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Black History Month Read: My Name Is Ona Judge: An absolutely gripping historical novel 

322 pages Bookouture publisher 06 Sep 2022 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

New Hampshire, 1796. “My name is Ona Judge, and I escaped from the household of the President of the United States. I was the favored maid of George and Martha Washington, but they deemed me a slave and thought me property, and I hear ten dollars is offered as reward for my capture. Now I must write the truth that I have lived, and tell my story…”

Chincoteague, Virginia, present day. Rain soaks Tessa Scott as she runs from her car to the old, vine-covered property she has been called to survey. She’s too busy to accept a new job, but doing this favor for the grandmother of her childhood sweetheart delays a painful decision she must make about a future with her controlling boyfriend.

But when Tessa finds a tattered journal carefully hidden inside the house’s ancient fireplace, the tragic story of how Ona was ripped from her mother’s arms to live and work in the palatial Mount Vernon, and the heart-shattering betrayal that led her to risk her life and run, has Tessa spellbound. Could discovering this forgotten scandal at the heart of her nation’s history force her to confront her own story? As she races to reach the final page, will anything prepare her for the desperate moment when Ona’s captors find her again? Will it inspire Tessa to take ownership of her own life and set herself free?

MY THOUGHTS

This will be my last book I read this month for Black History month.
I’ve read some incredible books this month for it, and this is one of them.
The book is so well researched, the author vividly brings Ona Judge’s story to life.


This wonderful book honor’s Ona Judge, a black woman born into slavery, as she became old enough, she was the Lady’s Maid to Martha Washington, President of the United States wife. Even amongst the slaves there is a pecking order. When she displaced a slave a few years older than herself to become the president’s wife’s personal maid there was jealousy, threats and bodily harm done to herself.


The book follows the daily life of Ona as she is at Washington’s home Mount Vernon, always on call as a lady’s maid, following every whim Matha has and even having to bow down and answer to the grandchildren of Martha that were younger than her. It was disheartening to see the violent behavior the slaves were subject to in Washington’s care. Though most tried to please you couldn’t defend yourself with words and had to demurely keep the eyes lowered and heaven help you if you were learning to read or write. This was punishable by beating to death.


Having more than her fill Ona Judge makes an escape to freedom but will she be caught, and freedom taken away?


This dual timeline has in modern times Tessa Scott in Chincoteague, Virginia, surveying a property of the grandmother of an old boyfriend as a favor. Ready to leave she spots an old diary stuck in the fireplace and she grabs it to look at later.

Upon further inspection she realizes it’s details of Ona Judge’s life, her struggles and ultimate betrayal. The book gives her the courage to find the help she needs to leave a controlling relationship.
The book fascinatingly is based on actual people and events and gives the respect and honor Ona Judge deserved.

Pub Date 06 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Suzette D. Harrison, a native Californian and the middle of three daughters, grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Her literary “career” began in junior high school with the publishing of her poetry. While Mrs. Harrison pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as legends who inspired her creativity, it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. Harrison prefers happy endings, but loves creating flawed characters and storylines with intricate layers and depth, offering readers unexpected plot twists. The award-winning author of Taffy is a wife and mother who holds a culinary degree in Pastry & Baking. Mrs. Harrison is currently cooking up her next novel…in between batches of cupcakes.

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Black History Month Read: A Nurse’s Tale: An extraordinary and moving historical novel inspired by a true story of WW2!

384 pages One More Chapter publisher 07 Jul 2023 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Born Nigerian royalty, Princess Adenrele Ademola trained as a nurse at Guy’s Hospital in London and stepped up to serve the people of Britain when war broke out – facing both the devastation of the Blitz and the prejudice of some of the people she was trying to help.

80 years later, Ade’s great-niece Yemi arrives in London clutching the Princess’s precious diaries and longs to uncover the mysteries they hold…

MY THOUGHTS

Another beautiful read I’ve read for Black History month.
I find it so fascinating to read historical fiction book based on actual people and events such as this one is. Richly detailed, I’ll admit to having never reading about Nigeria and knew very little about its customs, people and foods and I found the learning process interesting.


