A Home for Her Daughter by Jill Weatherholt

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 Stars

Janie Edmiston and Drew Brennan haven’t seen each other since High School. They couldn’t have predicted they’d be brought together in such an odd way so many years later, but now they share a responsibility that requires them to work closely together. Even though they’d always been just friends, the chemistry between them is evident. However, both Janie and Drew have a past that keeps them from wanting to commit to a relationship. Janie knows in her heart that her young daughter, Riley, could use a stable home and family, but after enduring a mentally and physically abusive marriage, she’s not sure if she can trust any man. After a tragedy for which Drew blames himself, shattered his hopes and dreams to pieces, the thought of a new family is out of the question. How could he protect them when he couldn’t even keep his late wife and daughter safe?

This story drew me right in from the atmospheric setting to the complicated lives of the characters. I love how Jill Weatherholt incorporates adventure into her inspirational tales.  It really amps up the storyline and increases the entertainment factor. Either I was on the edge of my seat during the perilous scenes or I was imagining the beautiful surroundings during the more peaceful times. Not only was I getting an engaging emotional story, but the dappling of dramatic elements kept me fully alert while fervently turning pages. The angst appears at all the right times and propels the story forward. I was invested in the MC’s, Drew and Janie. Janie was guarded because of her insecurities brought about by her ex-husband’s abuse. Drew lived in isolation and blamed himself for the accident that claimed the lives of his wife and daughter. And yet, the two found peace and healing in each other’s presence. They only needed to realize together is where they belonged.

I loved everything about this book! The length, dialog, scenery, animals, intrigue, Janie’s sweet daughter, the main characters—EVERYTHING. There was just the right amount of conflict, emotional elements and the perfect setting to inspire me. And it also reminded me of one of my favorite movies, so that was a plus, too. I definitely recommend it.

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The Stepsisters by Susan Mallery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Daisy, stepsister to Sage and Cassidy, has got a lot going on. Her husband has left her for reasons unknown to her, and she’s trying to care for their two kids while holding down a challenging job as a nurse anesthesiologist. The last thing she needs is her perfect stepsister, Sage, invading her life. The two were never close. Although Daisy was excited about inheriting a sister when her dad married Sage’s mom when they were young, Sage and her mother were always mean to Daisy. Now Sage, beautiful and worldly, is back in California. How will Daisy keep her shaky marriage to Jordan a secret from Sage, who happens to be Jordan’s former fiancé!

Meanwhile, Cassidy, their stepsister in common (Daisy’s dad and Sage’s mom’s child) of whom Daisy is also not at all close to, has been in an accident and needs to move into the 15,000 sq. ft. family home that Daisy inherited from her biological mother upon her death, and where she currently lives with her husband, Jordan, before he moved out. Daisy’s dad wants his youngest daughter to recuperate there and Daisy isn’t happy about it. Sage and Cassidy were always the close sisters, but even they have drifted apart somewhat over the years. How will these three siblings find peace after nearly two decades of friction?

The stepsisters tells the story of Daisy, Sage and Cassidy. They’ve had issues over the years but now that they’re adults and dealing with challenging circumstances in their individual lives, they begin to realize how much they need each other.  As they draw closer together they learn of the reasons that lead to their disjointed relationships, many of which were instigated by Sage and Cassidy’s selfish, conniving mother, and they find it in their hearts to forgive one another.  A strong bond grows but is severely tested when one sister makes an almost unforgivable mistake. Will the new bond of love and friendship be short lived?

I enjoyed this book. Mainly I liked how the stepsisters found unity, friendship and love for one another.  They had to work through many of their own insecurities and reluctance to form sustainable relationships with their significant others because of incidents that occurred during their adolescent years. Toward the end of the book their growth was evident, although one sister suffered a setback. I found this book to be relatively tame for Susan Mallery and I was glad for that, too. It held my attention and felt realistic. A good listen.

NARRATOR – The audiobook narrator, Tanya Eby, is good. Carla from Carla Loves to Read defined her perfectly when she said, “There are times that her voice is a bit saccharine, but for the most part, her voice, expression and emotion bring this story to life.” I couldn’t agree more. Thanks, Carla. 😉

Montana Welcome by Melinda Curtis

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

I really enjoyed Montana Welcome. There was a satisfying mixture of comedy, adventure and sweet romance that I relished from beginning to end.

Lily Harrison becomes a bride on the run when she finds out, on her wedding day, that her groom to be isn’t in love with her. At almost the same time she learns that she’s not who she thinks she is, but a part of a much bigger family that she never could have imagined. She suddenly finds herself in a motor home on her way to Montana. She’s on a quest for answers about her true identity, but unbeknownst to herself there’s a search party closely following on her heels. Along the way Lily finds friendships in the form of two very dramatic young women; regains confidence in her abilities, acquires a horse and donkey and falls in love with a cowboy.

I love the Blackwell series, and this was a very good start to The Blackwell Sisters. It was great getting reacquainted with the elusive Big E (Elias Blackwell), and the rest of the Blackwell brothers who were sprinkled throughout the pages of Montana Welcome. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

California Girls by Susan Mallery

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Three sisters are dumped in the same week.

Finola, the eldest of the trio, is a morning-show host who’s blindsided by her husband’s betrayal with a young, famous singer, on her own television show! Just when she was ready to go ahead with a major plan for their marriage, it’s shattered in a moment.

Zennie, the middle sister, feels comfortable being alone. She dates, but always seems more satisfied relaxing at home by herself. She’s content with her job and her friends. Her recent sort-of boyfriend senses her lack of enthusiasm about their relationship and breaks off whatever it is they have together. Zennie is a bit caught off guard by this, but only mildly affected. A free agent, she decides to do her best friend a favor—she’s going to be her surrogate! But did she realize what she was getting herself into? And why does she find herself missing the man she pushed away?

Ali is the youngest of the three sisters and feels the smallest in comparison to Finola and Zennie, both in attractiveness and in accomplishments. Her fiancé didn’t even dump her for another woman, he just didn’t want to be with her anymore. To add insult to injury, he didn’t even have the decency to tell her himself, his brother broke the news to her, and he’s been so helpful in helping her get her life back on track. Why is he doing that?

I enjoyed this book about three sisters who reinvented their lives after breakups. While single they took a closer look at themselves and went after what they believed in, even if their actions weren’t immediately received favorably. But of course, in Susan Mallery fashion, each woman’s story ends on a positive note. ☺️

Have a great weekend everyone!

Love Shadows (Shores of Indian Lake ~ Book 1) by Catherine Lanigan

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

Luke Bosworth is consumed by the clutches of grief after losing his young wife two years ago. He prefers to stay stuck in the past where memories of Jenny remain constant; he’s neglecting his two small children as a result, and can’t get his anger issues in check which could cost him his job if he doesn’t get help. So he does, and while doing so he’s reacquainted with the annoying woman with the out of control dog who he seems to keep running into. Sarah Jensen is also trying to overcome the grief that’s caused her to lose her focus and drive; and although she’s grappling with feelings of inadequacy and loneliness, she can help Luke’s children in so many ways if he’d stop being so overly-protective and prideful. She has her mind set on a monumental project that involves Luke’s children, but all she ever gets from him is anger, rage and negative feedback. The man needs serious help. But as it turns out, Luke is also a multifaceted person with many talents, including an ability to discern the motives and emotions of others, as Sarah soon learns during one of their grief-counseling therapy sessions. Both Sarah and Luke have issues that aren’t obvious to themselves, so why are they so apparent to each other?

I loved this book! It gave me all the feels. It was a tender, emotional story with an excellent cast of characters that continue to linger in my mind. I always enjoy reading Catherine Lanigan’s books. Her depth of knowledge and wisdom shines through in them. You can sense her life experience from the various objects, places, and expressions of human emotions and advice that’s written. There’s substance within its pages, and not superficial fluff. The contents gives me pause for reflection. I appreciate when there’s an obvious maturity level existent in a book because not only do I enjoy the story, but I learn new things as well.

Overall, Love Shadows was a great read that exceeded my expectations. At times it seemed borderline Inspy fiction, IMO, with the religious backdrop and views, so I’m giving you a heads up on that aspect of it. Nevertheless, I highly recommend it and look forward to reading more books in the series.

Thank you, Catherine Lanigan, for a complimentary copy of Love Shadows. All thoughts expressed about it are my own.

Have you tried reading a Harlequin Heartwarming book? Do you like sweet romance? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Stay tuned for my upcoming Heartwarming giveaway, and thanks for visiting Cozynookbks. Have a great week everyone. 😊

**GIVEAWAY** and Review – The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 – 5 applauding hands

My first Susan Mallery book and I absolutely LOVED every minute spent reading it!! Seriously, I was immersed in this book, and when it was finished I was so impressed that it’s still sitting prominently in my book room because I can’t bear to part with it. That’s how much I loved it. I have a small collection of Susan Mallery’s books because I’d heard she’s a great writer, and because her marketing skills are top notch, but I still hadn’t read any of them mainly because of other reading commitments. Then two things happened: 1) I was surprised with a free mass market paperback copy of The Girls of Mischief Bay because I follow Susan Mallery’s Facebook group, and (2) my author buddy, Jill Weatherholt, suggested that I read a Susan Mallery book because she thought I’d like it. Consequently, I resolved to read her book. I am so glad I did! Thank you, Jill, for the recommendation. And thank you, Susan Mallery, for your generosity in providing me with a free book to enjoy. Since I already owned The Girls of Mischief Bay, I’m giving away my gifted copy (see below for details).

The Girls of Mischief Bay is about three women who became friends while attending yoga classes at the yoga studio that one of the women owns. Since there is approximately a ten year age difference between each woman, they are at different stages in their lives and dealing with various challenges incidental to their particular age group; some major and some fairly common, but nevertheless difficult. We learn how each woman responds to her particular plight, and how the friends rally together to support one another during each others’ times of distress. The process of working on their trials reveals their strengths, vulnerabilities and ultimately the outcomes of their situations.

I absolutely LOVED this book!! I laughed, I cried and I stayed up nights eager to know what would happen next with Pam, Shannon and Nicole. I connected with Pam’s character, and I was inspired by the wisdom that she imparted to her friends. I had an inkling that Pam’s wise words possibly echoed Susan Mallery’s own treasures of knowledge and wisdom acquired over the years. That’s just my guess. The emotional parts of this book were so eloquently written I wish I could tear out the pages and read them over and over again. But I dare not destroy this precious book. Incredible writing.

In conclusion, I liked everything about this book and I didn’t want it to end. When it was over I teared up and marveled at the perfect ending. I already ordered and received the next book in the series because I have to know how these ladies move forward with their lives. That’s how invested I’d become with these characters. Highly recommended.

Giveaway!! (U.S. only)

New Mass market paperback copy of The Girls of Mischief Bay with book sleeve and fabric bookmark

To enter for a chance to win the above prize pack which includes a copy of Susan Mallery’s The Girls of Mischief Bay, a book sleeve made by yours truly and a homemade bookmark, like this post and answer the following question:

Have you ever read a book(s) by Susan Mallery, and what did you think of it? Which Susan Mallery book or series do you recommend? (Optional)

Winner will be announced in the coming weeks when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and I’m able to visit the post office to mail out the prize.

Thanks for visiting Cozynookbks. 🤗

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

After losing her job and her boyfriend, Dillon Michaels heads back to the place she’s always known as home, her grandparents’ farm in Oregon where she grew up. Her grandpa lives there alone since her grandma passed away about a year earlier. Deciding that her grandpa could use some help and cheering up, she says goodbye to her roommates and heads to Oregon where she plans to spend quality time with her grandfather while figuring out what she should do with her life. But when she gets there she discovers that her elusive mother has beaten her to it. Dillon’s comfy little room has been taken over by her mom who’s experiencing relationship troubles of her own, and Dillon is relegated to the lumpy couch. This, she decides, will not work. As she contemplates leaving the farm, her grandfather surprises her with an old, rundown camper that Dillon sees as a diamond in the rough that she can fix up and live in while staying on the farm. She’s beginning to feel super excited about fixing up her camper, the handsome hardware store owner, and the progress she’s making on the strained relationship she has with her mother. Things are looking up. But when her ex-boyfriend shows up unexpectedly, proclaiming his undying love at a very inopportune time, could his crazy antics cause Dillon to lose out on the prospect of a new love?

I truly enjoyed The Happy Camper. It didn’t hurt that I love everything associated with RVing and cute little vintage campers. So when I saw this book I knew I had to read it, and I was not disappointed. It contained so much that made my little heart happy—sweet romance, camp trailers, a farm, an adoring grandfather, a contrite mother, a cute set of young twin girls and so much more. I read intently and envisioned one old, neglected camp trailer carefully restored, inside and out, and then meticulously decorated to appease the new owner, who made it into a cozy, cute living space for herself. I could picture the interior with its turquoise and orange accessories and original appliances. It was a vintage camper-lover’s dream book! The pace of the book was even with many sweet scenes that brought a smile to my face. And although it ended a bit abruptly, it contained all the makings for a lovely story that was fun and uplifting.

Thank you, Revell Books, for an ARC of The Happy Camper. All opinions expressed about it are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone! 😊

Review: Regretting You by @ColleenHoover #RegrettingYou #BookReview #ColleenHoover #NewRelease

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

I loved this book!! I’ve FINALLY read a book by Colleen Hoover and I can see why readers love her. Regretting You pulled me right in and I became emotionally bonded with the characters through the rich narrative that so fully captured their personas. As I progressed through each chapter I was surprised by secrets, lies, misunderstandings and misinterpretations that kept me eager to press on. And then there was the sweet expressions of blossoming young love that had me all flushed and giggly and happy—reminiscing about what it feels like to be in love when you’re young and relatively carefree from the adult pressures of life.

Overall, Regretting You was a great story that I enjoyed with excellently developed characters and a delightfully satisfying ending that I highly recommend. Loved it!!

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Goodreads summary

From #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Ends with Us comes a poignant novel about family, first love, grief, and betrayal that will touch the hearts of both mothers and daughters.

Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike.

