Category: Book Reviews

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Book Review: No Regrets (Small Town Big Love Series Book 3) by Kelly Collins

No Regrets

(Small Town Big Love Series Book 3)

by Kelly Collins

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA 

 

Their divorce papers are ready to sign. So why can’t they say goodbye?

Billionaire Samuel “Clem” Clemons Blackwood is tired of fighting with his wife. In an attempt to forget about his broken marriage, he agrees to help his sister save their tiny hometown from bankruptcy. But instead of signing the divorce papers, his former high school sweetheart joins the impossible rescue.

Kaitlin Blackwood can’t figure out where her perfect life went wrong. Even though she and Clem can’t stop fighting, she makes one last desperate attempt to rekindle their passion. As she starts to figure out where they want wrong, Kaitlin watches their years of bitterness begin to fade.

In the midst of Blackwood’s abysmal budget struggle, can Kaitlin and Clem’s marriage overcome its own deep deficit?

No Regrets… is the third book in the Small Town ~ Big Love series of contemporary romance novels. If you like billionaires with hearts of gold, sizzling chemistry, and second chance stories, then you’ll love Kelly Collins’ sweet and sexy tale.

 

 

My Rating:

 

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

“You’re lucky Kevin isn’t here. He’d arrest both of you for indecent exposure.” “I’d say what is exposed is pretty decent,” joked Damon, suddenly listening.

 

Nothing killed the mood like an old lady in loafers and knee-high stockings.

 

Mrs. Jensen, who was all set with her coat and gloves. Without them, she might freeze to death as she moved through the store in slow motion. It seemed she squeezed every peach and smelled every apple. No pear went untouched. Her gloves came off and were put back on between all the feels.

 

His impulse was to barrel through the grocery aisles and toss one of everything into the cart, but there was no way he could. She was a little old lady and if he was honest, she was funny. She went through all the bags of grapes, taking out the best ones and putting them in the bag she would buy. “I don’t think that’s allowed,” Clem whispered to Kaitlin. She giggled. “We’re all going to grape jail.”

 

Counseling is an excellent idea because the two of you are either causing sparks or throwing spears.

 

“I’m not ready for anyone to call me daddy except for Jennifer.” “Okay, TMI.” Clem shook his head like he was getting rid of a bug in his hair. “TMI.”

 

I’ve never been a father. I’ve never been married but my advice to you is to never refer to your wife as a cute butterball again.

 

My Review:

 

There were three main story threads in this installment; a wealthy family full of newlyweds facing major life changes; a dying tiny mountain town in flux; and a restless and dissatisfied couple struggling to decide the fate of their broken marriage. Each of which sounds rather mundane and lackluster on the surface yet Kelly Collins spins them into amusing and engaging storylines with humorous descriptions, witty banter, emotive insights, sizzling sensuality, and mind snagging and vibrant details. I didn’t expect to enjoy this couple as much as I did. Kaitlin and Clem initially seemed rather childish and highly volatile, however, they were impeccably well matched and adorably in sync well before the concluding chapters and brought a satisfying closure to the series.

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive.

Always a romantic, she is inspired by real-time events mixed with a dose of fiction. She encourages her readers to reach the happily ever after but bask in the afterglow of the perfectly imperfect love.

Kelly lives in Colorado with her husband of twenty-seven years. She loves hockey, shiny objects and has a new-found appreciation for green smoothies.

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Book Review: Return to Lily Pond Lane (Lily Pond Lane #6) by Emily Harvale

 

Return to Lily Pond Lane

(Lily Pond Lane #6)

by Emily Harvale

 

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA

 

Life couldn’t be better for Mia and her friends in Little Pondale – until tragedy strikes…

Mia Ward is on cloud nine after a magical Christmas and New Year and she isn’t the only one. Everyone on Lily Pond Lane seems to be living in blissful harmony. Until tragedy strikes… not once, but twice. And as Hettie Turner points out: ‘Bad things always come in threes.’ Whilst the other residents of Little Pondale are wondering what might happen next, Mia is busy worrying about her friends and trying to help them with their grief. But she needs to be careful. Just when she thought she had everything, there’s a very real chance she might lose the only thing she truly wants.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’m telling you now, Mia. If I die and Gill’s not around, or we die together, I want the whole shebang. A big carriage pulled by four beautiful black horses. More flowers than you could fill a shop with and everyone crying and saying how wonderful I was and that life will never be the same without me. Oh, and I want my ashes to be scattered on the moon, or somewhere equally fabulous. With all your dosh, you can arrange that, right?

