In Royal Service to the Queen By Tessa Arlen

 The revealing story of Queen Elizabeth II's beloved governess, Marion Crawford, who spent more than sixteen years of her life in loyal service to the royal family and was later shunned by those she has loved and served.

Marion Crawford can remember each of the wonderful years when she was governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose: included in their lives, confided in, needed, trusted, and loved. These memories will never dim, ever. In Marion's mind, she will always be their Crawfie.

But things become increasingly complicated as the young royals navigate adulthood. It is May 1945 and Princess Elizabeth--the heiress presumptive to the British throne--has fallen in love, and the only member of her family who is happy for her is her governess. No one in the young princess's life thinks that Prince Philip of Greece would be a suitable husband for the future Queen of England. No one that is, except for Marion Crawford.

Crawfie wholeheartedly supports Elizabeth in her determination to marry Philip. She too has fallen in love--and has convinced her fiancé, George, that they must wait for Elizabeth and Philip to receive the King's blessing before she can leave her service to the Crown.

Over the next two years Crawfie is caught between loyalty to Princess Elizabeth; running the risk of alienating her royal employer, Queen Elizabeth; and losing the man she loves. But as Crawfie prevails to marry George and stands with him in Westminster Abbey on Elizabeth and Philip's wedding day, she is unaware that her troubled relationship with Queen Elizabeth is far from over. And just around the corner is a betrayal that will sever her bond with the royal family forever.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: In Royal Service to the Queen: A Novel of the Queen's Governess (9780593102480): Arlen, Tessa: Books

British born Tessa Arlen came to the U.S. in 1980 and worked as an H.R. recruiter for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for the 1984 Olympic Games, where she interviewed her future husband for a job. She lives with her husband and two corgis in the high desert of the Southwest, where she gardens in summer and writes in winter.

My Thoughts...

Very interesting read. I learned a lot about the governess. It was very well written and researched.

Historical fiction fans are sure to fall in love with this one.

I gave it 4 stars and I hope you enjoy it as well.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

The Fiancée By Kate White

They had everything they needed for a perfect family vacation: close-knit relatives, a bucolic setting . . . and a murderer in their midst?

Summer’s looking forward to a break from hustling for acting work in Manhattan when she, her husband Gabe, and Gabe’s nine-year-old son arrive at the annual family get-together at her in-laws’ sprawling estate. On the agenda are leisurely gourmet meals, tennis matches, and plenty of relaxation by the pool.

But this year, Gabe’s brother Nick has invited his new flame Hannah, whom Summer immediately recognizes from a few years before. Oddly, her brother-in-law’s girlfriend claims not to know her. Yet she charms the other family members, and after Nick announces that he’s proposed to Hannah, Summer doesn’t have much choice but to grin and bear it.

Then the reunion is rocked by tragedy when a family member is found dead. Though the doctors attribute the loss to natural causes, a grieving Summer fears that the too-good-to-be-true Hannah is involved, even as Gabe dismisses her suspicions.

How far will Summer go to expose the truth? As she investigates just what Nick’s fiancée might have done to keep her perfect image intact, she begins to fear that the first death might only be the beginning . . .

Pick up your copy here...

 Amazon.com: The Fiancée: A Novel (9780062945419): White, Kate: Books

Kate White is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of seven psychological thrillers, including HAVE YOU SEEN ME? (2020), named a best book of the month by Amazon, and the upcoming The Fiancée (June 2021).

In addition to writing stand-alone psychological thrillers, Kate is the author of eight Bailey Weggins mysteries. The most recent, SUCH A PERFECT WIFE (2019), was nominated for an International Thriller Writers Award.

Kate is also the editor of the MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA COOKBOOK.

She is a frequent speaker at libraries and conferences and loves to share her journey from magazine editor to suspense author in a talk called: On Becoming an Author: Forging a New Creative Path and Finding Winning Ideas All Around You.

You can get updates from Kate by signing up for her newsletter at katewhite.com--and/or following her on Facebook @KateWhiteAuthor or Instagram @katewhite_author. If you need to contact her for a talk or book club visit (in person or on Skype/Zoom), or just to ask a question, simply go to "Contact" at katewhite.com.

