Pamela Gibson

Allow a long day for these six great stories centering on The Grand Mistletoe Assembly at Pearler House in London in November 1820.

Miracle on St. James's Street by Nina Jarrett is a family-friendly 2-hour tale of the complications leading to a simple introduction. 5*

A Daring Mistletoe Kiss by Tanya Wilde: An amusing family-friendly 2-hour tale of a stolen kiss and the consequences. 5*

Lily's Scandalous Secret by Pamela Gibson: 90-minute NC17 second-chance after disastrous arranged marriages. 5*

Surprising Captain Davies by Jemma Frost: a 1-hour steamy second chance for Lady Bryony Chapman 5*

The Footman's Mistake by Edie Cay: a family-friendly 90-minute bout with a female boxer and a second footman. 5*

Captured at the Ball by Sara Adrien: a 90-minute PG spy story of antisemitism. 5*.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.… (mer)

Fieldnotes:
Sonoma Coast, CA, Contemporary (p.2015/2019

1 Dilapidated Mansion
1 Wealthy Developer (Team Tear It Down)
1 Cultural Archaeologist (Team Restore It)
2 Possible Hidden Tiffany Windows

1 Former Tennis Star with
1 Very Bad Manager
1 Very Bad Ex-Wife
1 Devastating Injury
Too Many Secrets

1 College One-Night Stand, Resulting in
1 8-Year-Old Boy

Waffling About When and How to Share
Hurt Feelings
1 Fairly Traumatic Boat Ride

The Short Version
Lindsay Reynoso (the cultural archaeologist) and developer Chris Brandt are at odds. She is looking for historical significance/treasure to save and restore the dilapidated family mansion that Brandt is eager to tear down to rid himself of bad memories of his broken family.

They've also met before - when he was a rising tennis star, the two of them had one romantic night - that resulted in an 8 year old son he doesn't know about. His manager wouldn't let Lindsay reach Chris, and soon after Chris descended into enfant terrible behaviour until an injury forced him into retirement. He seems to have his life together now, but will he be a positive influence in his son's life?

This is a sweet book - I'm normally not a fan of the "secret child" trope, but here everyone's reasoning made sense to me. As does the reunion between the two characters - this is actually quite sweet (if a bit fairy tale). What didn't really work for me was the battle over the house. Both of them feel very strongly, but I'm not sure really why Lindsay cared so much - nor why Chris didn't tell her to take a hike when she decided to armchair psychoanalyze his reasons for wanting to tear down HIS OWN family property that was a genuine safety hazard. (Not that I'm not thrilled that he ends up restoring it for her - no doubt at exorbitant cost - but it didn't make SENSE).… (mer)

The story started out slow. The first few chapters seemed to drag. However once I got past chapter two the pace seemed to find it's footing. A Touch of Chardonnay is a reunion story full of secrets, misunderstandings and mixed emotions. Chris and Lindsay have a history that lead to pain and heartbreak. Coming face to face for the first time in years neither expects the pull that still exists. Can they overcome the heartbreak, bitterness, anger? Or will an even bigger secret lead them to the point of no return. With beautiful scenery, descriptive dialogue, strong characters and lots of drama, Pamela Gibson has written a story that is touching and wanting the happily ever after. I received an ARC of A Touch of Chardonnay in exchange for an honest review.… (mer)

Sauvignon Blanc to Sigh For (Love in Wine Country, #4) ARC Review: Sauvignon Blanc to Sigh For (Love in Wine Country) by Pamela GibsonThe most precious moments in life, are the ones we never knew we were looking for. With Sam and Sarah, Ms. Gibson entangled readers in the perfect example of that adage. Sauvignon Blanc to Sigh For is a nostalgic ode to friendship blended into a flavorful story of love that lingers on long after the last tentative sip of romance. Less is more and simple and sweet is what Sarah and Sam's long over do foray into love delivers.… (mer)