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Cooking Up Kisses: Five Sweetly Scrumptious Romance Novellas
LOVE ON A DARE BY MARY MANNERS
Alana Mulvaney’s life is in a holding pattern. Consumed by day-to-day operations of the family business, Alana has no time for fun or romance. But a little fun and a whole lot of romance is just what Alana’s sisters have in mind when they learn childhood friend Donovan O’Reilly has returned to town.
Donovan O’Reilly has loved Alana Mulvaney since he moved in next door to her at the age of five. But he broke her heart when he was forced to leave town, and now that he’s returned home to Winding Ridge he has a second chance to prove himself. But is it too late to earn her trust…and her love…again?
HUMMINGBIRD KISSES BY DELIA LATHAM
Toni Littlebird believes that when she meets the man God created for her, she’ll know—and she’ll love him in that very moment.
But then Dax Hendrick roars into Hummingbird Hollow on a noisy, crippled Harley, stinking up the air and chasing away her beloved hummingbirds. One look into the intruder’s eyes and her heart sinks. He’s “The One.” She’d been right about knowing, but wrong about something far more She will never love this man!
HEARTS ON THE HARBOR BY ROBIN BAYNE
Cara Peyton is content with her life, her trendy Baltimore bookshop is perfect for her. But when her ex turns up to remodel the store, asking for a second chance, she’s torn and unsure about risking her heart again. Can he convince her to trust him, and God, before the job is finished?
HIS VALENTINE PROMISE BY DORA HIERS
Another Valentine’s Day and Quinn Randolph prefers to spend it with her sweet rescue lab. Who needs men and their broken promises? Especially Pierce Karson’s! Years ago, his desertion shattered her. Now he’s trying to steal the property she targeted to expand her florist shop! Pierce only wants to belong…and for Quinn to choose him. His Valentine Promise…
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN IN A RED DRESS BY ZOE M. McCARTHY
Candace Parks lives a passionless life in Richmond. The computer programmer returns to the empty family home in the Blue Ridge Mountains solely to evaluate her job, faith, and boyfriend. Her high school crush, Trigg Alderman, who barely remembers her, visits his Gram next door. Sorting her life out? How about nothing of the sort!
Alana Mulvaney’s life is in a holding pattern. Consumed by day-to-day operations of the family business, Alana has no time for fun or romance. But a little fun and a whole lot of romance is just what Alana’s sisters have in mind when they learn childhood friend Donovan O’Reilly has returned to town.
Donovan O’Reilly has loved Alana Mulvaney since he moved in next door to her at the age of five. But he broke her heart when he was forced to leave town, and now that he’s returned home to Winding Ridge he has a second chance to prove himself. But is it too late to earn her trust…and her love…again?
HUMMINGBIRD KISSES BY DELIA LATHAM
Toni Littlebird believes that when she meets the man God created for her, she’ll know—and she’ll love him in that very moment.
But then Dax Hendrick roars into Hummingbird Hollow on a noisy, crippled Harley, stinking up the air and chasing away her beloved hummingbirds. One look into the intruder’s eyes and her heart sinks. He’s “The One.” She’d been right about knowing, but wrong about something far more She will never love this man!
HEARTS ON THE HARBOR BY ROBIN BAYNE
Cara Peyton is content with her life, her trendy Baltimore bookshop is perfect for her. But when her ex turns up to remodel the store, asking for a second chance, she’s torn and unsure about risking her heart again. Can he convince her to trust him, and God, before the job is finished?
HIS VALENTINE PROMISE BY DORA HIERS
Another Valentine’s Day and Quinn Randolph prefers to spend it with her sweet rescue lab. Who needs men and their broken promises? Especially Pierce Karson’s! Years ago, his desertion shattered her. Now he’s trying to steal the property she targeted to expand her florist shop! Pierce only wants to belong…and for Quinn to choose him. His Valentine Promise…
THE INVISIBLE WOMAN IN A RED DRESS BY ZOE M. McCARTHY
Candace Parks lives a passionless life in Richmond. The computer programmer returns to the empty family home in the Blue Ridge Mountains solely to evaluate her job, faith, and boyfriend. Her high school crush, Trigg Alderman, who barely remembers her, visits his Gram next door. Sorting her life out? How about nothing of the sort!
