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Reading the Green: The Lost House of Ireland: A totally uplifting Irish romance about second chances (Starlight Cottages Book 4)

252 pages Publication date June 8, 2022 Bookouture publisher

ABOUT THE BOOK

An enchanting story about forgotten family secrets that will transport you to the charming village of Sandy Cove on the beautiful Irish coast.

Allegra Casey is searching for a new beginning. So when she discovers an engagement ring buried in the sand near her home in Cape Cod, the last place she expects it to lead her is to the west coast of Ireland. But when she arrives in the tiny village of Sandy Cove, she finds herself falling in love with the crashing waves, the picturesque coast and the warm-hearted people.

As soon as she settles into her cottage at the old coastguard station, Allegra meets her eccentric neighbours. They believe the ring belonged to Davina Courtney, whose family still live on the Strawberry Hill estate just outside the village. And when Allegra visits the old mansion, she meets the charming, enigmatic Max Courtney-Smythe, the great-nephew of the former owner.

As they try to solve the mystery of the long-lost ring, Allegra and Max grow closer, and it soon becomes clear that their feelings for one another are mutual. And as she spends more time with the local community, Allegra wonders if she’s finally found the place she can call home.

But the reappearance of the engagement ring causes problems among the heirs of the estate and, as Max suddenly grows distant, Allegra wonders whether she should never have travelled to Sandy Cove. Is this where she will finally find true love, or is she destined to leave this magical place alone?

MY THOUGHTS

What is supposed to be a three week stay in Ireland turns into so much more.
While at the beach Allegra finds a ring in the sand near her Cape Cod home she knows she must try to find its owner. Her travels take her to picturesque Sandy Cove, Ireland. The coastal area is arresting and the locals friendly.
Long held secrets start to unravel. found family, such a beautiful read. I loved the characters and it kept me reading long into the night. So delightful and heartwarming.
This really kicks my dreams up a notch to visit Ireland and try to find any of my ancestors.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Susanne O’Leary is the bestselling author of more than 30 novels, mainly romantic fiction set in Ireland. Her many books set in County Kerry have been hugely popular with readers all over the world. She shares her time between Dublin and Kerry, where she and her husband have a little cottage near the beach. The wild, beautiful landscape, the small villages and the friendly people of that county have inspired her to write her feel-good stories. She’s been inspired to write about people of all ages and walks of life, with lots of romance, and more than a dash of humour.

When she is not writing or reading by the fire, Susanne loves heading for the great outdoors, walking on the beaches or scaling the green hills of her favourite county.

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Reading the Green: Death by Irish Coffee (A Bookstore Cafe Mystery)

320 pages Publisher Kensington Cozies Publication date

January 27, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

In Pine Hills, Ohio, the bars are hopping—and bodies are dropping—as bookstore-café owner Krissy Hancock gets drawn into a deadly St. Patrick’s Day mystery . . .

Krissy is ready to provide one of the essential ingredients for Irish coffee this St. Patrick’s Day—though without a liquor license, she’ll have to team up with a local bar owner to complete the recipe. It’s a perfect chance to distract herself from her upcoming wedding . . . and her worries about how her beloved cat will get along with his new canine stepsiblings.
As she doles out some much-needed caffeine the day after the festivities, she learns that the town is dealing with something worse than a hangover: homicide. Like many a reveler before him, the bar owner ended up green around the gills, but after he passed out, he never woke up. Now, between brewing, bookselling, and house-hunting, Krissy is reviewing a whole parade of suspects . . .

