Book Review - THE SEASIDE LIBRARY by Brenda Novak

 

Title: The Seaside Library

Author: Brenda Novak
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Friendship, Mystery
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: April 11, 2023

Available for Pre-order

About the Book:

Mariners Island is barely ten miles long, but when Ivy, Ariana and Cam were teenagers, it was their whole world. Beyond the pristine beaches and iconic lighthouse lies the beautiful old library that belongs to Ivy’s family. While that bound Ivy to the island as an adult, Ariana could not leave Mariners behind fast enough. The town holds too many…memories. Not only her unrequited feelings for Cam, but the tragedy that left a scar on the community.

When a young girl went missing, a teenage Cam was unthinkably the prime suspect. Ariana and Ivy knew he couldn’t have hurt anyone, and they promised to protect him—even if it meant lying on his behalf.

Now, twenty years later, Ariana returns to Mariners just as new evidence emerges on the case, calling into question everything the three friends thought they knew—and everyone they thought they could trust. What really happened that night? Over the course of one eventful summer, Ariana, Ivy and Cam will learn the truth—about their pasts, their futures and the ties that still bind them as closely as the pages of a book…

Buy Links: Amazon 

Books are available for Pre-order with a release date of April 11, 2023. Audiobook is also available for pre-order

My Review:

Thinking "The Seaside Library" was just another summer romance story, I found myself pleasantly surprised to find that it was so much more! This book deals with long-time friendships and what a person would do to protect a friend. And although there was a sprinkling of romance, there was also a mystery. And a few twists and turns that kept me turning those pages! Did he really do it? If not him, then who?

As always, Brenda Novak has created great, complex characters. I'd love to see more of them in future books and learn more about the private detective, Warner Williams, and also Detective Livingston.

My Rating:

About the Author:

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak's career as a bestselling author--she caught her day-care provider drugging her children with cough syrup to get them to sleep all day. That was when Brenda decided she needed to quit her job as a loan officer and help make a living from home.

"When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book," Brenda says. But she sold that book, and the rest is history. Her novels have made the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and won many awards, including five Rita nominations, the Book Buyer's Best, the Book Seller's Best and the National Reader's Choice Award.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are proud parents of five children--three girls and two boys. When she's not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising funds for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). So far, Brenda has raised $2.6 million. Please visit http://www.brendanovakforthecure.org to see how you can help.

Book Review - THE NAUGHTY OR NICE CLAUSE by Kate Callaghan

 

Author: Kate Callaghan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 8, 2022

About the Book:

Being Naughty Has Never Been So Nice!

When Lyla’s father retired as CEO of the toy company which has been in their family for generations, she was meant to receive his shares. Instead, she discovers the company is bankrupt and her father has given her shares to Mason Klaus, an investor known in the corporate world for his cold and callous nature. Much to Lyla’s frustration, her only option is to run the company with him, despite their evident loathing for one another.

When Mason cancels the annual Christmas party, Lyla throws it anyway – only for the event of the season to result in a terrible fire. With the offices and Lyla’s credibility ruined, Mason offers her a deal: he’ll forget her part in the disaster, but she must join his family for the twelve days of their Christmas holidays.

Taken to a fantastical winter wonderland, Lyla hopes that she might discover some of the secrets Mr. Klaus is hiding, and maybe even a way to get her company back. However, when Mason introduces her to the secret village as his fiancée, she is horrified to realize she has no choice but to go along with the pretense – because the cost of bringing an outsider to their magical land is far too high.

Can Lyla resist the devilishly handsome Mr. Klaus and the enchanting village to win back her company, or will she give into temptation?

Readers! Please note: this is an adult low fantasy romance with mature content and not suitable for those under 18. This is a stand-alone novel with a guaranteed HEA.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

I was a bit late in reading this during the holidays, but I must admit that the story was still just as magical. The visualization in my head was as if I were watching a Hallmark Christmas special... with a bit more spice. Author Kate Callaghan did a beautiful job with creating each scene in this magical world.

