Seasoned with Love

I'm a long time fan of Ms. Moore, 

When I pick up one of her books, I know exactly what I'm getting: clean romance with just kisses, emotional barriers to overcome, and solid writing. 

And this book doesn't disappoint. 

You'll be falling in love right along with Cara and Roman as they overcomet their individual and collective obstacles to end up together, along with a cute little girl. 

Lots of heart and family in this book. 

AMAZON

She’s not looking for a relationship, only to grow her career. And he's solely focused on raising his young daughter. Nothing can turn his head, until he meets Cara Prosper.

USA Today bestselling author Heather B. Moore welcomes you to Prosperity Ranch!

Cara Prosper has tried and failed at romance, so it's better to focus on what she can do well. Cook. When she's hired to cook for an elite holiday event at a ranch in Wyoming, her childhood memories rise up again. Family has always been important to her, but it's never been everything. After meeting big shot film producer, Roman De Marco, she discovers that first impressions can be dead wrong. And Roman might be exactly what she's been missing.

(All characters in this book are fictional and not based on real people. The town of Prosper is also fictional and not named after any other towns named Prosper.)

Books in the series:
One Summer Day
Steal My Heart
Not Over You
Seasoned with Love
Take a Chance=

A Family for Christmas

This was my first read by Mona Ingram. 

It's a cute story and there's more than one romance to follow. Plenty of mishaps and misunderstandings to keep you entertained. 

A little slow in parts for my taste. 

What are your go-to Christmas books?

AMAZON

Love is the greatest gift of all… Maddie only has one shot to get life back on track before Christmas. With a new gift wrapping business set up in the lobby of the Drummond Building, the last thing on her mind is falling for Chase, the heir to the Drummond fortune. But it isn’t Chase who captures her heart. Annie, only ten years old and recently orphaned, needs more than gifts for Christmas, and Maddie might just have enough love left in her heart to help.

A Cheerful Heart Anthology

I'm so pleased to be a part of this anthology and working with other authors to support a women's health organization. My book Her Heart-stopping Rookie is my first sports romance, though I'm a long time hockey fan. 

All content is clean and some is Christian romance. There's something for every romance reader here. 

GET MY BOOK!!!

Learn more about the charity here: 

Cradle of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Why did we choose Cradle of Hope? We’re so glad you asked!

As Christians, we affirm the sanctity of every human life, created in God’s image, and believe each person deserves the right to life. That’s why 100% of the proceeds from this book will support Cradle of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.

Cradle of Hope offers free services, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, medical consultations, adoption information, and resources for expectant parents, all rooted in their faith in Jesus Christ.

Their purpose is to “reveal and communicate the life-changing message of Jesus Christ by providing practical help and loving support to those facing an unplanned pregnancy—one woman, one baby at a time.” And that is why we have chosen to support their center in this year’s anthology.

Your purchase already advances their mission, but you can learn more or offer additional support—through prayer or other means—by visiting their website or Facebook page.

Cradle of Hope

Cradle of Hope Facebook Page

Make-Believe Fiance

I've read several of Ms. Holt's books, and she's a good storyteller. 

This series kicks off nicely with the fake relationship trope front and center. And, of course, whenever a couple fakes being together, chances are they develop real feelings and end up confessing. 

This book is no exception. 

Strong characters, lovely settings, not enough kisses IMO. 

The one downfall, this book needs a serious edit. There were errors on almost every page and sometimes twice on a page. Maybe you could get by with that in 2018, but not now. I found around 90. 

What books do you like that use the fake relationship trope?

AMAZON

Take one billionaire cowboy in need of a fiancée, add one divorced teacher with trust issues and mix in a fake engagement. What could possibly go wrong?

Gwen Alder is starting over — divorced and broke, she’s come to Billings, Montana for a new beginning. But waitressing in a roadside diner for the summer isn’t paying the bills, and she finds herself in over her head with no hope of catching up.

Heath Montgomery has it all — fame, fortune and a mega-watt smile, but one thing he doesn’t have is a date for his cousin’s wedding.

When the two of them cross paths, Heath has an idea — what if he paid her to be his date? No strings, no complications, just a simple business transaction — a way to finally win his father’s trust, and get his parents off his back about settling down once and for all.

She’s poor and plain. He’s wealthy and arrogant.

They didn’t want anything more than a simple arrangement. They never planned to fall in love. But sometimes cupid has a mind of his own.

The Noble Heir aka Running from the Prince

Ms. Keanini kicks off this series with a firecracker story. 

I love a good enemies, second chance romance, and this one satisfies, especially with the incognito twist. 

Characters and pacing are solid, though I could've used a few more kisses. I mean can a romance have too many? 

This is a slow burn that will satisfy and have you grabbing the next book to get more time with the royals. 

What type of royal romances do you recommend?

AMAZON

I need a queen. I wanted her...until she ran.

Prince Theo Kane has always known duty comes first. As crown prince of Valdoria, his priorities have been country and family above all. And that's always been easy for him--until duty and the queen demand that he find a wife. However, he already tried proposing to the one woman he really wants, but she left him behind.

Alex Turner, aka Princess Alexandra Torre, fought her way to the top of the world's most prestigious photography course. As long as no one figures out who she really is, her dream of being a photographer on Jacques Ledoux's renowned crew is within her grasp. Nothing is going to hold her back, including her pesky feelings for a certain swoon-worthy royal.

When Theo's and Alex's paths collide, old feelings are reignited...but those feelings have burned them. Fool him once, shame on her. Fool him twice?

Marrying the Prince

Absolutely loved the premise of the book. The prince wants the only girl to ever tell him no. Fantastic. 

Lots of layers to their relationship as he's a prince, and she's an employee at the palace. There's family drama all around. 

Tristan has some growing up to do, and Ms. Keanini isn't afraid to make her characters suffer to get them to grow. 

There's lots for Tristan and Jewel to unpack individually and together. 

What friends to lovers books do you like?

AMAZON 

Women fall at his feet. Except for her.

Prince Tristan Kane has a good life. Awesome friends, supportive family, a career that keeps him on his toes, and a new woman on his arm every weekend. But when he finally secures a date with the one who has always kept him at bay, Tristan begins to question if he's been wrong about love all along.

Jewel Huber is the only woman in the world to say no to Tristan Kane. And she isn't keeping him at arm's length because she dislikes him; in fact, it's the opposite. She knows as soon as she gives in to one date, he'll be gone in the wind, and she'll be nursing a broken heart.

But when their paths collide in the city of love, Jewel is swept off her feet and Tristan is left wondering what he should do--continue the way he always has or treasure the heart he's been gifted?

The Dictionary of Lost Words

This isn't my usual read, but I found the story fascinating. 

How many words have been lost from the English language because they were deemed unnecessary or too vulgar or not sophisticated enough to be included? 

This is the premise of the book, as we follow Esme from child to woman, and how words included and discarded affect her. 

The dictionary becomes her life's work. 

And through her determination to collect, she meets a variety of people she wouldn't have otherwise. 

Some relationships bring joy, and others sorrow. All bring experiences, which make up the fabric of her life. 

Be aware that some words are in the book that many label as offensive.

Thanks to Ms. Williams for all her research to craft such a layered book. 

Thanks to the audiobook narrator for breathing Esme's story to life. 

What books have you read that changed your perspective? 

AMAZON

Esme is born into a world of words. Motherless and irrepressibly curious, she spends her childhood in the Scriptorium, an Oxford garden shed in which her father and a team of dedicated lexicographers are collecting words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. Young Esme’s place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day a slip of paper containing the word bondmaid flutters beneath the table. She rescues the slip and, learning that the word means “slave girl,” begins to collect other words that have been discarded or neglected by the dictionary men.

As she grows up, Esme realizes that words and meanings relating to women’s and common folks’ experiences often go unrecorded. And so she begins in earnest to search out words for her own dictionary: the Dictionary of Lost Words. To do so she must leave the sheltered world of the university and venture out to meet the people whose words will fill those pages.

Set during the height of the women’s suffrage movement and with the Great War looming, The Dictionary of Lost Words reveals a lost narrative, hidden between the lines of a history written by men. Inspired by actual events, author Pip Williams has delved into the archives of the Oxford English Dictionary to tell this highly original story. The Dictionary of Lost Words is a delightful, lyrical, and deeply thought-provoking celebration of words and the power of language to shape the world.

Dancing with the Prince

I liked the characters, the setting, and the problems that go along with meeting a incognito royal. 

All the elements of a solid romance are here. Meet cute, check. Flirting, check. Kiss, check. Tear apart, check. 

Only one problem for me, where was the ending?

The novella was so short, I missed a satisfying ending. 

Even so, I'll read another book by Ms. Larsen.

What book have you read that you wanted more of an ending to? Let me know in the comments. 

AMAZON

She's on vacation to forget her ex. He's trying to win a business contract. Can they find a happy ever after on a Mediterranean cruise?

Lindy's Mediterranean cruise is nothing like she had planned. Her cousin, who was supposed to keep her occupied and help her forget her ex ends up seasick and stays in the cabin, and Lindy is left to her own devices. When a handsome stranger with a sexy Spanish accent runs into her one night, she’s surprised he’s not as overbearing as some of the other men she’s met so far so Lindy agrees to see him the next day.

Carlos is on the cruise to convince the spoiled son of a rich investor to bring his business to Carlos’s home country of Aragonia. As the second son of the royal family, Carlos doesn’t have much free time, so meeting the beautiful American tourist is just a fun diversion. Yet the more time he spends with her, the more he wants to push his princely duties aside and enjoy the fascinating woman’s company. After news leaks out that Prince Carlos is seeing an American commoner, Lindy is shocked to learn that she’s the subject of tabloid gossip around the world. Lindy knows Prince Carlos is too far out of her league and Carlos knows he should follow the rules of his title, but are either of them brave enough to see where things could lead if they just give it a chance?

Mrs. Saint and the Defectives

 Wow. Ms. Timmer packs alot into this novel. 

To be honest, I misread the title when I pieked it up from the library. I thought it said detectives and thought I was reading a mystery. 

While I wasn't quite right, there is a mystery at the heart of this story. 

Be prepared for the emotional roller coaster provided by each of the characters as their stories unfold through Markie's lens. 

We could use a few more Mrs. Saints in the world, those people who reach out to those in need and make a difference in their lives. 

Have you ever picked up a book thinking it was one thing and it turne out to be another? Did you still enjoy the book?

AMAZON

Markie, a fortysomething divorcée who has suffered a humiliating and very public fall from marital, financial, and professional grace, moves, along with her teenage son, Jesse, to a new town, hoping to lick her wounds in private. But Markie and Jesse are unable to escape the attention of their new neighbor Mrs. Saint, an irascible, elderly New European woman who takes it upon herself, along with her ragtag group of “defectives,” to identify and fix the flaws in those around her, whether they want her to or not.

What Markie doesn’t realize is that Mrs. Saint has big plans for the divorcée’s broken spirit. Soon, the quirky yet endearing woman recruits Markie to join her eccentric community, a world where both hidden truths and hope unite them. But when Mrs. Saint’s own secrets threaten to unravel their fragile web of healing, it’s up to Markie to mend these wounds and usher in a new era for the “defectives”—one full of second chances and happiness.

Harlem Rhapsody

This is my first read by Ms. Murray.

She is an excellent resarcher. You'll feel as if you're in the time period in all the locations. 

She masterfully navigates you cheering for the heroine while explaining the complicated affair she had without making any characters unllikelable, which is challenging to do. Of course, these were real peopls as this is historical fiction. 

It was wonderful to have this piece of history, the Harlem Rennaissance, brought to my attention, and learn about the experiences these people had with creating their art and sending it into the world. 

A great piece of fiction to learn history through a brilliant author's lens. 

The audiobook narrator was fantastic!

What historical fiction novel has taught you something new? 

AMAZON

In 1919, a high school teacher from Washington, D.C arrives in Harlem excited to realize her lifelong dream. Jessie Redmon Fauset has been named the literary editor of The Crisis. The first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine, Jessie is poised to achieve literary greatness. But she holds a secret that jeopardizes it all.

W. E. B. Du Bois, the founder of The Crisis, is not only Jessie’s boss, he’s her lover. And neither his wife, nor their fourteen-year-age difference can keep the two apart. Amidst rumors of their tumultuous affair, Jessie is determined to prove herself. She attacks the challenge of discovering young writers with fervor, finding sixteen-year-old Countee Cullen, seventeen-year-old Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, who becomes one of her best friends. Under Jessie’s leadership, The Crisis thrives…every African American writer in the country wants their work published there.

