Halley, who is a successful businesswoman, receives an anonymous offer to live her dream in a town she fell in love with. The only catch is she must find love within the year, a part-time job, and write a book. With her book started, and a job obtained, she finds two interesting men who might be a love interest, one more than the other according to her test, but not necessarily her heart. This is a pleasant seaside town where everyone is nice—with an exception or two. I could easily imagine myself living in this location and would love to get an offer like Halley received. The town is welcoming, and Halley is offered a dwelling to live in while the cottage was being finished that she bought through her mysterious benefactor. Along the way, she learns about herself and what is important to her. There is humor and growth along this journey for Halley. I love the relationships she develops, especially with Mick, the sea captain, Libby who offers good advice, Ginger, her new best friend and boss, and especially Sally and her daughter Tulip. But it’s the one with Ben that adds a special layer to this sweet story and offers a real chance to Halley to find love if they can get past themselves. An excellent clean, romantic read that I thoroughly enjoyed and can recommend.
By Sally Cronin
“Tales From The Garden” is a whimsical collection of stories that dives into the magical world just outside our window. Each tale captivated me, especially when the fairies were involved. I particularly loved when the pregnant deer found this garden, as well as a young boy who was protecting a goose. The collection ends with a beautiful tribute to the 94-year-old mother or Mollie (The Duchess) Coleman. I always knew those statues outside in the garden held a little magic and these charming stories captured that beautifully. A quick but very satisfying read for adults of any age who want to remember that spark we carried inside as children. It would be a splendid set of stories for children to share with their adults too. I can easily recommend these tales.
Twenty-Four Days Rowe-Delamagente #2
By J. Murray
I read and loved “To Hunt a Sub” and have been eager to read this second installment in the Rowe-Delamagente Series. I not only enjoyed “Twenty-Four Days” but thought the story was even more exciting, which I didn’t think was possible. The same characters that I rooted for, and against, returned. Otto the AI’s growth, and new body, made him my favorite character, and it was nerve-racking seeing Sean trying to do the right thing. It was up to Kali, Zeke, and Otto to save the world from war. Like the first book, the attention to detail drew me deep into the story. The reader is taken into a submarine and onto the open sea on a Navy ship with cruel terrorists lurking. North Korea and the hijacking extreme terrorists seem determined to start a conflict, but Kali and Zeke need to find out who is running things. A well-written, action-packed story that was hard to put down. I can easily recommend “Twenty-Four Days” but suggest you start with the first story, so you don’t miss anything!
Julia survived a suicide pact she’d made with her only friend and the new kid in school, Rachel. Fifteen years later, she is still trying to survive. Julia lives with her parents and has a job but again no friends. She meets a kind young man, Adam, who changes all of that. Her life changes slowly in a more positive direction, but her inner world is just under the surface. At first, I found the story hard to wrap my mind around. Although I understood the dream world parts, it was her alternative that took me a minute to realize what was going on. Julia combined all the people who bullied her. I quickly settled into the story and her realities. Then I found it hard to put down, especially when she flashed back to her suicide attempt and how she met Rachel. “Cat and The Dreamer” deals with some powerful issues, that include suicide, bullying, and mental health. Everything comes together by the end, and I came up with a theory of what really happened, but I won’t share that here. A very unusual and powerful heart-wrenching read where I just couldn’t help but root for Julia. I can easily recommend this novella.
By Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene and Dan Antion
“The Inyan Beacon” is a quick read that not only easily blends two authors but two genres, sci-fi, and westerns. Tank and his synth, Compass are passing through a small western town in the future. Tank is determined to get into a tower and feels he can undo some of the harm from the past. My favorite character quickly became Compass. Who wouldn’t want beautiful blue skin? There was a fun twist waiting for them, which I enjoyed. A short and satisfying read, and a world I’d like to explore more.
Restless Mayhem (The Mayhem Series Book 6)
By Sue Coletta
I have the rest of The Mayhem Series on my Kindle and have been eager to block out some time to read it. Usually, I’ll go back and start a series from the first book, but “Restless Mayhem” tugged at me. So, I jumped right in and found that I could easily figure out what was going on as I learned who everyone was. I loved Shawnee and her relationship with her grandfather and now mentor, Mr. Mayhem, but my favorite characters were the crows, especially Poe. Shawnee, her grandfather, and Mr. Mayhem are eco-warriors who want to save gray wolves from horrible conditions while Shawnee embarks on a spiritual journey. The details and information created a world that I was swept into. There is a pull between handling situations more spiritually than physically. Plus, something evil has awakened that they have to contend with during their sometimes-bloody missions. I will definitely go back to learn more about these characters’ journeys. I can highly recommend this story to those who love animals, Native American spirituality, action, and justice at all costs.
I only post my 4 & 5-star reviews here! If I don’t like the book, I won’t finish it. It wouldn’t be fair to leave a review for an unfinished story, and life is too short not to enjoy my reading journey!
NOTE:
- There will be no post next week as I will be celebrating our 40th Wedding Anniversary. We plan to go to South Lake Tahoe and enjoy a boat ride and stay at a local hotel 🙂 Maybe later in the week we’ll venture to a hot springs too.
- I will be back June 19th with another From Finn’s Forest.
Embrace your inner child by reading a great book! D. L. Finn
Thank you so much Denise for sharing your lovely review here today and so pleased you enjoyed.. great reviews for the other books some of them new to me and will explore them… have a lovely week hugsx
Thanks, Sally. It was a great read I loved sharing. Always morebooks to explore. Have a great week too. Hugs xo
And of course a very Happy Wedding Anniversary and have an amazing time in Tahoe.. hugsx
Thank you, Sally 🙂 Looking forward to it. Xo
Enjoy you 40th! Time goes so quickly.
Thank you, Grant. It sure does!
Fantastic reviews. Congratulations to all the authors. Enjoy your anniversary, Denise. Hugs 💕🙂
Thanks, Harmony 🙂 Looking forward to celebrating! Hugs back.
Thanks for all the temptations. Happy anniversary.
Always temptations for sure. Thank you, Craig:)
Great reviews. And happy anniversary!
Thank you, Staci 🙂
Wonderful reviews and anniversary photos!! Congratulations to the writers and big hugs to you and hubby, Denise. Happy 40th! ❤️
Thank you, Gwen 🙂 Big hugs back!
Wonderful reviews – congrats to the authors! Happy Anniversary, Denise!
Thanks, Teri 🙂 Some good ones!
What great reviews, Denise! I’ve read several of these and can agree with your take on them. Congratulations to the authors, and enjoy your anniversary break!
Thank you, Jan 🙂 Yes, good ones. Looking forward to a quiet break. Xo
Great reviews, Denise! I enjoyed A Secret Gift. It was an enjoyable read with great characters. Happy 40th anniversary! Enjoy your vacation.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thank you, Yvette 🙂 It did have great characters. Looking forward to our quiet vacation and celebration. Xo
Thank you for the excellent review of my book, Denise. You caught all the highlights. And happy 40th! You have probably heard this before, but you look pretty much the same as 40 years ago. I’m jealous.
It was a good read, Jacqui. I hope it gets a lot of new readers. Thanks you. I think its my youthful spirit, because my face sure shows my age… lol
Happy anniversary! We celebrate our 39th this week.
Great book reviews.
Happy Anniversary! Xo
Thanks for all the reviews, Denise. I’ve only read two of these, so you’ve given me a bunch of options. (I was hoping that I’d find one of you review posts here). Thanks for sharing your recommendations!
Always do many reading options, Diana! I cut back on review posts and combining them again.Happy almost summer readimg xo
I got the idea from you to combine reviews, Denise. It’s worked for me ever since, even though the posts can get a little long. I think visitors are pretty good at zeroing in on ones that appeal to them. 🙂
I tried to combine but make them smaller but it got to be too much. You are right people do find what they like no matter how long it is.
Another reason why covers are so important!
Thanks for including Teagan and my collaboration in your delightful reviews. I have my sights on a couple of the books you mentioned. I don’t know the date of your anniversary, but my wife and I are also celebrating our 40th next week. I guess it was a good time to get married.
Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary too, Dan! The 11th.
Ours is the 10th. I hope you have a wonderful time.
A day apart. Hope you have a wonderful time on yours too!
I’m a big fan of Tales from the Garden as well. Happy fortieth wedding anniversary!
It was sure a fantastic read, Liz. Thank you 🙂
You’re welcome, Denise.
Thanks Liz.. xx
You’re welcome, Sally.
Congratulations on your 40 years together. Super reviews, Denise. Congratulations to the authors.
Thank you, John 🙂
You can’t go wrong with any of these reads.
😊
Fab reviews, Denise! Cat and the Dreamer sounds like an ambitious story, but it also sounds like Annalisa pulled it off. Love the wedding and honeymoon pictures. Happy 40th!
Thank you Vera 🙂 Yes ambitious is a fitting word. It doesn’t seem like 40 years have passed since those pictures.
Look at you and the hubs. Cute. Cute. Cute.
Looks like you’ve read some good books. I read Sally’s and loved it. I read to Hunt a Sub and need to read Jacqui’s second. And Sue’s, Teagan/Dan, Annalisa’s and Tonya’s sound wonderful too.
Thanks, Sandra 🙂 Doesn’t seem like that many moons have passed. Yes, Sally’s book was a good one. Jacqui managed to surpass a great first book with the second, which is hard to do. Can’t go wrong with any of them.
Fab reviews Denise. Nice to see a lovely review for Sally’s book here. And ironically. I just recently purchased The Secret Gift while I just read a fabulous review for another book by Penrose. Great minds! Lol. Congrats to all! <3
Thanks, Debby 🙂 Thrilled to share Sally’s book here. Good coice and yes, great minds! Xo
Enjoy your getaway! <3
We will,thanks xo
<3
Thanks Debby for the boost..♥
Hugs Sal <3
Forgot to say, love your photo, and enjoy your 40th Anniversary trip! <3
Thank you, looking forward to a Lake Tahoe visit.
xx
What a lot of great reads, Denise. You’ve made everything sound compelling. I’m sorry that I didn’t manage to get here sooner. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed The Inyan Beacon. Your review means so very much to me. Hugs.
The door is always open here, Teagan, so you can never late to visit! I did enjoy your story, hugs back xo
Hi Denise, you have featured some wonderful books here. I am looking forward to reading Teagan and Dan’s short story. I hope you had a lovely wedding anniversary. Thanks for the pictures, they are delightful.
Thanks, Robbie 🙂 yes, definitely some good reading. Enjoying our celebrations so far. Xo
Happy 40th anniversary! You were a beautiful bride. I love your dress!
I’ve read a couple of these and see some to add to my summer reading. Thanks for the recommendations. Enjoy your second honeymoon 🙂
Thank you, Jacquie:) It was a very happy day and memory. Can’t go wrong with any of them. Enjoying every moment. Xo
Good to know on Jacqui’s book.
Powerful sounds like the purrfect word to describe Annalisa’s work.
I just love those pics. Not only do you both look cute as buttons, you look so happy. Sounds like you chose wisely:) scoxoxo
Thanks, Sandra. We had very few photos turn out that day, so I cherish the ones we have. Very wisely. Yes, don’t want to miss Jacqui’s story and powerful covers Annalisas:) xo
An excellent selection, Denise, and happy anniversary! I’ve read Sally, Teagan and Dan’s stories and I totally agree.
Thank you, Olga 🙂 Yes, such great reads!
Congratulations to Tonya, Sally, J. Murray, Annalisa, Teagan, and Sue! Great reviews for all! Wishing you a Happy 40th anniversary, Denise!
Can’t go wrong with any of them, Mark! Thank you, it was a good celebration!
Glad to hear!
Lovely bunch of reviews Denise and hope you have a great Anniversary trip away. x
Thank you, Marje 🙂 We had a wonderful time xo