It was easy to relate to Lyla. She was a well developed character with substance and her own slight flaws. Perfect characterization. Not quite so much for Mason. I had a difficult time connecting to his character and his anger issues were a bit of a trigger for me.

The storyline was good and kept me turning those pages, wanting more. The ending, however, seemed a bit rushed. Still, all in all, it was a good read.

I received an ARC from the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:

Kate Callaghan released her debut YA dark fantasy trilogy, Crowned A Traitor: A Hellish Fairytale in 2020. While the Hellish Fairytale universe is being expanded, she is also writing adult romance and fantasy.

She loves dark tales, villains and happily-ever-afters—something you will find in all of her books. Chatting with readers and getting to share many different stories is her favourite part of being an indie author.

Currently she lives in Dublin. She loves dramas with subtitles (to silence the characters), coffee, and reading too many dark romances. If missing, please check your local coffee shop. You will find her with her computer and an iced beverage.

Book Blitz & Giveaway - SLEIGH BELL SERENADE by Shanna Hatfield

Sleigh Bell Serenade
Shanna Hatfield
(Winter Wishes, #2)
Publication date: January 19th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

He keeps his heart heavily guarded.
She meets everyone with a friendly smile.
Will the attraction sizzling between them pull them into the space between their two worlds?

Burdened by too many responsibilities, Bowen Jensen struggles beneath their overwhelming weight. Between raising his teenage sister, running their family ranch, and managing Sleigh Bell Tours, he barely has time to sleep, let alone do something just for himself. He can’t even recall his last date. Then a chance encounter with a beguiling woman leaves him pondering if there isn’t more to life than trudging through one lonely day after another.

Juniper Haynes appears to have it all with a successful real estate career and a picture-perfect life. In reality, she’s tired of dealing with demanding clients, wary of her so-called friends, and secretly longs for the peace she finds at her sister’s mountain home. After a magical New Year’s Eve kiss with a cowboy she barely knows, she realizes true happiness might only be found outside her comfort zone.

Can Bo and Juniper find the courage to embrace change and explore the possibility of a future together?

Find out in this sweet winter romance full of small-town charm, memorable characters, laughter, hope, and love.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

“What a mess,” the woman said, brushing at her coat with the napkin Sassy handed to her. “I’m not usually such a klutz.” She gave up dabbing at the cider soaking into the white cashmere and looked to Bo again. “Thank you for catching me before I fell. I’m Juniper, by the way. Juniper Haynes.”

“Juniper,” Bo mumbled, finally managing to gain a miniscule amount of control over his tongue. However, his heart pounded so fast and loud, it echoed like a bongo drum in his head.

“That’s an awesome name,” Sassy said, with the enthusiasm summoned by a teenager impressed by someone older and more worldly. “I’m Sassy, and this is Bo Jensen.”

Juniper’s smile widened as she looked up at him. Even with her high-heeled boots, she barely came up to his chest. Then again, at six-four, he tended to tower over a lot of people.

“Sassy and Bo. It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you, again, for catching me. Happy Christmas Eve.” Juniper turned away and took a lopsided step, but her foot slid on a patch of hidden ice. She would have fallen if Bo hadn’t caught her a second time, his arms looping beneath hers from the back. She tilted her face upward and offered him a look of gratitude.

Something that felt like an electrical current trailed up his arms, threatening to short circuit what few working brain cells he had left.

Words.

He needed words.

To speak—to say anything—but nothing seemed to be able to work its way from his overloaded brain to his mouth. The sharp elbow Sassy jabbed into his side didn’t help any more than her questioning glare to rattle something loose.

Bo stared at the woman, fascinated.

Juniper.

What an intriguing name for an entirely captivating woman.

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes sweet romances rich with relatable characters, small town settings that feel like home, humor, and hope.

Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

When this farm girl isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. She also experiments with recipes, snaps photos of her adorable nephew, and caters to the whims of a cranky cat named Drooley.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her website http://shannahatfield.com or find out more about her here: linktr.ee/ShannaHatfield

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Book Review - THE WEDDING RANCH by Nancy Naigle

 

Author: Nancy Naigle
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 6, 2022
Available for Pre-order Now!

About the Book:

A second chance at love awaits two brokenhearted people if they’re just willing to trust each other—and themselves, in USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle's The Wedding Ranch.

When Lorri Walker’s husband gifted her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she believed he was recommitting himself to their marriage after going astray. Six months later, he left both her and their dog for someone else. Since her recent move to Dalton Mill to unbraid herself from the past, Lorri’s graphic design business is now flourishing, her growing mastiff, Mister, has plenty of space to romp, and her ex in Raleigh can fade to a distant memory.

Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. Thankfully, ranching keeps Ryder busy, and spending time with his niece and nephew—whose venue, The Wedding Ranch, has become a popular tourist destination—keeps him from getting lonely.

When Lorri and Ryder met, love was the last thing they were looking for. When they’re together, smiles come easier and burdens feel lighter, and both are embracing the possibility of something deeper.

But when a long-buried revelation surfaces, the fate that brought them together threatens to tear them apart.

Buy Links: Amazon 

Available for Pre-Order
Release Date: December 6, 2022

My Review:

I love, love, love a book that will bring out emotions for me. Whether it's smiling, laughing or tears running down my cheeks, I want to FEEL something. And this book by Nancy Naigle had it all! Such a heartwarming story! I loved it!

Lorri Walker is done with love and marriage. She finds herself starting over and doing the things that make her happy. She and her big dog, Mister, are loving life in their new country home. And although she is not looking for love, she finds a sweet connection to Ryder Bolt, who is also not looking for love. When that connection deepens, a realization occurs that could end their relationship. But keep on reading because this story does have a "happily ever after".

Nancy Naigle has created more characters that I was easily able to connect with, and included a few characters from previous books that made me feel l was reliving the past. But don't worry! This is definitely a stand-alone book. Very well done!

I received an ARC from the author and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating:

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. She began her popular contemporary romance series, Adams Grove, while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre farm. She went on to produce works in collaboration with other authors, including the hilarious southern fiction G Team series. A Romance Writers of America Honor Roll author, her books have been translated in multiple languages and received favorable reviews from major trade journals.

In 2018, Crown Media brought two of Nancy's novels to life. Christmas Joy premiered on Hallmark Channel 11/3/18. Hope at Christmas premiered on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries. She also novelized two Hallmark Original Movies set in the town of Evergreen, bringing the whole story and bonus epilogues to Hallmark fans.

Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and horseback riding with friends. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.

Download a complete list of Nancy's books at www.NancyNaigle.com, then stay up to date with future releases by joining Nancy's free newsletter -or-visit her on facebook and twitter (@nancynaigle)

SIX DAYS AND ONE KNIGHT by Cynthia D'Alba releases on December 6th

 https://geni.us/SixDaysOneKnight

Available on All Platforms

Being the younger sister of a beautiful, popular, and smart woman makes following behind her in life a tough existence…especially when you’ve always been in love with her childhood boyfriend.

As her sister’s maid of honor, Brianna Treadway can’t wait to help with the wedding planning. The problem is her sister wants to do the wedding planning during a couples snow ski trip for six days, and Brianna isn’t part of a couple. Her sister spontaneously invites one of Brianna’s co-workers to come along as Brianna’s date, a man who was once her sister’s high school boyfriend. Convinced her co-worker’s love interest is her sister and not Brianna, and believing he is going on the trip to come between her sister and her fiancé, Brianna agrees to go to keep him away from her sister. But how can she stop wanting him for herself?

At thirty-five, Brody Knight is tired of the dating scene. He’s ready to settle down and knows exactly who he wants to spend his life with. The problem is the woman he wants doesn’t want him, unless he’s misinterpreting her actions. When an old childhood friend invites him on a snow ski trip as a date for her younger sister, Brody jumps at the chance. The trip gives him six days to impress the woman who keeps turning him down.

