Posted on by Jacquie Biggar

January #Reads Part 1- The Rom-Commers @KatherineCenter, Sheriff Tyree @Sandra_Cox, A Fathomless Affair @StaciTroilo, Divine Rivals @_RebeccaRoss #amreading #bookreviews


We had a dose of winter last week. It stopped traffic, broke water mains, and confused our poor birdlife. There was a hummingbird on the news rescued by a young boy after its wings froze. Thankfully, it made a full recovery. If you have feeders, there are many ways to keep them warm through cold weather or bring them in often to keep them from freezing.

I made some big changes at Christmas. After ten years, I took a break from my critique group. The words aren’t flowing, so I’ve decided to give up writing- at least until the joy returns. On the positive side, I FINALLY finished the book-that-refused-to-be-written and will be releasing it mid-March.

If you have room to share my novel, Finding Me- The Defiant Sisters Duet- Book Two, on your blogs starting March 15, 2024, email me and we’ll set a date- Thank you!

I’ve been on a reading triathlon, with a variety of genres under the romance umbrella, and managed to end 2023 with 156 books read. That’s a new personal best for me!

Here are a few of my latest reviews. Click the covers to learn more.

The posts on this site may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission should you make a purchase using a link.

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

She’s rewriting his love story. But can she rewrite her own?

Emma Wheeler desperately longs to be a screenwriter. She’s spent her life studying, obsessing over, and writing romantic comedies—good ones! That win contests! But she’s also been the sole caretaker for her kind-hearted dad, who needs full-time care. Now, when she gets a chance to re-write a script for famous screenwriter Charlie Yates—The Charlie Yates! Her personal writing god!—it’s a break too big to pass up.

Heroes come in unexpected packages!

Emma is her father’s caregiver after a traumatizing accident a decade ago. She’s happily placed her life on hold to help her dad and allow her younger sister to finish school, but now Emma has been offered the opportunity of a lifetime, and she wants to grab on with both hands. After all, it’s only for six weeks. What could go wrong?

World-famous screenwriter Charlie Yates can’t find his words. There’s a gaping maw where his creativity once resided, and he doesn’t know if it will ever return. He has one mafia script on the cusp of production, but there is a caveat: the producer’s girlfriend wants a romance, and the one Charley wrote isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.

The only thing I’m proud of is my career. And I will not frigging turn it into aerosol cheese by seriously writing a rom-com.

The Rom-Commers- Katherine Center

Enter the irrepressible pain-in-his-butt ghost-writer his agent tricked him into working with. It doesn’t matter. He plans to make sure this script never sees the light of day. If only he could put the beautiful Emma out of his mind as easily.

This is a fun, poignant read between a grumpy hero and an outspoken heroine who is determined to teach him how to get in touch with his romantic side to fix his script. There are close encounters, awkward moments, swoony looks, and even a guinea pig.

Love everything this author writes!

“I voluntarily read an ARC of this book which was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.”

Sheriff Tyree: Keeper Series Book 2 by S. Cox

There’s a new sheriff in town.
Instead of chasing bounties all over the state, Keeper Tyree has taken the job of sheriff of El Dorado.
Everything is going well. He’s tamed the town and now he doesn’t have to knock more than a few heads together a day, and has no more than one or two occupants in the calaboose at a time. Then a stranger comes to town. A stranger bent on vengeance and the man he wants to bring down is Keeper.

Keeper is settling into his new life as a husband, father, son-in-law, and sheriff. For a loner, he’s adjusting better than he expected to home life and a quieter lifestyle, but that changes when a stranger with dead eyes comes to town with vengeance on his mind.

Jordan blames Keeper for the death of his father and is determined to have an eye for an eye. He leaves taunting drawings in his wake, creating tension in the small town. When loved ones go missing, it becomes Tyree’s mission to end the threat- one way or another.

I love the connection between Keeper and his stepdaughter. In one scene, she races to save a kitten from a rough cowboy and almost gets hit for her efforts until her poppa steps in to teach the stranger a lesson. For all his brusque attitude, Keeper is a big softie when it comes to his girls.

The most formidable sheriff in Kansas was nothing but putty in this little girl’s hands and pretty much the same in her mother’s. His only fear, losing one or the other.  If that ever happened, his old heart wouldn’t be able to keep on beating.

