Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Somebody like You
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.donnaalward.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY: Canada
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in New Brunswick, Canada; married; children: two daughters.
EDUCATION:St. Thomas University, graduated, 1994.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer, 2001–. Red Pen Coach, member of editorial and coaching staff, 2006–; workshop presenter; conference speaker.
AVOCATIONS:Knitting, gardening, reading, cooking, watching Masterpiece Theatre.
MEMBER:Romance Writers of America, Novelists Inc.
AWARDS:Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Awards for Marriage at Circle M, 2007; Falling for Mr. Dark & Dangerous, 2008; and How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart, 2011.
WRITINGS
Author of the e-book novella Last Chance Lullaby, 2016, and the novella Nothing like a Cowboy in the Not My 1st Rodeo box set, Samhain Publishing, 2015. Work represented in numerous anthologies and omnibus collections, including We ♥ the Holidays, 2015, and Not My 1st Rodeo 2, Samhain Publishing, 2017.
Books have been published in more than a dozen languages.
SIDELIGHTS
As a college student, Donna Alward divided her time between the classics of English literature and the thrill of contemporary romance. After college, she made her way westward across Canada from her native New Brunswick but then moved back east to Nova Scotia. There she settled down with her family, pets, and television episodes of “period dramas” of the Masterpiece Theatre variety. Alward never lost her passion for romance. After several apprentice manuscripts, she sold her first romance novel. Nearly fifty more would follow over the next dozen years, and she has shown no sign of slowing down.
Alward lived in Alberta for more than ten years. That is where she lived when she wrote Hired by the Cowboy. Though she has since moved back to the maritime provinces of her childhood, her book titles reveal an abiding fondness for the plains and prairies. Alward writes often about the cowboys and rugged ranchers who have tamed the Canadian West.
Cowboys and Ranchers
In How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart, breast cancer survivor Megan Briggs returns to the family ranch in rural Alberta uncertain of her future. Longtime friend Clay Gregory offers a social lifeline by inviting her to a family wedding. He never meant to fall in love with her. Clay is terrified of falling in love with someone whose cancer could return–and even more afraid that he might respond by running away, as his own mother did when his father fell ill. This is a serious story unleavened by an abundance of “light-hearted, falling-in-love moments,” reported a reviewer at Smart Bitches Trashy Books. Alward’s achievement, the reviewer added, was to convince her “”that, regardless of what might happen, Clay would never leave Megan’s side.”
Nothing like a Cowboy is one of the novellas included in the Not My 1st Rodeo box set, which includes works by other writers. The story circles around an online dating site for the sadder-but-wiser subscriber who believes in second chances. Cowboy Brett Harrison is not one of those believers, but he yields to his sister’s compulsion for matchmaking. Melly Walker is not so reluctant. She knows why her marriage failed and how to avoid another mistake. Brett seems to be the right choice for her, but the road to happily-ever-after will be a bumpy one.
Darling, Vermont
While Western themes earned Alward a loyal reader base, the series that caught the attention of critics is set in the charming community of Darling, Vermont. The Darling “kissing bridge” has spawned many a happy marriage over the years, but not all of the marriages are happy ones. In Somebody like You, Laurel Stone has returned to her hometown after a painful divorce. She opens a garden center and begins to rebuild her life, but repeated incidents of vandalism threaten to derail her efforts.
Enter police officer Aiden Gallagher, who has never stopped caring for Laurel, even after a high school prank went wrong and ended their friendship. Now he might have a chance to make amends, but Laurel will not make it easy for him. A Publishers Weekly contributor called this a “sweet and heartwarming” story in a quaint New England town full of Gallaghers–and second chances.
Someone to Love is the story of Lauren’s best friend and high-school poster child Willow Dunaway. Life has not been kind to Willow, who left town to escape a painful family life and found the outside world even harsher. Willow is a fighter, though, who got therapy for her life-threatening eating disorder, turned her life around with yoga and meditation, and came home to Darling to open an organic café.
Firefighter Ethan Gallagher encounters Willow at a time in his life when he most needs a dose of home-cooked compassion. Years ago, he kissed the love of his life on the kissing bridge and cherished her until her untimely death. Now a single father of two energetic little boys, Ethan is burdened with responsibilities that he never expected to handle alone. He is exhausted and angry. Willow represents a breath of fresh air, but can his buttoned-up facade of self-control make room for this free spirit almost within his reach?
“The book has a surprisingly gritty voice in some places,” observed a commentator in Kirkus Reviews. A reviewer at Scandalicious called Someone to Love “incredibly raw, honest and just straight up gut wrenching.” A Publishers Weekly contributor predicted that “readers will root for [Alward’s] convincing characters, whose internal and external problems feel real.”
Somebody’s Baby revolves around a dog named Buster. Oaklee Collier is a loner who spends most of her time on social media. That changes after she injures a stray dog with her car and seeks help from veterinarian Rory Gallagher. He is no stranger. Oaklee had a major crush on him when Rory was her big brother’s best friend, but life took them in different directions. Reunited by a wounded dog, both are reeling from painful romantic breakups and have no intention of giving love a second chance. Yet, love is what Buster needs most. Oaklee takes him into her home as a foster pet, Rory offers her a payment plan for Buster’s veterinary care, and one thing leads to another.
The result is not a passionate race to potential disaster. Several reviewers considered Somebody’s Baby to be a realistic and thoughtful love story. A reviewer at Scandalicious wrote: “These two are okay taking a beat, pulling back, so they can get it right.” A writer at the Novel Knight book blog was pleased with how the story’s happy ending does not involve an actual marriage: “Neither [Rory nor Oaklee] is ready to settle down … and I like that they don’t have to. They can just be a couple and that’s enough.”
Readers hint that this series may not be finished. There are at least three more Gallaghers waiting for their chance at love. The quaint little town of Darling, Vermont, may offer each of them the perfect rendezvous.
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2017, review of Someone to Love; March 15, 2017, review of Somebody’s Baby.
Publishers Weekly, September 8, 2014, review of Treasure on Lilac Lane; December 19, 2016, review of Somebody like You, p. 104; February 6, 2017, review of Someone to Love,” p. 52.
ONLINE
Books and Bindings, http://booksandbindings.com/ (February 28, 2017), review of Someone to Love.
Dear Author, http://dearauthor.com/ (June 25, 2015), review of Nothing like a Cowboy.
Donna Alward Website, http://www.donnaalward.com/ (October 27, 2017).
Harlequin Junkie, http://harlequinjunkie.com/ (February 9, 2017), review of Somebody like You.
Novel Knight, http://novelknight.com/ (March 18, 2017), review of Somebody’s Baby.
Scandalicious, http://www.scandaliciousbookreviews.com/ (October 27, 2017), review of Someone to Love and Somebody’s Baby.
Smart Bitches Trashy Books, http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/ (May 23, 2012), review of How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart.
Series
Cowboys & Confetti
One Dance with the Cowboy (2009)
Her Lone Cowboy (2010)
First Responders
1. Off The Clock (2011)
In the Line of Duty (2012)
Into the Fire (2012)
Beneath the Badge (2013)
First Responders, Volume 1 (2014)
First Responders, Volume 2 (2014)
Cadence Creek Cowboys
1. The Last Real Cowboy (2012)
2. The Rebel Rancher (2012)
3. Little Cowgirl on His Doorstep (2013)
4. A Cowboy To Come Home To (2013)
5. A Cadence Creek Christmas (2013)
6. Her Rancher Rescuer (2014)
Jewell Cove
1. The House on Blackberry Hill (2014)
2. Treasure on Lilac Lane (2014)
3. Christmas at Seashell Cottage (2014)
4. Summer on Lovers' Island (2015)
5. Christmas at Evergreen Inn (2015)
Crooked Valley Ranch
1. The Cowboy's Christmas Gift (2014)
2. The Cowboy's Valentine (2015)
3. The Cowboy's Homecoming (2015)
4. The Cowboy's Christmas Family (2015)
Darling, VT
1. Somebody Like You (2017)
2. Someone to Love (2017)
3. Somebody's Baby (2017)
4. Deck the Halls (2017)
Not My 1st Rodeo (with Sarah M Anderson and Jenna Bayley-Burke)
Not My 1st Rodeo 2 Boxed Set (2017)
Not My 1st Rodeo Boxed Set (2017)
Royal Duology
1. The Playboy Prince and the Nanny (2017)
Novels
The Girl Most Likely (2006)
Almost a Family (2007)
The Soldier's Homecoming (2008)
Sold to the Highest Bidder (2011)
Honeymoon with the Rancher (2011)
How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart (2011)
Breathe (2011)
The Cowboy's Convenient Bride (2015)
Omnibus
Girl from Honeysuckle Farm / One Dance with the Cowboy (2009) (with Jessica Steele)
Tough to Tame / Her Lone Cowboy (2010) (with Diana Palmer)
Mediterranean Men and Marriage (2010) (with Carol Grace and Raye Morgan)
Miracle for His Secret Son / Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle (2010) (with Barbara Hannay)
Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses (2010) (with Susan Meier, Patricia Thayer and Barbara Wallace)
Honeymoon with the Rancher / Nanny Next Door (2011) (with Michelle Celmer)
A Family for the Rugged Rancher / Soldier on Her Doorstep (2011) (with Soraya Lane)
How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart / The Rancher's Dance (2012) (with Allison Leigh)
There and Now / Marriage at Circle M (2012) (with Linda Lael Miller)
The Cattle King's Bride / The Last Real Cowboy (2012) (with Margaret Way)
The Greatest Gift (2012) (with Katherine Garbera, Tanya Michaels and Kathleen O'Brien)
The Last Real Cowboy / The Rancher's Runaway Princess (2012)
A Christmas Letter (2012) (with Fiona Harper and Shirley Jump)
Date With... (2012) (with Mary Lynn Baxter, Ally Blake, Lucy Clark, Anne Herries, Joan Hohl, Marguerite Kaye, Melanie Milburne, Natasha Oakley, Diana Palmer and Alison Roberts)
Little Cowgirl on His Doorstep / Mission: Soldier to Daddy (2013) (with Soraya Lane)
A Cowboy to Come Home to / The Doctor's Dating Bargain (2013) (with Teresa Southwick)
Diamond in the Rough / Falling for Mr. Dark & Dangerous (2013) (with Diana Palmer)
A Cadence Creek Christmas / How to Marry a Princess (2013)
Harlequin Romance November 2013 Bundle (2013) (with Melissa McClone, Patricia Thayer and Rebecca Winters)
The Last Mercenary / Her Lone Cowboy (2014) (with Diana Palmer)
Harlequin American Romance June 2014 Bundle (2014) (with Laura Marie Altom, Tanya Michaels and Ann Roth)
His Perfect Bride (2014) (with Judy Christenberry and Patricia Thayer)
Harlequin American Romance November 2014 Box Set (2014) (with Marie Ferrarella, Tina Leonard and Tanya Michaels)
A Deal at the Altar (2014) (with Liz Fielding)
Harlequin American Romance February 2015 Box Set (2015) (with Pamela Britton, Tina Leonard and Cathy Gillen Thacker)
New Arrivals (2015) (with Barbara Hannay and Melissa McClone)
One Night with a Red-Hot Rancher (2015) (with Diana Palmer and Charlene Sands)
New Arrivals Collection (2015) (with Lindsay Armstrong, Maggie Cox, Barbara Dunlop, Linda Goodnight, Barbara Hannay, Melissa McClone, Myrna Mackenzie, Carol Marinelli, Maxine Sullivan, Margaret Way and Rebecca Winters)
Best Man for the Bridesmaid / The Cowboy's Homecoming (2015) (with Jennifer Faye)
Harlequin American Romance May 2015 Box Set (2015) (with Leigh Duncan, Trish Milburn and Amanda Renee)
Harlequin American Romance November 2015 Box Set (2015) (with Cathy McDavid, Cathy Gillen Thacker and Marin Thomas)
Harlequin American Romance January 2016 Box Set (2016) (with Laura Marie Altom, Sasha Summers and Rebecca Winters)
One Summer At The Ranch (2016) (with Christine Rimmer and Rebecca Winters)
It Must Be Christmas (2016) (with Mandy Baxter and Jennifer Crusie)
Collections
Not My 1st Rodeo (2015) (with Sarah M Anderson and Jenna Bayley-Burke)
Series contributed to
Heart to Heart
Marriage At Circle M (2007)
Falling For Mr. Dark & Dangerous (2007)
Hired: The Italian's Bride (2009)
Western Weddings
Hired by the Cowboy (2007)
The Rancher's Runaway Princess (2008)
Christmas Treats (with Patricia Thayer)
Montana, Mistletoe, Marriage (omnibus) (2009)
Mistletoe & Marriage (omnibus) (2009)
Babies and Brides
Proud Rancher, Precious Bundle (2010)
Cowboy For Every Mood
A Family for the Rugged Rancher (2011)
The Rebel Rancher (2012)
Holiday Miracles
Sleigh Ride with the Rancher (2012)
Texas Rodeo Barons
5. Rodeo Rebel (2014)
1. The Texan's Baby (2014)
Kindle Worlds : St. Helena Vineyard
1. Last Chance Lullaby (2016)
Non fiction
We (Heart) the Holidays (2015) (with Karen Akins, D D Ayres, Sarah Castille, Tiffany Clare, Manda Collins, Lily Dalton, Elizabeth Essex, Darynda Jones and Kieran Kramer)
While bestselling author Donna Alward was busy studying Austen, Eliot and Shakespeare, she was also losing herself in the breathtaking stories created by romance novelists like LaVyrle Spencer, Judith McNaught, and Nora Roberts. Several years after completing her degree she decided to write a romance of her own and it was true love! Five years and ten manuscripts later she sold her first book and launched a new career. While her heartwarming stories of love, hope, and homecoming have been translated into several languages, hit bestseller lists and won awards, her very favorite thing is when she hears from happy readers!
Donna lives on Canada’s east coast with her family which includes a husband, a couple of kids, a senior dog and two crazy cats. When she’s not writing she enjoys reading (of course!), knitting, gardening, cooking…and is a Masterpiece Theater addict. You can visit her on the web at www.DonnaAlward.com and join her mailing list at http://www.DonnaAlward.com/newsletter .
Twitter: @DonnaAlward
Representation: Karen Solem of Spencerhill Associates
No bio.
From Sketchwriter: BUT she does have a press page, which in addition to the copy from Amazon.com also includes:
A busy wife and mother of three (two daughters plus the family dog), ?Donna Alward?believes hers is the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist.?Donna loves being back on the East Coast of Canada after nearly twelve years in Alberta where her romance career began, writing about cowboys and the west.
Born: New Brunswick, Canada
Representation: Nalini Akolekar of Spencerhill Associates
I love hearing from readers! If you’d like to send me a message, click here to send me an e-mail.
Photo copyright Marti Corn Photography
Upcoming Appearances:
February 18/17 Online Workshop with the Central Ohio Fiction Writers
July 29/17 – Literacy for Life Book Signing, RWA National Conference, Disney Swan and Dolphin Resort, Orlando FL
August 19/17 Romancing The Writer Annual Workshop, Prescott House Museum, Starr’s Point NS
Media:
Authors on the Air podcast: The Librarian, Romance Novels, and Donna Alward
A Toast to the Contemporary Hero – Podcast with Kerrigan Byrne
Editing
I’m also a content editor and coach at THE RED PEN COACH. For information on editing services, please visit www.TheRedPenCoach.com.
Awards and Recognition
2012 Colorado Award of Excellence: How A Cowboy Stole Her Heart
2012 RITA Award Finalist: How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart
2011 Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award: How A Cowboy Stole Her Heart
2011 Bookseller’s Best Award: Her Lone Cowboy
2011 Colorado Award of Excellence: Her Lone Cowboy
2011 Dunes and Dreams Cover Contest: Sold to the Highest Bidder
2008 Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award: Falling for Mr. Dark and Dangerous
2008 Bookseller’s Best Award: Hired By The Cowboy
2007 Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award: Marriage at Circle M
From Google:
Donna Alward
Novelist
A busy wife and mother of three (two daughters plus the family dog), ?Donna Alward?believes hers is the best job in the world: a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist.?Donna loves being back on the East Coast of Canada after nearly twelve years in Alberta where her romance career began, writing about cowboys and the west.
Born: New Brunswick, Canada
from FictionDB.com
about the author
An avid reader since childhood, Donna Alward always made up her own stories. She completed her Arts Degree in English Literature in 1994, but it wasn't until 2001 that she penned her first full-length novel, and found herself hooked on writing romance. In 2006 she sold her first manuscript, and now writes warm, emotional stories for Harlequin's Romance line. Her debut novel, Hired by the Cowboy, was awarded the Booksellers Best Award in 2008 for Best Traditional Romance.
