November 2024 – Page 6

Review Card & Book Review – Her Private Security Detail By Patricia Sargeant

He’s her bodyguard

But he wants to be so much more

Philanthropist Symone Bishop is the most desirable woman Jeremiah Touré has ever met. She’s also way out of his league, and he can’t get involved with his client. Jerry knows how to protect Symone from the external threats menacing her nonprofit and her life. Can he save her from the devastating secrets the Touré Security Group uncovers? He knows he has to stay close to keep her from harm, but is he in danger of getting too close?

About The Author

My Review

This romantic suspense novel is packed with drama, mystery, danger, murder, twists, secrets, and betrayal. It features compelling characters and a gripping plot. Jeremiah, aka Jerry, is the youngest of the Toure’ brothers, with Hezekiah (Zeke) as the oldest and Malachi (Mal) in the middle. Jerry plans to leave the family-owned Toure’ Security Group after a failed security detail, wrongly blaming himself. His final assignment brings unexpected surprises. Symone Bishop, who runs the Bishop Foundation with her stepfather Paul after her parents’ deaths, seeks the Toure’ brothers’ help when Paul is targeted for murder. As Jerry and Symone grow closer romantically, Jerry pulls back due to a previous high-profile mishap. They soon discover Symone is also a target. The plot thickens with unexpected twists, making it easier to piece together the mystery. While Jerry and Symone’s story is engaging, the dynamic between Mal and Grace stands out. Although Jerry shines, more of his spunk and witty camaraderie would have enhanced his story.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – The Rancher ‘s Reunion By Lisa Childs

If she confesses her secret, will he stay…

Or run for good?

Veterinarian Cash Cassidy and single mom Becca Calder have been each other’s best friend through everything, including raising her young daughter, Hope. But Becca has been keeping a secret from Cash. Now he’s insisting on truth from everyone in his life, and Becca knows she’ll have to confess. Can Cash move past his old wounds and see that the loving family he desires has been there all along?

About The Author

My Review

Cash, a veterinarian, struggles with relationships and has a deep aversion to secrets. His childhood friend Becca harbors a secret she feels increasingly compelled to reveal. Cash’s mistrust stems from his strained relationship with his father, JJ, who concealed their true relationship until Cash confronted him and then left town. Upon returning, Cash aims to reconcile with his family and hopes to transition his friendship with Becca into a romantic relationship. The story is realistic and engaging, featuring vulnerable characters navigating past mistakes. The moderate pacing suits the family’s journey through obstacles toward a fresh start. The humor and wisdom of Sadie, the matchmaking grandmother, add charm. Cash stands out for his eagerness to make amends and seek forgiveness. This heartwarming tale of friendship evolving into romance includes some intriguing twists and a touch of mystery.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Review Card & Book Review – A Helping Hand For The Village Nurse By Tilly Tennant

Ottilie Oakcroft never thought she’d live in a place like Wordsworth Cottage. Nestled close to the river, her new home in the tiny village of Thimblebury means all her patients are just a stone’s throw from her front door. As they drop in for cups of tea and cosy chats she ignores all the jobs on her to-do list and gets to know her new neighbours.

Yet maybe keeping busy is just what Ottilie needs, even if she’s barely had a minute to unpack her suitcase. Heartbroken after the death of her husband Josh, as she offers advice and hot soup from her kitchen to the villagers who clearly need a helping hand, she starts to feel part of a community again.

But disaster strikes when a terrible storm causes the river to burst its banks and flood Ottilie’s ramshackle cottage. She has sunk every penny she has into what she’d hoped would be her forever home, and now she’s faced with the prospect of losing it.

But the villagers have other ideas. They can’t bear to lose Ottilie and they make a plan to save her house. Leading the effort is handsome Heath, and as he rolls up his sleeves to get involved in the repairs, he and Ottilie start to open up to each other. Ottilie tells him about her loss, and he shares the pain of a marriage that ended in heartbreak for him.

Ottilie hasn’t talked to anyone like this since Josh’s death and while it scares her, a tiny grain of hope begins to grow. Could Heath be the man to make her feel life is worth living again – not just for her patients, but for herself?

About The Author

My Review

Ottilie Oakcraft, a recent widow, begins anew as a nurse in Thimblebury, finding solace in her idyllic home, Wordsworth Cottage. Embraced by her neighbors and connecting deeply with geriatric patient Flo, Ottilie starts to heal. When a natural disaster threatens her home, villagers rally to help, especially Flo’s grandson Heath. Although Ottilie feels drawn to Heath, she worries about dishonoring her late husband’s memory and keeps her distance. This warm story explores Ottilie’s journey through grief, the supportive village, and a slow-building romance with Heath. It’s the first in a new series by Tilly Tennant.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review – Their Last Resort By R.S. Grey

Paige Young and Cole Clark are polar opposites. A world traveler since birth, Paige loves to lead activities for guests at a luxury island resort in Turks and Caicos. From bingo nights to cliffside hikes, Paige is up for anything. Cole, meanwhile, prefers his number-crunching desk job. He’s the assistant director at the resort—stiff and meticulous. He’s so by the book that he keeps the book. In his desk drawer.

They’re perfectly aligned in one way, though—their ability to drive each other crazy. Every day brings a fresh battle of wits. They’re rivals, archnemeses…and they’re definitely never going to talk about that one time they kissed. Ha ha. Nope!

