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

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

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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.

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.

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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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Hottie Lumberjack 

 by Tawna Fenske

Available from these stores:

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

For some reason I just assumed he has a dog. He looks like the sort of guy who’d have a Rottweiler or maybe a blue ox named Babe.

 

“Neutered?” Libby scrunches up her nose and studies the other end of the rabbit. “That’s where they cut off his boy parts to make him behave better,” Mrs. Percy offers helpfully. “To make him a nice boy.” Chelsea tries unsuccessfully to stifle a laugh while Libby turns her attention to me. “Did it hurt?” “Did what hurt?” “You brought us donuts, so you’re nice,” she says. “Did it hurt when they cut off your boy parts?”

 

Libby cocks her head at me. “How are babies made?” Uh-oh. “Um—” “Libby.” Chelsea pulls it together and musters up a stern tone. “You know the answer to this. We have that book, How Babies Are Made.” “Well yeah, but I wanted to see if he knows.” Libby studies me like a schoolteacher issuing a quiz.

 

Dating a Bracelyn is like riding on the luggage carousel at the airport. It’s exciting and fun and makes you feel like you’re getting away with something insanely cool. But there’s a helluva lot of baggage there.

 

My Review:

 

Hottie Lumberjack was good fun and an irreverently amusing Romantic Comedy, which was considerably better than the cheesy title would lead you to expect. I always enjoy Tawna Fenske’s clever wit and breezy writing style, but I revel in her delightfully titillating, smirk-worthy, and bawdy sense of humor. The premise was entertaining and intriguing, the characters were lovably quirky and endearing, and the writing was well balanced with levity, sizzling sensuality, and engaging storylines.

 

Mark wasn’t a lumberjack but like the old commercial, he could have played one on TV. He was huge in size although underneath all that flannel was a total marshmallow and tenderhearted mama’s boy with significant issues and insecurities regarding his identity. He may have appeared roughly hewn and was an avid fan of profanity and conversed with a terse manner of speaking, although his inner musings reflected a sharp wit and thoughtful observations. I have always enjoyed Ms. Fenske’s amusingly idiosyncratic characters although I was fully infatuated with Mark as well as his sweet cupcake baker Chelsea – an independent and hard-working single mom to an adorable and outspoken six-year-old.   Chelsea’s delicious and unique cupcakes may have been the lure that snagged Mark’s attention first, but it didn’t take long until the sweet aftereffects migrated from his stomach to his brain, permeating his every thought, before finally making way to his massive chest to ensnare his enormous heart. But be warned – this delicious tale was a colossal challenge to my diet.

 

About the Author    

Website 

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When Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA-nominated, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”

Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, stepkids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.