Monthly Archives: June 2024

Ollie’s Recovery /Grey’s Rescue by DM Earl-review tour

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 Ollie’s Recovery/ Grey’s Rescue (Blue Sky Sanctuary) by DM Earl-review tour

OLLIE’S RECOVERY
(Blue Sky Sanctuary Prequel)
by DM Earl
Release Date: June 27, 2024
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 27, 2024

Former Navy SEAL Ollie O’Brien can’t deal with being sidelined and discharged. His military career was his greatest accomplishment. And now, he’s flailing and fumbling as he searches for purpose in a world that doesn’t seem to value him at all. And when his sister lands him a job in North Carolina, Ollie is reluctant to accept.

Veterinarian Paisley Smythe is in over her head. She needs help with her choices in life, and she’s striking out left and right. But when a friend reaches out with an idea, she meets the one man that could be the saving grace that she’s needed all along. However, the rugged, handsome, and broken man may need her more than she needs him.

As Paisley and Ollie work together caring for the animals and saving the clinic, something sparks between them. Ollie’s injuries force him to believe he’s not enough for Paisley. And Paisley’s past demons destroy her confidence in relationships. Can they both find a way to heal in one another’s arms?

** This book was previously published in 2022 as A Salvation Society Novel. Content has been modified. **

••••••••

REVIEW: OLLIE’S RECOVERY is the prequel instalment in DM Earl’s contemporary, adult BLUE SKY SANCTUARY erotic, romance series. This is former US Navy SEAL Oliver ‘Ollie’ O’Brien, and veterinarian Paisley Smythe’s story line. OLLIE’S RECOVERY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. There is a slight cross over with mention of Brenna ‘Raven’ O’Brien from the author’s DEVIL’S HANDMAIDENS MC: TIMBER-GHOST MONTANA series.

NOTE: OLLIE’S RECOVERY was originally released as part of the multi-authored SALVATION SOCIETY series. The current story line has been modified for re-release.

Told from three first person perspectives (Ollie, Paisley, Onyx) OLLIE’S RECOVERY follows the building relationship between Oliver O’Brien and Paisley Smythe. After a mission to Bahrain that went all to h*!! Ollie returned home struggling with injuries and the possibility of never walking again. Oliver O’Brien battled with a myriad of issues including survivor’s guilt, PTSD, and no direction in life. Struggling with her brother’s heart breaking battle, Ollie’s sister Onyx sets up a meeting with the group of former military members at FQS-Finnegan’s Quest Sentries-who will determine the best course of action for our story line hero. Now in North Carolina, Ollie will find himself working with, and falling for veterinarian Paisley Smythe, a woman with both emotional and physical scars of her own. As Ollie continues with his recovery, Paisley sees something more in the man with whom she will fall in love.

The world building follows the building romance, revealing some of the background of our story line couple. Paisley is a woman whose own scars tell a story of abuse, and Ollie is determined to claim Paisley as his own but he needs to break down the barrier around Paisley’s heart. Ollie is determined to start life anew, and with Paisley’s love and acceptance, they will set out on a new adventure in Timber-Wolf Montana at the Blue Sky Sanctuary.

The relationship between Paisley and Ollie begins when Ollie discovers an injured cat, and her litter of kittens. Working alongside Paisley at the animal clinic and rescue sanctuary, Ollie will discover there is more to life than pain and suffering. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters many of whom served in the US military, as well as their extended families.

OLLIE’S RECOVERY is a story of family and friendships, recovery and love. The premise is endearing and captivating; the slow building romance is impassioned; the characters broken but recovering. Ollie and Paisley’s story continues in the Blue Sky Sanctuary series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

_____

Grey’s Rescue
Blue Sky Sanctuary 1
by DM Earl
Release Date: June 27, 2024
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

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One former military hero. One wildlife lover. And the animals who saved them both.

Relatively new to the Blue Sky Sanctuary, Grey Nottingham is desperately trying to find his bearings in a world he knows nothing about. Still reeling from a mission that crashed and burned out of his control, Grey searches for solace in a safe haven that specializes in the struggles that former military heroes face. But when he encounters a beautiful, determined, and compassionate woman who will do anything to protect the Montana wildlife, Grey suddenly knows his purpose.