516 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 18, 2018
58 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Mary Manners
125 books149 followersMary Manners is a country girl at heart who ives in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee with her husband Tim and their rescue dog Axel, cats Colby and Rascal, chickens and an aquarium teeming with fish.
Mary writes stories full of faith and hope. Her books have earned multiple accolades including two Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.
Mary loves long sunrise runs, Smoky Mountain sunsets, and flavored coffee. She enjoys connecting with reader friends through her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.
Mary writes stories full of faith and hope. Her books have earned multiple accolades including two Inspirational Reader’s Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, the Aspen Gold, the Heart of Excellence, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award.
Mary loves long sunrise runs, Smoky Mountain sunsets, and flavored coffee. She enjoys connecting with reader friends through her website: www.MaryMannersRomance.com.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 28, 2018
Cooking Up Kisses was a compilation of five Christian romance novellas. I have provided an overall rating as well as individual ratings under each short review.
Overall Rating: 3.25
Novella One: Love on a Dare, Mary Manners
Rating: 3 Stars
Alana was the oldest of the Mulvaney sisters. They ran the fledgling Mulvaney’s Irish Eatery which Alana was responsible for the books while the others cooked. Donovan O’Reilly was her childhood sweetheart that left her with a broken heart a decade earlier. He was back and with a small town their paths crossed constantly. Love on a Dare was a sappy second chance romance. It was low on angst and high on sweetness. It was well written but had a few editing errors. As with any novella, the main challenge was developing depth with the backstory while also being short and to the point. I liked the premise and in the end, it fit the mold of short and sweet.
Novella Two:
Hummingbird Kisses, Delia Latham
Rating: 3 Star
Toni Littlebird was the owner of Inn the Hollow, Hummingbird Hollow’s only Bed and Breakfast. She was mystical, spiritual and flighty. She also danced and communicated with the Hummingbird’s every morning. Dax Hendrick was the Harley riding architect that was the new arrival to the Hollow. Latham took us quickly through their insta-Love philosophies. It too was low on angst and high on sweetness.
Novella Three: Hearts on the Harbor, Robin Bayne
Rating: 3 Star
Cara Peyton and Jackson Bridger were sweethearts and on the verge of being married when Jackson had the fame bug and left Cara behind. Nearly eight years later it only was he back, but he was back for her. In the end it was a story of forgiveness and new beginnings.
Novella Four: His Valentine Promise, Dora Hiers
Rating: 3 Star
Quinn Randolph and Pierce Karson were childhood sweethearts. Pierce went away to college and Quinn stayed home. Ten years later, Pierce inherited his parents home and returned to their small town. It was a quick journey of reconnecting, forgiveness, second chances and making up for lost time.
Novella Five: The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress, Zoe M. McCarthy
Rating: 4 Star
Candace Parks was floating through life feeling invisible. She wanted a passion and took some vacation time back in her small home town to refresh and reevaluate. Trigg Alderman went back to his home town to visit and care for his grandmother. He reconnected with Candace, his grand mother’s next door neighbor. Of all the novella’s, this one had the most depth and back story. Although there were a few editing errors, it was otherwise well written and enjoyable.
For all of the short stories, it is recommended for those wanting zero angst and quick love from a Christian perspective.
I received this book free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book. This was my honest review.
Overall Rating: 3.25
Novella One: Love on a Dare, Mary Manners
Rating: 3 Stars
Alana was the oldest of the Mulvaney sisters. They ran the fledgling Mulvaney’s Irish Eatery which Alana was responsible for the books while the others cooked. Donovan O’Reilly was her childhood sweetheart that left her with a broken heart a decade earlier. He was back and with a small town their paths crossed constantly. Love on a Dare was a sappy second chance romance. It was low on angst and high on sweetness. It was well written but had a few editing errors. As with any novella, the main challenge was developing depth with the backstory while also being short and to the point. I liked the premise and in the end, it fit the mold of short and sweet.
