Category: 5-Stars

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Book Review: The Darlings by Vera Jane Cook @verajanecook

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The Darlings are drowning in illusions within the serenity and tranquility of a small southern town. Secrets shatter the everyday world of Deborah Darling as the truth evades her. Deception, revenge, and the peculiarities of sexuality lead to the shattering of life’s most precious bonds. Behind the veil of what we think we know, everything we don’t know lies bare.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Why, her Barnaby could talk the devil into quoting the Bible and lining the pathway to heaven with gold.

His mother always made him laugh, not necessarily when she was present but when he thought of her in hindsight. She reminded him of some cartoon character who said outrageous things and had no idea she was being ignorant or prejudiced, that her thoughts were simply outrageous. His mother had no idea that she appeared ignorant.

None of these drag queens are ugly… Why is that, they’re really men? Men who look like men underneath all that makeup, men with face stubble and jock straps.

It’s not that Deborah didn’t know her daughter, she simply didn’t want to know the many facets of her. Deborah’s picture of Robbie’s life was like a PG-rated television script in which her daughter was completely one-dimensional. Problem was, the real script of Robbie’s life was R-rated, much more complex than Deborah could have ever imagined.

Southern ladies do not raise their fists in rage. The urge to drive her car into the pristine white front porch until nothing was standing but the splinters of its former glory almost won, but she would not tarnish her Cadillac for the indiscretions of that tawdry, cheap woman.

My Review:

 

This has been my initial exposure to the deft and crafty word voodoo of Vera J. Cook and I am kicking myself for not noticing her work sooner, it was deviously clever and wryly witty. The woman has mad skills! Once I queued up my beloved Kindle I was sucked into an oddly and deliciously compelling vortex that was populated by an unusual collection of wealthy and privileged Southern hypocrites, eccentrics, and small-town quirks. I was bewitched, captivated, and fascinated by the complexity and multiple layers of secrets and scandalous activities that had prevailed in this tiny berg for such an extended period of time.

 

 

About the Author

Vera Jane Cook enjoys writing in a variety of genres. As Olivia Hardy Ray, Jane is the author of dark, suspenseful sci-fi fantasy novels.   As Vera Jane Cook, she often explores her southern roots and complex family dynamics in her women’s fiction.  Jane lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her spouse, her Dachshund, Karly, her Chihuahua, Peanut, and her two pussycats, Sassy and Sweetie Pie.
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Book Review: The Love Scribe by Amy Meyerson @amy_meyerson

The Love Scribe
by Amy Meyerson

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From the bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays comes a charming novel about a woman with a special gift—her stories help people fall in love.

When Alice’s best friend, Gabby, is reeling from a breakup, Alice writes her a heartfelt story to cheer her up. While reading it in a café, Gabby, as if by magic, meets the man of her dreams. Thinking the story might have some special power to it, Gabby shares it with her sister and other friends, who all find instant love. Word of mouth spreads, and Alice stumbles upon a new calling—to be a love scribe.

But not all the love stories she writes unfold as expected. And while Alice tries to harness her extraordinary gift, she is summoned to a mansion in the woods where she encounters the reclusive Madeline Alger and her mysterious library. As Alice struggles to write a story for Madeline, her most challenging assignment yet, she’s forced to confront her own guarded heart. Because maybe—just maybe—there’s a love story waiting to be written for her, too.

Emotional, deeply imaginative, and brimming with valuable life lessons, The Love Scribe explores love, fate, and the power of stories when we choose to believe in them.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

There’s something about that story. I can’t explain it. It opened me up. Maria said the same thing. It was like being unfolded from the inside out, so the love could seep in.

“My gift? Gabby, the only thing I’m gifted at is quitting. I have a preternatural talent for giving up.” Gabby frowned. “All the more reason not to quit now. And for the record, I’ve never believed that about you. It’s just an excuse you’ve been telling yourself for years so you don’t have to pursue anything challenging.” She was a clever one, that Gabby. If Alice turned her down now, she’d be proving Gabby right.

Most people’s problems, Alice was beginning to discover, were pretty obvious. Everyone thinks they’re hiding their pain, their insecurities, their struggles. Really, most people are just so focused on their own issues that they aren’t particularly observant of others. If you stop for a second and look, really investigate someone, they unfold before you like a book. Most people, at least.

“Blame is its own form of grief.” Madeline scratched at the scar on her cheek. “It’s easier to feel guilty than to admit you’re helpless.

