The Life She Could Have Lived by Laura Pearson

 

I did not finish this novel, even though I really tried. I had no affinity with the characters and the switching between the two stories did not flow. 

Traces of You by Elle Douglas

 

Book four in the McCarthy Sisters series is a joy to read. It has engaging characters in Ava, Hunter, and Ava’s daughter, Sam-who is Hunter’s daughter but he did not know it. It is a second chance romance bringing Ava and Hunter together. Both of them have a lot of explaining to do regarding Sam. 

Headstrong Cowboy by Nicole Flockton

 

Love blooms along with the flowers at the Bloom Flower Farm. It is, however, in financial distress. The eldest daughter has come home and begins to figure out what needs to be done to save the farm. A retired bull rider wants the farm land to complete his deceased mother’s wish. Fate steps in and as the two of them fall in love, his failure to share his desire to buy the farm could ruin everything.

Winter Nights at the Bay Bookshop by Jessica Redland

 

A thoroughly delightful and wonderful novel. The characters of Lars and Lily are divine. I loved the interesting information of Icelandic Christmas traditions woven through the story.

Atticus Arnott's Great Adventure by Caroline James

 

I am so glad I received an advance copy of this novel. It is truly a delightful read and more than enjoyable. The characters are fun and quirky. The story is filled with the tale of Atticus Arnott’s trip to Spain, to the dismay of his son and delight of his daughter. Adventure springs forth at the all inclusive camp site-meeting people and a lovely lady. At home, his daughter’s marriage is troublesome. His son is filled with outrage that his 70 year old father has embarked on a trip alone in his old Westphalia camper.  A terrific book.

Remain by Nicholas Sparks

 

A paranormal mystery to ponder as you read. The ghost of a young woman was found dead in her bathroom. Her presence takes form when an architect rents the house. They grow close as he grapples with the mystery of her death. Was it an accident or murder? The end is crazy good.

Could it be Magic? by Fay Keenan

 

A very delightful and captivating story of friends to lovers. The sweetness of Thea and Nick is so enjoyable as you read about the coming together of long time friends into a love relationship that Neck has desired since they were teens. Even with external and internal problems, their love grows.

Cowboy's Last Stand by Jill Sorenson

 

Touching romance (and spicy, too) develops between a veteran widow and her husband’s Marine partner. The problem is that he was not forthcoming with his reason for being in her town, Last Chance. The deception swirls inside him as he finds them falling in love.

More than Words by Elena Aitken

 

Terrific story with plenty of romance along with conflict. Add in an intuitive twelve year old and the love and relationships shine.

Unforgettable Cowboy by Jeannie Watt

 

Second chance romances are the best and this one is great. A protective cowboy and a feisty cowgirl have a second chance at the romance and love they once had but lost. Very engaging and enjoyable.

The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead

 

A tremendously powerful look at the ravages of grief when left unchecked. It is not a maudlin story but one filled with emotion, dysfunctional reactions, and grief. The psychological impact on a grieving, addicted sister is incredibly written with emotional truth and painful deepness.

A French Inheritance by Jennifer Bohner

 

A fresh and delightful book with life changes and blooming romances in a village in the south of France. Easy to read and pleasing to the heart.

The Unwritten Rules of Magic by Harper Ross

 

Imagine for a moment you have an instrument that grants your wishes for things to change. Would you tempt fate and use it? Or, would you destroy it and all the changes or calamity it could cause? Such is the tempting choice that faces Emmerson when she steals an old typewriter from her deceased father’s office. Learning by accident that her words typed will impact fate, it becomes a lure she cannot resist. Many outcomes happen with their own set of results. The biggest result is her greatest challenge.

An engrossing look at a take on the “What If…” question if given the chance to answer it.

Cape Fever by Nadia Davids

 

An astonishing and beautiful story of Soraya, the servant to a formerly wealthy woman. The woman bends and twists circumstances to fulfill her desires, completely uncaring for the effect on Soraya and her life. Soraya is manipulated through psychological measures, not genuinely trusting the woman and, ultimately, trapped in an invisible cage.

Thoroughly chilling and deeply engaging.

A New Family at Puddleduck Farm by Della Galton

 

A very sweet story to enjoy. Phoebe and Sam are new parents striving to survive all the changes that come with an infant. Each of them have their own doubts about their newness as parents. The story is a delightful account of the first several months of parenthood, her work connections, and of his desire to also return to his work.

What the Cowboy Wants by Elsa Winckler

 

A sweet romance. A cowboy with the ability to communicate with animals and to heal is struck with an instant desire when he meets a woman running from social media humiliation. Neither one is seeking a relationship until fate takes over.

Chasing Carolina Jessamine by Laurie Beach

 

An excellent Low Country story. Ms Beach always captures the quirky and loving nuances of the Low Country living. She develops fantastic, personality rich characters and the beauty of the land. In this story, Jessa has lived on an island her entire life and works at the winery. A businessman enters the picture with the intent of buying the winery. Jessa is determined to stop the sale and, using her charm, is driven to get to know the man and use it to convince him not to. Also in the picture is her long time friend (and love) Gates who brought the man to the island. Confusion follows Jessa as she finds intrigue in the businessman while Gates is flaming the fires of love.

Ride a Dark Trail by Winter Austin

 

This novel is a thriller end to end. There is so much tension, it will make your heart race. I loved the characters of Dot and TJ and all the references to the Basque community.

It is a novel to definitely read to make your heart pump.

Breaking the Alpha by Katja Desjarlais

 

A very, very spicy romance. Persona; troubles follows River as he returns to his hometown to lay low from social media and his soon to be ex-wife. He meets Angelina when he first arrives in town and they share a spicy night. Later, they meet again and something draws them together. Angelina has a past but she hides it. River finds her easy to talk to as she is a listener and not a sharer. Trouble is brewing and Angelina and River are tested to the limit.

Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance by Kate Robb

 

A very lovely and endearing novel. The characters of Kitty, Reeve, Jules, and Zoe are well written and thoughtful in their personalities. The time travel dreams of Jules that happen after she reads Kitty’s diary are relevant to Jules’ life. In all, a captivating novel.

Snowflakes over Starr's Falls by Kate Hewitt

 

A seemingly cranky and handsome man riles up Jenna the small town market owner and fireworks begin. If there is a relationship under all the barbs, it sure does not show. 

A very sweet romance with love tension in Starr’s Falls.

Sharp Force by Patricia Cornwell

 

A chilling crime story of epic proportions involving medical examiner Kay Scarpetta and her CIA husband Benton. They investigate the morbid acts of a serial killer who uses a sophisticated drone in his pursuit of victims. Fabulous drama throughout.

Lauryn Harper Falls Apart by Shauna Robinson

 

The life Lauryn Harper has planned falls apart due to a misunderstanding. She finds herself demoted and working at an outpost of her company in her hometown. Not where she had ever hoped to be again. Enter redemption in the form of her once best friend who wants her company to reactivate the town’s fall apple festival. Out of the ashes of her downtrodden coworkers, a team develops with a goal. Lauryn is hoping the success of the festival will get her old job back. 

Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker

 

Terrific and thrilling crime drama starring Orange County, California detectives. They are on the hunt for a murderer of a local billionaire businessman shot in a park wilderness. Suspects, lies, and money abound.

The Violet Hour by Victoria Benton Frank

 

An engaging Low Country story filled with family and friends as they struggle through doubts, new beginnings, long held secrets and dilemmas. Thoroughly enjoyable.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Beth Moran

 

A simply magical and remarkable story. The blinding of two troubled lives into a beautiful relationship is delightful. Mary has pain and heartache plus a newborn son and no friends when she hides away in a secluded house. Beckett cares for his stroke victim, grouchy grandfather and is living a time of worry and unflinching love for him. Their developing relationship is medicine for the heart and soul.

Five Alarm Love by Jillian David

 

In a small Alaskan town, steeped in tradition and lore, childhood friends finally realize their love. Her ambitious and attention demanding cousin works to derail the couple’s chances and undermine their relationship.

A touching story, tender hearted as the author writes of fears and insecurities.

The Bad Boy's Homecoming by Stella Holt

 

Engaging romance between an up and coming artist and a press/team promoted bad boy of baseball. Their worlds collide with chemistry and spice.

Love's a Witch by Tricia O'Malley

 

This is such a cute story with a long, long term curse that three sisters hope to finally break. They travel to Scotland to their family home. The curse takes hold of the weather with snow, lots of snow and at the wrong time of the year. Add in a spicy crush of the oldest sister and the fun and witchy games begin.

Christmas People by Iva-Marie Palmer

 

As a first adult novel by Ms. Palmer, it is fantastic. The characters are well composed and believable. The plight of Jill, her going nowhere yet screen writer career, is reality at its worst. Going home for Christmas is not joyful and ends up very eventful. Such an enjoyable novel.

I

Season of the Witch by Sophie H. Morgan

 

The long ago breakup of a witch and warlock tore up both their hearts. The family companies they work for have merged and there is a huge deal they need to work together to finalize. Henry and Tia are meant to be together forever. Their stubbornness and blindness tore them apart. A fake relationship forced on them by their parents brings insight and fear to the surface along with tons of spice and in bed connectedness. Being an ocean apart from the turmoils of the families at the home of the deal maker is enough to scare Tia. Plus, Henry is suffering from a Tia created potion amnesia and cannot remember their past.

A real gem of a witchy novel and oh, so enjoyable.

It's Different This Time by Joss Richard

 

A completely heartfelt novel beginning to end. The relationships of Adam and June (relationships as there are two) are witty, gritty, and not always pretty. The mountains June creates are not built on a firm foundation but one filled with faults and rivers of confusion. All Adam truly desires is June.

