Author Archives: Barb

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber – a Review

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Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber – a Review

 

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Description:
Joan Sample is not living the life she expected. Now a widow and an empty-nester, she has become by her own admission something of a recluse. But after another birthday spent alone, she is finally inclined to listen to her sister, who has been begging Joan to reengage with the world. With her support, Joan gathers the courage to take some long-awaited steps: hiring someone to tame her overgrown garden, joining a grief support group, and even renting out a room to a local college student. Before long Joan is starting to feel a little like herself again.

Across town, Maggie Herbert works mornings as a barista, tending to impatient customers before rushing to afternoon nursing classes. She’s been living with her alcoholic father, ducking his temperamental outbursts and struggling to pay the household bills. But her circumstances brighten when she finds a room for rent in Joan’s home. In the unexpected warmth of her new situation, Maggie finds a glimmer of hope for a better life. But will Maggie’s budding attraction to one of her favorite customers ruin the harmony she’s only recently found with Joan? Meanwhile, what is Joan to make of the mysterious landscaper who’s been revitalizing her garden–a man who seems to harbor a past loss of his own?

As Maggie and Joan confront unfamiliar life choices, they find themselves leaning on each other in surprising ways–discovering in the process that “family” is often just another word for love in all its forms.

 

 

Review:

Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber is a wonderful standalone novel. We meet Joan Sample, who has been widowed for 4 years, and has been a recluse, with her sister and two sons trying to pressure her out of her rut.  Joan realizes she is lonely, and decides to listen to some of the suggestions made by her family, such as counseling, taking in a boarder, and when she receives a letter from her HOA that her yard is a disaster, this pushes her to start living again. 

Joan hires a landscaper to fix the yard and bring it back to life.  She meets Phil, who is very helpful and friendly.   Joan goes to a therapist, who encourages her to join a weekly grief support group, and to her surprise, she sees Phil also attends.  Joan also meets Maggie, a college student majoring in nursing.

Maggie Herbert, works long hours as a barista, as well as going school for her nursing classes.  She has been living with her father, who is an alcoholic, and giving her a hard time.  Maggie is trying to find a place to rent, and is thrilled when Joan offers her a room to stay, and they both connect quickly.  Maggie and Joan help support each other, with a strong bond developing between them.

Joan’s two sons are always busy, with one son living locally, and the other in another state.  Maggie accidently meets Joan’s son at her job, and when he discovers she is the new boarder, he becomes belligerent, thinking she is using his mother; but Joan will clear the air, and slowly Maggie and Nick will become attracted to each other.  Joan enjoys meeting those in the support group, making new friends, as well as a slow burn friendship that grows between her and Phil.

What follows is a heartwarming story, with Joan and Maggie always there to help one another, especially when Maggie, Joan, Phil, and even Nick help fix up Maggie’s father’s place; and slowly her father stops drinking and things change for the better.  I loved Joan and Maggie’s close friendship, almost like a mother and daughter. 

Must Love Flowers was so very well written by Debbie Macomber. The story covered many life changing issues, such as grief, support, parents, therapy, friendship and children.  I suggest you read this book, as I could not put the book down.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins – a Review

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Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins – a Review

 

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Description:
Julia and Sienna Larkin are sisters-in-law, connected by Julia’s husband and Sienna’s brother, Jason. More than that, the two have been devoted best friends since Jason introduced them. To Sienna, Jason can do no wrong, and although Julia knows he’s not perfect, they’ve built a comfortable life and family together. Recently, Jason has been putting in long hours to secure a promotion at work, so when his boss is found brutally murdered–his lips sewn shut–the Larkins are shocked and unsettled, especially as local gossip swirls.

A few days later, Julia and Sienna’s lives are upended when Jason gets into a car accident and is placed in a medically induced coma. Worse, the police arrive with news that he’s the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With Jason unable to respond–and with Julia and Sienna working to clear his name–the two women find their friendship threatened for the first time: Sienna staunchly maintains her brother’s innocence, but as their investigation uncovers a complicated web of secrets, Julia is less sure she’s willing to defend her husband.

 

 

 

Review:

Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins is a very good standalone novel.  The story revolves around Julia and Sienna Larkin, who are sisters-in-law, as well as best friends; Julia is married to Sienna’s brother, Jason.  Julia and Sienna are partners in their own business, and in Sienna’s eyes, her brother can do no wrong; but though she still loves her husband, Julia has not been happy with some issues of recent; which has also affected their son, Aiden, who has become distant.  Though they are extremely close, both Julia and Sienna have kept some secrets from each other.  Julia never told her about some problems with Jason, which included withdrawing 10 thousand dollars from the joint account, that was being saved for a special occasion. Sienna has kept her secret from Julia, about her having resumed her affair with her ex, Wyatt (who had previously cheated on her). 

A few things happened that drastically changes everything.  Jason’s boss, is found brutally murdered, with his lips sewn shut. A couple of days later, Jason was in a terrible car accident, and is put into a medically induced coma.  Shortly thereafter, to their shock, the police arrive at the hospital to let them know that Jason is now the prime suspect in the murder investigation.  With Jason in a coma, both Julia and Sienna team up to prove his innocence.  Sienna is determined to convince the police they are looking at the wrong man, but when they keep finding evidence, Julia begins to worry that Jason is in fact a suspect. This will cause some friction between Julia and Sienna, especially with Jason’s co-worker, Maeve, revealing even more information.

What follows is an exciting and intense story, with filled with secrets, lies, family, drama and truths to be revealed. When Jason comes out of his induced coma, what will he reveal? Thicker Than Water is an excellent mystery thriller, with a family in the center of this drama.

Thicker Than Water was so very well written by Megan Collins.  I loved Julia and Sienna being the major part of the story, their determination to find the truth, as well as their wonderful friendship. The last half of the book was so exciting, I was unable to put the book down.  You need to read this book, without me revealing what happens.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Last Rites by Sharon Sala – a Review

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Last Rites by Sharon Sala – a Review

 

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Description:
There’s nothing a community won’t do to protect its own…

Shirley Wallace and her four sons return to her childhood home on Pope Mountain in Jubilee, Kentucky, with a lifetime of hardship behind them, hoping to find peace and begin their lives anew. Eldest brother Aaron Pope returns to his life as a police officer, and is settling in just fine. Then Aaron’s investigation into an attempted murder leads him right to Dani Owens. She may hold the key to a long-lost part of the Pope family’s past, and more importantly, she may hold the key to Aaron’s heart.

 

Review:

Last Rites by Sharon Sala is the 2nd book in her romance suspense series, Jubilee, Kentucky. I am a fan of Sharon Sala, having read and loved her previous series; and I looked forward to reading this series, as the first book was great.  The story starts off with the Wallace family, after her abusive husband is convicted of murdering two store employees, and everyone treats them badly in their Arkansas town. After her divorce, all of them lost their jobs due to her husband’s terrible actions.  Shirley and her four sons decide to officially change their names to her maiden name, Pope; and they move to her childhood home in Jubilee, Kentucky. When they arrive in Pope Mountain, they are welcomed with open arms, moving into the house she had inherited from her deceased mother.

The oldest son, Aaron was a police officer in Arkansas, and now in Jubilee, he is offered a job, especially with his overall experience and record.  When a child is shot, Aaron becomes involved the investigation, and a young woman comes to the police station to drop off a journal she found on the street. Aaron meets Dani Owens, a new resident in town, who is an elementary school teacher; she tells him she saw the man drop something while in a hurry, and gets her to help get a sketch of the man. The journal plays an important part in the story, as it relates back almost 150 years (Civil war), when a member of the Pope family disappeared and was never found; as well as the possibility of buried treasure (gold).

Dani just recently moved to Jubilee, as she was terrorized by a former boyfriend and his brother, and their attempt to kill her. She lived in fear, until she was able to trick her attacker, and save her own life; with the attacker in prison. When Aaron learns more about her past, he realizes she is very much in danger, by the other brother, and he makes sure he sets himself to protect her, and manages to stop the attempt on her life. In a short time, Dani and Aaron will fall in love, as they go from being friends to lovers. 

What follows is an exciting, tense story that held my breath throughout; with two attempts to murder innocent people. It was great to see Cameron Pope and Rusty (book One), as well as their wonderful dog, Ghost.  Cameron was determined to discover the secrets of the journal and past history of Pope Mountain. I really loved Shirley, and her wonderful 4 boys (including Aaron), and how they became so happy returning to Jubilee. I also loved Aaron and Dani together.

Last Rites was so very well written by Sharon Sala.  I loved the characters, the town, and especially our couple.   I can’t wait to see what Sala has next.  If you like exciting suspense, and romance, I suggest you read Last Rites.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

From an author whose “writing coats your soul with heart” ( E! Online ), The Summer of Songbirds is a lyrical and unforgettable celebration of female friendship, summertime freedom, and enduring sisterhood—and a love letter to the places and people that make us who we are.

 

 

Review:

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey is another one of her wonderful novels.  This story has multiple (3) POV’s, Daphne, Lanier and June, with the third close friend, Mary Stuart. 30 years ago, June, decided to buy Camp Holly Springs, turning it into a successful and thriving summer haven for girls. At that time, June enrolled her 6-year-old niece Daphne to the camp, and there she met Lanier and Mary Stuart, who became inseparable BFF for all those 30 years.  Now in the present time, June realizes her financial situation may force her to close the camp.  When the girls learn that June has financial problems, which will possibly close the camp; together all three gather together to help with fundraisers, projects to find a way to save the camp.

Daphne is a successful attorney, with a 4-year-old adorable son, Henry.  Steven is the Henry’s father, and despite they never married, and not together, they remain close friends, with Steven and Daphne co-parenting.  Daphne has always loved Huf, who is Lanier’s brother, and he has always loved her; but Lanier forced them to break up, because of Daphne’s past issues.  But now, Huf and Daphne are determined to find a way to be together, despite Lanier’s determination to stop them. Will this ruin the friendship between Lanier and Daphne?

Lanier is getting married in a few months, and neither Daphne and Mary Stuart like her fiancée; but they try to support their friend.  Mary Stuart is actually getting married soon, and her friends are always supportive.  When Daphne learns some bad news about Lanier’s fiancée, she wants to tell Lanier the truth, but is threatened to keep quiet or lose her job.  Daphne and Mary Stuart try to tempt an old flame of Lanier’s in hope she will stop her upcoming marriage.  Lanier finds herself torn between her fiancée and the man who was her first love. 

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story about three friends, who were always there for each, through thick and thin.  Daphne, Lanier and Mary Stuart were great, even in difficult times, their bond was always strong.  I loved Huf and Daphne together, as their love for each other was amazing. Lanier would learn the secrets about her fiancée, and open her heart to her real love.

The Summer of Songbirds was a delightful story, friendship, memories, love, summer camp, and sisterhood.  Kristy Woodson Harvey once again gives us a sensational moving storyline that is not to be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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In the Weeds by B.K. Borison – a Review

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In the Weeds by B.K. Borison – a Review

 

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Description:
Evelyn St. James isn’t the kind of woman you forget.

Beckett Porter certainly hasn’t. One incredible weekend in Maine, and he’s officially a man distracted. He’s not unfamiliar with hot and heavy flings. He knows how it goes. But Evie wove some sort of magic over him during their tumble in the sheets. He can’t stop thinking about her laugh. Her hand pressed flat against his chest. Her smiling mouth at his neck.

Also, her eyes. And her legs.

So when she suddenly appears on his farm as part of a social media contest, he is … confused. He had no idea that the sweet and sexy woman he met at a bar is actually a global phenomenon: social media influencer Evelyn St. James. When she disappears again, Beckett resolves to finally forget her and move on.

But Evelyn St. James has a problem.

Feeling disconnected from her work and increasingly unhappy, she’s trying to find her way back to something real. She returns to the last place she was happy, Lovelight Farms and the tiny town of Inglewild.

It has absolutely nothing to do with the hot farmer she spent two incredible nights with.

Nothing at all.

In The Weeds is a sweet and steamy second-chance romance about finding your happiness. It features a grumpy farmer, a no-nonsense social media influencer, a small town of busybodies, and four very cute kittens. In The Weeds is a standalone romance and is part of the Lovelight series.

 

 

Review:

In the Weeds by B.K. Borison is the second book in her Lovelight series.  Beckett Porter, is in charge of the farm aspects in Lovelight, with Stella the owner, and Layla, who runs the bakery.  Beckett is an introvert, not a talker, but everyone at Lovelight, in town and his family all love him.  When he attends a conference, he meets Evie at the bar, with both of them immediately attracted to one another.  They end up having a wild unforgettable two-night stand during the weekend; and Beckett can’t stop thinking about her.  To his surprise, he discovers the woman who he met in Maine, was social media influencer Evelyn St. James, who was in town featuring Lovelight Farms, in her contest.  Though she is there for the contest that she is running, she spends time getting to know Beckett, and how he has a hard time dealing with crowds and people.  Though he can be grumpy, Evie sees how wonderful and caring he is, especially with homeless kittens and a duck. When she leaves, to continue her work, Beckett figures he needs to forget about her.

Evie’s job is beginning to pressure her, and her friend tells her she is feeling burnout, and suggests for Evie to go somewhere where she last felt happy.   She decides to go to Lovelight Farms, where she last felt happy.  She ends up staying in Beckett’s house, since he has a few rooms, and finds herself happy to be on the farm, as well as participate in learning the chores to help, not to mention loving the people who live in Inglewild.  Evie was the perfect person for Beckett, as she was always helping him through his noise issues, and social anxiety; she was the sunshine to his darkness.

What follows is a sweet lovers’ relationship between Beckett and Evie, who had such awesome chemistry between them.  The journey to find happiness was wonderful and endearing; and Evie was so caring and understanding helping Beckett.

Evie was a wonderful heroine, as she was sweet, independent, and caring.  Beckett was totally hooked into Evie from their first night stand, and he constantly worshiped her, always worried that she would eventually leave.  The secondary characters were all so great, which included Stella, Layla, Luka, Dane, etc.  I got a kick out of the cute kittens.

In the Weeds was another fun, cute, sweet romance, great couple, terrific secondary characters in this continuation of the Lovelight series.  I look forward to reading Layla story. I suggest you read this series, as it’s a fun story, and very well written by B.K. Borison.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon -Dual Review

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Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon – Dual Review

 

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Description:
Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in “ghostwriter” until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. But Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.

Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there’s a way for them to have both.

 

 

Review:

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a standalone sexy romantic novel. We meet Chandler Cohen, who loves writing, but can’t get her career started; so she writes other people’s stories as a ghost writer. Chandler shares a house with her bff/ cousin, who happens to work in public relations, making a lot more money, and helps pay their expenses. After a fiasco, where the author, who she ghosted, did not even know her; Chandler ends at a bar, and meets a sweet and fun nerd, and they end up in a one-night stand.  But the sex was a disaster, the worse experience she ever had.  The following morning, Chandler’s agent, arranges a meeting with actor Finn Walsh and his agent to discuss writing Finn’s memoirs.  Of course, when she meets Finn and his agent, to her shock, Finn was the man she had the one night with.  At first, Chandler was going to turn down the offer, but the money was double what she normally did, and accepts the job, which will allow her to travel.

Chandler learns more about the TV show (cult paranormal), Finn, and his co-stars were on, with many hoping for the show to find a way back.  She meets all the co-stars, and sees how popular they all became, especially when they attended the comic cons. Chandler admits to Finn, that their one-night stand was a terrible disaster.  Finn wants Chandler to teach him to learn how to seduce woman, including talking dirty.  Chandler accepts the challenge, and suggests they will need to practice. They start off with kissing, and soon they will begin to explore each other’s bodies, with Chandler teaching him what she likes; and soon they grow closer, both in and out of the bedroom.

What follows is a slow burn romance, that is very steamy, and I really did find myself caring about Chandler and Finn. The made a great couple, with a wonderful fun connection between them; with their friendship & flirting, not to mention their openness with sex. Personally, I did think there were so many sex scenes, that on occasion I did skip some. 

Business or Pleasure was very well written by Rachel Lynn Solomon.  I have loved her books so far, even if I thought this one was steamier then the others.  If you like very sexy romance, I suggest you read Business or Pleasure.

Reviewed by Barb

 

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Sandy’s Review:

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line focusing on thirty-four year old, former teen actor Finn Walsh, and thirty-one year old journalist/ghost writer Chandler Cohen.

Told from first person perspective (Chandler) BUSINESS OR PLEASURE focuses on the building romance and relationship between thirty-four year old, former teen actor Finn Walsh, and thirty-one year old journalist/ghost writer Chandler Cohen. Chandler Cohen is a journalist by degree but a ghost writer by career, and her latest assignment ends with an awkward one-night stand meant to forgettable and uninvolved, only to discover said one-night stand is Chandler’s next assignment, the man with whom she spent one uncomfortable night. Enter former teen actor Finn Walsh, and the man with whom Chandler will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Chandler and Finn, as Chandler must navigate ghost-writing a memoir for the man who is asking for so much more.

The relationship between Chandler and Finn begins as a bumbling one-night stand of which Chandler was hoping never to remember but Finn, having lied about his true identity to our story line heroine wants Chandler to write his story, and teach him how to please a woman in the bedroom and beyond. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

The world building continues to focus on Finn’s career as a teen heart-throb, his emotional struggles, and his ineptness with the opposite $ex but also focuses on the growing relationship and love between our story line couple.

Finn Walsh’s character overcame many obstacles in his life but his development throughout the story reveals a man who is struggling with his success and his life. Falling for Chandler was never in the cards but fall he did for the woman who knew more about Chandler than anyone else.

Both Finn and Chandler are likeable characters but from the outset Chandler battles with what she remembered about their one night stand, and the discrepancies with what Finn is about to reveal.

The sexual tension is palpable especially in light of their mutual attraction and failed one-night stand, a night Finn believes was a success. As the story line builds, Finn will discover there is more to $ex than reaching the end.

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE is a slow building story line about family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is engaging, entertaining and captivating but there is limited conflict other than neither one knowing what happens next. The characters are determined; the romance is fated and fun. Like most of author’s books I have read, she does address the Jewish faith in her story line.

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Genies and Gibberish by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Genies and Gibberish by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

Prolific Works

Description:
This club gets whooshed into a book. They become characters! To get out they must find the killer.

Whenever this group chooses a book, magic happens. The mystery comes to life, and they find themselves part of the story. To exit the book and get back home, they need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a book set in a mansion atop the mountains of Arizona. They discover a strange antique oil lamp that contains a shocking surprise.

Could this enchanted lamp have something to do with their host’s fall from a door to nowhere? Or could he have been pushed out the door by one of the strange people who belong to the quirky group who live here?

This brave, crazy, motley group must work together to unravel the mystery in their latest inside-the-book journey.

 

 

Review:

Genies and Gibberish by Elizabeth Pantley is a novella that is set in between book 4 and 5, in her fun Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: Paige and her Aunt Glo run a magical library, that consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with mysteries that they have to solve. This is a lighthearted and fun series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery. Whenever this group chooses a book, they read the first page of this cozy mystery, and the magic comes to life, as they are transported into the story. Once the mystery is solved, they are able to return home.

The book chosen by the club members has them sent to a mansion on a mountain in Arizona, where they meet the wealthy owner, who is not only extravagant, but is also not very well liked by staff, as well as his own book club members. The group arrives at the mansion and the owner happily allows them to join in on their meeting.    In a short time, the owner is found murdered, with so many people who are suspects, including the neighboring club members and the soon to be ex-wife.

The group discovers a mysterious oil lamp, which Moonbeam accidently rubs, which brings a genie or two. Since she is the one who rubs the lamp, the genies insist she make three wishes, which she refuses to do, causing problems for the genies.  Eventually, everyone convinces Moonbeam to make a wish, which will force suspects to reveal the truths, including the genies. 