A busy wife and mother of two daughters, Donna believes hers is the best job in the world; a combination of stay-at-home mom and romance novelist. From her new home office in Nova Scotia, she loves being back on the East Coast of Canada after nearly 12 years in Alberta where her Harlequin career began, writing about cowboys and the west. With the Atlantic Ocean only minutes from her doorstep, Donna has found a fresh take on life and promises even more great romances in the near future!
Alward, Donna: SOMEBODY'S BABY
(Mar. 15, 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Alward, Donna SOMEBODY'S BABY St. Martin's (Adult Fiction) $7.99 4, 4 ISBN: 978-1-250-09268-7
A lovable dog brings two lonely souls together in Book 3 of Alward's (Someone to Love, 2017, etc.) Darling, VT series.Oaklee Collier is a social media maven without much of a social life ever since her fiance left her at the altar at their Las Vegas wedding. Her brother's childhood best friend, Rory Gallagher, is feeling the loss of both his girlfriend and his future stepson after his recent breakup. Their paths cross once more in the small town of Darling, where a terrible accident sends Oaklee to Rory's veterinary clinic with a wounded dog named Buster. Soon, Oaklee has more companionship--and complications--than she bargained for when Buster comes home to live with her and she has to work out a deal with Rory to pay for his treatment. The two agree that a relationship is not part of that deal, but when Oaklee's latest social media campaign has her posting about couples who were brought together on the town's famous Kissing Bridge, the magical bridge might have a different story to tell. Oaklee's charming relationship with the dog mirrors her own journey to make room for a partner in her life. As she goes from keeping her house messy to create the appearance of a lively home to cleaning up after the actual messes the dog makes, Oaklee realizes that love at its best is still a lot of work. Rory, who was ready for an instant family (a lovable flaw), has to learn to slow down and build one step by step. Together, they are a hot mess, but in a good way. And the dog adds plenty of heartwarming moments while they figure it all out. A cute romance about how messy--and ultimately rewarding--love can be.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Alward, Donna: SOMEBODY'S BABY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Mar. 2017. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA485105263&it=r&asid=24e496b37185e82dbd260fa9ca254898. Accessed 26 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A485105263
Alward, Donna: SOMEONE TO LOVE
(Feb. 15, 2017):
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Alward, Donna SOMEONE TO LOVE St. Martin's (Adult Fiction) $7.99 3, 7 ISBN: 978-1-250-09266-3
An unlikely match is made when a hard-to-crack firefighter and a whimsical cafe owner connect through mutual friends and family--a reminder that love is not just a personal matter, but a family affair.Willow Dunaway, owner of a small-town health food cafe in Vermont, expects nothing but smooth sailing after returning from an extended stay in Florida. No longer haunted by memories of her past--a mother who abandoned her, an eating disorder--Willow is refreshed and carefree. That is, until Ethan Gallagher enters her life. During the studied introduction of Darling, Vermont, that opens the book--it sounds a bit like a pamphlet from a welcome center--Ethan and his two sons stumble onto the cafe's stoop during a game of soccer. Ethan, overworked from a full-time job and single parenthood, immediately clashes with Willow, who has a more happy-go-lucky attitude. Although this story could have easily been told--badly--in the style of a Hallmark Channel original movie,<
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Alward, Donna: SOMEONE TO LOVE." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Feb. 2017. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA480922060&it=r&asid=7f2c86f96d91849c7e39eb89485b6b55. Accessed 26 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A480922060
Someone to Love: Darling, Vt., Book 2
264.6 (Feb. 6, 2017): p52.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Someone to Love: Darling, Vt., Book 2
Donna Alward. St. Martin's, $7.99 mass
market (320p) ISBN 978-1-250-09266-3
Alward's charming and down-to-earth second Kissing Bridge contemporary will have readers wishing they could book a weekend getaway to picturesque and romantic Darling, Vt. Willow Dunaway, a devotee of yoga and Zen, returned to her hometown after a few years away to open the Purple Pig Cafe, which specializes in home-cooked all-natural foods. Now that her best friend, Laurel, has married Aiden Gallagher (in Somebody like You), she finds herself spending more time with the entire Gallagher family, including firefighter Ethan, a widower. Ethan is weighed down by responsibilities to his two young sons and feels immense guilt for relying on family help to care for them during his shifts. He thinks hippie Willow is too flighty, but he's drawn to her free spirit, her generosity to their community, and her delightful manner with his boys. Soon Ethan begins to realize that he can find happiness again. Alward introduces themes of reproductive choice and handles them thoughtfully and without judgment. <
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Someone to Love: Darling, Vt., Book 2." Publishers Weekly, 6 Feb. 2017, p. 52+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA480593858&it=r&asid=52327f7f16d444feba5e042cb4124bb2. Accessed 26 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A480593858
Somebody like You
263.52 (Dec. 19, 2016): p104.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Somebody like You
Donna Alward. St. Martin's, $7.99 mass market (320p) ISBN 978-1-250-09264-9
Darling, Vt., is the quintessential New England romance-novel town where local business and families are closely tied together and everyone knows everyone else's business. That quality serves Laurel Stone well when her newly opened gardening center is the victim of repeat vandalism, and a local cop; who also happens to be her high school sweetheart, is the first responder. Aiden Gallagher fully regrets that his immature high school antics drove Laurel away, but now that she's back in town, he's determined to earn her love. He'll have to work hard, because Laurel is still reeling from an unexpected divorce that forced her life in a direction she never planned. In a story that's <
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Somebody like You." Publishers Weekly, 19 Dec. 2016, p. 104. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA475324303&it=r&asid=6d5254c308cf5fb18e2a9d92dffadd09. Accessed 26 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A475324303
Treasure on Lilac Lane
261.36 (Sept. 8, 2014): p44.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Treasure on Lilac Lane
Donna Alward. St. Martin's Paperbacks, $7.99 mass market (336p) ISBN 978-1-250-04517-1
