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Book covers with cats on them. 2 reviews for you. The Pumpkin Spice Cafe and Syrup to No Good

268 pages One More Chapter publisher August 30,2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Jeanie’s aunt gifts her the beloved Pumpkin Spice Café in the small town of Dream Harbor, Jeanie jumps at the chance for a fresh start away from her very dull desk job.

Logan is a local farmer who avoids Dream Harbor’s gossip at all costs. But Jeanie’s arrival disrupts Logan’s routine and he wants nothing to do with the irritatingly upbeat new girl, except that he finds himself inexplicably drawn to her.

Will Jeanie’s happy-go-lucky attitude win over the grumpy-but-gorgeous Logan, or has this city girl found the one person in town who won’t fall for her charm, or her pumpkin spice lattes…

The Pumpkin Spice Cafe is a cozy romantic novel with a grumpy x sunshine dynamic, a small-town setting and a HEA guaranteed!

Tropes:

Spicy

Grumpy x Sunshine

Small town

Found family

MY THOUGHTS

You can’t beat the name of the Pumkin Spice Cafe for full on Fall vibes and this book is full of Fall vibes let me reassure you . With pumpkin deliveries to the cafe to a Fall festival and delicious sounding Fall baked goods to warm and divine drinks to sip what more could you possibly want?


New owner of the Pumpkin Spice Cafe, Jeanie feels in a little over her head after her aunt gifts her the Pumpkin Spice Cafe in Dream Harbor. The town’s folks including her aunt have known each other since the beginning of time and have each other’s back on everything.

When Jeannie meets the cafe delivery man, Logan who is a local farmer she finds herself falling for him. The town’s folks make sure she knows she’ll be in for it if she breaks his heart. The story is so warm and welcoming, I really loved it.

There’s a bit of a mystery going when Jeannie hears strange sounds outside of the cafe door at night because she lives upstairs of the cafe. Is someone out to get her? What is going on?

We can’t forget about the cafe cat Casper; he was a sweet addition. From a psychic mayor to the town’s folks all having Logan’s best interest she knows she had better be on her best behavior. I know Jeannie is just what Logan needed to bring happiness into his life in this grumpy/sunshine romance that made me smile.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

306 pages Poisoned Pen Press publisher Oct 31,2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Spring has finally come to Sugar Ridge, Vermont, and with it the end of syrup-making season. But Leila Khoury, new owner of Sappy Endings Farm, won’t be making like molasses any time soon. Her best friend Heather’s wedding is coming up, and Leila will do anything to make sure it lives up to all her sweetest dreams.

Even with Leila’s own romantic past stirring up trouble, everything is going to plan until the bridal shower ends up with a body count.

Heather’s rich and backstabbing aunt had a whole orchard of enemies, so Leila will have her work cut out for her. Can she tap the killer before Heather’s dream wedding becomes a nightmare?

MY THOUGHTS

Includes delicious Middle Eastern recipes!

Syrup to No Good is the second book in the Maple Syrup cozy mystery series.
After reading the first book in the series I just knew I had to continue on with the series.


Taking place in beautiful Vermont, the series continues on with the main attraction the maple syrup farm.
Leila Khoury, new owner of Sappy Endings Farm is excited about her best friend Heather’s upcoming wedding. With the bridal shower in full swing, you wouldn’t expect any unpleasantness but when the bride to Be’s more than unpleasant aunt is found stabbed Heather believes she’ll have to chancel the wedding.


Leila was engaged to be married herself several years ago and the groom broke it off at the last minute and she’s moved on. There’s a new man in her life and they’re very happy together so why is her ex doing everything to try to get back together with her again all of the sudden?

There is an adorable cat in the story, Toast. He’s the maple farm cat.
When yet another body turns up in a short amount of time Leila decides to take things into her own hands to solve this case much to the dismay of the police.

Can the wedding planning go on as planned or will it all collapse into a sticky mess?
Looking forward to more in this enjoyable series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you for stopping in. Enjoy your weekend.

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Daily Prompt 14 June Friday

Daily writing prompt
Describe one of your favorite moments.
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One of my favorite moments was my husband proposing to me. My Mom at the time was dating a jeweler and he told my boyfriend he would give him a good deal on a ring when the time came. I looked at the rings and saw a gorgeous heart shaped diamond which I chose for my engagement ring. We went to the last of its kind in our area drive in theater to see a movie. He said to me, stay here and I’m going to get us some popcorn, so I stayed in the car and waited. He brings this big tub of popcorn back and I dig in while looking at the movie screen, not looking at the popcorn and throw a handful into my mouth. Luckily, I hadn’t started chewing it yet and feel something strange in my mouth, remove it from my mouth and see it’s an engagement ring and this is how he proposed to me. It couldn’t have worked any better, the ring could have fallen to the bottom of the popcorn tub, I could have dropped it onto the floor or swallowed the ring or who knows what else. Guess it was just meant to be.

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Daily Prompt 13 June Thursday

What notable things happened today?

I am an early riser, usually walking around 5:45 without an alarm . I’ve been going out for walks early to beat the heat, usually around 6 a.m. Sometimes my husband will go other times he wants to sleep in. He takes a CPAP at night and doesn’t always get a restful sleep so he catches up in the morning at times. It doesn’t help that he stays up late reading sometimes. Today I got up early as usual but didn’t go out walking but went to some community yard sales. They are so much fun. I enjoy looking for bargains and got a really nice cat tree for my cats to climb on. It was a high of 91 degrees fahrenheit in Pennsylvania today so it was an oven out there walking around. I met some nice people I enjoyed talking to at the yard sales though.

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Daily Prompt 12 Wed June

What are you passionate about?

At different stages in life we are passionate about different things. Some stay the same, some change. I am passionate about animals and because of this I’ve been a vegetarian for the past five years. The thought of eating meat makes me sick, I also do it for the environment. I am passionate about books and reading, my health and well being, fitness, skin care, proper sleep, family relationships.

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Daily Prompt 11 June Tuesday

What is your favorite season of year? Why?

Boy does time fly, wow. How is the year already almost half over? 🤷‍♀️😮

My favorite season is Spring when everything comes alive again. Flowers bloom, trees flower and start to green, baby birds are in the nest. It’s a beautiful sense of renewal.

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The Hudson Collection (On Central Park Book #2): (Historical Fiction with Mystery and Romance Set in 1920’s New York City) 

334 pages Bethany House Publishers June 4,2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Step into the beguiling world of 1926 New York and discover the power of resilience, friendship, and love from award-winning author Jocelyn Green.

Elsa Reisner’s lifelong dream of working as an ornithologist at the American Museum of Natural History is fading as the job begins to drain her passion. But fate takes an unexpected turn when she is assigned to catalog the bequest of a recently deceased patron whose Gothic country mansion holds secrets and treasures waiting to be discovered.

As Elsa delves into her task, she forms an unlikely bond with the estate’s delightful gardener and her daughter, as well as an architectural salvage dealer who still bears scars from the Great War. Together, they embark on a thrilling treasure hunt for a missing relic intended to safeguard the servants’ futures before the estate is sold. At the same time, Elsa’s body seems to betray her with new symptoms from a childhood disease that isn’t through with her yet.

With the brooding veteran and her handsome colleague joining the search, Elsa must navigate the tangled web of secrets and hidden motives along with the changing state of her health. As her deadline looms ever closer, will she be able to secure a new life for her friends before the estate slips from their grasp?

MY THOUGHTS

I always find it a treat to read a Joycelyn Green book. She’s written on many different subjects, and I’ve found them all fascinating.
Taking place in 1926 New York you get a real feel for the sights and day to day activities of the time period.


The author really brings this Central Park series to life.
I’m not a bird watcher but I do enjoy seeing pretty birds when I’m out and about. I learned so much about birds from this book, the information was fascinating.


Due to a recent death a wealthy family leaves a vast bird collection to the American Museum of Natural History. Elsa Reisner, Ornithologist is tasked with finding a magnificent bird collection in the spellbinding Gothic mansion. While searching secrets are revealed. You can feel the tension rising as you read, very intriguing and suspenseful.


