The Valentine Quest by Melissa McClone

Love at the Chocolate Shop series, Book 5

Tule Publishing (February 2, 2017)

Clean & Wholesome/Small Town/Romance/Holiday

MY REVIEW:

The Love at the Chocolate Shop series is such a charming, small town romance series written by various authors. They can be read as a standalone. One of my favorite things about the series is that they are filled with characters from previous books; both in this series and other books based in the town of Marietta Montana. The Valentine Quest features Nevada Parker, visiting her sister while finishing up the process of receiving her PhD (we met her sister Dakota in A Thankful Heart) and Dustin Decker, a wrangler at the Bar V (who we have met in other books in the series and Bar V series). The pair join forces to conquer the town’s Valentine Quest in order to try to win the prize of a vacation. Dustin wants the prize for a vacation and to validate that he’s still a winner, Nevada wants to win it for her Air Force brother (bonus for me, he’s station in Maryland-my home state. Could it be he’s at Andrew AFB, 30 minutes away?). Dustin and Nevada are completely different from each other; he’s cocky, avoids commitment, but has many talents and a generous heart. Nevada is super smart, a bit prim & proper (Dustin thinks she’s an ivory tower princess) dislikes Valentine’s Day, and looking for something new and challenging to try. They soon find themselves drawn to each other as they work together to complete the tasks assigned. This sweet story is not all about romance; the quest is centered around helping the community and you have the wonderful residents of Marietta popping in. I loved the pacing of the romance. I liked this couple together, and watching them overcome their fears, hurts, and bumps in the road as they complete the Valentine Quest. A quick, easy, satisfying read. Another winner from Melissa McClone.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley.*

BLURB:

Keep your competition close…and your heart even closer. When Nevada Parker travels to Marietta, Montana, she anticipates enough peace and quiet to finish her PhD dissertation. Cupidville turns out to be anything but quiet. In fact, it looks like Valentine’s Day—her least favorite holiday—exploded all over the small town. Among the sea of red hearts, “Be Mine” signs, and pink, pink, pink, Nevada spots a flyer for a multi-day race called The Valentine Quest. The grand prize—a luxury tropical vacation—would be the perfect welcome-home gift for her brother who’s leaving the military. Dustin Decker sure could use a break from giving city slickers sleigh rides. Even with a bum knee from his bull-riding days, the race’s grand prize is as good as his—until he realizes he needs a partner if he wants to win. He makes a strategic pact with the prim, bookish Nevada. But with a kiss, their unlikely alliance turns into something more…and soon, racing isn’t the only thing on their minds. As the finish line nears, they must decide if the grand prize is worth more than what they’ve found together…or if one of them will walk away empty handed—and brokenhearted.

BOOK LINKS:

Kindle:  http://amzn.to/2lbYaz8

iBooks: http://apple.co/2kex8CZ

Nook: http://bit.ly/2keCC0P

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2jUVYXF

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

USA Today bestselling author, Melissa McClone has published over thirty novels with Harlequin and Tule Publishing Group and been nominated for Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award. With a degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, Melissa worked for a major airline where she traveled the globe and met her husband. But analyzing jet engine performance couldn’t compete with her love of writing happily ever afters. Her first full-time writing endeavor was her first sale when she was pregnant with her first child! When she isn’t writing, you can usually find her driving her minivan to/from her children’s swim practices and other activities. Melissa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three school-aged children, two spoiled Norwegian Elkhounds, two goldfish and a few cats who think they rule the house. They do!

AUTHOR LINKS:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMcCloneBooks

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/melissamcclone

Website:  http://melissamcclone.com/

 

The Love at the Chocolate Shop series

Book 1: Melt My Heart, Cowboy by CJ Carmichael

Book 2: A Thankful Heart by Melissa McClone

Book 3: Montana Secret Santa by Debra Salonen

Book 4: The Chocolate Cure by Roxanne Snopek

Book 5: The Valentine Quest by Melissa McClone