GINGERBREAD KISSES

 

Hot in Magnolia Book 4

 

By Minette Lauren

 

 

Publication Date: April 30^th, 2021

Pages: 275

Categories: Sexy Romance

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Hollywood actress Ginger Lynn Harding is broke, unemployed, and stuck in the glaring spotlight of a sex-tape scandal thanks to her lousy ex-boyfriend. Changing her coveted ginger-colored hair to brown, Ginger heads to small-town Magnolia, Texas, where she plans to hide out and wait tables at the Cupcake Diner and Dive.

As a Magnolia constable and possible candidate for mayor, Roland Karr prides himself on protecting the community. When he nabs a Lauren Bacall look-alike for speeding, Roland is surprised that he lets the sassy beauty off the hook, but he can’t help it. She looks like she could use a break.

As Ginger settles into life in Magnolia, she can’t stop thinking about the handsome and debonair cop, but can she risk losing her heart when she’s lost everything else?

 

 

 

 

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I suggest having a fan close by to cool you off after reading this sizzling romance.

Usually, with romance novels, the focus is on one couple and their relationship adventure. Not so in this book, you get two romance stories in one and both are equally steamy. Ginger is on the run from a released sex video and being a Texas gal, she decides to head towards a place where she hopes that the press can’t find her, Magnolia. She is battling with what to do with her life and she feels like it is over, but I think she is admitting defeat way too early in her life. Perhaps, she just needed a place to lick her wounds until she can face the world again. I enjoyed watching her figure out what she wanted from life and taking what she wants….which just happens to include the hunky constable, Roland. Roland has his own issues and is perhaps just a little too straight-laced for his own good. I think he has something of a savior complex that he might need to revisit if he wants to have Ginger in his life. But I have to admire his dedication and loyalty to his family and watching out for them. Their story has its ups and downs and there are some intriguing twists at the end that surprised me.

The second romance is between Lexie and Noah. Because I haven’t read any of the previous books but discovered that Lexie and Noah are featured in Champagne Kisses. Their story apparently doesn’t end in a happily ever after in that book. The author does a wonderful job of filling us in on what transpired between the two in the past and how they ended up where they are today. I have to give Noah props because he knows what he wants and that is Lexie. They both have baggage and misunderstandings in the past, and it isn’t an easy road now but they persevere to work towards a future together.

I loved my first visit to Magnolia and all of the residents of this town. It is what I picture a small town to be like, where everyone knows everyone else (plus their business) and it is hard to keep a secret. I adored the Cupcake Diner and Dive and can only imagine how much fun that place can be to visit. I think my favorite character just might be Ms. Rosie. This is a woman that is not afraid to speak her mind much to the chagrin of her niece. I think the whole town takes her in stride because of her age and they might be just a smidge afraid of her. I think she is a crazy, yet loveable, woman and probably the life of the party.

This was a fun book and I am going to go back and read the first three books especially to discover Melvina’s story. There are brief glimpses of the other characters in this book but nothing that would give away too much of their story.

We give this book 5 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minette Lauren is an award-winning author who loves animals and writes humorous romance in a small Texas town.

 

 

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THREE WINNERS

First place: Signed copies of all the Hot in Magnolia series books (including the prequel) + $25 Amazon gift card.

Second place: Signed copies of all four books in the series

Third place: Signed copy of Gingerbread Kisses

(Continental US residents only. Ends Midnight, CDT, June 4, 2021.)

 

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Sometimes all you need is one person to really see you.

Piper Parrish’s life on Frick Island—a tiny, remote town smack in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay—is nearly perfect. Well, aside from one pesky detail: Her darling husband, Tom, is dead. When Tom’s crab boat capsized and his body wasn’t recovered, Piper, rocked to the core, did a most peculiar thing: carried on as if her husband was not only still alive, but right there beside her, cooking him breakfast, walking him to the docks each morning, meeting him for their standard Friday night dinner date at the One-Eyed Crab. And what were the townspeople to do but go along with their beloved widowed Piper?

Anders Caldwell’s career is not going well. A young ambitious journalist, he’d rather hoped he’d be a national award-winning podcaster by now, rather than writing fluff pieces for a small town newspaper. But when he gets an assignment to travel to the remote Frick Island and cover their boring annual Cake Walk fundraiser, he stumbles upon a much more fascinating tale: an entire town pretending to see and interact with a man who does not actually exist. Determined it’s the career-making story he’s been needing for his podcast, Anders returns to the island to begin covert research and spend more time with the enigmatic Piper—but he has no idea out of all the lives he’s about to upend, it’s his that will change the most.

