I apologize for posting so late today. The past few days I’ve been feeling under the weather.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Sunshine Sisters: Aurora (Little Duck Pond Café)
This is the first book in an exciting new trilogy (‘The Sunshine Sisters’, part of the Little Duck Pond Café series) about three sisters, who are all – in their different ways – searching for something missing in their lives. They haven’t been close since a shocking incident years ago sent them spinning off in different directions. Will the village of Sunnybrook work its magic and finally reunite the family?
In this first story, Rori has escaped a desperate situation by fleeing to the village. But can she really leave her past behind, or will it come back to haunt her, as she fears it will? Can she find the peace and happiness she craves in Sunnybrook?
MY THOUGHTS
What a wonderful series. It always makes me so happy to see another book in this series. This is book one of the trilogy of the Sunshine sisters. This is Aurora’s story and we also have joining her in this book and in their own stories’ sisters, Skye and Blossom.
Aurora has gotten out of a bad relationship and was unsure of where to go because she thought her ex would find her. The ladies from the Little Duck Pond Cafe have a solution as there’s an empty place above the cafe for her to live and be safe.
Things are going along well for her here; she feels safe in Sunnybrook and she’s at the start of a new relationship with a wonderful guy. Before she can relax too much strange things start happening to her and she’s on edge again. Has her past found her again?
I enjoyed meeting Aurora’s sisters and can’t wait to read their stories too. With a mystery to solve can she figure out what’s going on before it’s too late? The ending was a surprise to me that I just didn’t see coming. I enjoyed this book so much and can recommend the whole series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rosie’s series of Little Duck Pond Café novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. ‘A Winter Wonderland’ is out now. Look out for Skye’s story and Blossom’s story, completing ‘The Sunshine Sisters’ trilogy – out in April and June!
Notes from the Cove: An addictive, emotional and heart-wrenching page-turner (Sand Dollar Cove)
ABOUT THE BOOK
The cozy café on the bustling beach welcomes tourists and locals for steaming coffees and delicious homemade cakes. But when Brittany receives mysterious notes from a customer will they lead her to the happy ending she’s always dreamed of?
Brittany Thompson has spent her whole life in peaceful Sand Dollar Cove lonely, loving the wrong men and mourning the loss of her beloved older brother Paul—the only guy she’s ever been able to trust—when they were just teenagers. Her one escape is her café, Safe Harbor, where customers can gift meals to strangers along with handwritten notes of encouragement.
That is until a familiar face returns to town: rugged, brooding Ryan Osborne—the man Brittany had a schoolgirl crush on when they were young. And who was once her brother’s best friend… Ryan’s arrival brings back painful memories, and bumping into him at the charming café sends Brittany’s emotions all over the place.
Brittany can’t forget the way Ryan skipped town after Paul’s death, leaving her to grieve alone, though as she watches him struggle to readjust to life in the cove, her heart softens just a little. But just as she and Ryan start to grow closer, bonding over their shared past, mysterious notes begin appearing. The messages encourage Brittany to think about the person she is and how her past led her here…
But when Brittany uncovers a secret about the night she lost Paul that changes everything, can she and Ryan come together to finally heal and find a happier future together? Orwill the truth of what really happened tear them apart forever?
Escape to the beautiful coastal town of Sand Dollar Cove in this heart-wrenching yet uplifting story of long-buried heartbreak, the journey to loving yourself, and learning to forgive. Fans of Susanne O’Leary, Mary Alice Monroe and Liz Eeles will fall hard for this gripping novel.
MY THOUGHTS
This is the fourth book I’ve read in the Sand Dollar Cover series and the third full length book. You get a novella length book in the series when you sign up for the author’s newsletter.
Sand Dollar Cove’s description sounds so peaceful and relaxing. Taking place in the Pacific Northwest, with the water lapping serenely against the shore and shells to be found while walking along the beach you’ll surely want to spend the day here.
The water isn’t always this calm though and one night a fierce storm caused lifelong resident Brittany Thompson‘s older brother to lose his life in a boating accident back when they were in high school. Brittany has always blamed his best friend Ryan Osborne as they were together that night.