Abigale Styeeks loves nature–and after finishing college she’s dedicated her life to defend innocent and protected wildlife–even if it means bringing danger to herself. When the gorgeous and tortured Grey Nottingham brings her some tortured wolves, Abigale launches an all-out mission to save them. Despite her efforts, the ranchers will stop at nothing to destroy the wolves that threatens their livelihoods. Now, battling the ranchers and saving the animals being hunted becomes Grey and Abigale’s new mission. Teaming up, the two find more than the answers to protect the endangered animals. Grey makes it his mission to protect Abigale and the wildlife from the vicious ranchers. But will they end up rescuing Grey from his own personal demons?

••••••

REVIEW: GREY’S RESCUE is the first instalment in DM Earl’s contemporary, adult BLUE SKY SANCTUARY romantic suspense series focusing on the men and women who operate Blue Sky Sanctuary. This is former Marine Grey Nottingham, and wildlife rehabber Abigale Styeeks’ story line . GREY’S RESCUE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Several characters cross over from the author’s DEVIL’S HANDMAIDENS MC: TIMBER-GHOST MONTANA series.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from four first person perspectives including Grey and Abigale GREY’S RESCUE focuses on Grey Nottingham’s recovery in the wake of serious injuries suffered in Bahrain.Grey is no longer the man he once was; his physical and emotional injuries are grievous, and the ongoing pain debilitating on a daily basis but when the people at Blue Sky Sanctuary discover several severly injured and abused wolves, Grey will come face to face with his future in the guise of animal rehabber Abigale Styeeks. Abigale and her mother Trudy are wary of men but with the help of the people at Blue Sky Sanctuary, as well as several members from the Devil’s Handmaidens MC, Abigale is learning to trust but trust will be hard fought in the face of the continuous attacks against the local wolf population, and our heroine, herself.

The world building follows numerous paths as several potential story lines are introduced through various characters, as well as the return of the Devil’s Handmaidens MC. The ranchers are battling the influx of wolves, as Abigale and her team try to educate the people about the population.

The relationship between Abigale and Grey is somewhat antagonistic as Grey continues to struggle with the fallout of his injuries, the PTSD, and the debilitating migraines that are threatening his life. Abigale is battling between head and heart with her attraction to a man who is often allusive and shuttered but an attack against the ranch finds Grey,once again, struggling to survive. The $ex scenes are limited but passionate and intense.

There is another large ensemble cast of colorful, dynamic and familiar secondary and supporting characters including the introduction of several ranchers, their extended families, and the return of the Devil’s Handmaidens MC.

GREY’S RESCUE is a story of vengeance and injustice, misunderstanding and forgiveness, acceptance and, family and support. The premise is compelling and riveting; the romance is impassioned but struggles in the face of confusion and misjudgement; the characters are determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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D.M. Earl is a U.S.A. Today Bestselling Author who spins stories about real life situations with characters that are authentic, genuine, and sincere. Each of her stories allow the characters to come to life with each turn of the page while they try to find their HEA through much drama and angst. D.M. finds ideas for her next story from within those around her and what she experiences in daily life. Each book has a part of her left behind in it. She lives in Northwest Indiana married to her best friend who was instrumental in the start of her writing career in 2014. When not writing D.M. loves to read, play with her seven fur-babies (yeah crazy) and ride her Harley Dyna Lowrider.

“Enjoy this Ride we call Life.” Remember we only get one chance.

For the latest news and updates on books and upcoming releases, you can subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/dmearln…

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The Sinner (Spade Hotel 3) by Marni Mann-review tour

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The Sinner (Spade Hotel 3) by Marni Mann-review tour

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Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3vSfDlB

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 27, S024

The first time I saw her, I wanted her.
The second time I saw her, I knew she had to be mine.
Beautiful blonde hair. Cornflower-blue eyes. Body to die for.
All things I knew I couldn’t live without.
But after one night, she ghosted me, leaving me desperate for another taste.
I was usually the one to walk out the door before the morning light came.
This time, it was her, but not without becoming my obsession in the process.
Lily was a mystery.
She had a past shrouded in secrets she was unwilling to divulge.
She was running from something, and I was determined to find out what it was.
And once I did, I’d do anything to protect her.
They called me the sinner for a reason.
Because I wouldn’t hesitate to burn down the world or cross any line to save her.

••••••

REVIEW:The next installment in the Spade Hotel series has arrived! The Sinner is a he falls first, billionaire romance that will thrill readers until the very last page.

Brady and Lily’s story is emotional and moving, thrilling and funny, traumatic and loving all at the same time. This fast-paced romance tells the story of a half broken Lily, still suffering from the trauma from her past and the protective Brady that wins her heart. The chemistry between these two was intense, Brady’s need for Lilly was over the top alpha behavior, just the right amount to make the perfect read.

As the plot unravels, and Lily’s secret is uncovered, Brady’s character really starts to develop. I was happy to see his character growth throughout the book, and even more so when they finally officially get together. The man is known as The Sinner, and when said man will do anything for his woman, well… you don’t mess with that woman.

As a longtime MM fan, the Spade hotel series has been a favorite of mine. I’m very much looking forward to seeing what comes next in this series.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews

The Playboy
The Rebel

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

Best-selling Author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Mann was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotion. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and their two dogs who subsequently have been characters in her books. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling to new locations, and devouring fabulous books.

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Practically Witches by Harper A Brooks-review tour

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Practically Witches (Supernaturals in Training 1) by Harper A Brooks-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 27, 2024

I’m RJ—Robbie Joe, thanks to my mom’s creativity—and I’m a witch.

Well, kind of. I’m still in training.

Magic is like second nature to my sister, Aimee. She’s the golden child, excelling at every spell, acing every test, and just generally being perfect. Me? My magic’s about as predictable as a coin toss.

I never really cared much about it… until now.

Suddenly, our coven is under attack. Witches are losing their powers to an evil we believed to be just legend. Even Aimee falls victim, her magic drained. With so few of us left, it’s up to me and my lackluster powers to save our coven from total extinction.

No pressure, right?

As Aimee and I search for a way to restore the coven’s magic, shocking truths about my past and my true potential come to light. Maybe I’m not a mediocre witch after all. Maybe I’m something special, but the power within me is proving to be dangerous, reckless, and uncontrollable…just like me.

I need to get ahold of my newfound abilities to stop the looming threat to our kind. If I don’t, I won’t only lose everyone I care about, but I’ll lose myself as well.

•••••

REVIEW: Book one in a new series from an author I’ve added to my one-click list.

RJ and Aimee are sisters, but are as different as night and day. Aimee excels at everything she does. whereas poor RJ is a klutz! Her magic is tricky to handle, it doesn’t do what it’s expected of it!

Raised by their overbearing mother, who expects nothing but perfection, it makes RJ’s life hard. As exams approach, RJ knows that her sister will pass easily, her, not so much! Finding a Grimoire has the sisters excited to try some of the spells they find inside. RJ hopes it might stabilise her magic.

A syphoner begins to attack witches. He’s draining the witches of their magic! And it attacks Aimee, who loses her magic!! It’s up to (seemingly the only witch left) RJ to find out who’s behind the witches losing their magic, as well as controlling her magic, and don’t forget her crush on the popular in the academy.

Set in an academy, I’d say it’s more of a YA read rather than adult, which I’ve come to expect from this author. But it doesn’t stop the story from being full of action and just a tad dark.

There is romance, Zane is the popular boy in the academy, and he is interested in her, but why did I get the feeling he’s only playing with her feelings? Has he got some ulterior motive? And I think he has a few secrets (I might be wrong.)

And for RJ’s powers, they might be hit a d miss, but when they work, they surpass and surprise everyone, including RJ. Will she be someone with powers to fear? Or will she be able to vanquish the foe?

Very well written and thought out. Lots of information and the descriptions will have you imagining the scenes pretty clear.

I can’t wait to see where we go next.

Definitely a recommended read from me 👍🏻

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

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Harper A. Brooks may be a Jersey girl at heart, but now she likes to hideout in the mountains of Virginia with bigfoot and all his little woodland friends. Even though classic authors have always filled her bookshelves, she finds her writing muse drawn to the dark, magical, and romantic. When she isn’t creating entire worlds with sexy shifters or legendary love stories, you can find her either with a good cup of coffee in hand or at home snuggling with her furry, four-legged son, Sammy.

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You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan – a Review

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You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan – a Review

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Description:
Nothing brings family together like crime.

Working alone as a private investigator is tough. Estranged from her PI family, Margo Angelhart does what she must to get by—including taking on sordid cases that pay the bills, even if she’d rather be helping those the justice system has failed.

That is, until a cheating husband case she’s working intersects with her siblings’ corporate espionage investigation, forcing Margo to cooperate with the Angelhart firm. Now, as the siblings compare notes, it’s clear they need to work together before a white-collar crime escalates to murder.

With far more questions than answers and a key suspect on the run, they’ll need the whole family to pitch in. But as they investigate the ever-twisting mystery, Margo isn’t sharing everything. Can she learn to trust her family and heal their once-close relationship before her secrets put those she loves most in danger?

