December 2022 Book of the Month Giveaway

January 23, 2023 04:21 PM Posted by juliannadouglas

During the month of December, I read four full-length novels, one children’s book, and three novellas, most of which had a Christmas theme. Overall, it was a good month, with nearly all of them being enjoyable. However, the romance that came out on top with a five-star rating happened to be one of only two non-holiday themed books I read. It’s by a newer favorite author of mine, from one of my now top-favorite, small-town romance series. In this one we have Grant, the second-oldest McCarthy sibling, paired with Stephanie, the young woman his parents hired to run their Beachcomber restaurant during the summer season. As an award-winning screenwriter, Grant had been in Los Angeles, but he returned home for his sister’s wedding with intentions of wooing back Abby, the woman he’s always believed to be the love of his life. However, Abby is now engaged to someone else, and when Grant meets Stephanie, sparks fly. At the end of the previous book, these two were headed toward a one-night stand, and this book opens in the awkward aftermath of their steamy night together. Overnight a powerful Nor’easter blows in, leaving the residents of the island cut off from the mainland and in the dark, without power, for several days. Grant and Stephanie thought it would only be the one night, but with everything closed down and not much else to do, they get to know each other better, leading to many more passionate encounters that rock both their worlds. Grant learns of Stephanie’s plight with regards to her imprisoned stepfather and decides he wants to help in any way he can. He also comes to the realization that Abby wasn’t the woman for him after all, and that he feels more strongly for Stephanie in just a few days than he ever did for Abby over years. But convincing Steph of his sincerity could be a challenge especially when he’s offered a new, potentially lucrative screenwriting deal that requires him to be back in L.A. in a few short days.

Grant is yet another to-die-for hero in this series who I absolutely fell for. Man-whores in romance seem to be a dime a dozen, so I love that he’s a one-woman kind of guy who’d never been with another woman besides Abby until his night with Stephanie. Then in pretty short order, he’s all-in on Steph. I also adored him for wanting to use his money and influence to help Steph with her problems and that he’s very supportive of her. He’s just an all-around great guy who is sweet, gentle and a passionate lover. Although he didn’t initially think Stephanie was his type, I was glad that he didn’t pine very long over Abby and instead opened his heart to Steph pretty quickly. She also proved to be the muse that he desperately needed. Steph is a young woman who’s had a rough go of it in life. She’s never genuinely known the love of family until meeting the McCarthys and all the other wonderful people on the island. I think she wants to believe it can be hers, but isn’t sure she deserves it, yet her heart is open when things start falling into place. Steph is sweet with a back bone, challenging Grant in a way Abby never did and matching his passion with a fire of her own. I loved and related to her very much. She’s a strong, determined woman, but open to letting Grant help her when he offers. Although she has a hard time believing that it will actually work out between them, she gradually lets him in and is surprised by what she finds. These two were great together, and I’m absolutely certain I’ll see more of them as the series progresses. The supporting characters give the series lots of flavor and many different perspectives, and I loved learning what’s going on in the lives of the people we’ve already met, as well as meeting new ones who’ll play roles down the line. It was an absolute pleasure to read. That’s why I’m naming Marie Force’s Falling for Love as my December Book of the Month. If you enjoy a gentle, passionate hero paired with a slightly tortured heroine who could use a little help in a fun, emotional, and steamy story, then you should definitely give this book a try. Keep reading to learn how you can win a copy for your own library.

Falling for Love Book Cover

Cover Blurb-

Sometimes you need a nudge in the right direction . . .

Ever since he won an Academy Award for best original screenplay, Grant McCarthy's personal and professional lives have fallen apart. Worst of all, Abby, the woman he was supposed to marry, is engaged to someone else. And with his father recovering from a serious injury, Grant is back at home on Gansett Island helping run the family marina. He should be focused on winning back the love of his life, but he's got a new distraction to deal with . . .

Exasperating, annoyingly sexy Stephanie, who runs the marina restaurant, is working her way under Grant's skin--and into his bed. And as a major tropical storm cuts off Gansett Island--and the two of them--from the mainland, Grant begins to suspect Stephanie is hiding something big from her past. When he finds out what it is, what will be more important to him? Winning Abby back or helping Stephanie to right a terrible wrong--and maybe even getting his own life back on track in the process?

Read my complete review of Falling for Love.

Giveaway
If you would like to win a copy of Falling for Love to see how wonderful it is for yourself, just enter the Rafflecopter giveaway below. One lucky winner will receive their choice of an eBook or print copy of the book. If the winner chooses an eBook, I will gift it to them via the eBook retailer of their choice (Amazon or B & N). If the winner chooses a print copy, I will have it mailed directly to them via Amazon. Good luck!

International Entrants: You are welcome to enter my contest, but please note that not all eBooks are available in all countries due to copyright restrictions. If this is the case, Amazon offers an option to trade for a gift card (I'm not sure about B & N). If you choose print, I can mail it to you via the Amazon website that services your country, pending availability and cost. Otherwise I will mail it to you via U. S. Amazon's standard international shipping, but it may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive, and I may not have the capability of tracking the package.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Categories: Book of the Month, Giveaways

Tags: Marie Force