I really enjoyed how the series continues right from the last book with the same characters, so we already know them and their personalities.
How will Brittany react when she sees Ryan inside of her new cafe, she’s opened that has been a long-time dream of hers? To make matters worse she realizes he has moved back to the area.
Brittany really has a lot to deal with, Ryan moves back to town, her teenaged son has been having some emotional struggles and then a secret is revealed that changes what she thought she knew about something so important.
As the two spend more time together she sees he’s struggling to readjust to live in the cove again and has a teenaged daughter that is going through her own struggles. Despite her struggles I liked his daughter’s character, and it shows her vulnerability. I was glad to see her persevere, standing up for herself and making friends. It’s not easy as a teenager moving to a new area and not knowing anyone.
Just like the other books in the series, there is a lot going on with parents, teens, adjusting to a move, relationships, learning to trust again comes into it. I fully recommend this series.
There are family dynamics, misunderstandings, reacquaintances, forgiveness, reconciliation and just plain compassion and at the end of the day after all they’ve been through, they are there for each other with family love.
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.
369 pages Bookouture publisher February 15,2024 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
Mary Turner’s hopes of a happy life in beautiful Sand Dollar Cove come crashing down when her boyfriend leaves her. After her mother walked out when she was just a child, Aiden’s betrayal destroys the last shred of belief in love that Mary’s been clinging on to.
When the cove’s newest resident Steven Clarke hires her to renovate the town’s historic movie theater, Mary is scared of failing. But she dreams of bringing the fading theater back to its 1960s glamor. Plus, the more she works with the elusive Steven, the more she comes to like him and his striking good looks—against her better judgement…
As Mary’s confidence grows, her heart starts to reopen to the possibility of love. But then, hidden in the cinema’s storage room, Mary discovers a mysterious photo album containing pictures of a little girl who looks just like her. She can’t believe her eyes. How is Mary connected to this album and the cinema? And will the answers help to heal her broken heart?
Mary is willing to risk everything to learn the truth. But when she uncovers a secret that casts a shadow on her family, on Steven, and on Sand Dollar Cove, will the past haunt her forever? Or will she choose to believe in love and finally claim her happy ending?
MY THOUGHTS
This is the second book in the Sand Dollar Cove series. I do suggest you read these in order as this book starts immediately after the first one ends. I love the description of Sand Dollar Cove.
Having never been to Washington State where this takes place, I’m now ready to visit. Though it may rain a lot in the Pacific Northwest I’m ready to visit the beaches and take walks.
The book is absolutely packed full of so much going on. Sisters Mary and Hannah and their grandmother live with their friend Bridget and her son in her boarding house. It’s a great situation for all of them.
Hannah’s boyfriend is not at all what she thought he was and she’s much better off without him. If only she wouldn’t still have to see him so often. Mary is an interior decorator and is thrilled to be hired by the cove’s newest resident Steven Clarke to renovate the cinema and bring it back to its former glory days. It’s a huge job and the pressure is on, she’s afraid of failing. What does it mean when she finds an old album in a storage area of the old cinema and a girl looks like her?
Can Mary’s budding romance survive the secrets that are revealed about her family and town? So many secrets and feelings of betrayal, self-discovery, family bonds renewed. Such a beautiful story, I enjoyed it a lot.
Pub Date 15 Feb 2024 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jennifer Bardsley’s delightfully sweet romance books set in the Pacific Northwest have touched the hearts of readers all over the world. She lives in Edmonds, Washington with her family and enjoys walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets.
I really hope you like the cover reveal today of Fatal Fungus, a cozy mystery book.
Fatal Fungus
One great bake-off. Twelve golden pies. Two lovable, dogged amateur sleuths back in stride.
On a crisp, autumn evening, in quaint Bogus Hole, the village committee proposes a pie-and-buy charity auction to celebrate the first anniversary of Sycamore Medical Practice. Twelve bakes will make the coveted gingham table for a doctor-only bidding war, thus setting the scene for a memorable day.
The next week, when a doctor collapses at the annual Christmas fair and later dies, the gossip train rumbles with the burning question. Who baked a poisonous mushroom into their pie?
