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.

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Can’t Wait Wednesday

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I Can’t Wait For………… The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman

Now I have never read a book by this author but the cover is gorgeous and it sounds really good. I am looking forward to it.

The Matchmaker’s Gift by Lynda Cohen Loigman Hardcover September 20,22 St. Martins Press 320 pages

Summary

From Lynda Cohen Loigman, the bestselling author of The Two-Family House and The Wartime Sisters, comes a heartwarming story of two extraordinary women from two different eras who defy expectations to utilize their unique gift of seeing soulmates in the most unexpected places in The Matchmaker’s Gift.

Is finding true love a calling or a curse?

Even as a child in 1910, Sara Glikman knows her gift: she is a maker of matches and a seeker of soulmates. But among the pushcart-crowded streets of New York’s Lower East Side, Sara’s vocation is dominated by devout older men―men who see a talented female matchmaker as a dangerous threat to their traditions and livelihood. After making matches in secret for more than a decade, Sara must fight to take her rightful place among her peers, and to demand the recognition she deserves.

Two generations later, Sara’s granddaughter, Abby, is a successful Manhattan divorce attorney, representing the city’s wealthiest clients. When her beloved Grandma Sara dies, Abby inherits her collection of handwritten journals recording the details of Sara’s matches. But among the faded volumes, Abby finds more questions than answers. Why did Abby’s grandmother leave this library to her and what did she hope Abby would discover within its pages? Why does the work Abby once found so compelling suddenly feel inconsequential and flawed? Is Abby willing to sacrifice the career she’s worked so hard for in order to keep her grandmother’s mysterious promise to a stranger? And is there really such a thing as love at first sight?

Does this one sound right up your alley or would you pass on it?

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Confetti Over Bluebell Cliff

My Review

Art dealer Ruby Lambert is very successful at her job, she’s also a single mom to an adorable baby boy.
Her sister Olivia is getting married soon and like so many of us she wants to look her best for the wedding in a few months time so she joins a weight loss/workout program.
Next we meet Harry, a young man, only married for less than two years with a very annoying wife. This woman can not find anything right with Harry,complains constantly and finds everything he does “unreasonable”. When you have this many problems with your husband don’t you think maybe it’s time to examine yourself and it becomes a not him problem but a “you” problem?
Anyways Harry is at the weight loss program because his wife signs him up for it.
Will Ruby be able to lose the weight in time for her sister’s big day? Will Harry’s weight loss finally make his wife happy? I’m not giving anything away so read it and find out.
Very realistic book. I enjoyed it very much.
Can’t wait to read more by this author.

Expected publication: March 2nd 2022 by Boldwood Books
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Amazon Buy Link

GoodReads Synopsis

All NEW from bestselling author Della Galton and her wonderful Bluebell Cliff Hotel series.

Art dealer Ruby Lambert is on a mission to lose her baby weight ahead of her sister’s Olivia’s wedding in 6 months’ time.
To add fuel the fire, Ruby has also been ‘honoured’ with the unenviable task of being Head Bridesmaid. So determined not to let Olivia down, she signs up to a swanky new diet & fitness club, The Bluebell Booty Busters.

Uncertain of what to expect Ruby meets Harry Small, a wealthy local businessman who ‘joins’ Booty Busters, after pressure from his wife, who’s worried about his health and growing waistline.

Ruby and Harry soon team up as diet buddies, supporting each other through their dieting crisis’s. But something seems amiss at Booty Busters when they both discover that if it looks too good to be true; it probably is….

Will Ruby and Harry ever reach their targets?

And will Ruby do her sister proud and be the Belle of the Ball?

About The Author

Della Galton is the bestselling author of several romantic comedies set in beautiful Dorset, where she lives. Her stories feature quirky characters and very often a dog or two.

When she is not writing she enjoys walking her dogs around the beautiful Dorset countryside and beaches.

Find out more about Della Galton, her books, speaking engagements & workshops, on her website, dellagalton.co.uk

Does this sound like a book you’d enjoy reading?

Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful day.

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It’s Monday What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are about to be reading over the week. It’s a great post to organise yourself. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and er… add to your groaning TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started on J Kaye’s blog and then was hosted by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn here at The Book Date.

Welcome to the start of a new week . I hope you are all doing well. Hubby just got his second coronavirus shot yesterday and is feeling the effects of it. Have you had a chance to do much reading this past week? Me not as much hoping to catch up a bit this week.

What I Read Last Week

Witness protection should have kept them safe.

Instead, it left them completely exposed…

Canadian border patrol officer Emma James has only one concern after putting a crime boss behind bars: keeping her daughter safe. But witness protection has a leak, and Emma’s enemies know exactly where to find her. Now on the run with no safe haven, trusting her estranged former brother-in-law, police constable Mason James, to shield them is her only hope…

From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.

To be a good father

he needs the right teacher

When his twins’ nanny leaves for a family emergency, single dad Knox Taylor knows he’s in over his head caring for the girls alone. But having their aunt’s aid for the summer wasn’t the assistance he had in mind. But Merritt Lane’s crash course in fatherhood might just teach Knox what he desperately needs to know…and reveal she’s the partner he didn’t know he was missing.

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. 

This book is excellent. My review for it is here

A heartwarming and uplifting story of healing, courage, love—and one irresistible yellow Labrador retriever—from the bestselling author of An Unexpected Grace and Earnest.

On San Julian Island, across Puget Sound from Seattle, Tessa Jordan works as a bookmobile librarian, recommending books and poems to her patrons. In her spare time, she cares for a colony of feral cats. But Tessa’s simple, satisfying life is shockingly upended after she meets Nick Payne, a respected community leader, and he invites her to dinner.

Far from a pleasant first date, Tessa’s evening with Nick leaves her feeling confused and upset. After deep soul-searching, she decides to step forward and accuse him of assault. Her distress grows when local prosecutor Will Armstrong declines to pursue her case, citing lack of evidence. Her main solace is Hope, a courthouse dog, trained to comfort victims through the difficult judicial process. As she lays her head in Tessa’s lap, her gentle brown eyes seem to say, Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.

Will, who is Hope’s primary handler, longs to get justice for Tessa, yet knows how rocky the path will be. It’s Hope who, true to her name, shines a bright ray through the darkness. With Hope by their side, Will and Tessa find surprising strength in each other as they learn just how resilient a heart—whether human or canine—can be.

What I Am Currently Reading

What’s Next For Me

Which of these have you read or are looking forward to reading?

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Put Out To Pasture (Farm To Table Mysteries #2)

My Review

Put Out To Pasture is the second book in the cozy mystery series Farm To Table by Amanda Flower.
I’ve read so many of her cozy mysteries in many of her series and they never disappoint. I always look forward to the next. Now even though this is part of a series it can be read as a stand alone.
Shiloh Bellamy has her work cut out for her trying to keep the family farm afloat.
She and her dog Huckleberry the Pug are working from sunup til sundown doing chores and trying to turn it into an organic bakery business when she gets the idea of hosting a fall festival at her farm.
The festival is going swimmingly and she and her assistant can not keep up with the baking supply needed of the organic foods. Unfortunately this all comes to a screeching halt when a body is found in a back field.
Things go from bad to worse when the evidence all seems to point to her best friend as the main suspect. Now she not only has the farm work to do she takes it upon herself to investigate the crime so her friend won’t be blamed.
I enjoyed the book a lot except for the ending when it felt kind of strange as the love interest just fizzled out.
I look forward to reading about more adventures in this series.

Pub Date 22 Feb 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Amazon Buy Link

GoodReads Synopsis

A delightful new cozy mystery from USA Today bestselling author Amanda Flower!

There’s fowl play afoot on the farm

Shiloh Bellamy has saved her family’s farm from financial ruin—but now what? She’s barely scraping by on the farm’s new organic business model and the fall festival she organized to drum up business comes to a screeching halt when the body of a prominent townswoman is discovered underneath a scarecrow in a nearby field. Worst of all, the evidence points to Shiloh’s childhood best friend, Kristy, as the prime suspect.

Between cooking up delicious treats made with her farm’s produce, convincing her cantankerous father to let her do things her own way, and dealing with a newcomer in town who could be serious competition for her customers, Shiloh doesn’t have time to wade into a murder investigation. But with a killer on the loose and suspicious activity circling closer and closer to Shiloh and the people she loves, she realizes there’s nothing to do but roll up her sleeves and get down to the dirty work of finding the killer and clearing Kristy’s name once and for all.

This book is perfect for cozy mystery readers and fans of Kate Carlisle, Denise Swanson, and Bree Baker.

Baked goods and homemade preserves and jams at a farmer’s market.

