June 2024 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – Four Steps to the Perfect Revenge By Lilian Monroe

Even after their breakup, Ellie Davis can’t seem to shake her ex-fiancé. First it was the cheating, then it was the rumors, and now she finds out Jason’s been trying to get his greedy hands on her parents’ property. Where does it end? With revenge, Ellie decides.

But she might just need a little help first.

Enter Fernley Island’s OddJobs app. When the local boat mechanic she hires sends his nephew instead, Ellie has to readjust her plans to account for Hugh Hartford, who’s handsome, brooding, and only in town for a few days. But he keeps showing up, so Ellie keeps hiring him. Little does she know Hugh has his own reasons for investigating Jason Brownlow…

As more evidence against Jason turns up, so does the heat between Ellie and Hugh. But if revenge is a dish best served cold, can their spark survive—or will the secrets between them burn it out?

About The Author

My Review

This book is a humorous and fast-paced romantic comedy that follows Ellie Davis as she seeks revenge on her ex-fiancé, Jason. When her plan takes an unexpected turn and she hires Hugh Hartford through the OddJobs app, sparks fly between them, leading to a captivating romance filled with witty banter. As they navigate their feelings and seek retribution against Jason, the novel explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and unexpected love. With a perfect balance of humor and romance, this delightful read promises to leave readers smiling.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Happy Publication Day – 30 June 2024

Happy Ever After At Puddleduck Farm By Della Galton

When life throws up the unexpected, can Phoebe hold strong?

In the idyllic setting of the New Forest, talented vet Phoebe Dashwood envisions a picturesque life alongside her beloved fiancé. However, the course of true love is fraught with unexpected hurdles.

Career wise, Phoebe encounters a goat who is seemingly experiencing a phantom pregnancy, and a highly-strung talking parrot who pushes her professionalism to the limits.

Things take an unexpected turn for the worse when Phoebe is confronted with a glamorous love rival, and a surprise Valentine’s Day ‘date’ to see a financial advisor! Can things get any worse?

When tragedy strikes Phoebe realises that nothing in life should be taken for granted and fears she will lose everything she holds dear.

Whilst her friends find their own happy endings, Phoebe is beset with doubts that she and Sam will never find theirs. Is love enough to carry them into the future they deserve?

Review Card & Book Review – On the Way to Us By Carolyn Brown

He’s a tempting heap of Texas trouble…

Mercy Spenser promised her friend and roommate she’d spend her vacation in west Texas for a charitable mission—she didn’t agree to the oppressive heat, massive spiders, or the rowdy cantina next door drowning out her gospel singing. She’s not the type to sit idly by, so when she clashes with the sexy-as-hell man who runs the place, her temper is hot enough to nearly burn down the entire town.

Despite refusing to turn down his jukebox and inviting Miss Mercy to leave his cantina alone, Hunter Wilson can’t get that gospel singer with the ice-blue eyes out of his mind. Finding her again in their tiny town isn’t the problem. Convincing her that he’s interested—well, that’s another story. But if Mercy will give Hunter one more chance to show his true feelings, they just might find the love of a lifetime.

About The Author

My Review

Mercy and Hunter’s initial encounter in a desert town is fraught with tension and misunderstandings. Mercy, reluctantly on a mission trip with her religious friend Jenny, finds herself annoyed by the town’s conditions and Hunter’s taunts. Despite their rocky start, Hunter, overseeing a cantina for a friend, is drawn to Mercy’s beauty and determination. Despite objections from Jenny, Mercy decides to pursue a relationship with Hunter, challenging her friend’s control over her life. Their budding romance faces obstacles from judgmental outsiders, testing their trust and feelings for each other. Eventually, after some soul-searching, they confront their issues and work towards a happy ending, despite initial reservations about each other.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Kobo

Review Card & Book Review – Snowflakes and Surprises in Tuppenny Bridge By Sharon Booth

In Tuppenny Bridge, fresh snowfall carpets every cottage roof, turning the village into a shimmering wonderland of white. Snatches of carols swirl in the frosty air and, beside a roaring fire in The White Hart Inn, rosy-cheeked families gather over mugs of hot chocolate. But despite the holiday cheer all around her, Clementine Grant can barely manage a smile…

Clemmie has always been a romantic at heart, even going so far as to write her own regency romance novels… not that she’d EVER let anyone read them. This year, she’s dreaming of a white Christmas, but any chance of a merry holiday is dashed when she spots her ex-boyfriend, Ross Lavender, across the village green at a carol concert.

Even worse, Clemmie is mortified when, in the village Christmas raffle, she picks the winning ticket. The prize? A portrait painted by Ross himself, who is a talented local artist. Burning with shame, Clemmie tries unsuccessfully to give it back. She’d rather forget the portrait and the man behind it – no way does she want to spend hours alone together this holiday season.