Do you always eat sandwiches like that?” … “Like you’re afraid of them. Like that—” he pointed to the piece she’d ripped off and was about to eat. “The entire point of a sandwich is that you can just take a bite.” He gnawed at his baguette like it was a turkey leg at a Renaissance fair.

He was tall and thin, with warm brown skin and a head so bald it shone. His chin was hidden by a neatly trimmed beard with a white patch shaped like a heart. When he caught Alice staring, he rubbed his palm against the spot. “Some people wear their hearts on their sleeves. I wear mine on my face.”

My Review:

 

Rereading the vast plethora of highlighted passages I saved during perusal reminded me of just how cleverly insightful and intricately nuanced this novel was. Amy Meyerson is such a nimble raconteur, I kept marveling at the creativity and vibrant details of the brain-snagging and mind-prickling scenes her words conjured. I was sucked into an oddly compelling vortex that kept me a bit on edge yet unable to look away for fear of missing a crumb. I felt on unsteady ground throughout the journey, and can’t remember the last time I enjoyed that peculiar unsettling feeling more.

 

Amy Meyerson is the bestselling author of The Bookshop of Yesterdays and The Imperfects. Her books have been translated into eleven languages, and her short fiction has been published in numerous literary magazines. Amy teaches in the writing department at the University of Southern California, where she completed her master’s degree in creative writing. Her third novel, The Love Scribe, will be published by Park Row Books in February 2023. Originally from Philadelphia, she currently lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and two children.
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Book Review: Heart of Dixie (Kissing Creek #2) by Ruthie Henrick @RuthieHenrick @wordsmithpublic

Heart of Dixie
(Kissing Creek #2)
by Ruthie Henrick

 

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Dixie’s back in her hometown, but the last thing she’s looking for is a reason to stay . . .

Dixie Barnes has no desire to change the life she’s built in LA, fast-paced and full of glamour, and a million miles from Moreover, Tennessee. When she’s badgered into an impromptu hometown reunion, the thing she’s most looking forward to is her flight back to her celebrity clients. She has no plans to rekindle relationships with the town’s meddling citizens—those kind-hearted people she abandoned ten years ago—and she definitely doesn’t intend to take up where she left off with Deke McAllister.

Then she discovers the nerdy, gangly crush of her past has matured in every remarkable way possible. Perhaps getting reacquainted with Deke isn’t such a bad idea after all. But loving that boy was the catalyst that had her leaving the water tower town she was so fond of. And the more quality time she spends with him, the more difficult she finds the notion of doing it again.
She’ll agree to amuse herself with him until it’s time to leave. She’ll enjoy his soul-scorching kisses, and maybe even tangle with him in his sheets. But her heart won’t be on the line this time. Deke’s already been warned her days in Moreover are numbered. And this time she’ll say goodbye before she boards her plane.

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Author’s Note: Heart of Dixie (Book Two of the Heart of Dixie trilogy) was originally released a few years ago, set in the fictional small town of Moreover, Tennessee. You may have read it. If so, you probably loved it. ::grins:: Spoiler alert, even authors sometimes need a do-over.

I was so in love with these characters and their history together, I decided to introduce the setting’s name change in a prequel novella of Dixie and Deke’s origin story and, well, got a little carried away while writing. Good news for you, right? Then I decided I wanted a bonus epilogue for y’all, and what do you know? The same thing happened. Now we have three books to binge.

Heads up, you hopeless romantics, Heart of Dixie ends with a cliffhanger, but you’re going to love the rest of Deke and Dixie’s story in Something to Talk About, which picks right up where this story leaves off.

Ruthie xoxo

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“Put that back! It’s my secret weapon.” She spun it on the hanger to reveal the barely-there straps and plunging back, then clasped it against her and shimmied everything from her shoulders to her toes…“One day I’ll find the nerve to wear this dress and the man of my dreams will fall in lust with me.”

 

My Review:

 

Holy scorched sheets!   This one contained enough sizzle and snap to melt the paint off the wall. I am hooked on this deviously continuing tale of the small-town gone big-city return of Dixie, who has come back to bury her heinous excuse for a father. Actually, both her parents were egregious parentals as well as failing as human beings. The various storylines are equally engaging while laced together with clever wit, poignant insights, heart-squeezing memories and interactions, and breath-stealing sensuality. I am anxiously awaiting the conclusion of this addictive saga to hit my kindle.