 

‘I’d quite like to have my ashes scattered on Frog Hill. Or in Frog’s Hollow, near the pond.’ ‘What? So that you can watch everyone going skinny dipping on Midsummer’s Eve? You dirty old bag!’

 

… you’d better start learning how to change a nappy and hold your nose at the same time. God, that stuff stinks. I thought babies smelt of vanilla or something lovely like that, not like every toilet in the known universe has exploded and landed in their nappy. Make sure you’ve got plenty of wine in. We’re going to need it.

 

She loved having a pantry. It made her feel like Nigella Lawson – although Mia was far from being a domestic goddess. Sometimes, it was difficult to decide whether to ice her cakes, or use them as stepping stones in her soon-to-be, herb and vegetable garden.

 

My Review:

 

I always enjoy my adventurous stopovers in Emily Harvale’s Little Pondale, there is always some scandalous secret as well as covertly or overtly observed gossip fodder about to erupt. Poor old Hettie just cannot help herself, she feasts on the tittle-tattle and all the scurrying about to be the first to inform everyone else appears to her full-time job and only source of exercise. This quaint little village appears to be populated with an interesting mix of quirky residents with oddly amusing traits and customs. I adore them all and enjoy my visits, which are all too brief yet thankfully frequent.

About the Author

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now spends her days writing… and chatting on social media. Emily is a Member of the SoA, a PAN member of the RWA and a Pro Member of ALLi. She’s an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. Emily loves writing and her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.


Emily says, “I write about friendship, family and falling in love. I believe in happing endings.” When she isn’t writing, she can be found enjoying the stunning East Sussex coast and countryside, or in a wine bar with friends, discussing life, love and the latest TV shows. Chocolate cake is often eaten. She dislikes housework almost as much as she dislikes anchovies – and will do anything to avoid both.

Social Media Links –  https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: VAN (Vested Interest #5) by Melanie Moreland

Title: Van

Series: Vested Interest #5

Author: Melanie Moreland

Release Date: March 25, 2019

Genre: Contemporary/Romantic Comedy

Synopsis:

Vince Morrison, known to most people as Van.

Good with his hands, be it crafting a piece of wood, playing his guitar, or pleasing a lover—he excels at them all.

Friendly, flirty, and talented, he’s cool under pressure, and hot everywhere else.

But he keeps his heart closed, even as his interest and emotions are tested.

Olivia Rourke works alongside him at BAM.

Talented, private, and intriguing, she touches something inside him he can’t deny.

He wants to know her.  In every possible way.

He wants her to know him.

Her past tells her to stay clear. Van is everything that she wants, and exactly what she cannot have. She has someone else to think of who is more important.

Can either of them risk their hearts?

 

Buy Links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2HDno4y

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2Tv2Pc0

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2FvRdlx

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2FmlsKm

Apple Books: http://bit.ly/Van-VI5-Apple

Nook: http://bit.ly/Van-VI5-Nook

Kobo: http://bit.ly/Van-VI5-Kobo

 

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My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

Between them her tea set was arranged on the table, many of her stuffed animals gathered around it… Van sat on the floor, his legs crossed, a few animals on his lap. A blue boa was draped around his neck, and a tiara sat askew on his head, the plastic gems glittering in the light. He held out his cup, his pinkie extended, no doubt having been schooled in proper tea party etiquette by Sammy, murmuring his thanks for more “tea.”

 

Call it experience or friendly advice, but if you’re gonna kiss your girl in the office, make sure to wipe the lip gloss off your mouth before pretending it never happened… Pink isn’t really your color.

 

Hal smiled. It wasn’t a pleasant smile, but rather the kind which happens right before the monster eats you.

 

 My Review:

 

Van, both the book and the character, were perfection. This deftly written story is a supreme example of my favorite type of book and reason for reading. The premise was relevant, interesting, and entertaining and cast with characters who were realistically flawed while totally appealing and disarmingly endearing. As expected, Ms. Moreland’s storylines were artfully crafted and expertly paced while tapping all the feels and filling my heart with a glitter bomb of delight.   And bonus round, the enticing and alluring main characters were gratefully supportive, passionate, and nurturing towards each other rather than engaged in constant conflict or battling their attraction. I was totally enamored and thoroughly smitten with the thoughtful and tender care the gentle giant Van extended toward the women in his life. I have fallen head-over-heels with every book in this divinely written series featuring the men of BAM and hope it continues into perpetuity. Melanie Moreland has mad skills.

