Fascinating and engaging book reviews and encouragement you'll want to read.
Author:deanne01
I am an avid reader and reviewer. I am open for review requests please contact me at Cnnamongirl at aol dot com. I work with big name publishers and indie publishers alike. I am on launch and street teams and have MANY NetGalley and GoodReads reviews up. I love all animals and I am a vegetarian. Thank you for joining me here.
In this humorous and heartwarming romance, sparks fly between a woman who can’t wait to leave a wintry New England island, and a widower who would do anything to stay.
Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell is in a terrible mood. Not only was her flight to the Caribbean diverted to a Massachusetts island, now it looks like she’ll have to spend Christmas there. Single and still mourning the loss of her mother a year earlier, Celeste is desperate to avoid any emotional entanglements and all holiday festivities. She just doesn’t feel like celebrating.
But that’s exactly what community center director Nathan White and his young daughter Abigail want to do. Nathan is entirely focused on making sure that his daughter has a happy Christmas, especially with the knowledge that if he can’t raise money for the community center soon, it will close and they’ll have to leave the island. When he meets Celeste, Nathan begins to feel a connection and wonders if he’s brave enough to risk his heart once more.
Thawing their frozen hearts, and saving the community center will require a Christmas miracle. But tis’ the season…
Celebration at Christmas Cove takes place on a Massachusetts island, imagine being single, having to travel for work and being stranded there at Christmas time. The description of this New England Island sounds delightful, the islanders are in full Christmas spirit with decorating and baking and eagerly welcome in Travel magazine writer Celeste Bell . Her travel plans were not what she expected after she missed her flight and had to be diverted to the island. There are some humorous moments as one thing after another prevents her from getting off the island and traveling to the sun-drenched Caribbean, from terrible weather to the pilot getting food poisoning the delays just keep stacking up. The longer she’s there the more she starts enjoying herself and getting acclimated to her surroundings, especially community center director Nathan White and his young daughter Abigail. They just seem to turn up everywhere. Throw in her very unreasonable boss who is not the least bit interested in why she’s being delayed from her job, he just needs her there now! Will there be a Merry and Bright Christmas when this charming and scenic New England Island sees more than its fair share of snow with a travel agent seeming to be enjoying her island delay more than she wants to admit? Fun premise for a holiday book.
Pub Date 26 Oct 2021 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
Carrie Jansen earned an MFA in creative writing and published many poems and short stories before becoming a novelist. An avid bodyboarder and beach walker, she spends as much of the year as she can on Cape Cod, where she draws inspiration for her contemporary romances. She also writes Amish romance novels under her pseudonym, Carrie Lighte.
May your day be joy filled. Thank you for stopping in today.
When all of Venice is unmasked, one man’s identity remains a mystery . . .
1807 When a baby is discovered floating in a basket along the quiet canals of Venice, a guild of artisans takes him in and raises him as a son, skilled in each of their trades. Although the boy, Sebastien Trovato, has wrestled with questions of his origins, it isn’t until a woman washes ashore on his lagoon island that answers begin to emerge. In hunting down his story, Sebastien must make a choice that could alter not just his own future, but also that of the beloved floating city.
1904 Daniel Goodman is given a fresh start in life as the century turns. Hoping to redeem a past laden with regrets, he is sent on an assignment from California to Venice to procure and translate a rare book. There, he discovers a city of colliding hope and decay, much like his own life, and a mystery wrapped in the pages of that filigree-covered volume. With the help of Vittoria, a bookshop keeper, Daniel finds himself in a web of shadows, secrets, and discoveries carefully kept within the stones and canals of the ancient city . . . and in the mystery of the man whose story the book does not finish: Sebastien Trovato.
My Thoughts
This book deserves many more than five stars.
I am not sure I have ever read a book quite like this one before.
Some books come into your life, are read and quickly forgotten.
Not so with this one It will be remembered by myself and many other readers for quite some time.
I feel spiritually fulfilled after reading this.
The descriptions are so vivid that I feel as though I was experiencing this with all the characters in the time periods portrayed.
The book is a real gem, the words are clear, concise and fluid.
I am really looking forward to reading more by this author.
I was given a complimentary copy by Interviews and Reviews and Bethany House Publishers. All opinions expressed are my own.
Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She’s the winner of the 2020 Christy Award Book of the Year, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten title, and the winner of an INSPY award for her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. She’s also the author of Set the Stars Alight (a Christy Award finalist), Yours is the Night (recipient of the Kipp Award, Christy Award finalist), All the Lost Places (starred reviews from Booklist, Library Journal, and Foreword), and three novellas. Find her online at amandadykes.com
Thank you for visiting today. I hope your day is wonderful.
uliet Montgomery absolutely loves her small town of Blossom Glen, Indiana, and everyone loves her. Except for the fact that she’s a couples counselor who suffered a very public breakup that no one can forget. And now her boss asks her to take a step back…which is exactly when the town’s good-lookin’ and unusually gruff mayor offers her an unexpected job.
Jack Monroe absolutely loves being the mayor of his small town. Except when he actually has to talk to people. Can’t he just fix the community problems in peace? Like right now, he’s mediating the silliest dispute two neighbors could possibly have. When the town sweetheart steps up and solves everyone’s problems in five minutes flat, Jack realizes what this town really needs…is a therapist.
Juliet is able to soothe anyone—other than the surly mayor, it seems. But there’s a reason they say opposites attract, because all of their verbal sparring leads to some serious attraction. Only, just like with fireworks, the view might appear beautiful—but she’s already had one public explosion that’s nearly ruined everything…how can she risk her heart again?
Each book in the Blossom Glen series is STANDALONE: * The Sweetheart Deal * The Sweetheart Fix
My Thoughts
The Sweetheart Fix is the second book in the Blossom Glen series but no worries if you haven’t read the first in the series as this can easily be read as a stand-alone. This is a small-town charming romance, a fun romance that you’ll want to tell your sisters and friends about. Blossom Glen, Indiana is home to Juliet Montgomery, she’s known and loved by all. We also meet Jack, the mayor of this small town. He loves the town and its people but just wants to be left alone to fix its problems. Actually, he only became its mayor to help his grandmother with something he thinks is totally unfair. Thrown together in a working relationship Juliet sees Jack is a rather grumpy person because of so much stress. Running out of time to help his grandmother leaves Jack frustrated beyond belief. I enjoyed seeing the slow burn of the romance, a real romance was established and grows naturally. The characters are flawed and imperfect making the book so realistic. There are fun scenes, laughter, a little drama and the sweetest grandmother ever. The characters are fun, relatable and makes you want to read more about them in future books which I’ll be looking forward to.
Pub Date 29 Nov 2022 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Miranda Liasson is a bestselling author who writes about the important relationships in women’s lives. Her heartwarming and humorous romances have won numerous accolades and have been praised by Entertainment Weekly for the way she “deals with so much of what makes life hard . . . without ever losing the warmth and heart that characterize her writing.”
A proud native of Northeast Ohio, she lives in a neighborhood of old homes that serve as inspiration for her books.
Lucy, a young lawyer, is on fast track to partnership in her firm. Arnault, a convicted felon, leaves prison after two decades through a piece of evidence in his favor. The two of them come together during a rescue operation at the centre of Paris, and then they go on with their separate lives.
Months later, their paths cross again at a camp for migrants on the edge of Paris.
My Thoughts
I have enjoyed every book I have read by Indrajit Garai. The writing is clear, concise and always thought provoking. I would think the author would be a deeply contemplative person because of his writing style. We see two stories here, two topics going their separate ways until they mesh and become entangled. The main story line features Arnault, a Middle Eastern-French man just having been released from prison after two decades after DNA evidence exonerates him. That is a long time in life to waste that you’ll never get back. We get a real taste of what life is like in Paris for the downtrodden, the homeless, the invisible ones living in migrant camps. He just wants to integrate back into polite society but with none having his back we see the highs and lows of his new life. Crime in many forms is abundant on the streets, will he be an easy target? We also meet Lucy, a young and impressionable up and coming lawyer, worlds apart from Arnault socially but she’s determined to find him to serve papers that will erase his time in prison. The book will resonate with many as Parisians face the same problems we face here in America and many countries, homelessness, despair, violence, and a host of other issues. The book kept my rapt attention, the plot is fascinating and relatable to many.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
Sep 5, 22 publication date All opinions expressed are my own.
Indrajit Garai, an American citizen now, was born in India in 1965. After his Bachelors degree from Indian Institute of Technology and Masters from Harvard, he worked as a corporate strategy consultant and as an investment banker in America, Spain, and England, while studying parallelly Ayurveda (ancient medicine of India) for stress management. In 2001, after the birth of his daughter, he moved to Paris, opened his private practice of stress management, and then authored six books in this field (five in French and one in English).
Authoring these books on stress management gave him a deep love for writing. Since 2015, he has devoted himself full-time to creating literature.
Thank you for visiting today. May your day be blessed.
With the cold weather upon us drinking hot tea and reading cozies is the perfect combination in my opinion. Add in a cat for your lap, chocolate and a baked good or two and you’re set. My feature today are those cozies with oh so delightful and relaxing tea. Enjoy!
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Each week a new theme is suggested for bloggers to participate in. Create your own Top Ten list that fits that topic – putting your unique spin on it if you want. Everyone is welcome to join but please link back to The Artsy Reader Girl in your own Top Ten Tuesday post.
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Agony of the Leaves, Indigo Tea Shop owner Theodosia Browning may always be a bridesmaid, never a bride, but this groom is never going to make it to the altar…
Theodosia Browning’s dear friend, Delaine Dish, has asked her to be a bridesmaid for her wedding. But when the big day arrives, everything seems to be going wrong. First, a massive storm is brewing over Charleston. A bad omen? Second, Delaine’s maid of honor is late for the ceremony. And finally, the groom not only has cold feet—his whole body is cold. A murderer has crashed the wedding.
n bestselling author Karen Rose Smith’s sixth delightfully devious Daisy’s Tea Garden Mystery, Pennsylvania Amish country’s favorite tea house proprietor, Daisy Swanson, finds herself going back to school expecting to serve tea–only to get a crash course in criminal justice! The faculty of Willow Creek High School are having a get-together after the spring concert with refreshments provided, courtesy of Daisy’s Tea Garden. Oolong tea and chocolate biscuits are just what the staff needs to help them unwind from Althea Higgins’ demanding curriculum. Her lessons on such controversial subjects as school uniforms and under qualified substitute teachers are earning her an F from her colleagues. But a failing grade was preferable to Althea falling victim to foul play. Daisy was there when her body was discovered in the school swimming pool, murdered by strangulation. Althea was certainly a strict, opinionated taskmaster, unliked by both teachers and students, but would any of them actually want to kill her? As Daisy starts asking questions, she gets a real education in Althea’s history, discovering more than enough enemies with more than enough motives to cancel her classes permanently…
In national bestselling author Vicki Delany’s delightful Tea by the Sea mystery series, Lily Roberts—Cape Cod tearoom proprietress and part-time sleuth—stirs up trouble when she unwittingly serves one of her grandmother’s B&B guests a deadly cup of tea . . . Lily has her work cut out for her when a visit from her grandmother Rose’s dear friend, Sandra McHenry, turns into an unexpected—and unpleasant—McHenry family reunion. The squabbling boils over and soon Tea by the Sea’s serene afternoon service resembles the proverbial tempest in a teapot. Somehow, Lily and her tearoom survive the storm, and Sandra’s bickering brethren finally retreat to Rose’s B & B. But later that evening, a member of their party—harmless Ed French—dies from an apparent poisoning and suddenly Tea by the Sea is both scene and suspect in a murder investigation!
A book club meeting turns murderous in this mystery in the national bestselling series…
Mystery lovers have descended on Pine Hills for this year’s book club competition, to be held at Krissy Hancock’s bookstore café. But the killer in their midst seems determined to outwit all the armchair sleuths—and send Krissy to the remainder bin forever.
Just before two dueling book clubs are set to square off, one of the competitors turns up dead—bludgeoned with the silver teapot that was to serve as the prize. Suspicion immediately falls on Krissy, who was seen skulking around town in dark clothes on the night of the murder.
A possible serial killer on the loose sends tea maven Theodosia Browning into a whirlwind of investigation in this latest installment of the New York Times bestselling series.
