Tag Archives: Hudson Valley

Buns (Hudson Valley #3) by Alice Clayton-a review

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BUNS (Hudson Valley #3) by Alice Clayton-a review

Buns

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 23, 2017

Clara Morgan is living the dream, if you can call rebranding hotels that are desperate for a new life and running any kind of marathon a dream. Which she does. But the career she loves and the endurance races that keep her adrenaline pumping have kept her too busy to put down any roots. Growing up in foster care, she’s never been able to establish traditions of her own, which may be why she’s fascinated by the rituals that generations-old family resorts are known for. She’s especially interested in the Bryant Mountain House, and not just for their secret recipe for the yummy, gooey, can’t-get-enough-of Hot Cross Buns….

Archie Bryant, the man with the Buns, is fifth generation and one-day-owner of the charming yet run-down Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, New York. He’s determined to save his family’s legacy from the wrecking ball the old-fashioned way—by gritting his teeth and doing what needs to be done. There’s no way Archie will be influenced by the new hotel branding expert his father brought in to turn one hundred and fifty years of tradition on its head just to attract a faster, younger, slicker crowd. But when some of Clara’s ideas start bringing in new, paying customers, Archie can’t deny that she may have just given him a shot at keeping his resort open.

It’s sticky, it’s messy, it’s sweet, it’s Buns.

••••••

REVIEW: BUNS is the third installment in Alice Clayton’s contemporary, adult HUDSON VALLEY romance (rom-com) series focusing on a tight knit group of friends in Hudson Valley, New York. This is hotel rebranding specialist Clara Morgan, and hotel manager/owner Archie Bryant’s story line. BUNS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for history and fun !!

Told from first person point of view (Clara Morgan) with a final chapter from Archie’s point of view BUNS focuses on Clara’s struggle to enact changes at the dated Bryant Mountain House, Bailey Falls, New York in the Catskills Mountains. The Bryant family is struggling with bookings, and Jonathan Bryan, current owner, has called in help in the hopes of refurbishing his dying business. Enter Clara Morgan, hotel rebranding expert, and the woman with whom Archie Bryant will fall in love. What ensues is the antagonist relationship between Archie and Clara as Clara struggles to push Archie out of his comfort zone-in more ways than one.

Clara Morgan is a passionate female lead who battles the demons from her past. Unable to settle down, her work as a hotel rebranding specialist is the perfect foil for a woman afraid to commit beyond the present fearing rejection in both life and love. Archie Bryant is a man stuck in the past: refusing to move forward especially in his personal life. Meeting Clara throws all of Archie’s caution to the wind until the day Clara walks away without explanation or good bye. The $ex scenes are intimate and sensual.

There are a large number of secondary and supporting characters including several employees at the Bryant Mountain House in Bailey Falls, as well as the return of Roxie and Leo (Nuts #1), and Natalie and Oscar (Cream of the Crop #2) .

The world building looks at the attempted revitalization of the Bryant Mountain House, Clara’s battle to convince Archie that the changes will make a positive impression, and the building romance between two people moving in different directions.

BUNS is a story with a little bit of humor, romance, conflict and fun. The back and forth banter between Archie and Clara is sexy; the banter between Clara and her besties (Roxie and Natalie) as well as Logan and Chad, is lively and entertaining. The premise is amusing and engaging; the characters are dynamic, energetic and passionate; the romance is captivating and playful. If you are wondering about the title-BUNS-this is in reference to the ‘hot cross buns’ that the Bryant Mountain House serves to their honored guests. BUNS is a delightful and charming story about two people struggling with their direction in life.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Nuts
Cream of the Crop
Buns

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cream of the Crop (Hudson Valley 2) by Alice Clayton-Review and Giveaway

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CREAM OF THE CROP (Hudson Valley #2) by Alice Clayton-Review and Giveaway

Cream of the Crop Banner

CREAM OF THE CROP
Hudson Valley #2
by Alice Clayton
Release Date: July 12, 2016
Genre: adult, contemporary,romance

Cream of the Crop

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 12, 2016

Manhattan’s It Girl, Natalie Grayson, has it all: she’s a hot exec at a leading advertising firm, known industry-wide for her challenging and edgy campaigns. She’s got a large circle of friends, a family that loves her dearly, and her dance card is always full with handsome eligible bachelors. What else could a modern gal-about-town wish for? The answer, of course, is…cheese.

Natalie’s favorite part of each week is spending Saturday morning at the Union Square Farmer’s Market, where she indulges her love of all things triple cream. Her favorite booth also indulges her love of all things handsome. Oscar Mendoza, owner of the Bailey Falls Creamery and purveyor of the finest artisanal cheeses the Hudson Valley has to offer, is tall, dark, mysterious, and a bit oblivious. Or so she thinks. But that doesn’t stop Natalie from fantasizing about the size of his, ahem, milk can.

Romance is churning, passion is burning, and something incredible is rising to the top. Could it be…love?