Team Awesome truffle hogs, Windy & Darling, are hot on the fatal fungus trail. Can our daring duo sniff out the killer of the not-so-fun guy?
Creativity’s a must for Scottish-raised, environmental science graduate Mark, who co-manages a self-publishing house, is formidable at book formatting, and writes cosy crime and sci-fi. He also makes music and fancies himself as a cartographer. A self-confessed geek, Mark’s hopelessly devoted to maps and roads, and his fondness for tree-hugging or pondering pylons takes whimsical to a new level. High on his priorities are reading, laughter, healthy food, and nature bathing. Mark adores animals, especially cats. Just ask Tahlula, his fussy old tuxedo puss.
Ironically, a cruel plot twist kick-started Wendy’s writing career. She’d always wanted to be an author but an MS diagnosis said no. Believing she’d never write again, Wendy swapped wallowing for blue sky thinking and, with drive and dedication, followed her vision by writing cosy mysteries and thrillers. Born in the original Washington, NE England, Wendy has a diverse CV. A serial word nerd, she’s now an erudite editor, and co-owns a self-publishing house, ensuring her lust for all things alphabetical and grammatical never wanes. She devours dictionaries, adding a prized new gem to her repertoire every day.
When not nitpicking, mentoring, or critiquing, Wendy’s a sworn bookworm. Her other loves are music, cooking, yoga, and comedy. She’s a hat freak, animal qwackers, loves a good quiz, and is a devoted nature buff.
Deadly Dough is the couple’s feature-length debut.
I’m excited to invite you onto my blog today for the blog tour of A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home. The author writes such lovely books, and this series focuses on dog adoption. Helping animals in any way is near and dear to my heart so you can imagine how much I’ve enjoyed this series.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home
There’s no place like home…
Although dog trainer Sally is relatively new to Wagging Tails, the team she works with have quickly become her family and the dogs her friends.
But when Andy, the one that got away, turns up for a brief respite from the city, she is at a crossroads. As tempting as a life with him is, she loves her home of West Par, and anyway, she has responsibilities here.
Number one on that list is ensuring the dogs’ home stays in business. A developer has been sniffing around wanting to buy the land, and the team is worried.
Sally will do anything to save her home and her friends’ livelihoods but the lure of reuniting with her lost love is strong. Is there a way for her to have both?
MY THOUGHTS
A Fresh Start at Wagging Tails Dogs’ Home is the third book in the series. Though it is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone without missing anything important.
I love the fact that the book is focused on dog rescue and hope it inspires some to help dogs in some way: adoption, volunteering or even monetarily. The book is a real ray of sunshine, guaranteed to make even the darkest skies bright. After you’re done reading your heart will be filled with gladness.
The characters are well thought out and well developed, friendly sorts who want the best for the dogs and have a lot of empathy. The plot moves along at a medium pace, not getting offtrack.
There is a light romance going, a second chance at love possibly. The focus is not on the romance though which was nice to see. The story is lighthearted but with some serious parts as well. Puddles stole my heart; I’m rooting for you little one. A sure win, once you start this book you’ll be hooked.
Pub Date 20 Mar 2024 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Sarah has been dreaming up stories ever since she was a child. She remembers many a family stroll when she’d daydream up her next story adventure.
As an adult, she prefers to write romance novels and novellas with a Happy Ever After ending. She has two main romance series, the Escape To… series that focuses on single mums taking a chance and fulfilling their career dreams as well as finding love, and The Cornish Bakery series, that follows a busy bakery in a beautiful fictional bay in Cornwall.
Sarah Hope lives in Central England with her two children and an array of pets and enjoys escaping to the seaside at any opportunity.
St. Patrick’s Day takes an unexpected turn for crafting magazine editor Pamela Paterson and the members of her knitting club when a member of a prominent New Jersey family is found dead…
The Listers have been part of Arborville society for generations—though seventy-something Isobel Lister doesn’t fit the role of upper-crust heiress. She’s always been a colorful character, and her fun-loving spirit is on display at the senior center celebration as she performs some beloved Irish songs. But just minutes later, her body is found backstage.