The former editor-in-chief of five major magazines, including Cosmopolitan for 14 years, Kate is also the author of several popular career books, including THE GUTSY GIRL HANDBOOK: YOUR MANIFESTO FOR SUCCESS; I SHOULDN'T BE TELLING YOU THIS: HOW TO ASK FOR THE MONEY, SNAG THE PROMOTION, AND CREATE THE CAREER YOU DESERVE and WHY GOOD GIRLS DON'T GET AHEAD BUT GUTSY GIRLS DO.

My Thoughts...

My first book by White. I love a great thriller. I was lead to believe that Hannah was the devil the whole time so I was shocked to learn the real killer. I never saw that coming. It was very well written.

4 stars and I can't wait to read more of Whites work.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

When We Blinked By Stephanie Mack

 

Newly split from her husband and college sweetheart, Seraphina Jones has returned to work after four years as a stay-at-home mom. She loves her job at prestigious Hamilton Hotels & Resorts, but her transition from play dates to pencil skirts is proving wobbly at best. 

Encouraged to rediscover her romantic side, Sera agrees to try hot new dating app Blinde, aimed at millennials tired of swipe culture. The differentiator? Blinde doesn’t allow any pictures. Instead, the wildly popular platform fosters connections through meaningful conversations, inviting the age-old question: Is true love actually blind?  

Sera soon finds herself freshly confident, succeeding at work, and smitten by not one, but several men: gorgeous heir to the Hamilton throne, Graham Hamilton; irresistible dark horse Jack, slowly winning her heart via Blinde; and Connor, her ex, the only man she’s ever loved.

But even though Sera thinks she's juggling three different suitors—the truth is, there are only two. Unbeknownst to Sera, Connor is posing as invisible hottie Jack, secretly allowing her to get to know him all over again, as if for the very first time. Could love at second sight change everything for Sera and Connor? Or will she want a clean slate with dreamy Graham? 

Set against the backdrops of sunny Southern California and the whimsical Wyoming mountains, When We Blinked provides a timely, unforgettable portrait of modern love—the mistakes that shape us, the ties that bind us, and the grace that can make us new. 

Pick up your copy here...

When We Blinked: A Novel: Mack, Stephanie: 9780578855332: Amazon.com: Books

Based in Orange County, California, Stephanie Mack is a longtime writer, wife to one, and mom of three little girls. She has been blogging at MOMentary Insanity® since 2014. Her work has also appeared on Scary Mommy, Faithit, Coffee + Crumbs, and more. She holds a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC. When We Blinked is her debut novel.

To learn more, please visit StephanieMack.com.

Connect with Stephanie on Instagram @stephanienmack!

My Thoughts...

I could close my eyes and see the wonderful California setting. I was taken in within the first few chapters and so captivated  I could not stop reading.

This is a debut author to keep your eyes on.

I think this would make a group small group book to read there would be so much to talk about.

I gave this book 4 stars its a winner in my book.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Left On Main By Crystal Jackson

 Libby Reynolds is having to reboot her entire life after a sudden divorce and relocation. Seth Carver has let work become his whole life, becoming himself the kind of anachronism he surrounds himself with in the antique store he owns. They'll fall together, but can their love withstand a visit from the past she's left behind? Left on Main is the first in the Map of Madison series.

Pick up your copy here...

Left On Main (1) (Heart of Madison Series): Jackson, Crystal: 9781988281759: Amazon.com: Books

'Left on Main’ is Crystal Jackson’s first novel in the Heart of Madison series, an ongoing southern romance set in the charming real-life town of Madison, Georgia, where she lives with her two wild and wonderful children. A former therapist turned author, her work has been featured on Medium, Elephant Journal, Elite Daily, and The Good Men Project. When she’s not writing for Medium and working on her next book, you can find Crystal traveling, paddle boarding, running, throwing axes badly but with terrifying enthusiasm, hiking, doing yoga, or curled up with her nose in a book.  

This is a four book series and I am going to share one with you for the next few weeks.

Views From the Spectrum By Ron Sandison GIVEAWAY!

