Book Description:
Cass Wilkes, owner of the Gingerbread Haus
bakery, was looking forward to her daughter Danielle's wedding -- until
Dani announced that she wants her father, Cass's ex, to walk her down
the aisle. Seriously? Even worse, it appears that he, his trophy wife
and their yappy little dog will be staying with Cass…. — Her friend
Charlene Albach arrives at
their weekly chick-flick night in shock. She's just seen the ghost of
Christmas past: her ex-husband, Richard, who left a year ago when he ran
off with the hostess from her restaurant, Zelda's. Now the hostess is
history and he wants to kiss and make up. Hide the mistletoe!
And bring out the hot buttered rum, because the holidays aren't easy for
Ella O'Brien, either. Ella, newly divorced, is still sharing the house
with her ex while they wait for the place to sell. The love is gone.
Isn't it?
But watch as Christmas brings all kinds of surprises….Merry Ex-mas, ladies!!
This is the second in the "Icicle Falls" series. I enjoyed the first one, but I think I liked this one even more. The book follows some more characters of Icicle Falls. This was another book where I felt I was a part of the book. I love it when I can read and feel a part of the book.
While I was reading, I kept thinking they were 'my friends' and what would I do if one of my friends were to have these situations arise. I kept wondering how each little 'story' with each of the characters would end up. A couple I guessed. A couple I didn't guess.
At any rate, I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Sheila Roberts is a fairly new author to me. I received this book as part of her 'fan club.' If you like Susan Mallery, Susan Wiggs, Debbie Macomber, try Sheila Roberts. Very good!
Happy Reading!
Book Description:
A snowy mountainside... A starry night... The makings of a miracle... Christmas has never brought out the best in the MacDougal family. Still, year after year they gather together in the Blue Ridge Mountains to try to make the season merry and bright. But this year is an especially strained one, with Shayne's impending divorce, Morwenna's slavis... more »h devotion to work and Bobby's reluctance to face what life has to offer. They've never felt less like a family. Then, in the midst of a snowy sibling shouting match, a mysterious stranger appears. He could be a criminal, a madman-or something far more unexpected. Despite their fears and the growing danger in the dark woods around them, the MacDougals take a leap of faith. But when another stranger arrives on the mountainside, they don't know which of them to believe. One of these men can't be trusted. And one is about to bring Christmas into their hearts.
I believe this is the first book I have read by this author.
This was a nice quick read. I loved the family dynamic - it wasn't the 'perfect' family - you got to know what quirks each of the family member has. Then you get to see how the author ties it all together to make it a great 'feel good' Christmas story.
There was a little suspense and a little romance - both not too heavy. The storyline kept moving enough where you didn't want to put the book down because you wanted to know what would happen next and how it would all tie in together.
I will definitely look for other books by this author.
Happy Reading!
Book Description:
Meet the Fletchers of Dare Island — Steady
Matt, the son who stayed — Ambitious Meg, the daughter who never looked
back — And rebel Luke, the Marine who thought he'd never return... —
Home to the Fletcher family for generations, Dare Island is a fishing
village rocked by changing times-its traditions slipping away like the
sands of the North Carolina
coast. Single dad and fishing boat captain Matt Fletcher deferred his
own dreams to support his innkeeper parents and build a future for his
sixteen-year-old son. Matt has learned to weather life's storms by
steering a steady emotional course...and keeping a commitment-free
approach to love.
Newcomer Allison Carter came to Dare Island to escape the emotional
demands of her wealthy family. The young teacher aims to build a life
here, to make a lasting place for herself. She doesn't want to be
another in the long line of Women Who Once Dated Matt Fletcher. It's
both tempting and dangerous to believe she can be something more.
Then Matt's brother Luke makes a sudden return home, with a child of his
own-and a request that will change all their lives. With a child's
welfare at stake, Matt must turn to Allison to teach him to let go of
the past, open his eyes...and follow his heart.
My thoughts:
This is another "first author" for me. I can't remember where I heard of this book. It was probably Paperback Swap. Or it could have been a Doubleday Book Club form. Anyhow...
This is the first in the series titled "Dare Island." We are introduced to the Fletchers. This book is centered on Matt. We are introduced to the other family members, opening up their turn I am sure in the series.
As I was reading this book, I really didn't get into it at first. I felt a little forced upon with everyone. After about a third of the way through the book, the plot started getting better. I was more involved in the story and the characters. By the end, I thought "What???? It is done already??" I thought it was an abrupt ending, but everything was resolved so to speak.
Will I try the next one? Yes. I would give this book 2 3/4 stars. =)
Happy Reading!
Book Description:
Sonnet Romano's life is almost perfect. She has the ideal career, the ideal boyfriend, and has just been offered a prestigious fellowship. There's nothing more a woman wants -- except maybe a baby…brother? — When Sonnet finds out her mother is unexpectedly expecting, and that the pregnancy is high risk, she puts everything on hold ... more »-- the job, the fellowship, the boyfriend -- and heads home to Avalon. Once her mom is out of danger, Sonnet intends to pick up her life where she left off.
But when her mother receives a devastating diagnosis, Sonnet must decide what really matters in life, even if that means staying in Avalon and taking a job that forces her to work alongside her biggest, and maybe her sweetest, mistake -- award-winning filmmaker Zach Alger. So Sonnet embarks on a summer of laughter and tears, of old dreams and new possibilities, and of finding the home of her heart.
My thoughts:
This is another series I enjoy reading. It reminds me a lot of Debbie Macomber's "Cedar Cove" series, but this author does more of focusing on the characters she is featuring and less 'updates' on past feature characters. The author makes it work though.
When reading the previous book, "Marrying Daisy Bellamy" I was left with unanswered questions. Unfortunately these questions were still left unanswered. This has left me wondering.... was it just me that had these unanswered questions?
Besides that, I did enjoy 'returning to Willow Lake' - it has been awhile. =) I liked coming back to the characters and Willow Lake and Camp Kioga. The feelings with Sonnet and Zach had/have for each other back and forth was fun to read.
I can't wait for the next installment to this series. Maybe my questions will be answered. =)
Happy Reading!
Book Description:
What do you do when your groom gets cold
feet and the hots for someone else? For Jesse Winsloe, the answer is
clear: head into hiding. Instead of using her layoff at work to plan
bridesmaid dresses and bouquets, Jesse flees to Onery Cabin to lick her
wounds with her ancient aunt Will, a folk-remedy granny woman who knows
the secret to caring for
the lovelorn. Sure, Onery Cabin may be right out of Hollywood's
Lifestyles of the Poor and Hillbilly, but Marrying Stone Mountain has
its charm-including the local physician's assistant, Piney Baxley, a
past recipient of Aunt Will's pungent "heartbreak poultice." Between
Aunt Will's folk remedies and the spice of a "no strings attached"
romance, Jess is beginning to think she's found her own brand of
lovesick cure. Because there's nothing like a pinch of confidence and a
dash of attraction to mend a broken heart
My thoughts:
This the first book I have read by this author. I LOVED it! What a great book. It was a little different that what I am used to in the terms of romance books as most of my books. I really can't describe it. Maybe it was the 'hillbilly' background. Either way it worked.
The dynamics between the main character Jesse and her Aunt Will was great. I loved their interactions with each other and how Aunt Will was loved by all.
The relationship that Jesse starts with the town PA was exciting. Something they both needed in their lives.
I will be looking for more books by this author to read in the future.
Happy Reading!
Book Description:
Pastry chef Rita Lucero's Mardi Gras party
turns funereal when one of her guests is found dead after a public fight
with her uncle -- leaving Rita no choice but to find the real killer
and clear her uncle's name...
My thoughts:
Not much of a description huh? LOL!! Well this is the second in the series and when I started to read this book, I realized this. Well when I was done with this book, I went to take the first one off my TBR shelf only to realize I read it a year ago!! It wasn't that memorable. I didn'r really care for the first book. But my review on Paperback Swap said I was willing to give the second one a shot, so that must be why I had the second one on my shelf . Oh boy!
On with my review. I liked this one a lot better than apparently I liked the first one. This book was hard to put down. I really enjoyed the mingling of the characters and the storyline. It wasn't one of those cozies where you are laughing throughout, but it was a nice book. I can't say it was a highly favorite book either, but I will continue to read the series.
Happy Reading!
Book Description:
Three of Gracie MacDougal's last four
boyfriends proposed marriage--to other women. But through all her
heartbreaks, she has excelled at one thing--her job as a luxury hotel
executive. Until she loses that, too. Now, one man stands between her
and the old Victorian house she wants to transform into a bed and
breakfast. And they're both about to discover that business is a lot more fun when it's mixed with the pleasure of love.
When Gracie MacDougal returns to Seagull Point, Virginia, seeking to
reform her workaholic ways, she discovers more than relaxation. The
picturesque town calls to her, as does the waterfront Victorian house
she envisions as the perfect bed-and-breakfast. But one person stands
between Gracie and her new goal…and he isn't budging.
Southern charmer Kevin Daniels isn't interested in selling Gracie's
dream house, but he's definitely interested in something else…her.
Enticing the uptight businesswoman into letting down her hair becomes
his new mission in life, but beyond that? He already has way too many
people depending on him, and has no intention of adding one more.
Gracie's not looking for a home. Kevin's not looking for a wife. But
sometimes even the best intentions can wind up going wonderfully awry.
My thoughts:
What a refreshing book. It doesn't come around too often where you can find a stand alone book. This one is, although if she wanted to, the author could make it into a series with the other characters being the focus.
What I liked about this book was the characters - I love being drawn into a book and feeling part of the story. It has been awhile since I have read a Sherryl Woods back and I missed her writing.
This was a nice quick read. Lots of smiles and good thoughts throughout the book.
Happy Reading!!