Sheriff Tyree- S. Cox

This writer excels at swoon-worthy males- a must-read!

A Fathomless Affair: Harbor Pointe Series Book 6 by Staci Troilo

Most people wouldn’t dread a weekend at the historic Harbor Pointe Inn. Lorelei Audley isn’t most people. The fresh sea air, breathtaking vistas, and gourmet meals can’t buoy her spirits. She’s there to coordinate her father’s latest wedding. The bride is a nightmare, yet somehow, the groom is worse. Lorelei steels herself to suffer through a few days of psychological abuse and abject misery.

An accident-prone woman has a brush with the supernatural in this fun read.

Tasked with the impossible, Lorelei is at the scenic Harbor Pointe Inn to coordinate her father’s third wedding to bridezilla. Her arrival is a comedy of errors, leaving Lorelei with wounded pride and a triple threat of handsome men willing to help her forget her aches.

Then she meets astronomer Porter and learns of an undiscovered comet Porter plans to use for his thesis and a ghost ship damned to eternity at sea by a vengeful curse.

I laughed over Lorelei’s many kerfuffles. She needs bumper pads! Her father is a jerk. I think Lorelei is a saint for putting up with him and his spoiled bride-to-be. I enjoyed the nautical element and the author’s ability to grab the reader with her complex characters.

A fun read!

Divine Rivals: A Novel: Letters of Enchantment Book 1 by Rebecca Ross

When two young rival journalists find love through a magical connection, they must face the depths of hell, in a war among gods, to seal their fate forever.

Heartbreaking!
I went into the book expecting a fantasy adventure and instead found myself reading an epic love story set in the bowels of war.
This book is riveting.
Told from alternating points of view between two young journalists who have a magical connection through their typewriters, we are invited into their innermost thoughts and dreams and a growing romance with a surprise ending.
The scenes from the frontlines of the war ripped at my heart, along with Roman’s incredible sacrifices and Iris’s bravery.
The fantasy is a backdrop to what is actually a commentary on the brutal ravages of war and the incredible courage of those who fight for freedom.
A must-read!

One more snowy visage from the lagoon.

63 Replies to “January #Reads Part 1- The Rom-Commers @KatherineCenter, Sheriff Tyree @Sandra_Cox, A Fathomless Affair @StaciTroilo, Divine Rivals @_RebeccaRoss #amreading #bookreviews”

  2. Wow! Congratulations on an amazing year of reading, Jacquie! That is fantastic! Good luck with your latest book and thank you for sharing all these lovely reviews! Glad the hummingbird was saved and hope you can enjoy the wintry weather a bit. Just rain and storm here, hardly inspiring!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on your recent reads. You’ve read some good books! I don’t have a personal blog to share your upcoming release, but I will Tweet/X it. And read/review it… I really enjoyed the first book in The Defiant Sisters!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Thank you for sharing your reviews, Jacquie. I loved A Fathomless Affair and I’ve got Sheriff Tyree on my Kindle. I’ll check out the others as well. 😊

    Liked by 3 people

  5. Our weather (in the south, no less) has been kind of brutal. I feel your pain. I am glad the hummingbird survived.

    I’m heartsick that you’re taking a break from writing. I LOVE your work. I hope the joy returns soon and you find your way back to it.

    Add me to your promo list. I’ll email you, too, per your request.

    Thank you for the lovely review of A Fathomless Affair. I had fun writing such a clumsy lead (maybe because I can relate). I’m glad you enjoyed it.

    Finally, excellent reviews all around. My best to each author.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. What a great year of reading! I see so many from your list I would like to read. 🙂

    That poor hummingbird. I’m so glad the boy could save her.

    And congratulations on your upcoming release! How exciting!

