L. B. Dunbar

Let it Stone, Let it Stone, Let it Stone. Finally.

I’m not ready to leave Sterling Falls. So many Sylvers – six brothers and a sister – and the loves of their lives. So many stories of how they became the family they are today. Their tragic childhood and how the older brothers became parents to the younger siblings. The friends and neighbors who were there for them when they most needed it. How the family grew, adding precious children. Sylver Seed & Soil. The old family home. The show more beauty of Sterling Falls itself, the falls and the river. All told story by story, not in sibling order but in the order of significant, life-changing events.

And here we are now with the final book and the oldest sibling. Stone is aptly named, because he is strong and sturdy, unwavering, there to lean on, holding up the foundation. His job fits him, too – Sheriff Stone Sylver is dependable, fair, keeping order but always caring. So where has his happy-ever-after been? He was betrayed years ago by his best friend and the woman he thought he’d spend the rest of his life with. On the cusp of a professional football career, he was needed at home so he gave up his career. And that woman gave him up. He resigned himself to just being big brother Stone, then Sheriff Stone, and then Uncle Stone. Sure, he’s got friends and there have been women in his life, but no one special and lasting. Not The One. He’s okay with that although he does get lonely now and again, but he’ll be fine, even after Vale and Hudson move out (to move in with, btw, Cortland, that ex-best friend) and leave him all alone in that big house. Yep, he’s okay. Or so he says.

Taxi is an artist. She travels the country painting murals, beautiful murals bursting with color and special meaning for each town she contracts with. It’s an interesting life. She’s always on the move, but she is successful and has friends and is living her dream. She doesn’t compare herself to her mother, who was always chasing, chasing, chasing but rather considers it just using her talent, spreading the beauty of her art. Her childhood was complicated: death, betrayal, desertion. Then a warm home to grow up in, but she doesn’t realize she never relaxes, never stays still because she’s afraid she won’t be enough once again and someone else will leave her.

Stone and Taxi meet briefly in a hotel. Happenstance, same place, same time. Their connection is startling, instant, sweet – and reserved. Inner thoughts going wild but no quick hook up. Hoping to see each other again before leaving but then a misunderstanding leaves Taxi angry and feeling justified in keeping to herself, and leaving Stone repeatedly thinking what-if?

The stars are aligned or something because suddenly Taxi shows up for dinner at Sylver Sunday. With Trudy, one of those friends and neighbors who played, and still plays, an important role in the Sylver’s lives. Taxi lived in Sterling Falls for a time, but her name isn’t really Taxi and there’s a bit of an age gap between her and Stone so why would they have realized they are from the same place. And the attraction? Still there, strong as ever, but there is still the misunderstanding, issues to resolve, trust to give and receive. But when things heat up, there’s no stopping them.

This is not a whirlwind romance. Author L. B. Dunbar spreads it out over a long period of time. Occasional contact, postcards. And over this period of time the what-if becomes I want . . . I need . . . is it possible . . . .

Sad as I am to leave Sterling Falls and the Sylvers, author Dunbar has written the perfect book as the final one. Stone is such a wonderful man and Taxi is so much stronger than she realizes. These are not two youngsters with stars in their eyes but two adults with experiences, wounds, scars and an understanding of what forever means. Dunbar also treats us to lots of time with the rest of the family, visits to the falls and provides the perfect peek into the future. I received an advance copy of Sterling Stone. Happy, sad and totally satisfied reading it. You need to read this series; I guarantee you will love the Sylvers as much as I do. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

What a marvelous book. New-to-me author that will now be on my auto-buy list. Third book in a series that I will catch up on and start from the beginning, and since there are seven Sylver siblings I am hoping for at least seven books.

Sterling Streak is about two people who are hurting. Who obviously feel a strong attraction to each other, and beyond the attraction even tender and protective, but who each say the exact same thing: I’m never giving my heart up again. One devastating show more heart-wrenching heart-shattering experience is enough.