Novella Two:
Hummingbird Kisses, Delia Latham
Rating: 3 Star
Toni Littlebird was the owner of Inn the Hollow, Hummingbird Hollow’s only Bed and Breakfast. She was mystical, spiritual and flighty. She also danced and communicated with the Hummingbird’s every morning. Dax Hendrick was the Harley riding architect that was the new arrival to the Hollow. Latham took us quickly through their insta-Love philosophies. It too was low on angst and high on sweetness.
Novella Three: Hearts on the Harbor, Robin Bayne
Rating: 3 Star
Cara Peyton and Jackson Bridger were sweethearts and on the verge of being married when Jackson had the fame bug and left Cara behind. Nearly eight years later it only was he back, but he was back for her. In the end it was a story of forgiveness and new beginnings.
Novella Four: His Valentine Promise, Dora Hiers
Rating: 3 Star
Quinn Randolph and Pierce Karson were childhood sweethearts. Pierce went away to college and Quinn stayed home. Ten years later, Pierce inherited his parents home and returned to their small town. It was a quick journey of reconnecting, forgiveness, second chances and making up for lost time.
Novella Five: The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress, Zoe M. McCarthy
Rating: 4 Star
Candace Parks was floating through life feeling invisible. She wanted a passion and took some vacation time back in her small home town to refresh and reevaluate. Trigg Alderman went back to his home town to visit and care for his grandmother. He reconnected with Candace, his grand mother’s next door neighbor. Of all the novella’s, this one had the most depth and back story. Although there were a few editing errors, it was otherwise well written and enjoyable.
For all of the short stories, it is recommended for those wanting zero angst and quick love from a Christian perspective.
I received this book free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily reviewed this book. This was my honest review.
January 23, 2018
I loved each one of these stories. Engaging, well written and fun, I totally enjoyed all five stories. From broken hearts to newly met couples, the ups and downs of relationships drives each one. Thoroughly enjoyable. Highly recommend.
February 3, 2018
Wonderful set of sweet inspirational romances.
Love on a Dare
Cute romance story. Alana and Donovan have know each other since they was small. Always thought they end up married right away but Donovan ran away from town. Something happened and he had to left without explaining it to Alana. Now he is back in town can he earn trust from her and rekindle the love they once had? Another wonderful romance by Mary.
Hummingbird Kisses
Delia's books are always such a inspiration. Toni Littlebird is waiting on a perfect mate. She knows all she needs to do is wait. She has faith God will bring him to her. But how can she love this Harley driving man. He even scared the hummingbirds. Really is this the one God can have in mind? Will she be obedient to the Lord? Wonder sweet inspirational romance.
Hearts on the Harbor
Cara is happy with her life just the way it is. Running her own bookstore but needing more room and a remodel. Who applies for the job but her ex. Now how is this ever going to work out. God gives us second chances will Cara give him another chance? Sweet romance.
His Valentine Promise
Quinn is done on love her and her dog for company is enough for her. A man leaves you then tries to return to her life and of all things he is going after the same property she wants for her shop. Has all her procrastination ruined it for her? Why in the world does he need the property is just going to leave!. Will she see what he really wants from her? Loved the characters.
The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress
Candace returns to her home in the mountains. It is time for a change and a rethinking of what she wants with her life , her job and even a boyfriend. Does the guy she has her eye on even remember her? Cute romance.
Love on a Dare
Cute romance story. Alana and Donovan have know each other since they was small. Always thought they end up married right away but Donovan ran away from town. Something happened and he had to left without explaining it to Alana. Now he is back in town can he earn trust from her and rekindle the love they once had? Another wonderful romance by Mary.
Hummingbird Kisses
Delia's books are always such a inspiration. Toni Littlebird is waiting on a perfect mate. She knows all she needs to do is wait. She has faith God will bring him to her. But how can she love this Harley driving man. He even scared the hummingbirds. Really is this the one God can have in mind? Will she be obedient to the Lord? Wonder sweet inspirational romance.
Hearts on the Harbor
Cara is happy with her life just the way it is. Running her own bookstore but needing more room and a remodel. Who applies for the job but her ex. Now how is this ever going to work out. God gives us second chances will Cara give him another chance? Sweet romance.
His Valentine Promise
Quinn is done on love her and her dog for company is enough for her. A man leaves you then tries to return to her life and of all things he is going after the same property she wants for her shop. Has all her procrastination ruined it for her? Why in the world does he need the property is just going to leave!. Will she see what he really wants from her? Loved the characters.
The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress
Candace returns to her home in the mountains. It is time for a change and a rethinking of what she wants with her life , her job and even a boyfriend. Does the guy she has her eye on even remember her? Cute romance.
February 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this sweet collection. Three of the stories, Love on a Dare, Hearts of the Harbor, and His Valentine Promise were “re-uniting with the ex-“ type of stories, which are always fun to read. Hummingbird Kisses was unlike any book I remember reading and I really liked it because it was different. The Invisible Woman in a Red Dress has a girl who isn’t sure where her life is going and is trying to sort it out. I really liked that one, too. This was a great collection of stories that I would recommend for a fun Valentine read.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from one of the authors and was not required to post a positive review.
I received a Kindle copy of this book from one of the authors and was not required to post a positive review.
February 2, 2018
Here are five easy, lighthearted stories just in time for Valentine's Day, written by five authors with like-mindedness for clean romance. All are centered on five female protagonists who have either given up on love or are too preoccupied to believe in its reality. Whether reuniting with an old flame or finding their first heartthrob, love is always around the most unexpected corner of life's journey. All five authors illustrate this well with the use of scripture without the need for graphic content, a most admirable and welcome trait of any decent writer these days. All stories are also written in a moving, but light-hearted, which makes it hard not to finish in one sitting.
June 5, 2019
QUICK READS ON LOVE
I’d never read anything from any of these authors, so this was an interesting switch from the mail-order bride stories I’ve been reading lately. I particularly love Christmas stories any time of year, and this book had a few of those. I typically don’t like novellas because they either seem to end on a cliff-hanger, where you just know there had to be more, or the characters and/or plot seem too underdeveloped and you want to know more. There were a few of those in this set, but some of them surprised me in how well they were done, despite how short they were.
I’d never read anything from any of these authors, so this was an interesting switch from the mail-order bride stories I’ve been reading lately. I particularly love Christmas stories any time of year, and this book had a few of those. I typically don’t like novellas because they either seem to end on a cliff-hanger, where you just know there had to be more, or the characters and/or plot seem too underdeveloped and you want to know more. There were a few of those in this set, but some of them surprised me in how well they were done, despite how short they were.
February 19, 2018
An anthology of Christian Romances, Cooking Up Kisses are all clean stories that can be read by any age group. They are mostly second chance romances, involve forgiveness and the characters putting their trust in God's plan for their lives. All of them include food and delightful recipes at the end of each book. I particularly enjoyed the somewhat whimsical Hummingbird Kisses, however all of the books made lighthearted, enjoyable Valentine reading. I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.
March 15, 2018
Cooking up kisses is a set of 5 wonderful sweet and inspirational romance books, suitable for reading for all age groups. 'Love on a dare', 'hearts on the harbor' and 'his Valentine promise' are second chance romances with forgiveness as the main theme. 'Hummingbird kisses' and 'the invincible woman in red' are fantastic stories too. I love these collections and recommend it for reading. "I received this book for free from eBook discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review ".
January 23, 2018
Excellent Reading
My suggestion would be to get comfy and cozy because you are in for some fun and clean romantic stories. All five stories are great.
My suggestion would be to get comfy and cozy because you are in for some fun and clean romantic stories. All five stories are great.
January 23, 2018
I really enjoyed this book.
March 9, 2018
If you need a quick feel good book fix, any of the novellas included in this collection can fix you right up.
March 12, 2018
This is a great collection of romance stories that are sure to warm your heart. They are sweet romances and I enjoyed all of the stories. I fully recommend for a nice easy relaxing read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews