Hot in Magnolia Book 4
Lauren
Publication Date: April 30th, 2021
Pages: 275
Categories: Sexy Romance
Hollywood actress Ginger Lynn Harding is broke, unemployed, and stuck in the glaring spotlight of a sex-tape scandal thanks to her lousy ex-boyfriend. Changing her coveted ginger-colored hair to brown, Ginger heads to small-town Magnolia, Texas, where she plans to hide out and wait tables at the Cupcake Diner and Dive.
As a Magnolia constable and possible candidate for mayor, Roland Karr prides himself on protecting the community. When he nabs a Lauren Bacall look-alike for speeding, Roland is surprised that he lets the sassy beauty off the hook, but he can’t help it. She looks like she could use a break.
As Ginger settles into life in Magnolia, she can’t stop thinking about the handsome and debonair cop, but can she risk losing her heart when she’s lost everything else?
Gingerbread Kisses by Minette Lauren is aptly named as the book is equal parts sweet and spicy. It takes a very talented author who can write a beautiful, wholesome love story and then flip the script mid chapter to treat the reader to a tantalizing, pulse quickening love scene.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. From the moment we meet Ginger Lynn Harding, we know that she is more than a pretty face. And like the old Hollywood starlets she physically resembles, the woman has gumption. She’s not one to feel sorry for herself and wallow like some fallen stars that have graced the cover of Us Weekly. To be completely honest, I knew that there was something special about this woman by the unusual, yet surprisingly practical, pet iguana that she dotes on.
As Ginger warily creates a temporary life for herself in Magnolia, the colorful townspeople are eager to bring her into the fold. This detail shocked me since I have more often read about or have personally known proud Texans who hold generational grudges. So to find out that Ginger has relatives with questionable reputations… Let’s just say that I had trouble believing that the locals would not hold that against her.
But the wonderful cast of characters made me forget about that slight hiccup quite quickly. Grudgeless Magnolia folk aside, I found the characters to be believable, interesting, and endearing. Maybe a little too endearing? I think it bothered me that there seem to be no unattractive people in this book. Perhaps the author is too kind to point out physical flaws? At any rate, the lack of ugly or even plain people had me imagining a movie shot with a soft lens (they used those in old Hollywood, right?) or those funny photo filters that make everyone look cute.
After I read the epilogue, I only then realized that this was book four of the Hot in Magnolia series. I’m not sure who the main characters are in the first three books, but I hope that the fiery Rosie Bush is featured prominently in at least one of them. Or perhaps in a future book? (Hint, hint. Nudge, nudge.)
If my previous comments haven’t made it clear, let it be known that this book can be read as a standalone. But why would you want to read just one when you could read all four? I intend to go back and read the whole series while eagerly waiting for the next book. Five stars for a scorching hot romance.
Minette Lauren is an award-winning author who loves animals and writes humorous romance in a small Texas town.
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GIVEAWAY!
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
THREE WINNERS
First place: Signed copies
of the Hot in Magnolia series books (prequel included) + $25 Amazon gift card
Second place: Signed copies of all four books in the series
Third place: Signed copy of Gingerbread Kisses
(Continental US residents only. Ends midnight, CDT, June 4, 2021)
CLICK TO VISIT THE LONE STAR LITERARY LIFE TOUR PAGE FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH STOP ON THE TOUR, UPDATED DAILY, or visit the blogs directly:
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5/25/21 |
Excerpt |
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5/25/21 |
Character Spotlight |
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5/26/21 |
Review |
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5/26/21 |
BONUS Promo |
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5/27/21 |
Review |
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5/28/21 |
Character Interview |
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5/28/21 |
Review |
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5/29/21 |
Excerpt |
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5/30/21 |
Bonus Scene |
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5/31/21 |
Review |
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6/1/21 |
Author Interview |
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6/1/21 |
Review |
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6/2/21 |
Sneak Peek |
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6/2/21 |
Review |
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6/3/21 |
Review |
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6/3/21 |
Review |
missusgonzo 
Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my book. You are right, I don’t like pointing out not so appealing features. But it’s something to think about from the readers perspective. In book one, Melvina has already lost 100lbs when the book starts. I wanted to write about a 40 something heroine who isn’t perfect but tries hard to live a healthier life. I see her as beautiful too:) Book two and three have lots of Mrs. Rosie shenanigans. I hope you caught her character interview earlier in the tour. She’s a hoot and so much fun to write. Thank you again for posting my book.