When Brianna confesses that she’s only going on this trip to keep Brody from breaking up her sister and fiancé, how can he convince her that she’s the one he wants, not her sister? When Brianna sees something not meant for her eyes, how can she believe anything else but that Brody wants her sister and not Brianna?

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cynthia D’Alba started writing on a challenge from her husband in 2006 and discovered having imaginary sex with lots of hunky men was fun. She was born and raised in a small Arkansas town. After being gone for a number of years, she’s thrilled to be making her home back in Arkansas living in a vine-covered cottage on the banks of an eight-thousand acre lake. When she’s not reading or writing or plotting, she’s doorman for her border collie, cook, housekeeper and chief bottle washer for her husband and slave to a noisy, messy parrot. She loves to chat online with friends and fans.

Learn more about Cynthia D'Alba and sign up for her newsletter on her website at www.CynthiaDAlba.com 

Book Review - A HARD DAY FOR A HANGOVER by Darynda Jones

Title:  A Hard Day for a Hangover
Author:  Darynda Jones
Genre:  Mystery, Suspense, Private Investigator
Release Date:  December 6, 2022
 Available for Pre-Order

About the Book:

A Hard Day for a Hangover is another humorous installment in Darynda Jones's wine mystery series deemed: "Laugh-out-loud funny, intensely suspenseful, page-turning fun."—New York Times bestselling author Allison Brennan

Some people greet the day with open arms. Sheriff Sunshine Vicram would rather give it a hearty shove and get back into bed, because there’s just too much going on right now. There’s a series of women going missing, and Sunny feels powerless to stop it. There’s her persistent and awesomely-rebellious daughter Auri, who’s out to singlehandedly become Del Sol’s youngest and fiercest investigator. And then there’s drama with Levi Ravinder—the guy she’s loved and lusted after for years. The guy who might just be her one and only. The guy who comes from a family of disingenuous vipers looking to oust him—and Sunshine—for good.

Like we said, the new day can take a hike.

The blockbuster conclusion to the bestselling Sunshine Vicram trilogy, A Hard Day for a Hangover will have listeners laughing and cheering to the very last page.

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

This is Book #3 in this series about Sheriff Sunshine Vicram and quite frankly, I'm sorry to see it end! Darynda Jones has once again brought us likeable characters that make us laugh and cry. Yes, I laughed out loud at times and had tears rolling down my cheeks at other times. I love the banter between friends and family. 

In "A Hard Day for a Hangover", secrets are revealed and questions are answered. There is a mystery to be solved (one that gets your heart pounding while you sit on the edge of your seat), and a relationship that needs to be fixed (that makes you smile and your heart will warm). Although the author gives you some background information, you really should read the first two books in this series to fully understand the background between Sunshine, Levi, Auri, Cruz and everyone else. You will be so glad that you did. Book #3 picks up right where Book #2 left off.

Although "A Hard Day for a Hangover" was read as an ebook, I listened to the two previous books in this series on audio. If you are into audio books, I highly recommend this series. Heck! I highly recommend this series no matter how you read it.

Disclosure: A complimentary advance copy was provided by NetGalley and the Publisher, St.Martin's Press, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating: 

About the Author:

NYTimes and USA Today Bestselling Author Darynda Jones has won numerous awards for her work, including a prestigious RITA, a Golden Heart, and a Daphne du Maurier, and her books have been translated into 18 languages. As a born storyteller, Darynda grew up spinning tales of dashing damsels and heroes in distress for any unfortunate soul who happened by, and she is ever so grateful for the opportunity to carry on that legacy. She currently has two series with St. Martin's Press: The Charley Davidson Series and the Darklight Trilogy. She lives in the Land of Enchantment, also known as New Mexico, with her husband and two beautiful sons, the Mighty, Mighty Jones Boys. 

