email Michael? and there were a couple places where it called her husband James but the rest of the time he was Jason), so it wasn't quite as polished as it could have been, but I liked seeing both characters find some needed healing.

A Hero's Song--Jennifer Moore
AnneMarie, a romance writer, runs into her ex--the only guy she's actually loved--on the set of a TV show of all places. While she thinks it's just a bad coincidence, Lance, a rock star,actually set it up, because now that he's completed rehab and started to get his life back on track, he wants to reconnect with the one person who really knew him--but AnneMarie's not so sure she's willing to take a chance on him.
I'm kind of a sucker for the whole reformed bad boy plot line, especially when said bad boy has a thing for a sweet, shy sort of girl, so this novella was right up my alley. I thought it was tons of fun.

Stay with Me--Shannon Guymon
Jolie has taken a job as a nanny, and while she loves the kids she cares for, there are complications with their parents; the dad is fun and easygoing, but the mother--and her younger brother, who lives with them and doesn't like Jolie--isn't so easy to please. Jolie finds some solace with Fitz, the family's driver, but she isn't sure how long her job will actually last.
I wish we'd actually seen more of the developing romance between Jo and Fitz; there was a lot of time spent with other characters so the focus wasn't on their relationship as much as I wished. The story still came together well, and I actually liked it more than I've liked any of Shannon Guymon's full length books.

A Place to Call Home--Sarah M. Eden
When Craig hires Ada to be his realtor, he's not looking for a relationship. He just wants to find a nice place for him and his son. However, they instantly hit it off--conversation flows, they get each others' jokes, etc. Even though he's interested, Craig isn't sure about getting involved with someone when he's got his son to take care of, which leaves Ada unsure of what he actually feels for her.
I love Sarah Eden's writing. It just makes me happy. I always appreciate great dialogue, sweet romance, and laughter, and she didn't disappoint.

I love the fact that these are clean romances, just sweet and fun. With these collections, it's so fun to see how each author approaches their common theme and they wind up with such different stories--there's a good variety in each collection; it never feels like it's the same story told multiple times.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love finding new authors and being a mom of four kids and watching another little boy, I don’t have all the time in the world to read my books all the way through in one setting. I love the series, “A Timeless Romance Anthology”, I’m able to read a short story and continue with my busy schedule. California Dreamin’ Collection is a great collection of Romance Novellas. I love this and definitely recommend it to any reader that loves clean romances.

*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Too Good to Be True By Heather B. Moore
This was a very fun and quick read. Gwen must fight her feelings and fears after a broken marriage to move forward with a man she meets on the beach, who definitely seems too good to be true. Sometimes it is hard to develop characters in such a short time but Heather B. Moore mastered it. The characters are strong, the story is fun, and the romance is sweet.

Gone Fishing by Kaylee Baldwin
Living with an overbearing mom was getting too much, and an unexpected proposal from a man her mom had chosen for her was too much. It was time for Claire to find her dad and bring him back home, so he could talk some sense into the woman. However, talking her father into quitting his dream job was going to take more than just a little convincing. I loved Kaylee Baldwin’s writing; this story had my complete attention the whole time. I was cheering for Claire and hating her mom.

The Pier Changes Everything by Annette Lyon
A woman widowed at a young age and a brokenhearted man meet on a pier only to find that life isn’t as bad as it seems. This was the quickest story yet, but the only complaint I have, is that I feel like it went too fast. The storyline could be expanded on. The writing was good and the characters were likable. I enjoyed this short romance.

A Hero’s Song by Jennifer Moore
I have found my favorite quote inside this story: “….villain remains a villain until he cares about a woman enough to become a hero. She has to know there’s nothing he wouldn’t give up for her, nothing he wouldn’t change.” AnneMarie is a bestselling author and is invited onstage to discuss her new book; she is surprised that also invited onstage is her long lost first love: Lance. Lance is a famous musician who has been through the rounds with life. Having fought off addiction in rehab and going through his fair share of women, Lance has finally figured out that the one thing he wants more than life is to have AnneMarie back, but he must prove to her that he has changed, and he will be happy with her quiet life. A very well written story that shows how we must find forgiveness but also learn to be happy with ourselves.

Stay With Me by Shannon Guymon
This was my favorite read by far. Jo finds herself with graduated with a degree, but finds there’s no jobs available for her area of expertise. In order to make ends meet and pay college loans, Jo takes a job in California replacing her friend as a nanny to two adorable children. Life there is hard, dealing with a very spoiled man who is protected by his overprotective sister and trying to keep the real boss, a movie producer, happy. Life is made a little easier by the family’s driver, Fitz. Falling in love with the kids and falling in love with Fitz has made a life mean so much more to Jo.

A Place to Call Home by Sarah M. Eden
Ada Canton is a top Realtor, she is good at what she does and her reputation precedes her. Looking for a new home to start his life with his son, Craig Adamson comes to the best and it just happens to be a great coincidence that they are both single and not necessarily looking for love. With a little determination and patience, Ada teaches Craig that is okay to trust and to fall in love again. I love this cute little love story.

[Kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too Good to Be True: 5 out of 5. I thought this story was cute and liked that it showed how the past doesn’t need to define a person. The future is wide open for everyone; the past doesn’t make us who we are or have to be for the rest of our lives. I thought it was sweet how Jack didn’t care about Gwen’s past even when the paparazzi tried to make it a big deal.

Gone Fishing: 3.5 out of 5. I liked the overall story of Claire running away from her overbearing mother and trying to find herself. I also liked that this novella verified the fact that a person can’t truly be judged by their outward appearance. Having said that, I thought that a couple of days was too short of a time for Claire to fall in love with Miguel, especially with how rough he looked on the first day. It was a little too unrealistic for my taste. I thought it showed a lot about Claire when her thoughts about her dad’s business changed.

The Pier: 3 out of 5. I was quite disappointed that there was swearing in this book. Yeah it was only one word, but still, I lost a little respect for Annette Lyon whose books usually grace the shelves of LDS bookstores. I feel that swearing isn’t needed when other words can be used to get the point across. That aside, I did enjoy this story about Alex and Michael and how the past caught up to them. Alex is in California to spread the ashes of her late husband on their five year anniversary. Michael is at the beach to get closure after his fiancé left him for another man; he visits the beach on the exact day his former fiancé is to wed her new fiancé. I felt that Alex and Michael’s relationship helped them get through some hard times.

A Hero’s Song: 2 out of 5. I am sad to give this book such a low rating because I absolutely love the other books I’ve read by Jennifer Moore. This book however didn’t do it for me. There was swearing in this book, which I don't think adds anything to the story. I left feeling just ‘eh’. The story line was too unrealistic since it had been 10 years since AnneMarie and Lance had seen each other, yet they still fell in love again after a few days. Lance’s past includes drugs, alcohol, and probably countless women; I don’t really think that is so easily worked through in a matter of days.

Stay With Me: 5 out of 5. I absolutely loved this novella! Jo is starting work as a Nanny for one of Hollywood’s prestige couples. I enjoyed the feel of the Hollywood glam couple where the husband, Baxter, was kind and the wife, Lila, was horrible. The wife’s brother Haiden was just as spoiled as Lila and made Jo’s life horrible in any way he could think of. Fitz, the family’s driver came to the rescue and helped Jo deal with the more difficult members of the family. I liked that the time frame was spread out for Fitz and Jo’s relationships. Great read!

A Place to Call Home: 5 out of 5. First of all, I love everything I read from Sarah M. Eden. Secondly, this book was an easy, fun read. Ada is a real estate agent who is helping Craig find a new place to live that would also be comfortable for his son Jack. Ada and Craig’s relationship gets off to a rocky start, but Craig is able to redeem himself. This story also has a good timeline which didn’t leave me feeling that the story was rushed, it was timed perfectly.

I would love to see Stay With Me and A Place to Call Home made into longer versions because they were that good.

I received this free eBook in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeanette Dummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