In the sweet but middling second Jewell Cove contemporary (after The House on Blackberry Hill), Rick Sullivan returns from his military tour in Afghanistan, beset by nightmares and sporting a prosthetic hand. He finds refuge in the bottle until he promises his dying mother that he'll stop drinking. Surprising himself, he takes up painting. Jess, trying to bounce back from an abusive relationship, finds peace in the craft store she owns. When Rick takes a temporary job in Jess's store, sparks fly, and, despite mutual hesitation, they let their emotions lead the way to a passionate affair. But when Jess's ex threatens to return to Jewell Cove, both Rick and Jess must honestly consider whether their lust for one another can lead to true romantic partnership. Repetitive internal thoughts and trite dialogue detract from this otherwise pleasant and feel-good yarn. (Nov.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"Treasure on Lilac Lane." Publishers Weekly, 8 Sept. 2014, p. 44. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA382535145&it=r&asid=3abc3ca1cd76cf0f126e80d9ced3a6bd. Accessed 26 Sept. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A382535145
Someone To Love by Donna Alward
“it’s so deep, so raw and feels so exceptionally real. ”
by Scandal
The Deets
Genre: contemporary romance | Series: Darling, VT #2 | Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Source: NetGalley | GoodReads
Purchase
US
I reviewed the first book in this series Somebody Like You back in January. Donna Alward was a new to me author and now, after reading Someone to Love, she has moved into the ranks of auto-buy. I loved this book even more than the first one because it was so <
Let’s start in Darling, VT. If you recall, this is a small town with a famous kissing bridge that many superstitious sorts believe will give you a love that lasts a lifetime. The big, loud, Irish family in town, the Gallagher’s, have a son (they have several sons and several daughters…lucky us!), anyway, they have a son, Ethan who kissed his dear wife Lisa on that bridge many moons ago and settled nicely into his happily ever after. Two little boys later, and Lisa dies. See, the kissing bridge promises a love that lasts a lifetime…it doesn’t specify the length of said lifetime. Two years later, Ethan, our firefighter single dad of Conner (5) and Ronan (3) is struggling to say the very least. Yes, I typed that right, do the math on that last kid, that sweet baby was just a year old when his momma died. Ethan’s huge and loving family has definitely picked up the slack to help cover his odd work shifts and overall need for support to raise two very sweet, very rambunctious little boys. The problem is, Ethan is exhausted, emotionally and physically and he’s tired of having to rely on his family for so much help. He certainly has no time to fall in love again and frankly, he’s pretty damn positive that isn’t in the cards for him anyway. Lisa was it, she was the one, she was a paragon of motherhood and wife-dom and now that she’s gone, a huge part of Ethan’s soul is gone too. He is pretty much holding on by a thread and doing everything in his power to give his boys a good, fun, beautiful life. He’s is rightfully grumpy and more than a bit assholey but damn man, I think if anyone is allowed, it would be Ethan. (full disclosure, hold on tight because asshole is a gentle word for Ethan…if this giant hero apologist is saying that…well, just sayin’)
Willow Dunaway moved back to her hometown of Darling a few years ago and opened the crunchy granola all organic café on Main Street. Back in high school she was the Type A, straight laced, studious girl and now she back with a pink streak in her blonde hair, touting the benefits of yoga, meditation and healthy eating. On the outside, Willow is nothing but calm and zen, on the inside…well, she can kid herself as much as she wants, on the inside that girl is still a mess. Growing up, Willow’s mom was an asshole. I don’t say this lightly, the woman was a cunt. Of course no one really knew to what extent but there was emotional abuse that left more than a mark on Willow’s self confidence and heart. Life altering decisions are made for her, zero support is given and well, as soon as high school ends, ole girl gets the hell out of town. There’s nothing there for her anyway because her Mom left too and pretty much without a forwarding address. Seriously, her mom is straight trash. Spiraling out of control, still with no support or guidance, Willow ends up with a hell of an eating disorder and eventually attempts suicide. Realizing her bad decision, her years of practice with vomiting and purging actually saved her life. The reality check rattled Willow enough to make her realize she needed help. Several years of therapy later, Willow has settled on yoga and meditation to keep her mind centered. She seriously comes off as a person who has her shit together and for the most part she does, it’s her heart she can’t trust and that keeps her locked away in a beautiful cage of her fears.
When Ethan and Willow first meet, it’s safe to say they are complete opposites. I mean, he’s angry, gruff firefighter, stressed out dad and she is light, airy, notice the butterflies and ponder their flight, pink hair and kale chips. He does not want to like her and he goes out of his way to belittle everything she believes in. You can imagine, when he finally lets her in and learns her story, the wave of guilt over his asshole ways is pretty overwhelming for him. Ethan is pretty positive, no one as carefree as Willow could possible understand his anguish, much less have a story equally sad. I mean at least Ethan has the support of his family, Willow had nothing and no one.
Someone to Love is perfectly paced. This is without a doubt, one of my favorite books of the year. No insta-love here, no quick fixes for broken hearts, Alward gives us the work. She doesn’t fall prey to coy, predictable solutions for hard problems, she lets her characters say exactly what they need to say and often times, it is ugly and hard to hear, just like real life. When Ethan fucks up, he does it well. That also means his grovel is stunning. His words, oh man, his words. I was mesmerized by Ethan and Willow’s relationship. It was painful and beautiful at the same time. And then, throw in the boys – lordy. This book gutted me more than once. Willow’s internal struggle, Ethan’s external grief – it’s so deep, so raw and painfully honest and feels so exceptionally real. You can read this one without reading the first book, the secondary character relationships are all quickly and easily explained. I love this Gallagher family so very much and Willow will have you eating black bean brownies and meditating before you realize what hit you. (full disclosure, I might already do those things so perhaps I’m biased a bit!) The next book in the Darling, VT series is due out in April, Somebody’s Baby gives us another Gallagher son. I’m hoping the Gallagher daughters get some book time soon, I’m pretty sure there’s something going on with Hannah we all need to know about.
