October 23, 2025 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – We Both Have Secrets By Emma Robinson

What I’m about to say is going to blow our lives apart. But there’s nothing else for it. I’ve tried so hard to keep it from you, not wanting to cause you pain. But I can’t hide it any longer. You deserve the truth. But I don’t know if there’s any coming back from this. And I’m terrified you won’t ever forgive me…

There’s nothing as strong as a mother’s love. As I watch my youngest daughter stride into her new life as a student, a sob catches in my throat. It feels like only yesterday that my two precious girls were playing together without a care in the world. I sacrificed so much to give them the life they deserved and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.

Looking at my husband Robert, tears in his eyes, I realise just how far we’ve come. Our daughters have flown the nest and now it’s time to re-kindle our own flame. So, when our long-lost friend Lucy invites us to her Spanish villa, I jump at the chance.

But when we arrive, instead of it being a romantic break, Robert begins to pull away from me. His conversation is muted, he goes for long walks on the beach alone and then I find a crumpled note on the bedside table and Robert has vanished.

In that moment, my entire world shatters. My husband has been keeping a devastating secret from me. But in order to find out just how much it will destroy our family, I will have to reveal something that I too have kept hidden. And once my own secret is out, will my family ever forgive me for what I did?

About The Author

My Review

This book centering on Ellen and Robert, a couple navigating the quiet after their children have flown the nest. With their newfound freedom comes unexpected tension—Ellen suspects Robert is hiding something, and her discovery of a cryptic note only deepens her unease. But Ellen isn’t innocent either; she’s harboring a secret that could unravel their decades-long marriage. The characters are deeply relatable—flawed, loving, and layered—making the emotional stakes feel authentic. Themes of trust, vulnerability, and the enduring strength of love are woven throughout in a warm, engaging style.

Heartfelt and grounded, We Both Have Secrets is a beautifully written exploration of marriage, midlife, and the hidden truths that shape us. It’s a moving story of second chances and rediscovering each other when it matters most.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 23 October 2025

My Daughter’s Baby By Kate Hewitt

As I hold my daughter’s newborn baby to my chest, my heart breaks knowing she didn’t live to meet her son. Someone will need to raise this child, but who will fight the hardest?

When I get the call my estranged daughter Sophie is in labor and that there are complications, I can barely breathe. It’s been months since I spoke to her—I had no idea she was even pregnant. I rush to the hospital, tears streaming down my face. But as I run through the hospital doors and see the nurses’ faces, I realize I am already too late.

I look down at the precious baby she left behind, swaddled in a blanket with perfect rosy cheeks. My husband and I could give him a stable, loving home. It would be a second chance for us. Because we didn’t get it right with Sophie—no matter how hard we tried, I know we failed her. This is our chance to finally make things right.

But then I meet the tear-filled gaze of my son-in-law, Tom, and realize it isn’t going to be that simple. He is the reason we didn’t have a relationship with our daughter. My husband is sure his troubled past will mean we get custody. But now Sophie is gone, is it time to give Tom a second chance? Or is it foolish to trust someone we don’t even know?

My chest aches as I realize I have no idea what Sophie would have wanted, or even what I truly want. Because I have secrets of my own… secrets that Tom doesn’t know and never should. Should I fight to raise my daughter’s baby myself, even if it costs me everything?

Christmas With The Princes By Hannah Langdon

A swoon-worthy tale of second chances and Christmas magic that will have you believing in holiday miracles!

When Laura Wilde arrives at the snow-dusted English estate of Lyonscroft for Christmas, she’s fleeing her sister’s wedding chaos and seeking refuge in her job as a private nurse. But this enchanting manor holds secrets – not least why the devastatingly handsome heir, Nick Prince, seems determined to keep everyone at arm’s length…

Nick wants nothing more than to escape Christmas and sell the family estate, but Laura’s arrival changes everything. As she cares for his beloved grandmother, the spirited Princess Marilise, Laura finds herself caught between two worlds: the warmth and wisdom of an extraordinary woman with stories to tell, and the guarded heart of a man with a past he doesn’t want to talk about.

But when Laura transforms the cold, unwelcoming house into a magical Christmas wonderland, something shifts. Between unexpected dog rescues and stolen moments under the mistletoe, Laura must decide: will she play it safe and stick to her carefully ordered life, or risk everything for a love that could heal them both?

Ten Christmases Without You By Jenny Hale

It’s Emmy Brewer’s tenth Christmas since she lost her mom, and without her, Emmy’s floundering. Her job is pointless, and she struggles to find direction and passion. So when her sister invites Emmy’s childhood crush and former neighbor, Charlie Russell, to their family Christmas, and he shows up, given her state, Emmy is anything but excited.

