A pickpocket turned lady and a prince with a forgotten past find love in the most unexpected place…
Juliet Dash, orphan and former pickpocket, yearns to leave her troubled past behind. So when she arrives in British Columbia and takes a respectable job working for a pair of society sisters who offer to give her etiquette lessons, she’s one step closer to that dream. But when an unexpected encounter with an unconscious man turns her world upside down, Juliet must choose between her heart and her aspirations.
Weary of the pressure of royal life, Prince Henry Graighton longs for solace and anonymity. But when tragedy strikes and his brother winds up dead, Henry finds himself thrust into the role of heir apparent, leaving him to struggle with the weight of his grief and unwanted responsibility. And when Henry is kidnapped, he narrowly escapes with his life…but loses his memories in the process. In his darkest hour, a beacon of hope emerges in the form of Juliet, his savior and the key to unlocking his forgotten past.
With danger lurking at every turn and the weight of Henry’s royal duties looming over them, can their budding romance withstand the trials that lie ahead, or will Juliet be forced to sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of Henry’s kingdom?
MY THOUGHTS
I loved the Bride Ships: New Voyages series. This is the fourth and final book in it. Each book features a different woman who has sailed on a journey to a new start leaving bad memories behind.
It’s always fun to meet up with characters from previous books in a current read and see how things have progressed for them. Full of surprising twists and turns this is a faith filled Christian fiction series that kept me reading late into the night.
I was so happy to see our young couple get their magical fairytale like ending. I enjoyed seeing our characters grow and mature as life lessons were learned and accepted.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet, clean romances with plenty of sizzle (but without the spice).
Nora’s city life isn’t exactly working out how she planned. She’s stuck in her best friend’s tiny boxroom and hasn’t yet found that dream bookish job. But when she’s forced to return to her hometown of Little Harbour, Nora’s life takes an unexpected plot twist. Her estranged sister needs her help and the beloved family bookshop of her first love, Alex, is about to go out of business.
Alex knows a trip home to his dad and The Book Nook is long overdue. If only his own life wasn’t such a complete and utter mess he’d have visited by now. But then he hears Nora Bell is back in town and it’s the push he needs to change everything.
When the two meet again it’s clear the spark of attraction still burns bright, but their unresolved past overshadows any possible future. Can they work together to save the bookshop and find their fairytale ever after, or will hidden secrets and surprising truths keep them apart?
Perfect for fans of second chance romances, dreamy bookshops and escapist seaside settings!
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Author Bio – Katie Ginger writes romantic comedies as Annabel French for Avon, HarperCollins and historical fiction as Emma Royal for Century, Penguin Random House. When she’s not writing she spends her time reading, looking after her family and volunteering as Vice Chair or the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
The next warm and uplifting instalment in The Little Board Game Cafe series, perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Christie Barlow.
In the cosy Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick, single mum Taylor dreams of a fashion design career, but she spends her days fixing zips, hemming skirts and worrying about her son, Max.
At the local board game cafe, railway enthusiast Harry, still recovering from a painful breakup, dreams of fatherhood. When Taylor and Harry cross paths, sparks fly, but Harry’s confidence issues and Taylor’s concerns for Max threaten their budding romance.
Can they find a second chance at love where they least expect it?
MY THOUGHTS
I absolutely loved revisiting the Little Board Game Cafe and the community. Revisiting the characters from past books and meeting new characters was like visiting old friends and meeting new. I still love the concept of a board game cafe where all ages can play board games and have coffee while having friendly chats and a little fun competition. Would be so much fun to have one around here.
I’ve found a new favorite series. The series is fun, light and just what I need. I’d recommend it to everyone.
The Yorkshire village of Hebbleswick is single Mom to Max’s home. She’s dreamed of being a fashion designer for as long as she can remember but without encouragement at home it didn’t come about. She’s a seamstress now fixing buttons, seams, alterations at times and the occasional more complicated job.
She wants the best for her son Max, but he’s not popular at school and seems to be the odd duck out. Poor kid. While talks with the headmistress seem to do nothing, she isn’t sure what to do beyond being very frustrated.
Moving house seems like a fabulous idea, she has more room to work with and can set up her sewing in a way to start bringing in a bit more money. Some funny mishaps had me laughing out loud. When I saw the trouble, the landlord was giving her and not wanting to do repairs it made me mad, because this is how many landlords are.
A mistaken measurement leads to just what Taylor needs, a friendship with a shy and caring man, Harry. Harry is a railway enthusiast just like Taylor’s son is. I love the idea of upcycling clothing; it sounds like so much fun.
Can a possible friendship become more with the busy mom and the man dreaming of fatherhood? I really enjoyed Max’s character and am rooting for him and his happiness all the way. I hope to see him in a future book. It would be so neat to see him as a grownup in a future book with his own relationship going and see how far he’s come.
Fully recommended!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Author Bio – Jennifer Page wrote her first novel – a book about ponies – when she was eight. These days she prefers to write romance. When she isn’t writing, Jennifer can usually be found playing board games which are the inspiration for her first novel. She has worked as a television producer, a music teacher and has even run a children’s opera company. She now lives near Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire with her husband and his large collection of games.
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.
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.
VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR
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.
I’ll admit this is one of the cutest covers I’ve seen on a book in a while, and I can’t wait to get started on it when it releases.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Love, Julie
A Poignant and Humorous Journey of Self-discovery, Resilience, and Redemption
Once, Julie dreamed of a life filled with love and laughter. Now, in her mid-forties, she faces a starkly different reality. She’s single, lonely, and reeling from breaking her hard-earned sobriety in front of her family and friends.
Opting for self-recovery over romance, Julie dives into planning her best friend Kate’s wedding. However, sharing this task with the irritatingly cheerful best man, single dad Luke, proves to be an unexpected challenge.
As Luke’s persistent kindness chips away at her icy exterior, a friendship forms, stirring a longing she’d sworn to suppress. But with self-forgiveness as her biggest hurdle, and her past ready to sabotage her future, can Julie confront the shame and trauma that have darkened so much of her life and find the courage to love again? Or will her demons shatter both her and Luke’s hearts in the process?
Jamie Anderson, author of the hilarious and heartwarming Someone to Kiss, is back with another witty, acerbic, and relatable story. Love, Julie is a richly emotional tale of recovery, forgiveness, and romance that readers have praised for “nailing the humor and snarky nature of our generation.”
Sign up to be the first to know when Love, Julie is available for pre-order, plus grab a FREE romance novella by Jamie instantly! 📚 🎁
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Publication Date: 30th April 2024
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author Bio –
Jamie Anderson is based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. A proud Canadian and Saskatchewanian, she wanted to set her first two novels in the place she was born and raised.
She’s been writing for as long as she can remember, and has been reading for longer than that. She lives happily with her mountain of books, her TV and her two plants.
Jenny Tanner opens the box she has cherished for decades. Contained within are her most precious mementoes, amongst them a pebble, a carving and a newspaper cutting she can hardly bear to read. But Jenny knows the time is finally here. After the war, in a mountainside village in Italy, she left behind a piece of her heart. However painful, she must return to Cinque Alberi. And lay the past to rest.
After a troubled upbringing, Candice Barnes dreams of a future with the love of her life – but is he the man she believes him to be? When Candice is given the opportunity to travel to Italy with Jenny, she is unaware the trip will open her eyes to the truth she’s been too afraid to face. Could a place of goodbyes help her make a brave new beginning?
MY THOUGHTS
What a heartfelt and emotional book this was.
A young woman, not having the best upbringing is low in self-confidence. She works at a nursing home and feels like someone finally cares about her, her new boyfriend. She has made a connection with the oldest resident there, a woman named Jenny Tanner. Jenny is over 100 years old and knows time is running out for her. She has a memory box with special mementos that signify times in her life that are important to her.
Jenny has made a strong connection with her nursing assistant, Candice Barnes. With time slipping away Jenny knows it’s a now or never kind of thing and she must return to the place of her birth, Italy, she has some places she must revisit and some things she must make right. Her memories will not let her not due this, and she will with Jenny’s help.
Told in flashbacks of Jenny’s younger life and its importance and modern times. As Candice spends more time with Jenny, we see an awareness she develops about her current situation. I enjoyed seeing the growth and development Candice shows.
The past and present meet in this glorious book, so emotional and heartfelt and full of beautiful surprises. This is a book that had been passed over many times on my reading shelf because I wasn’t sure how I’d like it. I’m here to say if you have books, you’ve been putting off get to them and you may just love them like I did this one. Highly recommended!
Pub Date 05 Aug 2021 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathryn Hughes was born near Manchester, UK in 1964. After thirty years working as a secretary and bringing up two children, she finally realised her dream of writing a book. Her debut novel, The Letter, set in her home town, was first published in 2013 and since then has become an international best-seller, translated into 30 languages. Her other books include The Secret and The Key. This summer sees the release of her fourth book, Her Last Promise, a sweeping tale of a daughter’s quest to unravel the secrets of her mother’s disappearance.
Thank you for stopping in today. Have a wonderful day.
350 pages August 30,2022 publication date Boldwood Books grab a copy here
ABOUT THE BOOK
After the end of a long-term relationship, local weather girl Bea Armstrong has been avoiding her family, and their inevitable ‘I-told-you-sos.’ But with Christmas fast approaching, she is finally on her way home to Charis House, the school in Sherwood Forest that her mum and dad run in their old family home. And to top it all off, the insufferable Henry Fairfax – who her parents have always wanted her to marry – has also been invited.
Relief comes in the shape of a last minute interview for her dream job. There are just a few minor problems… The interview is in Scotland, Bea has no car, and the snow is falling already. The only solution is for Henry to drive her – could this Christmas get any worse…
But during an unforgettable two day interview, a stay in a log cabin and a nightmare journey through the snow, Henry turns out to be nothing like she thought. And when Bea’s first love and recent ex shows up, Bea has a difficult choice to make…
Reading Beth Moran’s fabulous novels makes every day better. Feelgood, satisfying, with smart characters and gorgeous settings, it’s impossible not to fall in love with a Beth Moran story. Perfect for all fans of Jill Mansell, Julie Houston, and Jenny Colgan.
MY THOUGHTS
A fun, festive and tender holiday read. I read this one in a day. Bea Armstrong is our main character; she is the local weather girl and just ending a long-term relationship. Out with the old and in with the new, right? Bea isn’t so sure though when her old flame keeps promising her the moon but never delivers.
What a delight, she’ll be able to spend Christmas with her family, but a last-minute interview as a weather girl is in her way and she must go. Never mind the snow is piling up on her way to Scotland.
Bea has some important decisions to make. I enjoyed the characters and plot. This festive snowy read is perfect for this time of year, and it was such an engaging story.
Pub Date: 30 Aug 2022 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Beth Moran initially worked as a biochemist and then taught antenatal classes before becoming an author. She loves to write contemporary women`s fiction set in and around Sherwood Forest, where she lives with her family.
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