Ruthie’s an Arizona girl, married to her high school sweetheart and mama to three grown sons. She writes contemporary romance with heroes who make you swoon, yet might live right next door. She’s a true romance junkie and a lifetime avid reader who spent far too much time shushing the voices in her head—until the day she sat at her keyboard to see what all those voices had to say.

She’s a big fan of coffee and easy-to-cook meals, and country music songwriters, who she believes are some of the best storytellers ever. She loves chatting with other readers, sharing her favorite books and authors, and discovering those new to her. Go by and hang out with her on any of her social media!

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Book Review: Meet Dare (Winter Falls ~ Dempsey Sisters, #3) by D.E. Haggerty @

Meet Dare
Winter Falls ~ Dempsey Sisters, #3
by D.E. Haggerty

All it takes to change everything is an enraged woman and a dare…

Love is not for me. Nope. I don’t deserve it, so I keep far, far away from relationships.

Archer – a drifter who won’t stick around – is perfect for me. I can touch those sexy broad shoulders and stare into those smoldering hazel eyes to my heart’s content.

Except, it turns out Archer isn’t Archer at all. He’s Cedar. He’s not some random drifter. He grew up in the quirky small town of Winter Falls.

When I find out the truth, my rage boils over, my mouth opens up, and before my mind can catch up, I’m daring Cedar to stay in Winter Falls for six months.

I must have been temporarily insane.

Because the longer Cedar sticks around, the more my feelings for him grow. And pushing him away is about as easy as getting the eccentric townspeople to respect my privacy.

Especially when he keeps drawing me in, claiming he’s going to prove to me I not only deserve love but everything my heart desires. Easy for him to say. He doesn’t know what I did.

Can a dare spoken in a moment of anger result in my happily ever after?

This friends with benefits small town romantic comedy features a woman who’s convinced her past sins means she doesn’t deserve love, a man who’s willing to give up his wanderer ways to prove her wrong, an adorable three-legged dog, a pair of sisters who don’t understand the word ‘privacy’, and a whole town of hippies convinced they’re the best matchmakers this side of the Mississippi.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I don’t know what man would put up with that woman. She’s a maneater. I fear for the life of any man she sinks her claws into. She probably has a trophy room at home containing the hearts of any man foolish enough to date her.

Who thought it was a good idea to merge the West and Dempsey families? There’s now a total of eight women. I grew up with three sisters. The four of us never agreed on a thing. I don’t know how five West daughters and three Dempsey sisters are going to manage to agree on a wedding dress or bridesmaids’ dresses.

My Review:

 

I didn’t expect to like this one as much as I did as the main character of Cassie is a piece of work, impulsive, rebellious, stubborn, selfish, immature, and a drama llama. But I adored Cedar! The writing was breezy and amusing, and the storylines were deliciously smirk-worthy, easy to follow, active, and well-paced.

D.E. Haggerty is actually just plain old Dena, but she thinks using initials makes her sound sophisticated and maybe even grown-up. She was born and raised in the U.S. but considers herself a Dutchie and not only because it sounds way cooler. After a stint in the U.S. Army, she escaped the US to join her husband in Holland. She fled Holland over ten years ago when she couldn’t stand the idea of being a lawyer for one single second more. Turns out Bed & Breakfast owner in Germany didn’t do it for her either. When the hubby got a job in Istanbul, she jumped ship and decided to give this whole writer thing a go. She’s now back in Holland, which she considers home. Sorry, Mom.

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Book Review: Accidentally Famous (Hideaway Harbor Book 2) by Marissa Clarke @MaryL_MarissaC @MissRiki

Accidentally Famous
(Hideaway Harbor Book 2)
by Marissa Clarke

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Cassidy is not prepared when the Jack Winston shows up in her quiet little town—and whew, he is that gorgeous in person. Before she can pick her jaw up off the floor, his PR team is bombarding them with a whole new plan involving “fake girlfriend,” “optics,” and “sign this NDA” (whatever that is). But no one warned her that Mr. A-List Action Star is hot, funny as all get out, and loves old houses as much as she does.

Now they have two weeks to convince everyone they’re in a fake relationship—two weeks that will drive Cassidy’s reno business through the roof and help Jack reclaim his “spark.” The plan is going fine, dare she say, perfectly…until she discovers something that will change everything.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I hope Caleb is taking notes because that look scores an eleven out of ten on the panty-melt-o-meter…

We’ll know when Marion gets here, count on it. There’ll be signs of her arrival like in one of those movies where the seas part, or the heavens go black, or the sky fills with locusts or birds, or dragons, or some other doomsday pestilence.

