July 2023 – Page 2 – My Sanctuary

Review Card – Rainbows Over Puddleduck Farm By Della Galton

Don’t dream your life, live your dreams….Phoebe Dashwood is a passionately committed vet who’s living the dream. She’s about to open her own small animal practice at her grandmother’s animal shelter, Puddleduck Farm in the New Forest.
Phoebe is helped by her two oldest friends. Her best friend Tori is a mix of hard-headed journalist and hopeless romantic, who thinks love will conquer all when she finds the right man!
Then there is Sam, Phoebe’s staunchest ally, whose integrity and selflessness mean he would do anything to make Phoebe happy, no matter what the cost to himself.
Very soon Phoebe discovers that fantasy and reality don’t quite match.
An unscrupulous bunny breeder, a poisoned stream, and a complicated attraction all conspire to throw her dreams in a spin.
Events come to a shocking climax at the New Forest Show where Phoebe’s world is turned upside down and she has to make some life changing decisions.

About The Author

Della Galton is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies set around the Dorset beaches and the beautiful New Forest. Her stories feature strong female friendship, quirky characters and very often the animals she loves.

When she is not writing she enjoys walking her dogs around the beautiful Dorset countryside.

Find out more about Della Galton, her books, speaking engagements & workshops, on her website, dellagalton.co.uk

Link to Purchase

Book Review – Mr. Grump By Leslie North

I have a confession.

I hate bachelorette parties. A night of dick straws, awkward dancing and being told “it’ll be you soon, Kaitlyn!”Especially when it’s at a super swanky Miami club—exactly where I don’t belong.Couldn’t get any worse, right?

Enter Mr. Tall, Dark and I-didn’t-know-they-made-people-this-gorgeous. Grump supreme. His scowl has a scowl.Especially after I knock a drink onto a VIP and myself. He must be the manager of the club because he has keys to the penthouse above it.A penthouse he offers to let me change clothes in.

A penthouse we screw all over.Then, he gets a call and kicks me out. Jerk.Told you it got worse.

Ready for worser?First day at my new job as a nanny and Mr. Scowl is my boss. James Morris.Billionaire club owner, deal maker, and first grade bosshole—if the tabloids are to be believed.Also a single dad to an adorable daughter who needs my help.

But there’s no way I can take this job—every time I look at him, I’m back in that penthouse. And from the way he smiles when he looks at me, he’s thinking the same.Then he tells me why this has to work. Why he needs me. Why I can’t say no.

New confession?I hate my boss

Published Date: 9 February 2023

My Review

Kaitlyn met James during her sister’s hen night at a swanky night club. She thought James work at the club and they end up spending the night together before James ushered her away and disappeared after receiving a call. James’ main priority was his precious daughter and he will do everything to protect her. Due to a kidnap episode, his daughter, Harper is paranoid to leave their home and to help his daughter to overcome her fear and getting her back to the once happy carefree child, James engaged a therapist and she turned out to be Kaitlyn. Both of them need to work together to help Harper.

Kaitlyn is the main character of the book with her family drama and James’ life revolved around his daughter and business and it come as a surprised to him when he felt the instant spark to her. Kaitlyn’s character is more open and able to articulate well her concerns and fear while James come across as a grumpy character (hence the title of the book) and can easily jump into conclusion and rush to judgment when come to his daughter’s wellbeing. Love the character’s chemistry and the storyline which are very engaging. Absolutely love the way James declared his love to Kaitlyn at the end of the story. Overall it is an enjoyable read to me.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 20 July 2023

An Invitation To Seashell Bay By Bella Osborne

One ambitious businesswoman.

One irresponsible heir.

A deal that will turn both their lives upside down…

To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two things: help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both.

Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can.

Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract…

What Happens On Vacation By Jo Watson

Journalist Margaret needs a vacation.

After a difficult couple of years, some R&R is on the cards, and she’s taking her mom with her. Luckily, the office Quiz Night is coming up and the prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to Zanzibar. Good thing Margaret has never met a quiz question she didn’t like.

