The Oddest Little Book Shop

by Beth Good

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK  / B&N

Escape to the gorgeous seaside resort of Port Pol, where love and laughter overflow in the Cornish sunshine.

‘I love Beth Good’s quirky style!’ – bestselling author, Katie Fforde

After ten long years away, television star Daisy Diamond is finally going home.

She’s not back at the gorgeous seaside resort of Port Pol in sunny Cornwall five minutes before she realizes the mistake she’s made. Her childhood sweetheart Nick Old – affectionately known as ‘Devil’ – is still living there, running the local bookshop, and he is determined to rekindle their flame.

Daisy is no longer the dewy-eyed romantic of her school days. Her life may not have gone according to plan, but she’s not afraid to show Nick how much she’s grown since he famously dumped her at the school leavers’ disco.

Even if it means bending her heart out of shape a little . . .

A charming summer novella from popular romantic comedy writer Beth Good and another entry in her quirky ‘Oddest Little Shop’ series.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Part of her wanted to dissolve in a pathetic heap after the verbal lashing he had just given her. Another part of her wanted to go and throw mud pies at the disappearing back window of his car.

‘I look appalling. Like I charge by the hour.’ ‘Oh, the half-hour, I’d say,’ Kirsty corrected her cheerfully…

Ha, you really look terrified now. Betwattled, as my great-gran would have said.

My Review:

I enjoy a clever second chance romance and score – I stumbled on one by my new favorite author, and thankfully, she has delivered an exceptionally thoughtful and amusing tale that kept me guessing. I am blissfully enjoying the pleasantly amusing and entertaining arrangements of words from the talented wordsmith known as Beth Good. With The Oddest Little Book Shop, I am three novellas in with her Oddest Little Shop series, and one of my favorite things about this installment was the wily and cunning name given to a despicable paparazzi photographer – Ron Scrotes. I’m just immature enough to smirk each time he appeared. Ms. Good’s wry wit may have caused an indelicate yet gleeful snort or ten, as Mr. Scrotes tends to pop up at inopportune moments for the main characters.

I adored the lovely Daisy Diamond, who became the biggest celebrity ever to have sprung from the small Cornish village of her youth. The same small Cornish village she fled ten years prior with a broken heart after being crushed by The Devil, AKA Nick Old – again – she is just so crafty with the clever names. The twists and turns leading to her painful teenaged heartbreak were finally explained to her and were quite compelling, yet there were many complications that presented a quagmire to unravel and make right. I didn’t think it could be done in a novella but Ms. Good miraculously made it happen and with a highly satisfying and happy ending for all parties, even the harpy who didn’t deserve one, but apparently Ms. Good is generous like that.

Author Bio – 

Born and raised in Essex, England, Beth Good was whisked away to an island tax haven at the age of eleven to attend an exclusive public school and rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Sadly, she never became rich or famous herself, so had to settle for infamy as a writer of dubious novels. She writes under several different names, mainly to avoid confusing her readers – and herself! As Beth Good, she writes romantic comedy and feel-good fiction. She also writes thrillers as Jane Holland, historicals as Victoria Lamb and Elizabeth Moss, and feel-good fiction as Hannah Coates.

Beth currently lives in the West Country where she spends a great deal of time thinking romantic thoughts while staring out of her window at sheep. (These two actions are unrelated.)

You can find her most days on Twitter as @BethGoodWriter where she occasionally indulges in pointless banter about chocolate making and the Great British Bake Off. Due to a basic inability to say no, she has too many children and not enough money, which means she needs as many readers as she can get.

Social Media Links –

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BethGoodWriter

The Oddest Little Romance Shop

by Beth Good

Goodreads

‘I love Beth Good’s quirky style!’ – Katie Fforde

Izzie has the perfect plan for a perfect life. Work hard, get married, settle down, start a family. But when a mysterious Valentine’s day card arrives, asking in a bold scrawl, ‘Will you marry me?’, it upends everything.
Because Izzie thought she’d found Mr. Right – and the card isn’t from him.

Puzzled, she sets out to discover the identity of her secret admirer . . . and is shocked by the truth. Torn in two directions, Izzie doesn’t know what to do.

Should she stick to the plan, or is it time to take life in a bold new direction?

Another quirky, charming novella in the ‘Oddest Little Shop’ series from popular romantic comedy writer Beth Good.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

‘Oh get a grip, you can’t seriously marry someone called Norman. I mean . . . Norman.’ Her friend said his name with breathless emphasis as though in the throes of passion, then shook her head. ‘No, it’s not a name to send chills of expectation down your spine. Unless you’re desperate for a truly comprehensive insurance policy.’

