Tag: books

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historical fiction

The Poppy Sisters: Step into the past with this captivating historical novel, filled with heart-wrenching moments and unforgettable characters

375 pages

ABOUT THE BOOK

Phoebe is a volunteer nurse at a Base Hospital in Étaples, France, treating men who’ve served on hte Western Front. Their courage and resilience inspires her, and though she’s meant to keep her distance, Captain Archie Bailey soon captivates her heart.

Her younger sister Celia is a nurse at a POW camp on the island of Jersey. These men fight for the forces that bombed her brother and parents, but long hours spent healing them shows her they aren’t the monsters she expected.

Despite the miles between them, both Celia and Phoebe come to see the commonality in their experiences – the sense of community and friendship, the unexpected moments of love and laughter, and a bond so strong that even war can’t break it…

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoyed this historical fiction book and found it interesting and informative.

Phoebe, volunteer nurse at a Base Hospital in Étaples, France. Matron does her best to keep the nurses minds occupied with just nursing but there’s no counting on where the heart will lead. Phoebe soon finds herself falling in love with patient Captain Archie Bailey. Planning a life together after the war when he’s well enough he gets sent to the frontline then goes missing in action, presumed dead.

Celia is a nurse at a POW camp on the island of Jersey. She knows the men she is nursing back to health are from the same unit that killed her brother and parents. After getting to know these men she realizes they are just regular men with hopes, dreams and fears just like all of us. Falling in love with one of them shouldn’t have happened, but it has.

Phoebe and Celia are sisters with many similarities, they understand what the other is going through and know the fears they face. Heartbreaking……. there are no real winners in war, it just causes some to die earlier than others. Kept my attention as you can only pray for the best. The author writes such realistic work I could vividly imagine the scenes playing out as I read.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Deborah Carr is a USA TODAY bestselling author of historical fiction. She was born and lives on the island of Jersey, in the Channel Islands where she sets most of her books.

Her first book, Broken Faces was runner-up in the Good Housekeeping Novel Writing Competition in 2012 giving her the confidence to keep going. Her WW1 novel, The Poppy Sisters was an Amazon First Reads Editor’s Pick and The Poppy Field and An Island at War were USA TODAY bestsellers.

The Channel Islands was the only place in the British Isles occupied by German forces during WW2. This dark time in the island’s history is the setting for her latest novel, Neighbours at War. An Island at War and part of The Beekeeper’s War was also set during the Jersey Occupation.

She is the author behind the Mrs Boots trilogy inspired by Jersey woman, Florence Boot, the woman behind the Boots empire.

Deborah lives near the beach and begins each day walking by the sea with her three rescue dogs before sitting down to write.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
historical fiction

The Mapmaker’s Daughter: A most spellbinding and heartbreaking historical fiction novel

TRIGGER WARNING—— BLOOD SPOTS

375 pages Avon publisher September 1, 2022 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Could a rediscovered map show her the way?

Present day: When thirty-six-year-old Robyn Willoughby discovers an exquisite yet blood-stained Tudor map in her father’s antique map shop, desperate for a distraction from her problems, she decides to investigate. But as Robyn delves into the mystery, she finds herself caught up in a centuries-old secret – one that will change her life forever.

1569: Forced to flee Holland to escape persecution, twenty-year-old Freida Ortelius uses her mapmaking skills to start anew in London. Soon her rare talent catches the eye of Queen Elizabeth, who demands Freida’s help in fighting the Spanish threat. Freida must now embark on a deadly mission, the consequences of which will echo down the ages…

A sweeping and heartbreaking read, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Kathryn Hughes.

MY THOUGHTS

We have two strong women main characters, one in each time frame.

1500’s: Freida Ortelius a married woman with an infant son who she is afraid to let out of her sight. Her parents were killed while she was locked away in a cupboard as a child. She now fears those she loves will disappear as well including her seafaring husband.
Learning her skill from her father as a child, this cartographer is tasked by Queen Elizabeth to make a map for Sir Francis Drake.

Present Day: Robyn Willoughby lives with her father and is having a hard time in life accepting her husband is presumed dead, lost at sea as the seven-year period is almost here and she must declare him.
In her father’s antique map shop one day she finds a bloodstained Tudor map who neither have any memory of its receipt into the shop. Her story is the embarkment of fascinating historical research into this map and the secrets it carries.

Though both stories were fascinatingly intriguing I did enjoy the historical side more. Finished this in one day as I could barely put it down.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Growing up in Surrey, Clare always dreamed of being a writer. Instead she followed a career in IT, before moving to Norfolk for a quieter life.

Now writing full time, she lives with her husband and the youngest of her six children. Weekends are spent researching for her historical dual timeline books amongst the local castles and monastic ruins, or visiting the nearby coast.

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Uncategorized

We’ll Prescribe You a Cat 

304 pages Berkley September 3, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

A cat a day keeps the doctor away…

Discover the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation in this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats.

Tucked away in an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people who are struggling in their lives and genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.

Throughout the pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a hardened bag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha finds herself unable to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients navigate their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

MY THOUGHTS

This book was originally published in Japanese then translated into seventeen languages. These are vignettes intertwining and strung together.
This is unlike any book I’ve ever read before.


As a cat owner of three, I do believe cats have healing properties, who can refuse a cat snuggling up against you? You’ll instantly start feeling better as your depression lifts and your calmness comes about.


In We’ll Prescribe You a Cat, there is a medical clinic that only those who really need it can find. No matter the ill a cat is prescribed with the rest of the prescription to be picked up at the nurse’s desk.


There is a quite a bit of magical realism present in the book, which I wasn’t aware of when I decided to read it. This isn’t the type of book I normally read but it really worked for me.

Light and easy read we see the healing the cats bring to the people mentally as they leave with a more positive outlook on life. Some of this is nonsensical and whimsical. I think this is an uplifting book most cat lovers would enjoy.

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

About the Author

Born in 1975 in Kyoto, Syou Ishida began writing fiction while working at a telecommunications company. We’ll Prescribe You a Cat has been a runaway bestseller in Japan and is due to be published in seventeen languages.

Completely free clipart of a cat
Categories
holidays

Evergreen Christmas (Frosted Firs Ranch Book 1) Janet Dailey

290 pages Kensington Books September 24, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

The first in a new cozy Christmas series where the 12 annual Competitions of Christmas in the, close-knit town of Noel, North Carolina are underway! This year horse breeder, and newcomer, Jordyn Banks decides to take on the resident Christmas tree decorating champion, who happens to be her handsome next door neighbor.

Barrel racer Jordyn Banks is thrilled to discover affordable land for sale in charming Noel, perfect for breeding her horses. But that’s not all. A nomad with no family—other than her beloved Quarter Horse, Star—she also hopes to find a home within the close-knit Appalachian Mountain community. Yet Jordyn didn’t bargain on inheriting a controversial Fraser Fir—or falling for a handsome single dad whose adorable little girl tempts her to dream of being far more than a property owner . . .

Since losing his wife in childbirth six years ago, Nate Reed has devoted himself to their daughter, Roxanna, and built up their thriving Frosted Firs Ranch. For nine years straight he’s won Noel’s contest for the most perfect Christmas tree for the Town Square. It’s a tradition he began with his late wife. But this year, Jordyn Banks is determined to harvest her Fraser Fir and compete—meaning Nate will finally be challenged—in more ways than one . . .

Throughout the event, Nate can’t help noticing that Roxanna is dazzled by Jordyn’s strength, beauty, and quirky sense of humor. Soon enough, Nate is falling for her, too. But can a feisty wanderer ever really settle down? Is Nate ready to open his heart to someone new? And is it possible that sometimes love does grow on (Christmas) trees? . . .

