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The weather outsideis frightful,but kisses by the fireare so delightful . . .
Sue Ann Simpkins is workinghard to rebuild her life andfind some holiday spirit.A weekend away fromDestiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex’s best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that’s not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?
Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam’s been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he’s admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann . . .
Toni Blake's lifelong love of writing began when she won an essay contest in the fifth grade. Soon after, she penned her first novel—nineteen notebook pages long. Since then, Toni has become a multi-published, RITA®-nominated author of contemporary romance novels that are both sexy and heartwarming. Toni lives with her husband in the Midwest and, when not writing, she enjoys traveling, quilting, and scrapbooking.
Sue Ann Simpkins is recovering from her husband's decision to walk away from their perfect marriage. She cannot believe that he could just leave her and her daughter after all these years. Sue Ann is going to rebuild she is just not sure how but if there is a way to shake the snow from her shoes it is going to happen.
Adam Becker has been down the path of relationship recovery and never thought he would be the go to man. However, Adam has always had more than friendship thoughts toward Sue Ann. So if he is there to help her resolve her issues, maybe at the same time he can convince her to trust her heart and give them a try.
Santa Claus is having trouble fulfilling everyone's wish list this year. Santa may have an easier time getting a reindeer in your backyard than Sue Ann to open her eyes to Adam's intentions. What Adam has to show Sue Ann besides love is that you do not have to be the perfect couple to have the perfect relationship and play some reindeer games.
This great addition to the Destiny series proves Toni Blake knows how to keep the characters fresh, and the storyline exciting. Ms. Blake weaves a new story in with the previous ones showing the reader the variety of romance available.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Following her husband dumping her for someone else, Sue Ann Simpkins decides to take a break from the custody issue involving their child Sophie and her lack of money. She leaves Destiny, Ohio for a getaway weekend.
Adam Becker feels lonely with his two sons spending the holidays with their mother. He heads to a cabin to wallow in drink by himself.
At the cabin, Adam and Sue Ann meet in surprise. They know each other as he is the godfather of her daughter and the best friend to her ex. A snow storm strands the pair who with the help of alcohol acts on their long time attraction. However, though they each realize they love one another, she distrusts males with her heart; even one kind to her Sophie.
The fourth Destiny contemporary romance (see One Reckless Summer, Sugar Creek and Whisper Falls) is a sweet second chance romance starring two divorce war wounded warriors falling in love. The lead couple is an intriguing pairing while the townsfolk provide a sense of coming home to readers. Filled with angst and inanity, fans will enjoy visiting Destiny as we will never think of reindeers in the same way.
Harriet Klausner
4 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.LASR_Reviews
Posted September 24, 2011
Starting over is not as easy as people think, especially when you need to start over in the same town that your ex husband is living with his new wife.
Sue Ann is a Destiny child, born and raised in Destiny and then raising her daughter in the small town she loves.
But her husband decided the upset her perfect world by admitting that he no longer loves her and does love someone else. His betrayal is more than she can take. So a couple of days in the mountains, away from everyone is just what the doctor orders until the resort overbooks the cabin she is staying and in walks a man. But not just any man, her ex-husband's best friend, Adam Becker.
Throw in a snowstorm, lock her up in a romantic cabin with Adam, mix in a couple of drinks and uh oh, Adam is not only looking very sexy but then the kissing begins and then clothes start flying. But this is the Adam that is a steady part of her life, the godfather to her daughter, the voice of reason for her scattered life. Sue Ann is not of the trusting nature about men right now and Adam may be right guy but at the wrong time. His caring, trust and love overwhelm her but at the same time she desires him more than ever.
A phone call from her exhusband puts Adam in a no win situation but his feelings for Sue Ann complicate his relationship with his lifelong friend.
Sue Ann is a hardened woman who is out to protect her heart and her daughter but Adam is the perfect man who loves with his whole being. And he loves Sue Ann. Just what will it take for them to meet in the middle, make a memorable Christmas and a life together?
This is book four in the Destiny series and Toni Blake keeps it fresh and fun. Visitors from the previous books catch you up with the lives of Destiny's lovers and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the roads their lives have taken.
A good book and a good series that I highly recommend.
Originally posted at The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Candlegirl
Posted August 23, 2012
You cant help but get sucked into this series!! I have read them all and will read them all again!! Worth every penny!!!
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.A great second-chance-at-love romance between Adam and Sue Ann though this is not my favorite of the Destiny series.
The story is a take on 'A Christmas Carol' and had a enjoyable look in to Adam's could have/should have past, present, and possible future.
We are blindsided by Sue Anne's husband leaving her for another woman and her subsequent divorce. The near perfect Sue Anne from the previous books is lost and trying to find her way through with providing as normal a life for her 7 year old daughter.
Sue Ann drove me crazy a bit with her push-pull relationship with Adam, I understand what drove her to be protective of herself but at times I wanted to scream in frustration, I didn't think Adam was all that bad of a guy. Adam had his own issues to deal with in regards to Sue Anne as she was his best friends now ex-wife. Adam harbored a secret crush on her back in their younger days but didn't act on it because of Jeff. Sue Anne was a fantasy to reality for Adam. Jeff made me so mad whit him showing up all over town with his new wife and his treatment of Sue Anne, it was nice to finally see Sue Anne grow a backbone and stand up to him towards the end of the story.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 25, 2012
Such a sweet sexy story. A must read from this wonderful author. Can't wait for the net o e in the series
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 25, 2012
I LUUVED THE WHOLE DESTINY SERIES!!! THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE, AFTER FINISHING THIS BOOK I WAS LEFT WANTING TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS SERIES!!! THANKFULLY SHE PROVIDED MORE CANT WAIT TO READ AMY'S STORY NEXT!!!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 2, 2012
This is my least favorite of the series. Started off good in the middle it drug out. About to read the last in the series. Good summer reads!,
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 28, 2012
Great Series. I highly recommend starting with bk 1, One Reckless Summer. Toni Blake has a way with words. You can connect with the characters. I couldn't wait for #5, now I have it and I love it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 29, 2012
A great read by a great author. Looking forward to Series #5!! Recommend Holly Lane Highly!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 15, 2012
I have really enjoyed all her books.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.romancereaderIL
Posted November 30, 2011
Toni Blake is one of my favorites, my only complaint is there's not enough books! Holly Lane is a great holiday story. I had this on pre-order for months, and I wasn't disappointed. I've read the other Destiny books, so I was familiar with the characters.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WARNING READING HOLLY LANE:
will result in a strong urge to skip Halloween and head straight to the day after Thanksgiving, start playing Christmas tunes, put up your Christmas tree, break out the mistletoe and even wear a Christmas sweater...oh and get a fan and a bottle of water because Adam and Sue Ann know how to start a fire!!!
OMG!!! I FREAKIN' LOVE HOLLY LANE!!! All I can say is it is full of emotions, healing, adorable Holiday stuff and a Christmas morning scene that made me bawl like a baby. It is so full of Christmas feel good stuff I want to skip right through Halloween and put my tree up.
Sue Ann is still reeling, six months after her divorce. She is trying to get her head on straight to make sure her daughter Sophie has a great Christmas, in spite of the fact Sophie's world has drastically change, so she goes off for a weekend by herself in a secluded cabin. Adam is lonely and grumpy because his twin sons have gone off for the holidays with his ex in-laws, so he heads off to the secluded cabin he and his boys usually go to Thanksgiving weekend by himself to be alone.
Adam and Jenny get double booked in the same cabin and end up being snowed in. The chemistry that explodes between the two is HOT and uncontrollable for both parties. The next morning they agree it can only be a one time thing, because they have known each other since elementary school and the fact that Adam is Sue Ann's ex-husband's best friend.
Once they are back in Destiny they both realize their one night was more than sex. Sue Ann has big time trust issues because of her ex. Adam has a secret that NO ONE except his ex-wife knows about and that he knows will keep Sue Ann from wanting to even try a relationship. Even with these issues Adam and Sue Ann are drawn to each other. Adam is an amazing guy, with a HUGE heart, one who made a mistake and continues to punish him self for it. There were times when I wanted to shake both of them for things they did or said to each other, however their words and actions were realistic, given their back stories and the fact they were trying to protect their own hearts and do what they think is the right thing.
Sue Ann's daughter Sophie is adorable. The glimpses we get of Tessa, Amy, Jenny, Mick and Mike are great. Then there is the added drama going on between Jenny and Mick. I LOVE that TB is BRAVE enough to show that even though a H/h has had their HEA, there are still issues that come up in the relationship.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the Holiday tidbits and the "Christmas Carol" spin TB put in Holly Lane, it was refreshing to see an old classic with modern people.
One of the reasons I enjoy Toni Blake's books so much is that she creates characters who are "real" they could be your next door neighbors. YES Adam's secret is bad, but I don't know ONE truly perfect person in this world. Holly Lane is a story about love, forgiveness, moving forward in life all brought together with the magic of Christmas.
Holly Lane can be read as a stand alone, but it will make you want to go back and read the first three of the series to learn more about each couple and the relationship of all the friends.
Right now at guiltypleasuresbookreviews dot com we have an interview with Toni Blake and a chance to win an autographed copy of ONE RECKLESS SUMMER, Destiny book 1. See Site for details, contest ends 10/31/11
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 24, 2013
I Also Recommend:
This is a fun, adorable and romantic book. It puts a spark back into Christmas and sends readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Sue Ann is a strong woman who only cares about making her daughter happy in the most difficult time of her life. Any mother that has gone through, or is going through, a divorce will appreciate the attentiveness that Blake had when writing this book. Adam is a thoughtful and caring guy who happens to be going through a hard time. Blake is careful to point out that jumping into a relationship will not make all his problems go away, but having to love and love him in return certainly makes the days easier. If you love the Destiny series, then this book does not disappoint. And, added bonus, you get a better look into Jenny and Mick’s relationship, and the new journey they’re about to take!
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Posted March 31, 2013
Name hollykit age range 16+ time 4:57 personality nice caring and shy look black she cat
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Posted March 16, 2013
YOU MUST READ ALL BOOKS IN THIS SERIES.
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Posted March 22, 2013
I was a little disappointed on this book. It fell flat a bit borrowing for me. I do love Toni Blake and I just bought the next book on the series! !!! She is fantastic the first 3 books where 5 stars.
Anonymous
Posted February 18, 2013
....first of all i started getting very annoyed with most of the adult conversations starting with um. Secondly it took WAY too long for Sue Ann to realize how freakin awesome Adam way, ( if that were areal man in any womans life., he would have been snatched up very quickly.) The only plus side was the steamy parts, which again prove adam was a catch and sue ann was an idiot.
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Posted January 29, 2013
Awesome story! I now want to read the whole series.
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Posted January 28, 2013
A great read Well worth the time
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Overview
The weather outsideis frightful,but kisses by the fireare so delightful . . .
Sue Ann Simpkins is workinghard to rebuild her life andfind some holiday spirit.A weekend away fromDestiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex’s best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that’s not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?
Alone for ...