January 2022 – My Sanctuary

Book Review – Sea Glass Island By Sherryl Woods

Synopsis

With her two younger sisters heading for the altar, will Samantha Castle exchange old dreams for new ones? Lately she’d rather be on the North Carolina coast with family than in New York with agents and actors. Though she vows not to let her teenage crush on Ethan Cole influence her decision, it’s hard to ignore her feelings for the local war hero.

Ethan lost more than his leg in Afghanistan. He lost his belief in love. Even being surrounded by couples intent on capturing happily-ever-after won’t open this jaded doctor’s heart. It’s going to take a sexy, determined woman—one who won’t take no for an answer.

Published Date: 28 May 2013

My Review

This book is the third book in the Ocean Breeze series and is the final installation of the series. The Chief matchmaker of the family, Cora Jane, continue with her mission to get her eldest granddaughter to fall in love with Ethan, the town doctor after her successful mission with Emily and Gabriella. Samantha, an aspiring actress is back in town and with the decreasing job offers, she seems to lost her direction as to what she want to do. What make her even more pressured was seeing that her other two sisters, who has not only found the love of their life but also having a successful career. Samantha have a huge crush on Ethan during high school and is still holding the torch over him. But her egoistic self refused to acknowledge the feeling. Ethan, a war warrior lost a leg and as a result, his fiancé then, decided to break their engagement with the excuse she could not accept the less than perfect him. Being burnt hurt, he strive not to get into a relationship at all cost. But with the meddling from Cora Jane, Emily and Boone, as days goes by, he found himself to be in Samantha’s company more and so is his attraction of her.

Unlike the earlier two books, I find this book have a heavier conflict between the main characters thus, more heavier read to me than the earlier two books. Of the three sisters, I love Samantha the most. She know what she really want and doesn’t afraid to admit it just like the way she confess her feeling to Ethan. This is the final book of the three sisters’ story and I felt lucky enough to be given the opportunity to read all the three books in this trilogy.

My Rating

Book Review – Breakfast At The Honey Creek Cafe By Jodi Thomas

Synopsis

Piper Jane Mackenzie, mayor of Honey Creek, won’t let a major scandal rip her quirky hometown apart, or jeopardize her dream of one day running for higher office. So she’s willing to welcome undercover detective Colby McBride, hired to help solve the mystery behind her wannabe fiancé’s disappearance. Colby’s cover? That he is an old boyfriend now begging Piper for a second chance—always when there are plenty of townsfolk around to witness his shenanigans.

Piper hardly knows whether to laugh or cry, especially when she finds herself drawn to the handsome rascal. He’s not the only newcomer she has to deal with. There’s a new interim preacher in town, Sam Cassidy. Drifting from one assignment to another since his one love died, Sam isn’t sure he’s the right fit for Honey Creek. But as Piper knows, this is a place chock-full of surprises. And if she can keep her town—and her heart—from going completely off the rails, there may be a sweet, unexpected future in store . . .

Published Date: 26 May 2020

My Review

Piper is a mayor of Honey Creek Texas is in danger after the disappearance of her fiancé and her brother is worried for her safety. He sent detective Colby to help to investigate. To make things worse, she receive threatening letter.

The story focus on the investigation and also was told from different perspectives from 4 different people: Piper, Colby, Sam the interim minister and Pecos, high school graduates. All these characters embroiled in their own conflict that deal their romantic fates

This is a fun and entertaining read for me with focusing on romance and a mystery to solve. The story keep you tied down till you read from cover

My Rating

Book Review -The Heartbreaker Of Echo Pass By Maisey Yates

Synopsis

Can Gold Valley’s wallflower heal a damaged cowboy’s broken heart? Find out in this enthralling romance by New York Times bestselling author Maisey Yates.

Shy Iris Daniels is on a mission to shake up her life. She’s sick of being underestimated, and she’s got a new business plan to prove it. The one thing she didn’t factor in is her new landlord, Griffin Chance. The gruff mountain man isn’t what she expected, but Iris recognizes the pain in his eyes. Yet the attraction he ignites is much more unfamiliar…and might be the perfect chance for Iris to embrace the adventure she yearns for.

Griffin Chance knows firsthand how senseless the cards dealt in life can be. He wouldn’t have isolated himself on a remote mountain ridge if he didn’t. Innocent Iris craves excitement, and he’s a man who thought he’d forgotten how to feel. But when their connection grows deeper than either of them anticipated, Griffin has to decide if he can put down the pain of his past and step into a love he never believed possible.

Published Date: 29 June 2021

My Review

Iris is the caretaker of her family. She is the glue that hold her family together. She dedicated her life to take care of them. When all her sibling found their own happiness, Iris feel that it is time now for her to find her own happiness. She have a dream to open a bakery and she found a shop that is owned by Griffin.

Griffin is new to town and is a hermit. He lost everything and seek to live his life away from everyone. Until Iris evaded his space. She is determined to get Griffin to agreed to rent the bakery shop to him.

This is the story about grief, friendship and second chance in love. Both Iris and Griffin have their fair share of grief and thru their friendship, they share a bond. Both of them forge an unusual relationship and did not expect that they would help each other to grow and heal. The story develop at a slow pace but peak up after the middle and too fast at the ending in my opinion.

My Rating

Book Review – Spring At Saddle Run By Delores Fossen

Synopsis

The truth about a small-town scandal unleashes one wildly unexpected romance.

Millie Parkman Dayton is still healing from the fatal car accident that claimed her husband and turned her into the focus of local gossip. But when she’s thrown together with the sexy rancher who shares in her tragic past, new rumors begin to fly in Last Ride, Texas.

Single dad Joe McCann is focused on running his ranch and raising his daughter. He has no desire to help Millie unearth his late wife’s past, especially if it means revealing painful secrets. Until his daughter teams up with Millie and the widower cowboy finds himself agreeing to help them with their project—and opening the door to a deep attraction he thought he’d never find again.

Published Date: 25 May 2021

My Review

Millie lost her husband in the same accident that killed Joe’s wife leaving behind a daughter Dara. There are talks in the community due to the circumstances of their death which affecting both Millie and Joe in their recovery of the loss of their loved ones.

This is a story of 2 wounded souls bound by tragedy with a lot of family issues going on. It played with your emotion as the story continue. There is twists and turns, love and drama with scandal added in.

My Rating

Link to Review from same series: Christmas At Colt Creeks

Book Review – The Christmas Escape By Sarah Morgan

Synopsis

An uplifting novel of friendship, the festive season, and risking everything for the biggest gift of all…

It was supposed to be Christy Sullivan’s perfect Christmas escape – a dream trip to Lapland with her family and best friend, Alix. But facing a make-or-break marriage crisis, Christy desperately needs time alone with her husband, Seb. Her solution? Alix, along with Seb’s oldest friend, Zac, can take Christy’s daughter on the planned Lapland trip, and they will all reunite there for Christmas Day. After all, what are friends for?

There’s nothing Alix won’t do for Christy, but Christy’s plan to save Christmas is testing their friendship. Especially as Alix and Zac have a difficult history of their own.

As long-held secrets unravel, and unexpected romance shines under the Northern Lights, can Christy and Alix find the courage to fight for the relationships they really want? And could this Christmas escape save the precious gift of each other’s friendship?

Published Date: 26 October 2021

My Review

Robyn lives in Lapland with Erik and for Christmas, her niece Christy will be visiting her together with her family. Christy is married to Seb and have a little girl Holly. She is suspicious of her hub and in order to stay back and travel with him to Lapland, she arrange for her best friend, Alix together with Seb’s friend Zac to take Holly to Lapland and both Christy and Seb will follow suit later.

This book tell the story of 3 different couples each with their own issues and intertwined with each other. It have mixture of complex relationship and had a lot going in the story. Each of the ladies has their own struggle and in the story, each of them found their key to their own happiness. There is a twist that I did not see coming but I love how the story ended.

My Rating

Author Interview – Jodi Thomas

Jodi Thomas is a proud fifth generation Texan, a reason why her books are all set in the state. She has her degree in Family Studies, with her original background in Marriage and Family counseling. In 2002, she was honored by Texas Tech University as a Distinguished Alumni. Her first novel, Beneath the Texas Sky, was published in 1988 and won the National Press Women’s Novel of the Year award.

Since then, Thomas has written many books, multiples of which have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Best Sellers lists. She has won the Romance Writers of America prestigious RITA award four times and was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2006 after her third win. Her latest novel, Just Down the Road, was number 15 on the New York Times Best Seller list. Thomas is a Writer in Residence at West Texas A & M University. When she isn’t writing, she and her husband enjoy traveling.

What inspire you to write a book?

I always write a book about the people I know and meet. Sometimes it something a person says. I love the way one person can change another for the better.

