January 2023 – My Sanctuary

Happy Publication Day – 31 January 2023

Sandy Wishes By Judith Keim

Sometimes, wishes do come true…

Brooke Weatherby is tired of being the dependable one, the boring one of everyone at Sanderling Cove. She agreed to come to the cove for the summer unaware her two cousins, Charlotte “Charlie” Bradford and Olivia “Livy” Winters, would also be there to help manage The Sanderling Cove Inn while her grandparents take a long road trip in Europe. More than anything, she wishes for independence from her role as a sometime caretaker of her mother, so she’s free to find true love.

Unknown to her and her cousins, the five grandmothers at Sanderling Cove have invited their beloved grandchildren to spend as much time as possible this summer at the cove, hoping that romance might flourish among them.

One grandson, Dylan Hendrix, is a well-known artist who decides to take a break from Santa Fe and experiment with different kinds of paintings inspired by the scenic Gulf Coast of Florida. As he and Brooke get to know each other, he encourages her to discover her own artistic talent. Brooke’s world opens to colors and possibilities she never dreamed of as her life begins to change.

Save Me By Samantha Chase

Pretending to date the town’s bad boy seemed like a good idea.

But who knew that being bad could feel so good…

A small town, fake dating, opposites attract standalone romance from NY Times Best Selling Author Samantha Chase

Ryleigh Donovan has been unsuccessfully dodging her mother’s matchmaking attempts for far too long. In an act of desperation, she finds the one guy in her small town who is guaranteed to shock everyone to be her fake boyfriend. It doesn’t need to be for long, she just needs to buy herself enough time to recover from her mother’s last disastrous fix-up. It’s really a fool-proof plan. But when a few staged kisses lead to some very real feelings, she realizes she might be in over her head.

Ryker Masella has been patiently waiting for the perfect opportunity to get Ryleigh to take him—and his numerous attempts at asking her out—seriously. When she grabs him and kisses him in front of her family to prove a point, he’s more than on board. But when she proposes a fake—and temporary—relationship, he’s 100% on board. After all, she might be all about pretending, but he sees it as a way for Ryleigh to truly see the real him.

Fake flirting and orchestrated dates quickly bring on real feelings. For Ryker, they’ve always been there and he’ll be as patient as he needs to be. She might have asked him to save her from her family, but what he wants is to save her from herself.

Happy Publication Day – 30 January 2023

Summer Sundaes On The Boardwalk By Georgina Troy

Hold on to the feeling of sunshine at the seaside with this gorgeous romance, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Jo Thomas.

When Sacha Collins, cafe owner and sundae-maker extraordinaire, meets Italian archaeologist, Alessandro Salvatore in Rome, she’s grateful to him for being her tour guide. Now he’s turned up in the seaside village where she lives and is setting up a gelateria in direct competition to her retro Summer Sundaes Café.

She’s only been running her café for two years since taking over from her father. Until now the only other shops on the boardwalk have been a wool shop, an antique shop and a second-hand book shop. These have helped rather than hindered her custom. How will her creative sundaes made from fresh Jersey ice cream compete with his delicious Italian gelato?

Sacha is worried. Is there enough custom for both businesses to thrive? Who is behind the strange changes being made on the boardwalk? And when the oldest resident on the boardwalk is threatened with eviction can Sacha and Alessandro come together and find a way of helping her?

For a peaceful little boardwalk overlooking one of the quieter beaches on the island, there’s an awful lot going on and some of it is going to lead to big changes.

Book Review – The Matchmaker And The Cowboy By Robin Bielman

Callie Carmichael has a gift for making bridesmaid dresses—some even call them magical. Somehow, every person who’s worn one of her dresses has found love. Real love. And as long as that happily-ever-after is for someone else, Callie is happy. Because she’s fully over getting her heart broken…which is why her new roommate is definitely going to be a problem.

After being overseas for six months, Callie’s only choice is to stay with her best friend’s ridiculously hot brother, Hunter Owens. Cowboy, troublemaker, and right now, the town’s most coveted bachelor. Only, Hunter isn’t quite the player she thought. And if it weren’t for her whole “no more love” thing, their setup could get confusing really fast.

Now, Hunter wants Callie to make him a best man suit—a “lucky for love” kind of suit. But what happens if she makes the suit and he finds true love…and it isn’t her?

Published Date : 25 October 2022

My Review

Callie returned to home to discover her home is unlivable and she need a place to stay. She was asked to take care of Hunter who is recuperating from a spider bite. Callie is a talented dressmaker and has earned her reputation for making magical maid of honor dresses. Whoever wear her dresses will find their other half. Hunter was surprise to see Callie in his house. Hunter has always had a crush on Callie and with her staying this close, he hope that it could change her opinion of him.

I love how Hunter and Callie’s relationship develops and although they have a lot in common, they are not on the same page when come to commitment and feeling. Love how Hunter adored Callie despite he is the most eligible bachelor in town. They have amazing chemistry and it only grow as the story progresses. Overall it is a good read to me.

My Rating

Review Card – The Matchmaker And The Cowboy By Robin Bielman

Now, Hunter wants Callie to make him a best man suit—a “lucky for love” kind of suit. But what happens if she makes the suit and he finds true love…and it isn’t her?

About The Author

Robin Bielman lives in Southern California with her high school sweetheart husband, two sons, and crazy-cute mini Labradoodle, Harry. When not attached to her laptop, she can almost always be found with her nose in a book. She also likes to run, hike, and dip her toes in the ocean. Filled with wanderlust, she longs to visit many different places and fulfill her curiosity. She wouldnt mind indulging her sweet tooth in every location either. Shes a lover of Post-it notes, cable television shows and coffee drinks. Writing is a dream come true, and she still pinches herself to be sure its real.

She is a USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary and paranormal romance.

Link To Purchase

Book Review – One Last Gift By Emily Stone

For as long as Cassie can remember, there had always been the three of them: Cassie, her beloved big brother Tom, and Tom’s best friend Sam.

Since Cassie and Tom’s parents had died, and Sam’s dad was never around, the three kids had stuck together like glue, getting into mischief, with Tom always looking out for Cassie, and Tom’s best mate put on earth to annoy her.

Now they are adults and nothing much has changed: Tom is sorted, cocky Sam is going places and Cassie is… well, Cassie thinks she’s figured it all out.

And then tragedy happens and three becomes two.

For Cassie picking herself up and moving on seems unimaginable. But then she finds the envelope with her name written on it, asking her to follow the clues to a treasure hunt carefully laid out for her months before. It promises to lead her to one last gift.

And suddenly what seemed like an ending just might be the beginning of something remarkable, unexpected, beautiful and new…

Published Date : 13 October 2022

My Review

Cassie and Tom lost their parent at a young age and both are very close. Both of them spent most of their time with Sam. On every Christmas, there is a tradition initiated by Tom who will send Cassie on a scavenger hunt to find her own gift similar to an amazing race. Sam is Cassie’ s first crush and Sam is Tom’s best friend who are always around for each other. The hardest thing happened when Tom passed away due to a freak accident and before he died, Tom has prepared the annual scavenger hunt for Cassie without knowing that this is their last time. After losing Tom, Cassie took some time before finding courage to find Tom’s one last gift to her.

This book focus on strong family ties, grief after losing loved ones and forgiveness. Reader get to see the evolution of Cassie and Sam and their journey of self-discovery is very meaningful to see. Both of them went thru a complicated and hardship to find their happily ever after. It was an emotional rollercoaster for me reading this book.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 26 January 2023

The Ex Next Door By Jo Platt

Thank you, n(ex)t.

After burst pipes destroy Esme’s city-centre flat, she temporarily relocates to a delightful and small cottage in a village on the edge of town. The change is a big one, but Esme soon settles in and, as the art gallery she co-owns with her business partner, David, continues to thrive, life is sweet.

Until Elliot – an ex whom she hasn’t seen or spoken to for years – moves in next door, along with his perfect new girlfriend, Morgan. Suddenly, Esme’s past is right on her doorstep, or at least just over the fence.

When Elliot and Esme decide to keep their former relationship a secret from those around them, their subterfuge sets off a chain of events which not only forces Esme to re-evaluate her past relationship with Elliot, but also puts her friendship with David under the microscope and under pressure.

Review Card – One Last Gift By Emily Stone

For as long as Cassie can remember, there had always been the three of them: Cassie, her beloved big brother Tom, and Tom’s best friend Sam.

Since Cassie and Tom’s parents had died, and Sam’s dad was never around, the three kids had stuck together like glue, getting into mischief, with Tom always looking out for Cassie, and Tom’s best mate put on earth to annoy her.

Now they are adults and nothing much has changed: Tom is sorted, cocky Sam is going places and Cassie is… well, Cassie thinks she’s figured it all out.

And then tragedy happens and three becomes two.

For Cassie picking herself up and moving on seems unimaginable. But then she finds the envelope with her name written on it, asking her to follow the clues to a treasure hunt carefully laid out for her months before. It promises to lead her to one last gift.

And suddenly what seemed like an ending just might be the beginning of something remarkable, unexpected, beautiful and new…

About The Author

Emily Stone is a bestselling romance author who is best known for her debut novel “Always in December,” which she published in 2021. Since then she has written several other novels that have also gone on to become blockbusters.

The author works and lives in Chepstow in an old Victorian-era home that comes with quite the literary heritage.

Emily has said that her debut novel was in some part inspired by her mother’s decease when she was just seven years old. Since that time, she was driven to write something that reflected the grief that she felt which carried over into adulthood.

Link to Purchase

Happy Publication Day- 24 January 2023

Breaking All The Rules By Amy Andrews

Sometimes you gotta toss your whole life into a burning dumpster to find what’s most important…

Beatrice Archer has always done everything she’s supposed to —worked her ass off, ignored her non-existent personal life, and kept her mouth shut. Now she’s over it. The rat race, respectability…the underwire bras. She’s taking her life back. Starting with moving to Nowhere, Colorado to live life on her own terms.

Now Bea gives exactly zero forks. Beer for breakfast. Sugar for everything else. Baggy sweats and soft cotton undies FTW. Then a much younger and delightfully attractive cop is called to deal with her flagrant disregard for appropriate clothing outside the local diner (some folks just don’t appreciate bunny slippers) and Bea realizes there’s something missing from her little decathlon of decadence…and he might be the guy to help her out.

When it comes to breaking rules, Officer Austin Cooper is surprisingly eager to assist. He’s charming, a little bit cowboy, and a whole lot sexy. But Bea’s about to discover that breaking the rules has consequences. And all of the cherry pies in Colorado can’t save her from what’s coming…

Come What Maybe By Kerri Carpenter

Social media strategist Lauren Wallace plans everything. But when she returns to the charming—if not too small for comfort—town of Seaside Cove, it’s only about a second before her tough-love Grams is already on her case. So when Grams tells her not to go to that bar, Lauren decides it’s time for a temporary rebellion. Which is exactly when the trouble starts.

Grams was right. The bar was not a good plan. Because suddenly super-cute bar owner Ethan McAllister has gone from being Lauren’s (kind of) high school nemesis to a very unexpected one-night stand. And worse, Lauren’s attempts to resume her ultra-responsible life keep getting thwarted by more unwelcome spontaneity. And a pregnancy.

Now there’s a baby on the way, Lauren’s the talk of the entire town, and all her planning has gone right out the window. All that’s missing is childbirth to make her pain complete. But it’ll be nothing compared to Grams’s reaction when she finds out that Lauren broke the biggest rule of all…falling for the wrong guy.

Accidentally Famous By Marissa Clarke

Jack Winston may be Hollywood’s biggest action hero, but he’s seriously burned out. He can’t even save himself from his PR team’s latest scheme: dating a starlet. But when his assistant accidentally tags Cassidy James from Blink, Maine (wherever that is) on social media, the paparazzi decide that she’s Jack’s latest fling. Now Jack needs to do some serious damage control…starting with the adorable home reno pro in paint-splattered overalls.

Cassidy is not prepared when the Jack Winston shows up in her quiet little town—and whew, he is that gorgeous in person. Before she can pick her jaw up off the floor, his PR team is bombarding them with a whole new plan involving “fake girlfriend,” “optics,” and “sign this NDA” (whatever that is). But no one warned her that Mr. A-List Action Star is hot, funny as all get out, and loves old houses as much as she does.

