The Sunshine Sisters: Skye (Little Duck Pond Café)
The Sunshine Sisters: Skye. This is BOOK TWO of a TRILOGY in the popular Little Duck Pond Café series: Skye Sunshine has a theory that workmen, when in your house, should be seen and not heard. But Saul, the annoyingly sexy handyman clearly hasn’t received the memo! He’s far too cheeky and irritating for her liking. But when Skye’s peace of mind and reputation as an actress is threatened by hacks desperate for a story, can she really afford to turn down Saul’s offer – to whisk her away from the limelight to the privacy of his rustic cabin in the woods?
MY THOUGHTS
I have been reading the Little Duck Pond Cafe series for quite a while. I always look forward to a new novella length book coming out. This is one thing that I love about the series too, that each book is novella length so I can read it in an afternoon and not feel bogged down by not having time to read it. Each book has a full story.
The characters, I love them. Each one of them feels like friends and we still have some from the older books but meet new friends in each book too. This trio of books is the Sunshine sisters, and this is Skye’s story.
Skye Sunshine shows her vulnerable side when she must go into hiding because she is being threatened with blackmail for past secrets that are being threatened to be spilled. There are some serios subjects touched on in the book and the author does it in an understanding way.
The characters are relatable and fun and I’m enjoying meeting them all. Family relationships, drama, misunderstandings and secrets are explored. I did enjoy seeing how the sisters are all there for each other and look forward to reading the last sister’s story, Blossom.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rosie’s series of Little Duck Pond Café novellas is centered 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!
354 pages Revell publisher May 7, 2024 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
While the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean’s hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher–until Gordon Covington shows up.
No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that. And all at once the doors that had seemed firmly shut begin to open, just a crack.
With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who will end up becoming the family she always dreamed of.
From the pen of bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart comes a heartwarming story of the unexpected blessings that can come when we dare to follow the Lord’s leading.
MY THOUGHTS
I’ve enjoyed reading many of the author’s books over the years, but I do believe I have a new favorite. The book is so realistic that I could have been watching a movie as I imagined all in my mind while reading this.
I absolutely love books taking place in Appalachia and the people represented there. The book just captured my heart and soul. A Christian book but not preachy or overbearing. The Appalachian people are special, considered slow and behind the times by some, they’re not. They just have their own way of thinking and doing things passed down from generation to generation. They have their own way of speaking and are very wary of outsiders and you can’t blame them.
If outsiders come in, they can change everything about the landscape of the area and make them just like everyone else. They enjoy living in the hollers, doing things their way and sticking amongst themselves.
When a preacher man comes in with his new wife, they are wary of them both but the longer they are there the more assimilated they become. I really liked the character, Ada June a young half wild girl child living mainly in the forest after her mother’s death.
Preacher’s wife, Mira has had so many trials in her life, from losing her intended fiancée to being made redundant at her teaching job but God made her a strong resilient woman and her new opportunity at life sees her shining as a preacher’s wife while teaching at a mission school in rural Kentucky.
I loved this book so much and can’t wait to see what the author has out next.
I was given a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ann H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she’s published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers’ Choice Women’s Fiction Book of the Year.
Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. See more about her books at http://www.annhgabhart.com or join the conversation on her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/anngabhart.
Thank you for stopping in. I appreciate all your comments and encouraging words.
A brand new and utterly enchanting series by bestselling author Jaimie Admans.
A picture-perfect town, a place where dreams come true. Welcome to Ever After Street…
There’s always time for tea… unless you’ve lost your teapot…
Cleo Jordan has only ever wished for one thing – to open her own teashop in memory of her lovely gran. So when she accidentally fools the interview board into thinking she’s a brilliant baker and is offered a prime spot on Ever After Street, she knows her dream is about to come true!
Stepping into The Wonderland Teapot is like falling down the rabbit hole – magical! But there’s a catch: Cleo has completely lost her love of baking! With her little white lie ticking in her ear, it seems her dream is over before it’s begun.
Until she meets her very own Mad Hatter. Loved by everyone on Ever After Street, magician Bram brings an energy to the teashop that lifts everyone, and slowly, with his encouragement, Cleo is getting back to doing what she loves best.
But with Bram hiding secrets of his own, Cleo isn’t sure she can put all her faith in him. And when things start going wrong at the teashop, Cleo wonders if the culprit sabotaging her dream is someone closer than she thinks?
