What was the best compliment you’ve received?
I had a large family and going out shopping 🛒 with them to the grocery store could be stressful. I remember once when I had a new baby in the shopping cart, one in the shopping cart seat and several walking beside me and the baby was screaming someone told me what a wonderful job I was doing and they wouldn’t have been as brave as I was. Well that did make me feel good. Thank goodness hubby was there to help too.
363 pages Bookouture publisher Publication date March 31, 2026
ABOUT THE BOOK
Maggie O’Halloran gazes at the Statue of Liberty, her eyes wide with wonder. “At last,” she breathes softly. “This is where my future begins…”
New York City, 1891: Stepping off the boat she boarded in Ireland, Maggie O’Halloran’s heart is filled with hope for this brave new world. But when her father isn’t waiting at the docks as planned, her excitement vanishes with the terrible realization she and her brother Danny are utterly alone—homeless, penniless and without a friend in the world.
Life on the Lower East Side is hard and grindingly poor, but Maggie is determined to survive. As she gazes longingly into the windows of Manhattan’s famous department stores, she dreams of owning her own millinery shop and becoming independent at last. And when fellow Irishman Brendan O’Donoghue offers her and Danny refuge, Maggie finally feels hope for their future.
Finding work with a wealthy family on the Upper East Side, Maggie’s dreams begin to feel closer than ever before. But just as her fortunes finally change, her brother’s involvement with a notorious New York gang brings terrible danger to both her and Brendan’s doors. Facing a heartbreaking decision, can Maggie save her brother and protect the new life she’s built? Or will the American dream she has held so close to her heart be lost forever?
The first book in the Maggie O’Halloran series, this is a sweeping, epic and heart-wrenching story of one woman’s determination to change her fortunes against all odds. Perfect for fans of moving historical fiction, Kristin Harmel and Jean Grainger.
MY THOUGHTS
I really enjoy reading historical fiction a lot. It’s always so fascinating what I can learn from it. I had ancestors come over to America from Galway and often wonder what their voyage was like on the way over and how well did they manage when they landed here.
The book was very well researched and the portrayal of the Irish immigrants when they landed in New York very realistic.
Maggie and her young teen brother Danny have been sent for by their father to come to New York and live with him. Trouble starts almost as soon as they arrive finding out her father had left where he was staying several weeks before their arrival with no forwarding address.
I’ll admit it would be very hard and scary being in a brand-new country on your own not knowing anyone and broke.
I liked Brendan’s character a lot, he’s a shop keeper and kind to everyone including Maggie and her brother. He has helped Maggie out of more than one bind.
The book was full of Irish characters and like with many immigrants they were discriminated against by many, and many tried to take advantage of them even other Irish people.
The book was heartbreaking a lot of times seeing what these characters had to go through.
Ending on a cliffhanger I’m already looking forward to reading the next in the series and continuing on with the story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Kate Hewitt is the author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels have been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers.
An American ex-pat for many years, she now lives in New Jersey with her husband, two of her five children (the others are scattered across the globe!), their two Golden Retrievers and their independent cat. Join her newsletter to receive updates and giveaways, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads, to discuss all manner of books. Links can be found on her website, katehewittbooks (.com).
Her latest releases are Where The Dawn Finds Us, a dystopian novel about a woman protecting her family after a nuclear holocaust, Summer Skies over Starr’s Fall, the fourth standalone in her new heartwarming series inspired by the Gilmore Girls, and The Long Winter, the fifth in her Wildflower Valley’s series about modern homesteading and inspired by Little House on the Prairie. There’s something for everyone so do check them all out and be in touch as Kate loves to hear from readers. You can discuss Kate’s books as well as others on her private Facebook group, Kate’s Reads or read her thoughts on Substack.
You are enough.
Thank you for stopping in.
You’re going on a cross-country trip. Airplane, train, bus, car, or bike?
I have a fear of airplanes, a bike wouldn’t be ideal, a train and bus aren’t personal enough so my mode of travel would be in a car with my family.
Thank you for stopping in.
Who is the most confident person you know?
