Jennifer Conner

Cinderella comes alive in a magical new romance. During a shared evening of friendship, four (4) girlfriends listen to a story that was related to one of the girls during a visit with her grandmother about a beautiful and possibly miraculous locket. As the grandmother gave her granddaughter the precious locket during the visit, the retelling of the story elicits imagination and possibilities for each of the girls. Is the locket magical? Could it bring a wish come true?

The story has all the show more captivating elements of the timeless Cinderella story from a hard-working young woman named Camille (Cami) Carlina who works in a small office/storage room on the basement floor of a television station to a handsome ‘prince’ more commonly known as college professor Lance Rainey from Boston with a Ph.D. in Early Modern European history to the enchanting ball which in this case is a fundraiser at The Lightfield Museum in Portland. Each of the characters instantly found their way to my heart.

I also loved the dialogue between the characters and the shared thoughts of Cami. The dialogue is always at the right “tempo” for the story from fun to sweet to sexy to meaningful without being preachy. It doesn’t miss a beat! Here are two (2) of my favorites:

“Cami wasn’t a morning person. She wondered if her blood type was coffee. She didn’t have a problem with caffeine, she had a problem without it.”

“She wanted a second glass of champagne, but thought better of it since she hadn’t had time for dinner. Instead, she nibbled on a few cream cheese and herb-stuffed finger sandwiches and washed them down with a cup of sparkling lemon water.”

I wish I could gift this story to all adults who are searching for self-acceptance and self-confidence. I’d also like to gift this story to every public library, family member or friend that is searching for a special story to give to a reader who may have healed physically from a car accident or sports injury but has yet to pick up the shattered pieces of his/her heart and mind that is in constant worry and fear of others reactions to his/her scars. I am not so naïve to think that all those searching for self-acceptance and self-confidence will have the same experience as Cami and Lance but perhaps the story can be the catalyst and inspiration to initiate a conversation that leads to a new beginning.

I am looking forward to the next title in the series with delightful anticipation! show less

Cinderella comes alive in a magical new romance. During a shared evening of friendship, four (4) girlfriends listen to a story that was related to one of the girls during a visit with her grandmother about a beautiful and possibly miraculous locket. As the grandmother gave her granddaughter the precious locket during the visit, the retelling of the story elicits imagination and possibilities for each of the girls. Is the locket magical? Could it bring a wish come true?

The story has all the show more captivating elements of the timeless Cinderella story from a hard-working young woman named Camille (Cami) Carlina who works in a small office/storage room on the basement floor of a television station to a handsome ‘prince’ more commonly known as college professor Lance Rainey from Boston with a Ph.D. in Early Modern European history to the enchanting ball which in this case is a fundraiser at The Lightfield Museum in Portland. Each of the characters instantly found their way to my heart.

I also loved the dialogue between the characters and the shared thoughts of Cami. The dialogue is always at the right “tempo” for the story from fun to sweet to sexy to meaningful without being preachy. It doesn’t miss a beat! Here are two (2) of my favorites:

“Cami wasn’t a morning person. She wondered if her blood type was coffee. She didn’t have a problem with caffeine, she had a problem without it.”

“She wanted a second glass of champagne, but thought better of it since she hadn’t had time for dinner. Instead, she nibbled on a few cream cheese and herb-stuffed finger sandwiches and washed them down with a cup of sparkling lemon water.”

I wish I could gift this story to all adults who are searching for self-acceptance and self-confidence. I’d also like to gift this story to every public library, family member or friend that is searching for a special story to give to a reader who may have healed physically from a car accident or sports injury but has yet to pick up the shattered pieces of his/her heart and mind that is in constant worry and fear of others reactions to his/her scars. I am not so naïve to think that all those searching for self-acceptance and self-confidence will have the same experience as Cami and Lance but perhaps the story can be the catalyst and inspiration to initiate a conversation that leads to a new beginning.

I am looking forward to the next title in the series with delightful anticipation! show less

The Mac Brothers are on the cusp of strengthening their bond as they rebuild a business that has seen better days. Jennifer Conner expertly flip flops between romantic suspense and contemporary romance. I'm more enamored of her contemporary tales. Seaside Playboy is about having the courage to regain control of one's life. Donnan and Emina are both unhappy with the direction their lives are headed. Donnan has grown tired of the redundancy of his and Emina is seeking to break her cycle of show more making bad choices. Brought together by an old resort, can these two rebuild their lives into something extraordinary together? Seaside Playboy is as sweet as it is short. My only complaint is that I wish it was a bit longer. show less

“Kisses and Strudel” is the first story in a series entitled, “Places to See” and the travel will take the main character Aubri for her first travel abroad for a vacation in Germany. This is a beautifully written novella for reading pleasure during the Christmas holiday season. It is also a story that unfolds with hidden treasure that will spark inspiration regardless of the season or time of the year that the reader discovers this story to read. It’s also the perfect story to show more challenge all book reviewers that decry a novella solely on the length of the story for within this story is not merely a Christmas romance but an uplifting message of hope and joy.

The inspiration from within this novella is two-fold with approaches to life after two different kinds of grief– after a parent’s loss of a child and after a tragic accident, a young man’s loss of vision. Mr. Simon and Ryker Forst could have become bitter through the circumstances of their life journeys. Each man could have wallowed in grief. Instead, Mr. Simon has turned the grief of the loss of his young daughter into a gift of love and living life for the young women that became like daughters to him through their support in his darkest hours of grief. Ryker Forst has chosen to “never say never” and to become as self-sufficient as possible not only so he can help continue the legacy of the family business but to challenge himself to live fully every day. What an extraordinary way to develop the “Places to See” series with a story of inspiration to be open to all the possibilities that life and loving have to offer. Some haven’t had the connection to a mentor or a friend to help build their self-esteem. Some only see obstacles and detours on their life journey. Reading this story might also give some the hope and strength one needs to find within to believe in the possibilities that change offers even change that can only begin after the loss of a loved one or after a tragic accident.

Based on the author’s dedication, “Many thanks to all the wonderful people of Germany who made our trip an enjoyable and memory filled adventure” I would guess the exquisite details of this story’s adventure is due to the author’s own experiences during a trip to Germany. Whether the trip to Germany was created for the author’s research or the story was created from the author’s memories of a wonderful vacation in Germany, readers are treated to intricacies that can only be captured through first-hand experiences.

In addition to the intricacies of what becomes Aubri’s adventure in Germany, there is the author’s talent of expressive writing that brings vivid visualization for the reader’s imagination. This is a glimpse of one of my favorites from this story: “Gently, like the brush of a butterfly’s wing, he drew his index finger over her eyebrow, across her eye, cheek and then down across her lips.”

Mr. Simon says, ““The thing which puts me at peace is knowing she (his daughter Janelle) lived before she died. She spent as much time as she was able with her family, she traveled the world, and told me she fell in love. This is what I want for you.” Gifting “Kisses and Strudel” could be your most meaningful present of the holiday season if you’d like to give someone a heartwarming read to comfort, to inspire, and to quietly and encouragingly express “step outside your comfort zone” and “every day is a new day.” Read Aubri’s story and see for yourself. It’s a story to share again and again – “You can change something that you aren’t happy with at any time.” show less