It was a dark and stormy night, but that was the least of Theodosia Browning’s troubles. As she approaches St. Philips Graveyard, Theodosia sees two figures locked in a strange embrace. Wiping rain from her eyes, Theodosia realizes she has just witnessed a brutal murder and sees a dark-hooded figure slip away into the fog.
The New York Times bestselling author of The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss serves up a new mystery steeped in murder…
When The Parlour opens up in town, domestic diva Sophie Winston finally has a place to satisfy her cravings for all things tea and crumpet related. And the shop serves as the perfect place for the ladies of the town to gather and gossip, especially since it’s conveniently located right across the street from the new antique store run by the handsome and charming Robert Johnson.
But speculation around Robert really boils over when he’s found dead—a victim of poisoning after attending a literacy fundraiser at The Parlour the night before. What Sophie learns about the man leaves a bitter taste in her mouth, and she’ll have to strain out a killer from a strange brew of suspects…
Includes delicious recipes and entertaining tips!
n the second book of the popular Seaside Café Mysteries, No Good Tea Goes Unpunished, Everly Swan caters a high-profile beach wedding where the groom doesn’t make it to the altar before the wedding bells ring.
Hitting All the sweet-tea spots, this series is:
A delightful Tea Shop and Café Culinary Mystery
The ideal cozy beach read
Perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Kate Carlisle
Catering her childhood friend’s beachfront wedding was a dream come true for Sun, Sand and Tea Shop and Café owner Everly Swan—and the hundreds of guests in attendance would be great exposure for her new business. But when the well-to-do groom is found floating facedown in the surf, the coastal vibes of a beach wedding disappear and the locals of Charm, North Carolina turn their suspicions to his new bride. Could she have been so desperate to lay her hands on his fortune that she arranged for his murder before they even set off on their honeymoon?
This is no boring librarian shushing people from behind a desk. This librarian corrals rogue magic. But more importantly, she has a frog and a cat, and she’s not afraid to use them!
A new life complete with tea, scones, and… murder?
On a whim, April May buys a huge Victorian home in the cozy seaside town of Serenity Cove. She plans to open a tearoom featuring lace tablecloths, exotic teas, and dainty sandwiches.
No one told her the house came with a cat in the attic who might just be guarding a treasure. How else to explain people breaking into her house?
From the moment she moves in, nothing goes right, but her problems seem minor when a dead body turns up in her home. Accused of murder, April teams up with a cantankerous bar owner and a feisty, young antique expert to solve the crime.
And what about the handsome, arrogant chef in her kitchen no one else can see? She plans to get medical help for what must be a hallucination, but in the meantime, he’s putting a tasty French twist on her menu.
If you’ve ever wished someone would remake The Ghost and Mrs. Muir as a culinary murder mystery, this book is for you!
Get the first Haunted Tearoom Cozy Mystery now—complete with delicious recipes!
With the grand relaunch of Victoria Square’s tea shop, Tealicious, just days away, Nona Fiske decides it’s time to sabotage it and its owner, Katie Bonner. With gossip, innuendo, and outright lies, Nona tries to turn the other merchants on the Square against Katie. But Katie has learned how to deal with people like Nona. Can she kill with kindness?
This story takes place between the Victoria Square mystery novels Yule Be Dead and Killer Ink.
A film crew enters San Bastion Bay, and the movie turns deadly when a starlet who hailed from the small town is killed on set. Olivia Darrow must investigate the murder of the former prom queen turned movie star before the police arrest an innocent man. Unfortunately, the film crew and the town are full of potential suspects and dangerous secrets. In a race against time, can Olivia uncover the real killer before she becomes the next target? A feel-good cozy mystery about a quirky teashop owner and her side-kick little sister solving mysteries in a small town on the California coast. This book does not contain any cliffhangers, gore, graphic scenes, or foul language.
Are you a tea drinker? Would you read any of these teatime cozies?
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A heartwarming and playful novel about the ones we love and the ones we lose by the New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year
What would you do if ‘the one that got away’ turned up the night before your wedding?
Head-in-the-stars Audrey is about to marry down-to-earth Josh. Though they are polar opposites, they have a healthy, stable relationship; Josh is just what Audrey needs. But romance should be unpredictable and full of fireworks, and as the big day approaches, Audrey’s found herself wondering if Josh really is “The One.”
So, when Josh’s sister shows up to the rehearsal dinner with Fred, Audrey’s “What If? guy”—the man she met six years ago and had one amazing day with—Audrey finds herself torn. Surely Fred’s appearance the night before she is due to get married can’t be a coincidence. And when everything that could go wrong with the wedding starts to go wrong, Audrey has to ask herself: Is fate trying to stop her from making a huge mistake? Or does destiny just have a really twisty sense of humor?
My Thoughts
This was a “I couldn’t put it down” kind of book. A Sophie Cousen’s book is truly a charmer, a book that’ll make you laugh, delight you and you’ll insist all your friends read it. There are some crazy things that happen in it, crazy but totally not out of the possibility of actually happening. There are multiple timelines in it so start each chapter looking at the timeline at the top of the page or you’re going to be lost. Our bride to be Audrey is set to marry Josh, but they are such opposites in so many ways. In the days leading up to the wedding she starts to doubt if marrying is the right thing as she remembers a past relationship, of one day and can’t stop thinking of it. It seemed so fun and that what if possibility lingers in her mind. The guy was so incredible and handsome. The possibilities are endless. Going back and forth from past times in this relationship to her time in the church leading up to the possibility of her wedding. There is a strong female friendship and a lot of support from her best friend, Clare at the church. I enjoyed Clare’s character, she is there for Audrey every step of the way, Audrey’s mother is there as well, she and her daughter are trying to get their adult relationship back on track. A guest from Audrey’s past that she hasn’t seen in over six years at her wedding has Audrey stressed and exhibiting self-doubt. Is Josh really the one she wants to spend the rest of her life with? I enjoyed Josh’s character; he puts up with Audrey when she has panic attacks and self-doubt. He is the most supportive husband to be even at times I think Audrey may not deserve it. Such a peppy and full of surprises book. I recommend this book.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Sophie Cousens started her career in television, where she produced, among other things, The Graham Norton Show, Big Brother, Ant and Dec and Russell Howard’s Good News. Working in TV taught her three things;
1 – Wearing a lanyard makes you look as though you know what you are doing.
2 -The best phrase you can contribute in meetings is “let’s action that!”If you say it often enough, hopefully someone else will do your work for you.
3 – If in doubt, find someone wearing a lanyard – they’ll know what to do.
Sophie currently lives in Jersey where she now writes full time. She lives with her husband Tim and has two small children who keep her occupied with important questions such as ‘but did Cinderella have a toothbrush?’ and ‘do giraffe’s know they have really long necks?’ She yearns for a time when she will be able to add a miniature dachshund to the party.
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Please like or share. Is Before I Do on your reading list?
Christmas is a time for joy, wonder, and a little bit of mischief. Does any creature manifest these attitudes better than a cat? Their fascination with all those breakable ornaments on the tree and their appreciation of a cozy spot to nap seem made for the season. The way they alternate between calm and crazy echoes the way we all feel at Christmas, doesn’t it? And that’s just what you get with The Cat in the Christmas Tree.
This collection of true, feel-good holiday stories by various writers celebrates the gift of cats and delivers all the warm fuzzies you could desire. It’s the perfect companion for those magical Christmas evenings in front of the fireplace with your favorite feline. It also makes the purrfect gift for cat-loving friends.
My Thoughts
The cat in the Christmas Tree is a delightful non-fiction book. It has three-to-four-page stories authors have contributed to the book about their cats taking place at Christmas time. Mostly about kittens gotten around Christmas time, it is quite the entertaining read. As you can imagine with cats, rascals as we all know, there are quite a few stories about cats in the Christmas tree, those trees falling down, decorations smashing and the like. Read this purr and cuddle filled book, perfect for all cat lovers. I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I have.
Published October 11,22. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Suzanne Baginskie and her husband, Al, left New Jersey and relocated to the west central coast of Florida. She’s been writing ever since her mother gifted her a five-year diary for her eighth birthday. Unknowingly, her mother’s inspirational nudge helped the writer inside her emerge.
She recently retired from a law firm as a paralegal-office manager. Now she writes daily, spinning tales of romantic suspense that pair tantalizing mystery with compelling romance. Fascinated with strong FBI female characters and their male counterparts, she loves solving cybercrimes and situations that involve human and drug trafficking. In her books, the special FBI agents working together through difficult life-threatening criminal activities usually fall in love.
Each morning, she takes a four-mile walk and meditates on her current writing project. A voracious thriller, crime reader and movie buff, she’d volunteered for eight years at the local sheriff’s office and also supports her local library association as a friend. She loves traveling, especially on cruise ships. Most sea days on board, you’ll find her plotting stories outside on the deck, gazing at the beautiful blue ocean.
The first published book in her “FBI Affairs” series is “Dangerous Charade-Book One” released on October 17, 2021. “Dangerous Revenge-Book Two,” followed on December 1, 2021, and “Dangerous Innocence-Book Three” was recently published on April 20, 2022, by Magnolia Blossom Publishing. She is currently working on the next book in her series.
Callie Smith Grant is the editor of A Prince among Dogs and A Dickens of a Cat. She is also the author of several nonfiction books for young readers and adults as well as many animal-themed stories and poems which can be seen in Guideposts anthologies and in magazines such as Small Farmers Journal.
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The heart-tugging true story of an abandoned puppy named Teddy and the devoted animal rescuer who took him in, showed him love, and—against all odds—found him a home. . . . He was delivered on her doorstep like a present: a frightened, straggly-haired puppy inside a large cardboard box. As owner of an animal shelter, Barby Keel had seen plenty of abandoned animals. But there was something extra special about this one. With his oversized paws, long legs, and awkward gait, he was bigger than most puppies but a big softie at heart. He was so sweet and cuddly, Barby named him Teddy, like a Teddy bear. But finding this Teddy a home would be no picnic . . . The first family that adopted Teddy returned him 24 hours later. They said he chewed up everything and cried all night long. The second family returned him after a month. Why? Teddy refused to be housebroken. Over the next few weeks, Barby devoted herself to the unruly pup. Soon, he was settling into the sanctuary, playing with the other animals, even rescuing a baby chick. But every night, Teddy reverted back to being a scared little puppy. With Barby’s loving care—and a lot of patience—he slowly began to overcome his fears. And as the two grew closer, Barby began to wonder if Teddy had already found his forever home—with her . . . Filled with beautiful life lessons in unconditional love, mutual trust, and unshakable devotion, Teddy’s story is sure to find a special place in every animal lover’s heart.
My Thoughts
I put off reading this book because I knew it would make me cry and it did, more than once. I am such a softy when it comes to animals, I even cried when I read Charlotte’s Web when I was a child. I had no idea the spider would die. As such an animal lover it was hard to read this book in places especially when it detailed the abuse the puppy received before it was unceremoniously dumped in a cardboard box outside of the gates of Barb Keely’s pet rescue center. The Barby Keely Animal Sanctuary in the beautiful Sussex countryside was never meant to be. Barby’s father brought home animals needing rescued and this is she got her passionate love for animals. Built from the ground up, it is still one of the remaining private sanctuaries in Britan. I loved seeing how Barby has such a true passion for animals and devotes her whole life to them. Though the book does get into the some of the other animals that were there at the time of the writing, many cats, several dogs, a rescue horse, chickens, ducks, goats, and more animals. Most of the book focuses on Teddy though, a gorgeous Wolfhound/ Briard mix who just wanted love and affection but just got abuse in his former home. The puppy was huge, gangly and prone to chewing and knocking things over because of his size. Well, we all know puppies chew, they need to supervised, shown love and understanding and given toys which was done when he arrived at the sanctuary. Teddy is what we call a foster fail. Now if you don’t know what that is, it is when a dog goes to a new home to be adopted but is returned because they are not compatible with their new home. This happened with Teddy multiple times. I think the author was more than happy about this as her heart had already fallen in love with this dog. Like many dogs, Teddy has behavioral issues that Barby works with a dog behavioralist to help get them straightened out. She shows a lot of compassion for her animals, and it just makes my heart sing to read about someone so devoted to animals such as this woman. I would really love to meet her and visit her animal sanctuary one day. I am a better person for having read this book. Please if you have a little extra consider donating to your local animal shelter, their vet bills and feeding cost are so expensive. Also, won’t you please consider donating some of your time to volunteering at these animal shelters. They always appreciate all you can do for them. Here is the link to her animal sanctuary if you’d like more information on it https://barbykeelanimalsanctuary.org/
June 29,2021 publish date. I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
Hello, My name is Barby Keel and I have run the Barby Keel Animal Sanctuary in the lush Sussex countryside since 1971, with plenty of help along the way.
