October 21, 2024 – My Sanctuary

Nightcaps At The Beach House Hotel By Judith Keim

Another favor can mean another problem for Ann and Rhonda …

When Ann and Rhonda receive a request from the vice-president to provide a private space at the hotel for a nighttime talk show host having difficulties, they’re worried. Trouble always happens when they do something for her. Sipping nightcaps, they watch Darryl Douglas’ show and decide to allow him to rent one of the guesthouses at the same time their beloved daughter-of -heart, Tina Marks, is renting the house next door along with her personal trainer, Abbie Hathaway. When Darryl’s ex-wife appears at the hotel a lot more than the usual problems appear, leaving Ann and Rhonda to fight for the hotel’s reputation.

The Island Girls By Rachel Sweasey

1941: For the townspeople of Poole on the Dorset coast, the war feels like it’s right on their doorstep. And with more and more men leaving to fight, one fisherman’s daughter is determined to do whatever she can to help. Peggy volunteers to use her skills on the water to work with the flying boats alongside the RAF based in the harbour. But when she is asked to undertake a special mission, she will have to make a terrible choice – between her duty to her country and her only chance of happiness.

1998: Rebekah has travelled halfway around the world to take up a role on Brownsea Island. This tiny island off the coast of England is a treasure trove of natural wonder, but it still carries the scars of fighting. And when Rebekah discovers a lost letter from the war, hidden all this time, she becomes determined to deliver it, fifty years later.

But the idyllic Dorset harbour hides many more secrets, and Rebekah’s search for the truth will change her life in ways she never imagined possible…

When one unforgettable night…

Leads to a whole new life…

When Jared Sotheby arrives in Peak, Virginia, to search for his identity—and his Filipino roots—he doesn’t anticipate an instant connection with a stunning woman he meets on his first night in town. And he certainly doesn’t expect her to be managing the B & B owned by the biological family he’s searching for!

One passionate night aside, Matilda Matthews needs a cook, and Jared, a chef, needs a way in. She’ll give him the job if he keeps his identity a secret—for now. Their subterfuge quickly grows complicated as Jared yearns for a connection—not only with his family, but also with the once-bitten Matilda. But first he’ll have to convince her to let a younger man into her heart…

About The Author

My Review

In “It Started With a Secret,” Tif Marcelo introduces Jared, a character whose journey begins with a revelation: he’s the product of a one-night stand, and his father has recently passed away. As we follow Jared from Louisville to the town where his late father’s widow and daughters live, we see him join their family business—a bed-and-breakfast that has just lost its chef. Jared, being a chef himself, steps into the role, but he keeps his true identity hidden from the family. During his early days in town, he meets Matilda, and they quickly hit it off. Despite Matilda’s hesitation due to their age difference—Jared is ten years older—their chemistry is undeniable, and they end up hooking up after a night at the bar.

Tif Marcelo takes on a heavy premise with a light touch, avoiding the potential heaviness that could have overshadowed the developing romance between Jared and Matilda. Instead of focusing solely on the weight of Jared’s secret, the story remains centered on the evolving relationship between the characters. It’s a beautifully told tale of two people finding love, meeting halfway, and dealing with the challenge of revealing a life-changing secret.

My Rating