When terrier Moll’s owner dies, she is determined to protect his widow, Suki. As Suki navigates grief, dating and men with baggage of their own, Moll tries to push her beloved owner to moving on with someone Moll has chosen, with a good sense of humour, a generous heart, and a steady supply of biscuits.
But Suki has a frustrating habit of doing things the way she wants, instead of Moll’s way. Until she meets Ted, who Moll adores almost as much as Suki. Ted, though, has demons of his own, so is he really the right choice for Suki?
With Moll getting older, and Suki still struggling, can this devoted up fulfil her promise to look after her owner, before her time runs out?
A quirky tale of second chances, told through the eyes of woman’s best friend.
My Thoughts
Told from Moll the dog’s point of view. Her owner’s husband died from cancer and she, Suki is having a difficult time of it. The dog is able to sense people’s emotions by smell and knows how they are feeling and is able to cheer them up. She is hoping in time Suki will have another romance, someone to spend time with and share life’s moments. We follow the ups and downs of Suki and Moll and anyone that has ever owned a dog knows how they can sense our emotions. A heartwarming story.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I live in Cornwall with my rescue dog Lainy (who features at the end of The Rescue) and is going on to have her own story in Lainy’s Tale, which I am writing now. I spend part of the week with my partner and his rescue dog, Twig, where we walk, cycle, swim and grow vegetables. When forced indoors he is addicted to shouting at politicians on the news, the perfect excuse for me to write.
When not writing or training Lainy, I sing with The Suitcase Singers, and also give talks to anyone who will pay to listen to me talking about my work. To my surprise, many have.
I am also a freelance journalist, researcher and author of five Cornish literary themed walking books – Discover Cornwall, Walks in the Footsteps of Cornish Writers, Walks in the Footsteps of Poldark Walks in the Footsteps of Daphne du Maurier and Walks in the Footsteps of Rosamunde Pilcher, all published by Sigma Press and online in our ‘Books’ section of the website.
329 pages Revell publisher February 7,2023 publish date
About the Book
Police Chief Autumn Long is fighting to keep her job in the quiet Alaska town of Shadow Gap when an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and even an attack on her own father. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, she turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training Autumn needs to face this threat to her community.
Grier is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are–to disappear–when Chief Long enlists his help. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could be a deadly trap for them both. If his secret is exposed, all will be lost. And he’s not sure even Autumn could save him.
As the stakes rise and the dangers increase, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other to extinguish the deadly threats.
I saw the cover of the book several months ago and have been anticipating this read ever since and let me tell you it did not disappoint. This is the first book in a new series by Elizabeth Goddard, called Missing in Alaska. There is something special about books taking place in Alaska, it’s such a beautiful place, you need severe weather preparedness, avalanches can happen, and things can be hidden in the snow. Our main character is a woman Police Chief, Autumn Long. She is desperately trying to hold onto her job, but she has a lot going against her and in her town. There’s a stranger in town, he seems to be following her turning up everywhere she is, the criminal activity increases, and her father is almost fatally wounded. Is it connected to the stranger’s appearance or just a coincidence? A brilliant and cleverly written novel. I have long enjoyed the author’s writing style; she hooks you right from the start of the book and keeps you well entertained. I eagerly look forward to the next book in this series.
Pub Date: 07 Feb 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About The Author
With over one million books sold, Elizabeth Goddard is the USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling, award-winning author of over fifty romance novels and counting, including the romantic mystery, THE CAMERA NEVER LIES–a 2011 Carol Award winner. Four of her six Mountain Cove books have been contest finalists. Buried, Backfire and Deception are finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense, and Submerged is a Carol Award finalist. A 7th generation Texan, Elizabeth graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and worked in high-level software sales for several years before retiring to home school her children and fulfill her dreams of writing full-time.
368 pages Avon publisher March 21, 2023 publish date
About The Book
A wedding brings a shocking surprise in New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde’s newest Moonglow Cove novel. Perfect for fans of Susan Wiggs, Jill Shalvis, and Robyn Carr.
It wasn’t the wedding night she’d expected!
When Samantha said “I do” to Luca Ginelli, she knew she’d found a reliable soulmate—a strong, sexy man who’d stand beside her through thick and thin. And so she’d started her wedding day filled with joyful expectation, only to have her dreams shattered when the man she married years before shocking, unexpectedly, reappears, insisting she was still his wife!
