Here To Stay

Here To Stay by Melissa Tagg

I am so glad Tagg told Blake Hunziker’s story.

*ahem*

Blake Hunziker returns to his hometown of Whispering Shores five years after leaving to forget the painful memories of his brother, Ryan. Ryan’s death has simultaneously pushed Blake to a life of adventure while guilting him into leading a quiet life. After a fake marriage with a reality TV star, Blake returns home to face the wrath of his family.

Except wrath isn’t waiting for him when he opens his parent’s front door. Unexpectedly his parents couldn’t be happier to see him and Blake wasn’t prepared for their joyous response. At his father’s bidding Blake finds himself committing to reviving the Christmas Festival. Facing tinsel instead of a lynching mob has Blake overwhelmed, he turns to Autumn Kingsley to assist with the planning.

Autumn’s life is wrapped up in a not-so-perfect bow in Whispering Shores. Her family’s Inn is falling apart and one missed loan payment away from no longer being the family inn. Her not-so-secret dreams of leaving Whispering Shores are one letter away from coming true. If she can just get an investment, she can save the Inn and the jobs of her friends. When Blake shows up on her doorstep asking for her help, she agrees believing a successful festival will cement the chances of her departure.

What follows is a fun and charming story. Made To Last was a cute story, but Here To Stay was memorable. A good writer tells a story. A great writer makes you part of the story. I was engulfed in Here To Stay. I wanted Autumn to realize her dreams of traveling. I wanted Blake to come home and finally shake off the guilt. I wanted them to be together. I’m curious to see what Tagg has planned next.  

Made To Last

Made To Last by Melissa Tagg

What does a woman who hosts a home repair show with slipping rating do to increase public interest? She introduces the husband she's spoken about for the past three years. What does a woman who hosts a home repair show do when there is no husband? She hires one to be a stand in for the press. What does a supremely private woman do to further help her struggling show? She allows a reporter to shadow her and compose a daily blog.

At least this is what Miranda Woodruff does when her show is threatened with cancellation. Only three people know the truth the husband she talks about so often was supposed to be the ex-fiance who walked out on her three years prior. She mistakenly believes Blake "Blaze" Hunziker is the former fiance, Robbie, and an idea is born.  Suddenly Randi's solitude in the mountains of North Carolina is overrun when reporter, Matthew Knox, moves in to a cottage on her property to observe her relationship with Blaze. The weight of the lie rests heavily on Randi's shoulders until it threatens to overwhelm her when Blaze, Matthew, and Robbie collide.

Made To Last was the first book by Tagg I've read. I enjoyed her voice and the authenticity she pens stories with. I would have appreciated a little more information on Blaze. I'm over the schtick of introducing a character and teasing their back story for the follow up novel. It tends to keep the character from being fleshed out.

Beside the one minor nitpick, I am looking forward to Tagg's next novel. Luckily for me it is Blaze's story. It's on to Here To Stay.

Undetected

Undetected by Dee Henderson

Gina Gray excels at everything academic she touches. Twenty-nine years old and she's a secret weapon for the U.S. Navy. She fails socially in her own mind. Freshly single with her thirtieth birthday around the corner, Gina recovers from her breakup at her brother's condo on a Navy base.

When she asks Jeff to consider introducing her to a few of his friends, Jeff immediately considers Mark Bishop. After consulting with Mark, Jeff introduces Gina to Daniel Field. As Gina and Daniel grow closer, Mark realizes his mistake.

While Gina struggles with determining her romantic future, her professional future stands on the cusp of a breakthrough. As Gina's discovery change the scope of modern warfare for the U.S. Navy, her personal life becomes a series of conflicting emotions. As Gina grows socially and determines the roles of the two men in her life, she becomes a national asset with long-reaching ramifications.

I was hesitant to invest in Undetected. I've loved Henderson's writing from the O'Malley series. She came back from her hiatus and lost the action-suspense which set her apart from most other writers. Her books have become light on action while increasing the number of pages.

Undetected was a wonderful read. While still light on the action-adventure, the characters and their journeys was compelling. Gina Gray is awkward with her relationships with men. She wants a straight-forward answer and direction. She's looking for honesty. Mark Bishop, a widower, is looking to be a good husband again. Daniel Field is hoping be a husband one day to the right woman.

Each character had flaws. While at times the characters can appear to be a bit too perfect, they are real. They struggle with their faith and hoping for a future. Gina tries to balance the responsibility of her naval discoveries and the insecurities she feels regarding every other aspect of her life. Once I opened the pages to Undetected I became lost in the story.