This dual timeline effortlessly blends past and present this debut novel is one not to pass up.
Princess Adenrele Ademola was born Nigerian royalty, but you would not know by her actions. She only wants to help the people of Britan, training at Guy’s Hospital in London as a nurse, she receives no special treatment. She faces the devastating effects of WWII and prejudice behavior of some of those she is trying to help. She won’t let this stop her though.


Through diaries Yemi who also comes from Nigeria to London, the great niece of Ade and her friend Mike who’s relative was a friend of Ade are able to find out more about their families.


The story is magnificent and unique, I’ve never read a story taking place during WWII like this.
Though Adenrele Ademola faces many adversities she is strong, and she shines, not letting anyone hold her back.

Pub Date 07 Jul 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ola Awonubi was born in London to Nigerian parents. She grew up and attended school in Brighton and lived in Nigeria before returning to England in 1992. She now lives in London. An avid reader, she nursed the idea of getting back to writing – something she had enjoyed doing as a child and enrolled in some writing classes and went on obtain an MA in Creative Writing at the University of East London.

In 2008 her short story The Pink House, won first prize in the National words of colour competition. This was followed by another story – The Go- slow Journey, winning the first prize in the Wasafiri New writing prize 2009. Some of her short stories feature on blogs and journals and anthologies such as African writing.com, Afreada, The Ake Review, Brittle Paper, Wasafiri Magazine as well as various literary magazines, journals and on blogs.

Author of 7 books – Love’s Persuasion was published by Ankara Press – the Romance imprint of Cassava Press, Abuja. Nigeria in 2015. Her second book for the imprint – I love You Unconditionally was published in 2017. Her third book – an anthology of short stories – Naija Love Stories was published by Conscious Dreams Publishing in October 2018.

Her 4th book 14 Days and Other Stories is a romance novella and her 5th book Reasons Why I Need to Get Married Yesterday and Other Poems was published in 2019.

Her 6th book – Lovers, Leavers and Keepers was followed by her Christmas Novella – The Keresimesi Wish in 2020.

Her current historical fiction manuscript – ‘A Nurses Tale’ has been published by One More Chapter Books; an imprint of Harper Collins and is due for release in July 2023.

Thank you for visiting today.

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Black History Month Read: The Personal Librarian

352 pages Berkley publisher June 29,2021 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

A remarkable novel about J. P. Morgan’s personal librarian, Belle da Costa Greene, the Black American woman who was forced to hide her true identity and pass as white in order to leave a lasting legacy that enriched our nation, from New York Times bestselling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

In her twenties, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J. P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library. Belle becomes a fixture in New York City society and one of the most powerful people in the art and book world, known for her impeccable taste and shrewd negotiating for critical works as she helps create a world-class collection.

But Belle has a secret, one she must protect at all costs. She was born not Belle da Costa Greene but Belle Marion Greener. She is the daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black graduate of Harvard and a well-known advocate for equality. Belle’s complexion isn’t dark because of her alleged Portuguese heritage that lets her pass as white—her complexion is dark because she is African American.

The Personal Librarian tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted white identity in the racist world in which she lives.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood: https://www.pexels.com

MY THOUGHTS

When I read The First Ladies by Marie Bendict it was my first read by this author though I have heard of this author before.
Based on actual people and events, The Personal Librarian opened my eyes like never before.


When Belle da Costa Greene’s, a black woman’s father left the family, she was forced to do the unthinkable, as was the entire family and “pass” as white to avoid the racial prejudice.
A woman of intense intelligence, she is hired by J.P. Morgan to curate a collection of rare manuscripts, books, and artwork for his newly built Pierpont Morgan Library.


Bold and shrewd, she is oftentimes the only woman at these book and art sales, and she also knows if a piece is authentic. The men often backdown when they see she wants a certain item.