Seven years before, Luca’s brother, Nick, had stubbornly set off in a sailing adventure, ignoring the pleas of his young bride and all common sense. He’d disappeared without a trace; everyone thought he was dead—but now he’s expecting to pick up where they’d left off. He’d once been Samantha’s “lightning strike,”—the person you know is the one from the moment you first see them.
But seven years is a long time and so much has changed. Now Samantha is faced with an impossible choice and no matter which decision she makes, it threatens to shred the very fabric of the one thing she holds most dear—family.
Once again, we are back in beautiful Moonglow Bay, Texas, such a charming place. With the breeze coming off of the water and all the friendly folks you’re going to want to stay awhile. I couldn’t even imagine the story line of this book. All the things that would be running through your head if it were to happen to you. You would be second guessing yourself and it would be quite a mess. A childhood filled with uncertainty comes to an end when insecure Samantha is adopted into a wonderful and loving family and her foster sister Piper becomes her best friend. They are closer than sisters. Starting at a new high school she and Piper meet Nick Ginelli, Piper is interested but he only has eyes for Samantha. After a whirlwind relationship they marry and have a baby, Destiny. This is a burning hot love, an immature love where they should have waited but were too into each other to wait. After a fight Nick goes out to cool off and spend time by himself. In the seven years that he’s been gone all they’ve found is his shipwrecked boat. He and his family were very close he would never just leave them. In the seven years that Nick has been gone, Samantha and Nick’s brother Luca have fallen in love. It should be the happiest day of her life, after waiting seven years for Nick to be declared dead she is free to marry again and it’s her wedding day, again. She is happy but bittersweet memories of Nick keep playing in her memory. On the wedding night after things start settling down, a huge uproar occurs! Before the marriage has a chance to be consummated, in walks Nick. There are many questions, many tears, much happiness. His family is thrilled. He had been shipwrecked on an island for seven years and just got rescued. Now where does this leave Samantha? Is she still legally married to Nick, is she actually married to Luca? The book will really grip you as Samantha works through who she should be with, it causes her many tears. She has a daughter with Nick, but he disappeared before she even got to know her father. I could not put this down, I had to see how it would work out and who if either of them she would choose. To me this sounds like a movie plot, and I loved this book. I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.
Pub Date 21 Mar 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Series
It’s Jill Shalvis meets Susan Mallery in this gorgeous novel by New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde about three sisters, one small town, a wedding, and the summer that changes everything.
Welcome to Moonglow Cove, Texas, a place where your neighbors know your name and the gentle waves of the Gulf of Mexico lap lazily against the sands. It’s a magical spot, especially in the summertime…
Once the town was the home of the Clark sisters—brought up by their grandmother at the Moonglow Inn. Nicknamed “The Moonglow Sisters”, as children they were inseparable. Then, a wedding-day betrayal tore them apart and they scattered across the globe and away from each other. But the sisters have at last come home…
There’s Maddie: smart, sensible, and stubborn. Shelley, who ran off to find her bliss. And Gia, a free-spirit determined to keep the peace. It’s her impending wedding that keeps them together…but Gia has a secret, and when her sisters find out all heck is going to break loose!
The Moonglow Sisters continues Lori Wilde’s trademark storytelling to create an unforgettable novel of family, betrayal, love, and second chances.
About The Author
Lori Wilde is an award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers’ Weekly bestselling author of 97 works of romantic fiction. Her writing has won numerous awards and her books have been translated into 26 languages, with more than four million copies of her books sold worldwide. Her series The Wedding Veil Wishes inspired three movies from Hallmark starring Lacey Chabert, Autumn Reese, and Alison Sweeney. The movies broke viewing records for Hallmark.
Lori is a registered nurse with a BSN from Texas Christian University, along with a Master in Liberal Arts from the same university. She holds a certificate in forensics and is also a certified yoga instructor. A sixth-generation Texan, Lori lives with her husband, Bill, in the Cutting Horse Capital of the World.
Happy Friday & welcome to the 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 lines. Today, I’m featuring the first lines of The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan
The first lines are………..
Simon Barre had left his best revolver back at his family estate near Wilmington, Sussex, along with the Barrington surname. He didn’t miss the surname, but he did miss the expensive steel of his Webley MkVI and the smooth curve of the handle.
About the Book
No matter how you might try to hide in a war to escape your past, it is always close at hand.