She did want to marry Norman, she really did. He was a really nice guy, and he was so amazingly keen on her . . . It was just that, in the middle of the night, she did keep waking up in a cold sweat, wondering if she was making the biggest mistake of her life.

She clasped her handbag tight on her lap. Like an old granny worried about losing her lottery tickets. Not a good look.

As their lips met, bodies pressed together, Isabel realised that forcing Norman to kiss her tonight was the worst thing she had ever done in her life. Possibly barring the incident with the snail sandwich in Year 3. Which had been unspeakably grim… Then there was the fact that his breath smelt a bit whiffy. And his lips were damp. Not wet, exactly, which would have been horrible. But kind of clammy. Eww.

He sounded like her dad the time he discovered a steamy romance novel hidden under her mattress when she was only twelve. And she did not really want to marry her dad, did she? Quite apart from the fact that any Freudian therapist would have a field day with it.

One of the women, wearing a leopard-print fake fur hat and a thick winter scarf, made an obscene gesture at Lewis. Or she might simply have been rubbing her nose.

My Review:

I smirked and giggled-snorted my way through this delightfully entertaining and gleefully amusing tale. I may have even bounced in my chair a few times with unrestrained joy.   I have a new favorite author and I am totally fangirling as I venerated her clever wit, writing style, and engaging storylines. I am greedily hungering for every word this clever author has ever penned, like pronto.   I adored this – start to finish.

Author Bio –

Born and raised in Essex, England, Beth Good was whisked away to an island tax haven at the age of eleven to attend an exclusive public school and rub shoulders with the rich and famous. Sadly, she never became rich or famous herself, so had to settle for infamy as a writer of dubious novels. She writes under several different names, mainly to avoid confusing her readers – and herself! As Beth Good, she writes romantic comedy and feel-good fiction. She also writes thrillers as Jane Holland, historicals as Victoria Lamb and Elizabeth Moss, and feel-good fiction as Hannah Coates.

Beth currently lives in the West Country where she spends a great deal of time thinking romantic thoughts while staring out of her window at sheep. (These two actions are unrelated.)

You can find her most days on Twitter as @BethGoodWriter where she occasionally indulges in pointless banter about chocolate making and the Great British Bake Off. Due to a basic inability to say no, she has too many children and not enough money, which means she needs as many readers as she can get.

Social Media Links –

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

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BethGoodWriter

Visit JTEllison.com for more insight into her wicked imagination, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter @thrillerchick, and Instagram @thrillerchick

#LilyPondLane

The Cottage on Lily Pond Lane

Part Four Trick or Treat

by Emily Harvale

Goodreads

Amazon US/ UK

Mia Ward was amazed to inherit her great-aunt Matilda’s thatched cottage in the tiny seaside village of Little Pondale – especially as Mia didn’t know she had a great-aunt Matilda. She was even more astonished to discover she’d only inherit the place if she lives there for a year.

But a lot can happen in a very short time, and life in Little Pondale is not going quite as Mia hoped. She may have finally beaten one fear, but now heartbreak threatens to drown her.

And when at last, she starts to unravel the mystery of Matilda’s past, she uncovers an extraordinary plan for her own future. Now just who can Mia trust?

As the nights draw in and cold winds steal through Sunbeam Cottage, she turns to an unlikely source for comfort and support. But with the fortune teller’s warning still ringing in her ears, is Mia about to make the biggest mistake of her life?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 I was always saying to Hector, “You need to be more open, Hector. Keeping feelings pent up inside will be the death of you.” I was wrong about that, of course. The car hitting him, tossing him in the air, and him landing on his head was the death of him. But if the car hadn’t killed him, stress would have.

She sauntered towards him, which wasn’t as easy as she’d hoped, given that she was walking through water. Daniel Craig had made it look simple and ultra-sexy in the James Bond film.

Plus at our age, Fred and I can’t afford to wait. We could be dead at any time. And we’ve already told the vicar that if one of us dies before the wedding, we can have the funeral on the date instead. We’ll use all the same flowers and hymns.

My Review:

I quickly consumed this delightfully amusing and juicily informative installment from beginning to end, I believe I only put my Kindle down to refill my coffee cup, okay, I refilled like ten times, but still, I didn’t want to leave it longer than necessary as the secrets were finally, yes finally, being exposed and several mysteries were solved. And oh, snap! I could never have put so many deliciously scandalous details together. I was ridiculously impressed and nearly delirious with glee. What a clever girl that Emily Harvale, she definitely has an incredibly fertile imagination to have conjured up so many twisty and creative back-stories within a short novella.