My oldest son is the most confident person I know. He can start a conversation with anyone and talk to you like he’s known you for years. He’s a deputy sheriff in Nebraska having just moved there with his family in December. Before that he was a LEO in Frederick, Maryland and Hagerstown, MD. He was a deputy sheriff and detective in Maryland. He’s the father of twin two year old boys . He’s a loving husband and always there for his family. Nothing seems to faze him.
Sugar and Spice at the Pumpkin Corner Café
The perfect new cozy-up-with-a-pumpkin-spice-latte read that’s meant for fans of Laurie Gilmore and Rebecca Raisin!
Professional pastry chef Blaire Reese is blindsided when her beloved Aunt Rachel dies, leaving her the Sugar and Spice Pastry Cafe in Willow Grove. Returning to her hometown, Blaire discovers her beloved family business is in trouble, and—to make things worse—its most-cherished recipe is missing.
Her first love and former summer crush, Evan Hadley, is also back in town, having traded a corporate career to help manage his family’s Heath Acre Farm, famous for its autumn Hay Daze corn maze. Grown up – and with rugged good looks – he’s only charming when he wants to be. Like when he’s not tangling with someone over business matters, the way he is with Blaire after she cancels a large order for organic pumpkins.
Her sunshine is disappearing under his grumpy storm clouds, until he accidentally learns the truth about her situation. Now, he offers to help save her aunt’s legacy and her family’s pastry cafe. As they work together in secret, the ingredients for a very different recipe develop— one simmering with romance—but an unexpected turn of events melts their growing attraction into a mess.
Will Blaire save the beloved cafe and find the lost recipe that means so much to the pastry café’s customers? And can she save this last chance at love with the first boy she ever kissed?
Sugar and Spice at the Pumpkin Corner Café invites readers to dive into its cozy autumn escape this fall—for fans of grumpy x sunshine, small town romance, Gilmore Girls, pumpkin lattes, sugar and spice and everything else that’s nice about this magical season!
Purchase Link – https://books2read.com/u/mvlpBe
MY THOUGHTS
I cannot even tell you how much I enjoyed this book.
This is my first read by the author but they are on my radar now.
Taking place during Autumn, a time period I love to read about it has all the warm fuzzy cozy vibes and then some.
Blaire Reese is a busy young woman, dreaming of becoming a professional pastry chef, she’s well on her way. She has lovely memories of her Aunt Rachel, helping her bake at her sweet cafe and holiday visits. She really needs to visit more often especially now that her aunt is so sick, but time just seems to get away from her.
Then the news comes, her aunt has passed away and not only that left her business, the Sugar and Spice Pastry Cafe in Willow Grove to her.
I absolutely loved the characters such a warm small-town feel and such well-developed characters.
I’ll admit this was a tear jerker along with being a heartwarming tale as well.
I loved seeing how the community rallied around Blaire and the cafe, expecting Blaire in a way to show the same kindness Rachel has. Everyone adored her.
I felt sad when something vital to running the cafe turns up missing as it will really affect how the cafe is run.
Cozy Fall vibes and the drinks sounding so delicious. The lead up to the parade, everyone’s support of the cafe, holiday baking. A possible second chance at love and Blaire needing to make some very important business decisions.
I’m all in and looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller ‘A Wedding in Cornwall’. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.
Social Media Links –
Twitter: https://x.com/PaperDollWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paperdollwrites/
Thank you for stopping in.
We all deal with negativity from time to time. Depending on the situation, we may deal with in different ways. As for myself sometimes I will just ignore it and go about my day. Other times I’ll pray, read, listen to music, walk in nature, spend time with my pets or eat comfort foods.
Thank you for stopping in.
336 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date February 17, 2026
ABOUT THE BOOK
When passion for justice conflicts with the heart, which will prevail?
Noreen O’Sullivan is an enthusiastic member of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union and believes herself called to defend the cause of prohibition. When she’s invited to join the Secret Society of Spinsters, Noreen jumps at the chance to rally others to her movement and shut down the local saloon for good. However, her passionate campaigning often puts her at odds with the men around her–including the local deputy.
Deputy James Paxton believes in preserving the peace, but Miss O’Sullivan has been disturbing his peace for months. If James wants to be elected sheriff, he can’t afford to be seen as her ally. But when Noreen ropes him into helping her plan a temperance march, their growing closeness sparks unexpected feelings. Then tensions escalate at the saloon and accusations fly. James must choose between upholding his badge and protecting the woman who’s captured his heart–knowing either choice could cost him everything.
Karen Witemeyer presents a swoony Western romance with a determined heroine, cowboys, prohibition, and the rivals-to-lovers and duty vs. desire tropes. Fans of Mary Connealy and frontier romances set in the Old West will savor this clean, historical read.
MY THOUGHTS
This was a greatly anticipated title for me and as always, it did not disappoint.
The way the author crafts a wonderful and entertaining story that even though I have the flu I had trouble putting it down.
Well-developed characters, I especially like Noreen and how she stood up for her beliefs despite the back lash she got from others and their actions.
I also learned a few things historically and I love how well researched this is.
The author can really bring out the emotions in a reader, and this author does a great job of it. At times I was laughing out loud and at other times I was mad at the treatment Noreen was getting for her beliefs. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Secret Society of Spinsters series and read about her “sisters” and their strong beliefs.
Recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she’s on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at http://www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Have a super day. I’m grateful for your presence here.
320 pages Publisher Forever Publication date October 7, 2025
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sometimes the best gifts aren’t under the tree.
Everyone has a story to tell. And for Mallory Blue, her grandmother Nan’s community theater and annual Christmas play has been a beloved tradition for as long as she can remember. But this year is different. With Nan losing her memories to dementia, Mallory has taken on more than she can handle—including directing this year’s show.
Two things are keeping Mallory going: A journal that tells the story behind each handmade ornament on Nan’s tree. And Hollis, who volunteers to play Santa to spend time with Mallory and prove he’s no longer the rebellious boy she knew growing up.
As Mallory reads through Nan’s entries, she realizes there’s so much she never knew about her grandmother. And when Mallory has big decisions to make in both her personal and professional life, it’s Nan’s wise advice and Hollis’s steadfast support that will hold the key to this year’s holiday magic.
MY THOUGHTS
Heartwarming small-town romantic read.
This is a lovely story, an emotional read.
This is Mallory Blue’s grandmother’s story, Nan. Nan is the driving force behind the annual Christmas play that the community looks forward to and loves.
Mallory is having a hard time going on this Christmas season because Nan has developed dementia. It’s tough reading about this subject though because a family member of mine went through it. It’s hard for the granddaughter. She wants to things to be the same as in past years with the holiday play, but things will never be the same with Nan.
Her memory has faltered and she thinks Mallory is her caretaker at the memory living home.
Nan has a journal that she has written about her favorite handmade Christmas ornaments with the ornaments correlating with different times of importance in her life.
We get to see flashbacks of Nan’s life as a young woman and the hardships she has endured but also, she perseveres and has many happy moments like the building that has housed her theater that she’s had a lifelong interest in.
Sweet and emotional well written story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Annie Rains is a bestselling author of contemporary fiction, full of hope and heart. After years of dreaming about becoming an author, Annie published her first book in 2015 and has been chasing “plot bunnies” and deadlines ever since. When she isn’t writing, Annie is spending time with her family, caring for her numerous pets, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors.
Have a wonderful day. Keep on keeping on!
What activities do you lose yourself in?
This is my girl, Annie. She is a twelve month old merle Chihuahua that I’ve had since October of last year. I could say one activity I really enjoy is taking her for a walk as it’s peaceful and it gives me a lot of thinking time while we’re walking.
Of course my other activity I really can get lost in is reading. Wonderful, wonderful. I couldn’t even imagine myself without books.
Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in and sharing a smile today .
What movies or TV series have you watched more than 5 times?
I’m not a huge movie or tv person at all. Give me an enjoyable book and I’ll be happy but right now my son and I are watching reruns of Unsolved mysteries hosted by Robert Stack and boy does it look dated . It’s an interesting show though.
Vegan Book Blogger