July 1, 2024 – My Sanctuary

In The Blink Of An Eye By Kate Hewitt

It only took a moment for everything to go wrong. In the blink of an eye, the birthday party became a nightmare when we heard the screams… How did this happen? And who is to blame?

I’m so happy as I walk to pick up my son from the party. It’s his first since we moved here, and I know he’s found it hard settling in. Just as I’ve found it hard to make friends among the mothers at the school gates. But as I turn the corner, my heart stops. Instead of the picture-perfect birthday party I left earlier, there’s an ambulance.

I start to run. My son, is all I can think. I have to find my son.

As I race into the garden, desperately searching for my child, a fellow parent turns to me, her finger pointed. The words out of her mouth make my blood run cold.

“Your son did this. This is your fault.”

Surely that can’t be true? My son can be difficult, but I’d know if he was capable of hurting someone… Wouldn’t I?

As a little girl is lifted onto a stretcher, I feel my world come crashing down. My heart cracks in two for this poor child, her devastated family. Because there’s no coming back from this. An innocent girl has been hurt. My son is being blamed. And although I don’t know what really happened, I do know that this moment will tear us all apart…

Wedding Bells By The Creek By Janet Gover

Are there some things that can’t be forgiven?

Helen Walsh has never stopped searching for the daughter who ran away from home when she was just fifteen. Now Tia has found her. Helen longs for her daughter’s forgiveness. Will a Coorah Creek wedding help heal their rift?

Ed Collins has walked Helen’s path, and he knows that she needs more than her daughter’s forgiveness. Ed feels compelled to help her, as he is increasingly drawn to her kind and loving heart.

Then Ed’s wife Stephanie returns to the tiny outback town – thirteen years after she deserted Ed and their young son, Scott. Steph was his first and only love, and now Ed is being asked to forgive.

But how do you forgive what you will never forget?

Always a bridesmaid, never a bride—and that’s the way I like it.

I may be anti-marriage, but I’m still pro-romance. Case in point? That sexy curmudgeon I met last year during my cousin’s tropical bachelorette getaway.

That grump was Dorian, the groom’s old college roommate, there for the bachelor party. I couldn’t get enough of his messy brown hair and gorgeous turquoise eyes. We connected on a deep level—emotionally and physically.

But the timing wasn’t right. So we made a pact to reconnect in two years. Now I’m starting a new “job.” It’ll take a lot of work and pays really well—I’m talking seven figures here. All I have to do is pretend to be my boss’s new fiancée…and spend eight weeks with his family on their private island. How hard could it be?

Turns out, a lot harder than I thought. Because the man I’m pretending to love? He’s Dorian’s brother, and now all bets are off…

About The Author

My Review

This is a compelling blend of angst, heartache, and sweetness, showcasing the author’s talent for conveying complex emotions effortlessly. Dorian emanates tortured intensity, while Briar’s sunny soul captures readers’ hearts. Their unexpected reunion as Briar agrees to pose as her boss’s fake fiancée leads to a tumultuous journey filled with family drama and buried secrets on a luxurious island. The alternating flashbacks to their initial meeting at a wedding party reveal their deep connection and subsequent heartbreak, adding depth to their story. Despite the obstacles, Briar’s strength and Dorian’s eventual emotional thawing pave the way for a dreamy and ultimately satisfying happily ever after. Renshaw’s skillful dual POV narration allows readers to easily connect with the characters, making for an engaging and memorable read.

My Rating