About The Author

Amanda Flower is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author of over thirty-five mystery novels. Her novels have received starred reviews from Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Romantic Times, and she had been featured in USA Today, First for Women, and Woman’s World. She currently writes for Penguin-Random House (Berkley), Kensington, Hallmark Publishing, Crooked Lane Books, and Sourcebooks. In addition to being a writer, she was a librarian for fifteen years. Today, Flower and her husband own a farm and recording studio, and they live in Northeast Ohio with their two adorable cats. Visit her at http://www.amandaflower.com

Have you read any books by this author? Which are your favorites?

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The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart

My Review

I thought this one was very well done. The book is steeped in the Victorian setting,taking place in London 1885. Amelie is a lonely hearts matchmaker who so caught up in her work decides to watch a couple through a restaurant window to observe this couple. Little does she know it’s a recent widow who’s just lost his wife and that she herself is being watched and observed by detective Michael Baker. He will question her as to what she knows about this case. We know who the murderer is right from the start, while most books are not like this proving the guilt in this case proves hard to do.
While investigating the crime together a relationship of mutual respect and maybe a little more develops between Amelie and the detective.
This book kept me intrigued the whole way through. I am looking forward to reading more books in this Proper Romance series.

Pub Date 07 Sep 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

GoodReads Synopsis

Set in Victorian London from the Queen of Mystery Romance

Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple’s blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe—a grieving widower and a member of Amelie’s book club.

Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.

When a woman’s body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman’s husband—Harold Radcliffe—of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe’s innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match.

They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm. 

Amazon Buy Link

About The Author

Nancy Campbell Allen is the award winning author of 18 published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres ranging from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Her most recent books, which include Regency, Victorian, and steampunk romance, are published through Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line, and the What Happens in Venice novella series is part of the Timeless Romance Anthology collection published by Mirror Press. She has presented at numerous conferences and events since her initial publication in 1999.

Her formal schooling includes a B.S. in Elementary Education from Weber State University and she has worked as a ghost writer and freelance editor, contributing to the releases, We Knew Howard Hughes, by Jim Whetton, and My Life Encapsulated, by Kenneth Brailsford.

Her agent is Pamela Pho of D4EO Literary Agency.

Nancy loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She nurtures a current obsession for true crime podcasts and is a news junkie. She and her husband have three children, and she lives in Ogden, Utah with her family, one very large Siberian Husky named Thor, and an obnoxious but endearing YorkiePoo named Freya.

Would you read this book? What sounds good about it to you? Have a great weekend. Thanks for stopping by.

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Cover Reveal for A Scottish Highland Surprise

I’m excited to take part in this cover reveal with Rachel’s Random Resources, Julie Shackman & the publisher One More Chapter. Expected Publishing Date 22.04.22

Pre-order links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Highland-Surprise-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B09MMZ75KL

US – https://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Highland-Surprise-Julie-Shackman-ebook/dp/B09MMZ75KL

Synopsis

Discover the secrets and surprises that the scenic Scottish town of Briar Glen has to offer…

When wedding planner Sophie Harkness refuses to move a friend’s wedding to accommodate a spoilt bridezilla, she finds herself out of a job. That is until she discovers her late grandma has purchased a local shop for her in the pretty Scottish town of Briar Glen.

Surprised and delighted, Sophie opens her own porcelain shop in honour of her grandmother. But when an unusual tea set is left with Sophie, along with a mysterious letter, she can’t help but be intrigued by the story behind the antique.

And when the handsome but aloof art critic Xander North comes knocking on her door, Sophie is about to find out the true colourful past of her latest treasure.

About The Author

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance. As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags. She is married, has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, who she named Cooper. A Scottish Highland Surprise is Julie’s sixth novel.

Social Media Links – https://twitter.com/G13Julie

https://www.facebook.com/julie.shackman

https://www.instagram.com/juliegeorginashackman

Cover Banner

Thank you for visiting today. Have a wonderful day.

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First Line Friday

Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday hosted by Reading Is My SuperPower ! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today, I’m featuring the first line of The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen.

And The first Line is……….

Amelie Hampton blinked in surprise as her normally unflappable aunt called her to task over a mistake,frankly,Amelie didn’t believe was a mistake at all. Poor judgement,at most.

About The Book

A romance develops as a detective partners with a lonely-hearts columnist to solve a murder mystery.

London, 1885

Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in The Marriage Gazette. When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple’s blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe—a grieving widower and a member of Amelie’s book club.

Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the uncertainty of his profession. But when he meets Miss Hampton, he is captured by her innocence, beauty, and her quick mind.

When a woman’s body is pulled from the river, Michael suspects the woman’s husband—Harold Radcliffe—of foul play. Amelie refuses to believe that Harold is capable of such violence but agrees to help, imagining it will be like one of her favorite mystery novels. Her social connections and clever observations prove an asset to the case, and Amelie is determined to prove Mr. Radcliffe’s innocence. But the more time Amelie and Michael spend together, the more they trust each other, and the more they realize they are a good team, maybe the perfect match.

They also realize that Mr. Radcliffe is hiding more than one secret, and when his attention turns toward Amelie, Michael knows he must put an end to this case before the woman he loves comes to harm.

Let me know the first line in the book closest to you.

Would you read this one? Thank you for stopping by have a wonderful weekend!

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Can’t Wait Wednesday

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

I Can’t Wait For………. The Beach Trap By Ali Grady

This is a new to me author. I thought the cover was cute and I am in the mood for a light,Summer beachy type read as well.

The Beach Trap By Ali Brady

384 pages

June 14,2022 Berkley Publishing

Summary

Two best friends torn apart by a life-altering secret. One summer to set the record straight.
 
When twelve-year-olds Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill meet at Camp Chickawah, they have an instant connection. But everything falls apart when they learn they’re not just best friends—they’re also half sisters. Confused and betrayed, the girls break off all contact.
 
Fifteen years later, when their father dies suddenly, Kat and Blake discover he’s left them a joint inheritance: the family beach house in Destin, Florida. The two sisters are immediately at odds. Blake, who has recently been demoted from regular nanny to dog nanny, wants to sell the house, while social media influencer Kat is desperate to hold on to the place where she lived so many happy memories.
 
Kat and Blake reluctantly join forces to renovate the dilapidated house, with the understanding that Kat will try to buy Blake out at the end of the summer. The women clash as Blake’s renovation plans conflict with Kat’s creative vision; meanwhile, each sister finds herself drawn into a summer romance. As the weeks pass, the two women realize the most difficult project they face this summer will be coming to grips with their shared past—and learning how to become sisters.

Would you read it?

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Top Ten Tuesday

Today’s topic is Top Ten Dynamic Duos! It’s hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Will and Hope from A Reason for Hope. Will is Hope’s primary trainer. Hope is a courthouse dog, trained to comfort victims through the difficult judicial process.

American Sylvia Beach and Irish writer James Joyce 

Slave woman Rose and her daughter Ashley. Civil War time-slip.

Ava Coons and her porcelain doll.

Nonfiction book. Sisters,six-year-old Tati and her four-year-old sister Andra .

Ellen Creighton and wheelchair-bound paraplegic, Harrison Burlington.

Such a fun couple, Evan and Mary.

This is such a powerful book, Henry O’Toole and Sarah,a slave at The Jubilee Plantation. 

Zoey and her Aunt Ivy

Nina and herself. After hitting rock bottom Nina decides some self love is in order.

Thank you for stopping by today.

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First Chapter, First Paragraph, Tuesday Intros/Teaser Tuesdays 

It’s Tuesday!  It’s time to share your excerpts and teasers from books we are currently reading, have read or are planning to read.  So, feel free to join us by sharing the first paragraph or (a few) of a book you are reading or thinking about reading soon.  This meme is guaranteed to increase your TBR 🙂 First Chapter/Intros, now hosted by Socrates Book Reviews; 

I’ve just started this one today.

Batter Off Dead (A Country Store Mystery Book 10)

Published February 22,2022

First Chapter

“This kind of weather could make anybody commit murder.” “Abe don’t say that.” I twisted my head to stare at my husband of six weeks, seated in the camp chair next to mine in Juniper Park, waiting for the weekly Friday night South Lick fireworks.

Synopsis

In South Lick, Indiana, fine foods and classic cookware can be found at Robbie Jordan’s Pans ’N Pancakes. Unfortunately, her country store also seems to stock up on murder . . .
 
Robbie and her new husband Abe O’Neill are enjoying a summer evening in the park with fellow townsfolk excited for some Friday night fireworks. In attendance are senior residents from Jupiter Springs Assisted Living including Roy Bird, father to South Lick’s very own Police Lieutenant Buck Bird. Despite his blindness, Roy is a member of his group home’s knitting circle, spending quality time with some lovely ladies.
 
But when the lightshow ends, one of the knitters who sat with Roy is found dead, a puncture wound in her neck. The poor woman’s death echoes that of Buck’s mother and Roy’s wife—an unsolved homicide. To help find the killer, Robbie’s going to have to untangle the knotty relationships deep in the victim’s past . . .
 
Includes Recipes for You to Try!

Does this sound like your kind of book? Would you give it a try?