California Dreamin’
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I love anthologies! I always have the thought in the back of my mind that I’m only going to read one story a day and not neglect my family. This never happens, but I like that the option is there. I wasn’t sure if I was going to connect to any of these stories because I’m not really a “California Girl” but I really liked all of these stories! I’ll even go out on a limb and say it was one of my favorite collections.
TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE by Heather B. Moore
Oh, Gwen. Your poor broken heart. I worried she was over-reacting, but no. She wasn’t. I liked how these characters complimented each other. Opposite worlds, yes but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I feel like the characters had enough maturity to deal with the relationship situation together. Secondary characters were also very likable.
GONE FISHING by Kaylee Baldwin
Not to start at the end, but can I just tell you how much I love a little epilogue at the end of a good short story? Well, I do. Very different story for me. Really liked the characters. I didn’t see the appeal at first. Come on now, egg beard? Nope. Just nope. Patient and understanding characters with a nut bar for a mom? I’m in.
THE PIER CHANGES EVERYTHING by Annette Lyon
This one was a little much for me. I can get on board with coincidence and kismet and all that but this one had just a bit too much of that for me. I did like the characters and the idea behind the story is good. Just a tad cheesy for me. I feel like there was more to develop with this story that would have made it less so. Being a short story, it really wasn’t possible. And seriously, Alex, I know you hate the lady but you’ve got to check your voicemail and text before I go nuts.
A HERO’S SONG by Jennifer Moore
A redemptive hero? A shy, small-town writer? A late-night show?? This story had it all. And I loved it. I read it twice. Likeable characters and situations that really probably only go down in California (or maybe just in novels set in California) made for a very fun read. I would have liked an epilogue on this one (or all of them.) I really wanted to see how things worked out for these guys.
STAY WITH ME by Shannon Guymon
Why is there always a nanny story? I will admit that this one was better than most, but still. I thought the addition of the brother as the “bad guy” instead of the love interest was a refreshing twist. I liked that this covered a more significant period of time and that she DIDN’T fall for the dad. But really, these stories just make me feel bad for the kids.
A PLACE TO CALL HOME by Sarah M. Eden
It’s not secret I love Sarah Eden’s books/stories. This one really played to the little older crowd, which I liked. Life gets real and I’m glad she showcased that. The characters were all very realistic, as was the situation. Nothing dramatic needs to happen to make a good story.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun collection of stories! I sat down thinking I would just read one of the novellas, but found myself putting off dishes/laundry/etc because I was loving the stories so much! I was a little skeptical because I really don't like California that much, but these stories could have taken place anywhere.
I have read (and loved!) books by 5 of the 6 authors in this collection & wasn't disappointed! Each story I finished I would think the next couldn't be as good, but they were all good! I LOVE that they all have a great happy ending to the story! I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a little blurb about each book on the web, so here is a little about each story:
Heather Moore's Too Good to Be True is about a photographer who has been burned by love in the past & is trying to find her way. Gorgeous millionaire Jack is intrigued by the laid back photographer he met on the beach--but they come from such different worlds, do they have anything in common to build a relationship on?
In Gone Fishing, Claire goes to California to talk her dad into moving home. What sane man leaves his home to open a deep sea fishing tour? He needs to come home and be near the family and help her stand up to her controlling mother!
The Pier Changes Everything is about a young lady named Alex. She heads to the Pier to spread the ashes of her husband in the Pacific Ocean--one of his dying wishes. Struggling with the grief she feels she is shocked to meet a friend she hasn't seen in years. Mikey is dealing with his own pain, but maybe together they can find closure for their pain.
Sarah Eden's story reminded me of one of my favorite Shannon Guymon books--both have great Realtors as the main character who find themselves dating a client. Jack (the little boy in the story) really stole the show. His character was great!
Jennifer Moore's Hero's song was swoon worthy--LOVED it! A decade after losing her one and only love, they are reunited on a TV show, but broken trust is harder to mend than broken hearts!
Stay with Me opens with Jo arriving in California. After 10 minutes she is ready to head back to Colorado. To cooler temperatures, less people and peace & quiet! And she hadn't even made it out of the airport! Unable to find a job in her field, she reluctantly took a job as a nanny. Unsure of how well qualified she is for the job, Jo is ready to throw in the towel until she meets the kids she will be tending. Truman and Nellie win her heart almost immediately.

[Nari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the books in the anthology collection and this one has been one of my favorites. The stories were all based in California but all very different so it did not feel like I was reading the same thing over and over. I loved that the stories were short so I could read them when I only had a short amount of time. I also felt like they were long enough to give me enough of the story that I did not feel cheated. There were a few that I wish had an epilogue or more to the story.
The first story Too Good To Be True is about a photographer whose marriage is annulled after 2 months because the groom was still in love with his ex girlfriend. Jack is a successful and rich businessman but tired of the demands and people only liking him for his money. I would have liked an epilogue for this story.
The next story Gone Fishing is a story about a young women who is running from a controlling mother to a father that she felt has left her to follow his dreams. She is hurt that he left her behind. Miguel works with her father and is not what she first thought.
The Pier Changes Everything is a story of healing from past pain. Alexandria is fulfilling her dead husbands last wish by spreading his ashes in the Pacific Ocean. Mike is trying to get over that his fiancé left him for another. The two knew each other years ago at a Camp for overweight teenagers.
A Hero Song is about a successful romance author and a rock star. They knew each other years before and fell in love but AnneMarie was afraid of the spotlight that anyone is Rockstar Jack's life would have to deal with and ran away from it all back to safe Idaho. They are reunited in a late night talk show. I would have also liked an epilogue for this one.
Stay with Me is about Jolie an artist who can't find a job so she becomes a nanny to 2 children after her cousin leaves the job to get married. Fitz is the man of all trades for the family Jo is being a nanny for. Jo likes him right at first but is afraid that he would not like an ordinary girl like her. She learns to dearly loves Truman and Nellie her 2 charges.
A Place to call Home is about a realtor named Ada who is good at finding the perfect home for her clients. Craig Adamson is looking for a condo for him and his son Jack. The conversations between Craig and Ada are witty and funny. Jack is a cute little boy who just wants a mother's love.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all these stories. They made me really want to go to the beach, though.