But then an unexpected snowstorm traps Clemmie and Ross in close quarters, and old emotions and secrets emerge from beneath the ice. With Clemmie’s sweet Aunt Dolly clearly keeping something from her, and a potential new suitor – the charming Reuben Walker – stirring the pot, Clemmie’s future is at a terrifying crossroads. Will the spirit of Christmas, with its promise of new beginnings, help bridge the distance between two people who thought it was over for good? Or will the weight of the secret Clemmie’s been carrying ever since they split up prove too heavy for her to bear?

About The Author

My Review

This book is a heartwarming tale of love and forgiveness set in a close-knit community. Clemmie, a romantic with a penchant for Jane Austen novels, carries a secret that affects her self-esteem and relationships. When she wins a portrait prize, tensions arise as she reconnects with her estranged artist ex-boyfriend, Ross, during a snowstorm. The story explores the complexities of relationships, including those between friends, parents, and grown children. Surprises unfold, including the arrival of newcomer Reuben, whose secrets challenge perceptions. Through Austen-inspired references and Ross’s romantic gestures, the novel celebrates the enduring power of love and the importance of remaining a dreamer in a sometimes cynical world.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Review Card & Book Review – A Christmas Changes Everything By Isabelle Grace

This Christmas, Holly and Chace are getting the best present of all – a second chance.

Holly McCade is godmother to two little girls – a role she takes very seriously. So she immediately offers to care for the twins when, three weeks before Christmas, their father is injured and their mother has to rush off to tend to him.

Only Holly won’t be handling the situation alone. The twins’ Uncle Chace, the man Holly almost married, is also coming to help.

Formerly an elite soldier, now a private security specialist, Chace Dutton is trained to deal with the toughest, scariest situations. Yet nothing has prepared him for the daunting task of sharing childcare duties with the only woman he’s ever loved.

The woman who tore his heart to shreds when she said she could never be with a man who might be killed every time he went to work.

Now, eight years later and living under the same roof, Chace and Holly are given a glimpse into how their life together might have been.

Will they have the courage to rekindle their love and grab hold of this second chance? Or is all the mistletoe for nothing?

About The Author

My Review

Holly and Chace, former engaged couple, find themselves reunited when they agree to care for Chace’s twin nieces in his sister’s absence. Despite their unresolved feelings for each other, Holly’s fear of loss led to their breakup years ago. Now, as they navigate co-parenting the girls, their love reignites. Can they overcome past obstacles and embrace a second chance at love? Fans of the series will appreciate this heartwarming story of rekindled romance amidst holiday chaos in Hickory Ridge.

My Rating

Review Card & Book Review – Baby Daddy Protector By Katie Knight

All I need is a baby. And a husband. It’s not that I really want either, to be honest. But to save my country from my jerk of a cousin, I’m willing to make that sacrifice.

I love my country, but it has a silly law that the only way a woman can rule is if she’s the mother of a male heir to the throne. Otherwise, my horrible cousin is next in line, and I just can’t let him take over when my ailing father dies. No way.

Now, I just need to find someone who’s just as desperate as I am. And my eyes fall on him. Zachary Raybourn. Hot. Sexy. Silent. The bane of my existence. He’s a Navy SEAL who has the task of protecting me while we’re in the U.S.

I’m a grown woman. I don’t need a babysitter. I need a husband. And Zachary needs to get back to his unit. So, I offer him a deal. It’s an early Christmas present to each other. Marry me, get me pregnant, and he’s free.

I just hope that when the time comes, I’ll be glad to see him go.

About The Author

My Review

Zachary “Z” Raybourn, a former SEAL relegated to protecting a foreign princess, Esme Hollycombe, finds himself in an unexpected situation when Esme proposes a contract: he marries her to secure her country’s throne and fathers her child. Initially hesitant, Z eventually agrees, leading to a complex journey of action, intrigue, and unexpected romance. As their fake relationship evolves into something real, Z must choose between his military family and the nuclear family he’s creating with Esme. Despite the unconventional circumstances, their bond deepens, culminating in a satisfying ending. The story offers a fresh twist on the princess and bodyguard trope, with engaging characters and a compelling narrative that keeps readers hooked until the end.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Review Card & Book Review – A Merry Montgomery Christmas By Samantha Chase

When the entire Montgomery family comes together, it makes for a holiday to remember.

But it’s more than just the tree, decorations, and gifts that have everyone talking. With so many people crammed under one roof, there’s bound to be some drama. Between last-minute business crises, talks of retirement, a new relationship, a sprinkle of marital problems, lots of snow, and a surprise baby, this has all the makings of a blue Christmas. They’ll need more than one Christmas miracle to get everything back on track, and hopefully Santa–or William Montgomery–will come to the rescue.

One thing’s for sure, it’s a Christmas they’ll be talking about for years to come.