If Cleo wants her wish to work, she has to learn to trust again before she loses her head and heart completely…although it might already be far too late for that…
Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Kat French and Caroline Roberts!
A Wonderland Wish on Ever After Street is the third book in the Ever After Street series and my first read in this series but not my first read by the author. This is the most fun I’ve had reading a book in a long time. The book is Alice in Wonderland Themed, now I’ve never actually read Alice in Wonderland completely through but after reading this I’ll need to make that a priority.
Cleo Jordan’s gran had a tea shop serving the most delightful baked goods, the customers loved it and gran. After her death Cleo wants to honor her memory and open her own teashop. Now there’s just a few things standing in her way, Ever After Street is a very highly sought after street and open shop rentals are very hard to find, Cleo counts her lucky stars when she’s offered an interview for an open store front. Running late to the interview she grabs store bought cupcakes to represent her own baking, no one will ever know, right? Problem number two she’s lost her love of baking and doesn’t seem to have any luck in rejuvenating it. The stars align and she’s able to call the shop hers.
The shop is a Alice in Wonderland themed teashop. I loved the descriptions of the shop decorations and Bram who is the Mad Hatter and who has the part down pat from his costume to magical tricks to the voice the customers and children alike love him. The shop is so whimsical I just loved it, can I visit this tea shop now, please?
Cleo and Bram start to form a friendship and start baking things for the shop together as her love of baking returns. All isn’t well as some of the baked goods get sabotaged that are being served to the customers, nothing poisonous but some are too salty or spicy.
With Bram hiding a few secrets of his own could Cleo’s fairy tale dreams be going up in smoke just as she’s starting to learn to trust again? Fun, whimsical and magical this is a heartwarming tale we all need on our reading list.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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AUTHOR BIO
Author Bio –
Jaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.
She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.
352 pages publisher Avon publish date October 17, 2023
ABOUT THE BOOK
If you’re looking for the perfect feel-good Christmas novel, then look no further than Annie England Noblin’s newest novel. This book will absolutely delight readers looking for a sweet and sassy read—and not to mention enchant the fans of Annie’s signature canine characters.
Rosie Reynolds had come to lakeside Corgi Cove as a lost, lonely girl abandoned by her own mother, but there she discovered a true place to call home. She loves her Corgis, Bonnie and Clyde; loves the lakeside life; and loves her aunt and uncle most of all. But when she discovers their struggling inn is about to be bought out by some big city chain, she hatches a plan: to win a contest naming theirs the best Christmas-themed inn in the USA. It’s a long shot, but she knows if the whole town pulls together that they can do it.
But she didn’t count on Everett St Claire, who emerged from his gleaming, black BMW, straightening his tie and asking himself how did a big-city guy like him find himself in a speck on the map like Corgi Cove? And how fast could he get back to the city? After all, it couldn’t be that difficult to convince one elderly couple to take the money to retire.
He didn’t count on getting sucked into life on the lake. Sure, the people might be…eccentric, and Rosie might seem like a pain in the backside, but there is something alluring about the place. And with the holidays nearing, and the deadline looming, Rosie and Everett are about to discover the magic of a Christmas at Corgi Cove.
MY THOUGHTS
A quick and delightful comfort read. I love reading Christmas books all year round and if they have dogs added that’s such a fun addition.
Rosie Reynolds is the niece of the innkeepers, and their inn is called Corgi Cove. Two corgis’ live there, Bonnie and Clyde. They all reside at Corgi Cove with Rosie’s aunt and uncle who adopted her as a child when her mother left her.
Corgi Cove, located in Texas is beautiful but struggling financially. Nearby a big-name developer is buying up property and turning it into vacation spots.
Everett St Claire comes to Corgi Cove looking to make a quick sale and be back home in time for Christmas. He doesn’t count on getting to know the family and falling for Rosie. The family doesn’t want to sell the inn but if they don’t, foreclosure will happen in the new year. With the family of course not wanting Everett around, especially Rosie how will this problem resolve?
Now I’ve seen this plot before, failing family inn leaking money, the family doesn’t want to sell and somehow it gets saved. You know what though I like the premise of this, especially with the dogs, it’s such a charming read.
Rosie is so upset her family’s inn needs to be sold or it’ll go into foreclosure. When Everett is there on day a family emergency happens and he saves her uncles life. The family warms up to him after this, but Rosie seems to be running hot and cold.
I think you’ll be charmed by this Christmas book with the mischievous corgis. You’ll want to see how things turn out with the inn; can it be saved? Will Everett continue to get the cold shoulder from Rosie or will her heart melt as the temperature warms? Cute, fun read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Annie England Noblin lives with her son, husband, and three dogs in the Missouri Ozarks. She graduated with an M.A. in creative writing from Missouri State University and currently teaches English and communications for Arkansas State University in Mountain Home, Arkansas. She spends her free time playing make-believe, feeding stray cats, and working with animal shelters across the country to save homeless dogs.
Have a terrific day and thank you for stopping in.
322 pages Kensington Book publisher May 31,2022 publish date
SYNOPSIS
In a summer read rich in depth and heart, acclaimed author Colleen French tells a story of love, motherhood, friendship, and family in a picturesque Delaware beach town . . .
Each year, the start of summer brings bustle and much-needed tourist dollars to the little town of Albany Beach, Delaware. For Natalie Sullivan, this season is proving more stressful than others. It’s make-or-break time for the Irish pub her husband, Conor, recently bought with his brothers. Their two children are thriving, but she’s experiencing pangs of loss at the end of her childbearing years.
When sixteen-year-old McKenzie starts gushing about Bella, the new coworker at her summer job, Natalie suddenly finds her past and present in conflict. Bella, two years older than McKenzie, looks so similar that a customer remarks that they could be sisters. And when Natalie learns that Bella was adopted, she is propelled back into a heartbreaking decision. As a college student, Natalie became pregnant and put her baby up for adoption. Now, the more McKenzie talks about Bella, the more Natalie wonders: could Bella be her daughter?
Conor insists it’s a mistake to pursue the matter. Natalie’s child belongs to another family now; that was the agreement in the closed adoption. Still, Natalie can’t resist spending time with Bella. As their bond deepens, McKenzie accuses her mother of caring more for a stranger than for her, and Natalie begins imagining what it would be like to have Bella as a second daughter. What will the impact be if Bella really is her biological child? And if she isn’t, can Natalie embrace the joy and potential in her own family, without always wondering about what could have been?
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MY THOUGHTS
I have so many books on my tbr list to come. Sometimes I wish I could read them faster, like this one.
Natalie Sullivan lives in a vacation town, Albany Beach, Delaware. The locals appreciate the beautiful beach area and the dollars the tourists bring in every year. As a local, Natalie is used to the hustle and bustle of the area and this summer her oldest child, her daughter is working a summer job at one of the local hot spot shops. She befriends the new girl, a teen several years older than her and more outgoing. Natalie is happy her daughter is being brought out of her shell.
When she gets a look at her daughter’s friend a flood of emotions comes rushing over her, see she has a secret she’s only told a few people. Namely her husband, parents and best friend. When she was a teen on a summer trip abroad, she got pregnant and gave up her first child in a closed adoption. At the end of her childbearing years, she is regretting this decision and would like to find her daughter.
Now she’s wondering, is it possible, could it be……. is her daughter’s new friend actually her oldest daughter. They do look very similar she thinks. Then the book progresses as the two girls become close friends and Natalie has so many conflicting emotions wondering if it’s her daughter as she and the girl become close to the dismay of her daughter who thinks it’s weird.
She can’t tell her daughter her secret, her hormones are raging; and her husband is fed up with how it’s affecting the whole family. See, her daughter’s best friend is adopted, is it her daughter? When her best friend’s daughter decides to try to find her birth mother Natalie is afraid of what the results may be. This book had my emotions all over the place. A sure not to miss tension filled summer read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
About the Author
Colleen French lives in Delaware, where her family settled more than three hundred years ago. She comes from a long line of storytellers and spends her days, when she’s not writing, running the family farm, reading, and traveling the world. She has four children and seven grandchildren.
I hope you have a sunshiny day. Thank you for stopping in.
She’s here to help my daughter. She wants to steal my life.
I have a gorgeous husband, Scott, two lovely children, a successful career and a stylish townhouse. Anyone would think my life is perfect. But it’s all a lie.
My twelve-year-old Katie has been in trouble at school and won’t talk to me. Desperate, we hire young, willowy brunette Deanna – an expert tutor – to help my daughter. I’ve been so worried and my husband blames me. Have I failed as a mother?
Deanna is our last hope, the only person who seems able to help my precious child. But I’m starting to wonder about her intentions…
She’s in my kitchen, touching Scott’s arm. She and Katie seem to be keeping secrets, laughing as they glance at me. And I see her in my bedroom, watching from the window as I leave for work.
Then I find Deanna in Scott’s study, examining an old, framed photograph. And she begins to ask questions about Scott’s beautiful ex-wife.
I know her game; she’s looking for something that will destroy my life. The life she wants for herself.
But Deanna has underestimated me. I won’t give up my perfect family without a fight, and she has no idea how far I’ll go to stop her…
A totally addictive and pulse-pounding psychological thriller from multi-million copy bestseller J M Dalgliesh. Prepared to be gripped until the final, jaw-dropping revelation! Perfect for anyone who loves The Housemaid, The Woman in the Window, Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.
Author bio
Jason Dalgliesh is a bestselling British crime novelist. His first book, Divided House, was published in 2018 and was a runaway success topping the Amazon charts in both the UK, USA and Australia. To date, he has sold in excess of two million books across his Hidden Norfolk and Dark Yorkshire series with each book becoming bestsellers in their own right at the top of the Amazon chart.
Rapidly establishing himself as one of Amazon’s most read authors, the fifth book in the Hidden Norfolk series, Hear No Evil, was shortlisted for Amazon’s prestigious Kindle Storyteller Award in 2020. His books have been translated and are available across the world selling copies in sixty-eight countries to date. Work is underway to bring both series to the silver screen by a National Film Awards winning production team.
Born on the south coast of England, growing up in Hampshire, Jason has lived and worked abroad as well as in various parts of the country and in the Scottish Highlands. He currently lives in Norfolk with his wife and two young children.
achau, 1942. Emilie has been told she’s here to nurse evil men. But the first patient she sees in the cold, dark room is hauntingly familiar. Her first love is not wicked. He couldn’t be. What is he doing here?
Emilie’s heart stops as she takes in her childhood sweetheart hunched in a tattered prisoner’s uniform, the light lost from his face. Her new husband, Otto, said this was a camp for criminals. He should know, he’s the doctor. But Danner would never have broken the law.
As she looks into Danner’s beautiful brown eyes, she’s transported back to their happy childhood in Munich. The friendship they shared. The way her heart once felt like it beat only for him. Before the Jewish laws were enforced and Danner pushed Emilie away to protect her, breaking her heart.
Now, Emilie rushes to find Otto, desperate for answers. But when she discovers him waiting with confidentiality papers for her to sign, she realizes her husband has been lying. This isn’t a place to treat sick criminals, but to murder the innocent. And Otto tells her if she doesn’t help, they’ll both die.
Her hands shake as she receives her instructions. But as she rushes back to the sickbay, searching for a way to escape, her gaze lands on Danner once more. In his eyes, she can see something that almost looks like hope…
The thought of losing her first love again tears Emilie’s heart in two. She’s determined to keep him alive, and perhaps she can alter the fate of more than just one prisoner. But can she save Danner? Or will she die trying to rescue the man she’s never stopped loving?
MY THOUGHTS
Oh, my heart, this book deserves nothing less than a five-star review. If I could give it more I would. I was immersed in the characters and their situations as I read. My heart ached as I read. Why is life so harsh, so unfair to some just because of their nationality, while the “right” people seem to have it so easy in life?
Based on true events, the book is heart wrenching, it brought tears to my eyes more than once.
Growing up in Munich, Emilie has had a happy childhood with many friends to play with, of both sexes. They go in and out of each other’s house like as though they were their own.
Emilie and Danner………. best of childhood friends to young sweethearts. Then he is lost to her as they are separated because he is Jewish and he doesn’t want to see her suffer because of him, and her heart is broken. With her heart broken she marries Otto, a doctor. Nurse Emilie’s patient is strikingly familiar, that voice she knows it. Doctor Otto’s instructions are not just to treat the patient but to do horrible things to the patients that will result in their deaths. She is sickened when she comes to the realization, who is this man she married that has been lying to her?
With her childhood dreams of love fading before her eyes will she be able to do what she knows her heart is calling her to do? Based on truth it’s important to not forget these dark times lest we repeat this time where so many suffered needlessly.