 

A remarkable inside look at the intersection of faith and autism for parents longing to connect their children with God's love

Raising a child with autism is both a challenge and an adventure--and sometimes parents need to know there can also be wonderful potential for blessings. Views from the Spectrum shares the inspiring stories of twenty amazing young adults with autism and how each of their family's unwavering support and faith in God led them to accomplish what was thought impossible. As a thriving adult with autism himself, Ron Sandison is determined to educate the world on the gifts and talents autism can cultivate--even when they differ from our expectations of typical success.

While it is primarily a much-needed how-to guide for parents of children with special needs, this book is also a stunning view into the world of autism. Readers will witness the courage of Tyler Gianchetta, who rescued his mother from a burning vehicle. They'll marvel at the artistic talent of nonverbal poet and artist Kimberly Dixon, admire the determination of Armani Williams, competing as a NASCAR driver, and find encouragement in the many other stories within these pages. In addition to these experiences, Sandison has also interviewed top experts in the autism field and shares their insights here.

Sandison weaves narrative with Scripture, sharing his own journey with autism throughout the book. Full of anecdotes, scientific research, parenting tips, prayers, devotions, and more, Views from the Spectrum is a celebration of autism, faith, and the possibilities at their intersection. 

Pick up your copy here...

Views from the Spectrum: A Window into Life and Faith with Your Neurodivergent Child: Sandison, Ron: 9780825446672: Amazon.com: Books

Ron Sandison works full time in the medical field and is a professor of theology at Destiny School of Ministry. He is an advisory board member of Autism Society Faith Initiative of Autism Society of American. Sandison has a Master of Divinity from Oral Roberts University and Charisma House is publishing his book on 4/5/16, A Parent’s Guide to Autism: Practical Advice. Biblical Wisdom. He has over 10,000 Scriptures memorized including 22 complete books of the New Testament. Ron and his wife, Kristen, reside in Rochester Hills, MI, with their pet rabbit, Babs, and cat, Frishma.

My Thoughts...

HOPE! That's what you need to know going into this book.

There is a lot to take in its not a book you will read in one sitting its full of advice and real life answers. It has a prayer and meditation at teh end of each chapter.

Families blessed with a member with autism you are going to want to grab this book. Very well done.

4 stars and a tool you all need.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Butterfly Cottage By Carrie Fancett Pagels

Life-changing journeys begin when three generations of women unexpectedly spend a summer at the family’s Straits of Mackinac cottage.Blurb: Three generations of women unexpectedly head out to the family’s cottage at the Straits of Mackinac for a small-town Michigan summer together. Jaycie begins an Archeology internship on Mackinac Island. Her mother, Tamara, takes a break from teaching kindergarteners. And her grandmother, Dawn, struggles with a decision to sell her successful travel agency and possibly retire.Each has her own journey to pursue during this short respite time from “normal” life. One of them has a secret that will change all of their lives. Can she make this one special summer to remember or will all be devastated? Faith for family and friends will be tested, with some finally able to put the past behind them and begin anew.(Set in 2018, pre-Pandemic.)

Pick up your copy here...

 Butterfly Cottage: Pagels, Carrie Fancett: 9781736687505: Amazon.com: Books

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., writes stories about overcoming with God's help (including a Romantic Times Top Pick inspirational novel). She has eighteen published romances. Carrie is an ECPA-bestselling award-winning author of Christian historical romance. She won the Maggie Award for Excellence medallion in 2018 for her novel, "My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island". Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn't "cure" her overactive imagination. 

My Thoughts...

Finally Pagels is writing women's fiction. And it blow me away. I love stories of families and love and the laugh out loud moments were great.  I had no idea going in I was going to love this book. The cover alone and the title had me I did not really care about the story but oh boy was it fantastic.

5 stars and I need Pagels to hurry up and pour our another great story.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

A Distant Grave By Sarah Stewart Taylor

 

In the follow up to the critically acclaimed The Mountains Wild, Detective Maggie D'arcy tackles another intricate case that bridges Long Island and Ireland in A Distant Grave.

Long Island homicide detective Maggie D'arcy and her teenage daughter, Lilly, are still recovering from the events of last fall when a strange new case demands Maggie's attention. The body of an unidentified Irish national turns up in a wealthy Long Island beach community and with little to go on but the scars on his back, Maggie once again teams up with Garda detectives in Ireland to find out who the man was and what he was doing on Long Island. The strands of the mystery take Maggie to a quiet village in rural County Clare that's full of secrets and introduce her to the world of humanitarian aid workers half a world away. And as she gets closer to the truth about the murder, what she learns leads her back to her home turf and into range of a dangerous and determined killer who will do anything to keep the victim's story hidden forever.