Do you write full time? if yes, is it tiring to write day in day out?

I am a writer. That’s what I do, but I need to be around people. Over the thirty years I’ve made my living writing I’m always finding other things to do.

I’ve worked part-time in Texas biggest museum. I’ve taught writing classes. I volunteered as a crisis counselorI founded the West Texas A&M Writing Academy. I’ve traveled visiting places I’d like to write about. Check out youtube: Jodi Thomas Walking the land.

I’ve been A&M Writer in Residence for 14 years and my office was always open to new writers I given talks all over the USA and a few times in England.And I never get tired of writing. I’m stepping into another world. Often I think I live in two world. The real one and the one in my head. And, to me, they are both real.

Which of the book that the story plot touches you the most and
the hardest for you to let go?

In TWISTED CREEK I wrote a grandmother character who was going into alzheimers. I wrote my mother in the character. She lived with us as she went through alzheimers. If I read that book today I’d probably still see her.

Do you read other author’s book specifically from the same industry as you?

I do read, sometimes a book a day, when I’m not writing on a book. Since I’m writing two books and a novella a year that doesn’t leave much time.

Which part of the writing process that you find it hardest to go
thru i.e. from writing to the published book?

In writing, Spelling is hard. Sometimes I think I’m not a writer, I’m a rewriter.But for most writer’s it’s selling your book to a publishing house. It took me five years to finally see my name in print. I studied writing, went to every conference or class I could, talked to writers, and every night I wrote, and rewrote, and rewrote.

“Being a writer is a busy life where I meet a great many interesting people. Some are real and others live just in my mind. I’ve been greatly blessed to walk in two worlds and to have people around me who don’t always understand me, but accept me anyway.”

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Link to Review : Dinner on Primrose Hill

Book Review – Love Blooms By Jo McNally

Synopsis

It’s never too late for a second chance…

Tonight should be the best night of Lucy Higgins’s life. Tomorrow she’s finally marrying Owen Cooper. She’s been waiting to start a life of wedded bliss, like the happy marriage her parents have. Except…she just learned her parents are divorcing and she’s freaking out. Owen has been so distant lately, shutting her out. Suddenly this big wedding seems like a really bad idea. Packing up her car, Lucy bolts for Rendezvous Falls and finds work at a flower shop while she gets her life together. The last thing she expects is for Owen to show up, wanting her back.

Owen Cooper’s carefully planned out life is ready to begin. He’s home from the military to join the family business and marry the sweet girl who captured his heart…until Lucy runs out on him. That was not part of the plan. Armed with an article that promises to help him win her back, Owen heads to Rendezvous Falls. But from the moment he sees her again, she seems…different. Happier, more confident and at ease. Can he convince this new version of Lucy that he’s become the man she deserves? He might need a little help from the local book club to accomplish this mission…

Published Date: 27 July 2021

My Review

Lucy runaway on her wedding day to Rondezvous Falls with her friend’s Nikki help. She find herself doubting the marriage and Owen. Owen has been different since he is back from his deployment. Lucy tried to get him to open up but Owen could not open up with his feeling. The plan after the wedding is for Owen to take over his parent’s business. This mean Lucy with be tied down and it is not something that Lucy want. She want to be a florist. Combined with Owen’ mum who hi-jack the wedding into something that is totally opposite of what she want, all she want is to leave. Owen came to realisation then and with the help of his Army friend, he came up with a plan to win back Lucy again.

As the story continues, I can feel Lucy’s internal struggles as she learn how to put herself first instead of other people as she is a people pleaser. This book is about personal growth, second chance in love and a heartwarming story about finding what truly makes you happy and strive for it.

My Rating

Book Review – Keep Me Warm At Christmas By Brenda Novak

Synopsis

Maybe this Christmas can thaw his frozen heart—and heal hers.

Hollywood starlet Tia Beckett knows one moment can change your life. Her career had been on the fast track before a near-fatal accident left her with a debilitating facial scar. Certain her A-lister dreams are over, she agrees to house-sit at her producer’s secluded estate in Silver Springs. It’s the escape from the limelight Tia’s been craving, until she discovers she’s not the only houseguest for the holidays. And her handsome new roomie is impossible to ignore.

Artist Seth Turner has good reason to keep his distance. Losing his wife after only a few years of marriage has left a deep scar, even if he is still happy to spend a semester teaching art classes at the New Horizons Boys Ranch for troubled teens. Despite nursing her own wounds, Tia finds her curiosity piqued by enigmatic Seth, whom she recognizes as something of a kindred soul. Maybe spending Christmas together could be another game changer for both of them—this time, for good.

Published Date: 28 September 2021

My Review

Tia left home to be a star in Hollywood and this have cause rift between her and her family who have a very strong belief in their religion. With her hard work, she finally got her break to stardom but all these changed when she involved in an accident that her face scarred and all she want is to hide from the world. Her producer offer her to stay at his guest house in Silver Spring. She thought she was alone until she met Seth Turner at the house.

Seth is a famous artist who return to Silver Spring to teach trouble teens in a school operated by his mum. Seth have his fair share of grief. He still carries the guilt and mourn for his wife. He also have to face her parent’s blame for her death.

With all the medias scouting around the house looking for news, the story continue with Tia being drawn to Seth, learning to deal and accept her scars. Both Tia and Seth helped each other to recover from their respective wounds and their newfound friendship begin to develop into something special that both of them least expect it to be.

Overall, it is touching romance story about two broken souls discovering the healing of power of love. Both Tia and Seth is so perfect for each other. This is the only book I read in 2021 that garnered a 5* rating.

My Rating

Book Review – Instant Gratification By Jill Shalvis

Synopsis

Stone Wilder is no less a daredevil bad boy than the rest of his brothers, especially when the thrill of a lifetime is about to arrive in a surprising package. . .

The Doctor Is In Deep

Wishful, California, is 3000 miles from Dr. Emma Sinclair’s last job in a New York City ER. Running her father’s clinic for a summer, Emma treats bee stings, stomach flu, and the occasional pet cat. Then there’s Stone Wilder: gorgeous, laid-back, and irritating beyond belief. Emma loathes him. Almost as much as she wants to throw him on her examining table and break every doctor-patient rule in the book. . .

Published Date: 19 June 2009

My Review

Stone, the 2nd brother of the 3 Wilder brother is the responsible ones; who take care of the needs of the family, the business, working with trouble teens etc. He is also the glue that hold the family together. In doing all these, he forego his own dream.

Emma is an doctor who return to her hometown to take care of her father’s clinic while he recovering from heart attack. The clinic is the only clinic in town and it fall on Emma to make it continue running while her dad is recovering. Emma have no intention to return hence her resentment. She craved for the fast paced job that she have in the city and the big city life.

The story continue with how both Stone and Emma get to know each other and eventually how the relationship develop into something deeper that none of them plan or expected. Love how way the story developed with Emma who wasn’t ready for a relationship to eventually acknowledge her feeling. It show just how love can happen when you least it to be.

Overall it is a good contemporary romance and enjoyable read for me. It is a simple romance with only focus between Emma and Stone

My Rating

Book Review – Rodeo Christmas At Evergreen Ranch By Maisey Yates

Synopsis

Gold Valley’s rodeo champion is facing the toughest challenge of his life—a Christmas wedding!

Legendary bull rider Jake Daniels has only one plan this Christmas—to ignore the pain the season always brings. Until his best friend, Callie Carson, shows up on his ranch with a marriage proposal. Jake has lived so close to the edge it’s a miracle he’s still alive—he knows all about risk. But marrying the woman he craves more than anything feels like the biggest risk of all.

Callie Carson may be rodeo royalty, but to fulfill her dreams of riding saddle bronc, she needs her inheritance. And to access that, she needs a husband. But Jake the husband is deliciously different from Jake the friend, especially after the wild heat of their wedding night. He was only supposed to be her cowboy for Christmas, but Jake’s every heart-stopping touch has Callie questioning how she’ll ever be able to walk away.

Published Date: 26 October 2021

My Review

Jake is a successful bull rider who give up rodeo. After years in rodeo, he know that it is young man game and his body is began to feel the wears and tears of being thrown from a bull’s back.

Callie, on the other hand, loves them and want to him to train her. Her ambitious is to be the first female saddle bronc rider which obviously her family refuse to support her dream.Callie comes from a wealthy family of seven adult children and she is the only daughter. The other way for her to get the fund to compete is thru her trust fund which she can have if she married. So she came with a fake marriage idea and her choice of pretend husband is her best friend Jake.

The story continue with how the relationship between Jake and Callie developed and soon, both Callie and Jake realise that both of them want more than just a marriage of convenience.

This book is about family dynamics and duties, loss, grief and friendship. Both main characters’ stories touches on various emotions: love, grief, joy, hope and despair.

My Rating