It’s hard to imagine who’d target such a harmless eccentric, but Pamela finds herself suspecting everyone. There’s the Wiccan who thought St. Patrick wasn’t so saintly; the woman upset about cultural appropriation who feels the commercialization of shamrocks is a sham; the two men Isobel was seeing, who could have been green with jealousy—and old friends and family who may have feared Isobel would spill their secrets. But Pamela’s on the case, and that means for the killer, the jig will soon be up . . .
MY THOUGHTS
This is my first read by this author and I like her writing style. Some authors of cozy mysteries give too many clues early on and expose the killer right away. Not so with this one. Through well placed clues this St. Patrick’s Day cozy mystery is right up my alley. I do enjoy holiday themed books as long as it’s not overdone.
Community centers are always such an entertaining place for the elderly to go. St. Patrick’s Day was no different with an outgoing eccentric woman from a well-known about town family singing Irish tunes. She must not be everyone’s cup of tea though as she’s found dead right off stage shortly after her singing is over.
In cozy mysteries there always seems to be a take charge woman investigating these murders and she seems to always have more clues and the inside scoop before the police do. In this case it’s crafting magazine editor Pamela Paterson.
The knitting club tie in was fun and of course the addition of animals is always a bonus for me. So many suspects in this case all seeming to have a valid reason of why they could have done it. With delicious sounding Irish meals and drinks this one will go down as an easy read.
Pub Date 21 Feb 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor who writes mysteries and plays blues guitar. She holds a doctorate in Medieval Literature, and her publications include a prize-winning book dealing with classical mythology in the Middle Ages. Her Maxx Maxwell mysteries, Sweet Man Is Gone (2008) and Got No Friend Anyhow (2011), feature a blues-singer sleuth.
Peggy is currently writing the Knit & Nibble mystery series for Kensington Books. Set in the charming (fictional) town of Arborville, New Jersey, it features amateur sleuth Pamela Paterson, founder and mainstay of the town’s knitting club.
Peggy is a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.
322 pages Kensington Books January 24,2023 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
The eleventh installment in Maddie Day’s deliciously popular Country Store cozy mysteries . . .It’s Saint Patrick’s Day in South Lick, Indiana, but a holiday cooking competition at Robbie Jordan’s country store and restaurant Pans ’N Pancakes is put on the back-burner when a killer strikes.
There’s no mistaking Saint Patrick’s Day at Pans ’N Pancakes. Robbie may only be Irish by marriage to Abe O’Neill, but the shelves of vintage cookware in her southern Indiana store are draped with glittery shamrocks and Kelly-green garlands and her restaurant is serving shepherd’s pie and Guinness Beer brownies. The big event, however, is a televised cooking competition to be filmed on site.
Unfortunately, someone’s luck has run out. Before the cameras start rolling, tough-as-nails producer Tara O’Hara Moore is found upstairs in her B&B room, bludgeoned apparently by the heavy hilt of a cleaver left by her side. Now, not only does Robbie have a store full of festive decorations, she’s got a store full of suspects . . .
Includes Recipes for You to Try!
MY THOUGHTS
Four Leaf Cleaver is another cozy mystery by Maddie Day in her Country Store mystery series. I’ve read a few in this series and was eager to continue on with it. Pans ’N Pancakes is the restaurant/country store owned by Robbie in South Lick, Indiana. Now this little country store selling vintage cookware and serving delicious home cooked meals does well with the locals, but Robbie jumps at the chance to have a film crew at her little store filming a cooking contest.
With the festive shamrocks in place and delicious St. Patrick’s Day foods on the menu including Guinness Beer brownies the contestants can’t wait to get started as they’re all convinced; they’ll make the winning meal. Tragedy strikes when the producer is found bludgeoned before filming can even start.
I did enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day theme of the cozy. You don’t see a lot of books with this theme. There were a lot of red herrings thrown in there, clues that you thought took you somewhere but actually didn’t.
Robbie has a lot going on, she’s fairly newly married, runs a restaurant and has family issues she’s dealing with. Despite all this she still finds time to be an amateur sleuth though she’s told many times not to by the police department. Will this stop her, not quite.
I enjoyed the mystery, the characters were great, the elements were all there to make this a cozy that kept my attention and kept me guessing. I could feel the tension building up as the story got closer to its conclusion. Will be on the lookout for more books in this series.
Pub Date: 24 Jan 2023 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own. 💚☘️
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maddie Day is a talented amateur chef and holds a PhD in linguistics from Indiana University. An Agatha Award-winning author, Maddie writes the Country Store Mysteries, the Cozy Capers Book Group Mysteries, the Cece Barton Mysteries, and the Dot and Amelia Mysteries featuring Amelia Earhart as a sleuthing sidekick.
As Edith Maxwell, she write the Local Foods Mysteries and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries, as well as award-winning short crime fiction.
Maddie/Edith has two grown sons and lives in an antique house north of Boston with her beau, a small organic garden, and a gentle cat. She blogs every weekday with the Wicked Authors and on the second and fourth Fridays at Mystery Lovers Kitchen. Look for her under both names on social media and on her web site.
Thank you for stopping in today and reading my post. Have a wonderful day.
349 pages Bethany House publishers March 19,2024 publish date
ABOUT THE BOOK
In the opulent and perilous world of high society’s most elite–and most dangerous–families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.
Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm’s members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren’t for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.
Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he’s ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy’s life and heal their hearts.
MY THOUGHTS
I think this may be my favorite book of Roseanna’s. I say that about every book of hers though so I’m not too sure. This book was special though, it has so much I really liked about it. This is the second book in the Imposters series. Though the book may have started out slowly, it didn’t stay that way for long.
As a carry-over from the first book in the series we see many of the same characters that we know and love. Though this is the second book in a series, it may be read as a standalone having its own full story.
I started out the book not liking Gemma, she can be downright rude to Graham Wharton at times. She broke his heart. Through the many ups and downs, twists and turns the story unfolds for us.
There is a lot going on and the book pulls out all the stops as your heart feels so many emotions. One thing about the Imposters though is when they take on a case you know they won’t back down until the case is solved.
I can see why Gemma acted the way she did, the reveal surprised me. None of us know how we’ll act unless presented a situation such as this. The faith element was beautiful!
The book really has a lot to absorb as you read it. Such beautiful healing and forgiveness.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at http://www.RoseannaMWhite.com.
The long, tarnished chain and heart-shaped pendant is heavy in Paige’s hand. Carefully prying it open she can just make out the tiny engraving inside. What she reads will change everything she ever believed about her great-aunt Violet, and their family history…
When newly single and heartbroken Paige inherits an isolated cottage facing out to the wild sea on Dune Island from her great-aunt Violet, she is shocked. Paige never even met Violet, and she’s heard family stories about how a terrible incident involving the wealthy neighboring Hathaway family during World War Two led Violet to withdraw from everyone. But why would Violet leave everything to her?
Determined to clear out the cottage and sell it as quickly as possible, when Paige bumps into Seth Hathaway as he walks back from the beach, at first she’s guarded. But Seth’s easy smile makes her think that maybe the Hathaways can be trusted after all…
Then Paige finds an old envelope containing her aunt’s only piece of jewelry. The romantic message inscribed inside brings tears to her eyes, and Seth shows her how the initials match those carved with a heart into an ancient beech tree on her aunt’s property. Did Violet live her whole life yearning for the person who gave her the locket?
As Paige and Seth grow closer, she starts to wonder if she could find happiness right here on Dune Island. And if Paige discovers the identity of Violet’s lost love, can she finally clear her aunt’s name—or in this tight-knit island community, should some secrets be left in the past forever?
Fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Carolyn Brown and Barbara O’Neal will adore this absolutely stunning and addictive read about the sacrifices people make to be with the ones they love, and how bringing family secrets into the light can change everything.
Having read other books in the Dune Island series I knew I was in for a treat reading this one. The author writes such warm and relaxing books you know they are going to be great, and she is an auto read author for me. I discovered her books quite by accident a few years ago when I saw a pretty cover she had on a book and there’s been no turning back since then.
Aunt Violet’s Locket is a time-slip novel. There is a very short amount of time spent in the past to set up the story, but most is spent in modern times.
Paige recently had a breakup but then she discovers she has inherited an isolated cottage on Dune Island with a front row view of the majestic ocean. She had never met her great Aunt Violet that she inherited it from. The cottage sits right next to the wealthy Hathaway family mansion. Rumors involving the Hathaway’s that have gotten out of hand over the years had caused Violet to become a recluse in her home. As she goes to Dune Island she is guarded and doesn’t want to trust the Hathaway’s because of past family history. That all may change when she meets Seth Hathaway though. I liked Seth’s character; he seemed so friendly and helpful to Paige. Blossom his dog was a real charmer too.
Paige does have some drama going on in her family, a relative’s engagement party is stressing out all involved and the little cottage on Dune Island. Hoping to make a few quick repairs and sell it quickly. This is before she visits the island and cottage. Could she possibly be happy here full time? Uncovering Aunt Violet’s locket may be just the way to put heartbreaking family secrets to rest.
Get the tissues out for this one. It’s an emotional story and you say to yourself if only………. Such a beautiful and heartwarming story, I won’t miss any by this author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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Author Bio:
Ever since she was a young girl, there were few things Kristin liked more than creative writing and spending time on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with her family. Eventually (after a succession of jobs that bored her to tears), she found a way to combine those two passions by becoming a women’s fiction author whose stories occur in oceanside settings. While Kristin doesn’t live on the Cape year-round, she escapes to the beach whenever she can. https://twitter.com/KHarperAuthor
I’m always so happy to read this author’s books. She is one of my favorite historical fiction authors.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Sapphire Daughter: A completely gripping and emotional page-turner (The Lost Daughters Book 4)
Lake Geneva, 1951: Delphine looked up at Florian, her fingers grazing his cheek as she pressed her mouth to his, the sapphire tiara sparkling beside them. “Yes,” she whispered against his lips. “I will marry you. If you can find a way, then I promise you. I will marry you.”
London, present day. Georgia holds the rare pink sapphire in her hands, watching it glitter in the morning light. It was left for her at Hope’s House, a home for unmarried mothers whose babies were adopted. But how is it connected to the secrets of her family’s complicated history?
Georgia tries to forget about the sapphire, her heart too bruised by past hurts. But when she discovers the gemstone was part of a priceless tiara owned by the Italian royal family, she is drawn in by the mystery surrounding it. Her only way of finding answers is to travel to Lake Geneva to meet with the man who inherited the stunning tiara from his grandfather.
When she arrives at the breathtaking lakeside city, handsome Luca tells her he’s been searching for the missing stone for years and is eager to piece together how it arrived at Hope’s House. As they spend sun-drenched days together, Georgia and Luca grow closer and uncover the passionate, forbidden love story of Delphine and Florian, whose tragic romance forced Delphine to make a heartbreaking decision with devastating consequences…
As Georgia comes to terms with the decades-old secret, will it shatter everything she thought she knew about herself? Or will Delphine’s courage inspire her to open up her own heart and build a new life with Luca?
A completely gripping and escapist read about family mysteries and true love that lasts a lifetime, that will leave you spellbound. The perfect read for fans of Lucinda Riley, Victoria Hislop and Santa Montefiore.
Busy, modern woman Georgia has been summoned to receive a package that has come from Hope’s House, a home for unwed mothers. Upon opening it she finds a stunning pink sapphire. She knows she must discover how this connects to her family and the significance of this gem.
I enjoyed being swept away by the author to exotic locations as Georgina travels to Lake Geneva to discover how the pink sapphire came to be in her family’s possession.
Such an intriguing story, the book held me captivated as I read, to find out the gem was part of a priceless tiara owned by the Italian royal family. What connection could her family possibly have to it? An escapist read I simply couldn’t put down, the backstory with its romantic forbidden love story.
It’s so emotional, one decision takes a second to make but the consequences will last a lifetime. I so wanted the outcome to be different. I am captivated every time I read a book by the author. I highly recommend this must-read book.
Pub Date 08 Mar 2024 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind.
Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she’s not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.