Their meeting sets off a string of events that bring them together once a year at Christmas. Through trying moments, laughter, and bad timing, Emmy must face her life’s choices and decide what she actually wants. Will it be Charlie? Or will he be the catalyst for something else entirely?

Savage Mafia Kings By Bella Ash

Cruel. Possessive. Addictive.These men don’t ask. They take.They rule with blood and violence, and the only thing more dangerous than crossing them… is loving them.Once they set their sights on you, there’s no escape.

The Savage Mafia Kings Boxset by Bella Ash delivers five savage, sinful stories of ruthless mafia kings and the women who dare to defy them—only to be claimed, broken, and remade in their darkness.

Savage Proposal

Sold by her father to ruthless crime lord, Lorenzo Vitali, Isabella refuses to bow to his darkness. But when he demands an heir, resistance sparks into obsession, and defiance threatens to turn into surrender. Because men like Lorenzo don’t just claim their brides—they consume them.

Savage Claim

Escaping Lorenzo’s grasp was supposed to save Isabella. Instead, it delivered her into a nightmare. Pregnant and imprisoned by men who crave vengeance, her only hope is the monster she tried to escape. Lorenzo will burn the world to ashes to reclaim what’s his—whether she wants him as her savior… or her destroyer.

Vicious Heir

Angel Castillo is the devil himself—cold-blooded, vicious, and ruthless. Emma Hudson wants nothing to do with his brutal world, but his offer is merciless: marry him or die. She knows his touch will ruin her… yet she burns for it all the same.

Brutal Enforcer

Omar Castillo is The Beast—the cartel’s most feared enforcer. Lyse Rojas is his captive, a pawn in a bloody war. To escape, she must seduce the monster who terrifies her… and tempts her. But beasts don’t let go of their prey without a fight.

Twisted Rival

Lili Castillo once loved Matteo Rojas—until betrayal turned her heart to ash. Now she plans to kill him, even if he is the father of her child. But when she learns their son may still be alive, enemies must become allies in a dangerous game of vengeance, desire, and shattered trust.

Review Card & Book Review- No More Yesterdays By Catherine Bybee

Taking over her late father’s company was never part of Alex Stone’s life plan.

But now, sitting in the CEO chair at Stone Enterprises, she’s resigned to living her life alone. Being a high-powered, billionaire woman tends to narrow one’s romantic prospects. As Alex works relentlessly to reshape her inherited hotel empire, she’s acquired a target on her back complete with death threats.

Alex turns to Hawk Bronson, a man who is equal parts bodyguard, sexy, and completely infuriating. Especially when it comes to protecting her.

As the danger escalates, Hawk comes to terms with the fact that their connection goes way beyond bodyguard and assignment. He knows he should keep his distance—his own dark past and nightmares put her at greater risk—but he can’t walk away. Protecting Alex means everything. Putting her life in someone else’s care isn’t an option once he’s tasted their passion and depth of his feelings.

As they navigate a minefield of family secrets, past pain, and unexpected hope, Alex and Hawk must face their deepest fears and fight for a future together. But first, they’ll need to unmask whoever is behind the threats—before Alex becomes their next victim.

About The Author

My Review

At the heart of this installment is the magnetic love story between Hawk Bronson, a seasoned bodyguard with Private Security Specialists, and Alexandrea “Alex” Stone, a sharp, capable CEO stepping into her late father’s shoes at the helm of a billion-dollar empire. Their chemistry is instant, their banter endlessly entertaining, and their emotional connection feels both natural and earned. From playful snowball fights in Colorado to heart-to-heart conversations under pressure, their relationship builds with authenticity and heat.

The plot is both engaging and layered, blending corporate intrigue, family legacy, and a steady build of romantic tension. After a suspicious reception invite ends in a threatening encounter, Alex becomes the target of a series of escalating threats. Hawk’s role as her protector turns personal, and as danger looms, their bond deepens. What follows is a thrilling blend of romance and mystery, complete with FBI investigations, corporate secrets, and a chilling plot twist that puts Alex’s life on the line.

The sibling dynamics between Alex, Chase, and Max are heartwarming, often funny, and refreshingly real. Their journey from grief and confusion to unity and purpose is a highlight of the series. Longtime readers will also appreciate the satisfying arcs for beloved characters, including Piper and Chase’s wedding and Max and Sarah’s engagement. No More Yesterdays is everything about strong heroines, swoon-worthy heroes, high stakes, and an unforgettable love story.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble