Shelly Alexander - It's In His Smile

I read this book after having received a request for it from the author.  Now, I haven't read any of the other books in the series, but I didn't feel lost.  I didn't feel like I had missed anything by not having read the other 2 books. It was definitely a story that pulled me in and I was interested in what happened between Talmadge and Miranda.  This story was often time laugh out loud funny and it was easy to get lost in their world.  I do wish, however, that I had seen more from Bea when she was alive, but the readers get to know her from memories. She seemed like a spitfire and a person that had definitely been liked by everyone.  Even though Talmadge hadn't been around his grandmother much in the last few years, she still wanted to set him up.  Little did he know just how it would work out.   He's in a rough spot with his professional life and Bea puts him in a spot he can't just walk away from in his personal life.  Going back home wasn't what he expected.

Miranda has been trying to get out from under her mom's reputation in the small town and doesn't want to be seen as just her daughter.  She's trying to make a name for herself and Bea was helping her do just that.  She hasn't dated anyone because of the rumor mill, but also because the one her heart pines for has been gone from Red River for years. But, soon, she finds herself paired with Talmadge and has to work with him.  And she put up a good fight.  But *sigh*.  Their story is sweet.  Very cute and I would recommend! 

Miranda Cruz isn’t just the best darned waitress in town anymore; she’s Red River’s newest innkeeper. But first, she has to find the contractor who’s disappeared with her life savings so she can start renovations. Not so easy for a woman who never depends on anyone, especially a man. And when a gorgeous old flame shows up, the fire between them is reignited and threatens to send her dreams up in smoke.

Acclaimed environmental architect Talmadge Oaks returns home to Red River on family business. He plans to get in and get out quickly because a professional catastrophe is waiting back in Washington. When an unforeseen snag keeps him in Red River longer than expected, he finds himself entangled in the renovations of his late grandmother’s Victorian inn. Handy with a hammer, he offers to help the beautiful new owner, but his motives aren’t completely selfless. Will his secret demolish everything they are building? Or can their undeniable passion keep them together?