Now they have two weeks to convince everyone they’re in a fake relationship—two weeks that will drive Cassidy’s reno business through the roof and help Jack reclaim his “spark.” The plan is going fine, dare she say, perfectly…until she discovers something that will change everything.

Not Your Valentine By Jackie Lau

Helen Tsang is tired of the pitying looks. From her parents, her friends, and even the bubble tea shop guy, who recognized her from the video. Almost one year ago, some loser couldn’t mind their own damn business and filmed an unsuspecting Helen’s very public break-up during what was supposed to be a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner. A video of her ex-boyfriend saying, “It’s not me, it’s you. You’re holding me back” went viral.

Desperate to give everyone something else to talk about and with Valentine’s Day approaching once again, she asks her long-time friend Taylor Li to be her fake boyfriend, just to prove that she’s moved on and hasn’t sworn off love. (Spoiler alert: She’s totally sworn off love.) Taylor is the perfect option—single for once, and for some godforsaken reason, he loves Valentine’s Day.

But Helen didn’t expect was how easy it would be to get Taylor on board, fitting right into the boyfriend-shaped hole in her life. All she wanted was a couple sickeningly sweet dates to fill her social feeds, not corny text messages of silly heart-shaped cakes, and bouquets of flowers that harbor hidden meanings. Wanting to be around his sunshine attitude and delicious forearms all the time? That definitely wasn’t expected.

With February 14 quickly approaching, it’s getting increasingly difficult to ignore her feelings, especially when she starts wishing it wasn’t all an act.

Oh God. What has she done?

Happy Publication Day – 23 January 2023

A Love To Last A Lifetime By Clare Swatman

The one that she wants…

Adam Bowers; handsome, funny and with the charm of a rock star, from the moment she laid eyes on him, teenage Erin was smitten. But first loves don’t always last, and after a whirlwind romance, Erin and Adam go their separate ways. Yet, Erin never lets go of the feeling that Adam may have been her soul mate…The one that she needs…

Greg fell in love with Erin in their first week at university. Solid, trustworthy and hopelessly devoted to Erin, he knows he’s better for her than the feckless Adam, who is forever leaving Erin broken-hearted, before winning her back with his charm. As far as Greg is concerned, it’s easy to promise the world, but it’s harder to love someone for a lifetime.The one that got away…

Years later Greg and Erin are married, and although life hasn’t always been easy, Greg’s love for Erin has never dimmed. But when Adam comes back, in desperate need of Erin’s help, everything changes. Erin starts to wonder whether fate is trying to tell her something…

Will Erin risk it all for the man she had thought was ‘The One’?

Book Review -Mistletoe And Magic For The Cornish Midwife By Jo Bartlett

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

But for single mum and busy midwife Nadia, it’s quickly turning into her worst Christmas ever.

Her marriage is over, and whilst her husband has moved on, Nadia finds herself back home, squashed into her mum’s spare room with her two small children. They might not be a perfect family anymore, but Nadia is determined to make this Christmas special for them.

Dr Hamish Spencer totally understands Nadia’s pain. As a fellow single parent, he’s struggling to cope with a rebellious teen daughter and a precocious six-year-old! Perhaps if he and Nadia join forces, they could make this Christmas slightly more memorable for everyone?

The last thing Nadia wants is a new man in her life, but she’d definitely like lovely Hamish as a friend. But Christmas has a way of melting the hardest of hearts and maybe a kiss under the mistletoe could change everything?

Published Date : 27 October 2022

My Review

Nadia return to Port Agnes after her marriage broken and met Hamish, the village doctor. Both of them are single parent and their daughters are best friend. As they grow closer, Hamish’s eldest daughter, Saffron is creating issue for them. Frankie is Nadia’s mum and being recently divorced, she met Guy but her son Hari does not agreed to their relationship.

This book is about 2nd chance, women helping women, family and its close knit community. I love both Nadia and Frankie for their courage to start their life again after disappointing marriages and them being supportive of each other. Overall, it is an emotional read to me.

My Rating