Because she is J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian, she must not only put in many hours each day, but she must travel abroad to curate these one-of-a-kind pieces for him. Her important work has an expensive lifestyle as appearances must be kept with her bedecked in fancy ball gowns and jewelry. Her family benefits greatly from this as they have more money than they would have each brought in individually combined and they have a fancy house. I was very impressed with the intelligence of Belle as she goes about the buying of certain old manuscripts and Gutenberg bibles and as she goes about authenticating certain art pieces.

When J. P. Morgan dies, she is kept on by his son to continue as his librarian.
I had never heard of this woman before and was busy looking up more information about her.
The book was fascinating and enriching and I enjoyed learning about the lives of the characters involved.

Pub Date: 29 Jun 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHORS

Victoria Christopher Murray is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 30 novels. Her novels, The Personal Librarian and The First Ladies, which she co-authored with Marie Benedict were both Instant New York Times bestsellers and her novel, Stand Your Ground won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction. Four of her novels, Lust, Envy, Wrath and Greed have been made into TV movies for Lifetime. Visit her at http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com.

Marie Benedict is a lawyer with more than ten years’ experience as a litigator at two of the country’s premier law firms, who found her calling unearthing the hidden historical stories of women. Her mission is to excavate from the past the most important, complex and fascinating women of history and bring them into the light of present-day where we can finally perceive the breadth of their contributions as well as the insights they bring to modern day issues. She embarked on a new, thematically connected series of historical novels with THE OTHER EINSTEIN, which tells the tale of Albert Einstein’s first wife, a physicist herself, and the role she might have played in his theories. The next novel in this series is the USA Today bestselling CARNEGIE’S MAID — which released in January of 2018 — and the book that followed is the New York Times bestseller and Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM, the story of the brilliant inventor Hedy Lamarr, which published in January of 2019. In January of 2020, LADY CLEMENTINE, the story of the incredible Clementine Churchill, was released, and became an international bestseller. Her next novel, the Instant NYTimes and USAToday bestselling THE MYSTERY OF MRS. CHRISTIE, was published on December 29, 2020, and her first co-written book, THE PERSONAL LIBRARIAN, with the talented Victoria Christopher Murray, will be released on June 29, 2021. Writing as Heather Terrell, Marie also published the historical novels The Chrysalis, The Map Thief, and Brigid of Kildare.

Have you read this book? What were your thoughts?

Enjoy your weekend and stay safe.

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While the City Sleeps (The Women of Midtown): (Gilded Age Christian Historical Romance Fiction Set in New York City)

352 pages Bethany House publishers February 13,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Amid the hushed city, two hearts must navigate danger and deception, bound by a love that outshines the stars.

Katherine Schneider’s life as a dentist in 1913 New York is upended when a patient reveals details of a deadly plot while under the influence of laughing gas. As she is plunged into danger, she seeks help from the dashing Lieutenant Jonathan Birch, a police officer she has long admired from afar.

Jonathan has harbored powerful feelings toward Katherine for years but never acted on them, knowing his dark history is something she could never abide. Now, with her safety on the line, he works alongside her through the nights as they unravel the criminal conspiracy that threatens her . . . even as he keeps his deepest secrets hidden at all costs.

MY THOUGHTS

This is now my favorite book by this author as it has absolutely blown me away. So much happening in the book, it’s pretty much nonstop action and I swear at one point I was sweating and holding my breath because of the danger. Danger, intrigue and a fascinating story taking place quite a bit at night while the city sleeps.

We get to visit the underground subway and get an up close and personal view of the different functions of the NYC police department and the danger they put themselves into. The story made me think of my son as he’s an officer as well. Just like in this time period many people don’t respect LEO’s.

Touching on many subjects such as bomb making, and the mafia I found the book utterly fascinating. I will say the addition of the owl and her babies added a special touch to the story.

Many things in the book are based on actual past history which I am always glad to read about and learn from. The characters are well suited for each other. Nighttime NY city life vividly brough to life like you haven’t seen in a historical fiction before. This needs to be your next read.

Pub Date 13 Feb 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of the book.
All opinions expressed are my own opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.