Morgan is determined to prevent her daughter from making the same mistakes she did. By getting pregnant and married way too young, Morgan put her own dreams on hold. Clara doesn’t want to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Her predictable mother doesn’t have a spontaneous bone in her body.

With warring personalities and conflicting goals, Morgan and Clara find it increasingly difficult to coexist. The only person who can bring peace to the household is Chris—Morgan’s husband, Clara’s father, and the family anchor. But that peace is shattered when Chris is involved in a tragic and questionable accident. The heartbreaking and long-lasting consequences will reach far beyond just Morgan and Clara.

While struggling to rebuild everything that crashed around them, Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to, and Clara turns to the one boy she’s been forbidden to see. With each passing day, new secrets, resentment, and misunderstandings make mother and daughter fall further apart. So far apart, it might be impossible for them to ever fall back together.

Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 4 stars

Polly Waterford has taken up residence in a four story lighthouse and oversees two bakeries for which she works many grueling hours and days per week, but wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves the thrill of observing the reactions of people from near and far gushing over her creations and forming lines to sample them. That feeling is worth more than all the money in the world. Besides that, she has her boyfriend, Huckle, to enjoy her spare time with; and of course, Neil, her pet puffin. Polly is feeling content with where she is in her life. But when Mrs. Manse, the owner of the little beach street bakery dies, the change in circumstances drastically affects Polly’s life and livelihood. And to make matters worse, a former acquaintance returns to Mt. Polbearne and Polly is incredulous to learn that they may soon be close neighbors—VERY close. This will put Polly in a very awkward predicament. She’s even feeling guilty about keeping Neil as a pet, regardless of his seemingly happy state. Pressures are mounting in every direction of her life. Much is at stake and Polly will have to make many difficult decisions to stay afloat financially. Can she navigate the many challenges she’s facing and regain everything she stands to lose?

I was excited to read Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. I wanted to return to Mt. Polbearne, the little Cornish seaside town to see what my old chums were up to after having read The Little Beach Street Bakery and falling in love with the characters, the pet puffin, Neil, and the quaint picturesque resort town with the causeway that separates it from the mainland. I wasn’t disappointed. As I listened to the various trials Polly was facing in her life I admired how she persevered. She was uncertain and downright afraid about some of her choices, but she was determined to continue doing what she loved and her diligence paid off in the end.

I prefer the audio version of Jenny Colgan’s books because her books tend to be a bit long winded. She includes every thought, expression and action which translates well when I’m listening as opposed to reading. I learned this when I almost DNF’d the first of her books I’d tried reading before inadvertently switching to the audio version and enjoying it so much more. I’ve been a fan ever since. Although, I am disappointed that she tends to use expletives that are unnecessary and detract from the overall sweet tone of her stories that end on a happy note.

Audio narrator review:

Read by: Alison Larkin

Alison Larkin was pleasant to listen to and reflected Polly’s character and the tone of the story very well. It took some getting used to the voices of some of the male characters. A few were over animated and exaggerated and gave them a cartoon-like persona. They sounded a little dork-like to me, particularly the Dubose and Huckle characters. As the story progressed I finally became used to the sound of their voices and it was tolerable. Overall, a very good job with the audio.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sheer Mischief by Jill Mansell – (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Decidedly bored, flighty Maxine Vaughan has just abandoned another perfectly respectable man. With no money and nowhere to live, she shows up on older sister, Janey Sinclaire’s, doorstep. Janey has her own problems. Her husband up and disappeared one day after only a few years of marriage and hasn’t been seen for the past two years. Janey, distraught and bewildered by her husband’s sudden departure, tries to carry on with her life and thriving flower shop in Trazale, Cornwall, not knowing whether she’s been abandoned or widowed.

Meanwhile, breathtakingly handsome widower and celebrity photographer, Guy Cassidy, needs a nanny. His beloved wife, Veronique, is gone, and Guy is estranged from his father. When Maxine finds out Guy’s predicament, she’s determined to score, not only the job, but a chance at Guy. She’s not in the least bit domestically inclined, but nevertheless winds up getting the job with a little help from her sister, vouching for her character. At least she’s out of Janey’s hair for the time being. If irresistible Maxine isn’t around, maybe Janey will have a chance with Bruno, a restaurant owner to whom she delivers flowers on a biweekly basis. Janey feels guilty about her growing feelings for Bruno; she’s still married after all, even if she hasn’t seen her husband for two years.

Maxine is stumbling through her nanny duties, being scolded by Guy regularly but loved by his two young children. Then she makes an almost unforgivable mistake. Janey falls hard for Bruno, but will she ultimately regret it? Secret relationships and odd pairings abound, but will anyone find happiness?

I loved this book! The story introduced me to interesting, contrasting characters with complicated relationship dilemmas. I thought the fifteen hour length would be daunting initially, but it allowed for greater character development which lent to my enjoyment of the book. The insecurities Janey felt because of her sister’s superior beauty, I thought, was a realistic sibling scenario. I was entranced by all of the characters, and was fully invested in what was going on in their lives. When the book ended I felt dismayed and could easily have listened longer.

The audio narrator, Charlotte Anne Lore, did an excellent job portraying each character. I felt like she was made to tell this story. Fabulous!

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Sheer Mischief. In exchange I have provided an honest, unbiased review.

Steamy weather and bugs all around in NC.

Thanks for reading! ☺️

On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 3.5 stars

Paul Grayson has decided that he needs to unite his family. He feels that his three daughters are somewhat estranged from one another. Not intentionally, but nevertheless they don’t spend enough time together. So he decides to buy the island where he met his wife at camp decades ago, and who is now deceased, in order to bring his children back together again. His daughters think he is suffering from Dementia proposing this scheme and are initially resistant to the thought of helping him get situated on this delapidated island. The project of reconstituting the old Camp Kicking Moose seems immense. But as they all begin assisting and becoming more intimately acquainted with the real assets of the island, its people, each sister will not only help to mend one another, but also themselves in the process.

On a Summer Tide started off strong. It was full of laughs and drew me in, but for some reason the momentum didn’t hold up for me and I was having trouble getting through it. The book flashes back to when the sisters were young; each sister’s part gives us a glimpse into her life and what shaped her into who she is present day. The focus was mainly on the oldest sister, Cam. Those snippets were enlightening but somehow came across to me as haphazardly included. Also, there were a couple of parts in the book that seemed implausible to me and I couldn’t suspend disbelief in order to accept those occurrences as believable. From that point on I truly struggled to finish the book. I enjoyed a few of the characters, including the sisters, but I felt like something was missing, and that the book concluded somewhat abruptly, leaving some untidy loose ends.

Overall, I truly enjoyed parts of the book, but it didn’t keep me glued to its pages.

Thank you, Revell Books, for a complimentary copy of On a Summer Tide. In exchange I have provided my honest review.

Feels Like Home by Olivia Miles – (Audiobook – Tantor Audio)

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 3.5 stars

Margo Harper is done. She won’t stay committed to a cheating husband. So after ten years of marriage she packs a couple of suitcases and heads straight back to the place of her youth, Oyster Bay, Maine, expecting to recapture happy memories and comforts from her past. However, when she gets there Margo finds that things aren’t what they used to be. Her sister has kept some very important information from her about her grandmother and the beloved home they grew up in. And why didn’t anyone tell her Eddie Boyd, her childhood crush, was back in town? Margo is not the only one having to deal with setbacks and relationship issues in her life. She finds that her sisters are having their share of challenges as well.

I liked this contemporary story. I thought it was going to be a sweet romance but there wasn’t really any romance in it AT ALL. Even though there was a happy outcome for all of the characters, I was left feeling a bit underwhelmed by the whole thing.

Overall, this book was pretty good, but if I had to pin down what I loved about it I’d struggle to come up with an answer. Some parts were entertaining and kept me invested for sure. I just wish the author had focused on developing a single character’s story since the book wasn’t long enough to elaborate on additional characters or subplots. In the end it was a little lacklustre for me.

Thank you, Tantor Audio, for a complimentary download of Feels Like Home. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

Enjoy!!

The Twin Test by Rula Sinara – (To Kenya, with Love series – book 5)

💚💚💚💚💚 – 5 hearts

Dax Calder is in over his head. He’s taken a job in Kenya, far from the U.S., where he lives with his eleven-year-old identical twin girls, Ivy and Fern. While in Kenya, Dax is desperate to find someone to look after his girls while he works on a new project for the oil company that’s employed him. Upon observing a young, attractive woman, Pippa Harper, patiently giving a tour to six children, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. He’ll pay her an inflated wage if she’ll watch his girls until he can find a nanny to replace the one who just quit. Did I mention she is nanny number seven (or eight)? Pippa is no fool. The money will help her to expand and accelerate the education program she provides to village children who wouldn’t otherwise be given an opportunity to learn how to read. But these twin girls are no ray of sunshine in the behavior category. They’re starving for attention, as Pippa will soon learn.

Having grown up in Kenya with her mom on the Busara Elephant Research and Rescue Camp, Pippa’s all about preservation and environmental conservation and all that. Meanwhile, Dax is selling his soul by abandoning his true love of researching seismic activity in exchange for the large paycheck he’ll receive developing subterranean maps so that the oil company can drill or frack in Kenya’s wilderness, which could stir up earthquakes. Dax is cautiously withholding that information from Pippa, but his heart is another matter. What will she think of him if she finds out who he’s working for and what he’s doing? Can feelings supersede principles?

I loved this book!! Rula Sinara is an amazing storyteller who knows how to develop a convincing love story. The evolution of Dax and Pippa’s relationship was so beautifully orchestrated. Ms. Sinara is also very good at educating us about foreign affairs and unfamiliar cultures. I am always enlightened and fulfilled by her stories.

There is only one book left in this series beyond The Twin Test, and I will be so sad to see it end. The first book in the series, The Promise of Rain, was the first Harlequin Heartwarming book I ever read and I haven’t looked back since.

I highly recommend this book, and the entire series. I look forward to the sixth and final book, The Marine’s Return.

Have a great week everyone!! And thanks for reading. ☺️

Small Town Rumors by Carolyn Brown

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars

What do you get when you have a small town full of busybodies? Rumors and gossip that spread like lightening. And in small-town Bloom, TX, the folks thrive on them. So when Jennie Sue Baker, daughter of wealthy businessman, Dill Baker, and snooty southern belle, Charlotte Baker, is seen getting off of a Greyhound bus looking ratty and carrying a single suitcase, rumors start flying. What happened to her charmed life in NY, and why is she back in Bloom? Opinions vary about Jennie Sue. Some think she’s a spoiled brat who deserves to know what it feels like to suffer adversity. Others see her as a loving, caring individual who’s nothing like her stuck-up, snobbish mother who’s more interested in keeping up appearances than she is of people. Who’s right?

Cricket Lawson, a farmer’s daughter who grew up alongside Jennie Sue, chooses to despise her and doesn’t mind letting her know.

Jennie Sue was like….

Cricket’s brother, Rick, disagrees with his sister’s assessment of Jennie Sue. In fact, Rick has always had a bit of a crush on her.

There’s one thing that everyone living has in common whether they’re good, bad, rich or poor—unforeseen occurrences that can change our circumstances in an instant. And when that inevitably happens, to Jennie Sue and others, everyone’s true colors come to the fore.

There’s much to love about this book. The small-town setting where everybody knows your name (and situation🙄); the highly developed characters, including my favorites, a pair of feisty, sassy old sisters (octogenarians) who have Jennie Sue’s back; life-altering tragedies and redemption.

I chose this book because of the title, cover and positive reviews. And thanks to Amazon’s offering me a 3-month Kindle Unlimited trial for 0.99¢ a month that I couldn’t pass up, I was able to download both the e-book and audiobook for my reading and listening pleasure. 😌 This was a great way for me to discover a new author, Carolyn Brown, and I’m glad I took a chance on her. I see more of her books in my future.

Thanks for visiting! 😊

The Rancher’s Redemption – Return of the Blackwell Brothers – Book 3 – by Melinda Curtis

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 3.5 stars

Rachel Thompson’s got her hands full as a single parent with her family’s ranch to save and trouble garnering respect from family members and a ranch hand who refers to her as “Little Lady.” Her dad is gone. Stress over their Double T ranch contributing to his demise, Rachel is determined to set the neighboring Blackwells straight over river water rights that they’re not entitled to, and which is wreaking financial havoc on the Double T. Ben, The Blackwell brother who’s the high-powered NY lawyer of the family, has been called in to defend their family over the water rights issue. Rachel, also a lawyer, feels out of her league being the small-town attorney that she is, going up against Ben, her childhood friend, now nemesis. To be honest, he’s a little irresistible, but Rachel has to do what she has to do to protect her family’s legacy. If only she knew about the secret that Ben is concealing, a truth that could change the future of the Double T, and their relationship.

The Rancher’s Redemption is Book 3 in the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series. I enjoyed Ben’s and Rachel’s story. One of my favorite scenes was Ben being chased by an Aberdeen Angus Bull named Ferdinand. Ben’s divided in his feelings about the ranch he grew up on and the life he’s made for himself in NYC. Watching his transformation throughout the course of the story was heartwarming. I’m looking forward to book 4.

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For those of you who kept me in your thoughts and prayers, thank you so much! It touched my heart to know that you were thinking about me during my hiatus. 💕

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Thank you, Baker Publishing Group and Revell Books, for a complimentary paperback copy of A Sparkle of Silver.

And Tantor Audio, for the free audio download.

This pairing made for a perfect book reader experience. ☺️

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Camilla “Millie” Sullivan is heartbroken. She’s being forced to move her beloved grandma Joy from the assisted living facility where she’s being cared for because her memory loss has worsened, necessitating more specialized care. Millie is strapped financially and can hardly afford to take care of herself. She’s out of options and feeling hopeless and dejected until her grandma mutters details about a long-held family secret that might help Millie to get the funds she needs. It involves her great grandmother, Ruth, an opulent Chateau and a diary containing a treasure map that’s hidden somewhere within the Chateau’s walls. Fortunate to get part-time employment at the Chateau, Millie sets about snooping to locate Ruth’s diary. Her efforts are thwarted when security guard, Ben Thornton, catches her and threatens to expose her. Desperate to escape dismissal, Millie recruits Ben to help her, promising to split whatever treasure she finds with him. Ben, carrying his own load and in need of money as much as Millie, agrees to help her. Together, Ben and Millie become a formidable team, uncovering more than a few secrets, and in the process, learning that love is more valuable than money.

In this book we find treasure hunts, thefts, homicide, scandal, romance, and lots of mystery. I enjoyed the dual narrative aspect, taking us from the present and back to 1929, just before the Great Depression when Millie’s great-grandmother, Ruth, and her friend, Jane, both bank tellers, were invited to be summer guests at the Dawkins Chateau on St. Simons Island, GA, by Mr. Dawkins’s “particular friend,” 🙄 Lucille Globe. (Mr. Dawkins’s wife and child were back in Chicago at their permanent residence.) The elusive diary describes Ruth’s activities in and around the Chateau during her visit.

The juxtaposition of high-society socialites and the working class guests mingling at the Chateau was fun to observe—the common folks enamored with the lives of the elite. Ruth was a poor farm girl from Central Georgia. Nineteen at the time, she was a fickle young girl who was confused about where she should direct her affection. I anxiously awaited which way Ruth’s heart would steer her. Would it be towards the lowly, solicitous gardener, George? Or the handsome, debonair, wealthy Claude?

This book is categorized as Christian fiction, but it is not strewn with bible verses or dominated by the author’s own interpretations of scripture, which I appreciated. It was not didactic at all, but simply lacked foul language, violence and immoral activity.

Audiobook: The audio narrator’s sugary sweet southern accent took some getting used to initially, but once I acclimated myself to it I was able to relax and enjoy her performance. She did a very good job with the characters’ voices and her pace was just right.

I loved this story that required me to suspend disbelief; to accept the far-fetched plot and coincidences. I liked the balance of unscrupulous characters and benevolent ones throughout the story, and how the romances within were convincingly developed. Recommended.

Thanks for visiting everyone! Have a beautiful day. 😊

The Rancher’s Twins by Carol Ross

💚💚💚💚💚 5-stars

Single father and owner of the JB Bar Ranch, Jon Blackwell, needs help. Badly. His twin girls, aged five, can’t keep a babysitter, and Jon doesn’t have time to supervise them while working his cattle ranch. In addition, he’s having to make decisions regarding his grandfather’s ranch since he’s run off somewhere with his fifth wife, Zoe, leaving behind unpaid bills and frustrated employees. So Jon requests a nanny with a country background, only to be sent a city girl from Philadelphia. He doesn’t have time to train her, and he’s not about to experience a repeat performance of his ex-wife’s disdain for ranch life. So despite how attractive she is, and how well she gets on with his girls—teaching them, cooking delicious meals, organizing things, etc., he decides it’s necessary to let her go. Lydia is devastated, not only because she feels qualified for the job, but because she’s harbouring a secret and needs the seclusion of the Montana ranch and nanny job to stay safe. Lydia manages to talk her employer into giving her two weeks to convince him that she can learn to be everything he needs. Will she succeed in convincing him to let her stay, or will her past catch up to her and sabotage her plans?

I absolutely adored this rancher story!! It immediately drew me in and then it captured my heart. Jon’s twin girls were absolutely adorable. Here’s an excerpt of dialogue between them and their new nanny, Lydia…

“You don’t look nothin’ like a old pear.”

Lydia looked at Genevieve. “Excuse me?”

“It’s noth-ing, Gen,” Abby said. “Not nothin’.”

“I know that, Abby, but I like the way Tom says nothin’.”

Abby rolled her eyes at her sister. “Well, I think you should say you don’t look anything like an old pear.” Face taut with concentration, she studied Lydia. “But she’s right, you don’t.”

“Who told you I did? And are we talking about fruit or boots?”

“Tom,” Gen answered.

“Fruit,” Abby said.

“Tom said I look like an old pear?” Lydia asked.

Abby explained, “No, Tom said we were getting an old pear. It’s a fancy name for nanny.”

Ah. Lydia smothered a laugh. “Actually, it’s au pair not old pear.”

Gen frowned. “Oh. What’s an oh pear? That don’t make no sense.”

I enjoy learning about new things when I read, and this book gave me a glimpse into the difficult life of cowboys. They work hard from sun up to sun down. Jon had to keep those animals in line and cared for, assist with calving, mend broken fences, and the list goes on and on. I liked to envision him riding his horse.

I loved so much about this book: the suspense of Lydia’s past threatening to catch up with her; Jon, the handsome, rugged cowboy 😍; the farm animals and ranch dogs; the secondary characters. It all worked, and the story flowed seamlessly from beginning to end.

Thank you, Carol Ross, for a complimentary copy of The Rancher’s Twins. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

Have a great weekend everyone! And thanks for visiting cozynookbks. 😊

A Home Come True by Cheryl Harper

💚💚💚💚 4-hearts

Luke Hollister must’ve been out of his mind thinking that he could manage his hectic life by moving from Austin, TX, to small-town Holly Heights. Having left behind his demanding Austin Police Detective job to bring his expansive, needy family to Holly Heights was shaping up to feel like more than he could handle. But his foster siblings, his little niece, and his grief-stricken mother need him, and he feels an obligation to help them. And there’s more pressure now that he’s working on a case involving a local woman’s missing father, Big Bobby Hillman, who’s running away from the consequences awaiting him for a non-violent crime he’s committed. Luke has been harassing Sarah Hillman, Bobby’s daughter, and one of Holly Heights’s own, to get answers regarding her father’s whereabouts; but Sarah’s loyal friends are not having it, and they’ve put up a protective wall around her that he’s finding hard to penetrate. One of these friends, Jennifer Neil, is Luke’s next door neighbor and she’s tough as nails. Even though Luke’s mother has dubbed her “the crazy lady,” he finds her decidedly attractive, and even at her feistiest, he has trouble resisting his desire to kiss her. Then Jennifer makes a mistake that affects Luke’s family, causing him to question his feelings for her when she’s finally beginning to see the good qualities he possesses.

I enjoyed A Home Come True. I was entertained by the way Jen initially reacted to Luke—always referring to him as “Hollister,” and refusing to give him the time of day. And it was heartwarming to see the effort Luke put into taking care of his entire family after his father died, even though it was difficult and mentally, emotionally and physically exhausting. I also appreciated the strong bonds of friendship that existed among Sarah’s friends, and how despite the discord and aggression that was present with the characters in the beginning of the book, the end result was a HEA that left me contented and in anticipation of my next Heartwarming book.

Have a great day bibliophiles!! 😉

Summer at the Shore by Carol Ross

Coast Guard petty officer, Jay Johnston, is leading too complicated a life to pursue an interest in attractive Veterinarian, Mia Frasier. With five siblings to parent, along with his work, there’d be no time to nurture a relationship.

Mia’s father was a Naval Officer who took virtually no interest in her, and moving the family from place to place didn’t help her loneliness. Mia determined that she’d never enter into a relationship with anyone in the military. But how can she resist the attraction she feels for the guarded, handsome coast guard officer who saved her life?

Summer at the Shore started off perilous, jolting me to attention and glueing me to its pages. It mellowed into a steady pace with dysfunctional family dynamics, irresistibly loving animals, a little mystery and a very satisfying HEA.

I can’t go wrong with a Heartwarming, sweet romance book. They’re tender, warm reads that leave me feeling comforted and in anticipation of my next one.

My Heartwarming Collection 😌[[[[[[

Thank you for reading. 😊

The Happiness Pact by Liz Flaherty and **Giveaway**

💚💚💚💚 4-hearts

Libby Worth and Tucker Llewelyn have known each other since they can remember. In fact, they’re only 27 minutes apart.  As handsome as Tuck is, Libby sees him as her forever friend, not imagining that they could ever be anything more. Tuck is closer to her than her own brother, and he’s seen her through the most difficult times of her life. (Or so he thinks. He doesn’t know about “the viper.”) Now the two have turned thirty-four, and each wants something different to happen in their life. Tuck realizes he wants a nuclear family, and Libby wants to add some adventure to her rather ordinary life. So they make a pact to help fulfill each other’s desires. Since each knows everything there is to know about the other it should be a rather easy task. But what’s that odd feeling Libby gets when trying to pair Tuck up with other women? And why does Tuck feel compelled to do whatever it takes to add adventure to Libby’s life in order to make her happy?  Tucker senses that Libby is hiding something, something that’s weighing her down. Is her secret the obstacle that restrains her heart from committing to a loving relationship?

This sweet story pulled me in within the first few pages. Tragedies have affected both of the main characters, but Libby has had a more difficult time coping, unbeknownst to her best friend, Tuck.  The Happiness Pact touches on the effects that tragedy can have on ones mind and body, and how trying to tackle our own fears is not always the best route to take. But mostly it shows how the love of friends, family and a close-knit community can help us to overcome our challenges so that we can feel free to love, and to enjoy living.  And, of course, since this is a sweet romance book, there’s an endearing love story.

The Happiness Pact is a testament to how love can triumph despite hardships in life. Liz Flaherty has an inventive imagination. The scenes in her books envelop you in warmth and comfort.  Recommended for those who enjoy light, sweet romance stories with a smidgen of more complex themes.

Liz Flaherty has kindly supplied me with a prize pack to give away.  To enter, LIKE this post, and then tell me if you enjoy sweet romance stories, and if you do, what do you appreciate about them?  Contest open to U.S. residents only. 😔  Winner will be announced on 7/7/2018.

Thanks, as always, for visiting Cozynookbks.