Savor the magic of Josie Riviera’s sweet and wholesome contemporary romances—exclusively in one collection!
Cozy up with your favorite beverage and lose yourself in these joyful “seasoned romance” stories featuring older couples—charming heroes and heroines over 50 who fall in love. Because men and women of all ages have exciting, romantic tales worth reading.
This collection includes 3 books:
A CHOCOLATE-BOX SUMMER BREEZE Will Emily and Joe find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze?
A CHOCOLATE-BOX IRISH WEDDING A woman who wanted more. A man who wanted her. Can they rediscover their love in the seaside town where it all began?
1-800-IRELAND A strong minded Irishwoman pursuing her dream. A disillusioned businessman ready to retire. Can two determined people separated by years find true love at the end of a rainbow?
USA TODAY bestselling author Josie Riviera writes contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.
Send her an email at: josieriviera@aol.com
Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter. You'll receive a free sweet romance ebook!
Although I have previously enjoyed reading each of these books, I loved having an excuse to read them a second time. Each includes a recipe related to the story.
A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze
In this story, author Josie Riviera reintroduces us to some characters we have previously met. We learn that Emily Varon, a widow, has remained in contact with Joe Vertucci, a truck driver she had gotten to know when stranded at Olive’s Diner earlier that year. Although there are a few peripheral characters (some of which we only hear about), the book focuses on the two of them.
Emily comes from the country club set, and Joe has a far less sophisticated background. However, they were drawn to each other when they first met and continued to stay in contact via text and telephone calls. They do not meet in person again for 4 months – and they decide to return to Olive’s Diner. They have many differences, one of which is taste is music. He likes rock and she loves musical theatre. He listens to 8 track cartridges and she listens to CDs.
Joe has some rare time off and asks her to join him for a few days at the beach. It is there that they discover many challenges. Joe is overwhelmed and decides it is not possible to pursue romance when there are such major lifestyle differences between them. But can the relationship be saved?
I have to admit that I especially loved the ending reference to the song Memory from the long running Broadway musical, Cats. The meaning can be easily understood from the context, but knowing the song actually makes the end a little stronger.
A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding
This beautifully written romance whisks the reader off to the Irish town of Wexford. High school sweethearts who had gone off to pursue their individual dreams after graduation are there to attend the wedding of her mother to his father. She is divorced and he has never married.
Is there any chance that the old spark between them can be rekindled or will the physical distance between them keep them apart despite their obvious attraction to each other? While Kiera has returned to live in Wexford, Colum teaches dance in another city.
I loved learning about some of the Irish traditions which Josie Riviera intricately weaves into this story.
This novella can easily be read in one sitting, but once again the author has found a way to make the major characters come alive within the limited number of pages.
1-800-IRELAND
Return to Roses, North Carolina in this delightful third installment of Josie Riviera’s 1-800 series. This time we meet Kathleen Kelly, who has recently moved from Ireland to open a new teahouse in Roses. She discovers that getting her new business up and running by St. Patrick’s Day is going to be a time consuming chore.
Rob Taylor, who is a friend of Kathleen’s realtor, owns a chain of bakeries in Miami and has been recruited to come visit to see what he can do to help. He is not your stereotype romantic hero: Rob is an overweight, bald, and older man.
This is a romance, so there is no surprise to the reader when the two are attracted to each other. The relationship appears to be flourishing in spite of the age difference before Kathleen suddenly pulls back from her connection with Rob.
Is there a way to repair the hurt? He owns his bakeries and she has her teahouse. Can they work something out?
This novella is a clean, Christian romance. Pick up your copy of 1-800-Ireland to find out the rest of the story.
april 6 SENIOR HEARTS by Josie Riviera 3 book sin this bundle, for the older people who love romance. ... A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze by Josie Riviera Book starts out with s short introduction about the authors works and sign up for newsletter and free gift. Story start with Emily and she's sitting at the location where she had met Joe from the storm where they were trapped together along with many others as the roads were shut down. They exchanged information and stayed in contact with one another with calls. They learned a lot about each other and felt a great companionship when together. When Joe, a truck driver does arrive they share a nice meal that the diner owner has put together. He's rather a match maker. She had lost her spouse a few years earlier and she feels as if she is intruding on her kids lives. He has a surprise for her and she is agreeable. They are able to drive to a location where she's never been, a rather run down cottage by the sea. She does find faults with it but it will do. She loves the location and scenery and just doing things they want to do, no pressure. Most important is she gets her own room, no pressure! Love the things they do while together but when he drops her off it's a good bye as he feels others see him as chasing after her and her money. It's a wonder if they will ever get back together with one another after the misunderstanding. Love that the couple is older and is in the same age groups as myself. Love hearing of the music and seashore. Story ends with a note from the author and a recipe. Acknowledgements and listing of all the author's other works are listed. I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion. ...
A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding by Josie Riviera Book starts out with praise and reviews. Info about author's newsletter. Story starts out with Colum O'Brien and he's on his way to his father's wedding. He will be in the wedding party and he wonders if the girl next door will be there also. The story also follows Keira (kiki) and she's her mothers choice at the wedding. They are able to reminisce about the days they were dating one another, getting to really know one another. Love hearing of her sewing abilities and how they each followed their dreams-he to be on stage in plays, her on the runway and even a designer. Like hearing what they do now 30 years later and how things were left when they fell apart. You wonder if they will get back together. Like Irish theme in this one and have heard the Irish blessing many times. So touching. Love that this book is about 50er's characters. Recipes included at the end. Note from the author is included. Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion. ... 1-800-IRELAND: A Sweet Contemporary Romance Novella (Flipping For You Book 3) by Josie Riviera Another great story from the author. Have followed this series and enjoyed them all. This one starts out with Kathleen who's relocated from Ireland to NC, a small town called Roses. She lives above her new store-a tea house serving real Irish bread to name a few items on her menu. Candy, the one who set up the apartment and saw to all the new owners needs from the US side also has notified Rob, her friend in FL who bakes cakes and cupcakes in his own shop. He's older and not quite the catch of the day-love this that he's just a regular guy and kinda out of shape. kathleeen has it set in her dreams about her shop but Maureen knows she will need help. Rob needs time away from his own shop so travels there to see what it will need, in his opinion to make it a success. He never expected to find Kathleen so charming! Like the challenge they take part it. So many lovely detailed descriptions, I can just picture it for real. Loved hearing all about starting up the business-priceless information! Some characters from the series make an appearance but you are given all details aobut them so you're not left in the dark. This can be read as a standalone! Irish slang words are explained in the conversations they have. Misunderstandings and you wonder if they will ever get back together to see if they have what it takes to be a couple. Recipe included! Note from the author is included at the end. Acknowledgements and about the author is included. Offer to join first readers group. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Excerpt from Maeve is also included. Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
I really enjoy these stories of romance with older couples.
A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze is the story of Joe and Emily. The book works as a stand alone despite Joe and Emily being two of the folks trapped in the diner in A Chocolate-Box Valentine. I like that Emily and Joe are an older couple. Both characters are interesting. Joe invites Emily for a weekend in a seaside cottage that turns out to be very run down.
A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding is a sweet, heartwarming, second chance romance. While short, Ms. Riviera manages to present a well written, engaging tale of an older couple. She also presents several Irish customs and obviously loves Ireland. Kiki and Column have discovered that their dreams did not play out quite as they imagined. They meet again at the wedding of his father and her mother.
1-800-IRELAND is a heart warming romance between an independent Irish woman and Rob, the Muffin Man. Rob is warm, kind hearted and generous. He is also older, stocky and bald. How nice to find a leading man who is not drop dead gorgeous. I loved this May-December romance.
These stories are reminders that romance isn’t just for the young. Josie Riviera brings romance, humor and a fun story in each.
A Chocolate Box Summer Breeze I loved this story. Having been left a widow at 60, I can identify with Emily’s insecurities about dating. Both Emily and Joe were stepping out of their comfort zones. Josie Riviera managed to bring those insecurities to life. 1-800-Ireland Josie Riviera always brings strong characters and interesting plots. This story is different from most in that Rob is older and definitely financial set while Kathleen is young, idealistic and driven. I loved this story and the way romance developed between them. A Chocolate Box Summer Wedding Sometimes you can go home again and Josie Riviera proves it with this story. Colum and Keira were destined to go separate ways, but were they destined to stay separated? A wedding between their parents brings them both home to Wexford, but can they find their way back to each other. Another wonderful story with humor, romance and a touch of regret.
A CHOCOLATE-BOX SUMMER BREEZE Sometimes the older you get, the more it seems like you've disappeared. So very true. As a 70 year old retiree who loves chocolate and the beach, I could relate with Emily. This retiree also enjoys eating at diners and remembering musicals, the Beatles and a car with an eight-track player. Yes, eight-track cassettes are antiques, just like us. Nostalgia were the beckoning of a summer breeze, lighting the landscape of one's life. This novella is an inspiring read. Even though no mention of a pandemic, this mom can relate to Joe's daughter falling on hard times with no job and debt. Fitting for this unprecedented summer of 2020. Recipe for Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Bars included.
A CHOCOLATE-BOX IRISH WEDDING A Chocolate -Box Irish Wedding is a Second Chance at Love HEA fairy tale. I enjoyed Josie Riviera's descriptive passage of the Wexford Irish country side. Enjoyed the Irish folklore with leprechauns, dreams, love, and blessings. Keira and Colum are brought together by their widowed parents finding love. Relatable characters, page turning plot and a believable resolution makes this a delightful New Year read. Recipe for Irish Soda Bread included.
1-800-IRELAND (May to December Romance) A heart warming read with down to earth characters, a small town North Carolina setting, twist and turn plot, and believable resolution. Enjoy the Flipping For You series about finding true love, regardless of age, at the end of the rainbow. Delectable treats with a recipe for Auntie Peggy's Irish Brown Bread included.
Josie Riviera has treated us again with a wonderful box set featuring delightful Senior adults. All of the books in this set were amazing but A Chocolate Box Irish Wedding was my favorite in the set. Pull up a box of tissues and sit down! Keira and Colum have returned to Wexford for the wedding of their parents. Both are haunted by the memories of that time in the past when they parted to pursue their dreams. Will their meeting again be a joyous occasion or is there too much water under the dam? Very touching story you won’t want to put down until you have finished reading it! Don’t pass up this wonderful set!
A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze – Wonderful story about an established couple finding love after they think romance is in their past. Very heart-warming and sweet with a touch of drama and adventure.
A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding - Sweet story of a couple in their 50’s rekindling their love after decades apart. Wonderful heartwarming read!
1-800-IRELAND – Wonderful story with all the feels. Sometimes love comes along when you least expect or want it. This is a May-December romance that came out of nowhere to hit the hero and heroine straight in the heart. This story is heartwarming, a little heart wrenching and a lot heart lifting.
I wanted to write a collection of sweet, clean, and wholesome "seasoned" romances celebrating mature couples over 50. Men and women of all ages have exciting, heartwarming stories to share. I hope you enjoy these strong, independent heroines and kind, gallant heroes. This collection includes the following 3 books:
A CHOCOLATE-BOX SUMMER BREEZE Will Emily and Joe find their happily-ever-after in a forgotten summer breeze?
A CHOCOLATE-BOX IRISH WEDDING A woman who wanted more. A man who wanted her. Can they rediscover their love in the seaside town where it all began?
1-800-IRELAND A strong minded Irishwoman pursuing her dream. A disillusioned businessman ready to retire. Can two determined people separated by years find true love at the end of a rainbow?
This heartwarming “seasoned” contemporary romance will rekindle your belief in love and a Happily-Ever-After at any age. Readers are saying “I enjoyed the characters,” and “Who says you are too old to find love again?”
Perfect for fans of Debbie Macomber, RaeAnne Thayne, and Susan Mallery, each book celebrates the joy of love.
This sweet and wholesome "later in life" boxed set of romances are available here: mybook.to/SENIORHEARTS
Senior Hearts was a great read by Josie Riviera. This collection includes 3 books: A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze, A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding, and 1-800-Ireland. A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze was another great read by Josie Riviera. Emily is a widow who doesn't believe in love anymore. She isn't looking for love or a relationship, until she meets Joe, another widower. They take the opportunity for a short getaway. A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding was another good read by Josie Riviera. Colum O'Brien is a professional ballet dancer who is still hurt from his break up four decades earlier. He moved on but never forgot his childhood sweetheart, Keira Murphy. They meet again when his father is marrying her mother. Keira is a famous runway model. 1-800-IRELAND (Flipping For You #3) was a great read by Josie Riviera. Kathleen is an Irishwoman in America, looking to renovate her new teahouse. The project takes a turn for the worse when her hard work falls flat. Rob comes to help with his experience with a thriving business. Rob is in Miami while Kathleen is in Roses, NC. I enjoyed reading this book and can't wait to read more by the author.