Have a wonderful weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

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Blog Tour for: The Only Light in London by Lily Graham 

Book Description:

She took him in when no one else would. She didn’t expect to fall in love…

London 1939. As war casts a dark shadow in his homeland Germany, journalist Sebastien wanders the grey fog-filled streets. His heart breaks as he remembers his hurried goodbye to his mother and sister. But even if everyone in London looks at him with suspicion in their eyes, he knows he made the right choice. It was the only way to keep his family safe from the Nazis hunting him…

When he sees a notice for a lodger in a pretty house on a cobbled street, he doesn’t allow hope to flare within him. He’s been rejected at every door he’s knocked on. But when Finley, with her warm brown eyes and sparkling smile, agrees to rent him the room, he allows himself to see a chink of light in the darkness. And as they grow closer over cups of cocoa in the cosy kitchen, love begins to develop.

Sebastien knows that he can’t stay hidden in Finley’s warmth forever though. He has to join the fight. It’s the only way to save his family and put a stop to the horrors in the country he once called home. When he leaves, they promise to keep their hope and love alive.

But Finley has something that she hasn’t been able to tell Sebastien; something that makes her life alone in the city all the more dangerous. And as the bombs rain down in London, and Sebastien risks his life in France, will she ever get the chance to share her secret with him?

A completely life-affirming and tear-jerking read about love, friendship and being a light for those who need to brave the dark. Fans of The Nightingale and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society will fall in love with The Only Light in London.

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MY THOUGHTS

I’ve read a lot of WWII books and while I do enjoy them, I also enjoy the originality I’ve come to expect while reading this author’s books. I just finished The Last Restaurant in Paris by this author, and I was excited to see what the author would offer with this book. Once again, she provides an informative and unique reading experience.

While about WWII the book doesn’t focus on the fighting and violence as many books do. Though including some tension fraught moments, I enjoyed getting to know the characters in a more relaxed atmosphere of the day-to-day life.


A young man, Sebastian is forced to flee Germany just because he is Jewish, leaving behind his family including his young 12-year-old sister. Hoping to make his way working as he settles into London; he’ll send for his family as soon as he has the funds to do so.


When things take an unexpected and embarrassing turn at his living quarters he’s forced to move. A spare room turns into up at Finley’s home, a woman he had previously met. I enjoyed reading about the theater and the practices. The author brings all the characters to life including the sacrifices they’ve made, and the love shown. Very compelling read. The author has a special way of writing that draws you in and makes you want to just keep reading.

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

Author Bio:

Lily has been telling stories since she was a child, starting with her imaginary rabbit, Stephanus, and their adventures in the enchanted peach tree in her garden, which she envisioned as a magical portal to Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree. She’s never really got out of the habit of making things up, and still thinks of Stephanus rather fondly.

She lives with her husband and her English bulldog, Fudge, and brings her love for the sea and country-living to her fiction.

THE ONLY LIGHT IN LONDON

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The Lost Girls of Ireland: A heart-warming and feel-good page-turner set in Ireland (Starlight Cottages Book 1) 

286 pages Bookouture publisher May 5, 2021 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

A heart-warming story about family secrets and one woman’s escape to dreamy Sandy Cove on the stunning west coast of Ireland.

The picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay is the last place Lydia Butler thought she’d be. But having just lost everything, the run-down cottage she inherited from her Great Aunt Nellie is the only place she can take her daughter, Sunny. Hidden away in a tiny Irish village, she can protect Sunny from the gossip in Dublin, and the real reason they have nowhere else to live…

The cottage is part of the old coastguard station and other eccentric residents are quick to introduce themselves when Lydia arrives. Lydia instantly feels less alone, fascinated by the stories they have about Nellie, and she’s charmed by American artist, Jason O’Callaghan, the mysterious man who lives next door.

But the longer Lydia relaxes under the moonlit sky, the more the secret she’s keeping from Sunny threatens to come out. And as she finds herself running into Jason’s arms, she knows she must be honest and face up to the past she has tried to forget. Has she finally found people who will truly accept her, or will the truth force her to leave the cottage for good?

Will transport you to Ireland to relax on the shore and stare at the perfect emerald waters. The Lost Girls of Ireland is perfect for readers of Debbie Macomber, Sheila O’Flanagan and Mary Alice Monroe.

This novel can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Photo by Tomi Partanen: https://www.pexels.com

MY THOUGHTS

Sandy Cove on the west coast of Ireland along with the picturesque beach of Wild Rose Bay sounds like somewhere I’d really love to visit. My grandmother’s mother came on a boat from Galway when she was 16 to America and I would really love to explore the land of my ancestors. It sounds so wonderful in Ireland.


Living in Dublin until the death of her husband, Lydia Butler, who found out after his death, he had done a terrible thing flees with her daughter Sunny to Sandy Cove. There is the run-down cottage Great Aunt Nellie has left her, with little else, she is ready to make a new life for her and her daughter after the scandal.


Her daughter is a typical young teen, a bit uncertain in her new school but upbeat and smart and willing to make new friends.
Typical day to day life follows Lydia as she looks for small jobs to do to keep herself and her daughter afloat. I even liked Helen, the doctor’s wife, though she is a bit persnickety.
I enjoyed the descriptions of the area so much, the beach sounds lovely and the friendly neighbors so welcoming.

There is a possible love interest for Lydia when she is open to the possibility with next door neighbor Jason who is so compassionate and understanding. He occupies his time as a woodworker. I am looking forward to more books in this heartwarming series.

Pub Date 05 May 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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The Last Restaurant in Paris: Completely heartbreaking and gripping World War 2 fiction

332 pages Bookouture publisher Pub Date 18 Jul 2022 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Paris 1944. To save her people, she served the enemy.

In enemy-occupied Paris, as the locals go to bed starving and defeated by the war, music and laughter spills through the door of a little restaurant, crowded with German soldiers. The owner Marianne moves on weary feet between its packed tables, carrying plates of steaming, wholesome food for the enemy officers. Her smile is bright and sparkling, her welcome cordial. Nobody would guess the hatred she hides in her heart.

That night, the restaurant closes its doors for the final time. In the morning, the windows are scratched with the words ‘traitor and murderer’. And Marianne has disappeared without a trace…

Years later, Marianne’s granddaughter Sabine stands under the faded green awning, a heavy brass key in her hand, staring at the restaurant left to her by the grandmother she never met. Sabine has so many questions about herself. Perhaps here she can find answers, but she knows she isn’t welcome. Marianne was hated by the locals and when Sabine discovers they blamed her for the terrible tragedy that haunts the pretty restaurant, she is ready to abandon her dark legacy.

But when she finds a passport in a hidden compartment in the water-stained walls, with a picture of a woman who looks like her grandmother but has a different name, she knows there must be more to Marianne’s story. As she digs into the past, she starts to wonder: was her grandmother a heroine, not a traitor? What happened to her after the tragic night when she fled from her restaurant? And will the answer change her own life forever?

A haunting and compelling story of love, strength, and sacrifice in Nazi-occupied Paris as one brave young woman risks everything to save the lives of those around her. Fans of The Nightingale, The Paris Library and The Alice Network will lose their hearts to The Last Restaurant in Paris.

Photo by JOHN TOWNER on Unsplash

MY THOUGHTS

A dual timeline taking place in modern times of 1987 and WW11 years. A gentle back and forth storyline each one easy to follow. Sabine finds out she has inherited a restaurant business in Paris from her grandmother. She is shocked to find out family secrets she had known nothing about.


The author vividly brings the story to life, and it is based on true events. Finding out these secrets is haunting as we can easily visualize the restaurant full of life.

While the young pretty owner of the Parisian restaurant smilingly serves the enemy German soldiers no one can guess the secret she harbors in her heart. Heartbreaking and thought provoking.

The main plot of the story is the action taken that causes her to be labeled a traitor and murderer. I enjoyed reading Gabriel’s thoughts as he actually knew Marianne during WWII. The book has the running of the restaurant as the main focus during the war, which is different than many books, I’ve read but it works well.

