Happy Publication Day – 31 October 2023

It Happened One Christmas By Chantel Guertin

Will her Christmas wish come true?

Zoey Andrews lives and breathes Christmas. She loves everything about the season, and after years of directing countless holiday movies, she certainly knows her way around a festive tale. So, when she finally gets the chance to bring her own script to life, she isn’t about to let anything, or anyone, stand in her way–not even the stupidly sexy, utterly frustrating plaid-clad tree farmer Benoît Deschamps. Moonlighting as mayor of Chelsea–the cozy Quebec hamlet at the center of Zoey’s screenplay–Ben maddeningly refuses to grant her a film permit in his enchanting town.

With just four days left before Christmas, Zoey must change Ben’s mind, but not before an unscripted ice storm leaves them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with nothing except . . . each other.

Will Ben’s chilly resolve shatter Zoey’s Christmas movie wish? Or will Zoey be able to melt his stubbornness–and maybe even his heart?

Review Card – You’ve Got This By Maxine Morrey

To find true love, first you have to truly love yourself…

Fleur French does not have the best of luck when it comes to life and love, and her current boyfriend Jasper is yet another person who only seems to like Fleur when she moulds herself into his idea of the perfect partner. So, when she finds herself single, jobless and homeless, Fleur has to decide if she’s ready to finally be herself – if only she knew who that was.

Matt Morgan saw things he’ll never forget when he was deployed in the military, but now back home in Wales, the recuperative powers of the stunning countryside are working their magic.  And when Fleur takes a job at his mother’s hotel, Matt senses she could benefit from that same magic – if only Fleur realised it too.

It’s hard to be yourself, when you’ve never felt you quite fitted in. But with new days come new opportunities, and as Fleur begins to flourish and find out who she really is, her luck in love might be about to change too.

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Book Review – Vacation Wars By Meghan Quinn

Prepared for a good time, Tessa is thrilled to spend the weeks before her sister’s wedding at their family’s favorite vacation spot: Santorini. Sandy beaches, stonewashed houses, attractive men—it’s heaven.

But Tessa’s idea of a girls’ trip comes to a screaming halt when her sister thinks it’s high time Tessa finds some love herself. Unfortunately, Tessa forgot about the deal she made back in high school: she has to find her soulmate before her sister’s wedding. Or else.

As she dodges suitors and her sister’s pranks, Tessa finds an ally in the oh-so-dreamy Myles, her childhood crush who just so happens to work at the resort. But Myles is dealing with some family conflict of his own. He’s elated at being reunited with Tessa, but his father’s refusal to acknowledge his interest in the family business and relegating him to only grunt work casts a dark cloud.

As Tessa and Myles help navigate their way through their families’ antics, they begin to realize that their past feelings may have a future—if only they can turn their island fantasies into something real.

Published Date: 18 April 2023

My Review

Roxanne, Tessa’s sister, is set to wed at the Grecian resort they’ve frequented since childhood. Tessa has consistently been smitten with a resort staff member, Myles. This year’s visit is no exception, with Tessa still harboring strong feelings for him. Unexpectedly, she partners with Myles to ward off relentless matchmaking attempts from her sister and friends. The bond between Tessa and Myles is deeply endearing, further enriched by their shared past. Yet, it’s disheartening to see how Tessa’s friends and family often dismiss her emotions and opinions.

This novel weaves Tessa and Myles’ romance with the complexities of friendship dynamics, sibling insecurities, a tense father-son relationship, and the journey to self-advocacy. The story offers some tantalizing moments, but it’s a gradual buildup to the climax.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 29 October 2023

The Impossible Search For The Perfect Man By Debbie Howells

Imagine for a moment, your husband leaves you. Then through a bizarre twist of events, you find yourself working with the girl he’s left you for – and even worse, she’s pregnant…

All Louisa wants is the impossible. To find a straightforward man, who isn’t remotely messed up. Now there’s a thought… But does such a man even exist?

All she knows is that she doesn’t need any more complications in her life. She has enough to deal with, with one best friend with a very strange horoscope habit, and the other dealing with a screwed-up husband. Not to mention dealing with her own ex-husband and his pregnant new girlfriend, who seems to need Louisa to give them relationship counselling!