But when Paige finds out that Cole has been ordered to fire her on the same day a hurricane threatens their little slice of paradise, it’s clear the game is over.

At odds, in peril, and forced to shelter in place together, these two enemies might finally have to confront their true feelings. (You know, the ones hidden under all those withering looks.)

About The Author

My Review

Paige Young, who loves adventure, is thrilled when she’s offered a job at a luxury resort in Turks and Caicos. Her new role involves managing guest activities, entertainment, and hospitality, and she quickly adapts to the island lifestyle. However, her relationship with Cole Clark, the resort’s assistant director of operations, adds tension. He’s strict and work-oriented, while Paige is spontaneous and free-spirited. They’ve been clashing since a kiss a year ago that they both deny happened.

Paige enjoys her work, but Cole’s workaholic nature often gets under her skin. Yet when a hurricane forces them to work closely together, they must face their unresolved feelings and discover that their rivalry might hide a deeper attraction. “Their Last Resort” combines a tropical setting and the “enemies-to-lovers” trope, creating romantic tension through forced proximity. Despite some initial confusion with the timeline, it’s a fun, lighthearted story for those who enjoy resort-set romances.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Review Card & Book Review – My Not So Perfect Summer By Phoebe MacLeod

Can Autumn turn her life around?

As spring flowers start to bloom in London, Autumn’s life is looking up! She has a great relationship with her brilliant teenage daughter Chloe and she’s on track to be Deputy Head at the London school where she works. And with a pay rise on the cards, she’s excited for her and her long-term boyfriend Marc to buy their first home.

But Autumn’s barely opened the estate agent’s website when Marc vanishes with half their savings, leaving her no choice but to move into grandma’s rural home in Kent. And things go from bad to worse when Autumn is involved in an accident during the move, leaving the village’s dashing new baker Jake in plaster cast, and making her a local outcast before she’s even unpacked her bags.

Determined to put things right, Autumn offers to help Jake in the bakery over the summer holidays. But as things heat up in the kitchen, Autumn can’t help noticing that Jake is a lot more Paul Hollywood and a lot less Mr Kipling than she originally thought.

Maybe this summer isn’t such a write off after all?

About The Author

My Review

Autumn and Marc, high school sweethearts, faced a life-altering event when Marc unexpectedly left, leaving behind a letter, half their savings, and his family. This sudden departure forced Autumn, who had just begun a new job as Deputy Head at a London school, to pick up the pieces and care for their nearly sixteen-year-old daughter, Chloe. To start anew, Autumn and Chloe moved to rural Kent to live with Autumn’s mother. On their first day, Autumn accidentally hit a local baker with her car, sending him to the hospital. To make amends, she offered to help run his bakery during his recovery. As the summer unfolded, both Autumn and Chloe settled into village life, meeting quirky and eccentric locals. Autumn developed a bond with Jake, a steady presence in her life, while Chloe quickly adapted to the change, likely due to a recent breakup. Autumn’s mother provided steady support throughout their journey, though the village’s tight-knit community came with its share of gossip and misunderstandings. Despite Marc’s betrayal, Autumn and Chloe found comfort in their new surroundings, but some readers felt Autumn’s recovery from Marc’s abandonment was too swift. Overall, the story was a heartwarming exploration of family, community, and rebuilding a life after unexpected challenges, appealing to fans of women’s fiction with elements of romance and family.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Review Card & Book Review- One Greek Summer Wedding By Mandy Baggot

Love is in the air…

When singer Cara is invited to a big, fat Greek wedding in Corfu, she sees it as a mixed blessing: some time to heal on the beautiful Greek island with her aunt will be a tonic, but it’s going to stir up memories – of before Seb ghosted her and disappeared off the face of the earth.

Akis Diakos, brother of the groom, should be looking forward to planning the bachelor party, but burdened by the weight of family expectation, his mind is elsewhere: he has a decision to make – one that could, apparently, ruin his little brother’s life forever.

When Cara learns that her aunt Margot brought her here under false pretences, she’s faced with a dilemma. She’s not sung in public since that fateful day at Eurovision when her life fell apart, and she’s not planning to now. But with Akis’s encouragement, it’s time for both of them to face up to their fears.

And who knows – maybe this beautiful duet will also lead to a beautiful romance?

About The Author

My Review

Cara and her aunt Margo are heading to a wedding in Corfu, even though Cara only found out about it the day before. It’s the wedding of the son of Margo’s old school friend, but when they arrive, Cara discovers that not everything is as straightforward as it seems.

Cara is still recovering from a traumatic event that cost her career, her fiancé, and nearly her sanity. Can the gentle Akis help her rediscover herself, even as he faces his own issues, with a domineering mother who insists he join the priesthood to lift a family curse before his upcoming birthday?

I loved the characters in this book, particularly Cara and her aunt Margo. Mandy Baggot creates the perfect relationship between them as the story reveals what connects them. With a dashing Greek hero, Akis, who has a significant decision to make, and his quirky family, this book offers a delightful mix of romance and comedy. The story is a fantastic summer read, with engaging characters and a light-hearted touch. Beyond Corfu, the author also treats us to some beautiful scenes set in Santorini. Mandy’s books never disappoint.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo