Candy Coated Promises

Stone Creek #2

by Samantha Baca

Being a single mom of four kids has never bothered me. However, after getting married to their dad at a young age, I quickly learned that I was better off taking care of things myself. As long as they were happy, that was all that mattered.

But when a new man showed up in town, I suddenly started second-guessing everything. Being around him created feelings that I hadn’t felt in— ever? The way he looked at me and talked to me was different than anyone I had met before, and I was quickly under his spell.

Aside from the fact that he didn’t live there, I quickly found that he had more baggage than I did, as well as some secrets he was determined to keep hidden. Maybe happily ever afters were better left for fairy tales.

Genres: Christmas

177 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2021

About the author

Samantha lives in the southwest with her husband and two children, where she enjoys writing, drinking iced coffee, and watching the greatest show of all time—Friends. With over 30 books published, Samantha enjoys writing across several different genres, from steamy romantic suspense to laugh-out-loud spicy romantic comedies. She also has a sweet spot for holiday stories, so grab a blanket and get ready to binge some of the sweetest—yet spicy—holiday romance your heart can handle!

Samantha loves connecting with her readers, so here’s a list of where you can find her:

Facebook Reader Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/29457...

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

Instagram:
https://instagram.com/author_samantha...

Webpage:
www.samanthabaca.com

Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/authorsamant...

Books2Read:
https://books2read.com/ap/RQAYK9/Sama...

Reviews

[MarvelUsReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

We have come to adore Samantha Baca’s short stories, and Candy Coated Promises proved to be yet another delectable read. A well written piece filled with heartwarming moments, and noteworthy characters. This book beautifully compliments its predecessor in the Stone Creek series, giving two lovable characters a second chance at happiness.

Sheila, a single mom of four with an annoying ex, has her hands and heart full, but she is willing to make room for a second chance at love. An opportunity presents itself when the handsome, and successful Parker comes to town and the two hit it off. The passion she feels is undeniable,but she finds herself hesitant to open her heart completely.

Parker can’t stop thinking about the beautiful mother of four, she is everything he desires. As they embrace their new found romance self doubt, a secret from the past, and an unexpected turn of events may test the strength of their love. Will Sheila and Parker have their happy ending? Samantha Baca you are yet to disappoint.

Many thanks to Samantha Baca for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

www.marvelusreads.com

[TMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sheila and Parker are here! Though we already had some hints in the first book, but now we get to see their magic happen for real.

Sheila, is a single mom, after life dealt her terrible cards in the name of marriage. Parker also comes with his own set of baggage after moving back.

They should be terrible for each other - I mean just look at the amount of baggage they carry - could be an emotional landfill zone here. But fate always defies me, so there are definite sparks to be seen here.

Hence the romance, the one night stand, the sparks, steam, banter, truths realised, awesome friendships, confessions - make me realise that really this novel was deep as well as fun and romantic.

Truly makes me look forward to another one of Samantha's novels.

Until the next read,

-TMR

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy Coated Promises by Samantha Baca is the perfect novella for Valentines! This sweet, short, yet steamy novella is an amazing read!

Sheila Roberts is a divorced mother of 4 who has always made her kids the priority. Dealing with her obnoxious and outrageous ex-husband for the well-being of her kids has been her main concern, but after meeting Parker Hudson she is ready to put her needs first. Parker Hudson is a genuine, caring gentleman who finds himself attracted to Sheila all while dealing with the baggage of his own. This is a beautiful, heart-wrenching story of second chances and finding love.

I loved this novella. It was a hilarious romantic comedy that I did not want to put down. This book is emotional, yet light-hearted and is a great combination of steamy, yet sexy. Parker and Sheila’s journey to love was filled with twists and turns and it made me love this book all the more. We see realistic and flawed characters trying to figure life out while taking a chance on a relationship that could lead to love.

I loved how everything came together at the end and everyone got the happy ending they deserve. I thoroughly enjoyed Candy Coated Promises and look forward to more from Samantha Baca!

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Gsmitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Candy Coated Promises by Samantha Baca was such a delicious morsel of a read!

I was so excited for Sheila and Parker's story after devouring Chocolate Covered Mistletoe, and this exceeded my expectations thoroughly!

Sheila is endearing, feeling the same things that many women feel, and being open and honest about them, even as she's shy, she's confident in who she is, accepting herself, and it's beautiful.

Parker is utterly charming, and his attitude and demeanor really draw you in, making it impossible for you to resist him!

Their chemistry, their frank discussions, their respect and acceptance of consent, it's all so SHMEKSHAY and Samantha really delivers!