    Liked by 2 people

  8. We had that awful weather last year. I made sure to put out food for the birds and squirrels. I had to step up onto the deck. I’m glad the hummingbird got saved. I agree about wanting to feel the joy of writing. Good call, and we have to follow our hearts. They seem to know what we need. After my next two books, I have a blank slate for the first time in ten years. My critique group took a year break and now is back. As my hubby says, he’s looking for his spark. That makes sense to me. Here’s to that spark. Standing ovation for books read and great reviews. I loved Sheriff Tyree! Xo

    Liked by 3 people

    1. I heard iguanas were falling out of the trees in Florida thanks to the cold spell. That’s something you don’t see every day, lol.
      Thanks for the offer, John. I’ll work up a package and get it sent to you soon!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. I totally understand stepping back, Jacquie. You aren’t the only one feeling the need. When writing stops being a joy, it’s time to reevaluate. I love all of your reviews today. Out of all of these, I’ve only read A Fathomless Affair and loved it. Thank you for sharing! I look forward to reading the second sister’s book!

    Liked by 2 people

  11. Sweet boy to rescue that hummer. 

    I hear ya on the hiatus. My muse flutters about occasionally, but she’s taking a lot of vacay. I’m looking forward to reading the book that refused to be written;)

    Thanks for including Keeper and me with these amazing authors.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. So glad WordPress decided to let you visit today, Sandra! I love everything you write, though the Westerns hold a special place on my favorites list.
      It seems as though there are a lot of writers needing some downtime. We need to win a lottery so we can all go island-hopping, lol

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I know. Can you believe it? I better type fast before WordPress changes its mind;)

        I’m packing now for our island hopping;)

        Liked by 2 people

  12. First off–oh that poor hummingbird. I’m so glad all turned out well int he end. The weather has been positively dreadful but it sounds like your area really got hit hard.I fully understand taking a break from writing. I’m actually doing the same myself (and also releasing a book in March). We have been on the same wavelength, LOL. I’m looking forward to the second Sister’s book and my blog is open for promo. Give me a shout when you’re ready!

    Congratulations on all the books you read. 156?!?!? WOWSA!!!!

    Thanks for sharing the reviews, too. I loved both A Fathomless Affair and Sheriff Tyree. You have quite the eclectic list of books today! 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  14. I think you are wise to step away for a bit. Writing should be fun. All of the advice I’ve ever read is that taking a break often reignites the fire and creative spirit.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Congratulations, Jacquie. I hope the joy returns to writing for you soon. I admit to being a bit selfish about that, because I love your books. Although, I do really know what you mean…

    Thanks for these reviews and kudos to all the authors.

    Big hugs.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, Teagan. That’s very kind. Writing is becoming stressful and that’s not beneficial to me or the story.
      I’m going to kick back and enjoy some great books and see where it leads me 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  20. What a post, Jacquie! There’s no way you’ll really quit writing. I tried once and didn’t last too long. I sent you a ‘contact me’ to include me in promoing Book 2. Definitely include me. Loved the first.

    Do enjoy taking a break. Then tell us all what life is like without a keyboard under your fingers!

    Liked by 2 people

  21. Thanks for the reviews, Jacquie. You read a lot this year. Wow. I’ve read Sandra’s and Staci’s books and thought they were great. As far as new books (to me) I was probably most intrigued by Divine Rivals. Thanks for the recommendation. 🙂

    I can’t wait for “Finding Me” and will read and review as soon as it comes out. I’m so glad you finished it.

    And I understand the feeling of needing a break. I’m trying to finish up a book that’s on year 2 of writing. It feels like pulling teeth. (I remember the old days of writing almost 24/7 and now, I can barely manage an hour a day at the most). Overall, I think that’s okay. The one constant in life is change, right? I hope your break is full of other fun and adventure. ❤ ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Divine Rivals was so different from most fantasy novels I’ve read, Diana. The war scenes still haunt me.
      I might go back to writing, but it will be on my time. I don’t do well with stress, lol

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for the extra recommendation for the book. 🙂 You’ve been a writing machine for a long time, Jacquie. Your list is huge. Good for you for taking a step back and deciding to make writing fun again.m ❤

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Aww, I’m glad that the hummingbird was rescued. When my garden is done, I’ll get a heating feeder. I saw the frozen water in the feeder in my daughter’s garden. Wow, you read three books a week last year, Jacquie! You made so many authors happy! ❤ It’s time to write, it’s time to take a break! I’m glad you finished Finding Me. What a beautiful cover. ❤ ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I’m just now seeing this. I totally understand the need to take a break. I’m doing just that because of my health, but honestly, I was ready for one and I haven’t written the number of books you have.

    Best of luck!

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.