Cadence, world-famous country singer, is a woman in charge. Strong, vibrant, loves to perform. And sadly once she steps off stage and the glamourous costumes and makeup and bright blond wig are removed, she’s still performing. She’s really just a girl who loves to sing, a girl who wishes she could meet a boy and find true love, a girl who in the deepest part of her heart just wants to be Caitlin. But that’s unlikely to happen and she’s discarded that dream. The always-disappointing daughter growing up, still treated cruelly by her parents, and the victim of a terrible man who lied and betrayed her. And is now stalking her. All Cadence has is her sister Enya, who is marrying into the Sylver family. They’re close, but have very different lives.

Ford is part of that Sylver family. He’s a successful, famous baseball star, but right now that doesn’t count for much. Just divorced, blind-sighted, betrayed, and left with three little girls. He loves those little girls more than anything, but he has no idea how to be a good father to them, how to get beyond the confusion and hurt and feeling like the last ten years of his life have been a lie. Not to mention his childhood, when the Sylver siblings lost their mother and their father changed into a monster and Ford couldn’t wait to escape. Yes, Ford is strong and masculine, grumpy and short-tempered with that jaw-ticking thing going on, but there is something about him that makes Cadence want to take care of him, to feel in her bones after just a few minutes of watching him that he needs to be taken care of. She doesn’t understand why she feels like she does, but she can’t fight it. She demonstrates that care again, and again, and again, but maybe after yet one more emotion-filled outburst from Ford it’s finally too much; maybe she needs to walk away and stay away. But can she? Will he even come after her?

This story will grab you from the first sentence and keep you frantically listening to the end. The narrators of the audiobook are superstars, too. J. F. Harding, with that little growl in his voice, always sounding a bit breathless and angsty, sorry but not knowing how to express it, becomes Ford. CJ Bloom hits the perfect note (sorry) as Cadence: quirky, stubborn, resilient but scared and afraid – and afraid to show any of that.

Sterling Streak is sweet and swoony and scorching and sometimes very sad, with villains that you can truly hate, little girls you can’t help but love, siblings that are aggravating but have your back. Parts of the story are almost too funny and too cute for words and you won’t be able to hold in your smile: writing “MINE” in mustard on a hot dog sounds pretty corny, but in context it makes you sigh in delight; so do rubber ducks and friendship bracelets. And the emotion? I was so involved in this book that I found myself repeatedly talking to it – Oh no! Stop! Don’t! - especially when Ford is hurt. The many, many baseball references are sometimes subtle and sometimes hit you over the head (or with a bat?) but are all delightful.

Thanks to Home Cooked Books and author L. B. Dunbar for providing an advance listening copy of Sterling Streak. I absolutely loved it. Got to listen to two of my favorite narrators, found a new author, a new series, and suspect this is a book that will be one of my favorite re-listens. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

Update for audio: How do you take an already wildly entertaining, heartwarming, satisfying book and make it even better? Make it an audiobook. A good book written by a good author and read to you by good narrators is always a treat. But Elevator Pitch, author L. B. Dunbar and narrators Willa Jaymes and Patrick Zeller are way beyond good. Dunbar always takes you on a fantastic journey, and the talented Jaymes and Zeller bring it to life. Jaymes captures Vi’s enthusiastic, adventurous show more spirit, shows her as perky but a little weary and wary; life has done a few numbers on her and while she’s hopeful she’s also cautious, disappointed, fearful and a little bit unbelieving that she could actually be wanted just as she is. You can hear all this in Jaymes’ delivery. The same goes for Patrick Zeller’s reading of Ross. He’s weary and wary, too, not so much the wild and crazy fun-loving guy anymore, at some kind of crossroads, uncertain, a little worn out, doesn’t want to make (more) bad decisions but feels unexplainable desire and yearning and wants to enjoy this new life he has a glimpse of. Zeller makes you hear the drag in Ross’s voice when he’s not so happy and the lilt in it when he’s with – or thinking of – Vee. Whether or not you’ve read Elevator Pitch, pick up this audiobook and listen. You’ll love it just as much as I did.

I received an advance copy of Elevator Pitch from Home Cooked Books. I voluntarily leave this updated review; all opinions are my own.

I already thought I wanted to read everything author L. B. Dunbar writes. Elevator Pitch made me certain of it.

Meet Verona – Vee – Huxley. Age 45, widow, mom, writer of super spicy romance novels, rabid baseball fan with a long-time sports crush on a certain former World Series pitcher.

Meet Ross Davis. Age 47, sexy silver fox, widower, dad, former World Series pitcher (yes, that pitcher, see Vee Huxley above), and manager of the Philadelphia Flash baseball team.

The first chapter of Elevator Pitch is hilarious, improbable, and perfect. So laugh-out-loud funny you need a tissue to wipe your eyes and a moment to catch your breath. OMG, Vee is in an elevator with her crush. Who is surly and rude because he’s the probably-soon-to-be-fired manager of the Flash since they just lost the World Series. Vee is almost speechless being in the elevator with Ross, he’s speechless because he doesn’t want to talk – and then the elevator stalls, she starts to have a panic attack with a hot flash on the side for good measure, and desperately needs the ladies’ room. Finally able to dash out of the elevator she runs to her room, except the room she tries to open is his room. Well, that went well. So room service and hiding out is her plan. Except the knock on the door reveals Ross with a bottle of Scotch. Supposed to be for a celebration but what the heck, maybe she’ll have a drink with him.

And right there this funny story that has you wheezing with laughter is suddenly thoughtful, insightful and a little bit sad. They talk, they drink, they sleep. It’s comfortable, no pressure. And sleeping is all that happens. Until Arizona, where Vee is watching spring training for her Chicago Anchors. And where Ross Davis, former World Series pitcher for the Anchors is now the new manager of the Anchors. And when he spots Vee in the stands the world of sports superstition takes over his mind and he decides she’s his lucky charm. Isn’t it obvious? They were together after that elevator fiasco and he was soon offered the Anchors manager job; she’s at the game and they win. They need to sleep together again – just sleep – and good things will continue to happen. Yes, it sounds absolutely ridiculous but author Dunbar makes you think there just might be something there – and makes you certain there is something there between Vee and Ross, even if they don’t know it yet.

Elevator Pitch is well-written, full of witty yet deep dialogue, tender, touching, funny and sometimes bizarre situations and people who’ve lived and loved and not always had much luck. Vee’s husband was a police officer killed in the line of duty. Not always a good husband, not always a good cop. She feels guilty that she doesn’t miss him more, still remembers the bad times, and has serious trust issues and no faith in a happy future. That silver fox has no trouble finding female companionship, but they’re young, mostly shallow and the relationships don’t last long. He’s full of guilt, too. He was a faithful husband – well, always faithful as far as other women goes – but not very faithful to making his wife and sons a priority. Lots of regrets and doesn’t expect much change in the future.

So they sleep together and the lucky charm thing seems to be working. But of course first it’s all business, then friendship, then feelings, and where is all that supposed to lead? The story is as poignant, achingly sweet and romantic as it is slapstick funny. Ross and Vee are drawn together and things feel so right – except they’ve both wary and vulnerable, not sure the timing is right or that the feelings are real. They misunderstand, get angry, pull away, but those growing feelings keep pulling them back. In addition to the sweet, steamy, satisfying plot, Elevator Pitch is populated with clever baseball references and characters from some of Dunbar’s other books. It was engaging and enthralling, with big gestures and sweet little touches; I couldn’t put it down and cannot wait for the next book in the series. I loved it and you will, too. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less

In Promise author L. B. Dunbar moves us smoothly from Sterling Falls to Rogue River and the start of a new series. She brings along some favorite characters, introduces some new ones we just might like and lets us take a closer look at Dart and Trinity as they struggle in the unexpected, unique next phase of their marriage. A marriage that was over; dead, buried and grown cold.