MY THOUGHTS

Jordyn buys sight unseen a home for herself and her horse, she’s a former barrel racer, now retired. She has a beautiful white horse, and she just wants Noel to be the first place she can relax and call home. Growing up going through the system she has never had that.


I loved the Nana’s, four women, the grandma type who run the Noel Christmas festival and contest every year. They swoop in and give her loving advice on how to win as the same person has won many years in a row.


Nate is a widower of six years and still desperately grieving his wife’s death. His six-year-old daughter is smart as a whip and precocious.
The Nana’s are trying to matchmake between Jordyn and Nate but he’s not ready to move on.

There was an insta attraction between our two main characters, but I thought Nate was too slow and stubborn to move on. The book would have been enriched so much more if our MC’S had had a sweet Christmas romance right from the start.

I liked a lot about the book, the descriptions of decorations, the relationship Jordyn has with Roxie, Nate’s daughter, she’s so sweet and kind to her, the small-town vibes, the Christmas contest.

There were also some things I wasn’t crazy about, I didn’t particularly like Jordyn, she was too sugar sweet and didn’t seem to have a backbone and the book despite being in full gear with so much going on with the Christmas contests It dragged for me a good bit and I had trouble keeping my attention on it.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

About the Author

Janet Dailey was born and raised in the small farming town of Storm Lake, Iowa and attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband and settling in southern Missouri. After publishing her first novel in 1976, she went on to become one of the top-selling female authors in the world, with more than 325 million copies of her books sold in nineteen languages in ninety-eight countries. Dubbed “America’s First Lady of Romance” because her groundbreaking novels celebrate the triumphs and struggles of working class women with American values and themes, she is known for her strong, decisive characters, her extraordinary ability to re-create a time and a place, and her unerring courage to confront important, controversial issues in her stories. To learn more about Janet Dailey and her novels, please visit JanetDailey.com or find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/JanetDaileyAuthor.

Categories
holidays

Kiss Me at Christmas 

400 pages G.P. Putnam’s Sons publisher September 24, 2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

credit

White Christmas meets Nora Ephron in Jenny Bayliss’ latest wholehearted, ensemble-cast holiday extravaganza.

Christmas can officially get stuffed because Harriet Smith is not feeling bright and merry this year. She hasn’t for a while. So when her college-aged daughter opts for Manhattan’s winter wonderland instead of Christmas at home, Harriet finds herself seeking solace in a wine-soaked one-night stand.

But how Harriet will spend the holidays is swiftly decided for her after she takes the fall for some students who break into the town’s old Winter Theater. To get the students off the hook, the theater’s elderly owner requests that Harriet direct the washed-out stage’s final Christmas performance. And Harriet will do anything to help the kids . . . even work with the owner’s lawyer who, as it turns out, is her less than impressed one-night stand.

Directing the play with him won’t exactly change her life. But it might just reignite the Christmas spirit and remind her what makes life merry and bright again.

credit

MY THOUGHTS

Harriet Smith is always on, on for her students when she takes the fall for them during a trespassing charge, on for her daughter who is spending her first Christmas away from home, on for the new man in her life and always on for her friends. If you need a shoulder or a friendly chat Harriet will always be there, until she’s not.


Harriet doesn’t want her daughter to know how much she misses her this Christmas because she doesn’t want to ruin her fun. Problem is Harriet has put all her eggs in one basket, everything she’s done for her whole daughter’s life has been for her; to say she dotes on her is putting it mildly. Without her around she doesn’t see the purpose of decorating this Christmas or cooking for just one.


When some of her students, five misfits who have each other but the others at school think of them as weird and not fitting in are caught breaking into the town’s theater she takes the fall for them saying it was her idea. They’d been there plenty of other times, not causing trouble just reading and practicing for a play.


As a punishment they are requested to clean the theater which turns into an exciting theater remodel. I loved seeing the confidence these kids got having a theater to practice in for a very special show they were about to put on.


She has to work with James, the owner’s lawyer which she had met previously and whom she made a fool of herself in front of.
Of course, during the holiday season foolishness’s are forgotten as things heat up for this pair.

My favorite part of this book was seeing these kids not from the best backgrounds coming around and having such pride in having a place to practice and knowing their cleaning up the theater made a big difference in not only their confidence but for the betterment of the town as well.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Amazon author page

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Categories
holidays

Love You a Latke 

368 pages Berkley publisher October 8, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Love comes home for the challah-days in this sparkling romance.

Snow is falling, holiday lights are twinkling, and Abby Cohen is pissed. For one thing, her most annoying customer, Seth, has been coming into her café every morning with his sunshiny attitude, determined to break down her carefully constructed emotional walls. And, as the only Jew on the tourism board of her Vermont town, Abby’s been charged with planning their fledgling Hanukkah festival. Unfortunately, the local vendors don’t understand that the story of Hanukkah cannot be told with light-up plastic figures from the Nativity scene, even if the Three Wise Men wear yarmulkes.

MY THOUGHTS

This is my first read by the author and I enjoyed the book so much that it won’t be my last.
So many books are about Christmas and all it entails including the faith representation. While this is fine, I think this book was marvelous in its representation of Hannukah and the Jewish faith.

When a character tries to make a Hannukah festival more generalized towards Christmas and the general public it is not allowed to happen, and they stand up for themselves and their beliefs. Bravo!

A grumpy sunshine romance and a fake dating trope that naturally turns into the real thing kept me interested and laughing out loud.
Really enjoyed this one.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Amanda Elliot lives with her husband in New York City, where she collects way too many cookbooks for her tiny kitchen, runs in Central Park, and writes for teens and kids under the name Amanda Panitch.

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Uncategorized

First Line Friday

Happy Friday & welcome to First Line Friday! It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today I’m delighted to feature Gingerbread Danger by Amanda Flower.

Another Christmas cozy mystery I’m looking forward to reading.

If you have never had to clean taffy off a pig, consider yourself lucky. I wasn’t one of the lucky ones.

ABOUT THE BOOK

For fans of Laura Childs’ Tea Shop Mysteries and Ellery Adams’  Culinary Cozy Mysteries, the Ohio-set Amish Candy Shop series combines a fascinating look at Amish life with the fun of candy making, plus the romance between chocolatier Bailey King and her county sheriff fiancé.

Amish Candy shop owner and star of TV’s Bailey’s Amish Sweets, Bailey King has a lot to be excited about.  She’s happily engaged to Aiden Brody, newly appointed county sheriff, and her candy factory is finally having its grand opening in Harvest, Ohio—just before Christmas! Bailey is ready to let the sweet celebrations
begin . . .

With the help of local community organizer Margot Rawlings, Harvest will have a Candy Land themed Christmas on the village square—featuring Bailey’s recently perfected recipe for gingerbread men. When the big day comes, everything is going well—until bitter news arrives. One of Bailey’s Amish friends has been killed in an apparent accident just outside the candy factory. Aiden is promptly on the case—with more than a little input from Bailey . . .

Together, they soon learn that the victim was working for some powerful men in the county, and in doing so was spying on his own Amish community. Still, Bailey is determined to find the perpetrator. If she can’t cut out the killer from the rest of the suspects, her gingerbread men won’t be the only ones in danger of disappearing . . .

292 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date October 22, 2024

Hosted at Reading is my Super Power.

Categories
holidays

Christmas at Red Robin Cottage: An absolutely gorgeous and unputdownable holiday romance

252 pages Bookouture publisher September 30, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

Snow is falling on Little Newdale. Decorations are being hung and joy is in the air. But at Red Robin Cottage, single mother Sarah is feeling far from merry and bright…

Since her marriage went up in flames, all Sarah Dunne wants is a cozy festive season. Just her and her teenage daughter Ellie in their little cottage, watching all the classic Christmas films under piles of blankets in front of a crackling fire. On-screen romances only. Sarah will not be falling in love again.

But Ellie is feeling the blues, facing the holiday without her father. Following the trail of fairy lights into the snowy village, Sarah is determined to find baubles, mince pies and stocking fillers galore to make this an extra-special family celebration. The last thing she expects is to find herself gazing into the soft brown eyes of her childhood sweetheart, Luke.

After so long apart, Sarah refuses to be swept off her feet by Luke’s easy laugh and kind smile, especially after her messy divorce. Even though her heart races every time they bump into each other at carol concerts, seasonal markets, and Christmas parties. And when Luke shows just how much he cares by picking out a gift guaranteed to put a smile on her daughter’s face, Sarah wonders if letting him into her life would make her wish for a perfect family Christmas come true…

But then Sarah discovers a shattering secret about Luke’s past that makes her question everything. Devastated, with her daughter in lower spirits than ever and Luke begging for a second chance, Sarah wonders if she was wrong to open her heart again? And will she ever be able to make this a Christmas to remember?

Grab a blanket and a mug of cocoa and curl up by the fire with this completely addictive festive romance. Fans of Cathy Bramley, Phillipa Ashley and Heidi Swain will love this charming, feel-good holiday read that proves you don’t need the perfect family to have a perfect Christmas!

MY THOUGHTS

Divorce doesn’t just affect the spouses it affects the children as well.
Sarah Dunne knows Christmas will be different this year without her ex-husband, but she tries to keep it merry and bright for her teenaged daughter Ellie. With twinkling lights, warm blankets and hot cocoa, snow softly falling and winter activities they try to make the best of the holiday season.


Ellie is going for it, a little but really misses her dad and seems to harbor the secret thought they can become a family again.
While out enjoying the festivities Sarah sees someone she hasn’t seen in a while, can it be, possibly? When it turns out to be a former flame, she is so surprised, and they seem to hit it off again.

With Ellie keeping a big secret is there a possibility this romance can have a little Christmas magic happen or will a big misunderstand melt it away like the sun during a spring thaw? Once again, another lovely and fun holiday book by a great author. I was laughing out loud reading and loved the characters.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Sue was born in Liverpool and moved to Lancashire as a teenager where she has lived ever since. Her twelfth book ‘Theres something about Greece.’ will be published on June 15th 2023, with another sunshine book scheduled for August!

When not busy writing, Sue spends her time with her husband Derek, and ever growing brood of grandchildren! In her spare time, she enjoys walking, watching films and travelling. Her first book ‘My Big Greek Summer.’ was inspired by frequent visits to the Island of Rhodes in Greece. All Sue’s books are available from Amazon in kindle and paperback format.

Have a beautiful day and thanks for stopping in.

Categories
holidays

A White Christmas on Winter Street: a fun, heartwarming new Christmas romance to curl up with this winter 

374 pages Avon publisher Publication date October 27, 2022

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Sky Terran returns to the village of Middledip after losing the job she loves, she anticipates a quiet Christmas getting used to her new life. However, the annual street decoration competition is coming up and this year, the residents of Winter Street are determined to win.

As she is pulled into the preparations, Sky quickly grows to love the quirky, tight-knit community she is now part of. Including the extremely handsome Daz, who soon becomes more than just a friendly neighbour.

But when Daz’s ex turns up determined to win him back and it seems he might not be the man Sky thought he was, she remembers how much allowing people into her life – and heart – can hurt. As the snow falls, will she and Daz find a way through – and help win a Christmas victory for Winter Street?

MY THOUGHTS

A wonderful curl up in the evening winter read.
Having read other books by the author I was sure I’d enjoy this book published several years ago and I did.


How aptly named is Winter Street, the street Sky Terran moves to when she returns to Middledip in this winter themed book?
Ready for some relaxation and quiet time, it doesn’t seem to be happening as her street is in the midst of a competition preparation.

All on the street try to outdo each other with the most festively lit and holiday decorated house. Not feeling like joining in she does anyway, after all how would it look if the street’s newest member was the grinch who didn’t participate. A little help from handsome Daz may just be the motivation Sky needs.


With his former girlfriend making a play for him again will Sky just stand by and let it happen? More importantly will Daz find the grass greener in past pastures or will he see what he truly has.


Heartwarming, great characters that I enjoyed reading about. Uplifting and festive.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

NEVER MISS AN UPDATE ON SUE’S BOOKS! Follow her on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sue-Moorcroft/e/B0034Q9O4U/

Website: suemoorcroft.com Twitter: @suemoorcroft Instagram: @SueMoorcroftAuthor

Facebook: SueMoorcroftAuthor and sue.moorcroft.3

Sue Moorcroft is an award-winning Sunday Times and internationally published author of emotionally compelling, feel-good, page-turning fiction who has reached #1 on Amazon Kindle UK and Top 100 Amazon Kindle US, Canada and Italy. Her novels, short stories, serials, courses and columns have appeared around the world. An army child, Sue was born in Germany and then lived in Cyprus, Malta and the UK.

Enjoy your weekend. Thanks for stopping in.

Categories
holidays

The Christmas Tree Farm: (Dream Harbor, Book 3)

369 pages October 2024 publication

ABOUT THE BOOK

Every book in the Dream Harbor series can be read as a standalone.

Kira North hates Christmas. Which is unfortunate since she just bought a Christmas tree farm in a town that’s too cute for its own good.

Bennett Ellis is on vacation in Dream Harbor trying to take a break from both his life and his constant desire to fix things.

But somehow fate finds Ben trapped by a blanket of snow at Kira’s farm, and, despite her Grinchiest first impressions, with the glow of the fairy lights twinkling in the trees, and the promise of a warming hot chocolate, maybe, just maybe, these two lost souls will have a Christmas they’ll remember forever…

The Christmas Tree Farm is a spicy romantic mystery with a HEA guaranteed!

Tropes:

Second Chance

Grumpy x Sunshine

Small Town

Forced Proximity

One Bed

MY THOUGHTS

After reading The Pumpkin Spice Café a few years ago I knew I just had to read another book by the same author.
This is the third book in the Dream Harbor series, each book is connected some with the same characters, but you don’t have to read them in order, and each has a standalone story.


This one is as Christmassy as it gets. I mean who doesn’t love the thought of a classic cut your own Christmas tree farm with dogs running around?
Throw in a grumpy Christmas tree farm owner, Kira who really doesn’t know how to promote her business.


When Ben takes his dogs for a run in the woods and meets Kira for the first time it’s not that flowery meet cute, we all dream about. She accuses him of trespassing, and he can’t wait to get away from her.

The book had me laughing out loud so many times. He’s fun and sunshiny, she’s the grump and despite him trying she’s really not interested in changing.
She’s a dog lover and I think his dogs may have swayed her to start coming around. He seems to just pop up everywhere she is and things just take off from there.


Loved seeing the Christmas tree farm coming to life and the towns people so happy and spirited and the Christmas spirit of the season hits them.
A spicy Christmas story full of warmth and charm.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Laurie Gilmore is a No. 1 Sunday Times bestseller and a USA Today bestseller who writes steamy small-town romance. Her Dream Harbor series is filled with quirky townsfolk, cozy settings, and swoon-worthy romance. The first book in the series, The Pumpkin Spice Cafe, was featured on Good Morning America and was named the TikTok Shop Book of the Year 2024.

She loves finding books with the perfect balance of sweetness and spice and strives for that in her own writing. If you ever wished you lived in Stars Hollow (or that Luke and Lorelai would just get together already!) then her books are definitely for you.