 

 

In The Series: Kindle Unlimited

Bentley: Vested Interest #1

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/Bentley

 

Aiden: Vested Interest #2

Amazon: http://mybook.to/Aiden

 

Maddox: Vested Interest #3

Amazon Universal: http://getbook.at/Maddox

 

Reid: Vested Interest #4

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LZ46oU

 

Author Bio: 

New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free-falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She’s learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at flavia@bookcaseagency.com

 

Social Media Links:

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2wlWE1z

Melanie’s Minions (reader group) http://bit.ly/2wOwbdJ

Newsletter: http://www.subscribepage.com/melaniemoreland

Website: http://bit.ly/2iLv0Xi

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2uQ4Ckj

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2ql5R95

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2vIBTKq

Bookbub:  http://bit.ly/2vrs5oY

YouTube:  http://bit.ly/2eIuWq5

Pinterest:  http://bit.ly/2gmdBjj

Goodreads:  http://bit.ly/2gtNOtk

Tumblr: http://bit.ly/2xy0xlT

Book+Main: http://bit.ly/2AuWp4S

 

Excerpt:

Van sat on the floor, his legs crossed, a few animals on his lap. A blue boa was draped around his neck, and a tiara sat askew on his head, the plastic gems glittering in the light. He held out his cup, his pinkie extended, no doubt having been schooled in proper tea party etiquette by Sammy, murmuring his thanks for more “tea.”

Sammy filled his cup with water and held out the plate of Oreos. I frowned. I never bought Oreos.

“More cookies, Prince Van? I made them myself.”

Prince Van?

He lifted his chin royally and accepted a cookie. “They are delicious. You must give me the recipe. I’ll have my cook at the castle make them.”

Never had I wished for a camera more than I did at that moment. Unable to contain myself, I giggled. They both turned to the door, excited to see me home. Sammy clapped her hands, demanding I join them.

I expected embarrassment from Van, but he simply tossed his boa around his neck and indicated the floor beside him with a wide grin.

“Liv, you’re home. Join us for tea? Sammy has made the most divine cookies.”

How could I resist?

 

Release Giveaway:

Signed paperback copy of Van and $25 Lowe’s gift card

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Book Review: THE GOODBYE CAFÉ (The Hudson Sisters #3) by Mariah Stewart

THE GOODBYE CAFÉ

(The Hudson Sisters #3)

by Mariah Stewart

On sale March 26, 2019

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU / B&N

California girl Allie Hudson Monroe can’t wait for the day when the renovations on the Sugarhouse Theater are complete so she can finally collect the inheritance from her father and leave Pennsylvania. After all, her life and her fourteen-year-old daughter are in Los Angeles.

 

But Allie’s divorce left her tottering on the edge of bankruptcy, so to keep up on payments for her house and her daughter’s private school tuition, Allie packed up and flew out east. But fate has a curve-ball or two to toss in Allie’s direction—she just doesn’t know it yet.

 

She hadn’t anticipated how her life would change after reuniting with her estranged sister, Des, or meeting her previously unknown half-sister, Cara. And she’d certainly never expected to find small-town living charming. But the biggest surprise was that her long-forgotten artistry would save the day when the theater’s renovation fund dried up.

 

With opening day upon the sisters, Allie’s free to go. But for the first time in her life, she feels like the woman she was always meant to be. Will she return to the West Coast and resume her previous life, or will the love of “this amazing, endearing family of women” (Robyn Carr, #1 New York Times bestselling author) be enough to draw her back to the place where the Hudson roots grow so deep?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

You may say senior. You may not say old, elder, or advanced age. And never geriatric if you know what’s good for you.

 

Cara, you think Des’s kids’ll come out bald with tiny Harley-Davidson tattoos on their shoulders?

 

The short answer is I don’t know…The long answer is I don’t know.

 

“The universe doesn’t owe you an explanation for everything,” as Mandy, Allie’s across-the-street neighbor back in L.A., used to say. Then again, she reminded herself, Mandy set traps for unicorns in the hills behind her house and sprinkled visitors with glitter before they walked through her front door.

 

“You know it’s not good to tease old ladies. You could give them a heart attack.” “Barney, did you just call yourself an old lady?” “Of course not. I was speaking in generalities.”

