Natural Born Charmer

By Susan Elizabeth Phillips,

Book cover of Natural Born Charmer

Book description

When millionaire Dean Robillard meets Blue Bailey, she couldn't be more down on her luck; her ex has stolen all her money and she's got no place to go. A football hero, Dean is taking a holiday while recovering from a career-threatening injury. He'd planned a solo road trip to…

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Why read it?

3 authors picked Natural Born Charmer as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Romance with a side of attempted murder, anyone?

When I read a Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, I am immediately dropped in the middle of an intangible situation and this book delivers, over and over. Dean Robilard and Blue Bailey are two scared children living in adult bodies, and hiding within the confines of their complicated lives, and pasts marred by trauma.

I love messy characters trying and failing at life because their transformation is so satisfying. I always wonder, “How the hell are they going to get out of this?” The music element, this time in rock and roll, again…

This contemporary romance opens with a headless beaver marching down the road. I mean, come on. How can you not be hooked? The hero of the piece, Dean Robillard, can’t resist pulling over to offer “the beav,” aka Blue Bailey, a ride. Given he’s a hot, rich, famous jock, and she tells him to beat it, you know it’s going to be a fun ride. Hands down, this is the best opening scene I’ve ever read. The banter is hysterical and the way Blue and Dean manipulate one another is priceless. But it’s not all fun and games. These characters…

From Jeri's list on lively characters and witty banter.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is hands down my favorite author for her humor, her voice, and her willingness to put older heroines in her books.

Natural Born Charmer has a wonderful B Story about a charismatic but aging rock star and a beautiful fifty-two-year-old woman trying to make peace with her rock and roll past. I don't want to admit how many times I’ve read it.

From Susan's list on romances with seasoned heroines.

Return to Hope Creek

By Alyssa J. Montgomery,

Book cover of Return to Hope Creek

Alyssa J. Montgomery Author Of A Spanish Seduction

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’m an Australian USA Today bestselling romance author who writes contemporary romance and uses the pen name Alyssa James to write medieval romance. I think the makeover trope resonates with me because although I’m no beauty queen now, I was definitely an ugly duckling in my teens. For reasons best known to him, my father insisted on close-cropped hair, and financial circumstances dictated out-of-style hand-me-down clothing. After university, I found my own style, but it wasn’t until I was accepted as an international flight attendant that I believed that I couldn’t be all that ugly if Qantas employed me!

Alyssa's book list on makeover romances

What is my book about?

Return to Hope Creek is a second-chance rural romance set in Australia.

Stella Simpson's career and engagement are over. She returns to the rural community of Hope Creek to heal, unaware her high school and college sweetheart, Mitchell Scott, has also moved back to town to do some healing of his own.

Mitchell, a former NFL quarterback, doesn't need the complication of encountering Stella again so long after the messy end to their relationship, but as each tries to build a new life, they are drawn together and find their chemistry is just as strong as ever.

Will their love be stronger the second time around?

Return to Hope Creek

By Alyssa J. Montgomery,

What is this book about?

When two old flames come back to their home town, sparks are bound to ignite. A rural romance from USA Today bestselling author Alyssa J. Montgomery.


A horrific car accident ended former world number-one Stella Simpson’s tennis career, and a betrayal ended her relationship with her fiancé/coach. When a family friend offers to sell her half of a property in the rural community where she grew up, it seems like the perfect place to escape, heal and begin the next phase of her life. Until she discovers that the man who broke her heart ten years ago has bought the…


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