Category: 5-Stars

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Book Review: Then There Was You (Angel Falls #1) by Miranda Liasson

Then There Was You 

(Angel Falls #1)

by Miranda Liasson 

Goodreads

Amazon / B&N

iBooks /  Google Play

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Welcome to Angel Falls, a town so delightful even enemies can’t help falling in love!

Angel Falls is the last place Sara Langdon wants to be. Her hometown may be charming, but it’s also filled with memories of her “wedding-that-never-was.” Yet Sara’s grandmother needs her, and joining her dad at his medical practice gives Sara time to figure out what she wants for her future. But when her first patient turns out to be Colton Walker, the man who sabotaged her wedding, Sara starts to wonder if she’ll ever be able to escape her past.

As police chief, Colton Walker is devoted to his small town, and he’s equally determined to avoid its newest resident. He and Sara have always gotten along like oil and water, and since the bachelor party incident, he’s her Enemy #1. But after sharing an unexpected–and unexpectedly hot–kiss, Colton starts to wonder if the woman he’s always fighting with is the one he should be fighting for.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

He had one claim to fame: he’d bedded more women than an eighties rock star.

 He doesn’t beat children or kill cats. Plus I’m twenty-nine. He’s not perfect, but who is? Maybe he’s as close as I’m going to come.

 Don’t ever marry a man who doesn’t look at you like you’re chocolate ice cream…

 Life is just too short to hate cake.

 

 My Review:

 

Regardless of the author, I seem to brace myself when diving into the start any new series with an equal sense of trepidation and anticipation. My response to this sparkling entry was a zealous fist pump and head cheerleader worthy squeal. I needed something fresh and engaging and Sara’s less than confident return to her small-town was just what I needed. The storylines were appealing as well as relevant and relatable, the characters were endearing and realistic, and the writing was pleasantly easy to follow yet craftily observant and amusing, and held my interest throughout. The richly detailed narrative made excellent work of introducing the town and key characters while cunningly laying the groundwork and setting up the series for subsequent installments, and I am eager to schedule a return visit for a family dinner or two at Nonna’s and perhaps some coffee and cake at the Bean. And that’s that.

Author Bio:

Miranda Liasson loves to write stories about everyday people who find love despite themselves because there’s nothing like a great love story. And if there are a few laughs along the way, even better! She’s a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart winner and an Amazon bestselling author whose heartwarming and humorous small–town romances have won accolades such as the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence and have been Harlequin Junkie and Night Owl Reviews Top Picks.

Connect with Miranda: 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon | Newsletter | Bookbub | Pinterest | Blog

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Book Review: The Sinister Silhouette by Alex Grayson

The Sinister Silhouette

by Alex Grayson 

Goodreads

Amazon / B&N

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“Luca….”

She whispers my name at night, filling my dreams with her haunting beauty. Her tormented amber eyes beg me for something I don’t understand, and her agonizing pain becomes my own.

For years, she’s come to me, calling my name.

For years, I’ve never known who she was.

Until now….

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

If any man other than Theo threatened me like that, I’d drop him faster than a whore drops her panties when she sees a hundred-dollar bill.

 I’m terrified, hopeful, and anxious all at the same time, and there’s no hope of the trio of feelings going away anytime soon.

 She beams a smile at me and it fills my heart with so much love I can feel the seams stretching to accommodate it all.

 My Review:

 

This was a long and slowly developing yet intriguing story, and in the end, it was more than worth every word. Oh my, what a dark and tangled web of deceit had been woven! I had my suspicions early and some proved correct, but I didn’t foresee all the warped tricks and abhorrent twists and turns. Written in my favorite dual POV, I was quickly hooked into the premise and was kept on edge by this clever and devious author’s well-crafted and emotive tale. My cold heart was squeezed by the abhorrent regrets, uncertainty, nightmares, and dangers that Luca and Jules were experiencing, but thankfully, my coronary muscle was sufficiently reinflated with the more than satisfying HEA conclusion. This was only my second time to read the wily words of the cunning Alex Grayson, but I fear I have become enamored and hopelessly addicted.

About the Author

Alex Grayson is the bestselling author of heart-pounding, emotionally gripping contemporary romance including the Jaded Series, the Consumed Series, and two standalone novels. Her passion for books was reignited by a gift from her sister-in-law. After spending several years as a devoted reader and blogger, Alex decided to write and independently publish her first novel in 2014 (an endeavor that took a little longer than expected). The rest, as they say, is history.

