Title: THE SECRETS TO LIVING A FANTASTIC LIFE: TWO SURVIVORS REVEAL THE 13 GOLDEN PEARLS THEY’VE DISCOVERED
Author: Dr. Allen Lycka & Harriet Tinka
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 164
Genre: Nonfiction / Motivational / Self-Help

Synopsis

 

Each author suffered near-death experiences and sought renewal through the wisdom of human virtues that refocused them on a life of richness, appreciation, joy and service.

Offered in the format of an enchanting and charming dialogue between the two authors, the book also includes their chronicles of pain and triumph, allegories and stories, along with inspirational and insightful quotes. The exploration of each of the 13 Golden Pearls creates a necklace of self-empowerment that will enhance anyone’s life.

The Golden Pearls shared offer a roadmap for living a life that is rich in love, achievement, appreciation, joy and service. They offer strength, comfort and encouragement.

The authors are on a mission to transform lives. Dr. Allen Lycka is now a full-time speaker, author and transformational leader and Harriet Tinka coaches young women to fully embrace who they are through her Empower Me programs.

 

Amazon U.S. *  Amazon Canada

 

 

Excerpt

 

Two lives changed, irreversibly, in an instant, by devastating events…but rather than be destroyed, these two individuals faced the ensuing challenges, embracing them as turning points. Seizing the second chances before them with both hands, they chose the path to “Living a Fantastic Life.” In doing so, they discovered “13 Golden Pearls” to guide them…which they are eager to now share with you – to inspire you for your own journey.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

There are many motivational books out there but what I liked most about this one was the stories that were told to emphasize a certain idea and the interplay between the authors discussing each pearl throughout the book. It was like a conversation between friends and made the book relatable.

Both of the authors went through a traumatic event in their lives that caused them to take a step back and reevaluate their lives. They identified 13 pearls of wisdom and motivation. They call these Golden Pearls because golden pearls are the most valuable and are rare. These traits for motivation are not rare, but sometimes could be hard to see depending on events surrounding a person.  The pearls they outline are: Love, Inspiration, Victory, Vulnerability, Intention (purpose), Non-negotiables, Forgiveness, Attitude, Thankfulness, Tenacity, Laughter, Enthusiasm, and Empowerment.

I found little nuggets I could take away from each chapter which also affected my thought process in different areas.  Here are a few quotes that I found inspiring.

“A life without inspiration cannot be lived.”

“Victim consciousness robs us of our creative ability.”

“Empathy levels in Canada and the U.S., in my opinion, have declined sharply over the past 40 years, with the steepest fall occurring in the past decade.” (I totally agree with this statement)

“Winners don’t use excuses, they find solutions.”

“Vulnerability allows us to struggle. Struggles build our strengths if we allow them and work through them.”

 

If you are looking for a book to help you reshape your life and inspire you to become a better person, you should pick up this book. It might change your life.

We give this 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Dr. Allen Lycka has been acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists in the world for three decades. A pioneer in cosmetic surgery, he helped to develop laser-assisted tumescent liposuction – an advanced body sculpture technique, and Moh’s Micrographic Surgery, an advanced means of removing skin cancer with 99% success. He has lived and practiced in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada since 1989. He’s written 17 books, 30+ academic papers, and hosted the number one internet radio show in the world – Inside Cosmetic Surgery Today. He is a co-founder of Doctors for the Practice of Safe and Ethical Aesthetic Medicine and founder of The Canadian Skin Cancer Association. He has won the prestigious Consumers Choice Award For Cosmetic Surgery for 16 consecutive years.

In 2003, Dr. Lycka’s life changed drastically when he suddenly developed a right foot drop and then misdiagnosed as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s’ disease). Still, he maintained his status as a leading cosmetic doctor for 30 years.

Because of what he learned, he is co-authoring the book The Secrets of Living A Fantastic Life with Harriet Tinka, a former fashion model and Woman of Distinction. He is also currently co-authoring two more books: one with Corie Poirier entitled, “bLU Talks Presents: Business, Life and the Universe” and one with Jack Canfield entitled, “The Pillars of Success.”

Currently acknowledged as a leading expert in Living A Fantastic Life and Turning Points, he is a transformational speaker, thought leader, coach, and mentor.

Dr. Lycka is happily married to Dr. Lucie Bernier-Lycka for 38 years and they have four lovely daughters and seven beautiful grandchildren. He counts his family as his most important accomplishment.

Website * Twitter * Facebook

 

 

As a Turning Point expert, Harriet Tinka is a perfect example of someone finding a need in the community and filling it. Despite dealing with obstacles in her life, she has overcome those hurdles and has found success by inspiring thousands of audiences to reach their full potential.

Though stabbed, kidnapped and left for dead, she turned that horrifying experience into motivation. She has inspired and given hope to women who are faced with domestic violence. She is known by her students as a “Powerhouse Role Model” who makes being genuine the most powerful thing of all.

Harriet is an invigorating transformational speaker, passionate life coach, blogger, Chartered Professional Accountant, Football Official, and an ultra-marathon runner. She is the founder and CEO of the award-winning Social Enterprise, Empowered Me Inc, a company whose mission is to inspire and empower girls and women.

Harriet has received numerous awards including YWCA Woman of Distinction, Global Woman of Vision, Afro- Canadian Community Woman of the Year, Action for Healthy Communities Youth Empowerment Award, Rotary Integrity Award, and Daughter’s Day Award just to mention a few. She is a tireless philanthropist and a Toastmaster Divisional Champion.

Harriet feels blessed to have her journey supported by her partner Steve and her three lovable children Tristan, Rhiannah, and Aaliyah.

 

Website

 

 

 

 

 

Come Home to Deep River

 

by Jackie Ashenden

 

Publication Date: 7/28/2020

 

Synopsis

 

Coming home was the easy part. Facing her will take everything he’s got…

 

Silas Quinn hasn’t been back to Deep River, Alaska, in years, not since he joined the army. He left behind the best friend he’d ever had. But he knew Hope Dawson was meant for bigger things than Deep River—and he—had to offer. What he didn’t know was that when he left, he took Hope’s dreams right along with him…

Then tragedy strikes and sends Silas home, and the entire town is thrown into chaos when they learn what brought him back—he’s inherited ownership of the town and the newly discovered oil reserves under it!

Hope gave up on ever getting out of Deep River. Her mom needed her, then her grandfather died and left her the local hangout to run. Now Si is back in town, stirring up old feelings—including her anger at being left behind. His return brings Hope an offer that can change her life. Love, or adventure, are almost within reach—but she can’t have both…

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Apple

 

Kobo * Bookshop * BAM

 

 

Review

 

I’ve been to Alaska once on a cruise but have always been intrigued by the environment and wildlife. This book will give you a little peek into the possibilities of a small town in Alaska.

The town is different from any I have heard about, one person actually owns all of the land, and everyone leases from the owner.  However, the leaseholders have more rights than normal tenants including mineral rights to that oil that was discovered.  Silas, as the new owner, has to figure out what he is going to do.  Will he stay in his hometown, or find someone to take over and let him leave?

I enjoyed the story and the banter between Hope and Silas.  She never left Deep River because of her mother and while she has been content, she did give up some dreams like attending college and obtaining a literature degree.  Plus she has looked out for her mother for the last thirteen years after her grandfather passed away since her mother has some mental health issues.  Silas left to enter the military but never came back.  Was it his love for Hope or something else?  The answer is probably a little bit of several things.

There was a minor character that I just found intriguing, Filthy Phil.  He wasn’t dirty, as in unclean, it has to do with something that he said and the nickname stuck. However, he is a reader and he made a comment about he let the librarian pick out his books but he wanted the potential sex scenes to not behind closed doors. He said he was 75, not dead.  I think he would be a hoot to know.  The Mayor, Astrid, is also an undeveloped character, but I can see her becoming the focus in a future book and actually wonder if she might be the main character along with Silas’ buddy, Damon.  I’m also curious about Mal who owns the store where everyone does the shopping and has the best internet connection in town.

The story between Hope and Silas is familiar, but I enjoyed watching them come into their own and move past what happened 13 years ago. It takes time and nothing is forgiven overnight, but it happens.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Jackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. She used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes and kick-ass heroines. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand.

 

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Synopsis

 

Tess and her best friend, Dee have been inseparable since they were six years old. College days are upon them and Dee has moved away, leaving Tess to figure out how to maneuver through this new experience without her. To make matters worse, Dee has ghosted her. Will being apart make her fall to pieces? Or will it give her the freedom to grow up on her own?

This coming-of-age story touches on very real feelings of what happens when best friends are pulled apart by life’s circumstances. Throw in a little sports, boy drama, and joining sororities and it is quite the interesting first semester of college.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This is a fairly quick read about Tess (aka Reese aka Sutton) who is a college freshman that plays soccer, decides to join a sorority, and her adventures in her first semester at school.

I felt like the voice of the narrator was that of someone young and inexperienced and set just the right tone for what happens throughout the story. I appreciated the author addressing issues that students might face in college or in greek life – from hazing to waning friendship to navigating the dating world. I felt like I was back in college experiencing many of these situations.

I also like how we watched Tess struggle to improve her soccer skills to become a starter. It just shows if you want something badly enough you will work for it and not become complacent.

Since I am a member of a sorority, I felt like what was portrayed was fairly accurate. Everyone has a different experience in Greek life, but what Tess experienced was similar to my own experience – all good of course. But I appreciated the side story of Reagan because that addressed different issues.

Tess’s best friend Dee is at another college and has “ghosted” Tess. It could be settling in and making new friends or it might be something else as we learn towards the end of the story. But true friendship will win out in the end.

If you are looking for a short story to read over lunch, give this one a try.  We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Charley Dillion is a lover of young adult fiction novels. Her first novel, Free to Grow, was inspired by that love and Charley has plans to continue writing about our beloved Tess as she lives through her college years.

Charley lives in Boise, ID with her husband, son, dog, and cat. She enjoys watching and playing soccer, being involved in her sorority as an alumna (much like Tess!), and being a mom to her three human and fur children.

 

 

 

 

Title: Meant to be More

Author: Amelia Foster

Series/Book: Meant to be Series, Book 4

Genre: Contemporary Romance

                

Synopsis

 

My best friend has spent the past several years traveling the world with Doctors Without Borders. It’s been her life’s dream and something I’ve always admired about her. But somehow, after twenty years of friendship, our last goodbye brought about the realization of a truth I hadn’t yet recognized.

I don’t just respect Jillian, I am in love with her, and it’s time she knows.

But upon her return home, she manages to lay her own shocking news on me before I can even form the words to tell her how I feel. It seems she needs access to the fortune her grandfather left her in his will. But there’s one problem.

The caveat being an antiquated, but ironclad stipulation that she can’t receive the funds unless she gets married and stays that way for eighteen months.

Naturally, I’m the only person she can trust with such a delicate arrangement. And I’m also hopelessly in love with her, so I’ll greedily take the chance to fake-marry my best friend.

This way, I can prove to her that we are meant to be more than just friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read the Meant to Be Series on Amazon! Each book follows the love story of a Carlisle brother.

 

Book 1 – MEANT TO BE KEPT: – Tanner & Izzy – Read my Review

Book 2 – MEANT TO BE DIFFERENT – Wyatt & Gigi – Read my Review

Book 3 – MEANT TO BE FAMILY – Conner & Kelsey – Read my Review

Book 4 – MEANT TO BE MORE – Dean & Jillian

 

Review

 

This is the last book in this series and it might be the best one of all.  Dean is the youngest brother and all his life has had a best friend, Jillybean (Jillian) who was the rich girl from next door with parents that were too busy to keep engaged in their children’s lives.  There is something about a friendship that was struck when they were 7 that has endured the test of time.  But perhaps that is the best relationship to have, one forged from friendship where you know everything about one another, or most everything anyway.

Dean and Jillian have fallen in love with each other but are too afraid to admit it to each other. They are afraid of losing that friendship and I can’t blame them.  But a family situation has these two taking their relationship to the next level, marriage, but only to bail out her family.  I enjoyed watching their relationship bloom to move than just friends and I had to chuckle at some of their actions. This book didn’t seem to have any major drama like the other brothers endured, but I think the book was better off without it in their case. There is some drama regarding the will and the marriage, but I enjoyed following the story and the eventual resolution.

The book does jump back and forth from past to present and also from Dean and Jillian’s POV for the same situation whether past or present. I felt like this gave me a better understanding of what each of them was thinking at that moment.  There are quite a few laugh out loud moments and even a few moments that had me a little misty.  I even enjoyed watching Jillian realize what Dean does for a living and how it fits neatly into her life and her chosen career path.

This is a fun series to read and I do suggest reading in order only because you will understand the dynamics of all of the brothers and their wives.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Books, coffee, and chocolate make up both the heart and body mass that is better known as Amelia Foster. She has been a lifelong lover of the written word, both as a reader and an author, and completed her first manuscript at the ripe old age of five complete with illustrations. Sadly, her art was a medium that never improved over time although thankfully her writing has.

From sweet to salacious the only requirement Amelia has in books she reads – and definitely in the ones she crafts – is an excessively satisfying happily ever after… and then a little bit more.

 

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Tea & Treachery (Tea by the Sea Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Kensington (July 28, 2020)
Hardcover: 304 pages

Synopsis

 

In this charming new cozy mystery series from nationally bestselling author, Vicki Delany, a New York City expat-turned-Cape Cod tea shop owner must solve the murder of a local real estate developer to help her feisty grandmother out of a jam . . .

As the proud proprietor and head pastry chef of Tea by the Sea, a traditional English tearoom on the picturesque bluffs of Cape Cod, Roberts has her hands full, often literally. But nothing keeps her busier than steering her sassy grandmother, Rose, away from trouble. Rose operates the grand old Victorian B & B adjacent to Lily’s tea shop . . . for now. An aggressive real estate developer, Jack Ford, is pushing hard to rezone nearby land, with an eye toward building a sprawling golf resort, which would drive Rose and Lily out of business.

Tempers are already steaming, but things really get sticky when Ford is found dead at the foot of Rose’s property and the police think she had something to do with his dramatic demise. Lily can’t let her grandmother get burned by a false murder charge. So she starts her own investigation and discovers Ford’s been brewing bad blood all over town, from his jilted lover to his trophy wife to his shady business partners. Now, it’s down to Lily to stir up some clues, sift through the suspects, and uncover the real killer before Rose is left holding the tea bag.

 

 

 

Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound

 

 

Review

 

Such an enjoyable new series!  I can just imagine visiting Cape Cod and having tea at Lily’s tearoom or even staying next door at Rose’s B&B.  It is very picturesque and the descriptions provide the motivation to visit that area at some time in the future.

Since this is the first in the series, the author does a wonderful job of sharing the character’s past and how they ended up here since they were not born and raised on the Cape.  I felt like that added to the depth of the characters to have information about how they ended up here and even some past situations that enhance the character’s portrayal.  Lily is sucked into helping solve the murder of Jack Ford especially since he was found dead on Rose’s property and the ineffective police detective wants to railroad her into a conviction.  Thankfully, there is a new detective on the force and she has the experience to know that perhaps something isn’t right.

The mystery itself is well written and there are some clues to point you in the killer’s direction but not many.  The list of possible suspects is small but I couldn’t figure out the motive until it was revealed.  Let’s just say it is one of the oldest reasons in the world, but I’ll let you figure out what that reason is so I don’t spoil anything for you.

I really like Lily.  She is probably the most level headed character in the book.  Her best friend, Bernie, is kind and caring but a bit scattered when it comes to her writing. I will admit that I don’t really like Rose.  I found her to be selfish and perhaps a bit too blunt.  I felt like she expected everyone to cater to her whims with no questions asked.

There are a couple of potential romantic twists but no love triangle and I look forward to seeing these potential relationships develop.

This is a series that I will look for the next book to see what Lily is up to this time around.  We give the book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than thirty-five books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series for Crooked Lane Books, the Year Round Christmas mysteries for Penguin Random House, and the Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates) for Crooked Lane.

Vicki is a past president of the Crime Writers of Canada and co-founder and organizer of the Women Killing It Crime Writing Festival. She is the 2019 recipient of the Derrick Murdoch award for contributions to Canadian crime writing. Vicki lives in Prince Edward County, Ontario.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter (Vicki) * Twitter (Eva) * Instagram

 

 

Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith in this wildly compulsive debut thriller about a couple whose fifteen-year marriage has finally gotten too interesting…

Our love story is simple. I met a gorgeous woman. We fell in love. We had kids. We moved to the suburbs. We told each other our biggest dreams, and our darkest secrets. And then we got bored.

We look like a normal couple. We’re your neighbors, the parents of your kid’s friend, the acquaintances you keep meaning to get dinner with.

We all have our secrets to keeping a marriage alive.

Ours just happens to be getting away with murder.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

The synopsis isn’t wrong when it describes this book as Dexter meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  Holy mackerel, on this book and the twisted minds of Millicent and her husband….and you know, I can’t even remember if we ever know his name since he is the narrator.  How do you find someone that has a hobby that is like yours?  Was this something they just fell into by accident?  We find out how this started (no spoilers here!) and near the end of the book you really find out more about how this really all came to be for this couple.  It is so hard to not share more because it would spoil the story!

This couple has two teenage children and it makes one wonder how they could keep all of this a secret.  Their son Rory suspects something, but nothing to this magnitude.  He just thinks dad is cheating on mom and decides to blackmail his father.  If he only knew what was going on and why his dad was leaving the house.  I think the narrator was somewhat weak because why not tell Millicent about Rory’s blackmail?  She knows why he is going out at night…to hunt for their next victim.  Granted, he did cheat on her and sleep with one or two of the potential victims, but does she need to know that part of it?  Rory just suspects and by dad giving in it just confirms his suspicions.

I enjoyed the story that was woven with demented characters but the narrator somewhat redeems himself in the end.  I don’t think he was the strong one of the two because when some facts came to light about the murdered women he was quite surprised.  But I have to admire his veracity in getting to the truth of the situations.  I think this story kept me up a night or two wondering what twisted path it could take next.  I was surprised as some facts were revealed but it seems to make sense when I reevaluated my perception of what was the truth.

We give this book 4 paws up and if you like psychological thrillers this is a good one to read.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Samantha Downing currently lives in New Orleans, where she is furiously typing away at her next thrilling novel.

 

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Synopsis

 

A sweet and sassy contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author MaryJanice Davidson.

Rake Tarbell is in trouble. When the fabulously wealthy and carefree bachelor wakes up horribly hungover in Venice, it’s not something that would normally be a problem…except he has no idea how he got there from California. Or who stole his wallet. Or who emptied his bank account of millions. Or who in the world is Lillith, the charming little girl claiming to be his long lost daughter. For the first time in his life, Rake is on his own and throwing Benjamins around aren’t going to solve his problem. Now if only the gorgeous, fun, and free-spirited woman who brought Lillith into his life was willing to help the situation…

Claire Delaney finds Rake’s problems hilarious and is not in the least bit sorry of adding to them by bringing Lillith into the mix. A pretty Midwestern girl with a streak for mischief, Rake is not the kind of man Claire hangs around with. Even if he is drop-dead handsome and charming as all get-out. Even if he needs help and she has all the answers. But if this helps Lillith, she will go out of her way. And with a guy like Rake, she’s willing to bend her rules a bit for some fun. But when adventure-filled days turn to romantic nights as they search for answers, and someone starts following them through the streets of Venice, Claire realizes she’s playing more than just a game. And maybe, just maybe, she isn’t willing to let go of Rake or Lillith just yet.

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This book had me laughing in many places as I watched Rake stumble through the book not knowing what was going on…or did he?  Maybe he was smarter than we give him credit.  The rest of the characters are multifaceted and show you want they want you to see.  Delaney is a tough cookie but has a softer side that she lets very few people see.  Lillith is very precocious and smarter than anyone can even imagine.  There is a slew of other characters that help round out the story and bring in some interesting aspects.

Besides the romance and comedy, there is a little bit of mystery.  Who are these men that keep following Rake and Delaney?  Why are they following them?  What do they think that Rake and Delaney know and are keeping a secret?  The answer is intriguing and the ensuing events are somewhat comical.

There are references to another book, Danger Sweethart.  I have not read this book so was a bit lost on those references, but since I have read the synopsis of that book, I realize it is Blake’s story that we discover a smidgeon of in this book.  Let’s just say, Nonna Tarbell is sticking her nose into their business.

It is very important that if you read this book to read the author’s notes at the beginning.  Otherwise, you might be confused while reading this book.  There is a lot of sub-dialogue (inner thoughts) and it can be a little confusing until you realize to read the part in parentheses after the sentence is finished.  It is this inner dialogue that cracked me up the most.

I enjoyed this book and now want to go back and read Danger Sweethart to discover Blake’s story.

We give this book 4 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

MaryJanice Davidson is an American author and motivational speaker who writes mostly paranormal romance, but also young adult and non-fiction. She is the creator of the popular Undead series and is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author. She writes a bi-weekly column for USA Today and lives in St. Paul with her family.

 

Website * Facebook * Twitter

 

 

Synopsis

 

When Eliza Owens gets a phone call in the middle of the night from a girl she’s never met, she doesn’t know what to think. The girl introduces herself as Paige, and says she used to date Erik Stern, Eliza’s fiancé. What’s more, she has something important to discuss.

The only problem? Paige has been dead for years.

Believing it to be a sick prank, Eliza tries to force it from her mind until Sam, Eliza’s older sister, tells her she met Paige only a few weeks before. And, according to Sam, Paige has nothing nice to say about Erik.

The fight which follows shatters the lives of everyone involved, and Erik disappears without a trace.

Five years later, Erik returns to town after his father’s death. Old wounds quickly resurface, and with them several burning questions. None the least of which is: Who spoke to Eliza and Sam if it wasn’t Paige? And why?

 

 

 

 

Review

 

This is a raw and gritty book that surprised me.  I wasn’t expecting the darkness surrounding Eliza and Erik, but as the tale unfolded I found myself intrigued by all the different elements involved.  This is a little bit of a mystery – how did Sam die and who is impersonating Paige, but as the truth is revealed it is more than you would have ever expected.

The story starts out with two young boys trying to bring back someone from the dead.  I didn’t think much about it after that intro, but it is key to this story but all of the details are not revealed until about 3/4 of the way through the book.  The story then jumps forward about 7 years and we are meet Eliza who is engaged to Erik but receives a call from someone that is dead wanting to warn her about him.  That throws a kink into the story because how could someone that is dead contact Eliza?  To top it off, this person has also been talking to Eliza’s sister, Sam.  The story really gets interesting at this point.

There is another jump in time, now it is 5 years later where the bulk of the book is set.  Eliza has gone off the rails and is a drug user and no longer with Erik.  This part of the book I had the hardest part with due to the drug use.  I also didn’t understand how Eliza could afford to pay for drugs if she wasn’t working.  Granted, Roger probably gave her a lot of it in trade, which is sad because Eliza had so much potential but the death of her sister sent her into a downward spiral.  While this portion of the book is set in a relatively short period of time, so much happens to understand what happened and for Eliza and Erik to work through the events of the past.  They both have issues to address within themselves and with each other.

The supernatural angle was intriguing and I feel like there are still some unanswered questions based on how the book ended.  They may be more on my end and I want to know more about the journey Erik took and how it concluded.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Rebecca Crunden is an Irish-based author originally from Texas. Obsessed with both writing and reading, she’s been writing books most of her life and decided to start independently publishing them in 2017. To date, she’s published one series, two standalone novels, a novella, and co-written an anthology. When she’s not writing, reading, or drinking ridiculous amounts of coffee, she’s camping with her partner or watching an insane amount of science fiction-fantasy shows.

 

Website * Twitter

 

 

 

 

Title: ANNA INCOGNITO

Author: Laura Preble

Publisher: Mascot Books

Pages: 271

Genre: Women’s Fiction

 

 

Synopsis

 

Lots of narrative pull…wonderfully complicated. – Jincy Willett, author of The Writing Class, and anthologized by David Sedaris in Children Playing Before a Statue of Hercules.

Anna Colin Beck knows all too well what can happen when things go wrong really wrong. So, she’s spent the last several years living an extremely regimented life at home, doing everything she can to avoid subjecting herself to the torments of a germ-infested world. Everything must be just so, and when things don’t go to plan, she punishes her own body…and that still hasn’t helped alleviate her pain.

After a chance meeting in a laundromat, she finds herself completely infatuated with another person, something that hasn’t happened to her in a long time. Dr. Edward Denture is seemingly brilliant and magnetic…and in the blink of an eye, she’s attending intense somatic therapy sessions as his newest client. The more he draws from her, the further their relationship grows, until it’s crossed countless lines and consumed Anna with a fierce toxicity. And before she knows it, she finds herself buckled into the driver’s seat of a powder-blue El Dorado for a solo cross-country road trip, determined to stop his wedding. It’s a trip that will test every limitation she’s ever set for herself, and though she’s planned extensively for all contingencies, there are some twists and turns you just can’t prepare for.

With wry observations on the intersection of luck, fate, and life, Anna Incognito is a searing, darkly witty exploration of what it means to be alive.

 

 

 

Mascot Books * Amazon * B&N

 

 

Praise

 

5/5 “Rich with witticism in the face of painful realities and evoking lyrical truisms throughout, from of a rating scale of 1 – 5 this novel is so off-the-charts good, it deserves a 10.” IndieReader

 

4/4 “The writing was captivating…This book would be great for readers who are struggling with mental health or for those trying to understand it better. Are you ready to go for a drive with Anna?. Buckle up, because you are in for the ride of your life!” Online Book Club

 

“The protagonist’s acerbic wit and mordant tone work well in the difficult material in Preble’s unconventional road novel. A razor-sharp, oddly fun  romp through the American West.” Kirkus Review

 

 

Review

 

I was not sure about this book when I first started reading.  Anna is not a very likable character.  She is OCD to the extreme and has other issues that might be hard for some to read.  She is also obsessed with a therapist/counselor that she meets by chance at the laundromat and ends up his patient.  In the beginning, I wasn’t sure where this story was headed.  But as I moved further into the book, I observed as Anna shared more of herself and we learn why she is the way she is and perhaps there is hope for her to overcome her issues.  Anna moves from being a shallow self-absorbed character to one that is complex and her story is like peeling an onion, it takes many layers to get to the truth.

Anna, who never goes anywhere, decides to drive from California to Colorado for her former counselor’s wedding.  This is a woman that does not have a car and haven’t driven in years.  But she has a plan or the start of one, and with the help of her neighbor, she ventures off to Colorado.  Along the way, she stumbles across a homeless mother and daughter, and for some unknown reason offers them a ride.  That is where the story really takes off because Mellow, the daughter, ends up going to Colorado with her after her mother runs off.  This trip is actually good for both Anna and Mellow because they both realize what they need to make their lives complete.

Anna’s story is told in pieces and by the end, we have a better understanding about her character.  I actually grew to like Anna especially when she realizes that maybe she has more to offer the world.

There are a few lines that spoke to me that I would like to share with you:

“Hope is the admission that things might get better. It’s a risk, though, because there is no guarantee. Despair is absolute. Giving up requires no risk. Brave people hope. Cowards despair.”

“…sometimes, when you can’t get what you want, you get what you need instead.”

This is a surprisingly good book and we give it 4 paws up.  Definitely worth the read.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Laura Preble is the award-winning author of the young adult series, Queen Geek Social Club (Penguin/Berkley Jam), which includes the novels Queen Geeks in Love and Prom Queen Geeks. Her novel, Out, dealt with the concept of LGBTQ rights within a young adult dystopia; Alex Sanchez, author of Rainbow Boys, says “Out explores an intriguing, mind-bending, and challenging portrait of an upside-down world that turns the tables on homophobia, acceptance, and love.” She has won a Kurt Vonnegut Fiction Prize, and has been published in North American Review, Writer’s Digest, Hysteria, and NEA Today.

 

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Synopsis

 

Korean-American author Jayci Lee delights with A Sweet Mess, a delicious and light-hearted romantic comedy that readers will devour and ask for more.

Aubrey Choi loves living in her small town nestled in the foothills of California, running her highly successful bakery away from the watch of her strict Korean parents. When a cake mix-up and a harsh review threaten all of her hard work and her livelihood, she never thought the jaded food critic would turn out to be her one-night stand. And she sure as hell never thought she’d see the gorgeous Korean hunk again. But when Landon Kim waltzes into her bakery trying to clean up the mess he had a huge hand in making, Aubrey is torn between throwing and hearing him out.

When she hears his plan to help save her business, Aubrey knows that spending three weeks in California wine country working with Landon is a sure recipe for disaster. Her head is telling her to take the chance to save her bakery while her heart—and her hormones—are at war on whether to give him a second chance. And it just so happens that Landon’s meddling friends want them to spend those three weeks as close as possible…by sharing a villa.

When things start heating up, both in and out of the kitchen, Aubrey will have to make a choice—to stick it out or risk her heart.

 

 

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Review

 

I think I gained 5 lbs just reading this book and all of the delicious foods that were described.  I do wish that there were a few more recipes at the end especially for the desserts that Aubrey makes for a television show.

Aubrey and Landon have that instant animal reaction to each other sexually as evidenced by their one night stand.  When a review of Aubrey’s bakery goes awry due to miscommunications, Landon seeks to make it right without compromising his no second review policy.  What ensues is their attempts to keep things platonic despite the intense attraction they feel for one another.  Let’s just say it doesn’t work.

If you are in the mood for something light and fluffy (my terminology for most romance novels) then you won’t be disappointed.  True love does not run smoothly for these two and it is definitely a case of communication that can solve all of their problems if they would just not be so obstinate about being true to themselves and their relationship.

I really liked several of the supporting characters.  Tara, Aubrey’s BFF, is a hoot but also loyal to Aubrey.  There is a hint of a possible book featuring her and another character.  Aria and Lucien are two other characters that I liked because they pulled no punches when it came to Landon.  They may be his friends but they knew when he was not making wise choices.

Outside of the romance, there is a subplot regarding Aubrey and her mother and their reconciliation and some truths that come to light that are best for both of them.

I devoured this book and if you are a foodie that loves romance books, I think you will like this book too.  We give this 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

“How’s this?” He’d chosen a small table at the back corner. When Aubrey nodded, he pulled out her chair and took a seat across from her.

Their proximity and relative privacy made the air between them hum with electricity. Their knees brushed every time either of them shifted in their seat, sending bolts of desire through him. A sharp intake of breath and a parting of her lips revealed Aubrey wasn’t immune to their magnetic attraction.

Landon had dated his fair share of beautiful women. There was no reason to act like a gawky teenager, but his roaring heart and churning stomach said otherwise. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt nervous around a woman. Her hand was resting less than four inches away from his, but he broke out in a cold sweat working up the nerve to brush his knuckles against it.

He started when Aubrey traced her fingers across the back of his hand with a shy smile. “So, Landon from out of town, what’s your dream?”

His blood had gone south at her touch, leaving nothing for his brain, but he was even more dumbstruck by her question. The woman threw him off balance on all fronts.

“Not big on making small talk, are you?” He managed to keep his voice steady despite his spinning head and hardening body.

“If I’m going to have a chat with a complete stranger, I might as well have an interesting one.” A deep blush stained her cheeks, and her lashes fluttered to hide her eyes. “Besides, you’re leaving tomorrow. I was hoping we could pack a lot into tonight.”

Landon sucked in a sharp breath. Her shy and earnest declaration moved him, and he fought the urge to pull her across the table to kiss her senseless. Instead, he lifted Aubrey’s hand and brushed a kiss on her pale inner wrist. A wolfish grin spread across his face when she gasped at his touch.

“My dream was to open my own restaurant.” To his shock, the truth stumbled out of him. A truth he’d refused to face for the past decade. Maybe he was desperate to give her an interesting conversation. A memorable one. “Someplace spacious and comfortable where people can enjoy a delicious meal without pretense or a six-figure salary.”

“That sounds amazing. What kind of food are we talking about?”

“Whatever inspiration strikes me. If I had to label it, New American–slash–Korean fusion will have to do.”

“I love Korean food. I would totally eat there.” Aubrey sat forward, her eyes round and sparkling. “So you’re Korean? I am, too.”

“Yes, I’m Korean, and you would be more than welcome to eat at my restaurant.”

“Are you a chef?”

“No, but I trained to be one. Have you heard of the CIA?”

“The Central Intelligence Agency? You learned to cook for undercover agents while dodging bullets and jumping out of airplanes?” She cocked her head to the side and gazed at him with solemn interest.

“I . . . um.” Landon was fairly certain she was messing with him, but insulting her wouldn’t be the best way to seduce her. “It’s . . .”

Aubrey’s pale skin turned from pink to crimson before she erupted into laughter, her frame trembling like a 6.8 earthquake. She held up a finger, gripping her side, pantomiming she needed a minute. He crossed his arms over his chest and leveled her with a steely glare, which wasn’t an easy feat considering her infectious mirth.

“I’m s-sorry, but you had to see your face. You couldn’t decide whether a small-town girl like me knew about the Culinary Institute of America or whether I was pulling your leg.”

Mischievous little fox. He needed to get her back for that. “Actually, that’s incorrect.” He drew closer to her, his lips close to her ear, and lowered his voice to a deep, gritty whisper. “I was debating whether or not I should tell you the truth, because if I did, I’d have to terminate you.”

Aubrey stared at him in silence for a second, and then a delighted grin spread across her face. “This is fun.”

“Yeah, it is.” Landon was surprised to find he meant it. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had fun. He certainly had pleasant and interesting times, but fun times? No, this felt alien.

His earlier hesitation forgotten, he ran his knuckles down the side of her face, relishing the feel of her warm, silky skin. Aubrey leaned lightly into his hand, and her eyes slid shut. She was so responsive to his touch. Landon’s mouth went dry, and all he could think was more. He wanted to make her laugh again. He ached to make her fall apart in his arms with her swollen lips calling out his name.

“You’re beautiful,” Landon murmured, unable to look away from her.

“So are you.” Aubrey’s lips curved into a barely there smile that squeezed his heart.

He’d gone to the brewery for a pint to wash away the bitter taste of his sorry day, but he’d discovered something far more intoxicating—something potent enough to tip him off-balance. Aubrey made his blood sing and his rational thoughts melt away. The floor seemed to grow solid and strong, and his body settled heavily into his seat like he’d dropped anchor across from her—as though she had a gravitational pull all her own and he was helpless against it.

He’d led a nomadic life for a decade. He didn’t know how to stay still for long. The smart thing to do would be to run the hell away from this woman, whose mere proximity made it unimaginable to even leave the table.

But smart wasn’t part of his vocabulary at the moment. Greedy, feral, and desperate passion overwhelmed all else. He stood abruptly from his seat, and Aubrey’s mouth parted in surprise. Then he grasped her hand and raised her to her feet.

“Do you want to get out of here?” His eyes bored into hers, his desire and urgency displayed for her to see.

“Yes.”

 

Excerpt from A Sweet Mess by Jayci Lee. Copyright 2020 by the author and reprinted with permission from St. Martin’s Griffin.

 

 

About the Author

 

JAYCI LEE writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance every free second she can scavenge and is semi-retired from her fifteen-year career as a defense litigator. She loves food, wine, and traveling, and incidentally, so do her characters. Jayci lives in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys with boundless energy, and a fluffy rescue whose cuteness is a major distraction.

 

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