Too Good to be True:
This was a cute short story. Given Gwen's past, I was quickly invested in her getting a happily ever after. I liked seeing the relationship between Gwen and Jack grow, but it still felt fast based on the information we learn about them. I liked how the author hyphenated the possible names of a person when Gwen couldn't remember their name.
Content: passionate kissing
Rating: 4.5 stars

Gone Fishing:
This story had great characters and a great storyline. I liked seeing how Claire dealt with her circumstances. Miguel intrigued me since he wasn't like the usual hero's I read about, but I liked him. This story made me want to visit the ocean. I was grateful for the epilogue because it rounded out the story and made it feel complete.
Content: clean
Rating: 4.5 stars

The Pier Changes Everything:
This was a cute story. I liked how the reader is given information about Alexandria bit by bit. I didn't expect everything that got revealed. And I liked watching the unfolding of her and Michael's relationship. I would have liked this story to have an epilogue.
Content: 1 swear word
Rating: 4 stars

A Hero's Song:
I liked this story of second chances. I quickly grew to root for the characters as their weaknesses as well as hopes and dreams were revealed. I especially liked Lance's manager. She was a great down-to-earth character.
Content: 2 swear words
Rating: 4 stars

Stay With Me:
I liked the dynamics between the characters in this book, but I feel the story would have been more powerful if it had been longer, allowing the reader to get to know the characters much better. The scenes that were described really endeared the main characters to me, but I think it would not have felt so rushed at the end if some of the experiences that were mentioned had been shown. But, I still really liked this story.
Content: Clean
Rating: 4 stars

A Place to Call Home:
This story was my favorite of this collection. It made me laugh. My husband kept asking what I was laughing at, and I kept explaining it was the story I was reading. I liked that the main characters made mistakes and weren't perfect. And I liked the main characters valued things of more than just superficial worth.
Content: Clean
Rating: 5 stars

Source: Review Copy

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for California Dreamin’
This book is a delightful collection of short stories by many of my favorite authors. There was a new author to me and I was pleasantly surprised. Kaylee Baldwin scored a hit with me. Gone Fishing was heartwarming and I found myself cheering when Claire stands up to her overbearing mother. In Heather B Moore’s story, Gwen is a photographer who ran away to California to escape a failed marriage. When a kind stranger helps her with her equipment after a beach wedding, Gwen is frightened and standoffish. But lonely millionaire, Jack, sees past her fears and a sweet friendship develops. Annette Lyon’s story, The Pier Changes everything, was a sweet story of two hurt people running into one another under miraculous circumstances. Sarah M Eden’s story, A Place to Call Home is about a California realtor who is fantastic at her job and gains more than a client in a family she finds a home for. Shannon Guymon’s story, Stay With Me, is a story about a graphic artist who takes a summer job as a nanny for a top Hollywood producer and not only falls for the children she cares for but the handsome, kind chauffer. In Jennifer Moore’s story, A Hero’s Song, romance author, AnneMarie runs into an old flame on a late night talk show appearance and old sparks begin to fly anew. All stories were heart- warming, clean, and had sweet good endings. This was the perfect anthology to read when I had short periods of time and wanted to finish a novella in one sitting.

[L_manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

California brings thought of the sand and sun. In this collection of short stories, it's all about sand, sun, and romance. From new love that was never imagined to love lost and possibly found again, this collection covers a wide variety of stories and characters. First chances and second chances are all possible, and these stories will make you believe in love.

Full of sweet tales, this collection of stories manages to make California itself a character. You feel like you are there in the best way possible. Seriously, if you can't make it out a beach anytime soon, just relax and open this book up. You'll be there in no time. There was a great variety to the stories. Some were tales of instant attraction, while some showed love growing between two people who seemed unlikely to be a good match in the beginning. Some of the stories were about love that had been lost then found. All of them though are about taking a chance on romance and happiness, even if it is not what we thought would happen.

One of my favorites was The Pier Changes Everything. I just found the characters to be realistic and engaging. They had dealt with things in their lives that had shaped them, and that ultimately helped them grow into people who could work on things together. It wasn't a heavy story though. There was lots of lightness and fun well balanced with the more serious parts. Each of the stories in this collection will leave you feeling warm and happy and ready for love. They'll also give you a little piece of California to keep in your heart.

Book provided for review.