Smooches,
Scandal
Somebody's Baby by Donna Alward
“Alward paces the romance in a way that feels realistic. ”
by Scandal
The Deets
Genre: contemporary | Series: Darling, VT #3 | Publisher: St. Martin's Press | Source: ARC | GoodReads
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US
I enjoyed Somebody Like You, I loved Someone to Love and now we get Somebody’s Baby and well, I’m still not disappointed or tired of Darling, VT! The matriarch of the Gallagher family must be over the moon with all of her progeny finding love on that kissing bridge! Somebody’s Baby gives us Rory Gallagher and Oaklee Ferguson’s story and as I expected, it is just lovely.
Rory and Oaklee have history. Rory was her older brother Cam’s best friend in high school. Yep, we get the older brother’s best friend trope with this one so of course she’s been crushing on him since puberty and Cam decked him that one time he caught Rory checking her out back in the day. Rory and Oaklee went away to different colleges, fell desperately in love with the wrong people and had their hearts absolutely crushed. Now they are back in Darling, VT and putting on their happy faces. To say these two are carrying baggage would be a ginormous understatement. Neither one is ready to open their hearts again and neither has been completely honest with anyone about what devastated them. The baggage is not just there, it’s bottled up, suppressed and aching to get out. Also, neither Rory nor Oaklee can deny their chemistry, it’s palpable when they are around each other. Lordy, just go for it man, stop being the older brother’s best friend and embrace the woman in front of you!
So, they say in television and movies you should never work with babies or animals because they will completely upstage you. Rory is a vet…and Oaklee is fostering the stray dog, Buster, she hit with her car. Buster is the first warm body Oaklee has let near her bed and more importantly, in her heart since her ex left her at the alter. Buster, is the star of this show, he makes Oaklee open herself back up to the possibility of love. Man, pets are the best aren’t they? It’s like they know exactly what you need.
I’ve said it before but it should be repeated, the reason I enjoy this series so much is because Alward paces the romance in a way that feels realistic. There’s no insta-love and people don’t seem to rush into anything and they talk things out in a way that makes the process seem even more believable. On multiple occasions Rory and Oaklee have real, genuine heart to heart conversations, stories get shared and hard questions get asked but just like real life, you can’t always answer some of the hard questions right there on the spot. <
It should also be noted, Rory is a little slower to get there and he fucks up a bit. You know what that means, right? Grovel city and he does it for the whole interwebs to see. It’s kinda awesome and the best possible way to get his social media queen back where they both want to be. I love a nicely worded grovel in 140 characters or less.
I hope we get more of this crazy Gallagher family, there are three girls in that brood that need their stories told. Also, it’s cool how pretty much all of these stories are happening simultaneously – we get little snippets of the two previous stories happening during Rory & Oaklee’s journey. There’s always a lot going on during a Gallagher family dinner so pay attention!
Review – Somebody’s Baby by Donna Alward
POSTED ON March 18, 2017 BY Austine IN Book Review
Somebody's Baby
by Donna Alward
Series: Darling VT #3
Published on April 4, 2017 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romance
Pages: 304
Format: ARC, Paperback
Source: Publisher
Rating:
Book Depository / Amazon / Barnes & Noble
Veterinarian Rory Gallagher chose a different path from his brothers, both of whom became first responders in the lovely little town of Darling, Vermont. Rory's always had an affinity for animals--and the ladies. Known for his impressive track record in breaking hearts, Rory never meant to hurt anyone; he's just never been in a hurry to settle down. It's not as if he needs to pay a visit to the town's famed Kissing Bridge to magically find love. He'll know The One when he sees her. . .right?
Oaklee Ferguson is the kid sister of Rory's best friend--and, even now that she's all grown up, remains immune to the pet-doctor's charms. When she shows up at Rory's clinic late one night--devastated after hitting a stray dog with her car--Rory's so-called -bedroom eyes- are the last thing on her mind. Still, his care and kindness toward the dog, and his concern for her feelings, catches Oaklee by surprise. . .and soon the two (and rescued dog makes three!) begin to share a deep connection that neither could have ever imagined. Could it be that love has been waiting for them by the bridge all along?
This book was provided by the Publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The latest in the Darling, VT series, Somebody’s Baby was also probably my favorite of the three so far. In terms of the timeline, it starts around the middle of Someone to Love and does contain spoilers for the previous two books. This one follows Rory, the youngest of the Gallagher brothers, and Oaklee, the town’s social media extraordinaire, both appearing briefly in previous books so if you’ve read Somebody Like You or Someone to Love, you’ll probably recognize them.
Typically romances seem to end in marriage. It just seems to be the trend in the genre. And I think that’s why I liked this book because it didn’t. This is about two people who are attracted to each other but have that sort of history where you’ve known the other person since school and all those embarrassing moments leading to present day that go along with growing up. <
There’s also the added bonus that Rory is a vet. A hot vet. Alward is speaking to my animal lover side here.
But honestly his character was real. He’s a neat freak. He’s had his heart broken but hides it for the sake of those around him (and himself). And he’s just someone you feel like you could go talk to. Oaklee was much the same in that she put on a face, appearing collected and organized to make a name for herself in the world so others take her seriously but she has her own personal struggles. I can’t count the number of times I’ve pretended to be more collected than I actually am.
