FINDING COMFORT

 

Comfort and Joy Trilogy, Book Two

 

by

 

Kimberly Fish

 

 

Women’s Fiction / Contemporary / Cozy Mystery

Publisher: Fish Tales Publishing

Date of Publication: September 1, 2023

Number of Pages: 312 pages

 

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Even with all her experience, Gloria Bachman, retired banker, and candy entrepreneur, didn’t see this coming.

Sweeties, the beloved Comfort chocolate shop, was ready for its cameo in advertising extraordinaire Jazzy Mezcal’s famous travel and food show! Comfort town folks had worked hard all summer to get their shops Hallmark-movie ready. On the eve of the TV crews overtaking the town, Gloria’s Chamber of Commerce welcome party gets drenched in a wicked rainstorm. Locals call it a “blue norther,” and a dreaded agent of change. Flooding seems like the worst of their problems until the celebrity TV host turns up dead.

In shock, Gloria’s friends turn to her to figure out who could be responsible for such a disaster. With the TV crew and guests in town for the 8^th Street Market’s annual shopping event, suspects are endless. Reluctant to get involved, Gloria would much rather focus on the delicious romance with Mason Lassiter. And she would if a frenemy from Kerrville didn’t haunt her every step. Now, as Gardner Rogers treads on her turf, everything feels suspicious.

With all eyes on Gloria to find the truth behind Jazzy Mezcal’s untimely death, she indulges her curiosity for problem-solving while trying to disguise how unsure she is about the future with her boyfriend. Disruption in Mason’s world, mayhem in Comfort, and one epic chocolate disaster rouse Gloria to action and make her decide what’s worth fighting for. All she can say for sure is that no one is finding any comfort in Comfort.

 

 

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I have fallen in love with Comfort, Texas, and I really need to visit there sometime soon. I love small towns and the unique character they bring to those around them.

This story has me laughing, yet on pins and needles, as Gloria seeks the truth in a local homicide. There were so many surprises regarding the death of the network star that it kept me guessing throughout. Just when you think you know the full story, you are smacked with a new twist that you didn’t see coming. To even hint at those twists would ruin the book for you, so this means you will have to pick up the book and read it.

Gloria is growing on me. She is an older protagonist, which I appreciate. It is nice to know that not all main characters are younger and that the wisdom and maturity that she brings to the pages reflect well on her. There are so many great quotes from the book that relate to Gloria that I need to share a few with you.

“You feel responsible for everyone. It’s one of your worst traits.”

“You have an over-developed helper gene…”

“What you think is some dumb luck attributed to women who like to dress up and find the softer side of life is really a carefully honed skill. I earned it by sharp knocks, obstacles, heartbreak, and a lot of hard work. Some people call it character. I like to call it grit.”

These are all true of Gloria. She is kind to a fault and will go the extra mile for her friends. Yet she is tough when the situation calls for it. She had some tough times, but she is back on her feet with a chocolate shop (one of my dreams!) and a new love interest, Mason. I like that because they are older, they appreciate taking their time in getting to know one another and not rushing into anything too quickly. Their path together is not smooth, but I think this helps their relationship blossom and become stronger. There are some things tied to Mason’s past that will need to be resolved, but at least they are working on it together, and he isn’t shutting her out.

Gloria has also moved past putting up with shenanigans from people in her past, namely one Gardner Rogers. This woman has something up her sleeve, but it is hard to know exactly what. We learn a little bit more about her and her past with Gloria, but there is more than meets the eye with this one. So watch out for her!

There are a few other lines I wanted to share with you. If you are a woman, you will understand and perhaps even laugh at these statements.

“Menopause changed me. Honey, it changed us all. It’s like puberty’s ugly step-sister.”

“I’ll text Margo that you’re next door. She’ll want to come make tea or whatever it is you ladies do in crisis moments.”

This book stepped up the mystery aspect over the first in this series so much that I feel it fits into the cozy category. But there are plenty of other attributes to enjoy outside of seeking the truth in Jazzy’s untimely death.

This author knows how to bring friends together in support, good times and bad, and even when tracking down a killer.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kimberly Fish has been a professional writer in marketing and media for over thirty years, with regular contributions to area newspapers and magazines. As an accidental historian, she wrote two novels, The Big Inch and Harmon General, both based on factual events in Longview, Texas, that changed world history. Kimberly also offers a set of contemporary women’s fiction novels and novellas based in the Texas Hill Country that reveal her fascination with characters discovering their grit and sweet, second chances; all four of the novels have won distinguished awards. Finding Comfort is her latest novel, the second book in the Comfort and Joy Trilogy.

 

 

 

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Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

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10/24/23	Reading by Moonlight	Review
10/24/23	Hall Ways Blog	BONUS Stop
10/25/23	The Book’s Delight	Review
10/25/23	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
10/26/23	Bibliotica	Review
10/27/23	Jennie Reads	Review
10/27/23	The Page Unbound	BONUS Stop
10/28/23	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
10/29/23	Rox Burkey Blog	Review
10/30/23	StoreyBook Reviews	Review
10/31/23	Carpe Diem Chronicles	Review
11/01/23	Boys’ Mom Reads	BONUS Stop
11/01/23	It’s Not All Gravy	Review
11/02/23	Forgotten Winds	Review

 

 

 

 

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Synopsis

 

Tana was ready to be the crown princess. She was not ready to lose her father and save her home.

Keegan had left his home to run away from his past, but he cannot escape his heritage or his mistakes.

As the two fight to save Heimat Draz, they discover they must learn to trust both themselves and each other, because a lot more than just Tana’s kingdom is at risk. If they cannot defeat the evil spreading, all of Sandig Skaa will be destroyed.

Secrets of the Desert is the first book in Sandig Skaa Chronicles (a 3-book fantasy series) with slow-burn, sweet romance and no spice, perfect for fans of books by authors like K.M. Shea or Tara Grayce!

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I am generally not a huge fantasy reader, but the author created a world that was fascinating, full of action, and kept me engaged throughout. This is billed as a romance, but that is a very tiny portion of the book and not really until near the end. You can tell that there is something blossoming between Keegan and Tana, but it takes the whole book to come to fruition. This is not a bad thing, but I was very invested in the main storyline – the attack on Tana’s kingdom and finding a way to save it.

Tana is a strong woman and is learning at the heels of her father how to lead and manage the kingdom in the future. I really loved how the King would thank everyone on payday for their service. That is something we should do in our world: recognize those who do good deeds, work hard, and make it a better place.

When the kingdom is overthrown, it is up to Tana to save it for her people. We follow her on an adventure to other kingdoms to rally support. The author does an amazing job of describing them, and it left me with a few questions and wanting to know more about these kingdoms. There are also many misbeliefs on Tana’s part (and those in the various kingdoms). As it happens in this world, false information is passed down from generation to generation, so they don’t trust others until they meet them and get to know them.

The book does seem a little slow starting off, but it picks up the pace and lets us see what Tana and Keegen are really made of and how they will resolve all of the issues.

We give this book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Anabelle Raven loves reading and writing fantasy, low-spice romance, and strong female characters. She loves chocolate and sushi, though not usually together, and traveling to new places with her family.

 

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Synopsis

 

They can save their families. But will it cost them their hearts?

Louisa Silverton is the daughter of a wealthy American businessman, brought up to believe a healthy profit is the only route to happiness. With the family company over-leveraged and in need of a capital injection, she travels to England to find a rich husband.

The Honourable Miss Sarah Davenport has no time for romance. The family estate of Kenilborough is mired in debt, and only she can save it. Unconventional and outspoken, Sarah is dismayed that somebody as intelligent and attractive as Louisa is willing to sacrifice herself for financial gain.

As Louisa pursues her campaign, Sarah realises her objections to the project run deeper than mere principles. At the same time, Louisa finds herself captivated by Sarah’s independent spirit. Yet to indulge their unexpected passion would surely mean the ruin of both their families. Bound by duty, will they ever be free to follow their hearts?

 

 

 

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Review

 

This story has a lot going for it: victorian setting, typical male treatment of women, finding a suitable partner to save a family fortune, and so much more. Many of the things that you would expect to find in a story set in this timeframe. You will also discover that there is compassion and acceptance.

I really liked Sarah’s character. She is a no-nonsense woman and, at 16, has the weight of the family estate on her shoulders. Her father is no help, and her step-brother is squandering any income they derive from the estate. He is sleazy and not to be trusted. His mother, Sarah’s stepmother, is not a lot better. She tends to spend money like it is going out of style.

Louisa arrives to find a husband to help bail out her father, but she discovers a friendship and love that transcends family responsibility. I enjoyed the friendships she developed, her smarts in helping Sarah manage her estate, and realizing that life is too short to end up in a dead-end relationship.

While this may be a romance, this didn’t happen until near the end of the book. Yes, we see Sarah’s interest in Louisa about midway through the book, but there is no action on her part to capture Louisa’s heart. I thought this was more of a drama that reflects the times and women’s values, or lack thereof, based on the men’s thought processes of the time. The book does hold true to the time period, which I appreciated.

I did enjoy the book and the HEA ending. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Marianne Ratcliffe grew up in Lincolnshire. A biochemist by training, she has always found creating new worlds and interesting characters every bit as rewarding as discoveries at a laboratory bench. She has had short stories published in literary magazines and was runner-up in the Guildford Book Festival short story competition in 2010. In 2017, redundancy spurred her to focus on creative writing, the result being The Secret of Matterdale Hall, a sapphic romance/mystery set in the Victorian era. Marianne lives in Cheshire with her wife and two dogs.

 

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Synopsis

 

A young widow. A gentle stable master. A secret that could change everything. Will Nora dare risk her heart?

The London Countryside, 1820

Eleanora Coventry comes from a life of title and privilege, but even that isn’t enough to prevent her from being wed at sixteen to a controlling and dismissive husband. So when she finds herself a widow at only twenty-seven, the idea of choosing her own path forward both thrills and terrifies her. She knows how to be a daughter and a wife and mother, but she has no idea how to be Eleanora.

She moves her son and daughter to her late husband’s country estate, where she meets Ridley, the young stable master. He is ruggedly handsome, but also kind, and Eleanora finds herself drawn to him. There is only one problem: Eleanora has a title, and Ridley does not.

Ridley Ellis has a way with horses. Even the most spirited stallions trust his soft voice and gentle touch. He has the same effect on people, and when he first lays eyes on Eleanora, he is smitten by her beauty. But he quickly discovers it will take more than soft words to gain her trust—Lord Coventry had been cruel to people and animals alike. But the closer he gets to Eleanora, the more he is willing to share his heart, and more importantly, his secret.

In a world where title and privilege mean everything, will Eleanora and Ridley risk it all to find happiness? Or will the shadows of their pasts destroy everything they hope to build together?

 

 

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Review

 

Reading a book such as this, set in the Regency era, makes me very glad I didn’t live in that time period! Women were treated like property and had no rights. That was the case for Nora. She was married to a much older man at 16, and it was not a happy marriage. He treated her like dirt and wasn’t happy with the one child that they had together. He basically forced her to accept his illegitimate daughter as her own. Now, this was actually a good thing for both Nora and the young lady because she had lost her mother, and Nora filled that role. It took time for them to create a bond, but it did happen.

The new baron, Nora’s son, is a spoiled brat. I am not sure of his age, but I assume 10-12. But his arrogance and attitude are more than one would expect for someone that young. It is also hard to know if he picked up these traits at boarding school or if his father poisoned him against his mother. Or possibly both. Luckily, Ridley is able to put him on the right path over time. Ridley is a positive influence in all of their lives. But he has a secret, one that can be sussed out before it is revealed, but it was still an interesting twist.

I enjoyed watching Nora and Ridley interact and restrain their attraction to one another as much as they could. This is the Regency era, so they had to be proper. While I suspected the ending, there were some events that could have thrown a monkey wrench into the blossoming relationship.

There are several nefarious characters that I wanted to chuck out a window. While I suspected some of it, I wasn’t sure how the situation would be resolved. In all of the instances, they were handled properly.

There are some obvious errors regarding the titling of the children. The illegitimate daughter would not be called Baroness unless her brother died and she became the heir. And then, because she is illegitimate, would she be recognized? But outside of some minor errors, the story was enjoyable.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Julie Wright started her first book when she was fifteen. She’s written over a dozen books since then, is a Whitney Award winner, and feels she’s finally getting the hang of this writing gig. She enjoys speaking to writing groups, youth groups, and schools. She loves reading, eating writing, hiking, playing on the beach with her kids, and snuggling with her husband to watch movies. Julie’s favorite thing to do is watch her husband make dinner. She hates mayonnaise but has a healthy respect for ice cream.

 

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About the Series

 

A sexy, dirty talking alpha. The beautiful, sweet, and fiery Bella. Her boss. A contract that forces him to marry. An arrangement that will change them forever. Meet Tyler Hawk…

Tyler Hawk is a man with secrets and a dark past. A man who has known tragedy and betrayal. He wants for little, but what he wants is more power, a legacy that is his own, and not his father’s. There are obstacles in his way, one of which is the scandal his father left behind and a will with certain demands.

Behind the scenes, he is a man on edge, and only one woman sees the truth hidden beneath his strong will and dominant rule. Bella is somehow demanding and submissive, fiery and yet sweet. She can give him everything he wants, she just doesn’t know it, not yet, but she will. If she’ll just say yes and sign on the dotted line.

Bastard Boss (book one)

 

 

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Sweet Sinner (book two)

 

 

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Dirty Little Vow (book three)

 

 

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Excerpt

 

“You’re going to have to share your room with me, sweetheart,” he says, and he doesn’t allow me time to object or even savor that endearment, not that objection is on my mind. I’m thinking of nothing but his mouth and hands on my body and this time, mine on his.

He opens the door and enters the room, maneuvering me along with him. The door slams shut behind us, and he’s already kissing me again. This time when his fingers find my hair, he gives the long strands an erotic tug and drags my gaze to his. “Control in all things, Bella. It’s who I am. It’s what I need, not a want.”

“And as you remember,” I say, my fingers curling on his chest, “I don’t like what I can’t control, which I guess actually means I like control, too.”

“And you have it with me,” he promises. “Always. All you have to say is no, and we find what feels like a yes to you. You asked if I trust you. I’m asking you now, if you trust me.”

I consider the complexity of the question. Do I trust him to listen when I say no? Yes. Do I trust him not to break my heart? I’m pretty sure that’s signed, sealed, and delivered, so, no. Do I trust him to make tonight all about pleasure? The kind of pleasure I’ll remember long after he is married off to his future fiancée. Yes. That’s a brutal yes because of where this is headed, which is nowhere but right here, right now, but one I can’t walk away from, either. “Yes,” I say. “I trust you.”

“I don’t think you do, Bella,” he murmurs, and the way he uses my name—it’s as if he wants me to know I’m not just sex to him. Or maybe I just want to believe that—even need to believe that—to be here with him, to be this intimate with him. Because I’m still me. I’m still not the “sex is sex” kind of girl, even if he aspires to change that in me. “But I want you to trust me so damn badly it’s insane,” he adds roughly, an edge of frustration in him, as if this statement somehow contradicts the control he so values.

It shakes me just how much I’m pleased that I’ve tormented him in some way, as if it’s selfish of me. I know this, but Lord also knows I’m tormented over this marriage agreement he’s obviously accepted. And if I think too hard about it, I will run. I will leave.

I don’t want to leave.

I press to my toes, desperate for his mouth and body, for that oblivion he’s shown me once that I crave once again.

His grip tightens gently round my hair, the act both arousing and brutal, as he denies me his mouth. “I’m going to make you trust me, Bella,” he declares, and then, thank you Lord, his mouth slants over my mouth, his tongue caressing my tongue. And it’s a toe-curling, deep, drugging kiss that leaves me breathless when his lips part mine. “Undress, baby,” he orders. “I want to watch.”

 

 

About the Author

 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones writes dark, edgy fiction, including the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT series and the upcoming crime thriller The Poet. Suzanne Todd (producer of Alice in Wonderland and Bad Mom’s) on the INSIDE OUT series: Lisa has created a beautiful, complicated, and sensual world that is filled with intrigue and suspense.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned a multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by the Dallas Women’s Magazine. In 1998 Lisa was listed as the #7 growing women-owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine. She lives in Colorado with her husband, a cat that talks too much, and a Golden Retriever who is afraid of trash bags.

 

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Synopsis

 

She’s just a girl. Standing in front of four rom-coms. Praying for death.

Sophie Sweet is a game programmer who adores three things: writing code; Doritos Surprise, the one thing she can cook; and her ride-or-die BFF Jodie Edwards. And only those three. To Sophie, people are a lousy bunch of jackasses who lie and leave when you need them most, so why bother? That goes double for “love,” a ridiculous fairy tale sold to women to keep them subjugated and cooking things besides Doritos Surprise, which is madness.

Sophie and Jodie have a tradition of getting their fortunes read at the carnival, but this year there’s a new surprise in town—Tiffani the Psychic. The bubbly psychic can see through Sophie’s tough-girl veneer to her squishy, hurt center. Tiffani tells Sophie she’ll prove that everlasting passion exists for everyone! Sophie tells Tiffani to screw off.

Big mistake. Huge.

Oh, yes—romance, and Tiffani, are coming for Sophie Sweet, whether she likes it or not. And she will Not. Like. It. Tiffani is an unstoppable force, and Sophie, an immovable object who cusses a lot. But Tiffani will prove to Sophie that love can heal her wounds. And it’s right in front of her oblivious face.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

This book is a mashup of your favorite, or not so favorite, rom-coms and movies. Sophie and Jodie are best friends, and when they go to a new fortune teller at a local carnival, things turn upside down for them.

Tiffani, who is the new fortune teller, ends up dragging them into some crazy scenarios for Sophie to live out and find her truwluv (imagine The Princess Bride here). I’m not sure why Tiffani thought that a remake of prom night in Carrie was wise, but it did help Sophie move past a bully in high school. Perhaps the same could be said for the medieval scenario with a former girlfriend who was a bully in her recent past.

The book does have heart, and it helps Sophie get to the root of her issues and realize that perhaps love is staring her right in the face. It takes multiple scenarios, but it eventually sinks in. I also thought this book reminded me a little bit of Scrooge and the various lives. It wasn’t necessarily the past, present, and future, but close enough.

I enjoyed this book and chuckled through it. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Martti Nelson is the author of comedy novels Lyssa Strata and Attack of the Rom-Com, as well as some love letters to Totino’s in honor of their fine Party Pizzas.

She’s been featured on such luminous sites as McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Weekly Humorist, The Belladonna, Robot Butt, Daily Drunk Magazine, and Slackjaw.

In addition to writing brilliant stuff that is often referred to as “stop mentioning menstruation so much,” Martti enjoys yard work with power tools that make her feel important.

Martti creates funny books because she believes that humor can inspire joy, bring people together, and save the world, even in times of darkness. This bio has gotten a tad deep, so she will end on another joke.

 

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Synopsis

 

The Time Traveller’s Wife meets The Butterfly Effect in this touching, heart-felt love story.

When Caitlyn Richter turns twenty-one, she begins having strange, unsettling episodes: pins and needles in her hands, a rushing noise in her ears, and a blinding light obscuring her vision. After a bad episode, Caitlyn finds herself somewhere different, with no idea how she got there. To her horror, Caitlyn learns she has inherited a disorder that causes her to travel back and forth in time uncontrollably, and to make matters worse, one small change to the past can have massive consequences for the present.

Caitlyn quickly realises she must do whatever it takes to leave the past unchanged. But that’s easier said than done, especially after she meets Toby Beech, an attractive 1980s carpenter who wants to spend as much time with her as possible and who she finds herself falling in love with.

Caitlyn has two choices. She can force herself to stay away from Toby and keep her life in the present intact. Or she can follow her heart and risk the ripple effect wreaking havoc on everything and everyone she loves.

An impossible decision. An ill-fated love.

An incredible story you don’t want to miss.

 

 

Amazon

 

eBook is just $0.99 through 9/17, or read for free via Kindle Unlimited

 

Review

 

How far would you go for love? And what if the consequences could change your whole world?

I love a good time travel story, and this one is a little unique and brings in the Butterfly Effect. Any small change made in the past could have a huge impact on the present.

Caitlyn discovers her abilities when she turns 21, but sadly, no one has given her the heads up like Grandma, who experienced the same thing in her youth. The downside is that Grandma has dementia and isn’t always in the right frame of mind to answer Caitlyn’s questions. Caitlyn does have a very supportive family; however, she can’t tell them what is going on with her. She plays it off as being dizzy, losing friends, and whatever else she can come up with to pacify them. This is hard because I know she wants to tell them the truth, especially her sister, who will most likely experience the same thing when she turns 21.

I’m not sure how or why this disorder picks the year that she returns to. But it is 1983, and the house she lives in is just being built. This is how she meets Toby and falls head over heels for him. Remember that Butterfly Effect I mentioned? Her interactions with Toby do cause some ripples in her present when she returns. You will have to read the book to find out what exactly.

This was a very engaging book, and each time she jumped, I wondered what she might do that could change her world in the present. We see the small changes, but I think there is more to come based on her actions near the end of the book. This is obviously going to be a series because the book ends and leaves you hanging. This is one of those times that I wanted to throw the book across the room because I wanted to know what was going to happen in her present day based on this event. But alas, I will have to wait for the second book to discover the answer. But it is a doozy.

There are many unique events that happened that were surprising, and it led me to believe how some things might turn out. I don’t know if I am right or not. I will have to wait for book 2.

If you enjoy time travel novels, you might enjoy this one. We give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Cally Jackson grew up in the small country town of Gatton. After deciding at 17 that a Hollywood acting career was sadly out of reach, Cally turned to a career in professional communication with fictional writing as her labour of love.

Cally’s passion for fictional writing first emerged in grade two when she got in trouble for penning her own tale instead of copying directly from a story book as she was supposed to be doing – it was a handwriting exercise, after all.

Cally’s first novel, The Big Smoke, was published in 2012. A decade and two children later, Cally has released her second novel, The Ripple Effect.

 

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Synopsis

 

Tana was ready to be the crown princess. She was not ready to lose her father and save her home.

Keegan had left his home to run away from his past, but he cannot escape his heritage or his mistakes.

As the two fight to save Heimat Draz, they discover they must learn to trust both themselves and each other, because a lot more than just Tana’s kingdom is at risk. If they cannot defeat the evil spreading, all of Sandig Skaa will be destroyed.

Secrets of the Desert is the first book in Sandig Skaa Chronicles (a 3-book fantasy series) with slow-burn, sweet romance and no spice, perfect for fans of books by authors like K.M. Shea or Tara Grayce!

 

 

Amazon

 

 

About the Author

 

Anabelle Raven loves reading and writing fantasy, low-spice romance, and strong female characters. She loves chocolate and sushi, though not usually together, and traveling to new places with her family.

 

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Synopsis

 

From the bestselling author of Beyond the Moonlit Sea comes an atmospheric tale of how one woman’s search for the truth uncovers long-hidden secrets and rocks the very foundation of her world.

Scarlett Fontaine is a true Hollywood legend―a singer, actress, and beloved fashion icon. But Scarlett dies tragically at just thirty-six years old, leaving behind no children. Or so the story goes…

Gwen Hollingsworth is the curator at a museum dedicated to Scarlett’s life. She’s also sole heir to Scarlett’s fortune as a descendant of the star. But all is not well in Gwen’s world. She’s dealing with a messy marital separation and is struggling to move forward. So when Peter Miller, a biographer and photojournalist, comes to the museum with shocking claims about Scarlett―a life of exile in Alaska, a baby born in secret―Gwen’s whole world is turned upside down. Again.

Determined to uncover the truth, Gwen and Peter set out for Alaska together but soon find themselves on a path toward something far deeper and more meaningful than either of them ever expected.

A Storm of Infinite Beauty takes readers on a breathtaking journey from a lush vineyard in Nova Scotia to a rustic lodge in Alaska where old family secrets are revealed and the quest for true happiness begins.

 

 

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Review

 

This book has a surprising mystery that intrigued me from start to finish. An iconic star has a missing year, and what everyone was told couldn’t be further from the truth.

This book is told from two points of view – Scarlett, the star, and a distant relative, Gwen. Scarlett’s story is in 1963-64, the missing year. What brings this to light is a random discovery by a writer of Scarlett in Valdez, Alaska, during a memorable earthquake at that time. This discovery surprises her living relatives. Their knowledge was based on what was told to them by Scarlett’s father. What a surprise when the whole story is uncovered!

My favorite part of the book was the sections that detailed Scarlett’s existence in Alaska during this time. I felt like we were getting a peek into something no one knew about until now. As more clues are uncovered, it is as if they kept it a secret from the world. That wouldn’t have been too hard to do at that time since there were no electronics or social media. I also liked the detailed research into the earthquake and how it impacted this town.

Scarlett’s story has an impact on Gwen. Not just because there could be another family member out there, but personally, as she endured a personal tragedy a few years prior. However, I believe that uncovering this information helped her process her own grief.

While there is a budding romance between Gwen and Peter. However, it felt flat. I also was surprised at how much she discussed her marriage with someone that she barely knew. Perhaps because he was more of a stranger, and it was easier to talk to him? I do think that this journey might have helped Gwen realize that her marriage was over, but it took time to reach that answer.

There are other characters that help round out the story, including Blaine and Maud, who run the Wilderness Lodge in this town. There are also some more nefarious characters that add the sinister moments. Some characters you might dislike at the beginning just might become someone you like at the end.

Overall, we give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Julianne MacLean is a USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty novels, including the popular 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 the Romantic Times. Her novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

MacLean has a degree in English literature from King’s College in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and a business degree from Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. She loves to travel and has lived in New Zealand, Canada, and England. She currently resides on the east coast of Canada in a lakeside home with her husband and daughter.

 

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Synopsis

 

He ticks every one of her “never again” boxes…

Jo Weaver loves her job as a boat mechanic for her family’s marina in River’s Edge, Indiana. But when she’s pulled away from her high school reunion with her sisters to fix a stranded yacht, she can’t restrain her irritation. Jo doesn’t like wealthy men who think they can have whatever they want, and she has no intention of falling for rich and charming again.

Born into the international Briggs Hotels empire, Alex Briggs has never felt comfortable with his life of privilege. Abandoning his family’s business to pursue medical research, he’s far more at home in his lab. When the yacht he restored himself breaks down on the way to an important conference, Alex begrudgingly goes in search of a boat mechanic and falls, literally, into Jo Weaver’s arms. The fireworks he feels are impossible to ignore.

Jo does her best to keep Alex in the business zone, but he keeps slipping into something more. Can she trust her fragile heart, especially when Alex and his life-altering research are so far from River’s Edge?

 

 

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Review

 

This small town, River’s Edge, has become quite endearing to me. I always enjoy small towns where everyone knows one another, but at the same time, there are still secrets that aren’t known by all. This trilogy revolves around a set of triplets. The youngest, Jo, is the focus of this story. She had a tragedy in her past that has jaded her against relationships, that is, until she meets Alex. Alex has his own family burdens that he has carried for many years. I really enjoyed watching his story unfold and the forgiveness he gives himself for those past events. I won’t go into detail because I believe that would give away a lot of the plot line.

There is something that just clicks with these two, and that is how it should be when it is the right person for you. It just clicks, and while the path won’t always be easy, it does become somewhat easier with that one person by your side.

There are a few heart-stopping moments in the book that might take your breath away.  But I loved the resolution and the fact that both Jo and Alex learned a lot about themselves in the process of falling in love with each other.

I have to admit that I love that Jo’s job is as a boat mechanic!

You can read this book on its own, but Jasmine’s story is referenced in this book, so it might make more sense to read it first. We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Nan Reinhardt is a USA Today bestselling author of sweet romantic fiction for Tule Publishing. Her day job is working as a freelance copyeditor and proofreader. However, writing is Nan’s first and most enduring passion. She can’t remember a time in her life when she wasn’t writing—she wrote her first romance novel at the age of ten and is still writing, but now from the viewpoint of a wiser, slightly rumpled woman in her prime. Nan lives in the Midwest with her husband of 49 years, where they split their time between a house in the city and a cottage on a lake.

 

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