We are a non-profit making charity rehoming or providing permanent refuge for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals. We operate a no destruction policy.
Today I am delighted to post my review of a new series I’ve discovered that is so much fun. Come join me.
About the Book
Frost Falls at The Potting Shed: An absolutely heart-warming and feel-good read to cosy up with this Christmas!
From the author of the bestselling Mill Grange series a new exciting series perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley, Jo Thomas and Trisha Ashley!
It has always been Maddie Willand‘s dream to take over her father’s plant nursery. But after his sudden death, she is devastated to discover that she might lose The Potting Shed forever.
Maddie’s bossy older sister, Sabi, is joint owner of the nursery, and she’s convinced that the best thing for both of them would be to sell up. Determined to keep the business going, Maddie can’t afford any distractions, but staying focused might be harder than she thinks when – after a major garden centre chain puts in an offer – her search for legal advice throws her into the path of attractive lawyer Ed…
As frost begins to fall over The Potting Shed, will Maddie find the strength to save her father’s legacy and open herself up to new beginnings?
Readers love Frost Falls at the Potting Shed!
My Thoughts
Frost Falls at the Potting Shed is the start of a brand-new series, The Potting Shed, #1. I really enjoy gardening and even though it’s Fall here in the states and the only gardening I’m currently doing is watering house plants I really enjoyed it. Maddie Willand and her bossy, older sister Sabi are devastated by the sudden and unexpected death of their father. The Potting Shed was their father’s whole life, he put everything he had into it and his daughter Maddie still does as well. Looking at the books after his death she’s devastated to learn the shop is badly in the red. Maddie and Sabi are co-owners of the shop but having totally different outlooks on life makes for an incompatible relationship. Maddie is desperate to keep the shop running and honor her father’s memory and she plain just loves the shop with all the family memories it holds. Sabi doesn’t put any stock into sentimental memories and is ready to sell it out from under Maddie. She even goes as far as making devious plans to try to get it sold. Try as she may to hold onto the shop Maddie knows it may all be futile in the end if something doesn’t come up and quickly at that. This is such a feel-good sentimental journey. It’s not only charming but there is a sweet Christmassy vibe intertwined within the pages as well. I loved the descriptions in the potting shed, Christmas trees, mistletoe, poinsettia and hot chocolate. Throw in the distraction of a sweet new romance and what more could you need? A definite must read!
Usually to be found within range of plate of hot buttered toast, a huge mug of black coffee, and a with a bar of emergency chocolate tucked in her jacket pocket, Jenny Kane spends her days in her local café typing away…
Inspired by everything and anything, Jenny combines her past experiences as an archaeologist, university tutor, cheese seller, newsagent, Welsh hat maker, Robin Hood obsessive, and data clerk, with the sights and sounds of everyday life, to weave tales of relaxingly relatable romance.
Look out for the brand new #MillGrange series – including Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange – and the forthcoming, Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange and Spring Blossom at Mill Grange.
Jenny’s Cornish novels – A Cornish Escape and A Cornish Wedding have received fabulous reviews and her romcom, Another Cup of Coffee, was a long-time bestseller – as were its sequels – Another Cup of Christmas, Christmas in the Cotswolds, Christmas at the Castle and Another Glass of Champagne.
Jenny also writes historical mysteries under the name of Jennifer Ash.
I am delighted to welcome you to my blog today for my stop on the Paris at First Light, Bookouture Blog tour. Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I recommend this to all historical fiction lovers.
Description
Paris, 1944: secret agent Juliette is on her most dangerous mission of the war so far. But then her children are kidnapped, and to get them back she may have to commit the ultimate betrayal – that of France itself…
Four years ago, when France fell to the Nazis, Juliette made the ultimate sacrifice, leaving behind her two precious children to join the Resistance and defend her country. Now a spy in Paris, she must work with CaptainDaniel Diaz – an American agent she’s taken an instant dislike to – on a dangerous mission to uncover a deadly Nazi plot.
