March 9, 2026 – My Sanctuary

Review Card & Book Review – Christmas At The Sturcombe Bay By Susanne McCarthy

Two broken hearts. One magical Christmas by the sea.

When Jess calls off her wedding just weeks before the big day, she escapes to the coastal village of Sturcombe Bay for a fresh start.

Swapping wedding plans for Christmas preparation at the fading Carleton Hotel, she’s not looking for love — until she meets Paul Channing, a rugged local with secrets of his own.

Shelley doesn’t let people in — not even at Christmas. But when kind-hearted Canadian pilot Daniel Crocombe steps in to defend her at the Carleton Hotel, his quiet warmth begins to break through her walls. With Christmas approaching, can Shelley believe she’s worthy of the love she’s always longed for?

As fairy lights go up around the village and snow dusts the bay, Jess and Shelley must find the courage to let go of the past — and discover that love often arrives when you least expect it.

About The Author

My Review

This is a heartwarming, multi-layered festive romance that weaves together the stories of love, loss, and second chances in a charming seaside town. The novel follows several intertwining lives—Jess, Shelley, Mike, Kathy, and their prospective partners—as each faces crossroads of the heart during the Christmas season.

After calling off her wedding, Jess seeks refuge with her sister and must decide if she’s ready to open her heart again. Shelley, a resilient young woman who’s overcome a difficult past, finds unexpected chemistry with Alex, a Canadian visitor hiding his own secrets. Meanwhile, hotel manager Mike wrestles with grief and loneliness, finding comfort and the possibility of new love through dance classes, while Kathy, the café owner, longs to rediscover her spark.

McCarthy expertly balances these emotional threads, crafting a story rich in warmth, community, and festive spirit. The setting of Sturcombe Bay feels alive—filled with friendship, hope, and the quiet magic of the holidays. Christmas at Sturcombe Bay is a cozy, feel-good read about healing, new beginnings, and the timeless power of love at Christmas.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Happy Publication Day – 9 March 2026

Family Ties For The Village Midwife By Tilly Tennant

As the clouds chase the sun across the Lake District hills, and the warm breeze hints at spring on the way, midwife Zoe Padbury is counting her blessings. Until a surprise arrival changes everything…

Zoe Padbury is a big believer in second chances. She’s been so happy since she started over in the village of Thimblebury. Especially now she’s moved into Hilltop Farm with her boyfriend Alex and can be on hand to help his daughter when her baby arrives.

All that changes when Zoe’s father arrives, arm in arm with his newly pregnant fiancée Chantal. Chantal is bowled over by Thimblebury’s picture-perfect charm, and before Zoe’s had a chance to draw breath, they’ve made plans to get married in the old stone church, make Zoe their future baby’s midwife and move into the cottage next door.

Worried about her mum’s broken heart and how Alex feels about having her family so close by, at first Zoe doesn’t notice that Chantal’s brother has also moved in and is determined to make trouble, ruining the lives of the people who have made her feel so welcome. With the villagers up in arms about his behaviour Zoe is torn in two. Can she protect her new life and love without losing her family?

Review Card & Book Review- Falling For Polkerran Point By Cass Grafton

Will she get a new start with an old love?

Ellie Arbon thought she left Polkerran Point behind her, for good. But when her cousin Nicki needs her help, Ellie has no choice but to return.

The cove stirs up memories Ellie would rather forget. Will Farmer left her years ago to pursue an acting career, and now he’s back.

Handsome and famous, Ellie is sure he’s all but forgotten her. Every encounter they have suggests otherwise – there’s an undeniable spark between them and old feelings return once more.

Ellie must decide whether she wants to fight for a future together, or whether Will is – and will always be – the one who got away.

About The Author

My Review

This is a tender, second-chance romance set against the breathtaking Cornish coast. The story opens with a nostalgic flashback to Ellie’s first visit to Polkerran Point twelve years earlier, when she met and fell for Will. Now, returning to help her cousin, Ellie finds herself face-to-face with the man she’s never truly forgotten.

Grafton writes with warmth and emotional honesty, capturing the ache of unresolved love and the frustration of misunderstandings left to fester. Ellie and Will’s interactions are tense yet charged with longing, and their inability to communicate feels both real and heart-wrenching. Through a blend of memories and present-day moments, the author reveals how pride, pain, and assumptions can keep two people apart even when love remains.

The familiar setting, sprinkled with returning characters like Nicki, Hamish, Anna, and Oliver, adds a comforting sense of community and continuity. Heartfelt and gently uplifting, Falling for Polkerran Point is the literary equivalent of a warm embrace—a beautifully written story about forgiveness, rediscovery, and finding your way home again.

My Rating

Link To Purchase

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo,