A Pact made with an old crone begins a journey of four friends to inhabit the bodies of one another in exchange for the crone’s saving a life. In Winter’s daunting Pledge, the first transition happens and the women experience the hardships of another’s life and the value of their own.
The Maidens of the Mystical Stones is an engaging and captivating series. I cannot wait for the next installment to see what happens in the next transition.
The deeply close relationships of four sisters id related over years of connectedness and estrangement, secrets, love, and hurts. The story is emotional and impressive.
Cutely woven mystery tying the participants of a weeklong Italian cooking class with the murder of a local rancher. Everyone is a suspect. It takes the wiles of restaurant owner Rosalie and her partner Glenn to investigate while causing headaches for the local sheriff.
The second book in the Accidental Billionaire Cowboy Romance series is a charming story of a cute couple destined for love. The topic of an assault is handled well, giving depth to the character Hallie. The relationship of TC and Hallie is one of trust building and of enjoying each other.
Spicy and sexy, full of tension and angst, An Unsuitable Boy is a story of a man saddled with a past and a woman looking to the future. Indian customs and gossip trail Dhruv and Asha as they find love with each other in a traditional Indian community. Everything is rough on the outside but loving on the inside of their relationship as they try to overcome too many obstacles.
An exciting story packed with twists and turns that complicate the clues to a murder. Written in an interesting manner of depth, the characters appear and mix things up. All along, tarot reader Kate sorts through the clues desperate to solve the mystery of her friend, Marley’s, murder with the help of policeman James.
A lovely and touching novel that threads together the lives of three friends who spend a month at a seaside pampering retreat, Tabitha is a consummate trauma surgeon ordered by her boss to take some time off and go to the retreat. She invites her sister, Camilla, and their friend, Edie, to join her. Each has a definite need for a time of rest and relaxation. There is a man for each of them to add romance to the mix.
Sometimes when you least expect it, love finds you and will not let go. In this story of struggles with finding love and with a mother’s determined search to set her up with a marriage match, Sahana is torn between her desire to honor her mother and her pull toward a man she meets.
Such an engaging story of culture versus true love.
A terrific second chance romance filled with trust issues, long time love and Asiam mothers with attitude. I love reading stories that include customs, foods and behaviors of different cultures. The Year of Cecily does not fail. Plus, there is the rekindling of a lost love with several opinions about it.
Another terrific who done it from this author. There are several clues and dead ends in the investigation of a lost boy, One never knows where each clue will lead.
What a fabulous novel! The author seamlessly blends so many elements together: love, family, multi-layer relationships, resentment, loss of loved ones. Sections tore at my heart due to mislaid emotions causing hurt. Other sections strummed my heartstrings.
Overall, an excellent, worthy of your time novel. It will be on my to be reread shelf.
Texas is big and vast. So is a love that could be everything anyone could desire. Distance and decisions have held that love in its grip. Maybe this time Laurel and Jaxson will finally grasp the love they have wanted forever.
I have tried several times to read through The Exhibitionist. The characters did not catch my eye and actually were almost too unlikeable their thoughts and dialogs. The novel was slow, oh so slow moving. I did not feel sorry for the enablers that the artist Ray tortured with his narcissism. They each seek freedom from him but are so caught in the quagmire that has been allowed to grow over the years.
In my mind, The Exhibitionist is a very ugly novel. It sounded so very interesting,
Sweet and spicy fun story, easy to read and so enjoyable. Carla and Eamon are a great couple. Each is dealing with their own personal wishes and fears. As they travel and adventure together on the way to a wedding in Ireland, so many things become clear for them.
Rather long and drawn out and felt like there was no real story. I made it through 33% of the novel before I stopped and read the last three chapters. The sections with the mermaid story were good. It just got tiring to read through the rest.
Love finds a heart to fill in both wonderful and trying times. Trying times have struck both Noa and Zach. He has lost his company and she is losing her store. Finding each other is a blessing and a curse. If opposites really attract, then theirs would be a match made in heaven. A touching story of love at odds with personal demons.
A marvelously packed novel with old loves, new love, friends at war, secrets, and so much more. Olivia and Zach are in love. Their mothers are at war. His father is the reason. Relationships are tricky and the one between the mothers is the trickiest. Once friends but friends no longer, the mothers work hard against each other to plan a wedding. Absolute chaos ensues and disaster is on the horizon. A very enjoyable and engaging
Interesting self-help book with pointers to help one overcome the things that prevent successes in life-both personal and work.
An excellent novel, thoughtfully written with care and empathy for the character Clover. She is a death doula who gently guides her clients through their death.
There is such introspection for Clover as she listens to her client, Claudia, and it seems the time is right for Clover to also view her own life with a clear perspective.
An extraordinarily exceptional; journey into the complex emotions and everyday life of a teen, June Nash, and her friends. There are levels of relationships explored as the story progresses.
I found the novel to be captivating and true to life.
The behind the scenes of a TV dance competition reality show take the lead for dancer Gina and her partner Stone. He is also a reality show star and knows the ropes however this is different. Gina is adamant about not being used for a showmance. The producer is cooking up one for her and Stone.
The beauty of the story is the developing relationship of Stone and Gina as the story progresses. A delightful novel.
Such a sweet story of falling in love and finding the person you were meant for but nothing is easy in real life and so it goes for Eva and Tyler. Her dreams collide with his and big misunderstandings happen shattering their dreams of togetherness.
A second chance romance with a slow and steady ascent to true love. A decision in the past left Mary heartbroken to her core. The fact that Gus called everything off crushed her. They were teens with differing ideas about marriage. Twelve years later, Gus sees Mary and his love floods back. Mary is distrustful of him. It is up to Gus to convince Mary that he has changed and for her to welcome him back.
Lovely, lovely novel exploring the impact of loss, fear, longing and love. The story of Gemme, Dan, Casey. and Angelica has many faces. Angelica and Casey worry about Casey’s prognosis and whether her treatment will work. Casey longs for a relationship with her absent father, Dan. Dan has many regrets about his past and longs for a better future. Gemma is undergoing IVF with her deceased husband’s embryo and fears it will not take again. In all of this, Gemma and Dan begin to have feelings for each other that cause complications. Emotional and beautiful.
Such an absolutely fun and delightful novel. The story is so engaging with a deceased, reclusive novelist creating a set of clues much like in her beloved Christmas story. She couples two people who, when age nine, were to interview her. The girl, Piper, did interview her. The boy, Dawson, missed his chance. Mischievous author, Margaret, set it all up with a definite purpose. It is up to Piper and Dawson to figure it all out.
Maizey Eddings writes very thoughtful novels that fictionally address psychological issues that plague ordinary people. In The Plus One the issue is PTSD and the doctor who suffers from it. Jude works for an organization that sends doctors to disaster areas to service the wounded. He was ill prepared for the horrors and losses of his stint. Indira is a long time frenemy of Jude. They form an uneasy pact for him to be her plus one at her brother’s wedding. The turns and twists of their relationship are beautiful and hard, each somehow muddling through it all.
An excellent, excellent novel.
A funny, engaging and great novel. The ways in which the characters intersect and cohere is a riot. Everyone has quirks and foibles. It all revolves around baby Hank (Horatio) and his irresponsible parents. The relationships forged out of strange circumstances makes this entire book worthwhile.
Such a crazy, delightful, funny story. Each character has such flaws in personality that are skillfully defined. Cons and grifters, the whole lot pitch themselves against cousin/niece/sister Jillian in an attempt to stop her from having all the family money and the estate. Astrid is way out of control. Anika is, in her own twisted way, trying to escape. Clueless Jay. A host of other characters fill the pages with rather ironically funny business. A real treat to read.
Cole Walker has made a decision: move home to Whiskey River and start a family at last. Micki Kennedy was the one that he lost and when he runs into her, he knows it is fate. She is surprised to see him and decides he is the one to be her baby’s sperm donor.
A crazy second chance romance with a love foundation but doubtful walls. Not just a Christmas treat. (spicy scenes alert)
Teen couple Simon and Merry were torn apart when his father had him arrested and tried. Ten years later and on parole, Simon and Merry return to their steamy love relationship. It is not all kisses and roses for them as they find that life has changed.
A love/lust filled story of second chances that burns off the page.
A long time ago a choice by Trenna broke both her and Reed’s hearts. Through the years their love never truly died. Now, faced with each other, love flames back to life but there are complications and Reed’s teen daughter to consider. A second chance for love story that is lovely to read and enjoy.
Delectable story of desire and emotions complicating life for a couple at odds with their feelings. Romance was not on the books for neither Angelica nor Max but it got written in anyway. She is trying to rebuild her reputation-her #1 goal. He is not ever falling in love-his life’s aim. Fate does not care at all.
Winning a billion dollar lottery can surely impact everything even when it is not what you want. For the Tomlinson family, winning equals big changes and big headaches. The family calls on lawyer and long time friend, Carly, to help out. She has long had a crush on Josh, the eldest son. Now may be the time for him to notice her. Will money get in the way?
A vacation with her thirteen year old daughter to the Berkshires brings Reyna a time of romance. She met Hawk in Miami when driving him to a party. She had no idea he lived in the Berkshires and in the town she is visiting.
A story of meant to be love just waiting for all the snow to clear.
Definitely a novel to pick up and get lost in. The story of Frannie and Lexi is one of a deep friendship trying to find its way back. Frannie, just weeks from parole, finally meets with Lexi. Four years in prison knowing she failed her best friend, Frannis is ready to disappear but first she must get something from Lexi. She also runs into Seth, a long time love crush. He can mess up her plans.
Maggie Banks is out of a job and out of ideas as to what to do.Her best friend, Rochelle, asks her to mind her bookshop while on maternity leave. For Maggie, it is a perfect way to figure out what she really wants to do as a career.
The bookshop begins to grow on Maggie as she creates alternative ways to bring in money covertly as the bookshop is half run by the town bigwig. He states no contemporary books-only books written during the time of Edward Bell, famous author of the town and his grandfather. Hilarity ensues as Maggie plots and plans.
A darling novel full of great characters and Maggie’s fun antics.
This is an incredible novel that tells the story of a widow and widower who have recently lost their spouses and of the deceased spouses working to create a new life for the living.
Roisin and Nico were one day planning to marry but had not gotten around to it when he suddenly died of a heart attack. Rasmus has spent his days caring for Jay who has a terminal illness. Neither Jay nor Nico know why they are still in the world of the living but not alive. They realize they can work together to chart a course for Rasmus and Roisin to meet.
Filled with dialog between Nico and Jay and emails between Rasmus and Roisin, the story unfolds and tenderly relates the grief, guilt, and longings of all of them. It is a wonderfully told story.
Cora, Helen, and Kay are struggling with real life since their Cypress vacation. Friends since college and now in their 50s, they cannot seem to get a break from troubles. They band together. Then, they are far apart. Their friendship endures through it all.
A beautiful and sad telling of the early days in the desolate plains of Wyoming. Life was hard, resources were few but the friendship of neighbors broke the loneliness of the women living on the plains many miles from each other.
This is the story of Ellen and Charlie and the life they grew to love. They had many struggles, some of them horrific, and their love carried them through it all.
I just loved this romantic comedy with all its funny/serious characters: the boss whose every statement is a question, the downstairs mean girl, the bridezilla sister, the downstairs frat boys, the too good to be true love interest, and the Go Solo February writer (Sora). The story is so engaging and sometimes just so funny. If Sora was a real person, I would love to meet her.
I found this novel to be a fun albeit serious one. Fun because of the almost neurotic urgency of the main character, Bell, to achieve her goals. Serious because her relationship with her best friend forever becomes jeopardized by Bella’s actions. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
Poor Eli. Dumped by his girlfriend when she leaves for Rome and turns down his proposal. Into the sulky depths he falls and his friends have had enough of it. If he intends to win her back, he needs a serious makeover. Poor Leah is dragged into the makeover situation by chance and gains a loyal group of friends. Along the way and still sniveling about the lost love, Eli discovers something in Leah and she in him. But the ex is hovering over everything.
It is a cute and fun novel with lots of pushing and shoving Eli and pulling at Leah.
The entire Tech-nically Love series is terrific. There are four books; each one is individual as they come and all are steeped in love and romance.
Grinch Girl takes place in a small lake town where Jane has found herself stuck, her dreams altered too much. A chance to make her town thrive over Christmas brings fun and love when Jane suggests a reality dating show using single townspeople and the town as the backdrop. The hope is that people will make the show viral and bring tourists to the town. The pairings are fun and Jane finds herself as one with Bella’s work adviser, Nate. Plus, her once very dear friend, Bella, is back and maybe, against all odds, they can get back their friendship.
A sweet. lovely, and wonderful story of unexpected love set in the countryside of England. When Cara receives the opportunity to visit England over Christmas, she is more than ready for a vacation. Complications with her lodging at Langley Park estate leave her without a place to stay. Out of character, Alec Sherbourne, Lord of the manor, invites her to stay the night in the mansion until her cottage is available. She is delightful and charms the staid Lord. Love may be in the air but so are the gusty winds of memories.
A friend who insinuates herself into a marriage. A husband who wants her gone. A wife caught in the middle. Three separate views of the situation are told by each in their own section. The sections do not flow very well and it is difficult to understand what the premise of the story really is. The synopsis sounded really good. Unfortunately, the story was not.
A sweet second chance romance under the glare of Hollywood lights. The Reunion brings back Liv and Ransom to a reunion of their teen show, Girl on the Verge. They had a budding romance but lost it and lost track of each other. The chemistry is still bubbling and now may be the time for them at long last.
Honestly, I am trying to decide what to say about this novel besides it is one of the most depressing books I have ever read. The main characters, Clara and Benjamin, have too many problems to enumerate. This young love is fraught with persona; problems and there just does not seem to be any depth to it. The best part of the book is the ending.
Great story about reindeer, a kitten, and dreams of love all bringing the magic of Christmas to the pages.
Hudson is filling in for his friend, Nathan, at the Alpine Valley Veterinary Clinic. A fender bender introduces him to Daphne, a lovely and filled with Christmas magic Daphne. A delivery of eight reindeer to Daphne’s ranch brings Hudson to help care for them. You will love their encounters as love begins to fall like snowflakes.
Hannah and Davey meet when he misdials her phone. A continent apart, they begin a fun and flirty relationship. He is moving to her country and they plan to meet when he lands at the airport.
He is a no show and his reason throws everything and Hannah into a spin. It is an emotional up and down story that proceeds through a year and a half of their lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and hoped that Hannah and Davey would one day meet, even if they were old and gray when it happened.