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve read quite a few books by the author and have enjoyed every one of them.
This Bookstore Coffeeshop and its owner are once again involved in solving a crime.
The author writes easy to read and easy to picture it happening as you read cozy mysteries.
This one revolves around St. Patrick’s Day and its celebrations.
Krissy has a popular bookstore/ coffeeshop and wants to have a celebratory festive holiday drink but being that she doesn’t have a liquor license she has to team up with a local bar owner and she’ll provide the coffee for this festive drink, Irish coffee. While the drinks are popular and selling fast the bar owner feels pretty sick but makes light of it.
In this bar you can get a delightful drink, but it may not be such a popular choice when it’s found to be served up with a side of murder after the bar owner is found dead.
The mystery was a good one and there was quite the suspect list. I didn’t figure out who did it before it was revealed.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Alex Erickson was born in Ohio and has had a passion for writing since childhood. His interest in the motives behind crimes has inspired him to create captivating mystery novels. He often incorporates elements of humor and light-heartedness into his writing, making his stories enjoyable for a wide audience. Alex Erickson was born in Ohio and has had a passion for writing since childhood. His interest in the motives behind crimes has inspired him to create captivating mystery novels. He often incorporates elements of humor and light-heartedness into his writing, making his stories enjoyable for a wide audience.

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Riches Beyond Measure: Christian Historical Western Frontier Romance with Adventure, Cowboys, and a Treasure Hunt (Golden State Treasure)

288 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date

October 7, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

When they leave the ranch in search of stolen treasure, will the spark between them survive the perils ahead?

When an earthquake strikes Two Harts Ranch, it shakes the life of Annie Lane along with that of Cord Westbrook, who has been working as a cowboy on Annie’s family ranch in anticipation of purchasing his own. The only thing delaying his plan is the deep attraction he feels toward Annie, a widow with a child and an established life as a teacher at the Hart School for Orphans. Unfortunately for Cord, she seems determined to avoid romance.

The aftermath of the earthquake reveals that prized artifacts from the long-sought MacKenzie’s Treasure have been stolen from the ranch. But the return of the MacKenzie family from out east has everyone focused on what other precious finds might be waiting at the end of the legendary two-part map. As Cord, Annie, and the MacKenzies set out in search of riches, they face dangers more treacherous than earthquakes. With gold in their sights and love within reach, Cord and Annie realize that some treasures may fade, but life’s true riches are far more valuable than earthly goods.

Embark on a rousing California wilderness adventure filled with danger, deception, and second chances in this riveting conclusion to Mary Connealy’s Golden State Treasure series–ideal for fans of frontier romances, cowboys, and treasure hunts.

MY THOUGHTS

Riches Beyond Measure is the conclusion to the Golden State Treasure series by Mary Connealy.
You know this one is going to be full of adventure when it starts out with an earthquake.
There were so many twists and turns and suspense that I could hardly put it down.
Despite this and a character or two not having the best of intentions towards others I loved this series and the excitement. Cowboys, treasure hunting, an old ship the excitement just keeps going. I enjoyed the characters and the men were so protective of their ladies and with new relationships being forged life does move on after loss. Nice faith-based novel and I will certainly be looking forward to many more by the author.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys always with a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy and Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist. She is the bestselling author of over 80 books and novellas.

Her most recent book series is: Rocky Mountain Marshals including Ambush of the Heart, and Golden State Treasure, including Whispers of Fortune and Legends of Gold, and Riches Beyond Measure.

Other series include A Western Light Series, Brothers in Arms, Wyominng Sunrise, The Lumber Baron’s Daughters, The Brides of Hope Mountain, High Sierra Sweethearts, Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, and Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing, an indy pubbed series called Garrison’s Law, and many novellas.

Mary has over a million and a half books in print.

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Valentine’s Day Read: At Death’s Dough: A Deep Dish Mystery (Deep Dish Mysteries Book 5)

311 pages Publisher Minotaur Books Publication date October 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

The next book in the delectable Deep Dish Mystery series by Mindy Quigley, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria.

It’s February in the ritzy lakeside resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin, and love is in the air. Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary is gearing up to celebrate her first Valentine’s Day with hunky police detective Calvin Capone, great-grandson of the infamous Chicago mobster. But their romance is put on ice when a shocking discovery plunges them into a century-old crime with ties to Capone’s notorious forefather.

As old secrets surface, Delilah realizes that nearly everyone in town—from Capone’s cagey cousin to her own quirky customers—has something to hide. With the pressure mounting and the past closing in, Delilah must help Capone follow a trail of clues that could lead them to a priceless treasure… or into a deadly trap. Can Delilah serve up justice before history repeats itself? Or will she and Capone end up sleeping with the anchovies?

