Scroll down past the reviews to read an excerpt from the book.

"(The Fixer-Uppers) is a diamond! Had me glued – and I didn’t want it to end. Wistful sigh!

Anyway – needless to say I’m now a fan and will have to track down all your other titles! That really was a fantastic read."

"I loved it... The Fixer-Uppers was so compelling I just kept going forward until the happy ending. You keep up the good work." --avid romance reader Christina D.

Cynthianna Appel's The Fixer-Uppers leads the reader through an uplifting dose of what real life could be like. Her sort of real life is laced with humor, old pain, hope, new and recurring issues, love, families that pass along expectations through the generations, and friendship. Somehow the happy ending feels just right.

Chas Ridley reviewing for The Romance Studio

From time to time a little gem comes your way that you just can't put down and THE FIXER-UPPERS is one of those little gems. It just happened to grab me. It was poignant and funny and was a truly good read. The timing was great, the plot tight… This is Cynthianna's first effort and I'm truly impressed. I keep saying to watch for this author on all my reviews but when you get writing that's tight, that leaves little to question and that gives you the whole picture, you know that this writer is going to go places and I feel that Cynthianna certainly will be an author to watch for. If you like a good, heart-warming read, then may I recommend THE FIXER-UPPERS. I don't think you'll be sorry to spend a few hours between these pages.

Believable characters, natural dialogue, and a plot that just gets better with each page makes The Fixer Uppers a great read.

Donna Bolk reviewing for Affaire de Coeur

In her novel, THE FIXER UPPERS, Cynthianna Appel brings two wonderfully real characters to life. Mike, a hardworking handyman who is deep in debt due to an old flame’s spending passion, and Cassie, a single mother of two growing boys, are both endearingly average Americans. Mike sees beyond Cassie’s large size to the inner beauty that shines out through her dazzling eyes and smile, and Cassie becomes enamored with Mike’s kind and loving nature. As the title implies, these two darling heartbroken characters come together to fix up each other’s lives, including home, business and financial matters. This heartwarming story will appeal to anyone who appreciates romance and happy endings.

Michelle Buckman reviewing for Miscellaneous Ramblings

Along the way, Cassie and Mike discover hidden strengths in themselves and each other along with the courage to pursue their dreams.

Cynthianna Appel has created a romance novel that is different from any other in the genre. Without the bodice ripping scenes and stereotypical leads, Appel has created a soft and subtle love story. Readers will easily identify with the pair and their struggles and be grateful for Appel's deviation from the usual formula romance novel.

Highly Recommended
Wordweaving Reviews

"The Fixer-Uppers is a sweet and utterly charming read with touches of humor and engaging characters. Don't miss this delightful story!"

--Carol Carson, author of Fortune's Treasure, Leisure Books ISBN 0-8439-4806-X

Cynthianna Appel's character driven story of two hard working people hits on a problem that's more common than we'd like to believe... Both main characters are well written, and reveal their individual stories as they forge ahead and try to overcome the mess their former partners left them in...The Fixer Uppers has a lot of heart, courage and determination. It's the sort of story that'll have you believing in second chances.

Reviewed by Brenda Gayle for
The Write Lifestyle

THE FIXER-UPPERS is a sweet romance that tells the story of two kind, talented people... Cassie and Mike face the daily problems and frustrations shared by many couples. (Three Stars)

Reviewed by Christine Chambers for
The Romantic Times

Cynthianna Appel's THE FIXER-UPPERS is a breath of fresh air. The refreshing, realistic approach, which revolves around her characters and plot, is the tool to understanding how relationships develop in today's modern-day society. ...In both characters of THE FIXER-UPPERS we see them learning to trust in the power of love. Admirably, they are able to overcome their obstacles and are able to heal and ease away the pain of the past. Her faith in love renews our own.

Reviewed by Suzie Housley for
Myshelf.com Reviews

Everyone who has despaired of reading about perfect heroines and heroes living idealized lives should hurry to pick up this book. Neither Mike or Cassie is ugly, but they are not the fantasy creatures that decorate most covers. The obstacles they face are nothing that might not be faced in anyone's life. Their opponents are not really evil, just selfish. This is a very enjoyable book for someone who is looking to read about someone going through what they themselves or their friends are probably in the middle of themselves.

Reviewed by Amanda Killgore for
The Romance Readers Connection

Cynthianna Appel brings us a heartwarming, down home kind of story that is sure to please. Not only do we see a realistic kind of love story here, but one that grows as you read. The characters are well fleshed out and not the typical gorgeous to die for kind of people. These are ordinary people falling in love. And it's their working through the problems in their lives that make it so enjoyable to read. This story is not quite as predictable as one might think. The love story really unfolds before your eyes, slowly, like a long awaited Christmas Present. Cynthianna shows us how true love survives all the ups and downs of real life and that it can come in some pretty surprising packages. All in all, this one is an adorable read from start to finish. A refreshing book that will stay with you long after it's over. Highly recommended! (4 1/2 stars)

THE FIXER-UPPERS is unique for a contemporary romantic novel in that there is no glamour, wealth, or fancy job It is the story of two hard working, blue-collar people that struggle for a day-to-day existence, where Prince Charming isn't a handsome alpha male and Cinderella is a little on the large size The author has given her protagonists much more than superficial attributes; the characters have hope and dreams for a better life and a strong moral fiber. ...Cynthianna Appel is an exceptional writer with a flair for humor.

Reviewed by Betty Cox for
Romance Reviews Today

“Cassie?” he croaked as he approached.

“Mike?” Her voice sounded strained, yet polite.

“Uh, yeah, Mike Felcher,” Mike mumbled, sticking out his hand to shake. Damn! You’re such an idiot, Felcher.

She accepted the formal handshake after a moment’s hesitation and cleared her throat. “Cassie Stubinski. I guess Paco told you what I looked like, huh?”

It was only then that he noticed her eyes were a lovely shade of green, her nose small and slightly turned up at the end with just a smattering of freckles. “No, not really,” he admitted after an awkward pause. “He told me you had a nice smile; that’s all.”

And there it was now that the ice between them had been broken—a warm and generous smile that instantly melted away the tension in Mike’s jaw, sparking a spontaneous grin to sprawl across his own face. Suddenly, he desired nothing more than to sit down and have a conversation with her.

“Just a nice smile? Aw, come on now. Guys are into visual descriptions more than gals are, and Angelina described you to a ‘T.’”

Mike raised an eyebrow. “She did? How did she describe me?”

Now it was Cassie’s turn to experience an awkward pause. What could she say that wouldn’t upset this pleasant person? The description Angelina had given her that afternoon was accurate, but not altogether kind. Tall and lanky, fair-haired with fading blue eyes in a large face, his chin and long neck seemed to belong on someone twice his size, if that was humanly possible. His sense of style was more than casual—his clothes looked as if they were fished straight out of the laundry hamper. To his credit, he did appear to have had a haircut recently. What could she say? He was obviously a man who didn’t feel comfortable around women. He seemed like a shy guy. She couldn’t bear the thought of hurting his feelings.

“Angel said you were tall, fair, and handsome, of course.” Cassie lightly punched Mike’s upper arm for emphasis before the true horror of her actions registered upon her consciousness. Get a grip on yourself, girlfriend! He’s not one of your kids—he’s an adult.

Just as she felt tempted to spin around and high-tail it for home, Mike let loose with a throaty chuckle. His laughter filled their shared space with a warmth and a closeness Cassie hadn’t experienced in a very long time.

“I bet she did!” he said, dabbing at the corner of his eyes. “Ah, that Angelina is such a card.”

Relieved the potentially disastrous moment had turned around quite nicely, Cassie played along with the joke and rolled her eyes in mock disgust. “Yes, that Angelina most certainly is a card. A postage due card if there ever was one.”

Mike cleared his throat and nodded toward the store behind them. “You want to go to the pizzeria and grab a bite to eat and maybe just talk?”

His honest smile wiped away all his other imperfections. This was a person worth getting to know. “Yeah, I’d love to, Mike.”

They slowly strolled together toward the restaurant. Cassie breathed a huge sigh of relief now the introductions were over. Forget filet mignon in some fancy four-star bistro! She needed a conversation with a grown-up for a change. Mike Felcher seemed like a guy she could really talk to—unlike that last creep she had dated. Mike was a regular Prince Charming compared to that scumbag. Too bad he looked more like the Frog Prince.

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