This is a book that won’t be easily forgotten.

Pub Date 18 Jul 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lily Graham is the author of the bestselling, The Last Restaurant in Paris, The Paris Secret and The Island Villa, among others. Her books have been translated into numerous languages, including French, Italian, Polish, Portuguese and Turkish.

She grew up in South Africa, and was a journalist for a decade before giving it up to write fiction full time. Her first three novels were lighter, women’s fiction, but when she wrote The Island Villa, a story about a secret Jewish community living on the tiny island of Formentera during the Spanish Inquisition, she switched to historical fiction and hasn’t quite looked back since.

She lives now in the Suffolk coast with her husband and dog.

Thank you for stopping in and enjoy your weekend.

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Blog Tour for Postcards from the Cove by Jennifer Bardsley!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Postcards from the Cove by Jennifer Bardsley

The little cottage sits atop the cove’s rugged cliffs, with its whitewashed walls and views of the deep blue sea. When Hannah discovers a jar of timeworn postcards hidden inside, will they lead to the fresh start she’s longing for?

Hannah Turner has always lived in the historic and beautiful seaside resort of Sand Dollar Cove. Now grieving the loss of her father, Hannah finds comfort in the places that remind her of him, including one of the resort’s oldest cottages. Heartbroken that it’s due to be knocked down—taking her memories with it—Hannah’s heart leaps when she finds the old postcards concealed within.

Reading “I still believe in our happily ever after” on one of the cards, Hannah feels a pang for the happy ending her father never had. She can’t bear someone else’s precious memories being destroyed, so she traces the postcards’ owner to New York and sends them off—inspired by her discovery to finally seize the day.

After watching Guy—the resort’s handsome new trainer—charming their older guests, Hannah’s new attitude pushes her to give dating a chance for once. Hannah can’t resist gazing into Guy’s blue eyes as she shows him the delights of the cove. But just as she’s about to let him into her heart, she is stunned to find one of the postcards in Guy’s bag. Is Guy somehow connected to them? Is this why he came to town in the first place?

Hannah is devastated that Guy is hiding something, but can she keep her heart open to love? And when the postcards reveal a surprising link between Hannah and Guy’s pasts, will the truth bind them together or tear them apart for good?

Let yourself be swept away to the beautiful coastal town of Sand Dollar Cove in this uplifting story of long-buried family secrets, the struggle to prove your worth, and learning to be vulnerable in love. Fans of Susanne O’Leary, Mary Alice Monroe and Kristin Harper will fall head over heels for this gripping novel.

Here are the beautiful covers of the first two books in the series.

MY THOUGHTS

The description of Sand Dollar Cove is so lovely. I surely want to visit there.
This is my first read by this author. I loved the descriptions of the area, so warm and inviting, waves crashing against the cliffs, sandy beaches and rustic cabins.
The seaside setting will draw you into this story.

The characters are likable, and I enjoyed getting to know them as the story progressed. There are a lot of emotions at play in this story. Hannah is such a strong character; she does a top-of-the-line job at work and is there for her family every step of the way.


A mystery, family dynamics, a warm and hospitable setting along with realistic situations and characters I loved will have me diving right into the second and third books in this series right away.


Cozy and entertaining this will be the one you’ll be recommending to your friends.

Pub Date: 15 Feb 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Link: https://geni.us/B0CNHFX2WBsocial

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Bardsley believes in friendship, true love, and the everlasting power of books. A graduate of Stanford University, she lives in Edmonds, Washington, with her husband and two children. Jennifer’s column, ‘I Brake for Moms’, has appeared in the Everett Herald every week since 2012. When Jennifer is not writing books or experimenting with her latest kitchen appliance, you can find her walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets. 

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https://jenniferbardsley.com

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Have a lovely day. Thanks for stopping in today.

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Finally His Bride (Bride Ships: New Voyages Book 1)

303 pages February 13,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

A new world. A new hope. An unexpected love.
What life awaits these brides?

