Kisses Between the Lines

Echo Ridge Anthologies, Book 2

By: Rachelle J. Christensen, Lucy McConnell, Cami Checketts, Heather Tullis, Connie E. Sokol

Narrated by: Tanya Eby, Kate Rudd

Length: 18 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Welcome to Echo Ridge, New York, where romance finds its way into the hearts and lives of the people who walk the streets of the close-knit community.

In these five novellas, listeners will experience the power a book has to change a life, make dreams come true, and bring two hearts together as the characters work to fill the classics section of the library. Filled with charm, wit, secrets, and hope, each story is a sweet romance that will keep you listening into the night.

The Kiss Thief by Rachelle J. Christensen

As the head librarian of the Echo Ridge Library, Britta Klein thrives on order and categorization. Unfortunately the old church-turned-library is in desperate need of a renovation. The Harvest Hurrah fund-raiser seems to be the answer, but plans keep going awry. With help from Milo Geissler, accomplished musician, piano tuner, and kiss thief, each catastrophe is narrowly avoided. Britta's heart refuses to be swayed by his help, his personal attention, or his irresistible dimpled smile. But when Milo goes to great lengths to help Britta find a key classic book, she begins to wonder if there is more to life than books and order. Can she allow this man who speaks the language of music to tune her heart to a new song?

The Lion, the Witch & the Library by Lucy McConnell

Jennifer Solomon's birthday wish is to have the one person she's been too shy to go after: Kirke Staples, Echo Ridge's resident playwright, an avid mountain biker, and her best friend. Friend, as in don't kiss, don't covet, and don't - under any circumstances - fall in love with the man. But it's too late; she's already fallen in love. Hoping for a birthday kiss that will change everything, she arranges an "accidental" meeting with the handsomest man on the library board. Her carefully laid plans are thrown off track when the beautiful Bay Barington sweeps into town and casts a spell over Kirke. In her efforts to win Kirke's heart, Jennifer is forced to take a look at her inner self and decide what type of woman she wants to be - a lion or a witch.

The Last of the Gentlemen by Cami Checketts

Despite the hardships she's faced, Emma Turner is determined to make a good life for her three children. Working nights and struggling through life doesn't leave much time for romance, which is just fine as far as Emma is concerned. But when her son's good-looking lacrosse coach takes an interest in her children, Emma has to fight off the smolder in her stomach and banish her daydreams. This schoolgirl crush needs to end before she embarrasses her son and herself. If only she could tell that to her heart

©2016 Rachelle J. Christensen, Lucy McConnell, Cami Checketts, Heather Tullis, Connie E. Sokol (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Cleverly intertwined anthology

WHAT IT'S ABOUT
Welcome to Echo Ridge, New York where romance finds its way into the hearts and lives of the people who walk the streets of the close-knit community.
In these five novellas, readers will experience the power a book has to change a life, make dreams come true, and bring two hearts together as the characters work to fill the classic section of the library. Filled with charm, wit, secrets, and hope, each story is a sweet romance with a promise to keep you turning pages into the night. We hope you enjoy this book and the kisses between the lines.
* The Kiss Thief by Rachelle J. Christensen
* The Lion, The Witch, & The Library by Lucy McConnell
* The Last of the Gentlemen by Cami Checketts
* Much Ado About a Kiss by Heather Tullis
* Pride & Persuasion by Connie E. Sokol

MY TAKE
I didn't realize when I started listening to this that it was the second book in the series, but that ended up not mattering. I'm not sure how the books before and after it around connected, but in Kisses, all the activities are tied to a library fundraiser. I found it cleverly intertwined, the characters engaging, and the love stories a delight.

The narrators, Tanya Eby and Kate Rudd, did a great job.

Couldn't keep my attention.

What would have made Kisses Between the Lines better?

I purchased this book based on the high star rating and I wanted a light, fun read; but it just didn’t do it for me. I listened to the first story and half of the second before I gave up. It’s written well, but at least to me, it’s quite boring. I am not the type of person who has to have sex scenes in every book to find them enjoyable; I have quite a few romance books without them and I enjoy them a lot. However, this book didn’t even make me laugh. I actually found myself falling asleep listening to it.

What could the authors have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Added more humor and not have the characters be so naïve.

Did Tanya Eby and Kate Rudd do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

No not really, there were a few times where I couldn't tell which character was actually talking.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Boredom.