As the pair play their parts, Juliette begins to see another side to Daniel, and their feelings for each other start to grow. But just as love blossoms, Juliette receives a ransom note that changes everything. Someone in Paris knows who she is. And they’ve kidnapped her little son and daughter. The message is clear: betray your country, or you’ll never see your children alive again.
Juliette has sworn a sacred oath to save France at all costs, but she could never sacrifice her children. So, against all the odds, she decides to attempt the impossible: rescue her children and continue her dangerous work fighting the Nazi threat.
But as the mission forces Juliette and Daniel to the very brink, will they succeed on all fronts? And if not, will France pay the ultimate price, or will Juliette?
A completely gripping and heart-wrenching historical novel about hope, betrayal and one mother’s limitless courage. Perfect for fans of The Alice Network, The Nightingale and My Name is Eva, this epic story will leave you breathless.
My Thoughts
Paris at First Light is the second book in the WWII Resistance series by Amanda Lees. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it definitely wowed me. I experienced so many emotions while reading it. I find it fascinating that the characters are based on actual people. I love reading historical books based on fact as I learn so much from them. I love a lot of detail in books with a lot of descriptions of everything. A well-researched book such as this one always has me appreciating the author’s time. I was truly lost in the story vividly imaging the goings on while reading. Such a strong and powerful woman, she does the unthinkable, making the ultimate sacrifice leaving behind her heart, her two precious children to become a resistance fighter becoming a spy in Paris. Working through an extremely dangerous mission with American agent Captain Daniel Diaz whom she takes an instant dislike to, they are working undercover to uncover a deadly Nazi plot. I must admit the book is brutal in parts, but I look at it as realistic to the times and circumstances. She has left her husband because of his brutality, putting her children and mother into hiding. Somehow, disaster strikes when he finds them, kidnapping his own children which he knows will hurt her more than anything. There are high stakes as she has promised allegiance to France but will do anything to somehow get her children and still work fighting the impossible, the Nazi’s. Will Juliette and Daniel be able to work against the odds to rescue the children? Gripping will keep you reading late into the night. Unputdownable! A mother’s love is without limits, beyond compare! The ultimate betrayal, shocking. Splendid read! Superb, I will be looking up this author for more.
Pub Date: 23 Nov 2022 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Amanda was born in Hong Kong and survived both a convent boarding school and a Jesuit boys’ school before being summarily ejected from the latter. She gets her thirst for adventure from her parents who met in the jungle in Borneo where her mother had set up a hospital and her father, a former Gurkha Intelligence officer and Oxford-educated spy, was probably up to no good.
She is the author of the bestselling satirical novels Selling Out and Secret Admirer (published by Pan) which have both received critical acclaim and have been translated into several languages. Her major YA thriller trilogy, Kumari, Goddess of Gotham, was written as a tribute to her mum, who died a couple of months before Amanda got the idea for a series which would reflect her own exotic childhood. Kumari was nominated for the Guardian Children’s Book Prize and the Doncaster Book Award. It featured as Redhouse Book Of The Month and Lovereading4kids Book Of The Month.
A broadcaster as well as an actress and novelist, Amanda appears regularly on BBC radio and LBC and was a contracted writer to the hit series Weekending on Radio 4. She researched and edited the leading directory for banks, The Banker’s Almanac, for Euromoney publications while also covering stories of shady dealings in the City for them. She has written for, or contributed to, The Evening Standard, The Times, New Woman, US Cosmopolitan, Bulgaria’s Vagabond and Company Magazine as well as numerous online publications and has two non-fiction books published under a pen name.
Amanda has conducted a love coaching phone-in from the sofa of Richard & Judy and wooed the viewers on Channel 5 Live. She won an award at the Hungarian Gyor Film Festival for a short film she produced, a psychological thriller called Pros and Cons.
Her book, From Aconite to the Zodiac Killer: The Dictionary of Crime, was published by Robinson/Little Brown in July 2020 to excellent reviews. It was published in the US by Ulysses Press in May 2021. She has just completed the first in a romantic thriller series set at the end of WW2. Author Social Media Links Website: amandalees.com
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