 

 

 

Review

 

This story filled me with hope, laughter, sorrow, and joy.

Piper loses her husband way too soon in their young marriage. I can’t even imagine the grief she felt learning to live without him. Then something odd happens, everyone acts as if Tom is there with her, hence the invisible husband. I loved how this small community rallied around Piper and tried to ease her grief in this way. While it wasn’t logical, they were doing what they thought was right at the time.

Anders has always wanted to be a journalist and his first job is with a smaller paper. You can imagine his disappointment expecting to work for a big name paper right off the bat. But everyone has to start at the bottom and work their way up. What he doesn’t expect is to find this small community on Frick Island and Piper. He is sent to this island to cover their annual cakewalk. It seems odd to have it on a Thursday, but as someone tells him, it has always been on a Thursday. Small communities find change harder than others. While on the island, Anders feels like he is thrown back in time with the lack of technology, a small community with large hearts, and a weird situation with Piper and her invisible husband.

Don’t take everything you think to be true at face value. There is the mystery of who sent an email to Anders that he was missing a bigger story? Is Piper insane or having a psychotic break? Is global warming and climate changes affecting the island and what do the citizens think about losing their island? Will Anders’ podcast become a success? How will he spin what he is experiencing on Frick Island that will capture everyone’s attention?

There are many parts that tickled my funny bone like the islanders thinking that Anders is a Mormon missionary because of what he is wearing that first day. Piper setting Anders up when giving him the island experience, and so many more.

There are some twists in the book that was unexpected and has the reader rethinking their original assumptions. One of these is actually kinda funny but you will have to read the book to discover the truth. There is also a situation where Anders has to face his own fears and past and come to terms with his own life.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch, and Before I Go. Her books have been named best books by People, Us Weekly, Library Journal and Real Simple, and have been long-listed for the Southern Book Prize. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, four kids, and the world’s biggest lapdog.

 

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Synopsis

 

A noir mystery set in a fictional midwestern city. As a gang war erupts, a gangster and the detective who sent him to prison work together to stop a serial killer and bury the past.

Kane Kulpa learned which laws could be bent and which broken after a short stint in prison courtesy of Detective Vincent Bayonne. Bound by time, integrity, and the reality of life in Central City, Bayonne and Kane made peace with the past. Now, gang tension spirals from corrupt to deadly, and a series of murders stresses Kane and Bayonne’s uneasy alliance. Kane balances on a razor’s edge to protect his bar, power, life, and family, and Bayonne hustles to keep another lonely man from being strangled.

Central City is a city struggling for identity. The cops protect the rackets, and the criminals shelter the injured. Innocence is only an appearance, and rage finds a voice.

 

 

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Visit Central City Books to learn more about Central City and the characters.

 

 

Review

 

If you enjoy gritty noir mysteries, the mafia, turf wars and all that entails, then this will be right up your alley.

The book starts off with two young boys in the late 70s and their father in an altercation. The story jumps forward approximately 15 years and we meet a cast of characters that are intertwined in ways you may not even imagine. There are good and bad guys (and gals) and you might need a notecard to jot down who they are and how they know each other (or visit the Central City link above). We are drawn into the mystery of who is killing these men and why. Detective Vincent Bayonne is on the case with his new partner, Adam McKenna. Despite the fact that Adam is a new detective (and sometimes green around the gills), he plays an intricate role in this story.

Another key character is Kane Kulpa. Kane could be considered a CI for Bayonne but he isn’t without his own issues in this story. It took me a little bit to figure out how the various characters were tied to other characters. This is a good and bad thing because there is no shortage of characters, but there is a lot of backstories to wade through and get a good grasp on who each character is and the ultimate role they will play in this story.

There are some crazy twists near the end that really caught my attention and were not plot twists I expected. Perhaps I should have seen them coming, but alas I did not.

Noir mysteries are intriguing because while it is set in a slightly modern time, it feels historical. They don’t have cell phones or computers. The characters are in mafias or “gangs”. There are brothels. It feels very old school (think Rat Pack) to me but I like it!