Dark Mountain Ambush by Nicole Helm

 

What a thrilling crime mystery. There are elements of fear, secrets, sabotage, and lying. Of course, there is romance on the pages, too. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

(You might want to read the first book in the Frosted Misfortunes Mysteries Series for background information. It is not necessary as this novel is a stand along novel.)

The Cowboy's Downfall by Paula Altenburg

 

Cute cowboy romance set in Montana. The cowboy, Nix, had a bad divorce and continues to have a pushy, princess ex-wife. Shauna has been tasked with taking care of her troublesome teen sister. There is instant chemistry and spice for Nix and
Shauna while her sister causes all kinds of trouble.

Deal with a Texas Soldier by Julie Benson

 

A restaurant in peril of closing with partners of opposing ideas and managing style create a story of contention, chemistry and spice.

The Widow by John Grisham

 

An interesting court/lawyer drama. There is a lot of material to cover regarding a small town lawyer, fed up with his work and life, offered the will of a lifetime with future chances of huge payouts. It all goes south when she dies and he is the prime suspect.

Living the Good Life by Celia Anderson

 

A wonderful tale of a couple and father-in-law that relocate from a big city to a small town and of their adjustment to a calmer life. It is a story of finding new friends, new purposes, and a way back to united love.

Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger

 

A twenty-five year old murder is reopened when doubt of the convicted man’s guilt is in question. A crime story at its best.

Something to Look Forward to by Fannie Flagg

 

A delightful novel of short stories about people and their lives. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Full Bloom by Frances Serritella

 

This is an amazing novel with heart and soul along with doubts and insecurities. A seemingly magical, personally curated perfume changes the trajectory of a woman. It gives her so much, yet causes more doubts. 

The ultimate chapters are intense.

Starting from Here by Paula Saunders

 

A teenager in a small South Dakota town yearns to follow her heart to dance ballet. Aided by her ambivalent mother, the girl’s journey is rough and tumble, experiencing life as a small town naive girl. She continues on always with the goal of dancing ballet in New York. 

A story of ambition often thwarted, of a young girl lost and found.

The Hero's Bride by Charlee James

 

Love these SEAL stories. They tie the different SEAL teams together and the women who love and heal them. This story relates the rescue of Thalia and of her connection to Mason. It is an intense story of her rescue from human traffickers and of how Mason protects her. Saucy at times. Love flows.

The Last Carolina Summer by Karen White

 

A heart wrenching story of familial dysfunction beautifully written to evoke emotion toward the characters. Ms. White crafts the story of sisters Phoebe and Addie, their dementia afflicted mother, and Addie’s daughter, Phoebe was struck by lightning at age nine, was revived by a young boy, and began to experience premonition dreams. She has been plagued by a dream of a horrible accident for years. When she returns home, the dream comes back with force. Addie runs from responsibility, endangering her daughter. The mix of resentment, anger, and sister love propel you into a world of deep emotion and conflict. A do not miss novel.

(I was thrilled to get an ARC of a Karen White novel. Her books are so very good.)

Third Time Lucky by Aimee Brown

 

An amazing romance of long ago friends who weathered a tragedy and a deliverance from a life of humiliation. The relationship of Asher and Lucy began again when they ran into each other in Las Vegas on the eve of her wedding. She does not marry the dirtbag and Asher and Lucy stay in contact. This is the delightful story of the changes in their relationship. A very satisfying and winning novel.

The One and Only Vivian Stone by Melissa O'Connor

 

A captivating story of the rise of a comedic TV star in the 1950s and of her life and loves. The story is told through a series of found cassette tapes hidden in the home of a deceased woman by her granddaughter. There is no apparent connection between the star and the grandmother and something is missing for the granddaughter to determine. A very compelling story.

You Had Me at Taco by Candice Y. Johnson

 

The third book in the Taco Truck series is full of love and family. There are trying relationships and newly formed ones. A sweet taco tasty novel.

A Wedding to Remember by Cassidy Carter

 

Wonderful story of love blooming alongside conflict. Love-between rancher Sam and building project manager Natalie. Conflict-she is in Marietta to champion a luxury hotel that is going to drastically affect Sam’s family’s lodge and ranch. Resolution? Read and find out.

A Whisper of Summer Magic by Sinclair Jayne

 

Megan, one of the four Maye sisters, is a savvy lawyer in an envious job. Lately, she has become less and less enamored with her job and returns home to consider a different future. Enter Jackson, a few years younger and a truly thoughtful man. Struggling for peace, Megan begins to fall for him as he is for her. A sweet and wonderful story of family and love.

The Magical Bed and Breakfast by Aimee O'Brian

 

This novel, like the title, is magical. From the shadow of a cat to the connection between Rory and Kate, the pages are filled with magical moments. I was charmed.

Death Watch by Carol Light

 

Spectacular mystery with twists and turns that enhance the plot. Fentanyl deaths center the mystery as the police chief and department work to find the culprit selling the drug. The new tourism manager finds herself in the thick of it while she also struggles with her aunt’s illness.