•••••

REVIEW: CREAM OF THE CROP is the second installment in Alice Clayton’s contemporary, adult HUDSON VALLEY romance series. This is Manhattan advertising executive Natalie Grayson, and Hudson Valley dairy farmer Oscar Mendoza’s story line. CREAM OF THE CROP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. All of the characters from book one-NUTS-cross over and play secondary or supporting roles. We were first introduced to Natalie and Oscar in the previous story line where Natalie would ‘ stalk ’ Oscar at the weekend Farmer’s Market.

Told from first person point of view (Natalie) CREAM OF THE CROP follows successful advertising executive Natalie Grayson on her latest assignment-to develop a promotional video and ad campaign for the small town of Hudson Valley-where her best friend Roxie Callahan (NUTS book 1) lives, and the man who stars in all of her dreams works and resides. What ensues is a building relationship between Oscar and Natalie, and the potential for failure when the romance becomes focused on the long distance relationship and their burgeoning careers.

Natalie is a feisty, strong willed heroine with an affinity for cheese who is proud of her size eighteen curves but hasn’t always been in the past. Oscar is a quiet, reserved, somewhat oblivious man-beast with a secret past; a man happy to remain in the secluded town of Hudson Valley where his friends are few, and his solitude is met with some curious stares. As the romance heats up, Natalie must decide whether the charm of small town life is perfect for her, or perfect for the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate but I felt the ‘spark’ was missing; as though the couple were going through the motions knowing that the long distance relationship would eventually come to an end. When neither one is willing to compromise, both walk away without a second thought leaving this reader wondering if it was all worth it –in the end!

CREAM OF THE CROP is a fun read with humorous moments, and witty banter. Oscar is a man of few words, and his conversational prowess is limited throughout the story-Natalie carries a good portion of their conversations. Oscar’s ex plays a significant role in his life, and it will take a strong woman to understand their continuing relationship. The premise is entertaining and amusing; the characters are enjoyable and heartwarming; the romance is passionate.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Giveaway pink

The Reading Cafe and Alice’s publisher are offering a paper copy of CREAM OF THE CROP to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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3. Please follow Alice Clayton on Facebook.

4. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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8 Giveaway is  open to USA only.

9 Giveaway runs from July 12-16, 2016

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Nuts (Hudson Valley #1) by Alice Clayton-a review

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NUTS (Hudson Valley #1) by Alice Clayton-a review

Nuts

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository / BAM

About the book: Release Date October 20, 2015

After losing almost all of her clients in one fell swoop following an accident involving whipped cream, private chef to Hollywood’s elite Roxie Callahan gets a call from her flighty mother, saying she’s needed home in upstate New York to run the family diner. Once she’s back in the Hudson Valley, local organic farmer Leo delivers Roxie a lovely bunch of walnuts, and soon sparks—and clothing—begin to fly. Leo believes that everything worth doing is worth doing slowly…and how! But will Roxie stay upstate, or will the lure of West Coast redemption tempt her back to Tinseltown?

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: NUTS is the first installment in Alice Clayton’s new, contemporary, adult HUDSON VALLEY romance series. This is billionaire farmer Leo Maxwell, and professional chef Roxie Callahan’s storyline.

Told from first person point of view (Roxie) plus an epilogue from Leo, NUTS follows Roxie on her return to her hometown of Hudson Valley when her business as private chef to the rich and famous succumbs to a disastrous smear campaign by a former client. With Roxie’s return, our heroine finds herself managing her mother’s small but busy café (as her mother heads out to participate in The Amazing Race) where the locals frequent and handsome billionaire farmer Leo Maxwell supplies the owner with fresh fruit and produce. What ensues is a building relationship between Leo and Roxie- one with an expiry date at the end of the summer. Roxie has plans to head back to Hollywood where the bright lights and warm weather call to her heart.

The relationship between Roxie and Leo begins accidentally-not once, but twice-as our couple fall into one another’s arms one disaster after another. Roxie is no stranger to $ex or men; she goes for what she wants and Leo is ripe for the picking as a summertime fling. But all does not go according to plan when Roxie begins to lose her heart to a man who hides a secret back home- a secret Roxie appears to be the only person not in on ! The $ex scenes are seductive without the use of graphic sexual or erotic imagery.

The secondary and supporting characters include many of the diner regulars, as well as Roxie’s over the top, flamboyant, hopeless romantic mother Trudy. We are also introduced to Leo’s friend and fellow farmer Oscar Bailey-a man who has caught the attention of Roxie’s best friend Natalie. Natalie has a thing for home-made cheese, and Oscar is the local dairy farmer with a cheese booth at the local market. Roxie’s high school crush Chad Bowman introduces the love of his life Logan O’Reilly-Logan and Chad become a staple at Roxie’s weekly cooking class.

Alice Clayton’s continues to write sweet, sexy, funny storylines with plenty of sexual innuendo, barely disguised foreplay, and lots of sexual chemistry; her stories are heartwarming; a delight to read with charismatic characters and happily ever afters. Alice’s comedic timing throughout the storyline is fresh and animated.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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