Category Archives: Sharon Sala

Review: A Piece of My Heart by Sharon Sala

Title: A Piece of My Heart by Sharon Sala
Blessings, Georgia Series Book Four
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: C+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She’s never had a home
Growing up in a troubled foster home, Mercy Dane knew she could never rely on anyone but herself. She’s used to giving her all to people who don’t give her a second glance, so when she races to Blessings, Georgia, to save the life of an accident victim, she’s flabbergasted when the grateful town opens its arms to her. She never dreamed she’d ever find family or friends—or a man who looks at her as if she hung the stars.

Until she finds peace in his arms
Police Chief Lon Pittman is getting restless living in sleepy little Blessings. But the day Mercy Dane roars into his life on the back of a motorcycle, practically daring him to pull her over, he’s lost. There’s something about Mercy’s tough-yet-vulnerable spirit that calls to Lon, and he will do anything in his power to make her realize that home isn’t just where the heart is—home is where their heart is.

Review:

A Piece of My Heart is a cute addition to Sharon Sala’s small-town Blessings, Georgia series.  Although this latest release is the fourth installment in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

As someone who grew up in the foster care system, Mercy Dane is a self-reliant, tough as nails waitress who works in a biker bar.  When she gets an emergency phone call requesting a blood donation for a car accident victim, she immediately jumps on her Harley and rushes to Blessings.  Her good deed yields surprising benefits as Mercy is reunited with Lon Pittman, a man whom she shared one incredible night with several years earlier. But most shocking is the discovery that Mercy is the long lost sister of Hope Talbot, the accident victim to whom she donated blood. The sisters were separated as children after Hope was adopted out of foster care. Mercy does not hesitate to move to Blessings to become better acquainted with Hope, her brother-in-law Jack and his brother Duke. Despite the years that have passed since they last met, Lon would like nothing better than to date Mercy, but will she let down her guard enough to give their fledgling romance a chance?

Mercy is a refreshingly straight forward woman who does not play games nor does she hesitate to speak her mind. With no family of her own, she has forged close ties with the bar owner where she is employed but the chance to get to know Hope is too tempting to pass up. Although she is a little uncomfortable living with complete strangers, she is delighted for the opportunity to reconnect with her sister.  While Mercy is a bit wary, she also quickly agrees to renew her acquaintance with Lon in order to see if there is the potential for a relationship between them.

Lon never forgot the night he spent with Mercy and he is stunned when he recognizes her at the hospital.  Determined not to let the opportunity to date her slip through his fingers, Lon wastes no time letting her know he is still interested in her. Lon is a steady, reliable man who is not afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and he is quick to reassure Mercy he will give her all the time she needs to decide how she feels about him.

Despite Lon and Hope’s easy acceptance of Mercy, some of the townspeople are not as quick to welcome her to Blessings. Mercy’s reaction to an ill-spirited verbal attack is quite unexpected and exposes her well-hidden vulnerabilities. Hope’s brother-in-law Duke is quite judgmental but Mercy never hesitates to put him in his place.  Some of the residents are quick to stereotype Mercy based on her appearance and the fact she rides a Harley.

The relationship between Lon and Mercy is free from conflict but there is a bit of an insta-love quality to their romance. This is most likely due to the fact that although they have a few dates, their time together is short and often interrupted by a variety of dramatic events. It is also not much of a surprise when someone from Mercy’s past resurfaces although the ensuing situation is rather surprising.

With an eclectic cast of endearing characters and a sweet romance A Piece of My Heart is an engaging novel with a delightful small town atmosphere.  Longtime fans of the Blessings, Georgia series will enjoy catching up with their favorite characters from previous installments.  Sharon Sala provides enough background information on the various characters that new readers can easily begin the series with this latest installment.

1 Comment

Filed under A Piece of My Heart, Blessings Georgia Series, Contemporary, Rated C+, Review, Romance, Sharon Sala, Sourcebooks Casablanca

Review: Saving Jake by Sharon Sala

Title: Saving Jake by Sharon Sala
Blessings, Georgia Series Book Three
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 320 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Love heals in New York Times bestselling author Sharon Sala’s newest contemporary romance

There is always hope
After eight years in the Marines, Jacob Lorde returns to Blessings, Georgia, with no plans other than to hole up in his empty house and heal what’s left of his soul. But with a charming next door neighbor and a town full of friendly people, keeping to himself is easier said than done.

As long as you can come home
Laurel Payne understands far too well what Jake is going through, after witnessing her late husband experience similar problems. She’s in no hurry to jump into another relationship with a complicated guy, but their attraction is undeniable-and perhaps exactly what both of them need.

Blessings, Georgia Series:
Count Your Blessings (e-novella)
You and Only You (Book 1)
I’ll Stand By You (Book 2)
Saving Jake (Book 3)

Review:

With a dash of suspense, Saving Jake by Sharon Sala is a heartwarming novel of love and healing.  This third installment in the Blessings, Georgia series can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the previous books as well.

