Category: 4-Stars

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Book Review: Coming Home to Merriment Bay: Part One: A Reunion by Emily Harvale

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Coming Home to Merriment Bay
Part One: A Reunion
Merriment Bay series
by Emily Harvale

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA 

After eighteen years apart, reclusive Cat Devon still recognises her mum’s handwriting. Plucking up the courage to open the letter, its contents send Cat racing to Merriment Bay, the seaside village where she grew up.

On arrival, Cat and her teenage daughter, Kyra are shocked to find the situation is worse than expected. But despite everything, Cat considers herself to be an optimist at heart and Kyra takes after her. Looking on the bright side may not improve the situation, but it definitely can’t make it worse.

When clearing out the house that, even now, Cat fondly thinks of as home, she stumbles upon more than just memories in the battered leather trunk in Granny Viola’s bedroom. She discovers a faded photo of an RAF pilot, a pile of unopened letters, and a mystery waiting to be solved. Who is the man in the – clearly treasured – photo? Cat didn’t know her grandad. Could this be him? A man even her mum never met.

Cat and Kyra are intent on finding out. But that’s not all Cat’s determined to do. It’s time she came to terms with the issues in her past and made peace with her mum and her gran. All the while avoiding bumping into the one man she never quite got over … and keeping a few secrets of her own.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I don’t know how your mum stays alive because she clearly doesn’t have a heart.

 It’s like an inferno in that kitchen. But that might have something to do with Luigi, the chef. He could make my pot boil any time he wants, if you catch my meaning. I’ve half a mind to make him husband number three.

 So many questions and thoughts and fears careered around in Cat’s mind, but her lips wouldn’t form any words. Not polite ones, anyway.

 The expression on Mary’s face was one of abject horror. As if she had seen the four horsemen of the Apocalypse and they were heading straight for her.

 My Review:

 

Starting a new series involves setting the stage, establishing the traits and personality quirks of the various characters, and drawing the reader in with various story threads and my curiosity has been poked, nudged, and dialed to itch factor, as I’m impatient to know the secrets. What a tease that Emily Harvale, I would stamping my little foot and turning the air blue if I didn’t already have Part Two already loaded on my Kindle.

About the Author

Emily writes novels, novellas and short stories about friendship, family and falling in love. She loves a happy ending but knows that life doesn’t always go to plan. Her stories are sure to bring a smile to your face and a warmth to your heart.

Emily loves to connect with her readers and has a readers’ group in which many have become good friends. To catch up with Emily, find out about the group, or connect with her on social media, go to her website at www.emilyharvale.com.

Having lived and worked in London for several years, Emily returned to her home town of Hastings where she now writes full-time. She’s a member of the SoA and the RWA, an Amazon bestseller and a Kindle All Star. When not 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. Emily has two mischievous rescue cats that like to sprawl across her keyboard, regardless of whether Emily is typing on it, or not.

Social Media Links

https://www.facebook.com/emilyharvalewriter

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

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Book Review: Tacker (Arizona Vengeance, Book #5) by Sawyer Bennett


Tacker (Arizona Vengeance, Book #5)
Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: November 5, 2019

 

Synopsis:
I am not okay.

Fifteen months ago, my life was turned upside down when the plane I was piloting went down. Injured and trapped in the wreckage, I had to watch my fiancée die a painfully slow death, which is something that can really mess with your head.

Since that day, I’ve had little desire to do much of anything. Except play hockey, that is. Because that is the one place where the bad memories are banished and I can escape my pain.

But off the ice, I’m spiraling out of control. Losing the grip on my life and putting myself and my career in danger. Now, thanks to a string of bad decisions, I’ve been ordered to complete therapy in order to stay on the team.

The problem? Nora Wayne, my beautiful and somewhat unconventional therapist. I can’t buy into the brand of happy-clappy crap this woman is feeding me. What could she possibly understand about the type of loss that I’ve suffered? How does she know anything about finding happiness after losing the most important person in your life?

Turns out, I’ve got a lot to learn, and she’s just the person I need to break through those walls I’ve erected.

I am not okay.
But for the first time in a long time, I know that I will be.

Download Tacker:

 

Amazon | B&N | Apple | Google Play | Kobo | Paperback | Audible

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“You hurt her, and I will kill you. Even though I like you, I will kill you very dead. Take your body out in the desert and dump it. No one will find you.” I don’t laugh. He’s quite serious, and I respect him for it. “I’ll do my best.”

 

“Just be quiet,” I snap. “Or I’m going to call MaryBeth Henson to come and watch over you this afternoon while I go feed the horses.” A slight tinge of fear seeps into Raul’s expression. She showed up yesterday with a bag of knitting, then promptly sat in one of the other guest chairs and glared at Raul the entire time, almost daring him to get sicker.

 

My Review:

 

This story was a heart-squeezer with both main characters having suffered devastating losses, and also dealt with heavy issues and concerns with thoughtful insights and perception. While the emotional tone was often angsty and melancholy, clever hits of humor and bone-melting sensual steam restored the balance and kept the story from being maudlin. Written in my favorite dual POV, the storylines were relevant, well-paced, observantly detailed, and featured likable and endearing characters. I appreciated the comradery, compassion, and the considerate and supportive nature of the relationships between all the characters.

 

About the Author:
Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real-life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Book + Main Bites | BookBub | Amazon | Newsletter | Master Blogger List

 

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Book Review: Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper (Death by Cupcake Book 4) by D.E. Haggerty

 Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper

(Death by Cupcake Book 4)

by D.E. Haggerty

 

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA   

 

It’s all candy cane cupcakes and peppermint coffee until you find a dead elf on your doorstep.

Only the elf wasn’t a real elf, because elves don’t actually exist – not even at Christmas time. A college student dressed as an elf decided taking a nap on the stoop of Callie’s Cakes in sub-zero winter temps was a good idea. It wasn’t. Anna, the pink-haired baker extraordinaire, is convinced the student’s death was not an accident. She drags Callie and Kristie along with her as she attempts to discover who killed the elf … um… student.

Will the gals of Callie’s Cakes find the killer before Christmas is ruined?

Cupcakes not included, although you’ll find recipes for all the delicious Christmas cupcakes Anna bakes.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“An elf died on our doorstep,” Anna repeats. He does a slow blink before shaking his head. “You know, a few months ago, I would have been shocked by those words coming out of anyone’s mouth. Now?” He shrugs.

 

He chuckles and waves as he walks out the door. I may be annoyed with him, but nothing can stop me from watching him walk away. The view is too fantastic to pass up.

 

I could easily push her out of the way. I’m a half a foot taller than her and weigh substantially more than her. How much more? I’m not saying. No way.

 

I hear a collective sigh from the group of women and smirk. I can’t blame their fangirling. With his height of around six feet, fit body, and dark blue eyes, Tyler is a catch. Add in the fire department t-shirt straining against his muscles underneath his apron and it’s a miracle no one has deliberately started a fire to see him in action.

 

My Review:

 

D.E. Haggerty can’t go wrong with her humorous cozy mystery series featuring a quirky cast of characters, unusual murder victims, mouth-watering cupcakes, a pink-haired pixie-sized baker, and an entertaining and original premise. The characters are relatable, the storylines are humorous and easy to follow and the mystery has a bit of bite to it. It was a quick, fun, and lively read, but a challenge to my diet plan.

About the Author

Website

Amazon 

Goodreads

I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on from my mom’s Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew to Little Women. When I wasn’t flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories that have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic after returning to the law. But being a lawyer really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out being a B&B owner wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from the adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

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Book Review: The House That Alice Built by Chris Penhall

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The House That Alice Built

by Chris Penhall

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA /

 B&N / Kobo / GP / Ruby Fiction

Home is where the heart is …

Alice Dorothy Matthews is sensible. Whilst her best friend Kathy is living it up in Portugal and her insufferable ex Adam is traveling the world, Alice is working hard to pay for the beloved London house she has put her heart and soul into renovating.

But then a postcard from Buenos Aires turns Alice’s life upside down. One very unsensible decision later and she is in Cascais, Portugal, and so begins her lesson in ‘going with the flow’; a lesson that sees her cat-sitting, paddle boarding, dancing on top of bars and rediscovering her artistic talents.

But perhaps the most important part of the lesson for Alice is that you don’t always need a house to be at home.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

You wouldn’t know nonchalant if it knocked on your door and said hello, I’m nonchalant, whispered the voice in her head.

 

Bricks and mortar. They can’t protect you from everything, can they? They can protect you from the wind and the rain and the cold, but they can’t protect you from your emotions.

 

I look like I’ve been living in a cave all my life surviving on a diet of pasties and washing my hair with lard.

 

My Review:

 

Poor Alice, she couldn’t seem to climb out of her gloom as it kept coming at her from all sides, including her own inner voice. Her ex-boyfriend, who had left her with debts, was back and wanting to claim half of her home; she had lost her job and her sparkle; and her inner voice was berating her at every turn. Alice’s tale was insightfully written with clever observational humor, a quirky cast of characters, angst, loss of self, a pyramid full of insecurities, lots of waffling and indecision, a blossoming romance, rekindling of old friendships, high anxiety, self-rediscovery, adventures in a foreign land, paddle boarding, pet-sitting, ambling, jewelry making, photography, artistry, home renovation, and an empowering evolution with defiantly vibrant trousers – which I greedily coveted. I frequently alternated between empathy for Alice and wanting to give her a smack to the back of the head, but I was proud of her and for her by the end.

About the Author

Chris Penhall is a freelance writer and radio producer.

Her book, The House That Alice Built, won the Choc-Lit Search for a Star Competition 2019.

Born in South Wales, she has also lived near London and in Portugal, which is where The House That Alice Built is set. It was whilst living in Cascais near Lisbon that she began to dabble in writing fiction, but it was many years later that she was confident enough to start writing her first novel, and many years after that she finally finished it! She is now working on her second.

A lover of books, music, and cats, she is also an enthusiastic salsa dancer, a keen cook, and loves to travel. She is never happier than when she is gazing at the sea.

Chris has two grown-up daughters and lives in the Essex countryside.

Chris is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association.

Social Media Links 

www.chrispenhall.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisPenhall

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

 

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Book Review: Happy Trail (Park Ranger #1) by Daisy Prescott

DP-HT-FBbannerBT

“Happy Trail was a feel good, funny and heartwarming adventure with the usual Daisy Prescott charm..”– T. Gephart, USA Today bestselling author

Happy Trail, an all-new opposites attract standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott, is available now!

 

20190718_GVPR01_Happy Trail_Prescott_KDP_FINAL

Happy Trail

(Park Ranger #1)

by Daisy Prescott

Download today!

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

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2lB3BJv

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HappyTrail

Nook: http://bit.ly/2m0VeXN

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lEAwww

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2jXnfPc

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2ku05Al

 

A man of few words, Ranger Jay Daniels values the calm, quiet solitude of the Great Smoky Mountains. Never quite fitting in with either side of his family, he prefers the company of birds and trees to people.

Yeah, he’d most definitely prefer a bird—any bird, any bird at all, take a vulture for instance—to the human-tornado hybrid that just blew onto his peaceful stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

The path of true love never has run smooth for Olive Perry. After getting dumped and promptly abandoned in the middle of her multi-month hike, Olive swears off men. Determined to finish the long trek by herself, she doesn’t need a prince—or broody and taciturn ranger—to save her.

Yet, when an early snowstorm threatens the mountains, and Ranger Daniels is charged with getting hikers to safety, that includes hot-tempered Olive Perry. Snowed in and forced to share an abandoned cabin, can Olive’s heated intensity melt Jay’s cool reserve?

And if so, will this happy trail lead to true love? Or will their time together be just another bump in the road?

‘Happy Trail’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Park Ranger series.

 

DP-HT-available1

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

My parents each have four siblings. Big families are like living inside a circus run by the monkeys…

 

Tye had a strong aversion to the South, based solely on watching the movie Deliverance when he was nine during a sleepover with his older cousins. He also hated all banjo and fiddle music. Made me wonder if his cousins were also musical sadists.

 

Is there some sort of chemical stored in testicles, that compels men to explain things to women?

 

He has a drawl I automatically want to mimic. The slow pace of his words is molasses and I’m a housefly with a sugar addiction.

 

“You can keep the mayo, AKA the devil’s mucus.” Her eyes widen. “No, you’re one of those people.” “Exactly which kind of person am I?” I challenge, my tone playful. “The kind who hate mayonnaise.”

 

Smugness rarely looks good on anyone, but I think I wear it well.

 

My Review:

 

Happy Trails was a slow-burn romantic comedy with weather and hygiene challenged, mosquito-bitten, sore-footed, and socially awkward characters. Hikers are an odd breed and definitely not one I share a gene pool with, as I likes my creature comforts such as running water, ice, and high thread count sheets. While I wouldn’t have lasted for even a few miles or an afternoon of the intrepid Olive’s trek, I was well entertained by her adventure. Written in my favorite dual POV, the storylines were original and insightfully penned with well-crafted layers of angst, clever levity, and complicated yet endearingly quirky characters with a love of pop-tarts, a predilection that I also share.

 

 

 

Excerpt

“Can we drop the pretense of not being trapped on the wrong side of the fence with whatever bloodthirsty beast is making such a sound?” I squint into the distance, hoping narrowing my eyes will give me super strength vision.

It doesn’t. I step behind Ranger Daniels for protection.

“What are you doing?” He twists his neck to look down at me.

“Hiding. I believe you took an oath to protect and serve.”

“Pfft. You’re confusing me with a police officer. I’m here to engage, educate, and empower.” He moves so he’s beside me.

“You carry a gun, don’t you?”

“Sometimes. Do you see a holster now?”

I scan his hips and shake my head, allowing my eyes to linger on the tight fit of his uniform pants over his strong thighs and the thick belt at his narrow waist. Ranger Daniels is packing heat, but not of the pistol variety.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

A distinct braying reaches my ears.

“Is that a donkey?” I tip my head.

“What would a donkey be doing up here? Makes no sense.”

“Ask him. Or her.” I point at the gray beast moving toward us. “I’m a city girl, but I’m pretty sure that’s an ass.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Jay removes his hat.

Maybe he plans to shoo away our attacker with it?

The gray form ambles toward us, letting out a loud bray and revealing large teeth.

“Should we be worried?” I’m standing behind Jay again.

“About a donkey? They’re mostly docile. He’s probably just curious.” Shifting his attention forward, he addresses our new friend. “Hey there. Where’d you come from?”

The donkey halts.

“See? He’s fine. Probably thinks we’re bringing treats.”

“And what will he do when he realizes we’re showing up to his house empty-handed?” I’m half mocking. In my world, not bringing a hostess gift is an unthinkable breach of etiquette. I have no idea about the social decorum for equines.

“Let’s go.” Jay encourages me forward with a sweep of his hat.

We take several steps and the donkey does the same without breaking eye contact, like we’re about to duel. There’s definitely a challenge, a mild threat in the eyes of our new foe.

“Should we slowly retreat to the fence?” I whisper at Jay’s back.

“Nah, we’re fine.”

“Maybe he’s a guard donkey.” I slide a glance over my shoulder toward safety. We’re a dozen or so yards away, but it isn’t too late to make a quick escape.

Jay’s eyes meet mine. “You know guard donkeys aren’t a thing.”

“I’m a stranger in a strange land—anything’s possible.” I wait until he faces forward to stick my tongue out at him.

He’s shaking his head and clearly not paying attention to me anymore as he stomps across the squishy field.

Left with no choice, I follow after him.

My boot slips in the mud, or donkey poop—it’s impossible to tell the difference. I squawk and flail my arms as I tumble forward in an awkward motion resembling the mating dance of an emu.

The donkey’s ears prick up before flattening against his head.

“Uh oh,” I murmur as I straighten up.

“It’s fine,” Jay says for the dozenth time.

Only he’s wrong.

 

About Daisy Prescott

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, Mulder, and an imaginary house goat. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

Connect with Daisy

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2lzD4fw

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2lXq4jW

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

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2m2eVhW

Website: https://www.daisyprescott.com/

Connect with Smartypants Romance

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2kvDnb4

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

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

Website: https://smartypantsromance.com/

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Book Review, Giveaway: Reach for a Star by Kathryn Freeman

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Amazon US / UK / AU / CA / B&N

 

What if your dreams were so close you could reach out and touch them? 
How could anyone resist Michael Tennant, with his hypnotic blue eyes and voice like molten chocolate? Jessie Simmons certainly can’t. But Jessie’s a single mum who can’t sing to save her life – there’s no way she’ll ever cross paths with the star tenor. 

At least that’s what she thinks until she’s unexpectedly invited to take part in a new reality TV show. The premise? Professional singers teach hopeless amateurs how to sing. The surprise? Jessie’s partner is none other than Michael Tennant!

As she becomes better acquainted with the man behind the voice, will Jessie find out the hard way that you should never meet your idols? Or will she get more than she bargained for?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Christ, she was murdering the song. While he winced and cringed, she continued to murder it all the way to the end. His eardrums ringing with tuneless screeching his cat – if he’d had one – would have been appalled by, Michael wondered what he was supposed to do now.

 

What happened? The cat didn’t just get your tongue, it seemed to have chewed it right off.

 

My Review:

 

Ms. Freeman’s writing was engaging and heart-squeezing and I liked the premise and enjoyed the colorful and clever strokes of levity as well as most of the storylines. However, I struggled with the overabundance of angst – there was just so much of it with a steady stream of inner musings of insecurities and self-doubts in both main characters. Don’t get me wrong – the writing was ace with insightful observations and entertaining scenarios, my opinion is skewed by a personal aversion for the bitter tang of conflict and inner turmoil, although the majority of my book buddies gobble it up like candy.

 

The book was well populated and showcased an interesting mix of relevant issues, family drama, parenting concerns, and character quirks. The various settings spanned the globe as Michael, an introverted, and uptight international celebrity vocalist who was uncomfortable with fame, toured his talents across several continents while pining for Jessie, his new love interest and an everyday divorced mom who should only sing when alone in the car, and was even more uncomfortable with his fame than he was.

About the Author

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero.

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn’t always about hearts and flowers – and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links –

Website:  http://kathrynfreeman.co.uk

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

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KathrynFreeman1

 

Giveaway

Win a PB copy of Oh Crumbs by Kathryn Freeman

(Open INT)


*Terms and Conditions –  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will be passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for the fulfillment of the prize, after which time I will delete the data.  I am not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

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Book Review: CHRISTMAS INN LOVE by Kelly Collins

 

CHRISTMAS INN LOVE

by Kelly Collins

 

Amazon  US / UK / AU / CA / B&N

Reputations are hard to come by in the big city and hard to lose in small towns…Celia Roberts, the owner of the Hummingbird Inn has it all … almost. She has a wonderful son and a business she loves. Though challenged to make ends meet, she’s come a long way from the tough times she endured as a teenage mom. With the busy Christmas season ahead, things are looking up, until Scrooge himself arrives intent on putting a huge resort next to her inn—a resort destined to put her out of business.

Wealthy business developer Rob McKenna is coming back home to the tiny town of Pinetop, Colorado to tie up loose ends. After the death of his mother, he’s inherited her Victorian home, her dog, and hundreds of acres of land he plans to develop into a resort and sell. It all seems so simple until he runs into Celia Roberts. In high school, she was the “it” girl, and he was nobody. She dated the bully, and he was the target. Now he’s back, and she’s single, and as beautiful as ever. However, she’s the only thing standing between him and his plan to get in, get rich, and get out of town. He wants to move the small town into the future. She wants to preserve the past.

Can the magic of Christmas leave them both with full hearts and bright futures or will one of them end up with nothing under the tree?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

He needed a place to stay and his mother’s house would never do. Every wall held the voices of contempt and disappointment.

 

He’d probably make someone a nice boyfriend or even a husband. Sometimes Celia longed for one or the other, but she was glad she had neither. She came from the camp of once burned, always shy because twice shy wasn’t enough.

 

He thought it was too good to be true that Pinetop would have no memory of him being bullied for being a bastard. Reputations were hard to come by in the big city and hard to lose in small towns, but he wouldn’t lose sleep over it.

 

He knew a little something about moms. He’d had one too, but she was what they’d call a helicopter parent. A damn Military Apache Guardian. Quick and deadly. She saw everything. Knew everything. Her temper was like a heat-seeking missile. Never missed a thing except his unhappiness.

 

My Review:

 

This was a relatively light, quick, sweet, and easy to follow holiday read with an interesting mix of heart squeezes, snarky levity, family issues, and a sprinkling of romance. I enjoyed the mix of small-town characters and relevant and realistic family issues and backstories. I find myself sliding into a holiday frame of mind early this year.

ABOUT KELLY COLLINS   

 

  Goodreads  / Website  / Amazon /

International bestselling author of over 30 novels, Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping the love alive. Always a romantic, she blends real-life events with her vivid imagination to create characters and stories that lovers of contemporary romance, new adult, and romantic suspense will return to again and again.

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Book Review: The Christmas Calendar Girls by Samantha Tonge

The Christmas Calendar Girls

by Samantha Tonge

 

Amazon US / UK / CA / AU 

Apple Books  / GP/  Kobo

This Christmas fall in love with the town of Chesterwood…

Christmas is meant to be a time of giving, so with Chesterwood food bank under risk of closure Fern knows just what to do to save it. She’s going to get the town to create a living advent calendar.

Fern and her best friends call for help from the local community to bring this calendar to life. When Kit, the new man in town, offers his assistance Fern’s heart can’t help but skip a beat (or two).

As they grow ever closer, Fern must admit that Kit’s breaking down the barriers she built after the death of her husband. But his past is holding him back and Fern doesn’t know how to reach him. No matter how hard she tries.

In this town, Kit’s not the only one with secrets. Domestic goddess Cara is behaving oddly, burning meals in the oven and clothes whilst ironing, and Davina’s perfect children are causing trouble at school leaving her son, Jasper, desperately unhappy.

Can the Christmas Calendar Girls find a way to bring the community together in time to save the food bank, while still supporting their families and each other? Can Fern find love again with Kit?

This is a story about kindness and letting go of the past. It’s about looking out for your neighbors and about making every day feel like Christmas.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Davina stood up and gave me a piercing stare that only a mother of twins could master.

 

The best sorts of friends were good at turning me into we.

 

It felt as if a light bulb switched on in my chest whenever I saw him, like that magical sensation as a child when you discover the tooth fairy has visited.

 

I took out my phone, brushed my hair and took a selfie. The strained smile made me look like a convict. So I took twenty more and finally created one that didn’t suggest I’d turn up to a date hiding an axe. Then I created a profile on Tinder. Not words I ever thought I’d be saying…

 

 My Review:

 

This was a fun and easy read with relevant real-world issues, heart-squeezes, insightful observations, and clever levity in equal measure. While battling overwhelming odds to raise funds to continue a charitable operation, the overall tone of the story was decidedly upbeat with hard-won lessons and positive outcomes all around. I enjoyed the creativity and everydayness of the characters as well as the entertaining storylines, and relatable conflicts and concerns. Ms. Tonge’s poignant writing is laced together with such perceptive watchfulness; her stories are a learning experience as well as an entertaining one.

About the Author

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK and her passion, second to spending time with her husband and children, is writing. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has traveled widely.

When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.

In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut novel, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category.

Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamTongeWriter

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

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

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Book Review: Make It Up To You by Lucy Keeling

Make It Up To You

by Lucy Keeling

 

Amazon US / UK / AU / CA / B&N

 

What do mascara wands and gardening shears have in common? 

Absolutely nothing! At least that’s what wannabe beauty influencer Sophie Timney thinks when her friend Polly suggests involving her brother Marcus in Sophie’s make-up tutorials. She needs more views, Marcus needs promotion for his gardening business – in Polly’s mind joining forces will help them both. Sophie isn’t so sure. 

Because Marcus Bowman has a habit of getting under her skin in a way that no exfoliating face scrub ever could. But, as the views and comments on her videos begin creeping up, it becomes increasingly obvious that Sophie’s subscribers like Marcus, and what’s even worse is that Sophie might be starting to feel the same way …

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

‘He seemed really lovely. When we spoke online he was really polite, really attentive… When we met up he was in a smart outfit and really well put together… I hadn’t noticed the woman he came in with and didn’t notice her for ages as she was sat behind me. Anyway, long story short, it was his mother. It was also his mother I’d been chatting with online and she coached him through the entire date by signalling behind me… and I know all of this because afterwards she came up to me and explained who she was and would I give feedback on his performance. On the plus side, he paid for both drinks, well presumably with his pocket money.’ Sophie was speechless for a minute. ‘Oh, Jesus, Pol how the hell do you find them?”

 

My Review:

 

I enjoyed this amusing book, the humor was crisp, the majority of characters were interesting and appealing, and the storylines held my interest and piqued my curiosity – I am eaten up with it to know Mya’s secret career. This wily author is such a tease and cleverly left lots of breadcrumb trails for subsequent books.   Yet I found myself tapping my little foot in consternation, as I had no love for the main character of Sophie.   Sophie’s tedious self-involvement and mono-focus with her social media profile and YouTube videos were annoying to me, she was driven, selfish, and a rather thoughtless user. I did, however, enjoy most of the other characters and I fell into a swoon for the sweet, patient, and sexy Marcus. I coveted Marcus’s adoration and attention to Sophie as I wanted to steal him for myself.

In addition to providing my entertainment for the day, Ms. Keeling added to my Brit Word List with hench – Brit informal for a man with well-developed muscles; and mither – to fuss over or pester someone. I would most definitely mither over a sexy hench.

About the Author

Lucy Keeling is an author writing fun, sexy, stories with all of the happily ever afters. When she’s not typing at the kitchen table, she’s arranging and then rearranging to see her friends for the occasional spot of day drinking. Lucy is currently writing the third book in a Contemporary Romance series, the first of which has been Shortlisted by Choc-Lit ‘Search for a Star’ Competition. 

Facebook Page: @lucykeelingbooks 

Twitter: @Lucy_K_Author

Instagram: @lucy_k_author

 

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Book Review, Giveaway: Special Delivery by Abby Tyler

 Special Delivery

by Abby Tyler

 

Amazon  US / UK / AU / CA / B&N

 

She brought him pizza. He delivered a family.

Police Officer Jack Stone hasn’t been able to leave the house in seven days. His wreck of a sister gave birth in prison, and baby Ella has been discharged into his care.

He has no idea what to do with her.

When Louisa arrives at his door with her final pizza delivery before she quits, Ella is crying, the house is a disaster, and Applebottom’s senior police officer is completely lost.

He could solve her problem, and she could solve his.

Too bad they’ve hated each other since high school.

It will take the entire town to end the twenty-year feud between Jack and Louisa and remind them that people do grow up, and in a crisis, you often grow together.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

This was Louisa Temple after all, and she was famous for her “gossip pizza.” Louisa knew from the toppings a person chose who it was for, where it was going, and probably if it was grounds for divorce.

 

Jack’s face could have scared an evil clown.

 

There was emotion in Jack Stone somewhere. She and Ella would have to find it, even if it would be like digging into rock with a spoon.

 

Jack was not the sort of man who just hoped for the best. He would set goals and accomplish them. But he was learning that babies didn’t quite work that way.

 

My Review:

 

I have enjoyed all the fun and amusing books in this sweet series of small-town romances featuring quirky characters with real-life problems, gossiping townspeople, matchmaking elders, and cranky shop owners. Each standalone book has been a pleasantly light, entertaining, quick, and easy to follow read. This installment showcased Louisa the pizza baker and Officer Jack Stone who weren’t actually enemies but were far from friends.

 

Louisa had been a rather mean prankster in her youth, she had pulled monkeyshines on many in her small home town but the stalwart Officer Stone still considered her his least favorite person and maybe even his main nemesis as she had humiliated him in front of the entire school during his big moment to shine, even though they were both now over forty.

 

Louisa was not an exceptionally endearing character as she was still rather immature and prone to shenanigans, gossip, and being meddlesome, although she had a good heart and was beginning to realize the trouble she caused others with her attention-seeking behaviors and I cared for and about her, nonetheless. The need to care for a sickly infant relative of Jack’s softened them both and forced them to spend time together, which brought many perks as well as a few hiccups before yielding to a satisfying HEA.

 

Enter To Win

This Abby Box has a super-soft plush blanket with autumn leaves, a Dia de Los Muertos spatula set, cute kitchen towels, a cinnamon-vanilla candle, a signed copy of the book, and lots of pumpkin spice treats plus Harry and David chocolate moose munch!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/61c7273930/

About the Author

Abby Tyler loves puppy dogs, pie, and small towns (she grew up in one!) Her Applebottom Matchmaker Society books combine the sweet and wholesome style of romance she loves with the funny, sometimes a-little-too-truthful characters she remembers from growing up in a place where everyone knew everybody’s business.

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