This volume put a new spin on vicar and tart jokes and for an added treat, we were witness to a sweetly bizarre wedding where the elderly bride was given away by her constant companions – the ghost of her first husband and her beloved purple vest wearing pet rat, Prince Gustav, who sat upon a lavender pillow in his Cinderella carriage-like cage.   I had grown so attached to Ms. Harvale’s quirky characters and eccentric little village and was feeling a bit rueful as I neared the end as for some reason I was under the impression this was to be the last in the series but – oh happy day – there will be more!

Author Bio –  

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

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

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

https://www.twitter.com/emilyharvale

https://www.instagram.com/emilyharvale

The Freedom Diamond – A Novella
by Tracie Podger 

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK  

Beginning with a journey upon the fated RMS Titanic to New York and then India, Lady Mountford embarks on a most exciting mission…

…an operation to right the wrongs of her father.

With the help of Ernest, Dorothy has decided the pain her father had caused needs rectifying. This endeavor takes immense courage from the young Lady, strategic planning, and many miles of travel.

Follow Dorothy on this adventure as she attempts to shed her upbringing and standing in society for the sake of freedom.

The Freedom Diamond is an updated version of Dorothy’s Journey and was part of Titanic Tales, a charity anthology launched to coincide with the Titanic signing, Belfast, 2018.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

The ship often creaked, and although I stilled to listen for the noise again, I wasn’t overly concerned. It was the shudder that followed the noise that had me sit upright. I watched pictures that hung on the wall sway from side to side. The lampshade on the side table shimmered, its tassels twirled for a moment, and then it all stilled. There was an eeriness; a calmness that took me a moment to understand.

I was a woman way ahead of her time and impatient for the world to change and catch up.

I was a Titanic survivor, a diamond smuggler, a righter of wrongs, and now patron of a women’s refuge and a children’s orphanage in India.

My Review:

I was fascinated by the premise and this cunning author’s word voodoo pulled me right inside her clever character’s cranium. It was an entertaining stay inside the lovely and feisty Dorothy’s headspace and I enjoyed being privy to her shrewd inner musings and astute observations. The atmospheric quality of the writing held me in place and I remained there throughout Dorothy’s adventure as she plotted her scheme, enjoyed the grandeur of the luxury liner, struggled with the cold to board a lifeboat, or made the quick and stealthy work of a cat burglar. The tale quickly flew by while whetting my appetite for more.

Author Bio

Tracie Podger currently lives in Kent, UK with her husband and a rather obnoxious cat called George. She’s a Padi Scuba Diving Instructor with a passion for writing. Tracie has been fortunate to have dived some of the wonderful oceans of the world where she can indulge in another hobby, underwater photography. She likes getting up close and personal with sharks.

Tracie writes in various genres, Contemporary Romance but likes to explore relationships that are not always easy and there isn’t always a happy ending, Romantic Suspense, Thriller, and Erotic Romance. She likes to have her books feel real with realistic timelines and with strong women who don’t run because the going gets tough. Sex is important between loving people, therefore all her books contain graphic scenes. However, the character’s relationship is more important.

If you would like to know more, please feel free to contact her, she would love to hear from you.

Social Media Links

Facebook    Twitter    Amazon    Instagram

Website    Facebook Reader Group

Facebook Book Club

The Things We Leave Unsaid

by Megan Mayfair 

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK  / B&N

Is it the things we don’t say that haunt us the most?

Clare is anxious to start a family with adoring husband, Pete. When she takes on the seemingly simple task of obtaining her late mother’s birth certificate, she finds herself in a family history search that will challenge everything she thought she knew about her life.

Scarred by her parents’ ill-fated marriage, Tessa lives by three rules – dating unavailable men, building her café into a food empire, and avoiding her father. However, when her carefully planned life is thrown into chaos, Tessa is forced to decide which of these rules she’s willing to break.

As Clare and Tessa’s paths cross and their friendship grows, can they both finally unlock their family secrets in order to realize their futures?

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

“Well, I’m very proud.” Pete’s dad lifted up a bottle of beer as if to toast his son. “Who would’ve thought that a kid that ate glue until Grade 2 would now be a doctor?”

She was straight off to Mass to pray for him. I’m sure Father Foley loved hearing all about the latest De Luca family drama. I’m not sure who she prayed to. I mean, who was the Patron Saint of Assholes?

She hadn’t been in love –he was right about that –but nor had she been electrocuted or struck by lightning or bitten by a snake, and she knew she had no interest in trying out any of those things. In the interest of risk management, some things in life were better not experienced.

Harry approached the counter carrying a large chocolate cake. Tessa longed to tackle him to the ground for it and then escape with it to the privacy of her office where she would just eat it with her hands and wash it down with a cappuccino.

Was this crazy? Was this bunny-boiler territory? She hadn’t seen him since the night she broke up with him… Where was he getting his coffee from now? She knew it wouldn’t be as good. Was he drinking crappy coffee to avoid her? That was a depressing thought. Life was too short to drink bad coffee.

I do know that it’s the things we leave unsaid that cause us the most pain.

My Review:

I had finished reading and was looking over my notes while letting my opinion settle and gel when I noticed this captivating tale was the author’s first novel. This was an eye-popping realization for me as the writing was exceptionally insightful, well-paced, and engaging whether factoring in the issue of first works or not, but adding in that information was a revelation and caused me to upgrade my opinion and rating as I found it an impressive accomplishment. The book contained several well-crafted and unique storylines featuring interesting and enticingly nuanced characters that captured and held my attention as well as piqued my curiosity. I was as desirous of unraveling their family histories and unanswered questions as the anxious characters themselves.

This wasn’t a fast-paced thriller or heavily laden with an aura of mystery or suspense, it was a realistic and relevant story that could easily happen anywhere, yet it was the shaping and telling of the tale that drew me in and belies the skill and dexterity of the author. I relished the concept of “mental revenge points” which one character secretly tallied, a behavior I may have been guilty of a time or ten but had never thought to define with such a creative label. Additionally, I find I now have a need for an Aussie Word List due to the lively notation of “stickybeak” which Mr. Google informed me was a nosy person. Those Aussies can be so colorful and fun 😉

Author Bio –

Megan Mayfair is a Melbourne-based writer who draws inspiration from her beautiful hometown and regional Victoria to create contemporary women’s fiction, containing a big dash of romance and a spoonful of family intrigue.

With a background in public relations, copywriting and higher education, Megan is passionate about words and loves to bring them to life on the page. Megan holds a Master of Arts in professional communication and is a member of Romance Writers of Australia and Writers Victoria.

Megan is married with three children, loves a good cup of coffee and believes you can never have too many scarves.

Social Media Links –

www.meganmayfair.com

https://www.facebook.com/meganmayfairauthor/

https://twitter.com/MayfairMegan

https://www.instagram.com/meganmayfairwrites/

Tiffany Blues

by M. J. Rose

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

I tried to make my voice light. My mother once told me I had a silver voice that tarnished when I wasn’t giving her the whole truth.

I’ve just always viewed marriage as a job, and it’s not the job I want for myself in the foreseeable future.

I felt as if I’d stepped inside a jewelry box. Everything shone and sparkled and glowed in gemstone shades

We’re all broken in one way or another, but it’s through the cracks in our souls that the light comes through. And the light, Jenny, that’s our art.

My Review:

Tiffany Blues wasn’t at all what I was expecting, and more the better. This was my first exposure to M.J. Rose and I now count myself her newest fan. Her clever combinations of words deftly painted rich and opulent pictures, equivalent in skill and technique to any of the Old Masters. My curiosity was quickly snagged by the intriguing prologue and continued forth as an ominous and haunting ambiance of tension, danger, and potential exposure of long-hidden secrets remained throughout, which kept me on edge and nibbling at my cuticles. The writing was lushly detailed with colorful and lavish descriptions of the well-appointed accommodations, feasts, gardens, and elegant clothing and décor.   The storylines were gradually developed yet well-crafted, engaging, tragic, and captivating.

I cannot imagine the amount of research involved in such an undertaking but I reveled in the fruits of her labor as I enjoyed learning many interesting little tidbits and history of the time as I was unaware of the trendy interest in spiritualism, the history of Ouija boards, and of Thomas Edison’s Spirit Phone – which I Googled to be certain, and he had actually labored with other scientists of the day toward “a telephone that calls beyond this realm to reach people who have passed.”  Nearing the end, I began to fret with increasing alarm that my niggling questions would be left unanswered. Silly me, I sighed a satisfied and relaxing breath at the clever conclusion. Well-played Ms. Rose, “there is beauty even in broken things.”