 

My Review:

 

Ms. Stewart has performed a major transformation; she tamed the shrew and made her not only likable but commendable – kudos! I enjoyed the slow yet meaningful metamorphosis of the bitter and virulently tongued Allie, although Ms. Stewart had granted her some of the wittiest lines and snarkiest banter of all the characters during her acerbic and noxiously abrasive period. The gradual reformation and reshaping of her nature was cleverly and realistically done, I didn’t expect to care for her as much as I did; she was completely made-over and admirably appealing by the story’s end.

 

Some mysteries were solved, more secrets were uncovered, and some questions may forever remain unanswered. I don’t think this series is anywhere near finished as there are still more Hudsons to feature, young and old, and I wouldn’t be at all surprised if several more popped up as the prolific horndog Fritz couldn’t seem to keep it in his pants.

 

About the author

Amazon

Goodreads

Website

Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of numerous novels and several novellas and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life and tends her gardens while she works on her next novel. Visit her website at MariahStewart.com, like her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuthorMariahStewart, and follow her on Instagram @Mariah_Stewart_Books.

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Book Review: The Sugarhouse Blues (The Hudson Sisters #2) by Mariah Stewart

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The Sugarhouse Blues

(The Hudson Sisters #2)

by Mariah Stewart

 

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA / B&N

 

Allie, Des, and Cara, each having her own reasons for wanting a share of their father’s estate, meet in the grand Victorian home in which he grew up, only to be greeted by another secret he purposely hid from them: his sister Bonnie. The women reluctantly band together to take on Fritz’s challenge, working with a local contractor to begin the renovations financed by an account Fritz had set up for the task. While the restoration appears to go smoothly at first, it soon becomes apparent that the work will be more extensive than originally thought, and Des, elected to handle the money, needs to find ways to stretch out the remaining savings while searching for new sources of funding.


As strangers linked only by their DNA try to become a family, the Hudson sisters also try to come to terms with the father they only thought they knew. In the process, each woman discovers her own capacity for understanding, forgiveness, love, and the true meaning of family.

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My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

Nothing says time to move on like having your husband file for divorce so he can marry one of your best friends.

 

“Ordinarily, I’d have a retort for that, but right now, I’m all out of snark.” “Allie, your snark well has never run dry.” “Well, it did today, Des. I used it all up on Clint.” Allie grinned. “But it was snark well spent, believe me.’

 

It’s not a big deal, Allie. He’s a good kid… Allie, you act like the guy came in here with punk green hair smoking a joint and grabbing her butt.

 

I have visions of people lined up for miles for burgers but we’ve run out. They’re carrying pitchforks and chanting your name. I’m hiding out in the vineyard with the dogs, by the way.

 

My Review:

 

I was further drawn into the steady current of Ms. Stewart’s smooth storytelling and was soon fully immersed and residing in the small town of Hidden Falls along with her enticing and cunningly nuanced characters. I was fully invested in their saga and labored beside them during renovation efforts as well as with their budding relationships with each other and new community. The rehab of the historic theater was bumping along until a massive storm wrought major damage and a setback to their plans and depleted bank balance.   Another fly in the ointment continued to be the contentious and shrewish personality of Allie, who appeared to be gradually softening but still leaning toward the vile harpy end of the scale.

 

This series would make an excellent miniseries as I hung on each new twist and complication. The relationships and family dynamics were front and center and quite compelling as the storylines continued to expand and interweave with additional layers or mystery, revelations, and insights. An unexpected discovery indicates papa appears to have more of a bounder than anyone knew. I am hooked and more than eager to dive into the next installment. I don’t recall four hundred pages ever flying by so quickly!

About the Author

Amazon
Goodreads
Website

Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of numerous novels and several novellas and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life and tends her gardens while she works on her next novel. Visit her website at MariahStewart.com, like her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuthorMariahStewart, and follow her on Instagram @Mariah_Stewart_Books.

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Book Review: LAST CHANCE MATINEE (Hudson Sisters #1) by Mariah Stewart

LAST CHANCE MATINEE
A Hudson Sisters Novel #1 

by Mariah Steward

        

 

From New York Times bestselling author Mariah Stewart comes the first novel in her all-new series, The Hudson Sisters, following a trio of reluctant sisters as they set out to fulfill their father’s dying wish. In the process, they find not only themselves, but the father they only thought they knew.

When celebrated and respected agent Fritz Hudson passes away, he leaves a trail of Hollywood glory in his wake—and two separate families who never knew the other existed. Allie and Des Hudson are products of Fritz’s first marriage to Honora, a beautiful but troubled starlet whose life ended in a tragic overdose. Meanwhile, Fritz was falling in love on the Delaware Bay with New Age hippie Susa Pratt—they had a daughter together, Cara, and while Fritz loved Susa with everything he had, he never quite managed to tell her or Cara about his West Coast family.

Now Fritz is gone, and the three sisters are brought together under strange circumstances: there’s a large inheritance to be had that could save Allie from her ever-deepening debt following a disastrous divorce, allow Des to open a rescue shelter for abused and wounded animals, and give Cara a fresh start after her husband left her for her best friend—but only if the sisters upend their lives and work together to restore an old, decrepit theater that was Fritz’s obsession growing up in his small hometown in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Guided by Fritz’s closest friend and longtime attorney, Pete Wheeler, the sisters come together—whether they like it or not—to turn their father’s dream into a reality, and might just come away with far more than they bargained for.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

What could he have said?” Cara lowered her voice. “‘Oh, Susa, by the way, did I mention that I was married to someone else when I married you? But she passed away, so we don’t have to worry about those pesky bigamy laws.’

 

“I don’t know a whole lot about men, but I do know that none of them come with guarantees.” “Well, they should. They should come with grades or little caution cards. ‘Lies without conscience.’ ‘Will cheat every chance he gets.’ ‘Really does think that dress makes your ass look fat.’ ‘Only pretends to like puppies.’”

 

Cara watched Joe take a bite of his burger and was tempted to whisper, ‘Moo,’ but thought maybe she’d pulled that chain enough for one day.

 

I bought champagne to celebrate you. He doesn’t matter. You matter… We matter. We deserve a chance, and this is where we begin. You in?

 

I had the best time. Joe is… The one I thought I’d never find.

 

My Review:

 

I enjoyed this engaging story from beginning to end. The writing was entertaining, amusing, and lushly detailed. While the storyline initially seemed a bit complicated, it was easy to follow and pleasurable to read. Upon their father’s death, three women discover they have more family members than they realized – as Papa was a Rollin’ Stone.   According to the “ironclad” will, the three women were required to work together on an extensive and challenging restoration project with firm conditions and stipulations before they would earn their father’s large estate. Their project required the sisters to relocate to a quaint little town in Pennsylvania, which sparked outrage for Allie – the snide LA diva sister, although she was most hard edges and always on the verge of outrage.   There was a large cast of interesting and vibrantly detailed characters, with each being delightfully unique, easily differentiated, and memorable. My favorites being Joe – for his clever wit and patience, and Des for her thoughtful insights and gentleness. All the characters intrigued me, although I would not want to spend one second of my time with the bitter drama llama Allie.

About the Author

Amazon

 

Mariah Stewart is the award-winning New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of numerous novels and several novellas and short stories. A native of Hightstown, New Jersey, she lives with her husband and two rambunctious rescue dogs amid the rolling hills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, where she savors country life and tends her gardens while she works on her next novel. Visit her website at MariahStewart.com, like her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AuthorMariahStewart, and follow her on Instagram @Mariah_Stewart_Books.

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Book Review: The Pieces of You and Me by Rachel Burton

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The Pieces of You and Me

by Rachel Burton

Purchase Link: mybook.to/PiecesYouMe

 

They say time can heal all wounds…

When Jess and Rupert parted ways, it was the end of a great love story that might have been. Now ten years later, the very different paths they have taken in life will bring them back together for a chance meeting.

But with so much left unsaid about the breakup neither ever recovered from and with each keeping their own devastating secrets, will they finally be able to make the fractured pieces of their love for one another whole again?

 

 

My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

Gem, I know you’re over the moon about getting married and I’m delighted for you, but it doesn’t mean that you get to matchmake. Even if I am the last one left on the shelf.

 

We were born twelve hours apart – you at six p.m. and me the following morning – in the same hospital, our mothers recovering in beds next to each other… You were early and I was late, which was the pattern that continued for the rest of our lives. You were always waiting for me to catch up with you.

 

Too young to be here, too old not to be. We’d always done terrifying things together. It felt like the first time we jumped into the deep end of the swimming pool, hand in hand, as children.

 

Looking back on it now with the advantage of age and hindsight I realised how foolish I’d been, how foolish we are when we’re young. Maybe that alone was reason enough for us to have gone our separate ways. I had been too young to understand nuanced grey areas of thought back then, too young to understand discretion and diplomacy and how sometimes we have to say things we don’t really mean just to keep the peace.

 

My Review:

 

One of my favorite tropes just so happens to be second-chances, and this couple was more than deserving of a rekindled relationship as they had each been living a rather miserable half-life while a decade apart. Serious health and family issues and tendencies to live too deeply inside their own heads further compounded their pressures and littered their path with landmines. This could easily have been a maudlin tale but Ms. Burton craftily shaped and paced her endearing flawed yet stubborn characters’ insights, memories, and encounters to circumvent the reader falling into the pit of despair.

While the narrative was often melancholy and angsty – which typically has me twitching and sighing in agony – I am absolutely astounded to report that I didn’t seem to mind. Ms. Burton may well have deployed some sort of magical word voodoo on her book file as, despite the angst, the tender quality and ingenious tempo of her superb storytelling kept me fully engaged, deeply invested, and intensely curious about their slowly unraveling and intriguing story. Contemplating this surprising and momentous phenomenon leaves me rather astonished and blinking in amazement. Such a sly and clever wordsmith deserves a five-star rating for that alone.

About the Author

Rachel Burton is the author of the international ebook bestseller The Many Colours of Us. 

Rachel spent most of her life between Cambridge and London but now lives in Yorkshire with her fiance and their three cats. The main loves of her life are The Beatles and very tall romantic heroes.

Find her on Twitter & Instagram as @bookish_yogi or follow her blog at rachelburtonwrites.com. She is always happy to talk books, writing, music, cats and how the weather in Yorkshire is rubbish. She is mostly dreaming of her next holiday.

Social Media Links – Twitter: twitter.com/bookish_yogi

Instagram: Instagram.com/Bookish_yogi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rachel-Burton-353151308524664/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rachelburton6/pins/

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Book Review: Fleeting (The Nash Brothers #1) by Carrie Aarons

Today we are celebrating the release of the newest standalone title by Carrie Aarons. FLEETING just went live, and it is the first book in the Nash Brothers series!

Purchase it now or read for FREE as part of Kindle Unlimited, and follow Carrie for exclusive updates about the book.

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Fleeting by Carrie Aarons

Available Now | Nash Brothers, #1

Read it for FREE in Kindle Unlimited

Presley McDaniel lives her life from moment to moment.

Making permanent decisions means obligation, and that would force her to stop being the family disappointment. Waitress, fitness instructor, dog walker … you name the hourly job and she’s probably held the position.

But when her grandmother can no longer run her book shop in Fawn Hill, a town so small it barely has its own zip code, Presley steps up to help.

The move from bustling city to green pastures may be exactly what she needs to sort out her life. But she didn’t ask for that happy ending to include a gorgeous veterinarian with an all-American smile and a penchant for snuggling puppies. The good doctor is reliable, responsible, and just the kind of man Presley has always avoided.

Love and commitment are predictable.

So why, the moment she lays eyes on him, are they all she wants?

Keaton Nash has never questioned his steady path.

His brothers may tease him about settling into his father’s passed-down role of small-town veterinarian, but Keaton has never minded his rural roots. And after tragedy struck two years ago, he has a duty as the eldest Nash man to look after his family.

What he doesn’t need is the sexy, flighty stranger who shows up in town and gets his broken heart beating again. Presley McDaniel is a distraction, a red-headed temptation that is the definition of a bad idea.

He’s barely recovered from the love who left him to chase bigger dreams, and this woman is bound to do the same.

Except for the first time ever, he wants to abandon stability.

She makes him want to be reckless.

 

Add the book to Goodreads

 

My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

How old are you, anyway? And what’s your middle name? I should at least know the basics before I go on a date with you. You could be a serial killer.

 

I am jumpy, anxious, my palms are sweating … it is as if I’ve been arrested for a crime I didn’t commit and am about to confess just to make it stop.

 

… the two have the chemistry of a box of fireworks. Illegal ones.

 

 My Review:

 

This was an excellent start for a new series.   Fleeting was a fun and lively read that was loaded with zings of clever humor, irreverent wit, sizzling steam, and endearingly flawed and appealing characters. Written in my favorite dual POV, the writing was briskly paced, easy to follow, engaging, and pleasantly entertaining. While it wasn’t all rainbow sprinkles and unicorn farts, the heart-squeezing moments were not overly angsty or unrealistically melodramatic. Presley was a bit of a hot mess but I totally adored the earnest white knight Keaton.   I would have a standing appointment if my vet were as thoughtful and sexy as Dr. Nash. However, his family dynamics were uniquely vexing with each member having intriguing issues and distinct personalities. I look forward to getting to know each of them better in subsequent installments.

What Reviewers Are Saying…

“So what do I need to do to find a quaint little town like Fawn Hill? And some Nash brothers? Because good golly Miss Molly I am in love with everything here!” -The Book Branch

“This book is fabulous…I had a smile on my face for most of it. I read this book in one sitting, it is a pager turner.” -Goodreads Reviewer

“I suggest y’all grab a copy when it releases on March 14th! Scratch that … I’m TELLING you to! Mrs. Aarons has won my heart over with these boys already.” -Goodreads Reviewer

Read it for FREE in Kindle Unlimited

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Author of romance novels such as Red Card and Privileged, Carrie Aarons writes books that are just as swoon-worthy as they are sarcastic. A former journalist, she prefers the stories she dreams up, and the yoga pant dress code, much better.

When she isn’t writing, Carrie is busy binging reality TV, having a love/hate relationship with cardio, and trying not to burn dinner. She lives in the suburbs of New Jersey with her husband, daughter and dog.

 

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Book Review: Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

Where the Forest Meets the Stars

by Glendy Vanderah

 

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA / B&N

Hardcover: 332 Pages

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing (March 1, 2019)

In this gorgeously stunning debut, a mysterious child teaches two strangers how to love and trust again.

After the loss of her mother and her own battle with breast cancer, Joanna Teale returns to her graduate research on nesting birds in rural Illinois, determined to prove that her recent hardships have not broken her. She throws herself into her work from dusk to dawn, until her solitary routine is disrupted by the appearance of a mysterious child who shows up at her cabin barefoot and covered in bruises.

The girl calls herself Ursa, and she claims to have been sent from the stars to witness five miracles. With concerns about the child’s home situation, Jo reluctantly agrees to let her stay—just until she learns more about Ursa’s past.

Jo enlists the help of her reclusive neighbor, Gabriel Nash, to solve the mystery of the charming child. But the more time they spend together, the more questions they have. How does a young girl not only read but understand Shakespeare? Why do good things keep happening in her presence? And why aren’t Jo and Gabe checking the missing children’s website anymore?

Though the three have formed an incredible bond, they know difficult choices must be made. As the summer nears an end and Ursa gets closer to her fifth miracle, her dangerous past closes in. When it finally catches up to them, all of their painful secrets will be forced into the open, and their fates will be left to the stars.

“Enchanting, insightful, and extraordinary.” —Novelgossip

“A heartwarming, magical story about love, loss, and finding family where you least expect it. This touching novel will remind readers of a modern-day The Snow Child.” —Christopher Meades, award-winning author of Hanna Who Fell from the Sky

 

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

As always, words fail when you most want to say the right thing… I’ve decided language isn’t as advanced as we think it is. We’re still apes trying to express our thoughts with grunts while most of what we want to communicate stays locked in our brains.

 

He was teaching her how to play poker, and they were using oyster crackers as betting chips. “First guns, now gambling,” Jo said. “You’re a bad influence.” “Not for long,” he said. “We can’t stop eating our money.”

 

“And I know what you’ve been through—how it could have …influenced what you did.” Why did everyone think that? She kept her mouth shut, but she wanted to say that she wouldn’t have done anything different if she still had her mother and her breasts and her ovaries. She would love Ursa just as much.

 

Did she tell you she once snuck a lamb into the hospital? … She knows I love the baby farm animals she works with, so she packs the lamb in her car with its milk, drives up to Chicago, and sneaks it into my room two days after my breasts were removed. She takes this tiny lamb out of a shoulder bag, lays it on my bed, and hands me the bottle. There, she says, who needs tits anyway? There are other ways to give milk.

 

Before his life fell apart, he’d wanted to be an astrophysicist. He named his daughter Ursa for the Big Bear in the sky, and he’d taught her the names of stars and constellations. When Ursa was afraid of the dark, he would open her window a crack and tell her good magic that fell out of the stars was coming in her window. He said the magic would always keep her safe. After he died, Ursa opened her window wide every night, trying to let in lots of good magic.

 

 My Review:

 

This captivating book bewitched and enthralled me. I delighted in the unexpected and stealthy hits of clever wit and levity that was surprisingly tucked into the most unexpected places. I gleefully endured the prickling and tauntingly enticing mystery that relentlessly beckoned to me to continue reading and ignore anything and everything beyond the screen of my Kindle.

 

Ms. Vanderah’s writing was alchemy and I was ensorcelled. I was repeatedly taken with the layered depth of the fascinating and quirky characters as well as the thoughtful creativity of the storylines, which were complex and beautifully textured with cleverly amusing and cringe-worthy details.

 

I waffled in my theories of whether the girl’s fantastical explanations and alien assertions could be true as she was oddly intelligent and insightful, and far more advanced than many adults in her ability to absorb knowledge or sketch, yet she was a small child with an estimated age of nine. My curiosity was as unabating as Ursa’s quarks.   I reveled in this stunning and cunningly crafted tale from beginning to end and was absolutely staggered once aware it was the author’s debut. Glendy Vanderah is definitely one to watch. A Five-Star rating is not enough by half.

About Glendy Vanderah

Glendy Vanderah worked as an endangered bird specialist in Illinois before she became a writer. Originally from Chicago, she now lives in rural Florida with as many birds, butterflies, and wildflowers as she can lure to her land. Where the Forest Meets the Stars is her debut novel.

Connect with Glendy

Website | Instagram

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: The Trail to You by Lindsay Detwiler

Title: The Trail to You
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 16, 2019
Cover Designer: Claire Smith
On sale for half price!

An independent blonde seeking a fresh start.

Orphaned and unhappy, Ally Hunter makes a life-changing decision to move across the country to a small town that once felt like home. As she reinvents herself, she realizes there’s one part of the equation missing—love. However, a tragedy from the past makes her hesitate when it comes to giving up her heart.

A betrayed man looking for a sense of pride.

Abandoned by his first love and family, Ronan has one friend he can truly count on—his two-hundred-pound mastiff, Henry. When he returns home from service in the National Guard, though, he finds his entire life catapulted in a different direction with the disappearance of his beloved dog.

A loyal four-legged friend who will unexpectedly bring them together.

When Henry, Ronan’s brindle mastiff, finds himself far from home, Ronan sets out on a journey to bring him back. However, as the trail to Henry leads Ronan to Ridgewood, Virginia, and an interior designer with a big heart, he’ll realize some hardships lead to beautiful discoveries.

The Trail to You is a sweet stand-alone romantic novel.

On sale for half price!

 

 

My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’m a sad, lonely housewife who cleans up boogers and deals with Candyland fights. Give me something interesting here.

 

Well, the guy thinks white socks and black dress shoes go together and believes watching Jaws is a romantic night. I had my doubts.

 

Her idea of being a foodie was knowing the different types of sauces at Chick-Fil-A.

 

You know how I spent Christmas Eve? Crying over bed bugs, looking up Pinterest ideas on getting gum out of Aggie’s hair, and reassuring Greg that the bump on his ass was not actually a bed bug bite… even though I’m pretty sure it was. Yeah, trust me, we weren’t exactly singing ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ either. Of course, maybe you were.

My Review:

 

This was one of those sweet and touching stories that make me want to run to the pound and adopt all the dogs, ALL of them…   And I’m a cat person. As with all Ms. Detwiler’s emotive stories, The Trail to You was thoughtfully written yet pleasantly well-balanced, consistently engaging, relaxing and easy to follow, heart squeezing, insightfully observant, colorfully amusing, and stung my eyes a few times before reaching a satisfactory and sigh-inducing HEA. Her characters were endearing everyday people doing their best and ensnaring my heart along their journey. I adored this couple, they became so familiar I believe I would recognize them if I saw them walking their precious dog Henry on the street.

 

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A high school English teacher, an author, and a fan of anything pink and/or glittery, Lindsay’s the English teacher cliché; she loves cats, reading, Shakespeare, and Poe.
She currently lives in her hometown with her husband, Chad (her junior high sweetheart); their cats, Arya, Amelia, Alice, and Bob; and their Mastiff, Henry.
Lindsay’s goal with her writing is to show the power of love and the beauty of life while also instilling a true sense of realism in her work. Some reviewers have noted that her books are not the “typical romance.” With her novels coming from a place of honesty, Lindsay examines the difficult questions, looks at the tough emotions, and paints the pictures that are sometimes difficult to look at. She wants her fiction to resonate with readers as realistic, poetic, and powerful. Lindsay wants women readers to be able to say, “I see myself in that novel.” She wants to speak to the modern woman’s experience while also bringing a twist of something new and exciting. Her aim is for readers to say, “That could happen,” or “I feel like the characters are real.” That’s how she knows she’s done her job.

Lindsay’s hope is that by becoming a published author, she can inspire some of her students and other aspiring writers to pursue their own passions. She wants them to see that any dream can be attained and publishing a novel isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

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