Although it has been two years since her husband Adam took his own life, Laurel Payne recognizes a troubled war veteran when she meets Jacob “Jake” Lorde.  Having her heart broken once was more than enough, so she plans to stay as far from her new neighbor as she can.  However, her young daughter, Bonnie, is nursing a serious case of hero worship for Jake, so their paths cross on a fairly regular basis.  After realizing she has unfairly projected her own issues onto Jake, Laurel is much more open to friendship but will she risk her heart once she begins to fall in love?

Laurel not only lost her husband, but she lost the support of his family in the aftermath of his suicide due to them blaming her for his death.  Financially ruined and emotionally decimated after his death, she has managed to pick up the shattered pieces of her life. After meeting Jake, she empathizes with his struggles with PTSD but she vows to keep her distance from him.  However, as she spends time with him, Laurel is quick to notice that while he might be haunted by the nightmares of war, he is not consumed by them like her late husband.  Once she discovers how steadfast and strong Jake is despite the demons that plague him, Laurel is much more receptive to friendship and, perhaps, love.

Although his physical wounds are healed, Jake continues to be haunted by nightmares and PTSD from the things he experienced during combat. Letting the peace of his hometown settle over him, he slowly begins to reintegrate back into civilian life. Enjoying the quiet and solitude, he does not hesitate to lend a helping hand to Laurel when she needs assistance.  Surprised by how much he enjoys both her and Bonnie’s company, Jake is initially a little hesitant to pursue a friendship with his neighbors but he soon cherishes the time they spend together.  He is open and honest about wanting to take their friendship to the next level but Jake is uncertain whether or not Laurel will agree to give him a chance given her history.

While the relationship between Jake and Laurel is refreshingly free from angst or unnecessary drama, there is outside conflict that directly affects both of them.  A person from Jake’s past is intent on revenge while Laurel is beset by vindictive in-laws.  The chapters alternate back and forth between the main storyline with Jake and Laurel and the various characters involved in these secondary story arcs.  It would have preferable for Ms. Sala to concentrate more on Jake and Laurel’s developing relationship rather than the suspense elements.  These minor story arcs do not add much to the overall plot although they do set the stage for a somewhat dramatic ending.

Saving Jake by Sharon Sala is an emotionally satisfying romance between two people who have been wounded by the effects of war.  Through Laurel’s experience with her first husband,  readers get an insightful and informative view of the “silent” victims of war.  Jake’s struggles with PTSD and nightmares offers an all too realistic look into the devastating consequences of wartime even when a soldier is no longer in combat.  The romance between Jake and Laurel is incredibly sweet yet poignant as they help one another heal from the tragic events from their respective pasts.   

All in all, an uplifting love story that old and new fans of the Blessings, Georgia series are sure to enjoy.

1 Comment

Filed under Blessings Georgia Series, Contemporary, Rated B, Review, Romance, Saving Jake, Sharon Sala, Sourcebooks Casablanca

Review: I’ll Stand By You by Sharon Sala

stand byTitle: I’ll Stand By You by Sharon Sala
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala brings new meaning to family in her small-town Southern romance

No one is alone
Dori Grant is no stranger to hardship. As a young single mother in the gossip-fueled town of Blessings, Georgia, she’s weathered the storm of small-town disapproval most of her life. But when Dori loses everything within the span of an evening, she realizes she has no choice but to turn to her neighbors.

As long as there is love to give
Everyone says the Pine boys are no good, but Johnny Pine has been proving the gossips wrong ever since his mother died and he took over raising his brothers. His heart goes out to the young mother and child abandoned by the good people of Blessings. Maybe he can be the one to change all that…

Review:

Fans of small town contemporary romances are going to fall in love with I’ll Stand By You. Sharon Sala heads back to Blessings, GA where single mom Dori Grant and Johnny Pine, who is the guardian of his two young brothers, fall in love in the midst of hardship.

While she is from the “right” side of the tracks, Dori has weathered more than her fair share of gossip and innuendo after becoming an unwed, teenage mom. With the help of her granddaddy, she has managed to pass her GED and enroll in on-line college classes while also working at a local diner and raising her six month old son, Luther Joe. But one horrible night, Dori loses everything but Luther Joe, and she is shocked when NONE of her neighbors offers to help her out.

Johnny is no stranger to adversity and he is absolutely stunned when Dori’s neighbors abandon her and Luther after her tragic loss. He knows what it is like to be all alone in the world and he does not hesitate to bring them home to stay with him and his brothers Brooks aka Beep and Marshall. Johnny fought hard to keep his brothers after his mother’s death, and although they don’t have much money, he is doing an exemplary job of raising them.

Johnny and Dori are pretty much strangers but they settle into their living arrangements with ease.  As word quickly spreads through town about Dori’s plight, most of the townspeople pull together to help her out while others immediately begin spreading vicious rumors about her and Johnny. Fortunately, Dori has a few good people in her corner who are more than willing to stand up for them. And when someone from Dori’s past tries to cash in her good fortune, let’s just say, this person gets EXACTLY what is coming to ’em.