I really enjoy this series, as it is so much fun to read.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige and Glo being the leaders, and Frank (the talking cat) always enjoyable, Mollie the ghost, a recent new member, and all the rest of the group a lot of fun.

Genies and Gibberish was another terrific and fun addition to this series, with all of the members in the middle of this mystery. There were many suspects, with different clues, as they continued to get more information to solve the crime. There were a number of surprises throughout, which was so much fun and a blast to read.  Genies and Gibberish was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for review

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Palazzo by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Palazzo by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
After her parents perish in a tragic accident, Cosima Saverio assumes leadership of her family’s haute couture Italian leather brand. While navigating the challenges of running a company at twenty-three, Cosima must also maintain the four-hundred-year-old family palazzo in Venice and care for her younger siblings: Allegra, who survived the tragedy that killed their parents with scars and a spinal injury, and Luca, who has a penchant for wild parties, pretty women, and poker tables.

Cosima navigates her personal and professional challenges with a wisdom beyond her years, but her success has come at a cost: Her needs are always secondary. She’s married to the business, and her free time is given to those who rely on her . . . until she meets Olivier Bayard, the founder of France’s most successful ready-to-wear handbag company. A brief conversation on her palazzo’s terrace turns into a tour of the Saverio workshop, and, fifteen years after her parents’ deaths, Cosima has found a confidant.

Now the business is financially stable and generating enough income for the Saverios to live comfortably. Then Luca loses a hefty sum at the casino, and his debt must be repaid with money or his life. Cosima, forced to bail him out, is given an impossible choice: List the palazzo, sell a third of the family business, or let Luca fend for himself. But is there another way to save everything she has fought for before it goes up in flames?

 

 

 

Review:

Palazzo by Danielle Steel is another one of her wonderful family-oriented novels.  This is the story of the Saverio family, who are considered one of the top two haute couture elite Italian leather brand in Europe; owning two very successful stores in Venice and Rome. We meet Cosima Saverio, who after the tragic death of her parents, becomes the head of the business at the age of 23; with her taking care of her 14-year-old sister, Allegra, who was severely injured in that accident, must use a wheelchair to get around; her brother, Luca who was 18, has no interest in the business. Though Cosima runs the business, all three have their own share financially. 

Now 15 years later, Cosima the business continue to thrive, especially due to her devotion and business savvy. Allegra, learns to manage her disability and using a computer to become a fabulous purse designer. She is close to Cosima, and faces all challenges, not letting her disability stop her; enjoying her life.

Luca, who has never worked, only cares about gambling, enjoying woman, being a playboy and enjoying his lavish life, spending his share of the money. When Luca incurs a very high gambling debt, he expects Cosima to bail him out.  Cosmia does not have the funds available, and decides to sell their Palazzo Saverio estate in Venice to pay off Luca’s debt; the estate is not being used, as the family works from Rome. She warns Luca that she will no longer support his terrible expenses, beyond his normal allowance.

Olivier Bayard, our hero, owns his own successful business, as France’s most successful ready-to-wear handbag company.  When Olivier attends an elite party run by an American couple, who are arranging to buy the Palazzo, he meets Cosima, and they become friends. He also faces issues with his grownup boys, one similar to Luc (Max), and the other is a good son (Basile), who will eventually fall in love with Allegra. Olivier begins to have feelings for Cosmia, but she is so buried in her business, and prefers to remain as friends. Though in time, Cosima enjoys his company, and his always supporting her, with suggestions. They made such a great couple.

Olivier expresses to Cosima that he loves the Saverio leather, and in a short time, he recognizes that Allegra’s bag designs are fabulous, and Allegra begins to design a new line in her name, for the Bayer bags. Luc and Max become dangerous friends, both filled with greed and gambling; leading to possible disaster along the way.

Palazzo is a terrific story of a family, with Cosima facing her loyalties and making hard choices; to keep the business safe; as well as recognizing her feelings for Olivier. Palazzo was a wonderful story of family, love, family issues, tragedy and success.  Danielle Steel once again gives us another fantastic read.  I also loved the wonderful background of seeing Venice, Rome and Paris.  Very enjoyable read.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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