Lady Sophia Huntington Villiers is no stranger to intrigue, as her work with Alan Turing’s Bombe Machines at Bletchley Park during the war attests. Now, as part of Simon Barre’s covert team in post-war Vienna, she uses her inimitable charm and code name Starling to infiltrate the world of relics: uncovering vital information that could tilt the stakes of the mounting Cold War. When several influential men charge her with finding the death mask of Mozart, Sophie wonders if there is more than the composer’s legacy at stake and finds herself drawn to potential answers in Prague.
Simon Barrington, the illegitimate heir of one of Sussex’s oldest estates, used the previous war to hide his insecurities about his past. Now, he uses his high breeding to gain access to all four allied quarters of the ruined city in an attempt to slow the fall of the Iron Curtain. He has been in love with Sophie Villiers since the moment he met her, and a marriage of convenience to save Simon’s estate has always kept her close. Until now, when Sophie’s mysterious client in Prague forces him to wonder if her allegiance to him—and their cause—is in question. Torn between his loyalty to his cause and his heart, Simon seeks answers about Sophie only to learn that everything he thought he knew about his involvement in both wars is based on a lie.
June 1940, Paris. For days she’s seen the flashes in the night sky. She’s heard the drone of planes and the thump of marching boots. Doors shut as the German flag billows over the Eiffel Tower. Leaving Cora just one last chance to get her letter out of Paris…
The Nazi occupation has begun, and soldiers stand guard on every corner. The terrifying threat of war hangs in the air, and whispers of an unimaginable death toll roll across Europe. But Cora Mayhew has come to Paris from America to search for her birth mother – a fine silver locket her only clue – and she refuses to give up now.
One winter day, the air thick with fog, Cora is on a train – praying that it will lead her to the mother she never knew. But when the train is struck by bombs, throwing her from her seat as the carriage lurches off the tracks, all she can think about is everything she’s left behind.
Bruised and gasping for air, Cora struggles to her feet, shaking glass from her hair. Surrounded by passengers taking their last breaths and crying out for their loved ones, Cora knows she must find a way to send a heart-wrenching letter she’s been carrying around for weeks and return to her dear adoptive family while she still can.
Staggering from the wreckage, Cora shelters in a nearby ditch. But as the cold sets into her bones and her fighting spirit slips away, a German soldier finds Cora and offers her a chance at escape… With golden-flecked hazel eyes, handsome Max Heller is everything a Nazi shouldn’t be: kind, good-humoured and selfless.
With Max’s help, Cora uncovers a devastating secret about her birth mother, which makes her even more determined to get home. The key to Cora’s safe journey lies in the letter she’s been trying desperately to get out of Paris. Now she is faced with a choice: place her trust in the hands of the enemy, or go it alone and risk never making it out alive?
A heart-breaking story of love, belonging, and resilience in Nazi-occupied Paris as one woman searches desperately for the truth in the face of grave danger. The perfect wartime read for fans of The Dressmaker’s Gift, The Lost Girls of Paris and The Nightingale.
My Thoughts
Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read. There is so much to learn from it, even the fictional stories contain some true facts and happenings. The Last Letter from Paris by Kate Eastham is a wonderful book that I read in several hours. A young American woman is in France, June 1940 living with her mother’s best friend for the sole purpose of finding out information about her birth. All she knows is she was found with a locket. It is her only clue. A capture turns the plot of the story into one filled with danger and intrigue. It is hard to put this one down. The story is filled with strong women who must persevere, but my favorite is Cora who was found by and was raised by Eva. As Cora is searching for her beginnings, she is befriended by German soldier Max but with a war going on can she trust him and can she trust herself with her growing feelings for him. The Germans have invaded, and she helps with the resistance which throws her right into danger. Full of power, courage, bravery, worry, strength and romance. I enjoyed the author’s writing style and well-developed characters. I will be looking for more by this author.
Pub Date 07 Feb 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio:
A change in circumstance meant Kate Eastham made the shift from a career in nursing to being a carer for her partner. Determined to make the most of this new role ‘working from home’ and inspired by an in-depth study of the origins of nursing, she wrote her first novel at the kitchen table. Miss Nightingale’s Nurses was published by Penguin in 2018, closely followed by three more in the series. With her passion for history, Kate aims to make visible the lives of ordinary yet extraordinary women from the past. Her current historical fiction is set during the World Wars and will be published by Bookouture.
Welcome to Pepper Bay. A small close-knit community where you’ll find chocolate box cottages, quaint shops, love drama, and a happily ever after.
Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Phillipa Ashley, and Holly Martin.
The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories that intertwine with recurring characters. Best enjoyed when read in order,
Silver Blooms Flower Shop: Lexi and Bryce have never been friends. She views him as her childhood bully. So, she finds a way to stick it to the fancy-schmancy businessman by using his name as her pen name for the erotic romance books that she writes. That way, when potential clients try to check him out online, all they will see is fishnet stockings, sexy CEOs, and steamy sneak previews. But, when Not-Nice-Bryce comes back home to confront her, their past comes flooding back, and maybe it wasn’t as bad as she remembers.
Written in dual points of view, Lexi and Bryce. Having known each other since they were teenagers it’s helpful to see flashback of situations to when they were teens, so we have an understanding why they think/ do the things they do now. He was popular in high school; she was shy and got harassed a lot. In school when she was harassed, he would stick up for her, but she just didn’t see it as him liking her. She thought it couldn’t be possible because she felt like she was a nobody, and he was one of the popular guys. After he went away to college, she tried to forget him but just couldn’t. When he returns to Pepper Bay, she tries to play it cool. Does he still like her? She enjoyed her time working at Silver Blooms and is sorry to see that come to an end when she was a teenager. This is my first visit to Pepper Bay, and it was an enjoyable one. Filled with laughs, friendships, forgiveness, trust, family and romance this is one you’ll not want to miss.
Published February 1, 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Author
Hello, I’m K.T. Dady. I’m the bestselling author of the Pepper Bay series. I’m also a chocolate lover, mum to a grown-up daughter, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, baking cakes, or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers.
Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme that highlights books soon to be released, the ones we’re excited about but haven’t read yet. It’s hosted by Wishful Endings.
This week I am waiting for…………….
Pub Date 04 Apr 2023 Bethany House publisher
About the Book
In 1870, orphaned Daisy François takes a position as housemaid at a Wisconsin castle to escape the horrors of her past life. There she finds a reclusive and eccentric Gothic authoress who hides tales more harrowing than the ones in her novels. As women disappear from the area and the eerie circumstances seem to parallel a local legend, Daisy is thrust into a web that could ultimately steal her sanity, if not her life.
In the present day, Cleo Clemmons is hired by the grandson of an American aristocratic family to help his grandmother face her hoarding in the dilapidated Castle Moreau. But when Cleo uncovers more than just the woman’s stash of collectibles, a century-old mystery and the dust of the old castle’s curse threaten to rise again . . . this time to leave no one alive to tell the sordid tale.
Why I want to read this
I really enjoy the gothic feel of this author’s books. It kind of reminds me of V.C. Andrews books which I have been reading since the start. Does anyone have any gothic type books they can recommend to me?
What book that hasn’t released yet are you looking forward to? Let me know in the comments!
Thirty-five years ago, tragedy forced Bev Cooper to cut short her university studies and seek refuge in her hometown of Bellbird Bay. Today, as the owner of the thriving Pandanus Garden Centre and Café, Bev has moved beyond the past and is happy in her solitary existence.
Following the tragic death of his son’s wife, Iain Grant takes early retirement and moves with his devastated son and granddaughter to the peaceful coastal town of Bellbird Bay hoping it will provide the change of scene they all desperately need.
When Iain’s son accepts a position at Bev’s garden centre, the pair find themselves drawn into each other’s lives. But as they begin to enjoy an unexpected attraction, issues from the past threaten to derail their growing relationship.
Will the healing atmosphere of Bellbird Bay work its magic and provide a second chance in life, or will Bev find it too difficult to put the past behind her and enjoy her own happy ever after?
A heartwarming tale of family, friends, and how a second chance at love can happen when you least expect it.
My Thoughts
Finding Refuge in Bellbird Bay is the fifth book in the Bellbird Bay series. I have enjoyed all Bellbird Bay has to offer on my two visits there. Peace and solitude along the beach are here but if you’d like a little conversation there are friendly neighbors and a scenic view from the boardwalk. I think I’d enjoy a longer visit next time. Getting to know the people of Bellbird Bay, I feel at home here and have enjoyed the characters from both of the books I’ve read. Finding Refuge in Bellbird Bay starts off with Iain Grant taking an early retirement and moving with his son and granddaughter to Bellbird Bay after the tragic death of his son’s wife. Bev Cooper is the owner of garden shop and cafe Pandanus Garden Centre and Café. She has come a long way and worked hard to leave her past behind and is now back in her beautiful hometown of Bellbird Bay. Sometimes as much as we want them to those old memories won’t stay in the past. This is what happens when Iain’s son starts working at her garden shop with her. As Iain and Bev start to become acquainted their friendship looks like it may go into the romantic territory, but will past issues put a damper on things? First of all, I love how the romance focuses on an older couple, not all romances are young people. Older people enjoy romance very much as well. A truly heartwarming book focusing on friendships, trust, listening, understanding, giving second chances and family. This is a warm and huggable story.
