Blossom Sunshine’s life is anything but boring right now. She’s determined to finally solve the mystery of who her biological father is – despite Mum Ada putting a spanner in the works. What is Ada trying to hide? Meanwhile, best friend Billy is doing his best to impress new girl Jenna. This means cutting back on all the delicious cakes and carbs that he loves, but Jenna’s worth it. Isn’t she? And then there’s Blossom’s own love life, which has been a catalogue of disasters up till now – but that was before she met Trevor. He’s not her usual type but she thinks maybe that’s a good thing? Could this be real love at long last? One thing’s for certain – the path to Blossom achieving her heart’s desire looks like it will be far from smooth!
MY THOUGHTS
The author’s books always get to me, so emotional I feel as though the characters could be folks I know. I’ve read so many of the author’s books over the years and I’m always up for a read of one of her books as they’ve become favorites.
I’ve read all of the books in the Sunshine Sisters series. The series focuses on three sisters: Skye, Aurora and Blossom. This is Blossom’s story. We are introduced to each of the sisters in each book, so we are familiar with their characteristics. Sisterly bonds are not always strong, but who has a great relationship with their sister of family in general all the time. In their strongest time of need though the sisters are there for each other. I enjoyed seeing the sister- sister relationships and the mother-daughter relationships.
Blossom is hurting and trying to find out who her biological father is. She has questions and she wants answers. Her mother is not being open about this and it’s causing a big family riff. As she delves deeper into her investigation, she finds out some family secrets that were kept from her and she feels as though her whole life has been uprooted.
When a romance that she thought was solid goes south Blossom turns to a friend that could possibly become more for support. Drama, hope, family relationships being mended and a lot more.
For a short novella this one packs a punch and I recommend the whole series to you.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosie’s series of Little Duck Pond Café novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. Skye’s story is the second in a trilogy called THE SUNSHINE SISTERS. Watch out for Blossom’s dramatic and emotional story, which completes the trilogy and is out in early June 2024!
Celebrities and rich famous people don’t impress me so I wouldn’t invite them to grace my dinner table. I would rather invite a down to earth, kind spirited person I could learn something fascinating from. Someone to share wisdom from a long life that has been well lived and what they’ve learned.
Berlin, 1944. ‘It is a great honour to have you here, Herr Hitler.’ Lili doesn’t stumble over the lie, her hand steady as she pours champagne. Everything must be perfect, no one can suspect a thing…
Lili Rodenberg and her husband Marius run the Edel, Berlin’s most glamorous hotel. For its wealthy guests, it is an escape from the destruction outside, with its elegant piano bar and fine amber brandy. But Lili is Jewish, a secret she is terrified will end in tragedy for her and their beloved little girl.
Lili’s only choice is to hide in plain sight, her heart racing each time uniformed officers step through the Edel’s grand entrance. As Berlin becomes a more frightening place, Lili pleads with her husband to help shelter those in danger but Marius is adamant: he will not risk the lives of his wife and daughter. Until the day he is called to the front – and goes missing in action.
Left in sole charge of the Edel, a heartbroken Lili fixes her smile as she serves men who would have her killed in an instant if they knew the truth. She decides she must fight back, hiding Jews in the hotel’s wine cellar before moving them to safety. Though she is seized with terror, it gives her the strength to carry on.
But her courage catches the attention of the Resistance. What they ask of her is impossible.
Lili has protected her daughter by living a life full of secrets. Can she risk it all now and put her child in danger for the sake of her country?
An absolutely unforgettable and heartbreaking story of bravery, love and sacrifice that will keep you turning the pages and reaching for the tissues. Fans of The Nightingale and The Book of Lost Names will be swept away by this stunning novel.
MY THOUGHTS
Oh, my heart! The more I read of this book the more I knew I had to continue it. The characters are so realistic in this dual timeline book. Taking place during the turbulence of WWII and more modern times we see an emergence of some characters during both timelines.