But Margaret has also never played against Jagger Villain. For the last six months, they have shared a desk and not a day has gone by when he hasn’t driven her to distraction.

The idea of sharing anything else with Jagger is unthinkable. But if she’s going get what she needs from this trip, Margaret might have to compromise.

Away from the office and in a tropical paradise, Margaret beings to wonder if her archnemesis maybe has some qualities.

Mr Cocky By Leslie North

I lie down for just a second…The next thing I see is the chiseled and extremely grumpy face of my billionaire client, Theo Barnes, looking down at me.

If I’m Goldilocks, he has all the grouchiness of three bears.I was overworked and overstressed juggling photographing his fleet of yachts with my other projects.Add in a super comfy bed on one of his yachts and I’m out.Now I’m about to be fired.

Except, we’re in the middle of the ocean and he’s looking at me like I’m the missing piece of a puzzle.Instead of getting the axe, he offers me an insane amount of money for a single day of work—an amount it’s really, really hard to say no to.But I should have.Because this bosshole wants me to be his pretend girlfriend for the afternoon.

The rules: no PDA, don’t get cornered by his mother and the deal is done once we dock.That first rule lasted about four minutes.This pretend girlfriend thing was supposed to be a one-and-done gig, but now his mother insists he bring a “nice” girl to a family wedding.

And Theo thought of me. A “nice” girl would have said no, but here I am, stuck with Mr. Cocky.It’s not all bad.There are those rule-breaking kisses. And the scorching sex.But sex has consequences.And Goldilocks has a surprise for her grumpy bear.

Summer Dreams At The Lakeside Cottage By Erin Green

Welcome to the Lakeside Cottage . . . a place to escape, where friendship awaits . . .

When Beth, Koo and Lulu wake up in the same hotel room in Bath, wearing each other’s hen night attire, they are extremely confused – especially as they have never met before. But what begins that night is just the start of a week of surprises . . .

Beth has followed the traditional path in her relationship with Dale, and now their wedding is just days away – but is it really what she wants?

Koo‘s relationship with Judd has been anything but expected – especially by her family. Is she right to trust her instincts and go through with this marriage?

For Lulu, the big day approaching signifies nothing but heartache as the man she loves is marrying another. Should she fight for the happiness they both deserve?

The three women make a snap decision to escape to a beautiful Lake District cottage for one week, hoping that the gift of their new-found friendships will help them make the biggest decision of their lives.

Review Card – Mr. Grump By Leslie North

I have a confession.

A penthouse we screw all over.Then, he gets a call and kicks me out. Jerk.Told you it got worse.

New confession?I hate my boss

About The Author

Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pen name for a critically-acclaimed author of women’s contemporary romance and fiction. The anonymity gives her the perfect opportunity to paint with her full artistic palette, especially in the romance and erotic fantasy genres.

The truth of the matter is she loves her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her normal, day-to-day persona! Her bestselling books focus on strong characters and particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha male. Inspired after years of travel, her stories are set all over the world, from the tough streets of Russia to the beautiful beaches of the middle east.

Leslie fell in love with romance when she first picked up a scrappy, dog-eared romance book from her local library. She began writing soon after and the rest, as they say, was history. She now lives in a cozy cottage on the British coast and enjoys taking long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 19 July 2023

Us Two By Janet Hoggarth

When Florence met Rowena, they knew for sure that they would always be friends.

Wayward parents, boring teachers, teenage crushes, first heartbreaks – anything and everything could be faced as long as Florence had Rowena by her side.

But then she didn’t.

And life had to be redrawn and reconsidered.

Being a grown-up has its perks, but as Rowena faces the biggest challenge of her life, and Florence wonders if it’s time to stop running away from hers, there’s a wise soul who knows the one thing that can help them both. Some friendships are meant to last forever, and it’s never too late for forever to start again.

Joyous and heart-breaking, laugh-out-loud funny, life-affirming and unforgettable, join Flo and Ro on a journey that will warm your heart and perhaps make you wonder about those old friends who knew you so well.

What Happens On Vacation By Jo Watson

Journalist Margaret needs a vacation.

But Margaret has also never played against Jagger Villain. For the last six months, they have shared a desk and not a day has gone by when he hasn’t driven her to distraction.

The idea of sharing anything else with Jagger is unthinkable. But if she’s going get what she needs from this trip, Margaret might have to compromise.

Away from the office and in a tropical paradise, Margaret beings to wonder if her archnemesis maybe has some qualities.

Book Review – The Shape Of Your Heart By Debbie Howells

Callie’s always been the least ambitious of her sisters but also the happiest, until fate snaps her fiancé away before they can say I do.

One year later, she is still putting her life back together, but she might be ready for more. With so much life left to live, she has to find a way to be happy.

Nathan knows not everyone gets a second chance at life and he’s not going to waste his. He’s left the city behind, moved to Cornwall and is starting over. When he meets a beautiful woman at the beach it feels like fate, but her heart belongs to someone else.

Could Callie and Nathan be just what each other needs?

Published Date: 7 February 2023

My Review

Callie lost her fiancé on the day of their wedding and fast forward to the 1st anniversary of the fateful day, Callie is no way near to moving on with her life. She still stayed in the same house that are supposed to be their family home and the only solace she has is the beautiful garden that she created. Nathan who due to recent health scare decided to move to the village for a better lifestyle. He bought a small cottage and he need help to create and maintain the garden for him. He found Callie and engaged her to do the garden for him like the one she has created at her home.

It is a story about finding love again after a traumatic event in their life. Callie’s world was totally collapsed and reading her story make me tear up while Nathan was given a 2nd chance to live again after a life threatening event. There is a twist in the story at the end which I did not expect but it is a lovely ending to a sad story. Overall it is an emotional read to me.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 18 July 2023

The Cypress Maze By Fiona Valpy

Tuscany, 1943. Stranded in war-ravaged Italy, Beatrice’s dream of an escapist year teaching English is shattered. Granted shelter at the Villa delle Colombe, she seeks refuge in Francesca and Edoardo’s beautiful walled garden, hidden from the outside world, with an elaborate cypress maze at its heart.

But Beatrice is not the only one seeking an escape here. Francesca has brought children to the safety of the house, as well as other adults, all of them seeking sanctuary on the estate with its mysterious maze. As the war closes in, the residents are forced to witness—and do—unthinkable things…

2015. Tess arrives at the villa raw from the agonising loss of her husband. Beatrice, now custodian, guides her to the solace of its gardens, where Tess begins to heal. But all hope of peace is shattered by the arrival of Marco, the estate’s absent owner, who wants nothing more than to hand it over to developers.

Distraught, Beatrice realises she must finally reveal the villa’s painful past if she wants to save it. As the extraordinary story unfolds, Tess realises that Villa delle Colombe is not just a refuge, but a beacon of hope in the darkest of times. Can she convince Marco to give it a new lease of life—and find a way back to happiness herself?

The Woman Who Ran For The Hills By Carmen Reid

Jennifer McAndrew thinks she’s living her best life in London – wonderful man, great job, happily child-free. Except the ‘wonderful man’ turns out to have a secret that ruins everything…

Shocked and devastated, Jen doesn’t know what to do. So, she packs her bags and runs for the hills – away from her problems, all the way to her childhood home in Scotland and the safety of her dad.

But her dad is a changed man. Busy with his girlfriend, golf and G&Ts, he doesn’t have time for Jen’s worries. And she can’t see her sister, Isla, who she fell out with years ago.

So, Jen rekindles friendships with her old school pals, Alison and Rory. They’re juggling work and young families, but still find time to take her out and set her up with some terrible dates.

The more time she spends with Rory and his daughters, the more Jen thinks there could be something big missing from her life. But could she ever go back to small town life? And can she forgive what happened in the past? Should a good friend become something more?

The biggest question for Jen is – will she try to solve her problems, or will she cut and run for the hills again?

Kiss Me By Samantha Chase

Saying “I Do” to her boss seemed like a harmless solution to a potentially harmful problem.

But the only problem now is that she wants the marriage to be real.

When Marissa Barrett finds herself in a dangerous situation with her family, she needs help. Fast. Normally the queen of problem solving, this is one instance where she just can’t seem to find a solution on her own. All she wanted from her boss was help finding an attorney. But before she knows exactly how it’s happened, they’re standing in front of a justice of the peace.

Patrick Donovan would do anything to help Marissa. After all, she’s been helping him run his business for years. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t wildly attracted to her, but there was no way he would ever act on it. Plus, with his meddling family looking to see him settle down, the last thing he needed was any kind of romantic relationship. But when Marissa turns to him for help, suddenly he sees a way to do it that benefits them both.

One year of marriage. That was the agreement.

But everything’s negotiable, right?

Review Card – The Shape Of Your Heart By Debbie Howells

Callie’s always been the least ambitious of her sisters but also the happiest, until fate snaps her fiancé away before they can say I do.

One year later, she is still putting her life back together, but she might be ready for more. With so much life left to live, she has to find a way to be happy.

Could Callie and Nathan be just what each other needs?

About The Author

Debbie self-published three women’s fiction novels before writing The Bones of You, her first psychological thriller. It was a Sunday Times bestseller and selected for the Richard and Judy book club.
Since, she was written The Beauty of the End, The Death of Her, Her Sister’s Lie, the e-book bestseller The Vow, and her latest, The Secret.
Her women’s fiction novel, The Life You Left Behind will be published on 23rd February.

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 17 July 2023

The Start Of Something Wonderful By Jessica Redland

Autumn Laine has lost her creative sparkle. After losing her grandad and her job as an illustrator in quick succession, she is at a crossroads in life and needs a break. Spending time with her parents in Paris, even in the artistic community of Montmartre, doesn’t appear to be the answer.

So when her penpal, Rosie, invites her to stay in the Lake District, Autumn jumps at the chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of Paris. After all, where better to re-discover her creativity than the place which inspired her heroine, Beatrix Potter?

Arriving at the picturesque lakeside village of Willowdale, Autumn is swept up by the beauty and magic of the stunning landscape. Welcomed into the community with open arms, she slowly starts to feel like herself again as her creative instincts re-ignite.

But when she meets Dane, who has escaped to the Lakes for his own reasons, will Autumn’s walls come down to let someone in again after so long? Or will the secrets of her past continue to hold her back?

Book Review – An Island in the Sun By Kate Frost

Running away is easy, until saying goodbye becomes too hard…
When successful songwriter Tabitha Callahan swaps a summer of sadness for pet sitting around the world, she intends to use the time to heal her broken heart.
Tabitha can’t believe her luck when she picks up a housesit on the rugged and beautiful Portuguese island of Madeira.
The villa is luxurious, the views breath-taking and her charges, a gorgeous but aloof cat and two cute and friendly Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, are perfect companions while she works on some new material and attempts to reconcile her past.
However, her peace is shattered when an unexpected house guest puts paid to her much-needed time alone, forcing her to confront not only her feelings but what she actually wants from life.
New friends and old dominate her time on the island, along with deep-rooted regret and unspoken sorrow.
Will a year of running away be enough to put the past to rest and allow someone new to inch into her heart?

Published Date: 6 February 2023

My Review

Tabitha is a pet sitter. She travels the world to be a pet sitter for the owner who leave their pet to travel. Her latest pet sitter job takes her to Madeira and while the owner is away, their estranged son Raff arrives unexpectedly to stay. There is instant attraction between them but both of them need to faced their demon before they can move forward.

This book is about love and fractured relationship between friends and family. Tabitha is a likeable character who loves her family but the travelling that she did is to deal with the ending of her relationship. Raff on the other hand, is the opposite of Tabitha in terms of his relationship with family where he come from a broken relationship with his parent. The only similarity that both of them have is they used travelling to deal with their complicated issues. Overall it is a good read to me.

My Rating