Originally a southern girl, Alex now lives in Ohio with her husband, two children, two cats and a dog. She loves the color blue, homemade lasagna, casually browsing real estate, and interacting with her readers. Visit her website, www.alexgraysonbooks.com, or find her on social media!

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Book Review, Giveaway: Clutch by Lisa Becker

 

Clutch

by Lisa Becker

Goodreads

Amazon

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Clutch: a novel is the laugh-out-loud, chick-lit romance chronicling the dating misadventures of Caroline Johnson, a single purse designer who compares her unsuccessful romantic relationships to styles of handbags – the “Hobo” starving artist, the “Diaper Bag” single dad, the “Briefcase” intense businessman, etc. With her best friend, bar owner Mike by her side, the overly-accommodating Caroline drinks a lot of Chardonnay, puts her heart on the line, endures her share of unworthy suitors and finds the courage to discover the “Clutch” or someone she wants to hold onto.

My Rating:

 

Favorite Quotes:

She was like a walking Chico’s advertisement, if you added forty years, forty pounds, and a Virginia Slims cigarette.

It had never mattered if Caroline was asking Mimi’s advice about a friend, lover, or career. The advice was always the same: ‘Find something you love and hold onto it.’

Dinner with the Barnsworths was like a scene out of a movie, thought Caroline – a snooty English period drama where the rich couple sat on opposite ends of an impossibly-long mahogany dining table while silent, uniformed servants catered to their dining needs.

My Review:

Clutch is one of the most amusing and clever stories I have read in ages. I am enchanted with this author and want to read everything she has ever written. The protagonist in this story, Caroline, is an intelligent yet unassertive purse/handbag designer – hence the title Clutch, cute right? However, Ms. Becker took her cunning wit a step further and titled her chapters after the handbag styles that perfectly summed up the personality or trait of the man Caroline was dating; such as hobo for the moocher, demi for a short man, etc. – ingenious! I adored everything about this book – the plot, characters, humor, and witty banter. The writing style was crisp, engaging, highly enjoyable, consistently entertaining, and lushly descriptive. I think I have a girl crush…

Giveaway

The giveaway is only open to residents of the US – so sorry!
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To Enter: Just leave me a comment on this post with your favorite type of Clutch/Butch Bag/Man Purse.
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Let me know how you entered as I am super lazy and might just have to keep them for myself!
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For extra entries:
-Add Clutch to your TBR
-Follow this blog
– Follow Lisa Becker on Instagram (@lisawbecker)
– Follow Social Butterfly Designs on Instagram (@socialbutterflydesigns)
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The prize is a precious set of “It’s in the Bag” purse-themed notecards from Social Butterfly Designs.
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Facebook: Social Butterfly Designs
Twitter: @SocialBDesigns
Instagram:  @socialbutterflydesigns

About the Author

Lisa Becker is a romance writer who spends her time like she spends her money – on books and margaritas. In addition to Clutch: a novel, she is the author of the Click trilogy, a contemporary romance series about online dating and Links, a standalone, second chance romance readers. As Lisa’s grandmother used to say, “For every chair, there’s a tush.” Lisa is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach, California with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone! You can share your love stories with her at www.lisawbecker.com.
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Find her: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Web | YouTube
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Book Review: Midlife Crisis by L.B. Dunbar

Midlife Crisis

Another romance for the over 40

L.B. Dunbar

Romantic Comedy

 

A sexy silver fox might be the perfect solution to a midlife crisis.

Goodreads

Amazon US /  CA /  UK /  AU

B&N

 

Synopsis

 

Midge Everette.

I’m forty-one today.

It’s my birthday,

And I’m crying over burnt toast.

That’s not some euphemism.

Literally, I’m sobbing over stupid bread,

so I call a crisis center.

I just need someone to talk to about life.

Only I recognize the smoky voice of the man on the line.

In the name of all things, don’t let it be…

 

Hank Paige.

As a former rock star,

I once had it all.

Fame. Fortune. Females.

Except for the one thing I wanted most.

Now, I fix cars and restore other people’s dreams.

I just want to be somebody’s someone.

And there’s a certain woman with captivating eyes,

I want to fulfill my dreams.

For the love of all things, please let it be her…

In the midst of questioning everything,

could love be the resolution to a midlife crisis?