I loved the grand elegance of the Edel Hotel in Berlin. I love books with hotels and this one was exciting: this hotel kept made me want to cry buckets and it’s new and improved resurgence was unexpected but welcome with visions of days gone by full of glamour linger in the corners of my mind. It was uplifting to see such strong female leads
The story has such a heartwarming ending, it’ll uplift your spirits. This is one you’ll not want to miss.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
I write historical fiction set primarily in Berlin, covering the period from the 1930s up to the fall of the Berlin Wall and dealing with the long shadows left by war. I’ve had nine novels published with Bookouture to date, including a series, and there are more to come. My books have also been translated into a number of languages including French, Danish and, most recently, German.
I spends as much time as I can in Berlin, where my son also lives, and can read German fluently, although I speak it more like a toddler. I’m from the North of England but now live in Glasgow with my American husband. I love to travel and am currently planning a trip next year to Japan. If I’m not at my desk, you’ll find me at the cinema or just follow the sound of very loud music but bear in mind that I’ve been told, more than once, that I have the musical tastes of a teenage boy…
I’d love to hear from you and there are lots of ways you can find me, so jump in via my website or at my Cat Hokin FB page, at Catherine Hokin Writer on Twitter or on my Cat Hokin Author page on Instagram. @cathokin catherinehokin.com
WW2 fiction set in Berlin, published by Bookouture & Grand Central Publishing. Details of all books & purchase links at https://www.catherinehokin.com/
In my mind it’s certainly not wine since I don’t drink it. Not cheese either I don’t eat aged cheese. I’d answer this one by saying, some people. Some people as they age they get mellower, more understanding and more compassionate.
352 pages Avon publisher October 15, 2024 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
From the author of Dog Days Forever, a heartfelt, holiday contemporary romance perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins, and Susan Mallery, in which a young woman returns to her small hometown and ends up fostering a pregnant dog with—of all people—the man she used to love.
Lucy Buchanan and Theo Taylor have never gotten along…like ever. Not when they were children, not when they were teenagers, and definitely not as adults…though that last part might be more Lucy’s doing than Theo’s. It was the summer after she graduated college when their antagonism towards each other boiled over into something… hot.
That is until Lucy left town in a flash, leaving everything behind for warm Los Angeles. But now she’s returned after seven years following a bad breakup, and a newfound disillusionment with La-La Land.
As for Theo, he doesn’t know and doesn’t care about whatever happened to make Lucy come back. His lingering resentment is enough to keep her at arm’s length until she inevitably leaves again. The problem is, being around each other has proven that their friction isn’t going anywhere, especially when it leads to some pretty intense heat.
The two have no idea what they’ve rekindled, but things get even more complicated when they rescue a pregnant dog together, taking on joint responsibility of caring for her.
Lucy and Theo must find a way to overcome their past, first for the sake of the dog and her litter, and for their own wounded hearts.
MY THOUGHTS
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I loved it. It has zipped right up there as my favorite book of the holiday season this year and I read Christmas books all year so that’s really saying something. Okay, so it didn’t hurt that the cover is so darn appealing. After all who can resist a huge lug of a dog and her adorable puppies?
A second chance romance that everyone seems to know is going on except for the main players. Seven years ago, Lucy Buchanan and Theo Taylor were romantically involved. Keep in mind this couple doesn’t get along, never has from the time they met during childhood all the way through everything they’ve been through together.
From teasing to arguments, it’s not happening. But is this just a front for how they really feel for each other again. With Lucy back from LA with a bad breakup under her belt she can’t help noticing how Theo has matured but this doesn’t stop them from being on each other’s last nerves again. With smoldering looks and mistletoe kisses it may be cold outside but this couple doesn’t need a fireplace to keep themselves warm.