About The Author

My Review

The Montgomery family gathers for Christmas in a sprawling Blue Ridge mountain home, bringing together over fifty family members from across the country. Despite the challenges each couple faces, they come together to provide support and encouragement for one another. William Montgomery’s matchmaking antics add a delightful touch to the narrative, while Kevin T. Collins delivers a captivating narration, bringing each character to life with skill and engagement. Despite the large cast of characters, the reunion is depicted seamlessly, allowing readers to reconnect with beloved figures and anticipate future storylines. With themes of family, gratitude, and matchmaking, this heartwarming holiday tale is sure to uplift and entertain readers, making it a perfect festive read. Overall, this story is a perfect blend of humor, romance, and holiday spirit, making it an enjoyable and quick read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

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Kobo

Review Card & Book Review -Christmas with the Denton Billionaires By Leslie North

Will a fake Christmas engagement lead to true love in the Billionaire’s Christmas Fiancée? Amelia MacTaggart wants a promotion. To get it, all she has to do is pretend to be her hot billionaire boss’s fiancée for Christmas. But when their fake romance starts feeling all too real, Amelia realizes she may not be pretending after all…

Jules Cardwell has her hands full planning the legendary Denton Hotel Christmas gala. Then she and her billionaire boss, Mitch Denton, discover a real baby in the hotel’s manger. Forced together with a storm bearing down, Mitch and Jules are about to discover that all they want for Christmas…may just be each other, in The Billionaire’s Sudden Christmas Baby.

Things are heating up in the kitchen in The Billionaire’s Second Chance Christmas!Mara Lancaster’s future depends on her winning a local gingerbread house competition. The only problem? Her main competition is her former lover, Chris Denton. It’s a recipe for disaster…one that just might leave them both burned.

About The Author

My Review

The Billionaire’s Christmas Fiancée” follows Josh and Amelia, where Josh needs a fiancée to bid on a property.Josh Denton and his assistant, Amelia, enter into a fake engagement to help Josh take over a hotel in Amelia’s hometown. Unbeknownst to each other, they already have feelings for one another. Along the way, misunderstandings, guilt, and mischief arise, adding to the mayhem. Amelia’s family provides comic relief, while Josh grapples with the loss of his mother and his family dynamics.

The Billionaire’s Sudden Christmas Baby” features Mitch and Jules, who find a baby abandoned in a nativity scene while planning a holiday event. They bond over caring for the baby and develop feelings for each other amidst the chaos, leading to emotional revelations and confrontations within the family.

The Billionaire’s Second Chance Christmas” revolves around Chef Christopher Denton and Maria competing against each other while dealing with past heartbreak. As they vie for a prize, their old spark reignites, but external obstacles threaten their budding relationship amidst competition, secrets, and drama, eventually finding their happily-ever-after.

The steamy boxset by Leslie North features three irresistible billionaire romances set during the holiday season. Each book is a standalone novel with themes like holiday romance, Christmas stories, boss-employee relationships, and more.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Happy Publication Day – 27 June 2024

Somebody I Used To Love By Eve Ainsworth

Lost memories. Lost loves. Can they find their way back to each other?

When Will wakes up after a car accident, he’s lost three years of memory. All he wants is his girlfriend and childhood sweetheart, Gem, beside him. Instead, nothing is as he remembers.

Gem has finally moved on from hers and Will’s break-up. With a new life and boyfriend, the last thing she expects is a call to say Will needs her – the man who nearly destroyed her.

As Will recovers, he is determined to prove to Gem that he is the man he once was. But by unlocking the secrets of his past, will he be able to piece together what caused him to change so dramatically? And, faced with the choice, will Gem continue with the safe new life she has built for herself, or will she go back to the man she used to love?

Review Card & Book Review – Welcome To The Cornish Country Hospital By Jo Bartlett

A new start…

When Danni Carter moves to Cornwall from London, she hopes it will be the fresh start she so desperately needs. She’s nervous, but hopefully the change of scene will help her to finally forget her feelings for Lucas Newman, a man she can never be with, because he’s already engaged to Danni’s best friend, Esther.

An Impossible Dilemma…

But when Lucas and Esther decide to follow Danni to Cornwall, and both announce they will be working with her at the new St Piran’s hospital, Danni is thrown into turmoil again. She can’t lose Esther, but being near Lucas is getting harder to deal with. Will she have to give up her new life before it’s even started?

A chance to start again?

Throwing herself into work, Danni finds herself drawn to new patient, Connie Berrycloth, a woman Danni knows has dark secrets of her own. Secrets that are about to be revealed….

As the two women form a friendship, Danni begins to realise that letting go of her dreams might be the only way of holding on to the people she loves.

About The Author

My Review

Danni faces a difficult decision when she leaves London to work as an A&E doctor in St. Piran’s, a place her late father loved. Her friendship with Esther is tested by her feelings for surgeon Lucas, who is now engaged to Esther. When they both follow her to Cornwall and work at the same hospital, Danni must decide between her relationship with Esther and her attraction to Lucas. Against the backdrop of hospital life, Danni becomes involved in Connie’s story, a patient with a poignant secret. The book explores themes of friendship, family, and romance, with uplifting moments despite the heartbreak. The well-researched hospital and Cornish settings, along with excellent character development, make it a highly recommended read.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo