This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Demetria Head for Readers' Favorite
Curve Balls and Second Chances by Susan Boles is book one in the Pickwick Pirate Queens Softball Romance series. Readers are introduced to Rose McAllister, who is living in Pickwick Bend. She owns a coffee shop and coaches the Pickwick Pirate Queens softball team. When her first love and former baseball player, Acen Wheeler, comes back to town, old wounds resurface. This leads Rose to wrestle with unresolved feelings. To make things more complicated, why did she have to fall for the charming veterinarian Declan Rowe? As if that isn’t enough, throw in Briana, returning with long-buried truths. To keep her from pulling her hair out, Rose’s twin brother, Riley, and her baseball team -- Tasha, Ginny, Maggie, Dani, and Allie -- are there to support and add humor to her life.
I loved the small-town charm and witty characters. Susan Boles balanced this well with the emotional tension. My favorite character was Rose because she was strong and guarded with valid reasons. Acen was the returning first love whose character was layered. He had regrets, but he was also vulnerable. Declan was the romantic competition but also an appealing alternative. It was tough to decide which man to root for. Aunt Jean and Riley both added heart and wisdom to the story. Briana’s presence deepened the conflict and served as more than the source of past pain. Let’s not forget the Pirate Queens. They were humorous and energetic. The author incorporated softball naturally into the romance. It was more than just a backdrop. Curve Balls and Second Chances reminded me of a cross between Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After and Lucy Score’s Things We Never Got Over. It has charm, and the romance is emotionally rich, which readers will enjoy.