Some major twists and turns had me on the edge of my seat as I devoured page after page, detail after detail, enamored by the story.

If you're looking for a quick read that packs a punch, look no further than the delightful Candy Coated Promises, you will not be disappointed!

[Renee (BookLoveWithRenee) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy Coated Promises
*ARC Review*
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
@author_samantha_baca

Sheila & Parker's story caught my attention in Chocolate Covered Mistletoe so I was beyond excited when I found out they were getting their own book!

Sheila is a single mom with 4 teenagers and an a**hole of an ex-husband. She is self conscious about her looks & feels she has too much baggage to deserve Parker. These two hit so many obstacles & roadblocks on their journey to happiness.

As predicted, I loveeeeed this story! ❤ However, I'm pretty sure I went through every possible emotion while reading it. The book had me feeling happy, sad, hot & bothered, pissed off, worried, relieved- you name it. This was a quick, but intense read that ended with a HEA. I really enjoyed it!

[Stephanie Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy Coated Promises is such a sweet, fun read about Sheila and Parker who we got a small glimpse of in Chocolate Covered Mistletoe. Although I thought I knew what to expect going in, the twist of how everything is connected was certainly a surprise!
I also really liked that Sheila is a mom with four kids who has some body-issues. Being a mom, I can relate SO MUCH to this. It's a refreshing change to have a love story that is a bit more on the "real" side of things. Like Sheila says, love shouldn't just be 'candy-coated promises'.
Super fun read perfect for Valentine's Day! Another win in my book for Samantha Baca.

[Chelsea Economon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just as sweet as the first one! I love that we get more back story on Sheila and Parker. She is a strong willed woman that puts her family first. Parker is a genuine man that has his own baggage. This is a quick read, but fills you up and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy! I hope to have more in this world in the future!

[Katy Van Maaren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic read by Samantha Baca! We learn more about Sheila and Parker, while also still getting a little bit of Ryder and Brooke from the first book in the series. This one had a couple twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and they definitely kept me reading. 5 stars all around!

[Joni Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!! It had me wrecked halfway thru it.. Candy Coated Promises is everything!! From fun loving to heart wrenching.. it gad all ky emotions on high alert!! Can't wait for the next book!!

[MyDogAteMyBookReview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super short yet super sweet & sexy. I love the little world of Stone Creek! Sheila is a single momma bear & looking to put herself first for once and Parker is just the man to see to her needs!

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ooohh! Spicy!

Alright! So this book was more of a the typical romance book where the boy seduces the girl and they have obstacles to overcome and such. HOWEVER the obstacle in this book was an ex-husband who’s just 🙄🙄 aaaannnnd a bit of a snowstorm lol

Parker and Sheila are so good together though! I love how he didn’t have any issues stepping into a relationship with a single mom with four kids 12-16! They just clicked!

I freaking DEVOURED this book! Even ignored work some lol shhh don’t tell them 😂

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Roberts has always lived her life for her four children. But her ex-husband has found someone new, and her children don’t need so much of her attention now, so for the first time, she is willing to put her own needs first. She spends time with Parker and they both are attracted to each other.

At one time, Parker Hudson made the decision he felt was right, to walk away from his child fifteen years ago to allow her to have a better life. It was the right thing to do. Meeting Sheila, spending time with her, he thinks he is finally ready to open up to love.

The first thing he wants to do is move back to Stone Creek where his friend Ryder is and where Sheila lives. But as he gets ready to pack and move, his daughter unexpectedly tracks him down after all this time. Now he must decide whether to stay in Nashville and establish a relationship with his daughter, or move to Stone Creek to join his friend and pursue a relationship with Sheila. He and Sheila both will have to sort out their “baggage” in order for their relationship to progress. Will they give themselves the chance to find love together? Their story is fun and emotional, so grab your copy and be ready for the twists and turns as they navigate toward a better future with each other. Will they find what they are looking for at last?

[Jennifer Lui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...this book was...a lot.

Okay, first off I wasn't sure what was going on at the beginning. You weren't given much context about anything. Who the characters were, what they were doing, why were they doing it, what the hell is going on. It was almost as if it was assumed that you had read the first book in the series and was versed in the characters and basic storyline.

The characters themselves were great. Once I started figuring out what was going on, I was able to kind of untangle the characters and make sense of it all. It almost seemed like Sheila was living two lives - one with Parker and one with her kids - and I knew that eventually it was all going to crash together. The big twist was surprising but I actually kind of saw it coming. (But it was extremely validating when I found out I was right.)

Overall, it was a good book. I just wish there had been more context and they didn't just dive right into the story. Because it's a novella, I understand that it's a shorter book but as someone who likes to be captured within the first couple of pages, I completely considered giving up when I it felt as if I had missed the first half of the story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely novella and book 2 in this series.
It is Brookes friend Sheila whose chance it is to find love.
Sheila is a single mum to 4 children all in their teens,dealing with them day in day out and having to put up with her unreasonable ex Rodney..She deserves to find happiness.
Parker who is Ryder's friend and buisness associate is the one she can't stop thinking about..They had shared one night of drunken passion with one another on New Year,and then he went back home.
So Sheila never expected to see him again until he comes to visit Ryder again and they go on a double date.They have a wonderful night together and reveal some secrets to eachother so Sheila discovers things about Parker she didn't expect.
What happens next is a whole heap of drama and a twist to the story that I didn't see coming.
Samantha Baca has written another enthralling story that is both sweet and spicy with mature characters who are finding love and getting their second chance at love.
Once again Marie Hawkins narrates this audiobook and she displays another Fantastic performance I really enjoyed listening to her narration,and loved the story between Sheila and Parker.
Excellent Audiobook.
5 Stars.

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet story about two people falling in love for the first time and I enjoyed reading it. Sheila is a divorced mother of four who has to deal with her crazy ex-husband who is now dating a twenty-two year old woman. She meets Parker and sparks fly. Parker has a secret he hasn't told anyone but shares it with Sheila after they grow closer together. They realize they are falling in love with each other but everything builds and hinges on one event that ties the families together. Will Sheila and Parker be able to move past their fears and live HEA? Thank you for the copy Samantha!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in the Stone Creek Series a well written short story that held my interest throughout. Sheila Roberts and Parker Hudson's story has its ups and down as they try to find a way to move forward together. I enjoyed seeing this story come together. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kerri Kalakay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious second helping of Stone Creek characters. A short and sweet story with a big punch. This was Shelia and Parker’s story. Impossible to to put down laugh out loud story. Looking forward to more stories. Thanks to Samantha Baca for the Arc.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not very often that I rate a novella with 5 ⭐'s. Samantha created depth of a story, warmth if a romance, and one heck of a HEA. This was a sweet little gem of a read. thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC

[JLynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a romance with a HEA that takes you on an emotional journey through all your feelings, this is the book for you. It's both adorable and fun while at the same time being gut-wrenching at times. I loved this book and will definitely be reading it again.

[Helena Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story, the characters are wonderful and the storyline is riveting. I recommend this book but this is the second book and is linked to the first, so...read both they're great stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters made this story fun to read. The storyline was engaging and entertaining. The self doubt was relatable and I thought the author created a sweet and enjoyable story.

I requested a copy of this book so I could provide an honest review.

[Karrie Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun spicy story. I loved that it was a continuation of Ryder and Brooke but with a focus on Parker and Sheila. I really enjoyed the banter between Sheila and Brooke, their friendship was adorable and I lived the twist with Genevieve. Can't wait for her book!

[niki_reads_romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

sweet, quick read with interesting twists

This book was great! I really enjoyed reading Parker and Sheila’s story. It was sweet and sexy, with some truly surprising twists that easily held my attention. Can’t wait for Gen’s story!

[Kim (Chipperbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parker and Sheila

These are very good cute shortish stories. From book 1, the story picks up with these two and how they try to make a go of a relationship. They will have lots of ups and downs to make it.

[Angie Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story with all the feels

Candy Coated Promises is book 2 in the Stone Creek Series and follows Parker and Sheila's story.
As with the 1st book, this is also well written, with lots of laughs and some emotional parts also.

[Natasha Wall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila touched me in many ways . Her life as a mom coming first and then in comes Parker who throws a wrench into her whole life. A good one, but one that changes her , helps her become who she is . Shows her what love can be and that just because you are a mom , doesn't mean that's all you are !

[Holly Cameron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shelia has 4 kids, and a controlling ex husband. She doesn’t have time to date, and definitely can’t open her heart up to a possible heartbreak. Parker was infatuated with Sheila from the moment he saw her. This was a fantastic audio of friends, family, and healing.

[Nicole Marie Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the twists in this one! Great story that definitely makes you appreciate parenthood, adulting and couples who put their kids first. Parker is also frigging dirty boy that makes you melt with his mouth.

[Erin - Books&nails&puppydogtales · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is just a sweet, good hearted read. I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I highly recommend it for a fun, warm, happy read.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stone creek book 2. Another super cute novella. Loved the twists and turns.