Book Review - A CHRISTMAS DELIVERANCE by Anne Perry

 

Title:  A Christmas Deliverance
Author:  Anne Perry
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Suspense 
Publisher:  Ballentine Books

Release Date:  November 8, 2022 

About the Book:

A courageous doctor and his apprentice fight to save London’s poor—and discover that the hearts of men can be colder than a winter chill—in this gripping holiday mystery from New York Times bestselling author Anne Perry.

Scuff has come a long way from his time as a penniless orphan scraping together a living on the banks of the Thames. Now he’s studying medicine at a free clinic run by Dr. Crowe, a thoughtful if stoic mentor. But lately Crowe has been distracted, having witnessed an altercation between a wealthy former patient of his named Ellie—a woman that he not only treated but developed unacknowledged feelings for—and her controlling fiancé. It seems someone is forcing Ellie to marry the man. When Crowe’s emotions come flooding back, he sets out to uncover the troubling connection between Ellie, her father, and her betrothed.

With Crowe engrossed in his investigation just weeks before the holidays, Scuff is left to run the clinic on his own, treating London’s poor and vulnerable. In the holiday spirit,  he offers Mattie, a young girl in need, a warm place to stay as the winter chill sweeps through the city. Together, Scuff and Mattie must also fend off the police, who are growing suspicious of Crowe’s amateur sleuthing. Will Crowe be able to help Ellie, and will Scuff be able to ensure that he and Mattie—and all of their patients—have a safe and peaceful Christmas?

Buy Links: Amazon 

My Review:

Although this was the first Anne Perry book I have read in the Monk series, reading this made me want to check out the others. Set in Victorian England, this is a heart-wrenching tale of a doctor who runs a riverfront clinic, barely able to keep afloat while treating patients who could only pay for his services with a loaf of bread or a few meager coins. Dr. Crowe is training Scuff, an orphan who was adopted by William Monk of the Thames River Police. 

While caring for Ellie, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, after she was severely injured in an accident near his clinic, Crowe's feelings for her grew. After she recovered, he discovered that she was engaged to marry a brut, apparently against her will. That's when Crowe sets off to discover why she was going to marry a man she obviously detested.

The beginning of the book pulled me in, with the introduction of Mattie, a little orphan girl who needed medical attention, and then the confrontation between Crowe, Ellie and Paul. And toward the end of the book was heart-pounding excitement as the climax of this suspenseful tale comes together. Dotted throughout the book and especially at the end, the true meaning of Christmas is felt. A family is created, not by sharing a bloodline, but by sharing what is in their hearts, and caring for those who need it.

The middle of this novella dragged on a bit but the end was worth hanging in there.

Disclosure: A complimentary advance copy was provided by NetGalley and the Publisher, Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

My Rating: 

About the Author:

Anne Perry (born Juliet Hulme) is an English author of historical detective fiction, best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series. In 1954, at the age of fifteen, she was convicted of participating in the murder of her friend's mother. She changed her name to "Anne Perry" after serving a five-year sentence.

Her first novel, The Cater Street Hangman, was published under this name in 1979. Her works generally fall into one of several categories of genre fiction, including historical murder mysteries and detective fiction. Many of them feature a number of recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt, who appeared in her first novel, and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in her 1990 novel The Face of a Stranger.

As of 2003, she had published 47 novels, and several collections of short stories. Her story "Heroes," which first appeared the 1999 anthology Murder and Obsession, edited by Otto Penzler, won the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies/One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.

Anne Perry is the bestselling author of two acclaimed series set in Victorian England: the William Monk novels, including Dark Assassin and The Shifting Tide, and the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt novels, including The Cater Street Hangman, Calandar Square, Buckingham Palace Gardens and Long Spoon Lane. She is also the author of the World War I novels No Graves As Yet, Shoulder the Sky, Angels in the Gloom, At Some Disputed Barricade, and We Shall Not Sleep, as well as six holiday novels, most recently A Christmas Grace. Anne Perry lives in Scotland.