With the cotton mills closed and hunger rampant in Manchester, England, Willow Rhodes’s family encourages her to join the bride ship bound for the Pacific Northwest, where she is assured of employment. Willow agrees to go with the hope that eventually she can save enough money for her family to join her.

Rebellious knuckle-boxing champion Caleb Edwards loves Willow more than life itself. But Willow has been adamant that she sees him as a friend and nothing more. Unable to watch her sail away, Caleb uses his prize money to pay for passage to Vancouver Island to be with Willow.

After arriving, Willow finds work as a maid and Caleb is a farmhand on the same property. As Caleb struggles to keep his feelings for Willow from growing, he’ll do anything for her, even take the blame for a theft to keep her safe. As the crime catches up to them, they’re forced to make choices that could finally rip them apart forever.

Bride Ships: New Voyages
Book 1: Finally His Bride
Book 2: His Treasured Bride

Bride Ships by Jody Hedlund
Book 1: A Reluctant Bride
Book 2: The Runaway Bride
Book 3: A Bride of Convenience
Book 4: Almost a Bride

MY THOUGHTS

If you’ve enjoyed Jody Hedlund’s The Bride Ships series then I also suggest her newest series, Bride Ships: New Voyages.
The Rhodes family are locals in Manchester, England, after trying so hard to stay all together they are resigned to sending their daughter Willow to join the bride ship bound for the Pacific Northwest. She’ll work until she earns the money to send for the rest of her family.


She’ll miss her family greatly, but she’ll also miss her best friend, Caleb Edwards. When he joins her on her journey, she is shocked and how he earned the money to do so leaves her even more shocked.


I really enjoyed reading Willow and Caleb’s story and seeing how he is ready to go to the next step past friendship. Willow is so protective of Caleb and he of her. They have been friends for so long, each one being afraid to take the next step towards a romance for fear of the other not wanting that and losing that special friendship. I just wanted to tell them both, to just take that chance you could open a new world of possibilities.


The author so vividly paints the scenery of the interaction between the characters you can almost hear them taking. Great character development. This marriage of convenience story is not rushed, the characters have had a lot of time to develop their feelings from friends to lovers. This is something the author does well, developing her characters. The secondary characters feel important too and I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of them in future books.


I enjoyed this uplifting and positive faith filled book and greatly look forward to reading more in this series.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet historical romances with plenty of sizzle.

Have a fabulous day.

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Love, Lies, and Cherry Pie: Fake dating but does Mother know best all along?

352 pages Atria/Emily Bestler Books May 7, 2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

MY THOUGHTS

This has to be one of the cutest fake dating romances I’ve read. From starting to fake date to please Mom to family drama, fake cake making lessons to oh so real kisses I loved this book.


As the fifth and only unmarried daughter left in her Asian Canadian family, and she’s used to her mother matchmaking ways but when her mother starts her matchmaking ways at her sister’s wedding things hit a new low.


When Emily Hung meets Mark Chan her mother’s friends son, her mother is insistent they’ll get married and the fake dating starts, surprisingly he goes along with it. From visiting boba shops to fake cake decorating classes they seem to always run into their friends that they must convince this is the real thing so the pda comes to the forefront. What happens when this fake affection turns into not to miss sweet kisses that are wanted by them both?

Family drama, fun, laughs and cherry pies make this one fake romantic dating story not to miss.

Pub Date 07 May 2024
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Photo by Katerina Holmes: https://www.pexels.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jackie Lau decided she wanted to be a writer when she was in grade two, sometime between writing “The Heart That Got Lost” and “The Land of Shapes.” She later studied engineering and worked as a geophysicist before turning to writing romance novels.

Jackie lives in Toronto with her husband, and despite living in Canada her whole life, she hates winter. When she’s not writing, she enjoys gelato, gourmet donuts, cooking, hiking, and reading on the balcony when it’s raining.

For more information, please visit jackielaubooks.com, where you can sign up for Jackie’s newsletter.