The star attraction of the show was Bear, a huge dog Lucy found that brings the couple together more than ever. It’s not all bows and ribbons in this one though as we have some angsty scenes. An exciting feel-good spicy romance perfect for holiday reading.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
THE AUTHOR
Shannon Richard lives in Tallahassee, FL with her adorable rescue dog Teddy—not that she’s biased or anything. She enjoys experimenting with a new recipe in the kitchen or perfecting an old one. It’s typically done with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in hand. She has no shame for the amount of reality T.V. she indulges in, listens to entirely too many podcasts, and is now a plant lady.
293 pages September 19, 2023 publication date Crooked Lane Books publisher
ABOUT THE BOOK
It’s beginning to look a lot like murder in the sixth installment of this charming cozy mystery series, perfect for fans of Donna Andrews and Jacqueline Frost.It’s the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America’s Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and décor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it’s not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production.Tensions come to a head when a member of the group is found dead shortly after a shopping excursion to Mrs. Claus’s Treasures. Was someone looking to cut out the competition? Everyone in the cast and crew is a potential suspect, including Aline, Merry’s mother, and Merry’s shop assistant Jackie O’Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role.It could be curtains for Christmas—and for Merry—unless the killer can be ferreted out of the wings.
MY THOUGHTS
Rudolf, New York is full of Christmas cheer, or is it. This charming Christmas time cozy mystery has the local drama club preparing for the annual Christmas production.
When a member of the team is found dead, we find out some of the members are jealous of the roles others are playing and think they deserved the part. Is this enough to take the merry and bright out of the holiday season?
As the snow flies so do tempers in this cozy that kept me guessing as I flipped pages.
An author whose books I don’t miss has done it again with another satisfying cozy mystery presentation.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than forty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Year Round Christmas books for Crooked Lane, the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane.
Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards.
Vicki is the recipient of the 2019 Derrick Murdoch Award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. She lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.
I usually go to sleep between 10 and 11 p.m. . I always wake up early even if I stay up later. It’s like I have a built in alarm. I wake right around 5:30 a m. daily.
We bought a delicious cool and refreshing watermelon. I love it. Today is our anniversary, we weren’t able to go on an anniversary trip yet but will . Our son treated us to pizza hut, so good. Hubby offered to take us out for dinner at a sit down restaurant and I’ll take him up on that offer when I have more of an appetite. It’s 32 years today . I told you all the story of how he proposed but I’ll tell it again for anyone who missed it. We went to an old drive-in, the only one of its kind left in the area. We don’t live around there so I don’t know if it’s still there. I was hungry and he offered to go get a snack for us. I said I’d go and he said wait here so I waited in the car. He comes back with this big tub of buttered popcorn 🍿. I grab a handful and throw it in my mouth then feel something hard in my mouth. Taking it out of my mouth I notice it’s a heart shaped diamond ring 💍 I don’t know how he knew I’d grab the popcorn with the ring or how it didn’t slide down 👇 into the tub of popcorn further down but it didn’t. This is my ring, it really needs cleaned. Have a wonderful day all. Thanks for stopping in.
What strategies do you use to increase comfort in your daily life?
If there is something hanging over my head I don’t feel comfortable. For example if I have chores I feel like I need to do, like cleaning my guinea pigs cage. Though it’s a hassle to disassemble their cage, take off the ramp and take apart their play area I do it once a week. If something is up in the air like a conversation that needs to settle something I have to have that conversation and get it out of the way. I need to have a clear conscience before I can relax and have comfort for the day.
Make a list of what’s important to you.
Every morning put one of those things on your calendar.
Each day, do that important thing.
Every night, ask yourself how you can do a better job tomorrow of making the day count.
I hope you are doing well today and staying cool with whatever you are doing. I’ve been resting in bed because I barely slept last night. I kept tossing and turning because of the heat and had a raging headache. We are under a heat advisory today with a high of 99 . You’d think I lived in the South. It’s already at 87 and we’re only getting hotter. I’ve been watching Hell’s Kitchen with my son and I can say I’m addicted. It’s been cutting into my reading time 📚🤔. I think I need an iced coffee to get through this day. Have a good day and thank you for reading my posts.
Vegan Book Blogger 