Summer At Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

June 7, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Summer At Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan was a fun book to read. I enjoyed this book, and I was sure if I was going to because some the fact that it takes place in England and all of the British slang that was used but I found that I was smiling throughout the book because I could see people speaking like they did in the book. This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it so much so that I am going to read other books by her. This is the second book in this series, but you don’t have to read the first one to understand this book. I loved that Polly lived in a lighthouse, but my favorite part of the entire book was Neil, her pet puffin. This book is very well written and even though there was a lot of slang in it I was still able to understand what was going on and what the characters meant. This book is written well, and I loved everything about it. Like I say all the time I like books where I feel like the characters would exist, and that is how I felt about the characters in this book. If you love contemporary fiction books than I know, you will love this book like I did.

About The Book

The New York Times bestselling author of Little Beach Street Bakeryand Christmas at the Cupcake Café returns with a delightful new novel—with recipes!—that is already an international bestseller and is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes, Meg Donohue, and Sophie Kinsella.

For fans of Jojo Moyes and Elin Hilderbrand, an irresistible novel—moving and funny, soulful and sweet—about happiness, heartache, and hope. And recipes.

A thriving bakery. A lighthouse to call home. A handsome beekeeper. A pet puffin. These are the things that Polly Waterford can call her own. This is the beautiful life she leads on a tiny island off the southern coast of England.

But clouds are gathering on the horizon. A stranger threatens to ruin Polly’s business. Her beloved boyfriend seems to be leading a secret life. And the arrival of a newcomer—a bereft widow desperately searching for a fresh start—forces Polly to reconsider the choices she’s made, even as she tries to help her new friend through grief.

Unpredictable and unforgettable, this delightful novel will make you laugh, cry, and long for a lighthouse of your own. Recipes included.

About The Author

Jenny T. Colgan was born in 1972 in Prestwick, Ayrshire, Scotland, UK. After studying at Edinburgh University, she worked for six years in the health service, moonlighting as a cartoonist and a stand-up comic, before the publication of her first novel Amanda’s Wedding in 2000. In 2013, her novel “Welcome to Rosie Hopkin’s Sweetshop of Dreams” won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists’ Association. She is now working on her next novel.

She mostly lives in France, with frequent visits to London. She occasionally writes for The Guardian newspaper, as well as a TV series.

Her Doctor Who novel Dark Horizons is published under the name Jenny T. Colgan.

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A Daughter’s Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray

June 4, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

A Daughter’s Dream by Shelley Shepard Gray was another great book. Just like I said in yesterday’s post about that author being my favorite for books that take place during WWII this author is my favorite for books having to do with the Amish. I have pretty much read all of her books and me when I see she is releasing a new book I know I have to pick it up because I love all of her books. This is the second book in the series, but you don’t have to read the first book if you don’t want to. I did review the first book, and you can click here to read that review if you are interested in that book. These characters weren’t my favorite of all the characters but I still actually enjoyed the book. I love that I got to check in with the characters from the first book because I liked them. I loved this book, and I can’t wait for the next book to come out. I recommend any of her books to you if you are looking for something new to read because I know you won’t be let down by any of her books.

About The Book

A Daughter’s Dream (Avon Inspire, May 2016)

A young teacher and farmer discover they have much in common, especially when it comes to healing old wounds from the past . . . and finding love in one another.

Rebecca Kinsinger has always dreamed of being a teacher. But when she’s given the opportunity she’s been waiting for at Charm Amish School, she’s dismayed to discover that teaching is hard work—work she’s afraid she’s not very good at.That is, until Lilly Yoder joins the class. A thirteen-year old who’s just lost her parents, Lilly is in need of someone like Rebecca. For the first time since starting her new job, Rebecca feels a sense of purpose. But when she meets Lilly’s uncle, Jacob, his good looks and sweet, easy-going temperament are hard to ignore. How can she even entertain romantic thoughts of Jacob when his niece is her student?

Suddenly becoming Lily’s sole caregiver, Jacob Yoder never thought he’d be a single parent—or a farmer. Having been living in Florida as a carpenter, Jacob feels more at home wielding a hammer than a backhoe. The only bright spot in his life is Rebecca Kinsinger. As Lily and Rebecca develop a bond, Jacob’s fondness for the pretty teacher grows, too.

But when a fateful accident brings them together, Rebecca and Jacob must choose between duty and desire. Will they follow the path before them? Or set out to find true happiness . . . and true love?

About The Author

Shelley Shepard Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner. She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town’s bike trail.

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Anchor In The Storm by Sarah Sundin

June 2, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Anchor In The Storm by Sarah Sundin was a good book. This is the second book in the series, and I did review the first book so if you missed that review you can click here to read it. If you have been around for a while, you know that I love books that take place during WWII, and this author is one of my favorites when it comes to books like this. I am ways excited when I see a book by her come up for review because I know I will love it. I love that you get to catch back up with the characters from the other books in the series as well. I think these characters might be some of my favorites that I have read about because they seemed the most relatable to me. I also love that this author makes all of her characters so different instead of making them all the same like some other authors do. If you love historical romance and books about WWII, I know you will love this book as much as I did.

About The Book

Anchor in the Storm (Revell, May 2016)

One plucky female pharmacist + one high-society naval officer = romance-and danger

For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg’s attentions only annoy—even if he is her brother’s best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves—and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

Sarah Sundin brings World War II to life, offering readers an intense experience they won’t soon forget.

About The Author

Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep, as well as Wings of the Nightingale and the Wings of Glory series. A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on call as a hospital pharmacist. During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist’s mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force. Sarah lives in California.

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Rhinestone Cowgirl by Denice Christensen

May 31, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Serenade Book’s in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Rhinestone Cowgirl by Denice Christensen wasn’t my favorite book, but it is a sweet story. It seems like I have read a ton of books like this one lately and I just wasn’t the biggest fan of this one. I did enjoy the authors writing, and I would love to check out more books by her in the future. I found that this book was predictable, and I wasn’t the biggest fan of the characters in this book either. If you love Christian romance novels then I think you would enjoy this book but it just wasn’t the right choice for me.

About The Book

What could make a city girl fall for a country boy? Debut author Denice Stewart invites you to find out!

After her big-city relationship goes sour, Tory Thompson is looking for a new career, a new location, and a fresh start. The last place she expected to land–or find love–was back in tiny Wheaton, Oklahoma. Without the windfall her grandmother left her, Tory would have nowhere to go when her life in the big city goes wrong. But the will stipulates that Tory has to work with her childhood crush, Dane. And that’s a disaster waiting to happen…

Dane Eckland has a new landlord for his leased farmland—but Tory’s not what he was expecting. He’s already had his heart broken by one Thompson woman. All he wants is to keep his head down and work the land. But working with Tory stirs up emotions he’d thought long buried, and he can’t resist the city girl’s brand of charm.

Then Tory’s past comes calling, and she has a new goal: prove she’s a small-town girl, after all.

About The Author

“I write because I must – the characters in my head simply will not be quiet until I have let them have their say on the page.

I was an avid reader as a child, and throughout high school. I would constantly remind my parents when they would find me awake at one a.m. that I could have been doing far worse things in the middle of the night than reading. This did not save me from being forced to put the books down and go to bed.

And if I am fortunate enough to tell a story that keeps someone awake at night because they must finish the book, then I will be thrilled.”

Denice Christensen is an Oklahoma native, and lives in the small town where she grew up. As a single mom with three kids, she feels like her life is a comedy most of the time, so writing romantic comedy makes sense to her. In between being a small business owner, a writer, and a mom, occasionally she finds time to sleep. Rhinestone Cowgirl is her debut novel.