I’ll Stand by You is a charming romance that is a little poignant but very heartwarming. The relationship between Johnny and Dori is soo sweet and even though they fall in love quickly, their feelings for one another ring true. Sharon Sala fully captures both the good and bad of small town life and although there are a few truly despicable townspeople, there are also plenty of kindhearted and generous ones who more than make up for their mean spirited actions. A heartfelt and emotional love story that is incredibly uplifting and gratifying despite the sometimes somber (but always realistic) storyline.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, I'll Stand By You, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sharon Sala, Sourcebooks Casablanca

Review: Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala

count blessingsTitle: Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 92 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Previously titled Color Me Bad, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sharon Sala dishes up Count Your Blessings, a contemporary romance piled high with love, laughter, and plenty of heart in Blessings, Georgia!

As the respectable wife of the town preacher, Patty June Clymer never thought she’d have to worry about a cheating husband. But when things come to a head, Patty decides to take charge of her life by kicking her no-good husband out her house, and getting a total makeover at the popular local salon. With a new spiky black haircut and a new outlook on life, Patty goes from mousy and meek to living large and in charge, and fairly starts a revolution in the small town of Blessings, Georgia.

Review:

Count Your Blessings by Sharon Sala is a very charming novella that is set in a small southern town. The local beauty shop is the center of the action and it is where the preacher’s wife deals with her cheating husband and his mistress in a very public (and unexpected) way.

Patty June Clymer’s weekly hair appointment at The Curl up and Dye is anything but ordinary when she comes face to face with her husband’s mistress. Unfortunately small town gossip paints Patty June in an unflattering light after the rest of townspeople decide to take a closer look at their own relationships. Change is afoot for many of the people in the community when they come face to face some uncomfortable truths about their own lives.

Count Your Blessings is light-hearted and fun read that will leave readers very eager to read Sharon Sala’s novels set in Blessings, Georgia. The first full-length novel, The Curl Up and Dye is already available for purchase (you can read my review HERE), and the second installment, I’ll Stand by You, releases in early June.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Count Your Blessings, Fiction, Rated B+, Review, Sharon Sala, Sourcebooks Casablanca

Review: The Curl Up and Dye by Sharon Sala

curl upTitle: The Curl Up and Dye by Sharon Sala
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Imprint: Landmark
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Those were the best days of her life…

“Poor LilyAnn,” the local ladies lament. “She sure is stuck in the past.”

Eleven years ago, LilyAnn Bronte was the Peachy-Keen Queen of Blessings, Georgia—the prettiest, smartest, and most popular girl in town, going steady with the star quarterback, a high school career on the fast track to success. Then Randy Joe was killed in Iraq, and somehow LilyAnn just let herself go to seed.

Ruby, Mabel Jean, Vera, and Vesta of the Curl Up and Dye have been itching to give LilyAnn a makeover, but she knows it would make more than a new hairstyle for her to get her life back.

Until one fateful day, when a handsome stranger roars into town, and LilyAnn has a revelation.

Maybe the best is yet to come..

The Review:

Sharon Sala’s newest release, The Curl Up and Dye, is an emotional journey for LilyAnn Bronte as she finally lets go of her grief and unexpectedly discovers love. This heartwarming novel has plenty of sass and down home Southern charm, but it is the warm and caring cast of characters that make it such an outstanding read.

The sound of a hot rod pickup truck is what finally shakes LilyAnn out of the haze she has been living in for eleven long years. This former Miss Peachy-Keen Queen has been mired in grief and living in the past so long she barely recognizes the out of shape and uninspiring woman she has become. A fleeting attraction to the driver of that souped up truck inspires LilyAnn to get out of her rut, get into shape and begin living in the here and now. Stunned by the unexpected reaction of her best friend and next door neighbor, Mike Dalton, LilyAnn has a few more lessons to learn before she can finally see what has been in front of her all along.

Aiding LilyAnn and Mike in traversing their evolving relationship is a cast of lively and eclectic characters. Their biggest supporter is the indomitable Ruby Dye, owner of the local beauty shop. Her well-intentioned meddling leads to unexpected consequences for their rapidly deteriorating relationship. However it does force LilyAnn to see Mike in a whole new light. Unfortunately, Mike stubbornly resists LilyAnn’s efforts to make peace and in doing so, he unwittingly puts not only their future, but LilyAnn, in danger.

Sharon Sala’s The Curl Up and Dye is an entertaining novel that has a engaging cast of characters and an eminently appealing setting. The storyline is sweet but there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and unpredictable. Definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys homespun stories with plucky, courageous heroines and adorable, affable heroes.

1 Comment

Filed under Contemporary, Fiction, Rated B+, Review, Sharon Sala, Sourcebooks, Sourcebooks Landmark, The Curl Up and Dye