May 17, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – Retreat To The Lakeside Cottage By Erin Green

Welcome to the Lakeside Cottage . . . A place to write, where inspiration awaits . . .

Five authors have gathered at the idyllic Lakeside Cottage for a retreat, with the promise of peace and dedicated writing time. At least, that’s the idea . . .

Retreat organiser Rula is there to edit, surrounded by like-minded souls. An interloper, especially one with whom she has a past, was certainly not part of her plan.

Eve has a bad case of writer’s block, despite numerous bestsellers under her belt. Can she find new inspiration? Or will she get drawn into the dramas that unfold around her?

Alice has a deadline looming but is seemingly more interested in anything but writing. And where does she keep disappearing to?

Daphne is an experienced self-published author, but might she be more unconventional in other ways too?

And then there’s Brontë, the complete novice. She’s a mere scribbler, not a ‘proper writer’ like these other women, and she feels totally out of her depth.

As the collective word count grows, and their personal stories interweave, each woman finds herself drawn in unexpected and life-changing directions.

About The Author

My Review

Bronte, Daphne, Rula, Eve, and Alice are all writers who come together at a lakeside writing retreat. Set in a beautiful and peaceful location, the story offers a refreshing change by focusing on a group rather than just one main character. It’s lovely to see how each woman brings her own dreams, struggles, and personality to the retreat, and how their friendships slowly build over time.

The setting is described so well that you can easily picture the calm water and cozy cottages, making it a very comforting read. It was interesting to follow all five women’s journeys, seeing how writing brought them together but life took them in different directions too. Their experiences highlight not just creativity but also personal growth, new beginnings, and the courage to follow your heart.

Overall, Retreat to the Lakeside Cottage is an engaging and heartwarming story. It’s perfect if you enjoy stories about friendship, second chances, and pursuing your passions in a beautiful setting.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

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Happy Publication Day – 17 May 2025

Dancing Under The Moon By Celia Anderson

Forty-something Molly is starting to realise – with growing horror – that life isn’t just passing her by, it has completely gone without her. Her husband, four children and large collection of animals are chaotic and demanding, and her job as a playgroup assistant has lost its power to inspire her.

When temptation strikes and Molly is desperately attracted to the charismatic village headmaster, she is outraged to discover that her husband Jake has beaten her to a fling, and even worse, has done this with one of Molly’s closest friends!

With the whole family plunged into turmoil for a variety of reasons, Molly is forced out of her comfort zone to make decisions that will affect her marriage, her children, her parents and her friends. Can she reclaim her life, and learn to love it again as she does so?

This warm, wise and thought-provoking novel is perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Cathy Bramley and Judy Leigh.

Review Card & Book Review – Breaking The Ice By Amy Andrews

A bookshop face-off!

NHL hot shot, Nick Hawkeye Hawke has 4 months to recuperate from a potentially career-ending injury. All he has to do is take it easy and keep things low-key. So, looking after his grandmother’s beloved second-hand romance bookshop and working very closely with the ruthlessly efficient Samantha Evans is just what he needs right? Wrong!

Career-driven Sam has impulsively decided to swap her highly stressful corporate job for a slower pace in her favourite bookshop at the exact time her biological clock has started to tick. And she wants absolutely none of that. But when your boss is a hot hockey superstar and you can’t stop daydreaming of him being your baby daddy, forced proximity takes on a whole new meaning.

With temptation around every bookshelf, Nick and Sam find themselves skating on thin ice until they put themselves firmly in the friend zone. But the more they try to resist their slow burn, the more they want each other. How long can they stay in the zone until one of them breaks the ice?

About The Author

My Review

This story centers on Nick, an NHL player nearing retirement, and Samantha (Sam), a career-driven woman with a history of unsuccessful relationships. They reconnect at Nick’s grandmother’s funeral, sparking old feelings Sam has kept hidden due to Nick’s fame and romantic past. Now, after turning 30 and contemplating her future, Sam finds herself open to love in ways she hadn’t expected.

As Nick recovers from an injury and inherits his grandmother’s bookstore, he’s forced to re-evaluate his path. When Sam steps in to help with the shop, their friendship grows, evolving naturally into something deeper. Both characters are relatable and layered, with strengths and flaws that make their journey engaging.

An underlying message resonates throughout: success and wealth don’t guarantee happiness, and life’s unexpected twists can lead to surprising joys if you’re open to them.