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Kissing Kin
Maeve Jackson is starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.
When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in exchange for room and board.
But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they can't help but wonder: Is their attraction physical…or metaphysical?
When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines in exchange for room and board.
But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they can't help but wonder: Is their attraction physical…or metaphysical?
334 pages, Paperback
Published March 13, 2024
87 people want to read
About the author
Karen Hulene Bartell
28 books184 followersDr. Karen Hulene Bartell, author of Wild Rose Pass, The Keys: Voice of the Turtle, Christmas in Cahokia, Holy Water: Rule of Capture, Lone Star Christmas, Angels from Ashes, Christmas in Catalonia, Sacred Gift, Belize Navidad, Sacred Choices, and others, is a best-selling author, motivational keynote speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life. She writes multicultural, offbeat love stories steeped in the supernatural that lift the spirit. Dr. Bartell lives in the Texas Hill Country with her husband Peter and her "mews"—three rescued cats and a rescued CATahoula Leopard dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 23, 2024
Kissing Kin is a beautifully written romantic story that goes back and forth from the past to the present weaving in a ghost or two. Kissing Kin pulled me in from the very beginning and had me chopping at the bit barely able to stay rooted to my chair as it pulled my emotions in different directions.
Kissing Kin kept me in suspense from page one. I tried my best to figure out what was going on but this one liked holding on to its secrets right up until the end. I couldn’t figure out if there was a ghost or not. It had me wondering big time although I thought I knew what may have been happening. Was the ghost coming from the past or the present? Hee-hee…
After her engagement ended and after leaving the Army Maeve Jackson decided to go looking into her family history. She finds some old journals from the past and after reading these journals Maeve’s life is turned upside down as things start to spiral out of control. One bad thing after another starts to happen. Her ex decides to show up on her doorstep to try and get Maeve to take him back but she has moved on with vintner Luke Kaylor.
Kissing Kin is a fun romantic ghostly story. It is very well written. The characters seem like people you would like to know in the real world. When I was reading Kissing Kin I felt as if I was a part of its world. It had me jumping on several occasions. I couldn’t believe all the bad luck that Maeve and Luke were going through.
I enjoyed reading Kissing Kin so much that I highly recommend it to anyone who likes reading romantic stories. Grab a copy of Kissing Kin today!
Kissing Kin kept me in suspense from page one. I tried my best to figure out what was going on but this one liked holding on to its secrets right up until the end. I couldn’t figure out if there was a ghost or not. It had me wondering big time although I thought I knew what may have been happening. Was the ghost coming from the past or the present? Hee-hee…
After her engagement ended and after leaving the Army Maeve Jackson decided to go looking into her family history. She finds some old journals from the past and after reading these journals Maeve’s life is turned upside down as things start to spiral out of control. One bad thing after another starts to happen. Her ex decides to show up on her doorstep to try and get Maeve to take him back but she has moved on with vintner Luke Kaylor.
Kissing Kin is a fun romantic ghostly story. It is very well written. The characters seem like people you would like to know in the real world. When I was reading Kissing Kin I felt as if I was a part of its world. It had me jumping on several occasions. I couldn’t believe all the bad luck that Maeve and Luke were going through.
I enjoyed reading Kissing Kin so much that I highly recommend it to anyone who likes reading romantic stories. Grab a copy of Kissing Kin today!
February 25, 2024
Couldn’t put it down!
February 3, 2024
Karen H. Bartell’s “Kissing Kin”, it’s so relatable to the common multicultural society of our time. I love how she incorporates my beloved West, Texas, in her stories; It’s as if you are there. This was a novel that you can’t put down. I recommend this to all the hopeless romantics.❤️
March 3, 2024
Great story! Loved it!
February 5, 2024
I am fortunate to know Karen and she has such a heart for writing. Her stories are full of history and romance, which I love. Then she intertwines a bit of a ghost story to make it perfectly unique.
March 20, 2024
Can Maeve find the home she’s always craved in a place of ghosts and mysteries? Kissing Kin is an unexpected paranormal romance to savor, like a fine wine. Dual timelines overlap as Maeve and Luke discover old family secrets and fall in love. The descriptive narration propels the reader to a small town in Texas where the townsfolk are friendly and welcoming. The world-building is immersive and well done. But it’s the characters who make Kissing Kin an unputdownable read.
Let’s start with the characters. Maeve is a woman at a crossroads. Released from the army, commonly called mustering, and hurting from a broken engagement, she’s not sure where to go or what to do. She travels to a town her grandmother spoke of, and discovers Luke is a distant relation by adoption. There’s a strong connection between them, but what does it mean? Maeve soon learns love is much more than physical attraction. Can she find romance while helping her ancestors find peace?
I connected with Maeve right away. She reminds me of myself right before I met my beloved. Her emotions are well executed without being over the top. She’s realistic and level-headed. Her experiences in the haunted cabin are authentic. I enjoyed reading from her viewpoint.
The rest of the characters (including Luke and even the ghosts) are so well written and detailed, they became a part of me. Each character has their own voice and identity. The full cast of characters captured by heart and imagination.
The writing is emotional and poignant. Karen Hulene Bartell has a gift for storytelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Her originality comes across in many ways, but none more so than reading the history of Maeve’s ancestors through the journals. Such a creative way to tell a story.
If you’re looking for a unique paranormal romance with engaging characters, pick up Kissing Kin. It’s one of the finest romances ever written.
My Rating: 5++ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
Let’s start with the characters. Maeve is a woman at a crossroads. Released from the army, commonly called mustering, and hurting from a broken engagement, she’s not sure where to go or what to do. She travels to a town her grandmother spoke of, and discovers Luke is a distant relation by adoption. There’s a strong connection between them, but what does it mean? Maeve soon learns love is much more than physical attraction. Can she find romance while helping her ancestors find peace?
I connected with Maeve right away. She reminds me of myself right before I met my beloved. Her emotions are well executed without being over the top. She’s realistic and level-headed. Her experiences in the haunted cabin are authentic. I enjoyed reading from her viewpoint.
The rest of the characters (including Luke and even the ghosts) are so well written and detailed, they became a part of me. Each character has their own voice and identity. The full cast of characters captured by heart and imagination.
The writing is emotional and poignant. Karen Hulene Bartell has a gift for storytelling, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Her originality comes across in many ways, but none more so than reading the history of Maeve’s ancestors through the journals. Such a creative way to tell a story.
If you’re looking for a unique paranormal romance with engaging characters, pick up Kissing Kin. It’s one of the finest romances ever written.
My Rating: 5++ stars
Reviewed by: Nancy
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...
March 13, 2024
So, you're cruising along, life's GPS set to "fresh start," when bam! Fate throws a curveball. That's exactly what happens to Maeve Jackson in Karen Hulene Bartell's "Kissing Kin" (Trans-Pecos #1).
Maeve's navigating the twists and turns of a post-breakup life, her Army days behind her. Then, like a scene straight out of a rom-com, she skids on some black ice and kisses her car goodbye.
Enter Luke Kaylor, a struggling vintner with a heart as big as Texas. As fate would have it, they're distant relatives. And in a plot twist worthy of a family drama, Luke offers Maeve a deal she can't refuse: help out at his vineyard in exchange for a roof over her head.
But hold onto your hats because there's more to this story than just grapevines and pruning shears. Forgotten diaries and a cabin with a ghostly presence kickstart a mystery spanning five generations. Talk about skeletons in the family closet!
As Maeve and Luke grapple with their ancestral ties, sparks fly. Does mere physical attraction draw them together, or is there something deeper at play?
Bartell crafts a tale that's as deliciously complex as a fine wine. It's part romance, part fantasy, and all about seizing that second chance at life and love. The characters leap off the page, tugging at your heartstrings from the get-go.
Veterans and their families will find a kindred spirit in Maeve, whose military background adds layers to her character. And trust me, once you start turning the pages of "Kissing Kin," you won't want to stop. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end.
Maeve's navigating the twists and turns of a post-breakup life, her Army days behind her. Then, like a scene straight out of a rom-com, she skids on some black ice and kisses her car goodbye.
Enter Luke Kaylor, a struggling vintner with a heart as big as Texas. As fate would have it, they're distant relatives. And in a plot twist worthy of a family drama, Luke offers Maeve a deal she can't refuse: help out at his vineyard in exchange for a roof over her head.
But hold onto your hats because there's more to this story than just grapevines and pruning shears. Forgotten diaries and a cabin with a ghostly presence kickstart a mystery spanning five generations. Talk about skeletons in the family closet!