She resolves that maybe a life of helping other people find their happy-ever-afters is enough for her. But then handsome vet Marcus walks into her life. And everything changes…

Review Card – Vacation Wars By Meghan Quinn

Prepared for a good time, Tessa is thrilled to spend the weeks before her sister’s wedding at their family’s favorite vacation spot: Santorini. Sandy beaches, stonewashed houses, attractive men—it’s heaven.

But Tessa’s idea of a girls’ trip comes to a screaming halt when her sister thinks it’s high time Tessa finds some love herself. Unfortunately, Tessa forgot about the deal she made back in high school: she has to find her soulmate before her sister’s wedding. Or else.

As she dodges suitors and her sister’s pranks, Tessa finds an ally in the oh-so-dreamy Myles, her childhood crush who just so happens to work at the resort. But Myles is dealing with some family conflict of his own. He’s elated at being reunited with Tessa, but his father’s refusal to acknowledge his interest in the family business and relegating him to only grunt work casts a dark cloud.

As Tessa and Myles help navigate their way through their families’ antics, they begin to realize that their past feelings may have a future—if only they can turn their island fantasies into something real.

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Book Review – Blue Moon Haven By Janet Dailey

Kelly Jenkins heads to bucolic Blue Moon, Alabama, believing a new life will heal the two orphaned children in her care. Signing on to revive the drive-in theater seems like a worthy venture, until she discovers the property is in deep disrepair. Still, spurred on by the elderly owner’s plea, Kelly takes on the renovation, beginning with an ancient tree that needs to come down—and unexpectedly bringing on the wrath of her reclusive neighbor…

Seeing Kelly take an ax to his little girl’s favorite tree is like being struck in the heart—whatever heart Seth Morgan has left after losing his daughter. With his own attempt to buy the old drive-in thwarted, Seth reluctantly steps in to help Kelly, even offering her and her kids shelter in his home, a place that hasn’t seen a woman’s touch—or a child’s joyful laughter—in far too long…

Soon everyone is bound up in the fate of Blue Moon’s drive-in—and the new family taking root in town. Because it looks like the love blooming between Kelly and Seth just may rival any found on the silver screen…

Published Date: 25 April 2023

My Review

Kelly accepted a position to restore the Blue Moon drive-in movie theater. Her employer, an elderly woman in a nursing home, envisioned the theater’s past glory. While attempting to cut down a tree, Kelly encountered Seth, ax in hand. Their initial interactions were rocky, but a deep friendship blossomed, hinting at something more. Amidst challenges, unexpected visitors, and financial hurdles, they persevered together.

This narrative beautifully captures themes of love, grief, and new beginnings. More than just a love story, it celebrates the creation of a family and the unification of a community for a shared purpose. Both Seth and Kelly carry heavy emotional baggage from past losses, making them cautious about new emotional ties.

My Rating

Review Card – Blue Moon Haven By Janet Dailey

Kelly Jenkins heads to bucolic Blue Moon, Alabama, believing a new life will heal the two orphaned children in her care. Signing on to revive the drive-in theater seems like a worthy venture, until she discovers the property is in deep disrepair. Still, spurred on by the elderly owner’s plea, Kelly takes on the renovation, beginning with an ancient tree that needs to come down—and unexpectedly bringing on the wrath of her reclusive neighbor…

Seeing Kelly take an ax to his little girl’s favorite tree is like being struck in the heart—whatever heart Seth Morgan has left after losing his daughter. With his own attempt to buy the old drive-in thwarted, Seth reluctantly steps in to help Kelly, even offering her and her kids shelter in his home, a place that hasn’t seen a woman’s touch—or a child’s joyful laughter—in far too long…

Soon everyone is bound up in the fate of Blue Moon’s drive-in—and the new family taking root in town. Because it looks like the love blooming between Kelly and Seth just may rival any found on the silver screen…

About The Author

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 26 October 2023

The Christmas Love Letters By Sue Moorcroft

The love letters were only the start of the story…

Tucked into a crook of the Norfolk coast lies Nelson’s Bar – an idyllic village where time seems to stand still. Maddy Austen has called this beautiful spot home all her life, as had her husband Adey – until one snowy night an epic row sent him storming out, never to be seen again.

Six years on, and Maddy’s life in the village has settled into a gentle pattern with her daughter Lyla and Great Aunt Ruthie. However, when handsome stranger Raff turns up at Ruthie’s door with a handful of long-forgotten love letters, their quiet life is upended as family secrets from the past are unearthed.

As Raff and Maddy get to know each other, they grow closer and a love story of their own seems inevitable. But when Maddy receives a mysterious message, she can’t help but wonder whether her own past is as distant as she thought it was…

Never Ever Getting Back Together By Phoebe Macleod

Everyone remembers their first love. Jess Thomas definitely does. So, it’s more than a little awkward when Jess’s first love, Jamie Ferguson, turns out to be the best man at the wedding she’s catering for. And more than a little insulting when he doesn’t appear to remember her at all.

Since Jamie broke her heart (via text!), 10 years earlier, Jess has sworn off romance. And with a booming catering business to focus on, she’s doing OK. She has no interest in revisiting the past.

But when Jess’s car breaks down on a country lane, she has no choice but to accept Jamie’s help. Now, Jamie is determined to show Jess he’s a new man. But can guys like Jamie ever really change? And if she gives him another chance, is she setting herself up for a fall?

The Mother Of All Problems By Nancy Peach

When did having it all become doing it all?

Penny Baker is coping. Just about.

Three kids, one dog, one lovely but sometimes oblivious husband. Tick, tick tick.

She is even managing to hold her own among the competitive school mums – if you don’t look too closely. But when she finds herself also caring for her elderly mother, diagnosed with dementia, the household is thrown into disarray and Penny finds herself stretched to breaking point trying to meet everyone’s needs.

Can she make the new family situation work? And is there any chance of finding some space in it all for herself?

Book Review – Captivated By Callie By Jennifer Bishop

Devon Steele wants his sexy new neighbor, but will her secret drive them apart?

Callie Hargraves is on the run and the sleepy beach town of Flamingo Cove seems the perfect place to hide.

She’s just starting to feel safe again when her peace is disturbed in a totally different way when her new neighbor moves in… Devon Steele. A retired military man who wants nothing more than a quiet life as a boat captain. He can tell Callie is hiding something, and he wants nothing to do with her. He’s had his fill of troublesome women in the past and is determined not to repeat his mistakes.

They manage to fight their attraction to each other until the day Callie’s secret catches up with her. With her life in danger, will Devon break his promise to himself to keep her safe?

Published Date: 11 April 2023

My Review

Callie, an author, spots something suspicious near her home and flees to Flamingo Cove, fearing she’s being pursued by the individuals she witnessed. There, she encounters her new neighbor, Devon, a grouchy retired military man with a tainted history with women. He yearns for a peaceful life as a Dive boat owner until Callie enters the scene, reshaping his perspective. The highlight for me was Callie’s fearless stance against Devon, demanding an apology for his initial sour demeanor. Their dynamic, from Devon’s internal battle over his feelings for Callie to their playful exchanges, made this a captivating read.

This romance novel seamlessly intertwines suspense, keeping readers on edge with every turn of the page. Between anticipating a romance between Devon and Callie and the looming threat from the mysterious men in the SUV, it was impossible to set the book down. It’s a must-read for every book enthusiast.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 25 October 2023

Chasing Dreams At Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home By Sarah Hope

The Cornish sea air, old friends, and cuddles with a cute pup… 

Sometimes you’re just where you need to be…

After a difficult break-up, Poppy is keen to put the past behind her and what’s better than some relaxing time with her aunt in the picturesque Cornish village of West Par?

But life at her aunt Flora’s Dogs’ Home is anything but relaxing. When a poor little pup is stranded at the gates, Poppy takes them for a check up at the local vet, hoping against hope they’ll be fine.

And there she meets Mack: the vet who is so charming and experienced with the dogs, but selfish and – dare she say it – money-grabbing with his clients.

But underneath that cold exterior, she’s sure there’s more to the story. If only she could convince him to open up. Because without him, the future of Wagging Tails isn’t so assured…