 

 

Review:

You’ll Never Find Me by Allison Brennan is the start of a wonderful new series, Angelhart Investigations. The Angelhart family owns their own private investigation firm, and Margo Angelhart broke away from her family and opened her own PI firm, taking all kinds of cases.  When her father was sent to prison for killing a man, and though they knew he was innocent, the father did not want to reveal anything and accepted his prison term.  Margo wanted to find the truth, but her mother (who runs the Angelhart PI firm) was determined to keep whatever secret her husband had; this led Margo to go on her own. She still sees the family on occasion, during celebrations. 

The story starts with Margo helping a woman, who suffers from an abusive husband. Margo arranges for Annie and her two children to take the minimal, and leave while her husband is at work; no phones, no computers, nothing to reveal anything.  With Margo’s help, Annie does escape, with no one knowing where she is ending up.  Eventually, the bad husband (state trouper) will discover both Margo and her uncle, helped his wife leave, and he is determined to get her back at any cost; even if they themselves do not know where she was.  The husband claimed his innocence, as its his right to abuse or rape her. 

The second story involves corporate espionage, but Margo has taken a case whose wife thinks he is cheating on her.   She hasn’t found any evidence that her husband is cheating, but the wife begs for her to keep checking for a couple more days.  Margo follows him, and discovers the husband (Logan Monroe) and a woman (jennifer) unconscious on the floor; she breaks into the house to help both of them, and cops are called.  To her surprise, her brother Jack and sister, Tess are also on the scene, and learns from them that the woman, Jennifer is being investigated for possible corporate espionage. Margo realizes that the wife who claimed her husband cheating, has more going on, and she joins hands with her family to discover the real truth, that involves crime, a thief and a wife trying to scam her husband for money.

I thought Margo was a terrific investigator, especially handling both of those cases.   I loved her family, especially Jack, who was beside her in both of the cases; he pushed for Margo to work with the family on the espionage case.  The rest of the family members, Lulu, Tess, Nico and their mother (she’s the boss) were all great.  Logan was the man whom his wife thought he was cheating, and he turned out to be a big help with the Angelhart team; as well as Jennifer, who had information regarding the company she worked for.

You’ll Never Find Me was an exciting compelling double mystery thriller.  It was nice to see all the Angelhart siblings work together, working toward putting the family back as a team. Allison Brennan gives us a fantastic story that was so very well written.  I look forward to reading more from this series, Angelhardt Investigations.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong -a review

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Finding Mr. Write by Kelley Armstrong -a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2024

Daphne McFadden is tired of rejection. After submitting her manuscript to dozens of agents, she’s gotten rejection after rejection, and now it’s time for something drastic. And so, Daphne submits her manuscript again… under a man’s name.

Imagine her surprise when it sells for big money at an auction and soon becomes a publicity darling. Only she needs a man to play her super macho alter ego Zane Remington. Enter Chris Stanton, who absolutely looks the part of a survivalist and has a talent for pressing her piss‑me‑off‑I‑dare‑you buttons while somehow being endearing at the same time. But Chris has a few secrets of his own, including the fact that he’s really an accountant who has no idea how to chop wood or paddle a canoe. When Daphne’s book becomes a bestselling sensation and they’re forced to go on tour together, Daphne finds herself wondering if this city‑boy geek is exactly what she needs to push her to claim her dreams.

•••••

REVIEW:FINDING MR WRITE by Kelley Armstrong is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romance story line focusing on author Daphne McFadden and accountant Chris Stanton aka Zane Remington.

Told from omniscient dual third person perspectives (Daphne and Chris) FINDING MR. WRITE follows in the wake of Daphne McFadden’s struggle to get her manuscript aka latest book published. Believing the book would be better accepted from a male author, Daphne McFadden invented author Zane Remington, a pseudonym that would quickly need a face to be placed into public domain. Enter Chris Stanton, an accountant who claims to be a model and actor but a man who is completely unaware of what is about to transpire. As Daphne’s book becomes a number one best seller, a book and media tour requires a public face, and Chris is about to be thrown in head first. All does not go according to plan as guilt begins to blur the edges of success, and betrayal comes at the cost of Daphne’s life back home.

The world building follows Daphne and Chris as they continue their ruse. Daphne as ‘Zane’s assistant, and Chris as Zane Remington, number one best seller but someone is about to uncover the truth, and our couple must come clean or face the fall-out to come.