 

 

If you loved Tommy Carrigan in After Care meet his best friend and former drummer, Hank, as he discovers romance in his forties.

Book 2 of the silver fox, former rock stars can be read as a standalone.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

“You are the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen, lady.” His voice rings serious, surprised, as if he hadn’t noticed before and means every word.

 Brut drew the line at the old leather couch. He claims it has sentimental value, and the only thing I can imagine is him losing his virginity on it. Otherwise, the wasted DNA on those cushions could be a science experiment in why people should not reproduce.

 I know I said I want to make all your dreams come true, but I don’t know how. I have nothing to offer you. I’m being selfish because I want you to make all mine come true instead.

 Each time there’s an issue, you actually come to me, and it’s refreshing. You don’t run away, you run forward, and I want to catch you.

My Review:

 

In my vastly unprofessional opinion, L.B. Dunbar is found treasure. I typically read at a much faster pace but I found myself dawdling and humming as I read, wanting to savor every word of this well-crafted, delightfully engaging, deliciously steamy, and dangerously heart enlarging tale.   It pleased me. It was sweet, it was sexy, and it was cleverly amusing.   I was quickly immersed in the story and remained well invested in the thoughtfully observant and original storylines from beginning to end. Each and every character was endearingly and uniquely quirky, well drawn,  realistically flawed, and insightfully vulnerable; even the surly teenager. The agile and witty wordsmith known as L.B. Dunbar was a recent discovery for me during her last top-shelf offering of After Care, and I could kick myself for blindly overlooking her considerable listing for so long. Reading her skillful arrangements of words has been pure pleasure and seriously habit-forming.

 

 

 

About the Author

L.B. Dunbar has been accused of having an over-active imagination. To her benefit, this imagination has created over twenty novels, including a small-town world (Sensations Collection), rock star mayhem (Legendary Rock Star series), MMA chaos (Paradise Stories), rom-com for the over forty (The Sex Education of M.E. and After Care), and a suspenseful island for redemption (The Island Duet). Her alter ego, elda lore, creates magical romance through mythological retellings (Modern Descendants). Her life revolves around a deep love of reading about fairy tales, medieval knights, regency debauchery, and strong alpha males. She loves a deep belly laugh, a strong hug, and an occasional margarita. Her other loves include being mother to four grown children and wife to the one and only.

Connect with L.B. Dunbar

www.lbdunbar.com

Stalk Me: https://www.facebook.com/lbdunbarauthor

Stalk Me More: Instagram @lbdunbarwrites

Read Me: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8195738.L_B_Dunbar

Follow Me: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/l-b-dunbar

Tweet Me: https://twitter.com/lbdunbarwrites

Pin Me: http://www.pinterest.com/lbdunbar/

Get News Here: https://app.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/j7j2s0

AND more things here…

Hang with us: Loving L.B. (reader group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/LovingLB/

 

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Book Review: Allure (Brooklet Dreams #1) by C.A. Harms

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Title: Allure (Brooklet Dreams)

Author: CA Harms

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 22, 2018

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

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The next generation of the Southern Boys returns in a new spin-off series, Brooklet Dreams…

 

She was supposed to be my forever…

 

I’ll never forget the first time I saw her. She wore overalls two sizes too big and a pair of gloves that were also too large for her little hands. But that didn’t faze her one bit, and we clicked instantly.
By the age of twelve, we had become best friends, and by the time we turned sixteen, we were more. I had eyes for only one girl.  My girl.
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But then life changed, and different paths led to broken promises. When she left town, I was forced to let go of our dreams.
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I spent my days existing. Baseball, classes, and working at the family farm became my life. I didn’t care about anything else. Until I met Allison Jo.
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AJ was the quiet girl I never expected. She brought me to my knees with that beautiful smile. She made me laugh and slowly brought the old me back to life. I found myself wanting more with her.
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I became her world, and she was my everything.
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But when my past returns, my world is turned upside down. 
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I’m not sure I was prepared for what was about to happen.

 

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My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I’ll admit it—I was a twenty-one-year-old guy who was still terrified of his mother. That woman could get pretty vicious when needed…

 I’m here with you because I wanna be, not because I feel like I need to be. You’re not who I thought you were, Allison Jo, you’re so much more. I wanna know everything there is to know about you. I want you to be the girl I call first with anything, whether it’s big or small, and I wanna be that guy for you in return.