MY THOUGHTS

Even police detective’s need a break for pizza once in a while and what better place than to stop than the Deep Dish pizza place in the lakeside resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. Police detective Calvin Capone frequently stops in to see his lady, yes that Capone. The great grandson of the infamous Chicago mobster. His lady is, Pizza chef Delilah O’Leary. This new romance is extra special because they’re getting ready to celebrate Valentines Day.
When a body is found on ice or rather under the ice any romantic thoughts will have to wait for now.
I didn’t care for the gangster lore associated with the last name and there was quite a bit of it.
I did very much enjoy meeting the cat Butterball, who is quite the tub.
But how is an underwater death connected to a treasure trove of gems? This is a fun series that I’ll be continuing on with.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mindy Quigley is the author of two cozy mystery series. Her most recent, the Deep Dish Mysteries (St. Martin’s Press), has been featured in Parade, Woman’s World, and The Seattle Times.

Mindy’s non-writing career has been stranger than fiction, taking her from the US to the UK, where she worked as the personal assistant to the scientist who cloned Dolly the sheep, and as project manager for a neurology research clinic founded by the author J.K. Rowling.

She lives in Virginia, with her Civil War history professor husband and their children.

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Blog Tour for: The Other Lizzie Bennet

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Other Lizzie Bennet

Lizzie Bennet, new recruit at the Little Duck Pond Café, is well used to people teasing her about her name. Actually, she rather likes the fact she shares it with one of author Jane Austen’s most popular heroines. But when life weirdly starts to imitate fiction, it’s suddenly a very different matter. With two potential heroes appearing over the horizon, it’s obvious which one Lizzie should go for – isn’t it?

MY THOUGHTS

I’m not a Jane Austen fan but I am a huge fan of Rosie Green and her Little Duck Pond Cafe series.
Now that I’ve read the latest book in this series, it does have me intrigued to start a Jane Austen book. I’ve read none of them and don’t even know where to start.
The regency fair and the reenactment really had me intrigued to keep reading.
I enjoyed how our characters worked together to solve a mystery as well.
I’ll admit I love the characters in the series. The meeting of new ones in each book and the familiarity of the old standbys.
I laughed out loud several times at some of the scenes, oh my.
The whole thing, the beautiful setting, the characters, their personalities, so realistic. I just loved it all and as always look forward to more in this lovely series!

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

Purchase Links

Author Bio – Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for lots more café drama and romance in 2026, including ‘Rumours, Romance & Rhubarb Crumble’ (out in March) and ‘A Cornish Escape’, which will be published in May.

Follow Rosie on Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88

https://www.instagram.com/rosiegreen_author/

Have a wonderful day! Thank you for stopping in.

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Black History Month Read: Against the Currant: A Spice Isle Bakery Mystery (Spice Isle Bakery Mysteries Book 1)

304 pages Publisher St. Martin’s Griffin Publication date

January 24, 2023

ABOUT THE BOOK

Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New Lyndsay Murray is opening Spice Isle Bakery with her family, and it’s everything she’s ever wanted. The West Indian bakery is her way to give back to the community she loves, stay connected to her Grenadian roots, and work side-by-side with her family. The only thing getting a rise out of Lyndsay is Claudio Fabrizi, a disgruntled fellow bakery owner who does not want any competition. On opening day, he comes into the bakery threatening to shut them down. Fed up, Lyndsay takes him to task in front of what seems to be the whole neighborhood. So when Claudio turns up dead a day later?murdered?Lyndsay is unfortunately the prime suspect. To get the scent of suspicion off her and her bakery, she has to prove she’s innocent?under the watchful eyes of her overprotective brother, anxious parents, and meddlesome extended family. What could go wrong?