The woman not only had the world’s most spectacular resting-bitch-face, she’d perfected the look-down-her-nose technique that rendered the recipient powerless. “Imagine her wearing a clown nose,” Jack whispered in Cassidy’s ear. “Or a mud mask. Or pink hair rollers. Or better yet, all three at once.”

My Review:

 

This was a fun and breezy tale that was laced together with clever wit, endearing and original characters, and amusing and engaging storylines. The storylines were easy to follow, well-paced, and humorously detailed with a minimum of angst and conflict. I adored it! I am looking forward to more of this well-plotted and entertaining small-town series.

 

About the Author

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Marissa Clarke is a multi-award-winning, RITA® nominated author of romance for adults and teens. She lives on an island in the middle of a river. Seriously, she does. When not writing, she wrangles her rowdy pack of three teens, two Cairn Terriers, and one husband.

She also writes young adult novels as Mary Lindsey for Penguin USA. www.marylindsey.com.

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Book Review: Before Us by Jewel E Ann @JewelE_Ann

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Before Us
by Jewel E Ann

 

I never saw him coming.

 

I didn’t know what would happen after my client found me sleeping in my car.

I’d been cleaning his house as his wife was dying.

I didn’t expect them to invite me to live with them.

I didn’t expect Suzie to become my lifeline—until she was gone.

I didn’t expect him to ask me to marry him when he found out I needed medical insurance.

I didn’t expect to fall in love with a grieving man.

There are so many reasons to keep my distance from Zach. Every tender moment secreted away.

When we’re not together, I miss the man I call husband.

Does he miss his wife? If so, which one?

  Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

 

My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

 

Strong people don’t always make the right decisions; they excel at moving on from the bad ones.

… when you walk into the room and she looks at you… the earth turns a little slower on its axis.

Like the ebb and flow of the ocean, the inhale and exhale of breath, life depends on the coexistence of holding on … and letting go. It’s how we navigate this life, mere children struggling to cross the monkey bars without falling.

Denial blurs good judgment almost as much as whiskey.

Kindness is the hardest thing to accept because it requires true vulnerability to feel it.

I swear I see my own soul in the depths of his eyes, storms chasing the sunset.

My Review:

 

I have the worst book hangover ever after working through all the feels of this one – oh my! Jewel E. Ann excels at breaking my heart and putting it back together, and she has accomplished this fete several times in each of her beautifully written stories. Her prose is profoundly poignant and heartbreaking, compelling, cleverly insightful, deliciously witty, and painfully perceptive.

Written from a dual POV I was quickly sucked into an addictive and angsty vortex and slotted into the thick of it, fully invested, completely immersed, and living within her characters’ skins while seeing through their eyes, and feeling their discomforts and shame when they struggled and failed, as all real people do. I am staggered by the agility and depth of her crafty storytelling and know it will take me some time to recover from the heady spell of her word voodoo. I’m reluctant to leave these characters behind.

 Jewel is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today best-selling author with a quirky sense of humor. When she’s not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role-modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance. 

 

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Book Review: A Village Fete Murder (Julia Bird Mysteries #3) by Katie Gayle @Bookouture @KatieGayleBooks

A Village Fete Murder
(Julia Bird Mysteries #3)
by Katie Gayle

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Julia Bird can’t wait to attend the annual village party at the local stately home, with its tea tents, cake stalls, and… dead body in the maze?

The annual village celebration at Berrywick House is underway, complete with over-decorated cake stalls, fiercely contested flower competitions, and even a maze for the disappointed losers to hide in. Julia Bird, now a well-known – even notorious – member of the community, with her trusty Labrador Jake, has thrown herself headlong into the festivities. But her reputation for adding drama to any event stands up yet again when she discovers a dead body in the maze…

It seems Ursula Benjamin, village know-it-all, and prickly baking competition participant, has been strangled – and the killer has to be someone at the fete. As Julia grapples with finding yet another murder in Berrywick, she starts to wonder, could one of the competitive cake-bakers have taken the contest to deadly new heights? Or is there something darker in Ursula’s life that led to her untimely demise?

Embroiled once again in a murder inquiry, Julia isn’t about to leave the investigation to the police. Like it or not, she’s involved, and she’s going to help them solve the mystery. But when there’s another death, and it’s clear the murders aren’t isolated incidents, the stakes become even higher. Can Julia figure out the identity of the killer, and prevent any further dastardly deeds, before the wholesome spirit of the village is ruined forever?

If you like utterly gripping English mysteries, then you’ll love A Village Fete Murder. Perfect for fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin, and Betty Rowlands.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Julia always thought the term foolproof sounded like a challenge. She imagined rising to her full height of almost five foot six, placing hands on hips and saying, ‘Foolproof, you say? Well, we’ll see about that. You haven’t met this fool!’

‘Whoever heard of someone killing a person over a WI cake sale? … Having said that,’ Hayley said, in an almost apologetic tone, ‘I’ve seen someone killed over a parking space when I worked up North. And there was once an attempted homicide related to a pear tree– there was an axe involved.’

I’m wondering whether we should close the whole intelligence department and just have someone hang around the Buttered Scone for local intel.

 

My Review:

 

I have reveled in each of the three amusing and intriguing installments of this lively cozy mystery series. Much to the amazement of her fellow villagers, since Mrs. Bird’s arrival from London, their small village appears to have become a hot spot for homicide, with Mrs. Bird somehow always in the thick of it. And she has stumbled into yet again in broad daylight with a village fete being in full swing.

As with the previous two books, the crafty scribes known as Katie Gayle’s storylines were easy to follow as well as engaging, beguiling, and delightfully entertaining. The story threads were laced together with clever wry humor, brain and rib-tickling observations, perceptive insights, and uniquely quirky characters.

I hope Mrs. Bird has a long run as I simply adore her and doubt I will ever tire of her propensity to stumble into unusual situations and murders, or of her indomitable curiosity and inability to refrain from snooping. She just can’t help herself, she is a complete busybody. Luckily, she is also a smart and well-seasoned one.

About the Authors

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Katie Gayle is the writing partnership of best-selling South African writers, Kate Sidley and Gail Schimmel. Kate and Gail have, between them, written over ten books of various genres, but with Katie Gayle, they both make their debut in the cozy mystery genre. Both Gail and Kate live in Johannesburg, with their husbands, children, dogs, and cats.

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Book Review: Small Town Girl (Kissing Creek #1) by Ruthie Henrick @RuthieHenrick

Small Town Girl
Kissing Creek #1
  by Ruthie Henrick

Dixie might belong in Kissing Creek, but she’s got too many reasons to leave.

A decade ago, I had a plan. I’d graduate high school and make my place in the small southern town I belonged to. I’d leave my daddy’s run-down single-wide and ignore him when he got ugly. I’d send my mama to voicemail when she called from her fancy life in Chicago. Mostly, I’d wait for Deke to get through college and come back to me and the life we’d build together. I didn’t realize how suddenly plans can change.

Deke isn’t planning to leave their hometown, but he may have lost his reason to stay.

Ten years ago, I was the quiet one. The nerd with the glasses. President of the damn math club. A candidate for any college I chose. What I wanted was a life with Dixie. She believed I had more to offer, though. Encouraged me to shine for the world. But if I can’t admit it to myself, how do I confess I might want that, too? Turns out, I didn’t get the chance.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“I’m a pillar of the community, I tell ya. Folks admire me.” Of course they did. He was as moral as Adolf Hitler.

Places change; people change. Sometimes they grow into each other better with time. Could be the same with you.

My Review:

 

This just happened to be a gripping yet tiny soupcon of a tale that has me ensnared. I am hooked on this compelling, angsty, and sizzling coming-of-age story, which is quite surprising as I’m no fan of angst, yet I must know what happens to these people. I am intrigued yet outraged that I have to wait several weeks for another serving of this addictive saga. Ruthie Henrick is an evil minx, she is also a talented storyteller but cliffhangers are diabolical contrivances.

 

 

Preorder Heart of Dixie

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Ruthie’s an Arizona girl, married to her high school sweetheart and mama to three grown sons. She writes contemporary romance with heroes who make you swoon, yet might live right next door. She’s a true romance junkie and a lifetime avid reader who spent far too much time shushing the voices in her head—until the day she sat at her keyboard to see what all those voices had to say.

She’s a big fan of coffee and easy-to-cook meals, and country music songwriters, who she believes are some of the best storytellers ever. She loves chatting with other readers, sharing her favorite books and authors, and discovering those new to her. Go by and hang out with her on any of her social media!

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Book Review: Strictly Pleasure (The Salinger Brothers Book 2)  by Carrie Elks   @CarrieElks

 

 

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Never tell a lie. Especially not to a cocky CEO who knows exactly how to seduce you. They always come back to bite.

I should have remembered that before I spent the night with Liam Salinger.

In my defense, he’s stupidly attractive and knows it. He also willingly admitted to me that he never sleeps with the same woman twice.

So I shouldn’t feel too bad about lying to him the next morning. We can forget about each other and get on with our lives, right?

Wrong.

We’ve both been chosen as godparents to my best friend’s gorgeous newborn. Which means we’ll be spending a lot of time together, much to our mutual disgust.

And yes, he looks great cradling a tiny baby against his expensively attired chest. Plus he’s funny, irreverent, and weirdly protective toward me.

But I’m not going to fall for his charm. Not a second time.

I just have to keep telling myself that.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’m done with dating right now. It goes in phases. I’ll download an app, decide to throw myself into finding Mr. Right, then realize that the dating pool is actually a cesspit. So I’ll take a break, forget about the pain, and do it all over again.

“Ladies and Gentleman,” a voice calls out over the PA. “Please take ten minutes to make yourselves comfortable, fill up your glasses, and shake the moths out of your wallets. We’ll be beginning the auction as soon as you’re drunk enough to overbid.”

My Review:

 

Another smooth, delectable, and amusing read from the master weaver of cleverly contrived and titillating romance known as Carrie Elks. I am now among her faithful acolytes as I am hooked on her collection of sexy, witty, and lovable brothers.

I adored this couple as much as I did their story, they were lovely together. Their chemistry threw hot sparks in every direction with a minimum of angst and the right amount of believable conflict.

The plot lines and story threads were engaging and held my attention with insightful and humorous observations and details that smoothly and easily slotted me into each encounter. The characters were largely likable and well fleshed out and realistically varied from petty villain to endearing sexy hero. I’m enjoying this series and looking forward to more installments.

 

Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children, and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.
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Book Review: One Day With You by Shari Low @sharilow

One Day With You
by Shari Low

 

 

One day, five lives, but whose hearts will be broken by nightfall?
It started like any other day in the picturesque village of Weirbridge.

Tress Walker waved her perfect husband Max off to work, with no idea that she was about to go into labor with their first child. And completely unaware that when she tried to track Max down, he wouldn’t be where he was supposed to be.

At the same time, Max’s best friend Noah Clark said goodbye to his wife, Mya, blissfully oblivious that he would soon discover the woman he adored had been lying to him for years.

And living alongside the two couples, their recently widowed friend, Nancy Jenkins, is getting ready to meet Eddie, her first true love at a school reunion. Will Nancy have the chance to rekindle an old flame, or will she choose to stay by Tress’s side when she needs her most?

One Day with You – two fateful goodbyes, two unexpected hellos, and 24 hours that change everything.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Even the local scumballs were terrified of the woman who once caught a thief trying to break into her house and threatened to puncture his kidneys with her knitting needles if she ever saw him again. He was relieved when the police took him into custody.

And don’t forget to tell me how lovely my perm is. Extra points if you say I look like that Madonna lass. We’re about the same age, and I reckon underneath all those fillers and her leather knickers we’re dead ringers.

When I was having my Mark, the contractions stopped and started all day, and then all of a sudden, they came thick and fast and then he shot out like a can of Coke from a vending machine.

Age, darling. That’s all it is. There’s things growing where they shouldn’t be and there’s other bits falling off. There’ll be no two bits of us hanging the right way soon.

My Review:

 

I giggle-snorted and smirked my way through this delightfully penned missive. I adored these characters but my favorites were the well-seasoned Val and Nancy. I enjoyed their amusing escapades and rib-tickling banter, reveled in their confidence, found great pleasure in keeping them company, and felt a sense of familiarity as if I’d personally known them for years.

Shari Low is an all-time favorite and gifted storyteller. Her clever writing style has never failed to draw me into her engaging tales with an easy and smooth flow of perfectly chosen words. While the characters’ lives weren’t all sunshine and light, heart-squeezing issues were deftly tackled with agility and grace.

About the Author

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Shari Low is the No1 best-selling author of over 30 novels, including With Or Without You, Another Day In Winter, One Day In December, A Life Without You, This Is Me, and The Story Of Our Life. And because she likes to over-share toe-curling moments and hapless disasters, she is also the shameless mother behind a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. Once upon a time she met a guy, got engaged after a week, and twenty-something years later she lives near Glasgow with her husband, a labradoodle, and two teenagers who think she’s fairly embarrassing except when they need a lift.