As Maeve and Luke grapple with their ancestral ties, sparks fly. Does mere physical attraction draw them together, or is there something deeper at play?
Bartell crafts a tale that's as deliciously complex as a fine wine. It's part romance, part fantasy, and all about seizing that second chance at life and love. The characters leap off the page, tugging at your heartstrings from the get-go.
Veterans and their families will find a kindred spirit in Maeve, whose military background adds layers to her character. And trust me, once you start turning the pages of "Kissing Kin," you won't want to stop. It's a rollercoaster ride of emotions, with twists and turns that'll keep you guessing until the very end.
October 3, 2024
Kissing Kin is not exactly what I expected. This is a romance story, but there are a few more things going on here than just that. It tells the story of Luke and Maeve who are very distantly related, hence the title kissing kin as this is a term for distant family I believe. Their ancestors have some unfinished business and after the two meet it's almost as though someone or something is trying to influence their behaviour.
I did get a little bit confused about the actual family relationship here. I think that it would have almost helped to have some kind of family tree in the beginning or end of the book to refer to, just to get it straight in my head. Not that it really matters in terms of the story, I would just like to know for my own interest.
I enjoyed the romance between these two. They did seem quite slow off the mark, there was lots of interest and tension with little done about it in the early stages. There's a lot of other things going on. Luke and Maeve make a great couple and they both handle the little disturbances and mysteries from their forebears really well. I'm not entirely sure when this is set or how old the characters are supposed to be as it did seem quite old-fashioned in some respects, especially in how they conduct their relationship.
This was a gripping read with lots going on. I really didn't expect or predict half of the things that happened, but I really enjoyed following the story.
I did get a little bit confused about the actual family relationship here. I think that it would have almost helped to have some kind of family tree in the beginning or end of the book to refer to, just to get it straight in my head. Not that it really matters in terms of the story, I would just like to know for my own interest.
I enjoyed the romance between these two. They did seem quite slow off the mark, there was lots of interest and tension with little done about it in the early stages. There's a lot of other things going on. Luke and Maeve make a great couple and they both handle the little disturbances and mysteries from their forebears really well. I'm not entirely sure when this is set or how old the characters are supposed to be as it did seem quite old-fashioned in some respects, especially in how they conduct their relationship.
This was a gripping read with lots going on. I really didn't expect or predict half of the things that happened, but I really enjoyed following the story.
March 17, 2024
I loved the opening of this book with a car accident, I mean way to pull me and the other readers into the story! I need to now know what’s happening to our MC, Maeve, who was in the military. She avoids something on the road and runs into our male MC, Lucas. Maeve is on the way to take care of something because someone passed away in another town and she finds out her and Lucas are like 3rd cousins!
What an engaging read overall, I love romances and this one made it more interesting to find out that distantly in the past our two MCs are somehow related to each other. Most people may be creeped out but don’t be, they are related by marriage and adoption, not blood. SO that may be a trigger for some, be aware of that factor if you are easily offended by distant ‘cousins’ in books.
I loved the recipes at the end of the book, and they were a nice bonus to reading the book! I love to cook so I will be trying these out as soon as I can😊
The author wrote a compelling read about Maeve and Lucas. The chemistry was steamy too, and the characters were well written for a romance, so overall I would recommend this book to all romance readers who want a good and somewhat quick read, depending on how quick you read.
What an engaging read overall, I love romances and this one made it more interesting to find out that distantly in the past our two MCs are somehow related to each other. Most people may be creeped out but don’t be, they are related by marriage and adoption, not blood. SO that may be a trigger for some, be aware of that factor if you are easily offended by distant ‘cousins’ in books.
I loved the recipes at the end of the book, and they were a nice bonus to reading the book! I love to cook so I will be trying these out as soon as I can😊
The author wrote a compelling read about Maeve and Lucas. The chemistry was steamy too, and the characters were well written for a romance, so overall I would recommend this book to all romance readers who want a good and somewhat quick read, depending on how quick you read.
March 26, 2024
(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)
My Review:
From the very beginning, I was drawn into this well-written romance paranormal novel by Karen Hulene Bartell. She has crafted a love story that is full of mystery, romance, history, and a dual timeline that includes a ghostly presence.
From the moment Maeve meets Luke after her car crashes, she is drawn to him. Her plans for a short visit extend to settling into a cabin on Luke’s property and working in his vineyard. They begin reading her ancestor Marianna’s journals and when she receives a cameo, unexplained events and dreams pull them into a mystery.
Bartell has woven the past lives of both their ancestors into the novel and we glimpse the tragedies of the past. All the characters were fascinating; Luke and Maeve were especially well-developed. Bartell has given us such a rich setting of Texas and a plot with so many twists and turns.
This mystery held me enthralled to the end. I wondered if their attraction would blossom or if they would surmount all the troubles they faced. I was fascinated as well with the history shown.
I highly recommend Kissing Kin – it was such an enjoyable read. I was fully invested in the story from beginning to end. 5+*
My Review:
From the very beginning, I was drawn into this well-written romance paranormal novel by Karen Hulene Bartell. She has crafted a love story that is full of mystery, romance, history, and a dual timeline that includes a ghostly presence.
From the moment Maeve meets Luke after her car crashes, she is drawn to him. Her plans for a short visit extend to settling into a cabin on Luke’s property and working in his vineyard. They begin reading her ancestor Marianna’s journals and when she receives a cameo, unexplained events and dreams pull them into a mystery.
Bartell has woven the past lives of both their ancestors into the novel and we glimpse the tragedies of the past. All the characters were fascinating; Luke and Maeve were especially well-developed. Bartell has given us such a rich setting of Texas and a plot with so many twists and turns.
This mystery held me enthralled to the end. I wondered if their attraction would blossom or if they would surmount all the troubles they faced. I was fascinated as well with the history shown.
I highly recommend Kissing Kin – it was such an enjoyable read. I was fully invested in the story from beginning to end. 5+*
April 11, 2025
After Mauve Jackson musters out of the army, she heads to West Texas to visit a little town her recently departed grandmother had told her stories about. Then she wrecks her car and finds help from Luke Kaylor, a local vintner who turns out to be her third cousin. As they get to know one another and read Mauve’s family’s journals, they discover romance and stumble upon a five-generational mystery that’s anything but dead.
At first, I was a little nervous about reading this book because the H/h are cousins. Thankfully, Luke and Mauve aren’t related by blood since Luke’s immediate line was somehow adopted into the family. I’m still fuzzy on the particulars. All the family branches and connections were a little confusing.
Mauve and Luke are strong, flawed, well-rounded characters. There’s a dual timeline that follows their ancestors in the late 1800s, who make appearances as ghosts and cause trouble in Mauve’s and Luke’s lives and relationship. The book is well-written, though a little slow in the beginning. Then it picked up speed and kept my attention to the end.
For readers who enjoy a mix of contemporary and paranormal romances, Kissing Kin is a fun book to try.
4.5 Stars
At first, I was a little nervous about reading this book because the H/h are cousins. Thankfully, Luke and Mauve aren’t related by blood since Luke’s immediate line was somehow adopted into the family. I’m still fuzzy on the particulars. All the family branches and connections were a little confusing.
Mauve and Luke are strong, flawed, well-rounded characters. There’s a dual timeline that follows their ancestors in the late 1800s, who make appearances as ghosts and cause trouble in Mauve’s and Luke’s lives and relationship. The book is well-written, though a little slow in the beginning. Then it picked up speed and kept my attention to the end.
For readers who enjoy a mix of contemporary and paranormal romances, Kissing Kin is a fun book to try.
4.5 Stars
February 14, 2024
Karen Hulene Bartell has written a cleverly plotted tale that deftly weaves ribbons of fantasy into a taut plot driven by love, loss, trust, family ties, and the inner strength one must summon to face adversity created by both human fallibility and fate. The story moves at a comfortable pace with flawed, but believable characters who drive the plot. Readers find themselves rooting for the protagonists from the beginning to the end of the tale. The characters evoke strong emotions in readers right from page one. This reader found herself wanting to hug the two main characters on one page and throttle them on the next. Bartell creates enough conflict with a backstory to keep readers turning the pages to see how it all turns out.
Part romance, part fantasy, part redemption with a second chance at life and love, Kissing Kin will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy a love story fueled by a mixture of fantasy and reality and believe that things are not always what they appear to be. This terrific book has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has given it.
Part romance, part fantasy, part redemption with a second chance at life and love, Kissing Kin will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy a love story fueled by a mixture of fantasy and reality and believe that things are not always what they appear to be. This terrific book has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has given it.
March 30, 2024
4-1/2 Stars
A car accident serves as a catalyst for two strangers to meet at the right place and the right time, only to discover they are distantly related (but not by blood).
Author Karen Hulene Bartell delivers a combination of contemporary and historical characters in Kissing Kin. Maeve Jackson’s plans didn’t include a handsome complication in the form of Luke Kaylor, but she can’t deny the attraction.
As they read old family journals, the past comes alive, creating parallels between timelines, people, and places. A family mourning cameo seems to be the catalyst for strange events, including Maeve’s dreams.
The integration of genealogical research adds an interesting component to the story as Maeve and Luke discover hidden documents, including a warranty deed, at the vineyard.
Kissing Kin explores a series of events that brings two people together, completing the circle that had been broken in the past. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
A car accident serves as a catalyst for two strangers to meet at the right place and the right time, only to discover they are distantly related (but not by blood).
Author Karen Hulene Bartell delivers a combination of contemporary and historical characters in Kissing Kin. Maeve Jackson’s plans didn’t include a handsome complication in the form of Luke Kaylor, but she can’t deny the attraction.
As they read old family journals, the past comes alive, creating parallels between timelines, people, and places. A family mourning cameo seems to be the catalyst for strange events, including Maeve’s dreams.
The integration of genealogical research adds an interesting component to the story as Maeve and Luke discover hidden documents, including a warranty deed, at the vineyard.
Kissing Kin explores a series of events that brings two people together, completing the circle that had been broken in the past. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
February 23, 2024
In this modern-day sequel to “Wild Rose Pass” the author takes us on a sweet little adventure into far west Texas. If readers are familiar with the area, they will recognize the locales even though some of the names have been changed. The author’s familiarity with the Big Bend region is evident in her perfect descriptions of the landscape – magnificent and mysterious, harsh in its environs, but homey in its people – bringing Maeve’s journey to life for the reader. The story of Maeve and Luke and their connection to their ancestors is engaging and Maeve’s military background will be relatable to veterans. A nice tinge of the supernatural makes it all fun. I honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry in sympathy during the “wedding from hell”.
March 5, 2024
Kissing Kin is an adventurous page-turner! From the moment it began, I was pulled into Maeve's world, connecting with her spirit thanks to Bartell's writing. The story follows along beautifully as Maeve discovers her roots, family, and future all together, intertwined with ghosts leading the way.
This was my first experience reading the works of Bartell, and I am looking forward to the next! She wastes no time jumping headfirst in whichever direction the novel leads, ensuring this book is the true 'meat and potatoes' of the story. Giving enough details to paint the picture of the scene but also plenty of room to allow your imagination to grow and fill is what I loved the most about this read.
This was my first experience reading the works of Bartell, and I am looking forward to the next! She wastes no time jumping headfirst in whichever direction the novel leads, ensuring this book is the true 'meat and potatoes' of the story. Giving enough details to paint the picture of the scene but also plenty of room to allow your imagination to grow and fill is what I loved the most about this read.
March 8, 2024
Kissing Kin is a wonderful love story with paranormal elements woven cleverly into the text. The personalities of the main characters, Maeve Jackson and Luke Kaylor are well developed and realistic. Maeve Jackson has just left the army and has a car accident leaving her stranded in a small town in West Texas. Luke Kaylor rescues her from the car wreck and the story takes off from there. The Texas flora and fauna as well as the local food give an authentic sense of place to the story. Paranormal elements are woven into the story. As Maeve and Luke meet their ancestors, what they learn about both their past helps them develop their present relationship. I recommend this book.
January 30, 2024
Kissing Kin is mouthwatering fun! A series of mishaps and happenstances, one after another, seem to lead the main characters toward each other and the future, but the past keeps creeping up. Is it all a series of accidents, or is it destiny? Are they doomed to repeat the tragedies of the past, relive the triumphs, or write a future all their own? Karen Hulene Bartell's storytelling will have you staying up past your bedtime to see what will happen next... then booking a trip to West Texas to taste the food and wine for yourself!
March 22, 2024
I loved Kissing Kin in spite of the fact that I'm not interested in either music or spicy food. Bartell weaves a lot of themes into this charmingly complex novel. It includes romance, a villain, a mystery, some ghosts, some danger, and a lot of history to enjoy. Music and food are essential parts of the story, and there are even some recipes to try out. Maeve and Lucas play an intricate game of questions. Will we? Won’t we? Should we? Why are we? The uncertainty will keep you guessing right until the bang-up happy and satisfying ending.
January 8, 2024
This latest book by Karen Hulene Bartell, Kissing Kin, is a page-turner. It is exceptionally well written. She has put in a lot of research on background material which is vital for the story. The book has it all--romance, history, and mystery. Once you start, you may not be able to put it down until you finish. So, take a trip to a lovely place in Texas and get acquainted with these well-drawn characters and some buried secrets that will not stay buried.
January 21, 2024
If you like stories of new found love mixed with mysteries from the past you will enjoy Karen H. Bartell’s newest book Kissin’ Kin. Set in modern day Texas, the story tells of a chance(?) encounter of two people whose future is guided by spirits from the past. Ms. Bartell has a delicious way of incorporating the food, history and culture of the region into her story to make a thoroughly enjoyable read. A great book to curl up with next to a fire on a winters night.
February 26, 2024
I enjoy historical fiction but love it when the story has the ability to give me the true sense of being there. Notes of familiar behaviors in the different characters which were reminding me of my own family. This story is written in a way that easily transported me to West Texas and had me “feeling” the scenery. I found it easy to imagine being all the characters and I love the romance between the main characters. This is an easy and relaxing read and I loved it.
April 18, 2024
Maeve is determined to start over after a broken engagement and the death of her grandmother. When she leaves her town to find out what the diaries contain by heading for the town where it all started, she loses control of her car and winds up stranded in said small town.
To the rescue is Luke, who assists Maeve, and the two connect immediately. They also learn they are distant cousins.
Read more here: https://wp.me/p12iNR-bkU
To the rescue is Luke, who assists Maeve, and the two connect immediately. They also learn they are distant cousins.
Read more here: https://wp.me/p12iNR-bkU
January 29, 2024
Karen Bartell delivers another beautiful story intertwining love, mystery, paranormal, and history. Her readers are immersed in Texas Southwestern and Latin culture as she brings to life characters across space and time whose connections surprise the reader throughout the turning of the pages. Readers will be smiling all the way through the very end!
February 18, 2024
Led to visit the old family homestead as described in stories told by her grandmother, Maeve meets distant cousins and finds her roots after her discharge from the Army. Karen Hulene Bartell introduces the spirits of Maeve's distant relatives who demand attention, and it's up to the living to give it to them. A really fun read!
February 29, 2024
As her usual, Karen has really sparked our imagination!! This romantic book with its ups & downs keeps us really curious about what's coming next. I've read every one of Karen's books and thoroughly enjoy them. The icing on the cake is that I personally know Karen & always look sooo.forward to reading her new releases!
February 29, 2024
This was my first paranormal romance. I admit, I wasn't sure I would like it. BUT, I really did! I was hooked from the beginning and had a hard time putting it down. The author has done her research, both with genealogy (you'll get this when you read the book) and West Texas. The paranormal wasn't too much (my fear) and added to the story. All in all a very enjoyable read.
March 1, 2024
Kissing Kin is a very enjoyable read. I was quickly drawn in by the mystery, and I loved Ms Bartell's descriptions. The people, the places-- I could envision what she wrote about. It made me wish I was enjoying a sunrise, in those mountains today. And she, definitely, made me hungry for some good TACOS! 🌮 🌮
March 31, 2025
This is a new author for me, and I'm looking forward to reading many more by her. There were so many things I appreciated here--great character development, unique and attractive sentence structure, clean romance, family, history, and a bit of paranormal, all woven together beautifully. And the chemistry between the two MCs was truly felt. I'm looking forward to another read by this author.
January 17, 2024
As usual Karen has done background work on her story that makes this book another page turner that I read in two evenings the only time I had to read
I really enjoyed the story
I really enjoyed the story
January 27, 2024
I could not put down this book! A mix between mystery and romance made for a fantastic read! Truly loved it! Will definitely be sharing with my friends!
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