Plus Somebody’s Baby includes a dog. I can’t pass up a story with a dog, especially one that finds its forever home.
Now while I found the romance believable between Oaklee and Rory, there wasn’t as much heat to it. This is definitely a slow burn which I enjoy, but usually when the story centers around more than just a romance like this one did. All that simmering chemistry didn’t amount to nearly as much as I was hoping for but that’s more of a personal preference than anything, I’d say.
I definitely enjoyed Somebody’s Baby and I think that both the main characters contributed to that, as well as the secondary ones. Especially the Gallagher family. This is the third member that has gotten some sort of happily ever after and now I’m interested to see if Alward gives the sisters theirs. Especially Hannah. She played a decently sized role in this one and I think she deserves a bit of page time in the next installment (if there will be more)!
If you haven’t, go check out the first two books in this series and I definitely recommend reading in order if you want to avoid spoilers! Plus, Laurel and Aiden in Somebody Like You are quite the pair, as are Ethan and Willow in Someone to Love.
Book Review: Someone To Love by Donna Alward 3
28 Feb 2017 | Book Reviews
Someone to Love
(Darling, VT #2)
by Donna Alward
Goodreads
Amazon
B&N
Releasing 3/7/2017
SOME WISHES DO COME TRUE
Ethan Gallagher is a firefighter in Darling, Vermont, who followed tradition and pledged his love on the Kissing Bridge to ensure lifelong happiness. A few years later, he’s a widower with two rambunctious boys who no longer believes in magic. But even he has to admit that free-spirited Willow Dunaway fills him with wonder…and an attraction he cannot deny.
Willow’s come back to Darling a different girl than the one who left after high school. Overcoming her past and owning her own business has made her into a strong, independent woman. Single dad Ethan appeals to her in a way she didn’t expect, even though settling down is the last thing on her mind. But after fire destroys the local food bank, the town rallies, and a fling between Ethan and Willow leads to unintended consequences. Can they find a way out of their heartbreak to make a home in each other’s hearts?
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
He blinked back tears, wondering at the odd sensation of grieving for his actual grief. Because the absence of heartbreak had to mean he was moving on. It was a sad, complicated feeling.
I can’t fix the whole world, Ethan. But maybe I can do something about my little corner of it. Imagine what would happen if we all did that? The world would be filled with happy little corners.
We can just be… In the moment. It’s really the only way to live. We can’t change the past, Ethan. And we can’t predict the future. But sitting in front of the fire with you is a very nice now to be in.
You give good advice. Except to yourself.
My Review:
Someone To Love picks up one month after Somebody Like You, with the same characters but featuring a different couple. Each book could stand alone, but honestly, you will want to read them both. I adored and was intrigued by Willow from the very first mention of her in the first book. I knew she was haunted by something troublesome and I was anxious to learn her secrets. I also admired her greatly and coveted her joy, self-ease, and serenity. I wanted to be Willow, but without the pesky painful past. Ethan took longer for me to warm up to, he was broody and snappish as he continued to be mired in grief, and he was a cranky bastard to my sweet Willow, but he could not totally repel her sweet charms and her sparkle prevailed. Ethan was lucky Willow was patient; I would have set his hair on fire. The storyline for Someone to Love was angsty, heart-squeezing, and full of feels. The writing was thoughtful, emotive, insightful, and relevant. My eyes stung and my throat closed up a few times, which is a testament to the high quality of Ms. Alward’s word skills. It is my fervent hope she is currently locked away in her writing cave and pounding out book three… I’d like to think so anyway.
RITA Reader Challenge: How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart by Donna Alward
by SB Sarah · May 23, 2012 at 1:30 am · View all 2 comments
A-
Title: How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart
Author: Donna Alward
Publication Info: Harlequin 2011
ISBN: 978-0373177608
Genre: Contemporary Romance
This review was written by Lindlee. This story was nominated in the Best Contemporary Series Romance category.
The summary: Clay Gregory's known Megan Briggs her whole life, and he's been plenty worried about her while she's been getting medical treatment. Now she's back home and hiding away on the family ranch. Knowing the stubborn cowgirl won't accept his help willingly, he invites her to a family wedding to help him avoid his aunt's matchmaking! He plans to remind Meg she's still the girl who can beat him in a horse race! But as she steps out in her curve-hugging red dress, her skills on a horse are suddenly the furthest thing from his mind….
And here is Lindlee's review:
How a Cowboy Stole Her Heart starts when Megan returns home after going into remission from breast cancer. She lived in Calgary, a few hours away from home, while she was undergoing treatment. Coming back is difficult, but it is during this time that Clay and Megan’s friendship turns into something more.
Alward does a great job of portraying their friendship. Clay and Megan are close and aren’t afraid to be honest with each other. When they fight, neither one is too proud to say “I’m sorry.” Sometimes it did feel like the friendship would overshadow the romance. Clay and Megan’s already close relationship added with the serious subject matter meant there weren’t many<< light-hearted, falling-in-love moments.>>
Megan is the type of heroine that felt like she had to be strong for everybody. Sometimes this type of heroine can be annoying, especially when she pushes everyone away because she “doesn’t want to be a burden.” Thankfully Megan didn’t fall into this trap. Even though she can go overboard trying to protect her loved ones, she actually has good solid reasons behind her actions. Also, her need to be strong is really a coping mechanism and she acknowledges this.
“(I)f I admit a weakness to [my family and friends], I might have to admit it to myself…I thought beating this thing would make the rest of it easy, but it’s not at all, and I can’t seem to figure it out. And that’s why I yelled at you this afternoon and I’m sorry.”
Clay, on the other hand, is one of those heroes afraid of love because of his past. Normally this means that some evil woman “did him wrong” but in this case, it’s a little more complicated. Clay’s mother left when his father was diagnosed with cancer. Clay is afraid of both losing anyone he loves and his reaction if Megan’s cancer comes back. I thought Clay had good reasons to be scared. His father’s death and mother’s desertion scarred him so badly that I felt like the author had to convince me that Clay had staying power. I had to believe that Clay would stick around and not go running scared if Megan’s cancer came back.
However, by the end, the author had me convinced <
REVIEW: Somebody Like You by Donna Alward
Posted February 9th, 2017 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, Review / 4 comments
Somebody Like You by Donna Alward: Laurel has hated Aiden since they were teenagers and she was caught up in a foolhardy bet between him and his teammates. But now that she’s back in town, building a new life after her husband came out as gay and with a new partner, Aiden can’t seem to leave her alone.
Aiden always regretted the bet, especially because he really did have strong feelings for Laurel. And now that she’s back in his life, he can’t seem to get her off his mind.
But even when Laurel forgives him and gives into the passion sparking between them, she can’t let her lust turn to love. Not when she can’t trust anymore that there’s a happily ever after in the cards for her.
She moved back. And the door was almost closed when he ignored every rational thought and pushed it back open again, stepped inside, and gathered her up in his arms…
…Her body melted against his, just the tiniest bit, and he lowered his head and captured her mouth in a kiss.
Somebody Like You is definitely a cute and sweet romance. Laurel has been through a lot and boy, do I feel for her and totally get her conflict. But I just can’t say the story interested me enough. While I enjoyed it, it felt too muted. Aiden could and should have been a lot of fun to read about, but ended up falling flat because he ended up being too focused on responsibility. There needed to be a better mix between him growing up and maintaining that youthful charm.
The relationships, in and outside the romance, felt muted as well as I just don’t feel much happened. They went about their lives in this sweet town. A bit of trouble existed with teenage hooligans, but that was very backburner. Overall, the romantic conflict was very internal for Laurel and I just wish there was something else to hold my attention.
But for those who love the sweet and calm second chance romance, I recommend Somebody Like You by Donna Alward. A lot of good and adorable elements – such as the kissing bridge! – existed, but, for me, it just didn’t reach its potential.
Book Info:
February 7, 2017 | St. Martin’s Paperbacks | Darling, VT #1
A kiss to last a lifetime
Aiden Gallagher was only five years old when he appeared in a photograph on the Kissing Bridge. The town of Darling, Vermont, has used Aiden’s image on the famed bridge—local legend has it that a kiss there results in everlasting love—as part of its tourism campaign. Now, twenty years later, Aiden is asked to recreate the moment with the woman he once kissed: Laurel Stone.
Recently divorced, there’s nothing Laurel wants less than to pretend happily-ever-after with Aiden. As teenagers, their romance was no fairy tale—and Laurel has never quite forgiven Aiden for breaking her heart. But now that she is back in her hometown, and keeps bumping into police officer Aiden, Laurel can’t deny that there’s still a strong flicker between her and her old flame. Could it be that the Kissing Bridge is working its magic on Laurel and Aiden—and that all true love ever needed was a second chance?
June 25, 2015
REVIEW: Nothing Like a Cowboy by Donna Alward
JayneC+ ReviewsAmerica / Contemporary / cowboy / divorcee / Montana / novella / ranchComments Off on REVIEW: Nothing Like a Cowboy by Donna Alward
NOTE – This may be bought separately or as part of the NotMy1stRodeo Anthology.
Brett Harrison tried marriage once and isn’t anxious for another round. So
when his meddling twin sister sets him up on a dating site, he seriously considers strangling her and cancelling. Luckily for him, he’s too much of a gentleman to act on those impulses, and when he meets Melly Walker, he wonders if it’s time to get back in the saddle.
Melly knows exactly where her previous marriage went wrong. She was dazzled by her ex’s big-city charm and strayed too far from her roots. This time, she’s going with tried and true—a dyed-in-the-wool cowboy. Her first few dates net her more duds than studs, but when she meets Brett, she’s ready to get more than just her feet wet.
The principles of trust and compromise are great in theory, but when Melly
discovers Brett has his eye on more than just her curves, she questions her judgment and his motives. Is Brett ready to drop his dreams for something as unreliable as love?
Dear Ms. Alward,
You’ve been recommended to me to read so many times that I’m almost embarrassed that it’s taken me this long to try one of your books. I like the second chance trope and cowboys so this seemed a good fit to start out with.
Unfortunately the book starts with another trope I don’t care for – the meddling relative intent on getting someone back in the dating scene. But Brett’s mother raised him with manners so he decides to go to the coffee date and ultimately gets his profile password from his sister and then changes it. Good for Brett.
The initial date is a safe one – a quick cup of coffee in public and both Brett and Melly cautiously size each other up. After an awkward start and a quick kiss to check their chemistry, they decide on a second date and all systems are go. Then conflict external to their dating relationship pops up and sends their hot sexy times into a tailspin.
I can understand Melly’s quick and angry reaction to how she thinks she might have been smooth sexed into something. Brett’s anger at the insult to his integrity also makes sense as well as the week long cooling off period. Still, once they meet up again to talk things out, Melly’s second go ’round of a similar reaction as the first annoys me just a tad. Brett calls her on it and his parting words give her food for thought.
If the relationship had then rushed straight to a HEA, I really would have been upset. As it was, Melly has some time to sort through her emotions. The premise of the dating site – people with past failed relationships still looking for a second chance – leads to people with more experience and maturity but also the possibility of old hurts and cynicisms clouding their view point. So I can kind of understand where Melly is coming from though I hope now that she and Brett have said their “ILYs,” she’s not going to flare up again. C+
~Jayne