The Usual Family Mayhem by Helen Kay Dimon

 

Funny. Quirky. Family closeness with problems. Misunderstandings. Two very sharp older women and a semi-clueless granddaughter. Pull them all together and there is a wonderful story plus a little mystery and a long awaited love. Delightful.

The Dogwood Days of Summer by Laurie Beach

 

Laurie Beach writes lovely, heartwarming stories with touch of whimsy and common sense sayings. The Dogwood Days of Summer is a more than enjoyable novel. It has troubles, dilemmas, heartache, and second chances. 

Hidden Nature by Nora Roberts

 

This is a novel that will put you on the edge of your seat and keep you there. The horror of an unbelievably horrifying murder intent on carrying out a sacred mission is blood curdling. The story of the crimes will make you have trouble sleeping if not for the love story that arises for Sargent Sloan Cooper and her neighbor Nash Littlefield. It provides a break from the crime story. 

Super story from all angles.

All the Stars Align by Gretchen Schreiber

 

Sweet book about a teen girl driven by a family tradition that love is determined by the Blessing: you will meet the one for you and will know they are the one.

It is a cute premise but I found myself bored by the repetition and slow speed.

Love Blooms at Hollyhock Farm by Georgina Troy

 

A delightful romance of love blooming on a farm that two strangers offer to manage when the owner has to be on bed rest. Joe lives on the island where the farm is located. Skye traveled to the island to search for the father she never knew. Joe helps her with the search as he knows just about everyone. While they search and tend to the farm, they find the company more than enjoyable.

All the Signs by Jesse Rosen

 

A chance meeting with an astrologer who maps out her star chart leads a struggling doctor to begin a search to debunk the astrologer’s reading. The reading throws her for a loop and she is determined  to throw his predictions into the trash. On her journey to find her Twin Star, she is thrown by similarities and a door opens that upends everything she believes about herself.

It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan

 

It is so much more than a love story. It is a woman who is always seeking to prove she is more than the sum total of her teenage TV show and on her way to becoming a producer. Along the way, her perspective tips and she finds a deep love who sees her, truly her. Years of fear and insecurities have driven her and buried over the hurt.

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

 

A splendidly magical story of witches, wonder, and woven tales of myth and truth. Morganis a cute but a tad different guy who spends too much time staring at Zelda. Zelda had returned to her sisters’ Luna and Rumina as an author with no stories left in her. She has always been full of stories for as long as she can remember. She is also not a witch as her sisters are. She and Morgan find themselves working together to find paranimals and other magic tales of folklore.

A simply delightful novel.

Under the Lemon Tree by Emma Cowell

 

Lyrically written, this novel covers love, loss, and deeply hidden family secrets. Things migrate from the past to the present when Kat moves to her family’s homeland, Greece. She and her deceased twin brother have inherited a home there willed to them by an uncle she never knew about. Each new secret revealed causes Kat to reevaluate herself and redefine her parents.

A touching and beautiful novel.

The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood

 

The very emotional story of a family bursting apart at the seams from hurts, grievances, resentment, and deep held secrets. The whole family comes together on holiday to celebrate their mother’s seventieth birthday but an incident early on brings all the angst of the sisters they harbor in insecurities and problems.

Sparrow and Vine by Sophie Lark

 

A vineyard in trouble, an enemy to the rescue, and walls torn down and rebuilt. An enemies to lovers story. Very enjoyable.

Playing for Keeps in Starr's Fall by Kate Hewitt

 

Ah! Love confusion, starting over, and a slew of general and personal problems join together beautifully to form this lovely and tender story.

Summer Light on Nantucket by Nancy Thayer

 

A wonderful novel with family trials arising during a summer on Nantucket. A divorced mother of four hopes to spend a relaxing time with her family and sunshine. Her world is upended when her teen love returns to the island and a new man appears. As the days pass, she begins to see a new life may be awaiting her.

You Make My Heart Stop by Becky Hunter

 

Such a more than magical novel. It will tug your heart on every page as you learn about Emery and her heart disease which causes her to die and resetate over and over through her life. In death, she has a guide, Nick, who becomes a friend to her as he is present every time she dies. In her life, she struggles to find her place away from an over caring parent. A do not miss novel.

Storybook Ending by Moira MacDonald

 

A cute book, however, I found it hard to thoroughly enjoy. I felt no connection to the characters. I generally love books with inner thoughts but I felt it was all there was.

How to Lose a Cowboy in Ten Days by Kaz Delaney

 

An emotional, character driven story of a Hollywood actress searching for her biological mother in Marietta and of the cowboy who chooses to be her protector from paparazzi and a revenge seeking stalker. Told in thoughts rather than solely dialog. A compelling story.

Druid's Dark Curse by Leigh Ann Edwards

 

A whirlwind of family drama and an evil uprising await Fiona and Lorcan. Too many jolts to the heart by Fiona draw Lorcan back to the dark side and allow his demon side to flourish. He and his minions wreak havoc on LAMB headquarters causing death and destruction. Heartbroken Fiona is determined to reach Lorcan’s human side to rescue him from the evil he now embraces. Success is not guaranteed at all. An exciting tale of good vs. evil.

Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein

 

Tense and creative, Maine Characters is a story of love and loss, regrets and reconciliation. The strained relationship of half-sisters takes center stage as they come to terms with the death and trouble caused by their father. Lucy grew up with her single mother, knowing about her father’s other family and of her step sister. Vivian was in the dark about her sister’s existence, only guessing of the possibility. They grew up in completely opposite circumstances and come face to face when Vivian comes to her father’s Maine cabin and Lucy is there. Antagonism is everywhere as they face off and cannot come to terms about the cabin. Theirs is a shaky relationship fraught with difficulties. It is a difficult journey to trod.

A Sky Full of Stars by Fay Keenan

 

Splendid story with a taste of love under the stars. University astronomy archivist, Charlotte, receives a paid summer job to archive the papers in an out of commission and falling to disrepair observatory. She lodges with a woman whose family owned the property. Along the way, she meets the woman’s grandson who is in control of the land development company that is tearing down the observatory. Falling for each other was written in the stars. When Charlotte discovers papers of value that bring shockwaves to the family. Slow reading at times. A very enjoyable novel.

A Summer to Remember by Cassidy Carter

 

The best friend of an in trouble campground owner, Delaney sends video of the campground to a business improvement TV show. This opens a kettle of fish when the producers decide to use them. Owner Wyatt is not completely on board. He trusts Delaney and during the upending of the lodge, feelings awaken between the friends.

Take Me Away, Cowboy by Kristine Lynn

 

Dilemmas over love and relationships abound in this spicy novel. Everything hinges on a pediatrician’s desire to get away from her small town and work short term contracts far away. New to town, cowboy and next door neighbor to her parents, attracts her attention and makes the choice to leave muddled with emotion. Can they compromise or will she leave? Spicy and full of surprises.

A Touch of Spring Magic by Sinclair Jayne

 

Love blooms in the creation of a lovely botanical garden and shop for Jessica and Storm. They have a mess of history that, along with Jessica’s deep desire to create a beautiful area, needs to be addressed. Storm has a wealth of knowledge about plants and how to create an attractive area. Then there is the magical cookbook of her family that might change the course of love for them. A captivating novel for all readers.