Pub Feb 7, 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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About The Author
After a career in education, Maggie Christensen began writing contemporary women’s fiction portraying mature women facing life-changing situations, and historical fiction set in her native Scotland. Her travels inspire her writing, be it her trips to visit family in Scotland, in Oregon, USA or her home on Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast. Maggie writes of mature heroines coming to terms with changes in their lives and the heroes worthy of them. Maggie has been called the queen of mature age fiction and her writing has been described by one reviewer as like a nice warm cup of tea – warm, nourishing, comforting and embracing.
From the small town in Scotland where she grew up, Maggie was lured to Australia by the call ‘Come and teach in the sun’. Once there, she worked as a primary school teacher, university lecturer and in educational management. Now living with her husband of over thirty years on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, she loves walking on the deserted beach in the early mornings and having coffee by the river on weekends. Her days are spent surrounded by books, either reading or writing them – her idea of heaven!
Jilted by her soap opera fiancé, crime writer August Saunders decides to return to her roots in rural Wiltshire. Determined to reignite her writing mojo, she rents a desk in a shared workspace in local Futtingbrook Farm.
The converted barn comes with a motley array of fellow users, including a matchmaker, a TikToker with a dodgy nocturnal side-line and an ethical clothes designer – causing August to realise she doesn’t have far to look for real-life plot fuel!
There’s also a real-life mystery for her to solve. Why is Max Ronson, the handsome but volatile owner, so evasive about his past? And who or what is he hiding on the premises?
As August begins to unravel the shadowy secrets of Futtingbrook Farm, will her curiosity snuff out the spark of romance – or ignite it?
Nicola May uses her inimitable style to convey love, grief, and happiness, makingFuttingbrook Farmas beloved a location asFerry Lane Market orCockleberry Bay.
Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Sarah Morgan, Jill Mansell, and Cathy Bramley.
Nicola May is a rom-com superstar. She is the author of sixteen romantic comedies, all of which have appeared in the Kindle bestseller charts. The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay became the best-selling Kindle book in the UK, across all genres, in January 2019, and was Amazon’s third-bestselling novel in that year. It spawned three sequels, followed by the hit Ferry Lane Market trilogy.
Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week’s topic is 2023 Debut Books I’m Excited About. I’m going to make the topic my own and list debut books, some that I’ve read and some I’d love to read.
Published 2023
A GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • This beautiful, page-turning and redemptive story of a mother’s gripping journey across the Caribbean to find her stolen children in the aftermath of slavery is a “celebration of motherhood and female resilience.”
Published 2022
Told over the course of six years and one weekend, Every Summer After is a big, sweeping nostalgic look at love and the people and choices that mark us forever.
Published 2020
When a woman conceals her sister’s death to claim their joint inheritance, her deception exposes a web of dangerous secrets in this addictive new thriller for fans of Megan Abbott, Gillian Flynn, and Paula Hawkins.
“Like most of the dead, I want to be remembered.”
Published 2020
The Yellow Bird Sings is a powerfully gripping and deeply moving novel about the unbreakable bond between parent and child and the triumph of humanity and hope in even the darkest circumstances.
Published 2020
In this brilliant debut fantasy, a story of secrets, rebellion, and murder are shattering the Hollows, where magic costs memory to use, and only the son of the kingdom’s despised traitor holds the truth.
Remembrance by Rita Woods is a breakout historical debut with modern resonance, perfect for the many fans of The Underground Railroad and Orphan Train.
Published 2018
An eerie and absorbing novel following a criminal psychologist who has discovered shocking and possibly dangerous connections between a serial killer and her stepdaughter.
Published 2020
A young woman living in a rigid, puritanical society discovers dark powers within herself in this stunning, feminist fantasy debut.
Published 2020
Part love story, part mystery, The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey is a gripping and atmospheric tale of family madness, long-buried secrets and hidden desires.
Published 2020
Combining the emotional power and dual narrative style of Before We Were Yours with the nuanced, layered, and atmospheric mystery of The Dry, a powerful debut novel revolving around a shocking disappearance, two neighbor families, and shameful secrets from the past that refuse to stay buried.
What do you think of my selections? Have you or would you read any of them?
Have a super day and thanks for stopping by today.
Vegan Book Blogger 