We give this book 3 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Indy Perro is a novelist, an independent thinker, and a recovering academic. Indy has a degree in history, graduate degrees in religious studies, comparative literature, and education, and has spent more than a decade teaching philosophy, religious studies, writing, and literature. He lives in northern Colorado, and when he’s not at his desk, he loves to hike, run, read, and study languages.

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Synopsis

 

A “dazzling” (Bryan Washington, author of Memorial and Lot ) and brilliantly satirical debut novel for fans of Women Talking and Red Clocks about two best friends—a disgraced influencer and a struggling actor—who form The Atmosphere, a cult designed to reform problematic men.

Sasha Marcus was once the epitome of contemporary success: an internet sensation, social media darling, and a creator of a high profile wellness brand for women. But a confrontation with an abusive troll has taken a horrifying turn, and now she’s at rock bottom: canceled and doxxed online, fired from her waitress job and fortressed in her apartment while men’s rights protestors rage outside. All that once glittered now condemns.

Sasha confides in her oldest childhood friend, Dyson—a failed actor with a history of body issues—who hatches a plan for Sasha to restore her reputation by becoming the face of his new business venture, The Atmosphere: a rehabilitation community for men. Based in an abandoned summer camp and billed as a workshop for job training, it is actually a rigorous program designed to rid men of their toxic masculinity and heal them physically, emotionally, and socially. Sasha has little choice but to accept. But what horrors await her as the resident female leader of a crew of washed up, desperate men? And what exactly does Dyson want?

Explosive and wickedly funny, this “Fight Club for the millennial generation” (Mat Johnson, author of Pym) peers straight into the dark heart of wellness and woke-ness, self-mythology and self-awareness, by asking what happens when we become addicted to the performance of ourselves.

 

 

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Review

 

This is a satirical look at the world today where men are put into or join rehabilitation centers (cults) to rid themselves of their masculinity and one such cult is run by two friends that are washed up in their own lives and perhaps this is better than nothing.

Sasha was a rising star until a man (troll) kills himself and blames her…and weirdly, society jumps on the bandwagon and starts hounding and harassing her and she is stuck in her apartment with no safe way to get out. Sound somewhat familiar in today’s world? This type of behavior by the masses is very common and one could say they are bullying her for something that really wasn’t her fault. She didn’t put the gun to the guy’s head. However, it is her words that are what get her into trouble. I found the whole situation very sad and felt for Sasha and what she was having to go through.

Dyson is a successful actor as long as he doesn’t have any speaking roles and is apparently sought after for those types of roles. I guess everyone has to have a strength somewhere. He decides to start a cult on some land his parents own/gave him in New York. What ensues is quite interesting between the men that become a part of this cult and what they have to do to stay there and become “better” men. On one hand, it is absurd, but on the other hand, Dyson starts digging into the men’s history and what brought them to this point in their life. In a way, it is helpful to several of the men. One thing I noticed is that the men in this cult were all white men and they were being taught to be less white….another stab at society today?

I have to give the author credit for poking fun at what we see in the world today and how out of control it has gotten. There are a few lines that did stick out to me that I want to share because I agree wholeheartedly with these thoughts:

“No one communicates. They’d rather troll and drag and call out and harass and cancel. It’s painful. And my industry is the problem – tech companies killed communication, with social media, texting, apps that tell you when to express your love for someone.”

“Because that’s the problem now: everyone has all these thoughts and ideas and they spread them without considering whether they might hurt someone else.”

If you are into satire and dark comedy, this is probably a book you will want to read. I saw another review that compared it to Black Mirror and the weirdness of that show, and honestly, I could see this book being made into an episode of that show.

We give it 3 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Alex McElroy is a nonbinary writer based in Brooklyn. Their first novel, The Atmospherians, will be published by Atria in 2021. Other writing appears in Vice, The Atlantic, Tin House, TriQuarterly, New England Review, and their first book, Daddy Issues, was published in 2017.
​
Alex has received fellowships from The Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, The Tin House Summer Workshop, The Sewanee Writers Conference, The Inprint Foundation, The Elizabeth George Foundation, and The National Parks Service.

 

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Synopsis

 

The Hunting Wives share more than target practice, martinis, and bad behavior in this novel of obsession, seduction, and murder.

Sophie O’Neill left behind an envy-inspiring career and the stressful, competitive life of big-city Chicago to settle down with her husband and young son in a small Texas town. It seems like the perfect life with a beautiful home in an idyllic rural community. But Sophie soon realizes that life is now too quiet, and she’s feeling bored and restless.

Then she meets Margot Banks, an alluring socialite who is part of an elite clique secretly known as the Hunting Wives. Sophie finds herself completely drawn to Margot and swept into her mysterious world of late-night target practice and dangerous partying. As Sophie’s curiosity gives way to full-blown obsession, she slips farther away from the safety of her family and deeper into this nest of vipers.

When the body of a teenage girl is discovered in the woods where the Hunting Wives meet, Sophie finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and her life spiraling out of control.

 

 

 

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Review

 

Don’t mess with a Texas gal or her gun.

Welcome to the piney woods of East Texas in a small town where everyone knows everyone else and the rumors abound. Sophie and her family have moved back to this town where she spent two years in high school. She thought it would be a better place to raise her son compared to Chicago. She might be right and she may be wrong.

I will have to admit that the first half of the book (or so) was somewhat slow as we learned more about Sophie, Margot, Erin, Callie, Jill, and Tina. I learned that most of these women were catty and shallow, and liked to drink a lot. It seems like they were always getting drunk. I don’t know if they weren’t happy with their lives or if they were bored or something else. Sophie also has an obsession with Margot and it takes some time to really get down to the reason for the obsession. At the outset, it might be because she is bored with her life, and moving to this town may not have been what she was expecting.

Most of the characters are unlikeable but in a way, they draw you into their world. It is surprising what they manage to get away with and keep from their families, or are they? I think their spouses have an inkling about what is going on and either keep quiet or have their own agenda.

We learn at the beginning of one death, but you won’t get the details about that until much later. There is another death that shocks the small town especially when other information comes to light. One might think you learn who to trust or not trust, and just when you thought you had it all figured out there are some twists that will surprise you.

The moral of this story – don’t go looking for happiness in others because you will only find it in yourself.

Overall, I found this book to have some good suspense/thriller moments but it was hard to root for any of the characters except maybe Erin. We give it 3 1/2 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

May Cobb is a freelance writer from Austin, TX who won the 2015 Writer’s League of Texas Manuscript Contest. Her writing has appeared in Austin Monthly and the online edition of JazzTimes. Big Woods is her debut novel.

 

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Synopsis

 

Dakota Kilroy, a 28-year-old investigative journalist, is haunted by the unsolved disappearance of her best friend, Maddy Montgomery who went missing at the age of fifteen. When financial difficulties force her to move back home to Santa Monica, CA, she cannot take the unanswered questions anymore. Determined to find out what happened to Maddy, Dakota starts ShadowCast, a true crime podcast to publicize the case. But little does she know the man responsible for Maddy’s disappearance all those years ago is listening in and tampering with her investigation.

SHADOWCAST is a psychological thriller with page-turning suspense, a story that praises the value of friendship and the fearless pursuit of justice.

 

 

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Review

 

I have been on a psychological thriller kick over the last year and this one does not disappoint. It is a little different because we know all those involved, including the killer, and the story is told from his POV and Dakota’s, the protagonist. It is eerie reading the killer’s POV but it is also fascinating to see how a serial killer might think. There is more to his story than meets the eye.

Dakota is an investigative journalist that has been laid off and ends up going back home to CA from NYC much to her chagrin. Her parents are not 100% supportive of her career path and possibly even less so once she is out there and decides to start a podcast to try and find out what happened to her best friend Maddy. I don’t feel like we get to know Dakota’s family very well and I feel like they are shallow and only care about appearances.

While I don’t list to podcasts, I find the concept interesting. I know many listen to true crime podcasts and this would fall into that category. She is very matter of fact when sharing her findings and that draws attention to her show. But like anything on the internet, there are creepers out there and those that are willing to throw rocks at anyone and everyone from the perceived safety from behind a computer.

The story has a nice even pace and I was riveted to the story wondering what was the connection, would they figure out who he was, and how would that impact Dakota. The clues and details of what happened and parsed out at a good pace that keeps the story hopping. The revelation about the history of the killer and how long this has been happening is amazing. Goes to show you there are all kinds of weirdos about there.

There is even a bit of romance to this book between Dakota and Sean. Sean is about 16 years older than Dakota and is heavily invested in her search for Maddy’s killer. You will have to read the book to learn why he cares so much.

Overall this was an intriguing read and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

V.P. Morris is an award winning horror and thriller writer. She is also the creator of the fictional podcast, The Dead Letters Podcast. Her interest in true crime and criminal psychology inspired her debut novel, ShadowCast. When she is not reading or writing, she is sending time with her husband, son, and rescue dog in their Connecticut home.

 

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THE PARIS BETRAYAL

 

By James R. Hannibal

 

 

Publisher: Revell

Pub Date: May 4th, 2021

Pages: 352 pages

Categories: Fiction / Christian / Suspense

 

 

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After a rough mission in Rome involving the discovery of a devastating bioweapon, Company spy Ben Calix returns to Paris to find his perfectly ordered world has collapsed. A sniper attack. An ambush. A call for help that brings French SWAT forces down on his head. Ben is out. This is a severance–reserved for incompetents and traitors.

Searching for answers and anticipating a coming attack, Ben and a woman swept up in his misfortunes must travel across Europe to find the sniper who tried to kill him, the medic who saved his life, the schoolmaster who trained him, and an upstart hacker from his former team. More than that, Ben must come to grips with his own insignificance as the Company’s plan to stop Leviathan from unleashing the bioweapon at any cost moves forward without him–and he struggles against the infection that is swiftly claiming territory within his own body.

Award-winning author James R. Hannibal ratchets up the tension on every page of this suspenseful new thriller.

 

 

 

 

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Praise

 

“A masterful thriller is created by a masterful writer, and James R. Hannibal is at the top of my list. I devoured every page with the lights on!” —DiAnn Mills, DiAnnMills.com, author of Airborne

“James Hannibal once again displays his dazzling prose and ability to keep even the more experienced readers guessing. In The Paris Betrayal, Hannibal sets his hook deep and early, then drags you through a riveting, edge-of-your-seat story. Another gripping, high-octane book from one of the best thriller writers in the business.” — Simon Gervais, former RCMP counterterrorism officer and bestselling author of Hunt Them Down

“Riveting and action-packed! The Paris Betrayal is everything you want in a thriller–suspense, intrigue, and white-knuckle action. Hannibal has a knack for keeping you guessing in a plot that moves at a breakneck speed. This is one you don’t want to miss!” —Ronie Kendig, bestselling author of The Tox Files

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spies, Lies, and a dog…Oh my!

If you are in the mood for a good spy novel then look no further than this book. I was taken on a fast-paced adventure with many moving parts, flawed characters, and an adorable doxie named Otto. Yes, anytime there is a dog I am pretty sure I’m going to like the book.

The author has some first-hand knowledge regarding military operations and while this is not a military based book, I could see how that information could shape the direction Ben took in hunting down the virus and Leviathan before it destroys the world and the people that inhabit this planet. While the book was primarily written before the current pandemic, the author took advantage of this new information and added a few more twists to the story.

Ben is loyal to The Company and his mission. When he is burned he doesn’t stop trying to right the wrongs, he continues and puts himself in perilous situations. However, it seems like Ben is always on the go. This is probably to be expected in the spy business because once you are in play, I can’t imagine that you aren’t always on edge and looking over your shoulder. But that just adds to the drama of the novel and will keep you glued to your seat from start to finish.

In spite of his current situation, a few people still want to help Ben survive including Clara, a seemingly innocent bystander that is swept along into this nightmare along with her dog Otto. Clara manages to end up in the right place at the right time to help Ben out of a few situations. Is she as innocent as she appears?

I appreciated that while some characters were not major players in the book, we are provided sufficient information about each character so we can imagine them in our minds and the role they play in this novel and in Ben’s quest for the truth. I felt like each character added to the storyline no matter their role. Many were devious and it is obvious I was never trained to be a spy because I don’t think I could think that fast on my feet if I were in the same situation.

While this book has more of a serious tone, there are still many scenes that had me chuckling including one with a hacker that Ben thinks has blown up his girlfriend’s home. Between the dialogue and the actions of Ben, it was almost like watching a comedy routine but a little more dangerous.

This was the first book I have read from this author but it won’t be my last. I definitely recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good spy novel. We give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James R. Hannibal is no stranger to secrets and adventure. This former stealth pilot from Houston, Texas, has been shot at, locked up with surface-to-air missiles, and chased down a winding German road by an armed terrorist. He is a two-time Silver Falchion Award winner for his children’s mysteries, a former Thriller Award nominee, and a 2020 Selah and Carol Award finalist for The Gryphon Heist–the opener for the CIA series that now includes Chasing the White Lion. James is a rare multisense synesthete, meaning all of his senses intersect. He sees and feels sounds and smells, and he hears flashes of light. If he tells you the chocolate cake you offered smells blue and sticky, take it as a compliment.

 

 

 

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5/7/21	Review	The Clueless Gent
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Synopsis

 

Childhood friends reunite in an explosive tale of family dysfunction and romance gone wrong.

Amelia has been plotting to escape her abusive husband for years. When her mama’s untimely death provides an unexpected opportunity, she hops on the next bus to the South Carolina Lowcountry. Her husband will eventually come for her. But she’s prepared. Her freedom has given her confidence to face her uncertain future. She settles in at her family’s oceanfront estate to await her destiny. But a visit from Amelia’s past presents danger in a different form.

After a string of disastrous blind dates, Max falls for the first guy who expresses an interest in her. As the weeks wear on, her attraction to Ron wanes. But he’s living in her apartment. And he won’t be so easy to get rid of.

Jump on board for a wild ride of adventure with the continuation of the bestselling Palmetto Island Series. Be sure to download Muddy Bottom, the series novella prequel, for FREE.

 

 

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Review

 

Palmetto Island is now one of my favorite spots and a place I would like to visit and maybe live. The people seem to be friendly, caring, and inviting. Well, most of them anyway.

We meet Amelia, a friend to Birdie and Max when they were in school, and she is back to bury her mother and escape an abusive relationship. But as we know, it is hard to escape an abuser and this keeps Amelia on edge. Not only does she have to worry about her husband, but there are also strange things happening at her mother’s home and she is seeing strange lights in the apartment over the garage. Then there is a woman that seems familiar that makes an appearance at the funeral. While you will be able to guess who this person is, the story takes an interesting turn as Amelia remembers more of her past and a certain situation that could change her life.

The story also focuses on Max and her attempt to revitalize her hotel. It is in disrepair and needs a major overhaul. This leads her to Davis via Birdie. He is new to the island and looking to build his reputation as a contractor. I like how they play off each other and build a friendship. This is a boon for Max because she tends to get involved with the wrong people and she has one of those “wrong” men in her life and he is hard to kick out. She will be in for some trying times thanks to the freeloader.

I have always loved this author’s books and this one added just a bit more suspense and mystery than some of the others. I think the last 10-15% really had me on edge wondering how the events would play out and would there be the happy ending I have come to know and expect?  You’ll have to read the book to find out.

We give this book 5 paws up and can’t wait for the next in this series to see how things continue for all those that have coupled up in this book and the previous ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series has touched the lives of many.

Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she’s lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 21 years, a piece of her heart remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she still calls home. Through the eyes of her characters, she captures the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kindhearted folk with lazy drawls that make the area so unique.

 

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Synopsis

 

From USA Today Bestselling Author Bette Lee Crosby comes a powerful southern saga based on a true story… Betrayal and secrets tore her family apart decades ago, now a lonely widow must search for the pieces of her broken childhood.

WHEN I LAST SAW YOU

GEORGIA, 1968 – Margaret Rose McCutcheon has just buried her husband and must now name a beneficiary for their estate in case of her demise. She is hard-pressed to do so because there is no one. No children. No family. At least none to speak of. At one time, she had two sisters and six brothers, but the lot of them were scattered to the four winds, with no one knowing where the others went. In the hope of finding at least one of her siblings, Margaret hires a detective and sets off on a journey to uncover the truth of why the family broke apart as it did.

WEST VIRGINIA, 1901 – When Eliza Hobbs gives birth to her sixth child, her husband is not there to welcome his daughter into the world. No surprise, because Martin is seldom there. He works in Charleston and returns to Coal Creek only when he has a mind to. Yes, he sends money on occasion, but seldom enough to make ends meet. Although Eliza believes each new child a blessing, he sees them as yet another responsibility on his already overloaded shoulders. When he discovers another child is on the way, he demands she get rid of it. he stops returning home and there is no more money.

Left with the children, a mountainside patch of land, and a house in sorry need of repair, Eliza seeks help and turns to someone powerful enough to hold sway over Martin and force him into providing for his family. Pushed to the brink, Martin does something unforgivable and the family is forever torn apart.

Now, after all these years, will Margaret be the one to find the pieces of her broken family?

 

 

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Review

 

There are a few authors that have the art of writing southern women’s fiction down to a science, and Bette Lee Crosby is one of those authors. Her stories blend together real world events, the past and present, and an array of emotions.

This novel focuses on Margaret, a woman that has just lost her husband and discovers that he had originally searched for her family many years before. We are taken down a path that shares her upbringing at the turn of the century in a small rural town in West Virginia, where most men ended up working (and eventually dying) in the coal mines. Growing up in small quarters and with a large family wasn’t a hardship for Margaret and her siblings, but that is because they do not know any different because the most important thing was the love that they felt from their mother and each other.

The story flips back and forth between the past and the present and we learn more about her life growing up and the secrets that are kept hidden from her and several others. The journey she is on is one that is sad yet fulfilling as she rediscovers her siblings and family. Not every situation results in a happy ending, but Margaret is able to find closure in some situations and new life in others. She is able to do all of this with the help of a private investigator named Tom. There are many humorous situations (remember this is 1968 and morality standards were different) but their adventure brings them together and creates a new friendship.

While the crux of the story is about Margaret, the past focuses on her parents, Eliza and Martin. Martin is not a likable character and the way he treated Eliza and his children is heartbreaking, to say the least. I appreciated the positive light that was shone on Masons (Masonic Lodge) and that they watch out for their brother and his family.

If you are looking for southern women’s fiction that will pull at your heartstrings, then anything by Bette will fill that bill and I highly recommend this book or any of her others.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

USA Today Bestselling Author and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.

 

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Synopsis

 

A vibrantly illustrated, authoritative guide to sparkling wine from James Beard Award winner Katherine Cole in the follow-up to her popular Rosé All Day

Sparkling Wine Anytime introduces readers to every style of sparkling wine, from Champagne and Prosecco to Cava, Lambrusco, Pét-Nat, and more. Wine expert Katherine Cole digs deep into sparkling wine’s compelling history, role in culture today, and the unique process by which it is made, explicating the most complicated concepts with light, bubbly prose. Organized by region, this comprehensive guide includes producer profiles, tasting notes, cocktail recipes, food pairings, and bottle recommendations for any budget. Filled with playful illustrations and infographics, Sparkling Wine Anytime is an effervescent exploration of all things sparkling.

 

 

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Review

 

I love a good sparkling wine but never thought much about how the different types came about or that there were other ways to drink it other than straight out of the bottle (in a glass of course!).

This book is educational and entertaining at the same time. I never knew how varied sparkling wines could be from the country they are produced in, to the types of grapes and the packaging process. I enjoyed reading about the various countries but the United States caught my attention since this is where I live. I think the biggest surprise was a winery that produces Brut in New Mexico.  That is probably the last state I would have ever expected to make a bottle of sparkling wine, but the winery has been there since the mid 1980s.

Along with history, notes, and a wealth of vineyards, there are also recipes sprinkled throughout and several have piqued my interest. I’m going to share one with you so that the next time you have a bottle of sparkling wine, you might pull up this recipe and give it a whirl.

 

Sweet Stars & Stripes

 

2-3 ultra thin cucumber slices

ice cubes

4 oz demi-sec (semisweet) sparkling wine

 

Place cucumber slices over the ice cubes in a wineglass or short rocks glass. Pour in the sparkling wine and serve.

Serves 1

 

 

About the Author

 

Katherine Cole’s newest book is Sparkling Wine Anytime, the companion to Rosé All Day (Abrams). She is also the author of How to Fake Your Way through a Wine List (Sterling Epicure) and Complete Wine Selector (Firefly Books).

Katherine is the host and executive producer of the James Beard Foundation Award-winning food-and-beverage podcast, The Four Top.

Her first book, Voodoo Vintners: Oregon’s Astonishing Biodynamic Winemakers (2011) was nominated for a Louis Roederer Award.

Katherine’s books have been reviewed favorably by The New York Times, Wine Spectator, Huffington Post and Chicago Sun-Times.

 

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