When her first novel is released to great acclaim, it’s clear that Jessie is at the heart of a renaissance in Black music, theater, and the arts. She has shaped a generation of literary legends, but as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.

The Neighbor's Secret

Ms. Montpetit crafted a laugh out loud meet cute. Intruder in the bathroom. Brilliant. 

It was fun to watch how the forced proximity of Ethan and Allie, slowly allowed them to unravel the other's secrets. 

Ms. M. does an excellent job of giving her characters emotional wounds that the person they're attracted to can heal. 

A great start to the series. 

What jilted bride books have you liked?

AMAZON

Ethan Smith:

Friend? Yes. Foe? Probably. Enemy? Maybe. Lover? Hopefully!

After being left at the altar on her wedding day, big city financier Allie Strickland returns to her quirky hometown by the ocean hoping for peace and quiet to get over her fiancé’s betrayal.

On the very first night, Allie’s nerves are shattered when an unexpected intruder breaks into the house while she’s taking a bubble bath. The man is devastatingly handsome but she soon learns that he’s using a fake name and has old ties to Heartland Cove. Forced by weird circumstances to share the same rental house, Allie’s suspicions grow—even as she finds herself attracted to him.

When her ex-fiancé shows up one night begging for a second chance, who can Allie trust—or will her own heart betray her?

The Executive's Secret

Ms.Montpetit never disappoints her readers. 

I enjoy second chance romanes, and, while this one was one sided in high school, I still think of this book that way. 

Great chemistry between the characters and plenty of obstacles both physical and emotional to overcome to keep the reader turning pages. 

Plus, who doesn't love a hero who has the means to help out the person he cares about and does so respectfully rather than saving her completely. 

What do you like about second chance romances? 

AMAZON

He was a juvenile delinquent. She was an aspiring pianist. When sparks fly at their high school reunion, they’re willing to forget the past—until old secrets surface, threatening to destroy their future.

Caleb Davenport travels the world building his company into a billion-dollar enterprise, but he's tired of being alone and can't stop thinking about Kira Bancroft since high school. He assumes she’s living her dream as a concert pianist—until one evening, fresh off the plane from Hong Kong, he gets the shock of his life when he runs into Kira waitressing at a Denver restaurant.

After a terrible accident that disabled her father, Kira abandons her piano career to help her parents pay the medical bills. When feelings erupt between her and Caleb at the high school reunion, she starts to hope that maybe she can dream again. But Caleb is keeping a secret that could ruin everything.

Does Caleb have a chance to win Kira’s heart—or will his family's secret past prevent him from capturing the girl who got away?

Understanding Elizabeth

 This is my first read by Ms. Helm. 

I appreciated her take on the well known story of Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy. She added in some ideas as to how they might've grown closer and developed their relationship. 

It's always fun to read another author's take on Jane Austen's creation. 

There was some slight rearranging of scenes and timelines, but I allowed for the creative liberties as they let the story unfold the way the author intended. 

If you like reading Jane Austen retellings or spinoffs, then this one is worth the read. 

Do you like Jane Austen retellings or spinoffs? Let me know in the comments. 

AMAZON

Mr. Darcy is tempted beyond what he can endure when Elizabeth Bennet leaves her private journal entries in the parlour of Netherfield. Upon reading her writing, he is appalled to find that she overheard his unflattering remarks at the Meryton Assembly and despises him for his thoughtless comments. He wishes with all his heart that he could undo the damage.

During a restless sleep, he dreams of two powerful beings who can give him his heart's desire - Elizabeth's admiration, respect, and love.

Will he take the offer to change the past so that he never makes the offensive statement? Will he make a deal with the Devil, or is the price too dear?

What would you do to get exactly what you want? How much would you be willing to pay?

The Trooper's Treasure

 The third book in Ms. Isaacson's Brush Creek series. 

These's characters had a lot to unpack, especially Dawn. 

The story is well set up with conflict and well rounded characters. And yes, dogs. 

I especially loved Nana's character. 

Another solid read in the series. 

AMAZON

The "wild child" of the Fuller family, a state trooper with a daughter, and his year-long crush that could build a family if he could just get out of the friends category...

Dawn Fuller has made some mistakes in her life, and she's not proud of the way McDermott Boyd found her off the road one day last year. She'd driven an hour to have a medical test done so her family wouldn't know, and while McDermott has asked Dawn out several times since then, her shame and embarrassment haven't allowed her to say yes.

She's spent a hard year wrestling with her choices and trying to fix them, glad for McDermott's acceptance and friendship. He lost his wife years ago, done his best with his daughter, and now he's ready to move on. He's dated other women, but he keeps gravitating back to Dawn as if she's the sun and his whole world revolves around her. He asks her out one more time, surprised when she finally accepts.

Can McDermott help Dawn find a way past her former mistakes and down a path that leads to love, family, and happiness?

Hart & Soul is NOW an Audiobook!

I'm happy to announce that Hart & Soul Book 1 of the Sweethearts Music Festival Romance Series is available as an audiobook on my YouTube channel! 

Please listen, like, subscribe, hit the notification bell, and tell your friends! 

How do you like hearing Hart & Soul brought to life in a new format?

FREE BOOK ON YOUTUBE!

The Marine's Marriage

Whenever I pick up a book by Ms. Isaacson I know I'm getting a good romance. 

This series starts off strong with Tate and Wren's story. 

Neighbors. Small town girl meets former military. Different backgrounds. Different ways of seeing the world. Broken hearts finding love. It's all here and a dog too. 

You'll want the whole series. 

AMAZON

A Marine, a maid, and a match made in heaven.

Tate Benson can't believe he's come to Nowhere, Utah, to fix up a house that hasn't been inhabited in years. But he has. Because he's retired from the Marines and looking to start a life as a police officer in small-town Brush Creek.

Wren Fuller has her hands full most days running her family's company. When Tate calls and demands a maid for that morning, she decides to have the calls forwarded to her cell and go help him out. She didn't know he was moving in next door, and she's completely unprepared for his handsomeness, his kind heart, and his wounded soul.

Can Tate and Wren weather a relationship when they're also next-door neighbors?

The Dream Hotel

This was my first read by well established author Laila Lalami.

Think of this like the premise of Minority Report. People are detained for crimes they haven't committed yet. 

For poor Sara, she's put under watch because of her dream content. Considering what we think we know about dreams, that's flimsy at best. 

But this type of action doesn't seem so far off from the world we live in. Technology is all around us. We're drowning in it. 

Are we ourselves or our digital footprint interpreted by AI that reflect our true nature? This is a big question in the novel. 

I felt for Sara and her injustice, especially as it prolonged. 

The way she navigates her time at the center is interesting. I liked getting to know the other characters, and especially the twist at the end. 

As I typically read clean fiction, heads up that there are a few swear words and an intimate scene. 

This book will get you thinking. 

AMAZON

Sara has just landed at LAX, returning home from a conference abroad, when agents from the Risk Assessment Administration pull her aside and inform her that she will soon commit a crime. Using data from her dreams, the RAA’s algorithm has determined that she is at imminent risk of harming the person she loves most: her husband. For his safety, she must be kept under observation for twenty-one days.

The agents transfer Sara to a retention center, where she is held with other dreamers, all of them women trying to prove their innocence from different crimes. With every deviation from the strict and ever-shifting rules of the facility, their stay is extended. Months pass and Sara seems no closer to release. Then one day, a new resident arrives, disrupting the order of the facility and leading Sara on a collision course with the very companies that have deprived her of her freedom.

Eerie, urgent, and ceaselessly clear-eyed, The Dream Hotel artfully explores the seductive nature of technology, which puts us in shackles even as it makes our lives easier. Lalami asks how much of ourselves must remain private if we are to remain free, and whether even the most invasive forms of surveillance can ever capture who we really are.

Her Stranded Billionaire Mix-up

Ms.Livingston tells a solid story.

Yes, we start with a job interview mix-up and a plane crash. 

I found it highly convenient that our heroine was well versed in survival skills. Though I did appreciate that the girl was given those skills over the guy for a nice twist up of traditional gender roles. 

Both have reasons to keep their distance from the other. Too bad there's all this amazing chemistry in the way. 

Don't think too much about the trauma bonding or tight timeline and enjoy the romance for what it is: clean and nicely told. 

Who would you want to be stranded with?

AMAZON

A woman left at the altar. A billionaire who bristles at love. Trapped together on a deserted island, can romance find them where rescue planes can’t?

Just two months ago, life was perfect for Harley Wilson. She was planning her wedding to the love of her life and quickly establishing herself as one of Houston’s most sought-after event coordinators. Then, without warning, her situation nosedived, leaving her single and jobless. Jumping at the first offer she received, she took an assistant position and packed a bag for Jamaica.

Since taking over the family business, Zachary Wolf has devoted himself to helping people. After his parent’s ugly divorce, he’s got no time or patience for love. Which put him in an insanely tight spot when his regular assistant called out sick before their trip to the Caribbean to drop off medical equipment. Determined to make the delivery on time, Zach begrudgingly boards the plane alongside the cute temporary hire.

Neither is thrilled with their arrangement, but that’s the least of their concerns. When a hurricane forces them to crash on a deserted island, their only hope of survival is to rely on each other. Can they learn to trust in the face of unspeakable odds? Or will all hope of their hearts healing be scorched under the sun’s brutal rays?

Protected by the Quarterback

Whenever I pick up a book by Ms. Kersey I know I'm getting a good read. 

This one starts with a bang. Girl escaping her abusive ex to land in an NFL quarterback's cabin. 

There's a ton of push and pull as they both work through their trust issues. Lots of good chemistry and witty banter. 

A lovely clean romance. Another gold star for Ms. Kersey. I'll be back to read more. 

AMAZON

When Shay Campbell flees her abusive boyfriend and ends up in the middle of nowhere, she stumbles upon an unoccupied cabin. At least she thinks it’s unoccupied. That is, until NFL Quarterback Josh Wisner shows up. Too bad he thinks she’s a groupie.

After kicking her out, Josh has second thoughts, but with her ex hunting her, Shay will have to decide if she’s safer with Josh or out on her own.

Broken Country

This is my first read by Ms. Hall. 

The story is masterfully crafted and told. 

Be prepared for the story to unravel by time jumps. We're constantly going from the present to the past and vise versa. 

There are certainly a lot of secrets to uncover. 

Love triangles aren't usually my preferred romance, but this book does it well. 

I typically read clean fiction, so heads up that there is some language and intimate scenes in the book, but none are overly graphic or out of place. 

I dare you to guess who did killed the poor farmer. I figured it out before the end, but it took a while. 

I listened to this as an audiobook. Kudos to the narrator for a job well done. 

Do you think families should keep secrets?

AMAZON

“The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”

Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.

As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.

A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.

Love at the Shore

This is my first read by Ms.Wilson. 

The story is well written with fully formed characters and the right amount of conflict. 

It's a clean romance, which means just kisses, though I might've liked one or two more sprinkled in. 

The dog was a charming addition to the novel. 

A solid read. 

AMAZON

She came to the beach to write… But she’s getting distracted by the surfer next door.

Jenna, a single mom and successful author, has five weeks to deliver her next young adult novel to the publisher. This year’s summer getaway with her kids will be a working vacation.

The only problem? Lucas, the devil-may-care surfer in the beach rental next to hers. He cranks up his music at night, hosts loud volleyball matches, and allows his dog to run around at will.

Jenna often blames him for her writer’s block. But before long, she begins to see a new side of her neighbor at the shore. Maybe opposites do attract…but will that attraction fade like a sunset once summer is gone?

Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Box Set: Books 1 - 5

This box set was my first read by Ms. Wesson. 

I was delighted with each story. 

All the characters were well fleshed out with flaws, backstory, and conflict to keep the couples apart even when they were together. G

Excellent use of tropes and setting. 

If you like historical western mail order bride romances, then this is perfect for you. And if you haven't tried a romance like this, then this set is a wonderful place to start. 

AMAZON

Follow the journey of Five Irish Ladies who head to Clover Springs looking for love and their own special happy ever after in this special discounted box deal.

Never Enough

If you're a parent, read this. 

If you're not a parent, read this. You're still part of the solution. 

I've seen firsthand how achievement culture can destroy young people when they believe that who they are and what they do are the determining factors to their selfworth, which hinges on how much they can produce rather than emphasizing effort and learning. 

Not that who they are is intrisically enough. 

Our youth need better than the toxicity around them. They need support, love, and the ability to fail without having the first two hanging in the balance. 

This book is an eye opener for sure. 

How do you teach your children about their worth?

AMAZON

The definitive book on the rise of “toxic achievement culture” overtaking our kids' and parents' lives, and a new framework for fighting back

In the ever more competitive race to secure the best possible future, today’s students face unprecedented pressure to succeed. They jam-pack their schedules with AP classes, fill every waking hour with resume-padding activities, and even sabotage relationships with friends to “get ahead.” Family incomes and schedules are stretched to the breaking point by tutoring fees and athletic schedules. Yet this drive to optimize performance has only resulted in skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and even self-harm in America’s highest achieving schools. Parents, educators, and community leaders are facing the same quandary: how can we teach our kids to strive towards excellence without crushing them?

In Never Enough, award-winning reporter Jennifer Breheny Wallace investigates the deep roots of toxic achievement culture, and finds out what we must do to fight back. Drawing on interviews with families, educators, and an original survey of nearly 6,000 parents, she exposes how the pressure to perform is not a matter of parental choice but baked in to our larger society and spurred by increasing income inequality and dwindling opportunities. As a result, children are increasingly absorbing the message that they have no value outside of their accomplishments, a message that is reinforced by the media and greater culture at large.

Through deep research and interviews with today’s leading child psychologists, Wallace shows what kids need from the adults in the room is not more pressure, but to feel like they matter, and have intrinsic self-worth not contingent upon external achievements. Parents and educators who adopt the language and values of mattering help children see themselves as a valuable contributor to a larger community. And in an ironic twist, kids who receive consistent feedback that they matter no matter what are more likely to have the resilience, self-confidence, and psychological security to thrive.

Packed with memorable stories and offering a powerful toolkit for positive change, Never Enough offers an urgent, humane view of the crisis plaguing today’s teens and a practical framework for how to help.

A Fake Marriage Romance Collection

Ms. Lieske masterfully weaves tale after tale of fake relationships. 

I couldn't possibly pick a favorite out of these five full-lenth novels. Each one has a different premise, and you'll be laughing all the way through. These characters go through the emotional wringer as they deal with their real feelings under fake circumstances. So much fun. 

AMAZON

Five feel-good romances, filled with heart-stopping kisses and scenes that will make you laugh out loud.

Book 1: Accidentally Married
Madison get swindled into pretending to be Jared's girlfriend for a family dinner. When she finds out he lied to her, she gets him back by telling his family they are engaged. A hilarious rom com with a great cast of characters.

Book 2: Reluctantly Married
Megan and Adam have knocked heads for some time. When forced to pretend to date on a TV show, real feelings get in the way. And when they say I do, Megan worries her heart will not be able to take it.

Book 3: Mistakenly Married
Things get a little crazy when Penny accidentally marries the wrong man. Then when he convinces her to stay married just until he gets his inheritance, she agrees. What she didn't expect is for her heart to get involved.

Book 4: Blissfully Married
Sydney pretends to be engaged to help her matchmaking business succeed. Luckily, she's got a fake ring on her finger when her childhood crush walks in the door. Blake stays at arms length from Sydney until he realizes she's been lying to him. He makes it his mission to get her to admit she's not really engaged.

Book 5: Acting Married
When Tara agrees to marry Rick Shade as a publicity stunt, she doesn't expect to fall for him. She can't get her heart involved, she needs stability in her life.

Simon Sort of Says

Ms. Bow takes on a powerful experience and focuses it through the eyes of a twelve year old with PTSD and survivor's guilt, immediately creating a character the reader can sympathize with and champion his creation of a future different from his past. 

This book is well researched, beautifully written, and emotionally gripping. It would be a shame to miss reading it. 

High praise for the audiobook narrator, who masterfully brought the book to vivid life. 

Would you jump with Simon or watch him fall?

Let me know in the comments.

AMAZON 

Simon O'Keeffe's biggest claim to fame should be the time his dad accidentally gave a squirrel a holy sacrament. Or maybe the alpaca disaster that went viral on YouTube. But the story the whole world wants to tell about Simon is the one he'd do anything to forget: the story in which he's the only kid in his class who survived a school shooting.

Two years after the infamous event, twelve-year-old Simon and his family move to the National Quiet Zone—the only place in America where the internet is banned. Instead of talking about Simon, the astronomers who flock to the area are busy listening for signs of life in space. And when Simon makes a friend who's determined to give the scientists what they're looking for, he'll finally have the chance to spin a new story for the world to tell.

From award-winning author Erin Bow, Simon Sort of Says is a breathtaking testament to the lasting echoes of trauma, the redemptive power of humor, and the courage it takes to move forward without forgetting the past.

In Gad We Trust

I personally prefer when the writer does the audiobook narration for their biography. I can get a better sense of their tone instead of having to guess. 

I learned so much about Mr. Gad, how his early years informed his work, how smart he is, and how his intentions shaped his career. 

Word of caution, there is quite a bit of swearing in this biography, more than what I usually tolerate. As he's relating his reality through his individual lens, keep that in mind when those words crop up, especially when he quotes song lyrics. 

I especially appreciated his candor when discussing his mental health. 

Curious to see if there will be a follow up bio in another forty years. 

AMAZON

For the first and possibly last time, Josh Gad dives into a wide array of personal topics: the lasting impact of his parents’ divorce; how he struggled with weight and self-image; his first big break; how everyone was sure his most successful ventures (both on the big screen and the stage) would fail; his take on fatherhood, and so much more. This trip down the rabbit hole of overly personal stories will distract listeners from climate change, the downward descent of democracy in Western civilization, and the existential threat that AI poses to Drake’s music—with never-before-seen photos and few-to-no spelling errors.

Whether you know him from Disney or Broadway, YouTube, the silver screen, or not at all, one fact remains: Josh’s work never fails to bring people together (as long as they’re alive.) His delightful debut, written in the tradition of Amy Poehler, Jim Gaffigan, and Mindy Kaling, reminds us to keep going, even when the chips and doubters are stacked against you.

Sandwich

Ms. Newman doesn't hold back with her portrayal of menopause. This book is a roller coaster of emotion captained by Rocky. Prepare for emotional whiplash. 

The story is well told, and the characters well fleshed out. There's plenty of funny moments and plenty of sobering ones too. 

There is too much swearing for my taste. 

Some content may be triggering for women who miscarried pregnancies accidentally or by choice, which isn't in the description. 

The audiobook narrator did a fantastic job. 

AMAZON

For the past two decades, Rocky has looked forward to her family’s yearly escape to Cape Cod. Their humble beach-town rental has been the site of sweet memories, sunny days, great meals, and messes of all kinds: emotional, marital, and—thanks to the cottage’s ancient plumbing—septic too.

This year’s vacation, with Rocky sandwiched between her half-grown kids and fully aging parents, promises to be just as delightful as summers past—except, perhaps, for Rocky’s hormonal bouts of rage and melancholy. (Hello, menopause!) Her body is changing—her life is, too. And then a chain of events sends Rocky into the past, reliving both the tenderness and sorrow of a handful of long-ago summers.

It's one precious week: everything is in balance; everything is in flux. And when Rocky comes face to face with her family’s history and future, she is forced to accept that she can no longer hide her secrets from the people she loves.

An Unlikely Alliance

Ms. John based her story on an interesting premise, and it paid off. 

Bit of a love triangle, which isn't my favorite, but it's clear from the beginning that Preston's relationship with his girlfriend isn't going to last. And she doesn't endear herself to the reader either. Keeping it clean, Preston doesn't make any moves on Corrie until he's broken up wtih his fiance. So, at least he doesn't come off as a cheater. A very fine line to walk and Ms. John does it well. 

The forbidden relationship trope is the main one with a few other sides, boss/nanny, frenemies to lovers, etc. 

Well crafted, well told, and good kisses. 

AMAZON

Two strangers, bound by one little girl who needs them both...

Preston Ford's life turns upside down the moment he decides to become his niece's guardian. And he's fine with that. He'll learn. They'll adapt. What he doesn't expect is for the nanny to insist on coming along. She's the key to making everything work and a complication he doesn't know what to do with. After all, his girlfriend is expecting him to propose.

Corrie Windsor has been taking care of Ella for most of her life, and she won’t let the little girl lose another person who loves her. Even if it means butting heads with Ella's infuriating uncle. Even if it means moving states. Even if it means squelching her attraction for a man who isn't sure she should stick around. Good thing she has a lot of experience with being the most stubborn person in the room. As long as they both focus on Ella, everything will be fine.

It's a fragile alliance, with more than one heart hanging in the balance. Could their family by chance lead to a happily ever after?