Realistic and poignant, reading this will evoke a variety of emotions. The women are the strong characters in this book, their strength turns the darkness into recovery and positivity. A not to miss read.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
USA Today and International Bestselling Author, Shari J. Ryan, is known for her captivating World War Two Historical Fiction, Women’s Romance Fiction, and gripping Psychological Thriller novels. Each series and standalone contains a wide range of dark suspense and heartbreaking emotions.
Shari has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Johnson & Wales University and started her career as a graphic artist and freelance writer until 2012 when she discovered her passion for writing books. Since then, she has been captivating readers with her compelling storytelling and has written over thirty-five novels with translated publications in twelve languages.
Shari’s talent and dedication have earned her a place on the USA Today Bestseller List, as well as rankings in Amazon’s Top 100, Barnes & Noble’s Top Ten, and iBooks at number one. She has also received two Rone awards for her outstanding work.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include: “The Stolen Twins,” The Bookseller of Dachau,” “The Doctor’s Daughter,” “The Girl with the Diary,” “Prison Child,” “The Soldier’s Letters,” and “The Lieutenant’s Girl.” These gripping novels are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Shari, a lifelong Boston girl lives in a small town in the suburbs and has a loving marriage with her adored husband. Together, they have two incredible young sons who make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world.
To learn more about Shari J. Ryan and her captivating books, visit her official website at www.sharijryan.com
Gabriel has returned to the island of Jersey after ten years abroad to help his aging showbiz parents revive their failing Art Deco hotel, The Encore. This proves to be something of a challenge, especially as his singer father and actress mother are more concerned with staying in the limelight than keeping track of the cash-flow. It looks like Gabriel isn’t going anywhere fast. Meanwhile, he’s stunned to find that the hotel’s new receptionist is Daisy, the girl he fell in love with years earlier in Vietnam, and falling in love with someone who is tied to Jersey is the last thing she wants.
Previously published as A Jersey Bombshell
MY THOUGHTS
I read a lot of books that have tough subjects to get through and sometimes I just need an escapist read. A fabulous book to just read in an afternoon, relax and forget about it all. Georgina Troy has books just like this, the afternoon disappeared as I read while sipping tea.
Yes, the characters have problems, just like we all do, and it seems like they won’t be resolved but by the book’s end they are.
I think one of the things I love about reading rom-coms is a guaranteed happy ending. Life is hard so read books that make you happy. I loved the descriptions of the breathtaking island of Jersey.
Life certainly holds surprises, doesn’t it? Gabriel, a former Jersey island resident feels he needs to come home. His parents are having trouble with their hotel, financially and otherwise. He’ll come home make the hotel have a quick turn around and be on his way.
To his shock Daisy, a woman he met while in Vietnam years ago is now the receptionist at his parents’ hotel. He hadn’t been able to get Daisy off his mind, unfortunately things don’t always work out like we plan them too. Will this be the second chance they need or will the extra baggage they are carrying get in the way of this potential sunny island romance?
A breathtakingly delightful summer romance you won’t easily forget.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Georgina Troy writes bestselling uplifting romantic escapes and sets her novels on the island of Jersey, where she was born and has lived for most of her life. She has done a twelve-book deal with Boldwood, including backlist titles, and the first book in her Sunshine Island series was published in May 2022.
Could one chance meeting change your life forever?
Zara is at a crossroads in life. While she adores her job as a producer’s assistant working on hit TV shows, travelling around the country means she doesn’t truly feel that she has a home. With a fractured relationship with her family and unrequited love weighing heavily on her heart, she is torn about what her next step in life should be…
Snowy is hiding from the world. He’s devoted his life to home schooling his young son and caring for sick owls at his home, Owl’s Lodge, deep in the Yorkshire Wolds countryside. While he’s passionate about both, it’s a lonely existence and he’s starting to question his decisions. But how do you step back into a world you’ve pushed away for years…?
When Zara brings an injured owl to Owl’s Lodge, its frosty, reclusive owner is far from welcoming. Despite hostilities, there’s a connection that neither could ever have prepared themselves for. As they discover a shared passion, a new friendship blossoms, but both Zara and Snowy are used to shutting people out.
Can they both find the courage to open up and the strength to move on from their pasts? And what could this mean for their future happiness?
Escape to the world of Bumblebee Barn and Hedgehog Hollow with MILLION-COPY BESTSELLER Jessica Redland for this brand new feel-good romance of family, friendship and hope.
MY THOUGHTS
Reading the author’s books is just like being on a special holiday. I always enjoy them and look forward to a new one with anticipation. This one has the inclusion of some of her Hedgehog Hollow and Bumblebee Barn characters returning so that is exciting right there. Warm and delightful, I had a hard time putting this one down. There are some serious subjects discussed but the author does it in a realistic way and I liked this. No one is belittled and the characters rally around to help each other out.
I very much love the inclusion of animals in the author’s books. I am a big animal person and to have the author encourage others with her books about animals is such a positive thing.
One of her series was about a hedgehog rescue and this is about an owl rescue. Owls are so beautiful and majestic, and I thank the wildlife rescues out there for devoting their time and energy to these animals. There were so many informative facts about owls living in the UK in the back of the book so make sure to check this out.
The romance is a slow burn and not rushed which is always nice to see. I found the book to be filled with fun and informative facts about owls and gymnastics. As you read you will be taken on a beautiful and emotional journey which you will want the very best for the characters.
I connected with the characters right away which made for an enjoyable read. Now I just need to catch up on a few more books by the author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jessica Redland writes emotional but uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast where she lives with her husband, daughter and sprocker spaniel. Her Hedgehog Hollow series, set in a hedgehog rescue centre, takes readers into the beautiful rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Grace Kelly can’t escape the draws of Emerald Bay; the sweeping cliffs, the sparkling sea… and her gorgeous new flatmate. The problem is, she has to keep him a secret from her family. And she isn’t the only one in the village with something to hide this summer…
Grace really needs someone to help cover the rent for her London flat, but Christopher Dorrance? Everyone in the little Irish village of Emerald Bay knows about the feud between their families, though no one knows how it started. But, both being in a tight spot, they try and make it work, swearing to tell no one back home. Until a mutual friend and her son in the bay are left homeless after a storm. Grace and Christopher must head back to Ireland to help… together.
As they flesh out their idea to raise money for their friend with a village charity concert, Chris’s blue eyes light up. Even though they have to hide out for every planning session, and after all her father has said about the Dorrances, Grace can’t believe how kind he is. Soon sparks are flying as they laugh together, chasing dairy cows from a field to set up the stage. Could Chris be more than just a flatmate?
But their hopes that a good cause will soften the hostility between their dads are dashed. The two men still argue constantly. And with a happy future for their friend depending on the concert running smoothly, the truth behind the feud threatens to come out and destroy everything…
Could the events of the past destroy any chance of a future for Chris and Grace? Or, if Grace follows her heart, could she finally heal the rift between their families?
You’ll love Michelle Vernal’s stunning new book set in the Little Irish Village. This gorgeous and unputdownable Irish small-town romance is perfect for fans of Nicola May, Trisha Ashley and Debbie Macomber.
MY THOUGHTS
We are once again swept away to Ireland and the beautiful Emerald Bay. The sparkling sea, waves crashing and breathtaking view are more than enough to make anyone want to stay.
Grace Kelly has memories of the geeky, awkward glasses wearing chicken legs boy she knew back in school. This fine specimen that is built, a handsome hunk and without glasses surely could not be who she thinks he is, but it is and he’s her flat mate helping to pay the rent. One look and she’s convinced she’s fallen in love if only the sad reality didn’t exist that he has a girlfriend.
Over the years when she’d mention Christopher Dorrance or his family’s name to her father, he’d get furious but would never tell her what the family feud was over.
When it seems the possibility of a romance is ready to develop as they spend a lot of time together at a fundraising concert her hopes come crashing down as their fathers still argue constantly neither wanting to give an inch.
When the cause of the rift between families is finally revealed will it cause it to continue or will forgiveness and understanding take place? Once again, I loved spending time with the Kelly family. This series is so heartwarming and Emerald Bay just pulls me right in. Sounds like the perfect relaxation spot. I’m hooked on this series and can’t wait to read more.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Michelle Vernal is a New Zealand author who writes stories that will take you onto the page with her characters and make you feel part of their lives. She writes with humour and warmth, and her readers describe her books as unputdownable, feel good and funny. Her writing has been likened to Maeve Binchy but with a modern-day vernacular. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the Love Stories Award. In 2020 she won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Award for Chick lit, and in 2021 was shortlisted for the Page Turner Book Awards.
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