Category: 4-Stars

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Book Review: The Happy Family by Jackie Kabler @jackiekabler  @rararesources 

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The Happy Family
by Jackie Kabler

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP / BB

A mother who disappeared… 
When Beth was 10 years old, her beautiful, wild mother Alice walked out and never came back. Beth’s life since hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but now she is happy and settled, with a successful career, a loving family, and a beautiful home.

An unexpected visitor…
Then one day there’s a knock at the door. Alice has returned. Overjoyed to have the chance to rebuild their relationship, Beth invites her mother to move in.

A life that comes crashing down…
At first, everything seems wonderful. But then Beth’s friends begin to drift away, strange things start to happen at home, and rumors begin to circle about her past. As the mysterious events around Beth become darker and more dangerous, she is forced to question everything. Is somebody in her life trying to destroy her happiness? And how far will they go?

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

There will be more rain, more darkness, of course there will. But there will always be rainbows. You just have to weather the storm, and then lift your face up and look for them.

My Review:

 

This was a slowly unfolding, busy, and multi-layered tale that kept me tethered to my Kindle, although I was conflicted with the main character throughout as I found her to be annoying and rather witless. Maybe because I was a mercilessly bullied youth myself, so I had a heaping helping of antagonism toward her for being such a horrid and vicious little madam as a pubescent young teen, and then a somewhat erratic and anxious adult. Yet this infuriatingly crafty author had me ensnared and I remained edgy and curiously vexed and aggravated as I nibbling on my cuticles while reading. Jackie Kabler is a wily one.  I couldn’t seem to read fast enough.

 

About the Author

Jackie Kabler worked as a newspaper reporter and then in television news for twenty years, including nearly a decade on GMTV. She later appeared on BBC and ITV news, presented a property show for Sky, hosted sports shows on Setanta Sports News, and worked as a media trainer for the Armed Forces. She is now a presenter on the shopping channel QVC. The Happy Family is her sixth book; previous novels include the international bestseller The Perfect Couple. Jackie lives in Gloucestershire with her husband.

Social Media Links –

Twitter @jackiekabler

Instagram @officialjackiekabler

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Book Review:  The Ticklemore Treasure Trove by Liz Davies @LizDaviesAuthor @rararesources  

The Ticklemore Treasure Trove
by Liz Davies

 

Amazon  / BB

Nell Chapman has always assumed that one (or the other) of her twin sons would help run her antique shop once they finished university. The boys, however, have other plans, when they announce they’re going backpacking for a year, leaving Nell feeling bereft and lonely.

Not only that, but with their father (her lying, cheating ex-husband) back on the scene and demanding half of the business, there might not be anything left for her boys to help manage when they return.

However, she hasn’t counted on the unexpected support of local landscape artist, Silas Long. And neither has she considered the possibility she might fall in love again – especially since Silas is so distant and moody, and has his own cross to bear.

Should Nell take a chance and risk her heart, or should she leave well alone? And why has Silas painted her portrait if he doesn’t feel anything for her?

A perfect romantic read for fans of Heidi Swain and Sarah Morgan

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The thoughts she was having about Riley were downright bad, evil almost. She’d had a moment last night when she’d imagined burying him under the patio. The problem was that she didn’t have a patio. And if she had one, she wasn’t sure whether she’d want his body underneath it.

 

…. when Hattie is in this mood it’s easier to give in and go along, rather than try to fight her. She’s more tenacious than a meerkat digging for a scorpion.

 

‘Barry wants me to sell up and move into an old people’s complex,’ the grumpy one said. ‘When I told him, “over my dead body”, I could have sworn he was measuring me up for my coffin.’

 

‘Her name is Tanesha, and she’s a poppet. If you ignore the tongue-piercing.’ Hattie stuck her tongue out and shuddered. ‘I try not to look at it, but I can’t help it. Anyway, she seems sensible enough for a seventeen-year-old and she can speak in proper sentences.’

 

‘Please look a bit happier,’ Juliette pleaded. ‘The pair of you look like you’ve lost a pound and found a penny.’

My Review:

 

This was a sweet and appealing tale of small village life laced with humor and featured a blossoming attraction between fellow shop owners in transition, family drama, and a villainous ex.   The writing style was engaging and flowed smoothly with endearing and likable characters and entertaining and relatable storylines that were easy to follow and engaging. I’m already looking forward to the next installment as I always enjoy my forays to Ticklemore. The character of Hattie is one of my favorite octogenarians and a force of nature; I aspire to her level of feistiness at any age.

About the Author

Liz Davies writes feel-good, light-hearted stories with a hefty dose of romance, a smattering of humor, and a great deal of love.

She’s married to her best friend, has one grown-up daughter, and when she isn’t scribbling away in the notepad she carries with her everywhere (just in case inspiration strikes), you’ll find her searching for that perfect pair of shoes. She loves to cook but isn’t very good at it, and loves to eat – she’s much better at that! Liz also enjoys walking (preferably on the flat), cycling (also on the flat), and lots of sitting around in the garden on warm, sunny days.

She currently lives with her family in Wales, but would ideally love to buy a camper van and travel the world in it.

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Book Review: The Mix-Up by Elizabeth Neep @elizabeth_neep @Bookouture

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The Mix-Up
by Elizabeth Neep

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP / BB

What if you meet the love of your life, but he thinks you’re someone else?

Anna and Marley are best friends. So when Anna rings Marley, panicking because she has to miss a tour of an exclusive wedding venue, Marley agrees to go in her friend’s place. After being totally ignored by the glamorous receptionist who can tell she doesn’t belong there, Marley meets handsome hotel manager Cameron. He assumes she’s Anna and instead of admitting that she’s not the blushing bride, but the unlucky-in-love single friend, Marley plays along to see what it’s like to be Anna for a day.

After all, Marley is unemployed, single, and was woken up that morning by her flatmate playing the bagpipes. Anna has a high-flying career and is planning the perfect wedding. Why wouldn’t Marley want to be her?

Only she wasn’t counting on Cameron being so smart and funny. Or this spark between them that she can’t ignore. She hasn’t felt this way about a guy in forever. But he thinks she’s somebody better.

Marley needs a way out of this mix-up to get her shot at true love. But her fictional fiancé is now standing in her way and it’s harder than she thought to stop living someone else’s life…

A funny, uplifting, and poignant story of friendship, love, and finding your way. Fans of Dolly Alderton, Mhairi McFarlane, and Holly Bourne will adore Elizabeth Neep’s wit and warmth.

My Rating:

My Review:

 

While I enjoyed the premise and humor of this women’s fiction story, I struggled some with most of the main characters and their immature behaviors. They were annoying me I didn’t find them all that likable, yet I was invested in their tale and was curious to see how their story would unwind.   I’m glad I stuck it out as it was well worth the effort when it all came together with some clever sleight of hand.   The set-ups were often humorous with the characters’ duplicities snowballing and compounding, as lies tend to do. There were a few unexpected twists and curveballs I would never have seen coming that were quite ingeniously contrived. My favorite of all was the caped crusader stoner, he was brilliantly developed to be underestimated.

About the Author

Elizabeth Neep was born in 1990 in Derbyshire and now lives in London Bridge. After studying Law at the University of Nottingham and the University of New South Wales, she worked in magazine journalism, most noticeably writing for Dazed and Confused and PETRIe. Elizabeth now works as a non-fiction Senior Commissioning Editor and writes and paints in her spare time.
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Book Review: The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton  

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba
by Chanel Cleeton 

 

Amazon / B&N / GP/ Kobo/ Apple

At the end of the nineteenth century, three revolutionary women fight for freedom in New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton’s captivating new novel inspired by real-life events and the true story of a legendary Cuban woman–Evangelina Cisneros–who changed the course of history.

A feud rages in Gilded Age New York City between newspaper tycoons William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer. When Grace Harrington lands a job at Hearst’s newspaper in 1896, she’s caught in a cutthroat world where one scoop can make or break your career, but it’s a story emerging from Cuba that changes her life.

Unjustly imprisoned in a notorious Havana women’s jail, eighteen-year-old Evangelina Cisneros dreams of a Cuba free from Spanish oppression. When Hearst learns of her plight and splashes her image on the front page of his paper, proclaiming her, “The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba,” she becomes a rallying cry for American intervention in the battle for Cuban independence.

With the help of Marina Perez, a courier secretly working for the Cuban revolutionaries in Havana, Grace and Hearst’s staff attempt to free Evangelina. But when Cuban civilians are forced into reconcentration camps and the explosion of the USS Maine propels the United States and Spain toward war, the three women must risk everything in their fight for freedom.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

It feels as though we are waiting to die here, growing mad minute by minute, our bones aging, the life leeching from us.

 

My debut was far from a splash, more like a slow drizzle, and now at twenty-five, unmarried and living with my mother’s eccentric sister, I am hardly marriage material.

 

In my current attire, everyone makes a concerted effort not to make eye contact with me as I pass by them. My appearance provides the perfect opportunity to work as a courier because no one, least of all the wealthy and privileged citizens of Havana, wants to confront the human face of this war.

 

It’s impossible to feel victorious when the “victory” leaves your country in ruins.

My Review:

 

I must confess other than knowing where it is on the map and the lore of their famous cigars, I am woefully ignorant about Cuba, Cuban history, and Cuban culture. I wore Mr. Google out while I read this tome and was astounded at how much of this story was actually true or based on true events.   The author must have researched thousands of hours and brought history to life. She often walked a fine line to avoid being overwrought, as there was agony in every character’s storyline, so – much – agony. This was an informative as well as a challenging read for me and she implanted me so deeply within the narrative, I was struggling along with the characters. There was no shortage of despair, fear, misery, abuse, deprivation, and horrific conditions. The writing was highly descriptive as well as emotive and heart-squeezing and was intermittently paced yet quite eventful and busy. I need a spa day and a vat of wine to recover.

Chanel Cleeton is the USA Today bestselling author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick for Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel grew up on stories of her family’s exodus from Cuba following the events of the Cuban Revolution. Her passion for politics and history continued during her years spent studying in England where she earned a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London, and a master’s degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law. She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.

 

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Book Review: Primrose Park (Love Heart Lane #6) by Christie Barlow   @ChristieJBarlow @rararesources 

 

Primrose Park
(Love Heart Lane #6)
by Christie Barlow 

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP

Vet Molly has always been career-driven and focussed on caring for her animals, but when she meets a gorgeous Mystery Man at a conference and their connection is off the charts, well, one night off work won’t hurt anyone…except the next morning he’s vanished and all Molly knows about him is his first name.

Three months later, back in Love Heart Lane, everyone loves the story of Molly’s amazing one-night stand.  It’s so unlike her! But when Mystery Man turns up walking his dog through Primrose Park and their night together seems to mean nothing to him, Molly needs her friends and neighbors more than ever. And especially when she’s left with the most unexpected of surprises…

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

‘Darling?’ Molly raised an eyebrow. ‘I know. Her name isn’t very fitting, is it? But it’s better than my son’s name for her … Effin.’ ‘Effin?’ Molly looked perplexed. ‘Will that effin dog ever shut up!’

 

My Review:

 

I continue with my adoration for Christie Barlow with this sweet and perplexing tale that had generous helpings of several genres combining for an amusing read. There were loads of family drama in this predominantly women’s fiction and small-town romance blend with welcome sprinkles of humor and a cute canine throughout. I enjoyed the insightful and shrewdly paced character development, although I wasn’t sure I was going to appreciate the main character of Cam as he was blowing hot and cold and needed to save up for the surgery to have the stick removed that was precariously wedged up his backside. I feared it was to be a terminal condition for the faltering man, although it thankfully seemed to magically work loose for a miracle cure. I will gladly return to Love Heart Lane for more juicy tales of the oddly enticing and curiously appealing residents.

 

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the international bestselling author of A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother, The Misadventures of a Playground Mother, Kitty’s Countryside Dream, Lizzie’s Christmas Escape, Evie’s Year of Taking Chances, The Cosy Canal Boat Dream, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm, Love Heart Lane, and Foxglove Farm. Her writing career came as somewhat a surprise when she decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. The book she wrote to prove a point is now a #1 bestseller in the UK, USA, Canada & Australia.

Christie is an ambassador for @ZuriProject raising money/awareness and engaging with impoverished people in Uganda through organizations to improve their well-being.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christie_barlow/?hl=en

Website www.christiebarlow.com

Twitter @ChristieJBarlow

Facebook page Christie Barlow author

 

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Book Review: My Little Girl by Shalini Boland @ShaliniBoland @Bookouture 

 

My Little Girl
by Shalini Boland 

Amazon  / B&N / Apple / GP / Kobo

Your daughter is missing. Did someone close to you take her?

Seven-year-old Beatrice has gone missing. Her mother Claire’s whole world has been turned upside down in just one moment and she can’t stop shaking. She’s desperate to find her precious daughter, but nothing about the day she disappeared makes sense…

The mother-in-law: Jill was meant to be looking after Beatrice. She says she didn’t take her eyes off the little girl but her version of events doesn’t add up… Claire has never got on with her, so why should she trust her now?

The husband: He should have been with their only child. Instead, he changed the plans without telling Claire. She didn’t think there were any secrets between them, but maybe she was wrong?

The first wife: Laurel has always been jealous of Claire’s family. Has her husband’s ex-wife taken her daughter?

Which one of them is lying? And who really knows where Beatrice is?

From the million-copy bestselling author, this totally addictive psychological thriller will keep you guessing all the way to the final shocking twist. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train, Gone Girl, and The Wife Between Us.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I feel my cheeks grow warm under her gaze. It’s as if I’m back at school in assembly where we’re all being scrutinised by the headteacher for some misdemeanour and you still feel guilty even though you’ve done nothing wrong.

 

I feel as though I’m speaking from a long way away. Like I’m not even here. All these words and acronyms sound so official, like something out of a TV crime drama. Why are they now part of my real life?

 

Laurel’s voice is on a register that could cut through double glazing.

 

The room deflates. You can hear it, the sudden shrinking of sound, the shrivelling of hope.

My Review:

 

This was my first experience in reading this author and I found her writing easy to follow with the suspense intriguing and held taut, although the family drama was center stage with bold choices made with her characters. The main cast of players wasn’t generally likable most of the time while being true-to-life damaged, realistically and deeply flawed, and prone to poor decisions.   While they were bordering on obnoxious and greatly annoying me, they were also human and struggling with an extremely stressful and agonizing situation.

I reacted the strongest to the least likable personality of Claire, as she was arrogant, angry, and petulantly lashing out and systematically accusing everyone. Claire had me cringing and wanted to tell her to shut her pie hole and take a handful of Xanax to chill out enough to be civil. The grandmother was rather ditzy and unfocused and prone to tunnel vision and moronic choices, yet she was well-meaning and kind-hearted, although I doubt the merchants in her area would agree. The husband was the biggest disappointment, what a milksop, he needed some foot to derriere therapy, and my toes were tapping and itching to volunteer. The author was certainly doing something right to have me so deeply invested while antagonized yet also terminally curious with her maddeningly paced tale.   She fooled me but good as I didn’t puzzle this one out until right before the identity of the abductor was revealed. Shalini Boland is as sly as she is insightful.

About the Author
Shalini lives in Dorset, England with her husband, two children, and Jess their cheeky terrier cross. Before kids, she was signed to Universal Music Publishing as a singer-songwriter, but now she spends her days writing suspense thrillers (in between school runs and hanging out endless baskets of laundry).
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Book Review: Vampire Man (The Librarian’s Vampire Assistant #6) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Vampire Man
(The Librarian’s Vampire Assistant #6)
by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Amazon  / B&N / GP / Apple / Kobo

From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff, comes a standalone Paranormal Romcom about second chances.

CAN THIS EVIL VAMPIRE CHANGE HIS WAYS?

Just a few short years ago, a medical miracle turned this ancient evil vampire into a human baby. Just a small setback in Mr. Nice’s plans for world domination, right?

Wrong. Because now a slight problem with the transformation has left him aging five times faster than a regular human.

Sure, he’s happier and stronger than he ever was in his past human life (These vitamins do wonders!), but if he wants to live, he’ll have to find a vampire willing to turn him. Fast!

Of course, none of them are crazy enough to do it. Not after the hell he put the vampire world through, including the vampire king.

“Will no one give me a second chance? I’m only a little bit evil now!”

Then, just when all hope is lost, he walks into a library and meets the new head librarian. She might be the only vampire on the planet who has no clue who he is.

Can he convince her he’s a good man, one who deserves to live forever? Because she’ll only turn the man who’s destined to be her mate.

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

My most recent coven was founded by yours truly, the New Orleans Spicy Gumbo Society. I am quite proud of the name since we refer to humans from that region as spicy gumbo. They are quite flavorful.

My Review:

 

This is my first time delving into this popular series and while I swear it isn’t on purpose, but it does seem to be my fate to pick it up an amusing series near or at the tail end of the tale.   I don’t read a lot of paranormal as I’m just far too lazy for all the worldbuilding and strange rules, but I didn’t seem to mind it so much as Ms. Pamfiloff layers hers with extra servings of clever irony and caustic humor – such as chocolate being a narcotic for vampires and used as a weapon against them.   Although I would be a poor soldier in an army against them as I would be tempted to eat my ammo.

This was a quick and lighthearted read that had me smirking my way through the clever digs, snarky observations, and witty inner musings of Mr. Nice as he schemed and considered his master plan of World Domination! Now I’ve done it, I’m going to have to amass the rest of the series and start it from the beginning.

About the Author

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author with over a million books sold worldwide. Although she obtained her MBA and worked for more than fifteen years in the corporate world, she believes that it’s never too late to come out of the romance closet and follow your dream. Mimi lives with her Latin Lover hubby, two pirates-in-training (their boys), and the rat terrier duo, Snowflake, and Mini Me, in Arizona. She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will make a big comeback for men.

Sign up for Mimi’s mailing list for giveaways and new release news!

Website | Facebook  | Instagram | Goodreads |Bookbub | Newsletter

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Book Review: Last Day Alive (Detective Kimberley King #2) by J.R. Adler @JRAdlerAuthor @bookouture

Last Day Alive
(Detective Kimberley King #2)
by J.R. Adler

Amazon / B&N / Apple / GP

 

One hot summer evening, ten-year-old Piper Chase went off on her pink bicycle towards the dark woods on Black Heart Lane. She never came home…

Piper cycles off one hot Oklahoma evening for a sleepover with her new friend Miley from summer camp. But when she doesn’t come home, her grandparents raise the alarm.

Detective Kimberley King knows that the first twenty-four hours in a missing child investigation are the most critical, but with no witnesses, and darkness falling in the small town of Dead Woman Crossing, she begins to fear the worst. She longs to find the little girl with wide blue eyes and an infectious smile, but when her team discovers Piper’s body in a woodland clearing, lying on a bed of moss, something inside her dies.

Then she gets a call that chills her to the bone. Piper’s friend Miley has gone missing

Desperate to find the monster who has taken these little girls, Kimberley chases down all the leads she has. The summer camp counselor, who got too close to Piper and Miley and lost his job. Piper’s shifty uncle, who arrived back in town the day she disappeared…

And as another dark night descends on Dead Woman Crossing, Kimberley can’t stop thinking about Miley, trapped in the darkest place of all. With the clock ticking, Kimberley knows she must act fast before another innocent life is stolen.

A gripping, heart-wrenching crime thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, holding your breath. Last Day Alive is perfect for fans of Rachel Caine, Lisa Regan, and Carol Wyer.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Barb was their first line of defense. But Barb was feisty, and Kimberley had recently learned she had a conceal and carry permit. She kept her Glock in her top desk drawer when she was working and then had it holstered on her hip, underneath her flowery, flowy blouses when she was off the clock. She had named it Helen. When Kimberley had asked her why the name Helen? Barb had replied, “Because Helen was an ex-friend that stole my famous chocolate chip cookie recipe, and she was a real bitch. It seemed fitting.”

 

“What do I got to do to get you to call me sir?” … “Build a time machine and take me back to the nineteen-fifties,”

 

Yeah, her name is Ginger. That’s not even a name. It’s a root… There was a chance I would have gotten back with him. We have kids together, for God’s sake…but now, not a chance in hell. He can have the skanky root vegetable.

 

He’s trying to woo her… You gotta woo before you do.

 

You just gotta be patient with Sam. He’s like a ten-thousand -piece puzzle without the box for reference. It just takes a little while longer.

My Review:

 

I am continuing to enjoy this series and new author. It is surprisingly enjoyable to read a story that incorporates a small rural area that I was once familiar with. I felt so engaged and familiar with the unfolding story that I was expecting to see family names and gossip of the actual denizens reported. The storylines were active, tragic, and tense with anxiety, grief, and frustration as the small rural county police force labored to find a missing child, only to experience the heartbreak of finding her body and then endeavoring past exhaustion to solve her murder with little to go on. So much for a peaceful downsized job after leaving the NYPD.

In addition to the murder case bonus entertainment value was provided by additional servings and tasty offerings of family drama, potential romantic considerations, and observations of small-town issues and the off-beat and eccentric characters residing there.   I’m always eager to get the down-low on secrets and amusing sightings of quirk.  But, of course, my favorite character continues to be Barb, the ever cheerful, spunky, genius baker, and gun-toting senior citizen who seems to be three steps ahead of everyone’s needs, both in and outside the office. We all could all use a Barb in our lives.

About the Author

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Originally from Wisconsin, J.R. Adler currently lives in Ithaca, New York with her husband, Drew, and her English Bulldog, Winston. When not writing, you can find her reading, playing board games, traveling, and binge-watching The Office for the umpteenth time.
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Book Review: Under Pressure (Lessons Learned #1) by Allie Winters @SmartyPantsRom

Under Pressure 
(Lessons Learned #1) 
by Allie Winters

Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon / B&N / GP

 

Mia knows stress. She’s dealt with it her whole life. So when she gets an opportunity to run a psychology study to help her get into grad school, it should be no problem dealing with the prickly guy she suddenly finds herself paired with.

The one she had a secret crush on last year. The one who refuses to let anyone close. The one she’s discovering by the day may have a softer side than he lets anyone else see…

Tyler knows stress. He’s grappled with it for as long as he can remember. And just because he has to share credit with this girl on his new psychology study doesn’t mean he has to be friends with her. Except she somehow keeps worming her way into his life. In school. In the boxing gym.

In his bed.

But everyone knows it’s safer to keep to yourself. You can’t hurt anyone that way. Even if it means giving up the best thing that’s ever happened to him.

As things heat up in the Stress Lab, will this match be able to work together without disruption, or will this growing attraction between them eventually… combust?

‘Under Pressure ‘ is a full-length new adult contemporary romance and can be read as a standalone. Book #1 in the Lessons Learned series, Educated Romance World, Penny Reid Book Universe. 

My Rating:

Favorite Quote:

 

My heart is in your hands.

My Review:

 

This was my first exposure to the steamy delights of an Allie Winters story – and sizzle and snap – she had me gasping and seeking libation to rehydrate. I struggled with the heavy angst, which isn’t on my list of favorite things, but I enjoyed the premise and humor while also intrigued by the complexity and allure of the characters, although I wanted to give Tyler more than a few pinches and the name of a good proctologist to remove his head from his colon, although he finally achieved that on his own.

 

About Allie Winters

Allie is the author of the Suncoast University series, the Bishop Brothers series, and the Lessons Learned series. She lives in sunny Florida with her husband, daughter, and two cats. A librarian by day, she spends her nights writing happily ever afters. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and all things Disney.

Find Allie Winters online

Website: http://bit.ly/357VYOr

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Book Review: The Ticklemore Tattler by Liz Davies @LizDaviesAuthor @rararesources 

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The Ticklemore Tattler
by Liz Davies

Amazon  

Sometimes you have to write your own future…

The life of former journalist Juliette Seymour has been quiet and unassuming. Up until now, she’s been concentrating on running the local newspaper and raising her daughter.

But all that is about to change when Juliette is informed that the Ticklemore Tattler is to fold and that she’ll be out of a job. She begins to wonder whether she can buy the newspaper and try to make a go of it herself.

Aware that she needs some advice she contacts Oliver Pascoe, little knowing that when her old colleague re-enters her life, his help isn’t the only thing she wants him for!

As she begins to fall in love, however, what she doesn’t realize is that Oliver has something he’s keeping from her.

A gorgeously uplifting story, perfect for fans of Holly Hepburn, Heidi Swain, and Isabelle Broom.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Your mum was in here yesterday with a face like a wet weekend, so I guessed there was something going on. I pretended I knew about it, so don’t go blaming her because she spilt the beans… You’d be surprised how often that ploy works on people.

 

‘He’s just a bloke… The trick is to imagine him naked,’ he added. Juliette shuddered. ‘Please, no, you’ve put that image in my mind now and I don’t think I’m going to get rid of it… Out, before you do any more damage. If I start giggling halfway through the meeting because I’m imagining his man-boobs and his paunch, I’ll blame you.’

My Review:

 

This was an enjoyable and sweet read featuring mature characters reuniting for a second chance romance in a small village decades after meeting. The storylines were relevant and easy to follow while staffed with a colorful cast of likable and quirky villagers. I adored Hattie, although I would afraid to live anywhere near her for fear she would uncover and expose all my secrets. The main characters were appealing and endearing people that I enjoyed getting to know as they problem-solved their issues and worked their way towards each other for that highly prized HEA.

About the Author

Liz Davies writes feel-good, light-hearted stories with a hefty dose of romance, a smattering of humor, and a great deal of love.

She’s married to her best friend, has one grown-up daughter, and when she isn’t scribbling away in the notepad she carries with her everywhere (just in case inspiration strikes), you’ll find her searching for that perfect pair of shoes. She loves to cook but isn’t very good at it, and loves to eat – she’s much better at that! Liz also enjoys walking (preferably on the flat), cycling (also on the flat), and lots of sitting around in the garden on warm, sunny days.

She currently lives with her family in Wales, but would ideally love to buy a camper van and travel the world in it.