The relationship between Chris and Daphne begins when Daphne hires Chris to be the face of her new book. Chris claims to be an actor and a model but his own persona is predicated upon a lie. As the couple are forced to work together, their attraction to one another, cannot be denied. The $ex scenes are passionate but mostly implied.

We are introduced to several members of Daphne’s publicity and publishing team, most of whom are completely unaware of what is about to transpire.

FINDING MR. WRITE is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and blackmail, friendships, family, acceptance and love. The premise is charming and captivating; the characters are desperate and dynamic; the romance is subtle.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. All efforts to make her produce “normal” stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She’s the author of the NYT-bestselling “Women of the Otherworld” paranormal suspense series and “Darkest Powers” young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.

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Storm Warning by David Bell – a Review

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Storm Warning by David Bell – a Review

 

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Description:
A man living on a Florida barrier island must protect his family from both an approaching hurricane and a relentless killer.

Jake Powell is racing to get off the island as a powerful hurricane approaches. When he finds his best friend Dallas, the building manager, dead from a blow to the skull, Jake realizes there’s more than the storm to fear. There’s a murderer on the island, maybe even still inside the nearly abandoned building.

Dallas had repeatedly run afoul of the wealthy owners of the building by complaining about code violations and the precarious state of the condos. But he’d also once told Jake that every resident had a secret they’d come to Florida to escape. Had one of them killed to conceal their sins? As a dozen people shelter together in hopes of surviving the deadly hurricane, a second murder makes it all too clear: one of them is a dangerous killer.

 

Review:

Storm Warning by David Bell is an exciting thriller, which kept my attention from start to finish.  Jake Powell, our hero, is living on an island in Florida, and with an approaching powerful hurricane, he makes plans to leave. The few residents in their decrepit building don’t want to leave, and the manager, Dallas watches over them.  When Jake hurries to leave, he finds Dallas dead from a blow to the head.  Jake is concerned, as he knows that there is a murderer within the building.  With the roads closed off, Jake decides he has to stay to protect those residents still there. 

Jake left his wife and daughter in Ohio, to escape temporarily in Florida, but to his surprise, his wife and daughter decided to visit Jake, just about getting into the building as the Category 3 hurricane begins to escalate on the small island. 

With the building slowly falling apart, Jake will convince other apartment dwellers to move into one of the bigger units, with them all staying close together; especially with a dangerous murderer still at large. When there is another murder, the residents are not sure who to trust, but Jake is determined to protect them all, as they are fighting for their lives. They are all completely cutoff from the mainland, while those in shelter together, keep their hopes in surviving the deadly hurricane, as well as a murderer. Some of the residents claim they saw a man inside the building, but is this their imagination, as they are on high alert.

Just when the eye of the hurricane gives the vibe of relative calm, Jake will let his wife, she is an expert on handling boats, and daughter take the boat to the mainland for help, praying they will survive.  During the time they were all together, we got to meet other residents, and their stories; even though there was some suspicion among them. I did like Jake, as the was a terrific leader, always trying to keep them all safe. 

Storm Warning was an exciting story that kept me glued to my kindle.  This was an interesting cast of characters, which were very good.  Storm Warning was very well written by David Bell.  I did think that the murderer was different than anyone would have guessed.   I enjoyed the book, and suggest if you like thrillers, you should read Storm Warning.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
A tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.

Present Keaton Smith is desperate for a fresh start. So when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort, North Carolina, on the market—the home that Keaton didn’t know existed until now—she jumps at the chance to head south. Keaton’s grandparents died in a tragic car accident before she was born, so she’s eager to learn more about the family she never met. But even though she has help from her charming next-door-neighbor, his precocious ten-year-old son, and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, Keaton soon finds that she has more questions than answers.

1976: After meeting her adoring husband Townsend, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James abandoned the life she knew and never looked back. Forty years later, she’s made a name for herself as the best hostess North Carolina has ever seen. Her annual summer suppers have become the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. But she’s struggling behind the façade. Becks strives to make the lives of those around her as easy as possible, but this summer she is facing a dilemma that even she can’t solve. And as the end of the season looms, she is brought to a decision she never wanted to make.

As both Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes, and dreams of the women in their family for generations. For fans of Summer of ‘69 and The Notebook , Last Summer on Sunset Lane explores the power of family, the bonds of friendship, and the boundless nature of love.

 

 

Review:

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey is another wonderful story that we have come to expect from Harvey.  Keaton Smith, has been fired from her successful job; and her mother asks her to travel to Beaufort, North Carolina (her childhood home) to clean up the home that hasn’t been lived in for decades.  Keaton’s mother and uncle have never returned to that home, after the death of their parents; and once it’s cleaned up, Keaton will put it on the market to sell. There are two POV’s in this story, the present and in the past, 1970’s.

Rebecca (Becks) and Townsend fell in love, and despite her family not accepting that her husband was of a different religion, she married Townsend having a wonderful marriage. Rebecca Saint James became a household name in Beaufort, as the best hostess in North Carolina, with her annual suppers and local parties; with everyone hoping to get invitations to their historic home. Keaton finds her journals, and begins to learn about Becks wonderful life with Townsend for more than 40 years.  Her grandparents died in a car accident, and Keaton was determined to discover what really happened all those years ago.

Keaton quickly meets a number of friends of Becks, who recognize her as she looks like Becks, and they go out of their way to make her feel welcome.  A friendship with these wonderful older ladies, escalates as she learns more about Becks; keeping the memory of Becks and the wonderful things she did all these years.  Keaton works hard to clean the place, and even her newfound friends would come over and help her.  She also meets her next-door neighbor, Bowen and his wonderful adoring son, Anderson; which will lead to a slow burn romance, and her feelings about possibly staying in Beaufort.

A Happier Life is a wonderful journey with fascinating chapters revolving around Keaton in present day and Becks from the past, learning more about what happened to Keaton’s grandparents when they died. It was nice to see Keaton’s brother show up, and help her find more clues to solve the mystery. I love how Keaton begins feel at home, especially with Becks friends and how much they all loved Rebecca Saint James.

A Happier Life was such a heartwarming and wonderful story that was so very well written by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  If you enjoy a story of family, bonds of friendships, and the love of two generations; you should read this book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Love Betrayal (Angels & Devils MC 2) by Chantal Fernando-review

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Love Betrayal (Angels & Devils MC 2) by Chantal Fernando-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 25, 2024

In a world of monsters, falling in love requires sacrifice.

River

I’m VP of Devils MC, and every decision I make is to protect the Club. I’m the one they call when things go south. That means getting my hands dirty—a lot. Outsiders think I’m a monster. I agreed. Until Bella. She was able to look past the violence and see…me. I never thought love was in the cards, but now she’s mine. I’ll protect her. No matter the cost.

Bella

It was supposed to be a fling—a way for us both to scratch an itch. But River wasn’t what I expected. I’ve seen monsters, and River isn’t one. Our relationship isn’t all rainbows and butterflies—but it’s real. I’d never betray him, even when my ex-boyfriend threatens to destroy me if I don’t. I’m not a damsel in distress. I can solve this problem without sacrificing the man I love.

Even if it costs me everything.

•••

REVIEW:LOVE BETRAYAL is the second instalment in Chantal Fernando’s contemporary, adult ANGELS AND DEVILS MC erotic, MC romance series. This is Devils MC VP and enforcer River Montanna, and property manager Bella Callisto’s story line. LOVE BETRAYAL can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. River is Romeo’s cousin, and Bella is Juliet’s cousin (LOVE GRUDGE 1)

NOTE: Some of the events of LOVE BETRAYAL cross over with some of the events of book one LOVE GRUDGE.

Told from dual first person perspectives (River and Bella) LOVE BETRAYAL follows several paths including the building romance and relationship between our story line couple. For close to one year, Bella and River have been in a relationship, a relationship that currently has no plans for a future but as Bella is pulled into the world that is our story line hero, Bella reconsiders the direction of their relationship, without a promise or the potential for a happily ever after. When Bella’s past returns seeking something from Bella she is unable to give, the Devils MC ferret out a possible betrayal, a betrayal that hits too close to home. What ensues is the building relationship between Bella and River,and the potential fall-out as the past refuses to let go, and the truth will push two people closer together.

The world building focuses on the dysfunctional family dynamics of two families: the Montannas and the Callistos. Years of secrets, lies and betrayals are about to culminate in welcome revelations as well as treachery at the heart of jealousy and retribution.

The relationship between River and Bella is one of immediate attraction but Bella has invested more of her heart than our story line hero. River struggles with his family history, and the possibility of becoming someone he never wants to become, as Bella reconsiders her future, going forward. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and energetic secondary and supporting characters including many of whom we met in the previous story line.We are introduced to Bella’s ex Mark, as well as the return of both Bella and River’s extended families.

LOVE BETRAYAL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, jealousy and obsession, power and control, family and forgiveness, acceptance and love. The premise is dramatic and edgy; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate, dynamic and daring.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one LOVE GRUDGE

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

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