Love on the Slopes review

About the book:

Jessa Hartley is haunted by memories of the night she threw herself at her childhood crush, Dominic DeRenzi – and he turned her away. Years later, Jessa has managed to put the past behind her and climb up the ranks as head instructor of the ski lodge she one day hopes to purchase. Only her plans take a nosedive when the smooth talking Italian shows back up in town. Even worse, he’s planning on purchasing her lodge.

After surviving a disastrous marriage, Dominic DeRenzi returns to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, hoping to make a fresh start for him and his six year old son by purchasing the old ski lodge. Until a chance encounter with Jessa Hartley throws his well laid plans off track. The once innocent girl from his childhood has grown into the beautiful woman he always knew she would become, and he is painfully reminded of the night he overstepped his bounds and kissed her. Then broke her heart by sending her away.
 
Rekindling the flames of their past isn’t part of the plan, yet Dominic and Jessa soon find they’re helpless to stop the fire that burns brightly between them. He broke her heart the first time he left, but can he make her see this time around he’s here to stay?
 
Review:
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Generally I gravitate toward dystopian or fantasy books, but when I received the opportunity to review Amy Manemann's contemporary romance, Love on the Slopes, I took it. It was a refreshing genre change that quickly pulled me in and took me on an emotional roller coaster that only a love story can do.

Basically, a childhood crush develops into "more" when Dominic DeRenzi buys the ski lodge that Jessa Hartley works at. Dominic left Jessa when he was 18 to go into the family business. This caused him to leave the country. After an unplanned pregnancy turns into a failed marriage, Dominic and his son seek to put down roots and start a new life through this new acquisition. Jessa felt spurned when Dominic left, but the spark that was between them as teenagers rekindles into a flame. Both are hesitant to jump into a relationship, but when you have chemistry, it just becomes too difficult to deny mutual feelings. 
 
The story is told through a dual point of view. Mostly readers are in Jessa's head. The story will suddenly switch POVs to Dominic's without much distinction. I like that we received a taste of Dominic's mind throughout the book, but I wish that sections of the story were more defined by his perspective. I would love if we could have more info on his prior marriage. Maybe Manemann will write a prequel novella for us.
 
One small detail I thought was odd in the book involved a trauma scene. A skier had a crash and was unconscious. Jessa calmly took in the situation and directed Dominic on what to do. Dominic owns at least one other ski resort, maybe more. If he's involved in the ski resort industry, I thought he would have more "know how" than what he did. Jessa may be more familiar with handling accidents than Dominic, but Dominic should have been more proactive in that scene than just waiting for Jessa to tell him what to do.

Jessa's family's involvement in the story really added personality and tension. I loved when they were involved in scenes. Dominic struggles on how to tell her brothers that he and Jessa are an items. It is a black cloud looming over their relationship. The brothers are very distinctive and seem like guys you would love to hang around. I like to see if anything will develop between Jessa friend, Lucy, and her brother, Jett.

Just when you think the story is wrapping up, Manemann throws a little drama in. Someone from Dominic's past sneaks back into his life. Dominic must choose between love or family. Luckily his choice is a no brainer. Don't want to give spoilers here, so you will just have to read the book. 
 
Since this is a contemporary romance book, there is romance. Sexual situations between the characters is suggested. Manemann doesn't explicitly describe the actions. The scenes are cut short of the action, or described as a memory of the event.

Readers who love contemporary romances, especially when the setting is ski lodges, should check out Love on the Slopes. It is a light hearted, fun story. 

Love on the Slopes releases April 30, 2015!

About author Amy Manemann:

Amy Manemann is an International Best Selling Author. She writes sexy and intriguing romantic suspense, contemporary romance, young adult paranormal romance, and dabbles in children's books. She resides in her hometown along the Mississippi river with her husband and their two children.

When she isn't plotting her next book, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and diving into a good book. Her newest release, Love on the Slopes, is her first foray into contemporary romance and will release on April 30th.

Amy is also a site administrator for the World Literary Café, an online literary community for authors and readers. www.worldliterarycafe.com.

You can connect with Amy at www.amymanemann.blogspot.com or on Facebook

Five Stages of Falling in Love

Today I'm excited to help promote Rachel Higginson's new book, The 5 Stages of Falling in Love. Like contemporary romance? Then you will definitely want to grab this one!
   

About the book:

Elizabeth Carlson is living in the pits of hell- also known as grief.

Her husband of eight years, the father of her four children and the love of her life, died from cancer. Grady’s prognosis was grim, even from the start, but Liz never gave up hope he would survive. How could she, when he was everything to her?

Six months later, she is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and get the kids to school on time. Both seem impossible. Everything seems impossible these days.

When Ben Tyler moves in next door, she is drowning in sorrow and pain, her children are acting out, and the house is falling apart. She has no time for curious new friends or unwanted help, but Ben gives her both. And he doesn’t just want to help her with yard work or cleaning the gutters. Ben wants more from Liz. More than she’s capable of ever giving again.

As Liz mourns her dead husband and works her way through the five stages of grief, she finds there’s more of her heart to give than she thought possible. And as new love takes hold, she peels away the guilt and heartache, and discovers there’s more to life than death.

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About author Rachel Higginson:
Rachel Higginson is the creator of The Star-Crossed Series, Love & Decay Novella Series, The Starbright Series, The Siren Series, Bet on Us and the soon to be released, The Five Stages of Falling in Love! She is also the co-creator of the podcast "Zach & Rachel Take Over the World."

She was born and raised in Nebraska, and spent her college years traveling the world. She fell in love with Eastern Europe, Paris, Indian Food and the beautiful beaches of Sri Lanka, but came back home to marry her high school sweetheart. Now she spends her days raising four amazing kids. In the few spare moments she has to herself, she is either reading for hours on end or writing her own stories.

Find Rachel:   Website   Facebook   Twitter