 If I thought I was embarrassed before, it had nothing on the current situation… Once I was inside my car and had a minute to actually breathe, I looked down, and my heart felt like it hit the seat beneath my ass. I had my damn shirt on backward, and what made it worse was the tag was sticking out just below my chin. Why me?

 My Review:

 

I quickly fell into this easy to follow and engaging story with realistic and relatable storylines containing a fair balance of angst, humor, and sensuality, and packed with likable and endearing characters. A.J. was a sweet and delightful main character and Rhett was a near perfect BBF; he was sexy, thoughtful, attentive, and protective. Ms. Harms brought a refreshing twist to the dilemma of giving up and letting go of first love, and the possible second chance at first love not always being the best choice. I was holding my breath a bit but was more than satisfied with the conclusion and eager to see what this clever author does with the rest of the series.

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C.A. Harms is like any other addicted reader. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. She hasn’t always been a lover of Romance and had once been addicted to a good Mystery. Just recently she has taken on a new liking and now is a full-blown Romance novel addict.
 
She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. You will always find her with her kindle or paperback in hand as it is her favorite past time.
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Book Review: Hot Asset by Lauren Layne

Hot Asset 

by Lauren Layne

Goodreads

KINDLE: https://amzn.to/2rVZEyl

PAPERBACK: https://amzn.to/2kb5DMe

AUDIOBOOK: https://amzn.to/2IyoUSy 

MP3 CD: https://amzn.to/2rSMfIc 

 

A sexy agent hounds Wall Street’s hottest new wolf in an exhilarating novel from New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne.

Ian Bradley is the definition of a Wall Street hotshot: seven-figure salary, designer suits, and a corner office. His drive off the floor is just as potent. Every woman who knows him has felt the rush. But now he’s met his match in Lara McKenzie—a woman with the power to bring Ian to his knees.

An ambitious, whip-smart daughter of FBI agents, Lara is a rising star in fighting white-collar crime. Her latest case—the investigation of Ian Bradley for insider trading—could make her career. She knows a scoundrel when she sees one. Ian fits the bill: a cocky, ridiculously handsome bad boy with a slick swagger.

She’ll do anything to prove he’s guilty. He’ll do anything to prove he’s not. But it’s only a matter of time before their fierce battle of wits gets oh so hot and personal. Now, taking down Ian has become more than business for Lara. It’s become a pleasure—and there’s more at risk than she ever dreamed.

“[A] playful romance…Layne populates her world of high-stakes finance with charismatic characters, and the fast-paced story works well with the simmering sexual tension between the leads…It’s easy to root for this couple.” —Publishers Weekly

“Layne can always be counted on to create an engaging, steamy, and thoroughly rewarding reading experience.” —RT Book Reviews

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

The weekday lunch hour on Wall Street is everything you’d expect—plenty of suits and martinis and pretension. Nobody bothers to look twice at a woman in a boring blouse and four-year-old stilettos bought at Nordstrom Rack.

 Yes, men just love my combination of forthright and awkward.

 “What the heck is day cleavage?” She holds up her thumb and forefinger to her cleavage as though she’s measuring something. “No more than a half inch or so, see?” “What’s night cleavage?” She widens the gap between her fingers. “An inch, at least.” I shake my head in wonderment. “It’s like you’re from a different planet.”

My Review:

 

I always enjoy Lauren Layne’s enticing stories, they beckon me. I adore her amusing and sharp wit but not as much as I love her endearing flawed yet vulnerable characters. In Hot Asset, the two main protagonists initially appeared to be complete opposites in every arena.

Ian was a wealthy playboy and self-made success story as through his relentless efforts and keen intelligence, this survivor of multiple negligent foster homes became a Yale graduate and had worked hard to earn his spot near the top of the food chain in his Wall Street firm. He was also a dirty talking sex machine who appeared to have a hard edge but was layers deep with a marshmallow center, although no one knew of his charitable efforts as he played nearly as hard as he worked and never bedded the same woman twice, “because I don’t have to.”

Lara was a tightly wound, honest, and hardworking government employee who followed the rules, yearned for career advancement and acceptance into the FBI, and had no social life.   As the SEC agent that arrived at Ian’s office to personally investigate him, she was unimpressed with his slick approach. They were at odds yet seemed to enjoy bantering and antagonizing each other yet each also fought a building respect and attraction. Yet there was something just not right with the case and allegations against Ian.

I am excited with Ms. Layne’s new 21 Wall Street series, as this installment has started it off with the propulsion of a space rocket that was locked and loaded with a cast of quirky yet alluring characters. I doubt I could tire of them and am already greedy for the next volume.

 

Author Info

Lauren Layne is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than two dozen romantic comedies. Her books have sold over a million copies, in eight languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, The Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.

Author Links: 

Website: http://www.laurenlayne.com/

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6969772.Lauren_Layne

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_laurenlayne/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lauren-layne

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LLayneAuthor/

Lauren Layne Library: http://laurenlaynelibrary.com/

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Book Review, Giveaway: Skinny Pants by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

 Skinny Pants

Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

 

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BUY LINKS

AMAZON | KOBO | B&N | iBOOKS

 

Synopsis:
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From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

SKINNY PANTS

Book Three, The Happy Pants Café Series

 

SHE ACCIDENTALLY CATFISHED THE PERFECT GUY.

BUT WILL HE EVER LOVE THE REAL HER?

DR. JACK REED has been through hell. His wife cheated on him, broke his heart, and lied for years. But moving on isn’t easy, and it’s impossible to trust women again. Until he meets Macie, a nurse at his new hospital. There’s something about her honest heart that makes him want to fight to get his life back.

NURSE MACIE FRANKLIN was always known as “the fat girl.” After decades of failed diets, she doesn’t dream of ever being anything but invisible to the opposite sex. One moment of weakness and two glasses of bubbly later, she’s in a steamy online chat with “Dr. J-Love” as the fake, size 8, bubbly Catrina.

Their passionate conversation convinces her it’s time to make big life changes. But when she goes to see Dr. Reed, the new amazing surgeon everyone’s talking about, it’s Dr. J-Love! And he’s way hotter in person.

They hit it off a second time as friends, but now Macie’s heart is at risk of falling hopelessly in love. Will he ever love the real her back?

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

Like I’m lower than a cockroach wearing stained underwear.

 She wanted a man who was romantic, but not needy. She wanted someone who would love her forever even when she was ninety, wrinkled, and peed just a little when she sneezed because she’d had beautiful children with him.

 Honey, we are all attracted to him. Reed is complete husband material. And bean-flicking material. And heartbreak, fan-club, tramp-stamp material.

 When you do see him, just remember that he’s only hot on the outside. On the inside, he’s covered in scabs and festering boils.

 My Review:

 

This was my first time experiencing the talented Ms. Pamfiloff’s creatively witty word skills, and I am giddy with delight and bawdy glee over my discovery. I enjoyed this cleverly amusing and engaging tale from beginning to end and had marked several pages of favorite quotes, although many of them could not be used due to Macie’s amusing filthy and creative use of profanity. I adored the robust Macie; she was spunky, endearing, and highly relatable. The storylines were fresh and entertaining with more unexpected curves than Macie’s ample shapeliness. Ms. Pamfiloff’s writing was highly entertaining, thoroughly engaging, and just plain fun. I could kick myself for my careless sloth in taking so long to notice her work. I have been remiss and greedily covet her words.

 

 About the Author

MIMI JEAN PAMFILOFF is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling romance author. 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 | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

GIVEAWAY


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Book Review: Little Teashop of Horrors by Jane Lovering

Little Teashop of Horrors

by Jane Lovering

Goodreads

Amazon US / UK   B&N    Kobo

 

Secrets, lies, carrot cake and an owl called Skrillex!

Amy Knowles has always been the plain sidekick to her pretty best friend Jules. And whilst the tearoom they both work in on the Monkpark Hall estate in Yorkshire is not exactly awash with eligible bachelors, it’s obvious where the male attention is concentrated – and it’s not just on the cakes!

There is one man who notices Amy. Joshua Wilson also works at Monkpark, where he flies his birds of prey for visitor entertainment. He lives a lonely existence but he has reasons for choosing isolation – and, in Amy, he may have found somebody who understands.

Then a management change brings slick and well-spoken Edmund Evershott to Monkpark. He’s interested in Amy too, but for what reason? Josh suspects the new manager is up to no good – but will Amy? Because Edmund could leave her with much worse than a broken heart…

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

Jules had a tendency to go off in full pursuit of any man that took her fancy like a whippet after a sausage.

 

Julia pulled the ‘sensible one’ trick, a move so rare that it was probably endangered… Her heels clattered over the waxed and shiny boards, attracting his attention to our approach, while my sensible flats squealed and squeaked like distressed hamsters.

 

That young lady is all fur coat and no knickers. She’ll find herself in trouble one of these days, mark my words.

 

His face was pale and narrow, giving him a sort of ‘shuffled together’ look, as though his features were furniture in an overcrowded room.

 

Julia was so upwardly mobile that she was practically rocket-fuelled.

 

‘Cleaning’ was probably not the right word for what this caravan needed, but flamethrowers are hard to come by.

 

You’re a bridesmaid, Ames, and if you’re not really nice to me I’m putting you in primrose yellow trimmed with puce. And those heels. Well, one heel, one flat, so you sort of lurch.

 

My Review:

 

This book was found treasure. It was a delightfully amusing and well-crafted tale which was sneakily and slowly constructed while we became acquainted with the oddly compelling yet endearing and strangely enticing characters and their heartbreaking histories. I smirked every single time a character was introduced, as each one was uniquely peculiar and described in such a colorful manner they were instantly knowable. The writing was stealthily insightful, acutely observant, and riddled with clever wit and levity. I adored it, even when I wanted to give the mousy main character a kick in her scratchy Edwardian outfit. I greatly admired and greedily covet the author’s vast and artfully nimble word skills and want to read every line she has ever penned. And I proudly have a few new words and phrases for my Brit Vocabulary List – which has become quite voluminous… First up is “go like the clappers” which is to go fast, supposedly like the clappers found in hells bells, then there is “pranny” which Urban Dictionary told me was a cross between prat and fanny but could also be considered an idiot as well as female genitals, so… hmm, seems to be a multitasker.

 

Author Bio –

Jane Lovering was born in Devon and now lives in Yorkshire. She has five children, three cats and two dogs! Jane is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and has a first-class honors degree in creative writing. Jane writes comedies which are often described as ‘quirky’. Her debut Please Don’t Stop the Music won the 2012 Romantic Novel of the Year and the Best Romantic Comedy Novel award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association. Her Christmas novella, Christmas at the Little Village School, was the winner of the RONA Rose Award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2018.

Social Media Links –

www.twitter.com/janelovering

https://www.facebook.com/Jane-Lovering-Author-106404969412833/

www.janelovering.co.uk/

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Book Review: My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

My Oxford Year

by Julia Whelan

  

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble


Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (April 24, 2018)

Major Motion Picture Already in Development with Temple Hill Entertainment

Set amidst the breathtaking beauty of Oxford, this sparkling debut novel tells the unforgettable story about a determined young woman eager to make her mark in the world and the handsome man who introduces her to an incredible love that will irrevocably alter her future—perfect for fans of JoJo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks.

American Ella Durran has had the same plan for her life since she was thirteen: Study at Oxford. At 24, she’s finally made it to England on a Rhodes Scholarship when she’s offered an unbelievable position in a rising political star’s presidential campaign. With the promise that she’ll work remotely and return to DC at the end of her Oxford year, she’s free to enjoy her Once in a Lifetime Experience. That is, until a smart-mouthed local who is too quick with his tongue and his car ruins her shirt and her first day.

When Ella discovers that her English literature course will be taught by none other than that same local, Jamie Davenport, she thinks for the first time that Oxford might not be all she’s envisioned. But a late-night drink reveals a connection she wasn’t anticipating finding and what begins as a casual fling soon develops into something much more when Ella learns Jamie has a life-changing secret.

Immediately, Ella is faced with a seemingly impossible decision: turn her back on the man she’s falling in love with to follow her political dreams or be there for him during a trial neither are truly prepared for. As the end of her year in Oxford rapidly approaches, Ella must decide if the dreams she’s always wanted are the same ones she’s now yearning for.

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

His voice is so melodious, so low and soothing, it should be accompanied by choral music.

Everyone else looks very British about it, like this is where fun comes to die.

 “Given the lovely turn of your figure, it’s quite gratifying you’re not one of those dreadful American girls who subsist entirely on lawn clippings and glacier water,” Charlie says. My mouth is too full of scone to reply.

 He has this ability to go still, as if he’s stopped breathing. Like a vampire. Which makes me realize I’m not breathing.

 She also holds a fan.   Like, an actual fan. Like it’s Gone With The Wind and she’s about to tap someone flirtatiously on the shoulder with it. She drips money like a leaky faucet.

My Review:

 

I adored this delightfully crisp and eloquent book; it pleased me and did so in a cleverly amusing and intellectually stimulating manner.   I greatly enjoyed the thoughtful and well-chosen quotes and poems that started each chapter, which provided just a little taste of what was to come.   Julia Whelan is a master wordsmith with graceful and elegant wordplay.   My Oxford Year was written from the first person POV of Ella, an endearing and wholly relatable character that I instantly connected with. I quickly fell into Ella’s vortex and enjoyed hitchhiking in her head and was loath to leave her and her new friends behind. The storylines were unique, relevant, and expertly crafted. Ms. Whelan’s writing was nimble, flawless, lushly detailed, and a felt like a long awaited gift. I will most likely be stalking her listings as long as I have functioning brain cells.  I was provided with a review copy of this inordinately clever book by HarperCollins and TLC Book Tours. 

About Julia Whelan

Julia Whelan is a screenwriter, lifelong actor, and award-winning audiobook narrator. She graduated with a degree in English and creative writing from Middlebury College and Oxford University. While she was in England, her flirtation with tea blossomed into a full-blown love affair, culminating in her eventual certification as a tea master.
Find out more about Julia at her website, and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Book Review: Every Single Secret by Emily Carpenter

Every Single Secret

by Emily Carpenter 

Goodreads

Amazon / B&N

“Every Single Secret takes you on a journey into a dark, surreal world…A true psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.” —Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten and Emma in the Night



Emotionally guarded Daphne Amos always believed she’d found a kindred spirit in her fiancé, Heath. Both very private people, they’ve kept their pasts hidden from the world, and each other, until Heath’s escalating nightmares begin to put an undeniable strain on their relationship. Determined to give their impending marriage the best chance of succeeding, Heath insists that Daphne join him on a seven-day retreat with Dr. Matthew Cerny, a psychologist celebrated for getting to the root of repressed memories. Daphne reluctantly agrees—even though the past is the last place she wants to go.The retreat’s isolated and forbidding location increases her unease, as do the doctor’s rules: they must relinquish their keys and phones, they’ll be monitored at all hours by hidden cameras, and they’re never to socialize with the other guests.One sleepless night, Daphne decides to leave her room…and only then does she realize that the institute is not at all what it seems—and that whatever’s crying out from Heath’s past isn’t meant to be heard. It’s meant to be silenced.

 

My Rating:

Favorite Quotes:

 

I am what people call guarded. I don’t blog. I don’t post. I don’t share. I don’t love people in that beaming, open-armed way you’re supposed to, but there is a good reason for it. Dark things vein through me, the way precious metal shoots through the heart of a mountain. Dark things that should stay hidden, embedded deep within the rock. It is for the greater good that I stand guard over my mountain, over my past.

 

He’s a locked door, Daphne. And he doesn’t like it if you knock too hard.

 

I can’t afford to be driving you gals into town for this, that, and the other. Around here, if you get a fever, we call the preacher ’cause he lays on hands for free.

 

It hadn’t taken me but a week at the ranch to figure out that Mrs. Bobbie was the ringmaster and Mr. Al was the clown that cleaned up the elephant poop.

 My Review:

 

I quickly fell into this tautly written, captivating, and intriguing tale that essentially held me hostage and on edge from the first sentence to the last few pages. The storyline was unpredictable, fascinating, horrifying, cringe-worthy, and brilliantly crafted. I didn’t want to put my Kindle down and essentially abandoned all plans for the day and left my phone unanswered. Ms. Carpenter must have completed a massive amount of research, as she was spot on with her peculiar and warped characters’ particular oddities, quirks, and disorders, and better yet, still allowed them to be endearing and alluring despite their diabolical tendencies. I was so absorbed by her flawlessly transportive writing I felt myself holding my breath and even bracing for impact more than once. This clever author has cunning and guile and deftly put me right beside her characters in every scene with lush and evocative details. I think she may be onto something with this writing hobby.



About the Author
  

Goodreads /Amazon

EMILY CARPENTER, a former actor, producer, screenwriter, and behind-the-scenes soap opera assistant, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Auburn University. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, she now lives in Georgia with her family. BURYING THE HONEYSUCKLE GIRLS is her first novel. You can visit Emily online at emilycarpenterauthor.com