Everything is a surprise in Promise. In their twenties, as young lovers and newlyweds Dart and Trinity had the show more perfect life. Living their dream, making their house a home, ready to start a family. Dart swore he’d love her forever and would never let her down. But sometimes erosion sets in and it’s harder to find the perfect, to keep smiling, to not feel that your dreams are just out of reach and slipping away. Three miscarriages and regimented, scheduled baby-making take their toll and Dart leaves. Trinity is shattered. You can feel her pain the first paragraph of this intense story. So much for never letting her down.

Trinity can’t understand how Dart could have put her in second place, or wherever she is on the What’s Important list, but it’s a fact. It’s over; they’re divorced. She works hard to move on, to become independent, to stand on her own two feet. Tries dating but she’s just not ready.

And then the surprises start happening. It may be a cliché but someone leaves a baby in a basket on her front porch and Trinity feels a little spark of life, some purpose in her days again. The baby, who she names Mirabelle, is the unwanted daughter of a distant cousin. Trinity’s bond with Mirabelle is instant and strong; the love she feels is fierce and she wants forever. Maybe nothing can fill the hole left by Dart’s departure, but she can finally be a mom. She starts the process to adopt this precious little girl.

If that’s not enough of a surprise for you consider who Trinity finds lying on her living room couch in the middle of the night as she’s making her way to the kitchen. Dart. Yes, Dart. But why is he here? This is her house, her baby, her life. He willingly walked away; he doesn’t belong here; she doesn’t want him anymore. Well, maybe her heart does but her head gives a firm “NO.”

The next big surprise? Trinity and Dart are still married because he never signed the divorce papers. He had an accident, has to take time off from racing and wants to come home. Home to Trinity. What nerve, right?

You don’t want to like Dart. You don’t want to hear his excuses or feel any sympathy for him; he’s the selfish jerk who left to join the NASCAR circuit so he could be fulfilled. Asking Trinity to go with him didn’t make it better; it made it worse. She had her nursing career, her family and friends, her home, her life in Rogue River and asking her to give it all up and follow him around the country chasing a prize made Trinity feel like a discarded afterthought.

But L. B. Dunbar has a magical way with words and feelings and something intangible and even though you can’t condone or understand what Dart did, you find yourself wanting peace, healing and a second chance for this couple, even while you don’t yet know if he plans to continue racing or not. If he’ll walk away again.

Over-40 romance can be tough. There’s no longer that devil may care, love conquers all, everything will work out attitude and certainty. There are some things that love alone can’t conquer and nobody writes these stories better than author Dunbar. There is still an obvious physical attraction between Dart and Trintiy, and maybe even some love hiding away afraid to come out, but they faced hard times and didn’t come out on the other side together. How will it be any different now?

Promise examines this marriage in repair. Trinity and Dart’s relationship is tense, taut, uncomfortable. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again,” won’t cut it. They need to be honest, to reveal their dreams and fears and failures if they can ever move forward again. Much of the story is heart-breaking and the anxiety about the future is real, a terrifying realization that sometimes things can’t be fixed. But much of it is also heart-mending: a beautiful baby to possibly parent together, good memories resurfacing, a deeper understanding of what makes the other tick. And it’s also heartwarming and funny – who would have thought pit lizards were a thing. The women-only book club, the local watering hole, the festivals, the visits to familiar places all add to the richness.

I received advance reading and listening copies of Promise from the author as part of her review team. I have loved everything Dunbar has written, from the Sterling Falls series to her holiday rom-coms, but this may be my favorite book of all. It spoke to me, tugged at my heartstrings, filled me with hope and satisfaction. Talented narrators Lance Greenfield and Samantha Brentmoor bring Dart and Trinity to life. The passion, the hurt, the longing and the joy. Both Greenfield and Brentmoor are favorites of mine and the emotion, the tone, the pace make an outstanding book just about perfect. I couldn’t stop listening. I recommend Promise without hesitation and can’t wait for the next book in this rewarding series. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own. show less