There is so much going on in the book, things I’ve never seen mentioned in a historical fiction book before. Our main character had polio as a child, and it has affected her mobility.

There is an aging gardener with a special needs daughter. These are good people, people who are there for Elsa.
The focus is on Elsa as she does a very important search and the consequences of this search. The book had me spellbound as I read. Recommended.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jocelyn Green is a former journalist who puts her investigative skills to work in writing both nonfiction and historical fiction to inspire faith and courage.

Her books have finaled in the Christy Awards and Inspirational Readers Choice Awards, and have won gold from the Military Writers Society of America and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Complex and nuanced characters, rich historical detail and twisting plots make her novels immersive experiences. Her fiction has been praised by Historical Novel Society, Romantic Times, Library Journal, historians specializing in her novels’ time periods, as well as popular and acclaimed authors Laura Frantz, Lori Benton, Jody Hedlund, Sarah Sundin, Joanne Bischof, Julie Lessman, and more.

Jocelyn loves Broadway musicals, the color red, Toblerone chocolate bars, Mexican food, and well-done documentaries. She lives in Iowa with her husband, two children, and two cats she should have named Catticus Finch and Purrman Meowville.

Visit her at jocelyngreen.com, and receive a free gift when joining her e-newsletter mailing list at jocelyngreen.com/subscribe.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog Tour for Second Chances at The Board Game Cafe by Jennifer Page

ABOUT THE BOOK

Second Chances at the Board Game Cafe

The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Cafe series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.

In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.

At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry’s confidence issues and Taylor’s concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.

Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?

MY THOUGHTS

I absolutely loved revisiting the Little Board Game Cafe and the community. Revisiting the characters from past books and meeting new characters was like visiting old friends and meeting new. I still love the concept of a board game cafe where all ages can play board games and have coffee while having friendly chats and a little fun competition. Would be so much fun to have one around here.


I’ve found a new favorite series. The series is fun, light and just what I need. I’d recommend it to everyone.


The Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick is single Mom to Max’s home. She’s dreamed of being a fashion designer for as long as she can remember but without encouragement at home it didn’t come about. She’s a seamstress now fixing buttons, seams, alterations at times and the occasional more complicated job.


She wants the best for her son Max, but he’s not popular at school and seems to be the odd duck out. Poor kid. While talks with the headmistress seem to do nothing, she isn’t sure what to do beyond being very frustrated.


Moving house seems like a fabulous idea, she has more room to work with and can set up her sewing in a way to start bringing in a bit more money.
Some funny mishaps had me laughing out loud.
When I saw the trouble, the landlord was giving her and not wanting to do repairs it made me mad, because this is how many landlords are.


A mistaken measurement leads to just what Taylor needs, a friendship with a shy and caring man, Harry. Harry is a railway enthusiast just like Taylor’s son is. I love the idea of upcycling clothing; it sounds like so much fun.


Can a possible friendship become more with the busy mom and the man dreaming of fatherhood? I really enjoyed Max’s character and am rooting for him and his happiness all the way. I hope to see him in a future book. It would be so neat to see him as a grownup in a future book with his own relationship going and see how far he’s come.

Fully recommended!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Purchase Link – https://amzn.eu/d/gyPqfRG

Author Bio – Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.

Social Media Links –

Home

https://www.facebook.com/JenniferPagewrites/

https://www.instagram.com/jenniferpagewrites/

Thank you for stopping in. I hope your day brings you a smile.

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Daily Prompt 10 June Monday

What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?

My good health. This is why I take care of myself: don’t smoke, exercise, eat properly,get adequate sleep, cleanliness, my skincare routine,and have peace of mind.

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Daily Prompt 9 June Sunday

If humans had taglines, what would yours be?

Treats others as she wants to be treated .

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Daily Post 8 June Saturday

What are the most important things needed to live a good life?

Shelter, money, food,good sleep, a solid family , proper nutrition, peace of mind