MY THOUGHTS

The start of a brand-new cozy mystery series.
First let’s start off by saying the titles of these cozies are just so clever.
A new woman owned business (with help from her family) opens in Little Caribbean, Brooklyn, New York. I loved seeing how this family comes together, especially Grandma to keep their culture connected to their Grenadian roots. The West Indian bakery is a way to stay connected to the neighborhood and everyone in the neighborhood is excited for its upcoming opening. The line is long on opening morning and every morning after.
Everyone is happy except for another local baker who is worried about the competition and tells her to back off.
When her reply is seen as a threat and then he winds up dead shortly after this young entrepreneur is prime suspect number one.
Sleuthing and baking seem to go hand in hand for a while as the case gets solved.
I enjoyed seeing the closeness of the family and the delicious foods and cultures being talked about in the book. Entertaining read. Delicious sounding recipes included.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Olivia Matthews is the cozy mystery pseudonym for national best-selling and award-winning author Patricia Sargeant.

Patricia’s work has been featured in national publications such as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Kirkus Reviews, Suspense Magazine, Mystery Scene Magazine, Library Journal and RT Book Reviews. She’s also been interviewed on podcasts including Destination Mystery with Laura Brennan, Conversations LIVE! with Cyrus Webb, Read You Later with Lasheera Lee and Katara’s Café with Katara Johnson.

Stay connected with Patricia:

Website: http://www.PatriciaSargeant.com.

Email: BooksByPatricia@yahoo.com.

Enewsletter: http://eepurl.com/cOOIPf.

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2Jmbp9E.

Twitter: @BooksByPatricia.

Facebook: @AuthorPatriciaSargeant.

Watch her author brand video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivASYzGogfs.

Patricia has been a keynote speaker and presenter at various events. She’s conducted numerous writing craft workshops for writers groups and book conferences, and offers online fiction writing courses through her The Write Spot website. To contact Patricia about attending your event, email her at BooksByPatricia@yahoo.com.

Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog Tour for The Cottage at the Edge of the Woods

ABOUT TTHE BOOK

The Cottage at the Edge of the Woods

Some houses won’t let go of the past. Some people won’t, either…

When single mum Libby is offered a life-changing sum of money to clear out an old cottage in the woods, she expects dust and decay. She doesn’t expect a house full of secrets, a room full of birds, and a woman who refuses to leave.

The handsome but stressed architect who hired Libby is also a puzzle. Why can’t Ross empty Elm Cottage himself? What can he possibly see in Libby, who has been burned by love and is wary of attachment? How can they persuade the mysterious but kindly Isobel to move on?

As Libby is pulled into the cottage’s story, she must face up to her own deepest fears. Can she help Isobel, fight the past that haunts her, and learn to open her own heart to love once more?

Jane Lovering’s new novel is a delicious, romantic mystery where secrets, love and healing weave through every page.

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/CottageattheEdge

MY THOUGHTS

Down on her luck Mum, Libby thinks it’s a dream come true when she gets a job clearing a house, but this house has secrets and it’s not letting go of them easily. Even more mysterious is the man who hired her, Ross an architect. Why can’t he just get on with it and empty the house himself? Heartbreaking and yet heartwarming all at once!
I love the author’s books and have read quite a few of them. Yes, they’re romantic, relaxation books but make no mistake these books are not fluff. Each one has important thought-provoking issues.
The book starts off ordinarily enough, but we meet a character that at first, I was unsure of them they seemed a bit frightening in a sense.
But the more I got to know this character the less frightening they got, and I was intrigued by them and kept wanting to read more.
I became emotionally invested in the characters and wanted to know more.
I loved the characters and the setting and greatly look forward to reading more of the author’s books.

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

Author Bio –

Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who won the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2023 with A Cottage Full of Secrets. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @jane.lovering

Twitter: @janelovering

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JaneLoveringNews

Bookbub profile: @janelovering

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Marrying the Matchmaker: An Irish Matchmaking American Historical Romance Novel Set in 1800s St. Louis (A Shanahan Match)

336 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date February 3, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

As the middle child of the Shanahan family, Zaira does her best to keep the peace. She doesn’t share her dream of becoming a published author with her family to spare herself their disapproval. When she’s caught in a scandal involving the local matchmaker, Bellamy McKenna, she must put her storytelling ability to good use and feign a match with him to avoid wagging tongues and her parents’ anger.

Feeling the growing pressure to marry as a well-known, yet single matchmaker to St. Louis’s Irish community, Bellamy reluctantly agrees to a temporary match with Zaira. But even though the matchmakers in his family might be able to find love for others, they have a history of disastrous relationships for themselves. When secrets and danger force Zaira and Bellamy to work together, is it finally the matchmaker’s turn to be lucky in love?

MY THOUGHTS

Marrying the Matchmaker is the fourth and final book in the A Shanahan Match series.
An Irish Matchmaking American Historical Romance Novel Set in 1800s St. Louis.
I’ve read and loved all of them. It would be hard to pick a favorite but if pushed to, I’d have to say it’d be this one.
Fake it til you make it or in this book a fake relationship becomes of so real with sizzling chemistry. Swoon worthy writing that’ll keep you reading!

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 seventy books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet, clean romances with plenty of sizzle (but without the spice).

Thank you for stopping in.

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Valentine’s Day Read: The Fall Risk: A Short Story

81 pages Amazon Original Stories Pub Date Mar 01 2025 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Two good neighbors make the best of a bad Valentine’s Day in a funny and improbably romantic short story by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer.

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much. But when disaster traps them one flight up and no way down, an outrageously precarious predicament forces a tree-loving guy and a rattled girl next door to embrace their captivity. Soon their defenses are breaking away. Considering how close they both are to the edge, Charlotte and Seth could be in danger of falling—in love.

MY THOUGHTS

Novella length but it packs a punch.
It’s Valentine’s weekend but our mc’s are not looking for love.
She’s sworn off men, he’s her across the hall neighbor and an arborist. Recently divorced he has trust issues himself. This forced proximity quick read is a fun with witty banter and a fast-falling romantic read.

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Abby Jimenez is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of laugh-out-loud, pull-at-your-heartstrings romantic fiction. Her novels have sold over 1.5 million copies and been translated into 28 languages. Some of her favorite highlights include a Good Morning America Book Club pick, a BOTM’s Book of the Year Award, and the Minnesota Book Award. Before her writing career, Abby was in the national spotlight as a Cupcake Wars champion and founder of Nadia Cakes bakery, which has since gone on to win numerous Food Network competitions and amass an international following. She lives near Minneapolis with her husband, three daughters, and four dogs—all TikTok famous in their own right. Abby loves romance novels, coffee, doglets, and not leaving the house.

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A Wager with the Matchmaker: An Arranged Marriage American Historical Romance Novel Set in 1800s St. Louis (A Shanahan Match)

352 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date May 6, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

After her brother’s entanglement with an Irish gang threatens their family’s safety, Alannah Darragh flees St. Louis and her troubled past, seeking refuge as a maid for the affluent Shanahan family. Alannah’s resolve to avoid romance is tested by the undeniable attraction she feels for Kiernan Shanahan. Determined to maintain her position and the safety it provides, she vows to resist the pull of her heart despite the growing bond between them and their undeniable chemistry.

In the wake of a devastating fire, Kiernan Shanahan sees a shrewd opportunity to invest in a clay mine and brickyard to aid the city’s rebuilding. To secure his venture, he seeks a wealthy bride with a substantial dowry. However, the matchmaker he consults has different plans. As danger looms and Alannah fights to keep her brother safe, Kiernan’s protective instincts draw them closer, but a future together seems too far out of reach. It will take a miracle–or a wager with the wily matchmaker–to form a match between the unlikely couple.

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoy the author’s writing, and this series is a prime example of that.
This is a special series, and I love how it’s Irish based with so many of the characters and the dialogue.
Each book in the series reintroduces us to characters from previous books we’ve met, and the stories closely follow each other.
Irish matchmaking series with closed door romance and marriage of convenience themes. I now have the last book in the series to finish.

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).

Thank you for stopping in.