With the lyrical prose, deeply drawn characters, and atmospheric setting that put The Mountains Wild on multiple best of the year lists, Sarah Stewart Taylor delivers another gripping mystery novel about family, survival, and the meaning of home. 

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: A Distant Grave: A Mystery (Maggie D'arcy Mysteries, 2) (9781250256447): Taylor, Sarah Stewart: Books

Sarah Stewart Taylor is the author of the Sweeney St. George series and the Maggie D'arcy series. She grew up on Long Island, and was educated at Middlebury College in Vermont and Trinity College, Dublin, where she studied Irish Literature. She has worked as a journalist and writing teacher and now lives with her family on a farm in Vermont where they raise sheep and grow blueberries.

My Thoughts...

I enjoyed The Mountains Wild so I was super excited to read book two A Distant Grave. It did not disappoint. I was happy to dig into this mystery.

Taylor is a good mystery writer and she keeps you guessing.

I gave A Distant Grave 4 stars and I recommend  reading both books.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Don't Make Me Turn This Life Around By Camille Pagan

 

A witty and unexpected novel about a woman trying to keep her family vacation―and yes, her life―from going south by the Amazon Charts bestselling author of Life and Other Near-Death Experiences.

It’s been thirteen years since doctors declared Libby Ross-Velasquez a goner. Yet here she is―cancer free. So why doesn’t she feel more alive?

Sure, Libby’s husband, Shiloh, has been distant. One of their daughters has a serious health condition. And her father’s death hovers over Libby like a rain cloud. Still, this eternal optimist knows she’s the winner of the existential lottery.

But when her forced cheer isn’t enough to keep her family from catching her blahs, she decides to fly them all to Vieques. The Puerto Rican island is where she and Shiloh fell in love―and where she decided to fight for her life after her cancer diagnosis. Where better to put their problems into perspective?

Then a tropical storm strikes. Libby pretends everything’s fine, even as she fears she’s doomed her family. What she can’t see is that the worst disaster they’ve faced may be the best thing that ever happened to them. But first, they have to get through it. 

Pick up your copy here...

Don't Make Me Turn This Life Around: Pagán, Camille: 9781542026475: Amazon.com: Books

Camille Pagán is the #1 Amazon Charts and Washington Post bestselling author of seven novels, including This Won't End Well, I’m Fine and Neither Are You, and Life and Other Near-Death Experiences, which has been optioned for film. Her books have been translated into nearly two dozen languages. Pagán has written for the New York Times; O, The Oprah Magazine; Parade; Real Simple; Time; and many other publications. Learn more about her work at www.camillepagan.com.

My Thoughts...

Are you ready for a ride of your life? Pagan pens a story so easy to read and characters like Libby that we can all relate to.

She incorporates  friendship, family and love which makes the pages fly by. She even talks about cancer.

This might just be one of my favorite books by Pagan and I will be so happy to get her next book in my hands.

This 5 star read is one you don't want to miss I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Along A Storied Trail By Ann Gabhart GIVEAWAY!

 Kentucky packhorse librarian Tansy Calhoun doesn't mind the rough trails and long hours as she serves her Appalachian mountain community during the Great Depression. Yet she longs to find love like the heroines in her books. When a charming writer comes to town, she thinks she might have found it--or is the perfect man actually closer than she thinks?

Perdita Sweet has called these mountains home for so long she's nearly as rocky as the soil around her small cabin. Long ago she thought she could love, but when the object of her affection up and married someone else, she stopped giving too much of herself away to others.

As is so often the case, it's easier to see what's best for others than to see what's best for oneself, and Perdita knows who Tansy should choose. But why would anyone listen to the romantic advice of an old spinster?

Saddle up for a heartfelt story of love--love of family, love of place, and the love of a lifetime--from bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart.

Pick up your copy here...

Along a Storied Trail: Gabhart: 9780800737214: Amazon.com: Books

Ann H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she's published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers' Choice Women's Fiction Book of the Year.

Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. See more about her books at www.annhgabhart.com or join the conversation on her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/anngabhart.

My Thoughts...

Once I finally got my hands on this latest historical fiction masterpiece by Gabhart. I read it so fast and was left feeling sad it was over.

You historical fiction fans are going to really enjoy this one.

4 stars and Highly recommended.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.  

A Lowcounry Bride By Preslaysa Williams

 A heartwarming Avon debut of love, forgiveness, and new beginnings set in the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry.

Maya Jackson has worked for a renowned New York City bridal gown brand for years and dreams of becoming Head Designer. She has the talent, she just needs a chance to showcase her unique style. Due to an illness, she’s always prioritized her career over her personal life until Maya’s father fractures his hip and she returns to Charleston, SC. While home for only a few months, she’s thrilled to find an opportunity at the local bridal gown boutique, never expecting sparks to fly with its owner...

A military veteran and widowed father, Derek Sullivan hopes to save Always a Bride from bankruptcy in order to preserve the legacy of his family. He also wants to reconnect with his estranged, twelve-year-old daughter, who is still recovering from the loss of her mother. The last thing he needs is a relationship with a beautiful, smart, complicated woman who will be leaving soon.

When Derek begins to fall for the lovely Maya, he knows there’s no future. But destiny has its own plans, and these two lonely people with big hearts discover that coming home to love is the best gift life can give. 

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: A Lowcountry Bride: A Novel (9780063040298): Williams, Preslaysa: Books

Preslaysa Williams is an award-winning author who writes heartwarming romance and women's fiction with an Afro-Filipina twist. Proud of her heritage, she loves sharing her culture with her readers. A graduate of Columbia University, Preslaysa is a professional actress, a planner nerd, an avid bookworm, and a homeschool mom who wears mismatched socks.

Connect with Preslaysa online at https://www.preslaysa.com

The Maidens By Alex Michaelides

 

Edward Fosca is a murderer. Of this Mariana is certain. But Fosca is untouchable. A handsome and charismatic Greek tragedy professor at Cambridge University, Fosca is adored by staff and students alike―particularly by the members of a secret society of female students known as The Maidens.

Mariana Andros is a brilliant but troubled group therapist who becomes fixated on The Maidens when one member, a friend of Mariana’s niece Zoe, is found murdered in Cambridge.

Mariana, who was once herself a student at the university, quickly suspects that behind the idyllic beauty of the spires and turrets, and beneath the ancient traditions, lies something sinister. And she becomes convinced that, despite his alibi, Edward Fosca is guilty of the murder. But why would the professor target one of his students? And why does he keep returning to the rites of Persephone, the maiden, and her journey to the underworld?

When another body is found, Mariana’s obsession with proving Fosca’s guilt spirals out of control, threatening to destroy her credibility as well as her closest relationships. But Mariana is determined to stop this killer, even if it costs her everything―including her own life. 

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: The Maidens (9781250304452): Michaelides, Alex: Books

Alex Michaelides was born and raised in Cyprus. He has a MA in English Literature from Trinity College, Cambridge University, and a MA in Screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. The Silent Patient was his first novel. It spent over a year on the New York Times bestseller list and sold in a record-breaking 49 countries. He lives in London.

My Thoughts...

I really enjoyed The Silent Patient so of course I had really high hopes for this one. true to  Michaelides writing style and great plots I devoured this one. It was not as great as The Silent Patient but it was a good read.

It is one thriller fans will be telling everyone about.

I gave The Maidens 4 stars and I recommend it.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Waiting to Begin By Amanda Prowse

 

From the bestselling author of The Girl in the Corner comes a story that asks: what would you risk for a shot at happiness?

1984. Bessie is a confident sixteen-year-old girl with the world at her feet, dreaming of what life will bring and what she’ll bring to this life. Then everything comes crashing down. Her bright and trusting smile is lost, banished by shame―and a secret she’ll carry with her for the rest of her life.

2021. The last thirty-seven years have not been easy for Bess. At fifty-three she is visibly weary, and her marriage to Mario is in tatters. Watching her son in newlywed bliss―the hope, the trust, the joy―Bess knows it is time to face her own demons, and try to save her relationship. But she’ll have to throw off the burden of shame if she is to honour that sixteen-year-old girl whose dreams lie frozen in time.

Can Bess face her past, finally come clean to Mario, and claim the love she has longed to fully experience all these years? 

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Waiting to Begin (9781542023436): Prowse, Amanda: Books

Amanda Prowse is an International Bestselling author whose twenty five novels and seven novellas have been published in dozens of languages around the world. Published by Lake Union, Amanda is the most prolific writer of bestselling contemporary fiction in the UK today; her titles also consistently score the highest online review approval ratings across several genres. Her books, including the chart topping No.1 titles 'What Have I Done?', 'Perfect Daughter', 'My Husband's Wife', 'The Girl in the Corner' and ‘The Things I Know’ have sold millions of copies across the globe.

A popular TV and radio personality, Amanda is a regular panellist on Channel 5's 'The Jeremy Vine Show' and numerous daytime ITV programmes. She also makes countless guest appearances on BBC national independent Radio stations including LBC and Talk FM, where she is well known for her insightful observations and her infectious humour. Described by the Daily Mail as ‘The queen of family drama’ Amanda’s novel, 'A Mother's Story' won the coveted Sainsbury's eBook of the year Award while 'Perfect Daughter' was selected as a World Book Night title in 2016.

Amanda's ambition is to create stories that keep people from turning the bedside lamp off at night, great characters that ensure you take every step with them and tales that fill your head so you can't possibly read another book until the memory fades...

My Thoughts...

As with all of Prowse books you get the three R's, Raw, Real and Relatable. Waiting to Begin was no different. The writing has you thinking you are watching a movie.

I flew though this book its not dual timeline its written in two different eras but you are going to love it. 

I gave this book 4 stars and I can't wait for Prowse next book.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

These Tangled Vines By Julianne Maclean

 

If Fiona has learned anything in life, it’s how to keep a secret―even from the father who raised her. She is the only person who knows about her late mother’s affair in Tuscany thirty years earlier, and she intends to keep it that way…until a lawyer calls with shocking news: her biological father has died and left her an incredible inheritance―along with two half siblings.

Fiona travels to Italy, where the family is shocked to learn of her existence and desperate to contest her share of the will. While the mystery of her mother’s affair is slowly unraveled, Fiona must navigate through tricky family relationships and tense sibling rivalries. Fiona both fears and embraces her new destiny as she searches for the truth about the fateful summer her mother spent in Italy and the father she never knew.

Spilling over with the sumptuous flavors and romance of Tuscany, These Tangled Vines takes readers on a breathtaking journey of love, secrets, sacrifice, courage―and most importantly, the true meaning of family. 

Pick up your copy here...

These Tangled Vines: A Novel: MacLean, Julianne: 9781542025393: Amazon.com: Books

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the contemporary women’s fiction Color of Heaven Series. Readers have described her books as "breathtaking," “soulful” and "uplifting." MacLean is a four-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and has won numerous awards, including the Booksellers’ Best Award and a Reviewers’ Choice Award from Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been published in over a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from the University of King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a degree in business administration from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. MacLean currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter. She invites readers to visit her website at JulianneMacLean.com for more information about her books and writing life, and to subscribe to her mailing list for all the latest news.

My Thoughts...

Grab your favorite bottle of wine and a big bowl of pasta and dig into These Tangle Vines. This book was fantastic, the characters were well developed and the whole story was like no other. 

My heart went out to Fiona and I loved her big heart and her simple ways.

This was such a well written and amazing read. I can't recommend it enough. 5 stars two times!

 The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.

Is It Any Wonder By Courtney Walsh

 

Twelve years ago, Cody Boggs and Louisa Chambers made a pact that no matter where their lives took them, they’d return to Nantucket Island’s Brant Point Lighthouse on July 30, their shared golden birthday, and continue their tradition of exchanging birthday wishes. But that was before a tragic accident upended both of their lives, irrevocably pulling them apart.

Their worlds collide just months before that particular day when Louisa’s fledgling event planning company is hired by the local Coast Guard station, where she discovers Cody has recently returned to the island as the second in command. As they plan a regatta fundraiser, hoping to promote positive PR in the community, neither can deny the fireworks each encounter ignites. But working together also brings up memories of the day Cody’s father died, revealing secrets that have Cody and Louisa questioning everything they thought they knew and felt about their families and each other. 

Pick up your copy here...

Is It Any Wonder: A Nantucket Love Story: Walsh, Courtney: 9781496434432: Amazon.com: Books

Courtney Walsh is a novelist, theatre director, and playwright. She writes small town romance and women's fiction while juggling the performing arts studio and youth theatre she owns and runs with her husband. Her debut, A Sweethaven Summer, hit the New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller lists. Her novel, Just Let Go, won the Carol Award in 2019 and Just One Kiss was a 2020 Christy Award Finalist.

A creative at heart, Courtney has also written two craft books and several full-length musicals. She lives in Illinois with her husband and three children and a sometimes naughty Bernedoodle named Luna.

Connect with Courtney online at her website (courtneywalshwrites.com) or on any of these social media platforms:

Facebook.com/courtneywalshwrites
Instagram.com/courtneywalsh

Twitter.com/courtney_walsh 

My Thoughts...

A Second chance romance set in Nantucket, Yes, please! I haven't read a book by Walsh in years and boy I have I been missing out. This second chance romance was so sweet and the ending will just melt your heart. This is book number two in the Nantucket Love Story series but don't fret it can be read as a stand alone. You will not be lost.

If you are looking for a clean romance to sit by the pool and devour grab this 4 star read. I recommend it.

The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own. 

Island Summer By Lori Hayes

 

When a betrayed young woman moves to a charming beach town to escape love, an unlikely matchmaker gets involved.

Physical therapist Emily McMillan broke off her troubled engagement to move to a charming, albeit tight-knit, seaside community for a new start. But will the locals accept her? She's too quiet, too reserved and wants to hole up in her apartment to write her latest novel. When she treats a spunky patient, popularly known as Gran, she finds herself agreeing to a date with Gran's handsome grandson.

Keith Stallings, a creative businessman who owns the local passenger ferry, tempts Emily with a dreamy island full of wild horses, an enticing beach laden with colorful sunsets, and a homecooked picnic under the stars. Heck, even a wild pelican named Sam loves him. Emily had declared men off-limits, but just when she believes this is the best island summer ever, the park service threatens Keith's livelihood.

Keith has a difficult decision to make, one that may not include Emily.

An emotionally complex beach read, this love story reaches just beyond the sand dunes where the sea turtles nest and where the tides can wash away dreams.

Pick up your copy here...

Amazon.com: Island Summer ("Crystal Coast" series, Book Three) (9781645263234): Lori Hayes: Books

Award-winning author, Lori Hayes, writes small town women's fiction with the focus on friendships and light romance. Often times, the setting is rural North Carolina and the coast. She promises to deliver a happy ending in exchange for your much-appreciated time reading her novels.

She lives with her family in North Carolina, and while she hopes to someday say she lives near the beach, right now she is a short drive from the ocean. She thinks it's important to focus on what you have and to appreciate the small things around you, like the tang of salt in the air. For then it becomes possible for your dreams to come true, like her dream of writing and to be published.

She thanks her mother for her career. One day her mom planted the seed for Lori to be a writer, and it took hold. And as her grandfather always said, Stop talking about it and do something. So she did. While her son took afternoon naps, she sat down and started her first novel.

Quickly she learned it wasn't so easy. She bought everything she could find on the subject, and to this day she's still buying books to study. She believes life is one lesson made up of many shorter ones. Tell the story of your own life and it will come to fruition. She's living proof.

Please visit Lori Hayes' website at www.LoriHayesAuthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoriHayesAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lori-Hayes-209726199045483/
Instagram.com: https://www.instagram.com/lisamorgan_author/

Lori also writes kids' horse books as Lisa Morgan. Visit her website at LisaMorganAuthor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaMorganAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lisamorganauthor
Instagram.com: https://www.instagram.com/lisamorgan_author/

My Thoughts...

Keith and Emily's  romantic story will bring you to your knees.  If you are looking for a romantic beach read this is it. You are going to love these characters and the writing was very well done and the story was well executed.

I Island Summer 4 stars. i hope you enjoy it to.

  The Mary Reader received this book from the publisher for review. A favorable review was not required and all views expressed are our own.