The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – 5 stars

Dawn and her mother, Marnie, are at a crossroads in their lives. Both have suffered traumatic events and are about to make life-altering changes to their future. This is more Marnie’s idea than Dawn’s. Marnie is free-spirited and spontaneous, while Dawn is a pragmatist and makes well thought-out decisions after entertaining the what-ifs first and foremost. If it were up to Dawn she would not be joining her mother in this new impetuous endeavor of hers—Marnie is forever starting things that she doesn’t finish. But instead Dawn finds herself supporting her mother as new owner of a run-down ice-cream shop on Cape Cod island that Marnie happens to purchase on a whim while vacationing with her daughter who’s trying to heal from being dumped by her fiancé weeks before their wedding. In fact, this is where they were supposed to be honeymooning. Marnie knows little to nothing about making ice-cream. Dawn knows everything about it, but the thought never crossed her mind to give up her successful career as a CPA on her way to making partner to making ice-cream in a small town. Until…

This story is about an unfulfilled dream brought to life from a least expected entrepreneur, and an even lesser expected supporter; how they learn to accept each others differences and overcome very difficult challenges together and move forward, with the help of a few new friends along the way. In the process they transform a ramshackle ice cream shop that served terrible-tasting ice-cream into a welcoming gathering spot for the locals where they can eat delicious ice-cream and feel a sense of pride in their little Cape Cod town of Chatham, MA.

I love a good happily-ever-after story and this one delivered. The Sweet Life was a charming read with captivating characters that warmed my heart and left me wanting more. The quaint setting of Cape Cod added to its charm. The book wasn’t lengthy at 283 pages, but I became acquainted enough with the characters to want to know how they get on in the future. I’m eager to visit again with the cast of which I assigned these designations: The Pollyanna, The Nervous Nelly, The Debbie Downer, The Lingering Ex, The Good Samaritan, The Chatty Kathy and the Killjoy. What a great cast of characters they were!! A sweet story indeed.

Thank you, Revell Reads, for a complimentary copy of The Sweet Life. All opinions expressed about it are my own.

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The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- 5 stars

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery is a dual-timeline novel that opens in the present day and shortly thereafter transports us back in time to 1965. Glory Ann, a young girl of nineteen, finds herself expecting and thrust into the hands of a shopkeeper who has agreed to marry her in the wake of her fiancé’s tragic death in Vietnam to preserve her family’s good name and reputation. Glory Ann’s heart is shattered along with her hopes and dreams of a life with Jimmy who is no more. But can the passing of time help to mend a broken heart?

Present Day – Three generations of women—Glory Ann, Rosemary and Sarah, have come to the realization that their Old Depot Grocery has fallen victim to the appeal of larger chain stores with their extensive variety and modern conveniences. The store is barren and customers are sparse. Sarah, who has recently arrived back in Tennessee after suffering a loss is dismayed by the condition of the store that her mother and grandmother are still struggling to maintain, the store she grew up in. What she observes now does not coincide with her cherished memories. Old Depot Grocery is still appreciated by many in the small town of Brighton for its friendly atmosphere and the owners’ exceptional customer service, but it’s not nearly enough to keep the family business, that dates back decades, afloat. Will the three women fight to preserve the family’s legacy, or will they give in to Old Depot’s inevitable future?

Unfortunately, the decision to preserve the shop at all costs is not a unanimous one amongst the women. Although fond memories are linked to the store, so are tragic ones.  For Rosemary, burying the past along with anything associated with its painful memories seems the more favorable option.  She can ensure that her mother, Glory Ann, will be financially set in her old age, and there will be no reason for Sarah to give up her life as a successful city girl and be forever tied to the old debilitating store the way she was. 

Each woman has her reasons for wanting to save or relinquish Old Depot Grocery, but they’re all also harboring many secrets that, once revealed, will either draw them closer together or possibly break them forever apart.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery was AMAZING!! I was glued to its pages from start to finish. There was heartbreak, secrets, guilt, revelations, unconditional love, redemption, forgiveness and so much more. Amanda Cox weaves together all of the various elements of the story flawlessly. When you’ve read the last page you won’t believe how she accomplished tidying up all the loose ends into a perfectly fulfilling and satisfying conclusion. Glory Ann, Rosemary and Sarah were great characters along with some of the supporting players. My thoughts about them lingered each time I put the book down. By the end everyone exposes their secrets, comes to terms with their inner demons, and learns that while there is still breath in their lungs they can move forward in life towards their dreams. Even Old Depot can be transformed.

The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery touched my heart and moved me to tears several times. I highly recommend this book. A phenomenal read.

Thank you, Revell Books, for a complimentary ARC of The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery. All opinions of it are my own.

Have a great weekend everyone, and thanks for stopping by. 😊

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.

Montana Dreams by Anna J. Stewart – (The Blackwell Sisters~Book 3)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Montana Dreams by Anna J. Stewart is the third installment in the Blackwell Sisters series and it focuses on Peyton Harrison (Blackwell). Peyton is the workaholic sister who prefers her world neat and orderly. But a complication arises when her life is suddenly in jeopardy. And if being assigned a bodyguard, albeit a very attractive one, weren’t enough, Peyton’s life is about to change in an even more substantial way. Her boss insists that she take a short leave from her city job for her own protection, as well as her colleagues’; and she won’t take no for an answer. But how will Peyton do that? Where will she go? Someone knows exactly where Peyton will go, and she’s not happy about it one bit.

I love it when Big E makes an appearance in these books!! He just seems to pop up out of nowhere, and his presence as a character is so believable that it feels as though he’s a true, living person. Anna Stewart’s description of the Montana Ranch caused me to put the book down and ruminate on the beauty I could visualize in my mind’s eye. She brought the characters and landscape to life. Reading about the horses and the details she provided made it seem as though someone with real horse experience wrote those pages, or a good amount of research was involved in writing them. I relished reading about the time that was spent between Matteo the bodyguard and his son, Gino. Gino’s youthful speech was spot-on, and his father’s obvious pride in, and adoration of his son was endearing. Add to that a mystery that kept the pages turning, and of course a happily-ever-after, and you have all the elements that make for a tender, heartwarming read. Loved it.

The Nantucket Inn by Pamela Kelley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4-stars

The Nantucket Inn is the story of widowed mother, Lisa Hodges, and her four grown children: twins Kate and Kristen, son Chase, and youngest daughter, Abby. Now that Lisa’s husband is gone, she’s struggling to stay afloat in her home on Nantucket Island. Brian, her late husband, made poor choices resulting in financial ruin for Lisa. Her age and skill set are not exactly working in her favor, but since she’s an excellent cook with a home that has unused rooms, she accepts the idea of turning her beloved home into an Inn. In doing so she finds more than just a way to keep her finances in order.

The Nantucket Inn is a clean, fast-moving, simple read. It’s the kind of book that’s uncomplicated and tells a nice, comforting story. Lisa and her female adult children’s lives are the focal point. Since that’s four separate scenarios I at times had to pause a moment to keep everyone straight, but happily it wasn’t difficult. Lisa’s male son didn’t have much space in the book, but I think he occurs more prominently in at least one of the subsequent books.

I enjoyed this book. The length was just right, the audio narrator was pleasant, and overall it was mellow and satisfying.

A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

Circa 1870’s. What is a Buffalo, NY, girl doing in Penance, Dakota Territory? Agnes Pratt is running away from the man she loves, that’s what. Why? Because she doesn’t want to reveal a secret that’s sure to ruin their chances of ever being together. Accepting a teaching job in a remote territory where James Harris could never find her seemed the best option. But Agnes is no frontier woman, or so she thought. She’s managed to establish herself in Penance; gaining the admiration and respect of many of the residents in the small town. Just maybe she can say goodbye to the life she once dreamed of and hello to this new life. It’s been six years since she left NY. Surely she can accept her fate and embrace her role as teacher and spinster. That is until the new doctor shows up in Penance and threatens to change the trajectory of her future.

A Life Once Dreamed can be summed up with one word: delightful. It was a gentle read that took me on a journey to the Midwest and gave me Little House on the Prairie vibes that put me in a good mental space during this pandemic. It was well written with rugged, endearing characters and enough calamities and adventures to keep the story moving forward. I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you, Revell Books, for the gifted copy of A Life Once Dreamed. My review of it is entirely my own.

Montana Wishes – (The Blackwell Sisters ~ Book 2) by Amy Vastine

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ – 5 hearts **TOP PICK**

I…..LOVED…..THIS….BOOK!! Do you hear me? I LOVED it!! Montana Wishes has just become one of my absolute favorite Heartwarming books!!, and I’ve read A LOT of them. Amy Vastine knows how to write a sweet romance story. But this was even more than that. This book was full of surprises that were perfectly timed to provoke every emotion imaginable within me!! I was happy, sad, hopeful, mad, glad….it was like an emotional medley of feelings. If time had permitted, I could have read the entire book in one or two sittings. That’s how invested I was in the characters and their outcome, especially since I knew it would be a good one. Heartwarming books always result in a happily- ever-after. My imagination ran wild as I envisioned the various scenes—the road trip, the Blackwell ranch, the animals (including Amanda’s Irish Wolfhound, Clancy), the cowboys, the romantic tension, and finally, the unveiling of secrets…. it was creative and realistic and entertaining, and it made me want to jump on an airplane to Montana to meet each and every character 😊. They’ll all be alive in my memory where I’ll be hoping to revisit them in the next Blackwell Sisters installment, Montana Dreams, by Anna J. Stewart.

And now, my brief summary of what it’s all about…

In Montana Wishes, the focus is on Amanda Harrison, a triplet of five sisters; identical twin to Lily Harrison and fraternal twin to Georgie Harrison. Peyton is the oldest sibling, and Fiona, the youngest. Got that? These are actually The Blackwell Sisters, but that’s a story for another time. To say that Amanda is going through trying times in her life would be an understatement. This poor woman has received a quadruple whammy of distressing news and she’s trying to take it all in stride. She’s on her way to Montana from California to help her sister Lily who she believes is about to make the biggest mistake of her life. Meanwhile, she’s traveling with her best friend since middle school, Blake Collins, who’s the greatest catch ever, but who’s recently become engaged. Amanda’s harboring devastating news that she’s just received and will have to deal with when she returns from her trip, and she’s trying to come to terms with recent revelations about her family history. At 29, is Amanda’s life story a series of unfortunate events, or is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

I can’t say enough good things about Montana Wishes, or The Blackwell Sisters series thus far, other than that I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed.

The Blackwell Sisters series

Enjoy your week everyone!! Thanks for reading.

Me after reading Montana Wishes

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.

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! 😊

Almost a Bride by Rula Sinara

💚💚💚💚 – 4 stars

Grayson and Mandi are meant for each other and even made it to the altar, but Mandi had second thoughts and jilted Gray there. Ouch!!

A few years later a sad occasion reunites them. Gray is deeply committed to his veterinary practice on the quaint island of Turtleback Beach in the outer banks of NC, while Mandi is set to start her new advertising career in NYC. Both are still fighting their feelings for one another, but Mandi is reluctant to get involved again with a reticent, guarded man who doesn’t seem to trust her. She’s unaware that Gray is in a witness protection program, and that disclosing this information could be deadly. Meanwhile, Mandi’s manipulative father dislikes Gray and is determined to keep the two apart. His meddling, though, could have disastrous consequences.

This second chance romance story tugged at my heart strings. I desperately wanted Gray to tell Mandi that he couldn’t open up to her because it would be too dangerous. That bit of conflict in the story kept me guessing how things would turn out for them. The clever way the revelation took place was highly satisfying. Gray was such a likable character; a vet who cared for sick and injured animals. Who couldn’t love a man with such tender compassion for animals and wildlife?

There’s a lot to love about Almost a Bride: lovable animals, hidden secrets, necessary lies and a HEA that will leave you feeling all happy inside. It’s always gratifying to read a book by Rula Sinara because you’ll almost always learn something new and exciting about animals and preservation, and that alone makes her books worth the investment.

Have a great week!! 😊

Blog Tour: The Clergyman’s Wife ~ A Pride & Prejudice Novel by Molly Greeley – REVIEW

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

In The Clergyman’s Wife we find ourselves intruding upon the lives of William and Charlotte Collins. This Pride and Prejudice-inspired novel begins a few years after Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth Bennett’s cherished friend, marries awkward, harried Mr. Collins and settles down in the quaintly comfortable Hunsford parsonage in Kent. Charlotte, having hastily recommended herself for marriage to Mr. Collins when Elizabeth adamantly rejected him, has resigned herself to her melancholy existence as his wife. She’d perceived her marital prospects as slim given her lack of natural beauty and inconvenient social standing, which elevated her above the neighboring hopefuls thanks to her father’s favoring vanity over economic prudence, and now she recognizes the gravity of her impetuous decision. If this weren’t enough, their benefactress, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of whom William Collins is ridiculously solicitous, diligently oversees nearly every aspect of their living arrangement, to Charlotte’s dismay. So when Charlotte witnesses her sister, Maria’s, excitement over her betrothal to the man she actually loves, irrespective of how their family or acquaintances view his humble profession of Apothecary, her own decision to settle for security over love leaves her with a degree of regret and sadness. Can anyone restore her initial grateful countenance?

Mr. Travis, a tenant farmer, has been commissioned by Lady Catherine de Bourgh, to beautify the Hunsford garden with roses. No botanist or gardener himself, but the son of one who painstakingly tended to the gardens of Rosing’s Park, Lady Catherine’s estate, Mr. Travis sets out to accomplish the task for which he’s been assigned. His work in the Hunsford garden necessitates regular visits to the Collins’ home of which Charlotte has grown accustomed. She is consciously aware of her anticipation of Mr. Travis’s visits and tries her utmost to appease herself with excuses for her imprudent feelings towards the man. Mr. Travis awakens her sensibilities in a way that her husband never has, and she is at once delighted by her thoughts and distressed by the impropriety associated with them. Charlotte is torn between loyalty to her well-meaning but emotionally distant husband and the anticipatory exhilaration in keeping congenial company with Mr. Travis. His apparent interest in her daughter, Louisa, her love of novels and sketching has enlivened Charlotte’s mundane existence, and has subsequently broadened her activities as a parson’s wife, impelling her to make visits upon the widows and elderly—bringing them gifts and conversing on a regular basis. Charlotte’s disposition has improved on account of Mr. Travis, and owing to this fact, her feeling of mortification and shame both chides her and spurs her on. What’s a loyal, morally upright woman to do?

If you loved Pride & Prejudice, or enjoy historical novels, you won’t want to miss The Clergyman’s Wife. Ms. Greeley’s melodious prose is descriptive and atmospheric; I could smell the damp leaves on the forest floor and hear the rustle of the dry leaves in the trees as the wind kicked up before a menacing downpour. I could see the Hunsford garden’s vibrant flowers swaying in the breeze while toddler, Louisa, squealed while frolicking. Events in the book evoked feelings of poignancy and mirth, and there was a nice balance between the two. The Mr. Collins and Lady Catherine de Bourgh characters so accurately embodied their familiar personalities from Pride and Prejudice that I found myself chuckling at their mannerisms and dialog, which was a real treat.

The Clergyman’s Wife is an even-paced, gentle read that elicits a feeling of longing to transport oneself back to the Regency era where gentility and propriety were the norm.

Thank you, William Morrow, for a free ARC of The Clergyman’s Wife, in exchange for my honest review, which I have given.

Thank you for visiting!

A Father for Bella by Jill Weatherholt – and my recent absence from Cozynookbks….

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 – 4.5 stars

When Joshua Carlson comes to stay at the Black Bear Inn for an entire month Faith is surprised. Most guests only stay for a quick weekend of skiing. That name, Carlson, sounds familiar to Faith, but Joshua isn’t saying much about who he is or why he’s there. She won’t press. After all, he did help her out in a tremendous way respecting her young daughter, Bella, as soon as he’d arrived.

Eventually, Faith finds out about Joshua’s real intentions and she’s heartbroken.

Presently, living in the little cottage on the Inn’s property has been home for Faith and Bella. Thinking about having to say goodbye to the property is overwhelming. But focusing on that while trying to manage the Inn’s restaurant is counterproductive, so instead Faith pours her energy into finding a way to keep her home.

Bella is getting attached to Joshua, and Faith is getting worried. But is she concerned about little Bella’s feelings for “Mr. Joshua,” or her own?

There’s so much to love about A Father for Bella. The wintry setting drew me in with its ski resort and cozy inn. Little Bella was adorable, and Faith’s reluctance to let go of the memory of her deceased husband while also fighting her attraction to Joshua kept me engaged in the story until the end. Add to that an accident, a calamity and a bit of mystery, and you’ve got a story that will keep you guessing and entertained until the final page.

If you enjoy a sweet read with a HEA that will leave you feeling relieved and fully content, then A Father for Bella is for you.

And if you enjoy Jill’s book, look out for her current release, A Mother for His Twins. I just spied it in my local Walmart. 😊

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My recent absence from Cozynookbks

For those of you who have been following my blog for a while you will have noticed that I haven’t posted here for about two months. My mother suddenly became critically ill and we almost lost her. Since receiving that dreadful news I haven’t had the presence of mind or the time to read books. Since my mom was living over eight hours away at the time it was very difficult trying to balance everything. She was in the hospital for about six weeks and completed rehabilitation about a week ago. I am so happy to report that she is alive and making bits of progress each day.

Thank you for reading, and I hope to be catching up on the host of books and audiobooks that have been patiently waiting for me. I sure have missed all of you. 😊

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. ☺️

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 Rescue – Return of the Blackwell Brothers – Book 2

What would you do if you were saddled with debt and jobless even though you are a licensed veterinarian but not in the state where you just found out that your ex-girlfriend’s sister was having your baby and you know she would never consider leaving the state where you’re not licensed to practice even though you vowed you’d never return to said state unless it was to sit through the reading of your grandfather’s Will but meanwhile you’ve been called back there because your beloved brother needs your help to try to save your grandfather’s ranch that you grew up on but that your grandfather has run off and abandoned leaving behind mounting debts that you’re not in a position to shore up and the only person who can help you to access some of your grandfather’s assets to temporarily save the ranch is one of his ex-wives who is a judge that grandpa was married to for five days who you believe still hates you for blowing out her truck’s tires when you were a kid and who refers to you as “Day Two” but who you need help from desperately because you don’t want to let your brother down in his time of need?

Are you still with me? Welcome to Ethan Blackwell’s life! He’s got a lot going on, but he’s not willing to stay in Falcon Creek longer than what’s necessary to help his brother. But what about Grace Gardner and his baby dilemma? Someone has to be willing to compromise, but neither seems likely to budge on their convictions. Will Ethan “stop running” and find that what he’s looking for is right in front of him? And will Grace recognize Ethan’s true feelings and get to fulfill her dreams in the only place she’s destined to call home?I loved this book!! The fully fleshed-out characters endear you to this series. I liked the build up to Ethan’s finding out he was going to be a father, along with the suspense of learning how Grace’s sister, Sarah Ashley, would react to the news that her sister is carrying her ex-boyfriend’s baby. I didn’t know what to expect but the way the author tidies up all of these seemingly impossible scenarios was truly impressive. And again, those characters!! Judge Myrna Edwards was one of my favorites. The way the scene played out between her and Ethan put a smile on my face. I can’t provide any more details because I don’t want to give too much away. This book has substance. And that epilogue! 😂

All I can say is I am enjoying this series to the point that I’ve thrust aside a couple of other reading commitments to squeeze these books in because I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Thank you so much, Cari Lynn Webb, for a complimentary copy of The Rancher’s Rescue. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

Have a great one everybody!! Thanks for visiting Cozynookbks. Your support is so greatly appreciated. 😊

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 Ladies of Ivy Cottage (Book 2—Tales From Ivy Hill series) by Julie Klassen

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-stars

I was thrilled to be reconnecting with these courageous, strong and determined women. Rachel Ashford takes center stage in this book. She is a displaced gentlewoman of meager means since her deceased father’s estate is now home to his distant cousin, Nicholas Ashford, where he and his mother reside (entail laws and all that). Fortunately, Rachel has been invited to live with her friend, Mercy Grove, and her aunt Matilda at Ivy Cottage. With few other options available to her, Rachel accepts the generous offer and tries her hand at teaching the pupils at Mercy’s girls school on the premises, since she needs an occupation. That venture proves unsuccessful as she is not particularly skilled at the art of instruction. Meanwhile, Nicholas Ashford desires Rachel’s hand in marriage. Although accepting him would secure her future and place her back in the beloved Thornvale where she grew up, she continues to put him off. Meanwhile, there might be hope in the way of a proposal from Sir. Timothy Brockwell. Brockwell’s interest in Rachel is not new, and the circumstances surrounding the possible suitor seem more favorable now since they don’t involve her friend Jane Bell, the woman presumed to marry Sir Timothy. Their recently reconciled friendship is highly valued by both women. Still, Lady Brockwell has higher aspirations for her son in the way of a marriage partner. Rachel is fiery and feisty, dodging Lady Brockwell’s subtle assaults at her. But even if Sir Timothy defies his mother and asks for Rachel’s hand, how might it affect her friendship with Jane?

During her first meeting of the Ladies Tea and Knitting Society, Rachel’s impoverished predicament is shared with the attendees by Mercy Grove. These progressive women suggest that Rachel earn her livelihood by starting a much-needed circulating library in Ivy Hill with her father’s extensive library, which Rachel inherited but is forbidden to sell off. This endeavour proves promising and Rachel is on her way to sustaining herself in the meantime while living at Ivy Cottage.

Mercy Grove has more or less resigned herself to spinster status. She doesn’t think herself attractive and doubts that any man will find her so. Solace comes in the form of her recently attained ward, Alice, one of the little orphaned girls that attends her school. The two are attached to each other. So what will Mercy do when a person from Alice’s mother’s past threatens to sever their relationship?

I love the propriety, etiquette and decorum of the Regency period. The slow pace of life is a welcome diversion from today’s fast world. Despite the improprieties of the upper crust—their infidelities, indiscretions and scandals, Julie Klassen does not deliver them to us in the same way we’d receive them from a dime novel. In contrast, her prose is all manners and grace, indicative of the time period. The visual impact of her stories is what keeps me coming back to her books.

If you love historical fiction involving revitalized friendships, swoon-worthy romantic moments, an atmospheric setting with fully developed characters, this book is for you. But do yourself a favor and begin with the first book in the series, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill. Highly recommended series.

Thank you Bethany House publishers for a complimentary copy of this book. In exchange I have provided an honest review.

Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful day.