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Song Of The Blackbird by DB Michaels

May 28, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from the Killion Group in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

Song Of The Blackbird by DB Michaels was a book I knew I would probably like right from the start. I am a huge fan of TV shows that take place in jails and prisons, so when I got offered this book to review, I knew I had to check it out. I did enjoy the book but at times it was slow for me, and that made it hard for me to read it for long periods. This is a book that I had to read a little bit at a time and take a break from time to time. I did enjoy the authors writing, and I loved the characters in this book. The author made me feel as if I was in prison with Emma and I love when authors can make me feel like I am with the characters in the book. I think most people would enjoy this book, and I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for something different to read.

About The Book

Healing must start from within…

Desperate to reconnect with her half-brother, Emma Edwards takes her new medical training and secures a doctor’s job at the prison where he’s serving a sentence. But what she finds there is worse than she ever imagined…tough rules and even tougher men, gangs powered by drug money and corruption. Emma must find a way to keep her brother alive until he’s freed even if that means lying to the one man she should be able to trust….

Unless you find someone to share your pain….

Warden Maxim Chambers doesn’t believe a woman should be working in a penitentiary, especially one like Emma – a woman even a hardened man like him can’t get off his mind. He’s spent too many years building walls around his heart to let himself care about anyone. But when Emma is almost hurt in a prison assault, Maxim can’t deny his feelings for her. But what is the connection between Emma and the prisoner named Sam?

And accept your past.

When secrets are revealed, danger and death run through the prison. Only the truth can save Emma and Maxim…if it’s not too late.

Song of the Blackbird immerses you in a whole new world – a gritty, violent world where things you have always believed turn out not to be true. It is a compelling story of sorrow and loss, of hope and second chances, and most of all, of the power of love.

About The Author

DB Michaels is a life-long reader who fell in love with the field of medicine during college. Double boarded in internal medicine and emergency medicine, she enjoys using her skills to help those in need. Working as a doctor in the prison system inspired her to write Song of the Blackbird, the first installment in her Albatross Prison Series. Though the book is fictional, it illustrates the power of love, hope, and second chances.

DB’s first passion has always been books and she is happiest when she is absorbed in a great novel or writing. When she has time off, she likes to watch old movies, dally in the sun, and spend time with her family.

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The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson

May 26, 2016

FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.

The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson was a sweet book. I did find the story predictable, but I still did love the book, and it was a nice break from some of the other books I have been reading lately. Because the stories in this series are based on fairy tales, most people will find them predictable, but I love that the books make it seem like something that could have happened. They take the characters from the stories and make them seem alive. They also brought the fairy tales alive for me because of how the books are written. I like Avelina from the start of the book, and I hoped that she would end up with Reinhart because I felt like they were perfect for each other. This book was one that I was able to sit down and read it one Sunday afternoon. This book would be perfect for teenagers and adults because of the subject matter and how well it is written. If you love fairy tales and historical fiction books than you need to check out this book because I know you will love it just like I do.

About The Book

The Beautiful Pretender (Thomas Nelson, May 2016)

What happens when a margrave realizes he’s fallen in love with a servant?

The Margrave of Thornbeck has to find a bride, fast. He invites ten noble-born ladies from around the country to be his guests at Thornbeck Castle for two weeks, a time to test these ladies and reveal their true character.

Avelina is only responsible for two things: making sure her deception goes undetected and avoiding being selected as the margrave’s bride. Since the latter seems unlikely, she concentrates on not getting caught. No one must know she is merely a maidservant, sent by the Earl of Plimmwald to stand in for his daughter, Dorothea.

Despite Avelina’s best attempts at diverting attention from herself, the margrave has taken notice. And try as she might, she can’t deny her own growing feelings. But something else is afoot in the castle. Something sinister that could have far worse—far deadlier—consequences. Will Avelina be able to stop the evil plot? And at what cost?

About The Author

Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer’s Apprentice, a Christy Award finalist and winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award for Best First Book. Melanie earned a bachelor’s degree in special education from the University of Alabama and has been a teacher and a missionary. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Huntsville, Alabama.

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