Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Any Day Now by Robyn Carr

  • Title: Any Day Now
  • Author: Robyn Carr
  • Series: Sullivan’s Crossing #2
  • Genre: Romance, Drama
  • Takes Place: Sullivan’s Crossing
  • Main Character: Sierra, Connie (Conrad), Sullivan
  • Other Characters: Cal, Maggie
  • Pets: Molly
  • Stars: 5

In this installment of the series Sullivan’s Crossing, we meet Cal’s sister Sierra. If you remember from the first book, What we find, Cal is a drifter who eventually marries Sully’s daughter, Maggie. They are now having a baby and Cal’s little sister, Sierra, comes for a visit.

Sierra is escaping a troubled past and hoping it doesn’t catch up to her. She finds solace with the residents of the small Colorado town and Sullivan’s crossing. I love her bond with Sully who ends up being a surrogate dad. Then there is Connie (Conrad) who helps her move on from her troubled past. Her bond with her brother just grows stronger and she begins developing a sisterly bond with Cal’s wife, Maggie.

This is a story of starting over, family, building relationships, and learning that your past doesn’t define your future. Then there is the rescue dog that Sierra adopts. Sierra saves Molly from an abusive situation and she becomes the therapy that Sierra needs. Everyone falls in love with Molly, even the readers.

Between Connie, Sully, Cal & Maggie, Sierra finally finds the family she needs.

I love this book. I love the location, the characters and, of course the dog. The author really knows how to describe the scenery as if you are there and the characters so you really know them. This book is definitely worth reading and now I can’t wait to read book #3.

Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

—Confucius

Happy Reading!

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance

What We Find by Robyn Carr

  • Title: What We Find
  • Author: Robyn Carr
  • Series: Sullivan’s Crossing #1
  • Genre: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance
  • Takes Place: Sullivan’s Crossing, Colorado
  • Main Character: Maggie, Sully, Cal
  • Stars: 5

I have to admit, I read this book because a TV series based on it is coming to the United States in the fall. I really want to see the series so I decided to read the book first. This is the second book I have read by this author so since I loved the first one, I decided to read this one.

This is a story of second chances and finding happiness. Maggie is a neurosurgeon who is facing a lawsuit when a high-risk emergency procedure results in the death of a teenager. She wants to escape her high-stress job, so she goes to a place she can feel secure. She goes to see her dad in Sullivan’s Crossing, named for her great-grandfather. Sully, Maggie’s dad, manages the campground and general store his family has owned for generations. Maggie just wants to relax and feel at peace when another tragedy strikes that has her staying longer than she originally intended.

A mysterious drifter named Cal, shows up at the campground and Maggie is very suspicious of him. There is some obvious chemistry, but they both have a past they are trying to escape and secrets they are keeping. As the story unfolds, you will learn about their secrets and how it has affected them.

This is a beautifully crafted story with a beautiful setting and characters you will fall in love with

If you love a sweet contemporary story of moving on from a painful past and learning to start over and trust again, you will love this book. I am excited to read the rest of the story to see where it takes Sully, Maggie, and Cal.

Just living is not enough… One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.

—Hans Christian Andersen

Happy Reading!

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Saving Sandcastles by Meredith Summers

  • Title: Saving Sandcastles
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • Series: Lobster Bay #1
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
  • Takes Place:  Lobster Bay, Maine
  • Main Character: Claire, Rob
  • Other Characters: Jane, Sally, Hallie, Addie, Maxie
  • Stars: 5

This is the first book I have read by this author and I will be reading more. I really enjoyed this first book in the Lobster Bay Series.

Claire is divorced with a grown daughter trying to navigate the world as single again. She loves to bake and runs the only bakery in town. She has thrown her heart and sole into her bakery business and is doing great until a competitor opens a bread bakery across the street. She is threatened and fears that this competition could destroy the business she has worked so hard build. Not only this but there are some issues with the building’s faulty pipes. She has tried to hold off till she can get a loan but they seem to just be getting worse.

Everyone in town seems to like the owner of the new bread bakery, except for Claire. All she sees is that he is a threat to her business.

We also meet Claire’s 2 best friends, Maxi & Jane who are dealing with their own issues. Jane’s mother has Alzheimer’s and is dealing with decisions on the best way to care for her mother. Maxi and her husband are recent empty nesters and are trying to navigate their marriage now that there aren’t any kids living under their roof.

If you love a sweet heartwarming story of friendship, community with some romance thrown in, then you will enjoy reading this story.

Happy Reading,

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Memories of the Beach by Kay Correll

  • Title: Memories of the Beach
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #1
  • Genre: Women’s fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance
  • Takes Place:  Blue Heron Cottages in Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Aspen & Willow
  • Other Characters: Violet, Walker, Tara, Rose
  • Stars: 5

This is was my first book by this author and I absolutely loved it. I read it in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read book 2 which I will be starting today.

This is the best story of 2 sisters who didn’t know the other existed until they both receive a letter to go to Blue Heron Cottages.

Aspen’s mother deserted her when she was 17. She didn’t have the best mother and they moved around a lot, never settling in one place. Aspen’s dad left them when she was a little girl so she never knew her dad. Even when she was little, her mom would leave her days at a time and she wouldn’t tell anyone because she was afraid of being taken away. She didn’t have a good mom but it was all she knew and she was afraid it could be worse if she was taken away from her mom.

Imagine her suprise when she received mail from an attorney that included a letter from her mom telling her to go to Blue Heron Cottagres in Moonbeam, FL . She has a weeks paid reservation there in her name. The letter said that she would find out about her past.

Aspen was suspicious but she had a dead end job so she figured why not. When she asked for a week off of work she was fired so she loaded everything she owned into her car, left her apartment and drove to Blue Heron Cottages.

Willow received an almost identical letter asking her to go to Blue Heron Cottages to find out about her past. Willow’s mom had died less than a year before and she was still grieving. Her mom tried to tell her something important on her deathbed but died before she could say it. Maybe this trip could answer some questions.

This is a story of these 2 women, not knowing about each other and then developing a bond they never could have imagined. Aspen has never had a real family and in Moonbeam she finds family, friends who are like family and even romance.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story about family and friendship and then there is also the beach.

Happy Reading

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Chasing Sunsets by Rachel Hanna

  • Title: Chasing Sunsets
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: South Carolina Sunsets #10
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place: Seagrove
  • Main Character: Heath Dutton, Emma
  • Other Characters: Julie, Dawson, Janine, Meg, Colleen, Dixie, William, Tucker, SuAnn
  • Stars: 5

Chasing Sunsets is the latest book in the South Carolina Sunsets series and just like the other books in the series, this does not disappoint. I really enjoy reading anything by this author. She knows how to bring the characters to life so you feel like they are your friends. It always leaving me wanting more

It is always great to catch up with the residents of Seagrove. As we are catching up we are introduced to a new guy in town, Heath Dutton. After the passing of his beloved wife, he traveled around the world painting sunsets. His wife loved sunsets so painting them brought him closer to her, After 3 years, he decided he needed to settle down and he chose Seagrove. Now that he is in Seagrove, will a love from his past help him find love again?

Catching up with the residents , we have come to love, Colleen and Tucker have come home from traveling and They have a secret that Colleen is having trouble sharing with her mother. Not only do they have a secret, they also have big surprise.

SuAnn and her bakery are instant famous.

Dixie is having some health problems.

Janine is learning to be a new mom.

Meg is struggling at her new job.

This author really knows how to bring you into her story. I recommend this book. If you haven’t read the first book, The House, I definitely recommend you read that one first so you can get to know the characters. The entire series is great.

If you decide to read this book, tell me what you think in the comments

Happy Reading!

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Holiday, Romance, Women's Fiction

The Clause in Christmas by Rachael Bloome

  • Title: The Clause in Christmas
  • Author: Rachael Bloom
  • Series: Poppy Creek Series
  • Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance
  • Takes Place: Poppy Creek
  • Main Character: Cassie Haywood
  • Other Characters: Luke Davis, Frank, Beverly. Dolores, Maggie (Luke’s mom), Eliza Carte
  • Stars: 5

Review:

This is the first book in the Poppy Creek Series by Rachael Bloome.

Cassie Haywood is down on her luck, lost her job, broke up with boyfriend and hates Christmas. she hates everything about Christmas from decorations, songs, movies, Santa, I mean everything.

Then an inheritance takes her to Poppy Creek right befor Chrismas. She was born in Poppy Creet but hadn’t been there since she was a baby and her mother moved her to San Fancisco. She never really knew her grandmother but her grandmother has left her an inheritance.

Things may be looking up since Cassie has unexpectanty inherited her grandmother’s charming Victorian cottage. There is just one little problem…. there is a clause in the will. Her grandmother also left her a Christmas calendar!! To inherit the house Cassie must complete this calendar each day in December until Christmas, overseen by Luke, the handsome attorney.

Casses is trying to get accostomed to life in this small town until she can complete the Christmas calendar, but she misses good coffee. Her dream is to own her own coffee shop. The coffee in Poppy Creek is not what she is used to and she struggles to get a good cup of coffee. Then she meets Frank and things seem to change in that area of her life.

This is a clean, sweet romantic, Hallmark like, Christmas story with some great characters in a small town. Read to follow Cassie’s quest to find good coffee, complete the Christmas calendar, get rid of some past complications, find romance and start a new life, that she didn’t even know she needed.

What makes this book even more special is the author wrote it from her heart. It is based on a town she grew up in Northern, California. Also the Coffee theme of the book is based on her family owned and operated coffee roasting company. I wondered how the author knew so much about coffee and this explains it.

This is my second book by Rachael Bloome but I will definitly be reading more.

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction

True to me by Kay Bratt

  • Title: True to Me
  • Author: Kay Bratt
  • Series: By the Sea Novel
  • Genre: Mystery
  • Main Character: Quincy
  • Takes Place:Maui, Hawaii
  • Stars: 5

Review:

This was my first book by Kay Bratt and I absolutely fell in love with her books after this one.

Quinn was raised by single mom believing that her dad deserted her and her mom when she was born. Her world was rocked when her mom passed away and left her a death bed confession that would change her life. She found out that her father was not the man she thought he was. Her Quest to find who her father is sends her to the beautiful island of Maui, Hawaii. The author makes you believe you are in Maui as she takes you on Quinn’s journey. Quinn meets several people along her way but one in particular holds the key to Quinn’s past.

The author takes you ona journey of family and self discovery. It is a wonderfully written book with lots of twists and turns to find out about Quinn’s past and truth of where she came from.

This is a great read with well developed characters and a great story. It maes you smile and cry at the same time.

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Blessings on State Street by Rachael Bloome

  • Title: Blessings on State Street
  • Author: Rachael Bloome
  • Genre: Romance
  • Takes Place: Blessings Bay
  • Main Character:Abby Preston & Logan Matthews
  • Other Characters: Max
  • Stars: 5

This is the book that got me hooked on Rachael Bloome books. I fell in love with this story from page 1. It is a sweet book of heartache and starting again.

Abby lost her husband and wants nothing to do with Christmas this year. She discovered her husband owned a vacation home that she knew nothinng about. When she gets there she finds something unexpected; someone is living in the home.

Logan who dealing with a Medica discharge from the service. He was also a good friend with Abby’s husband and to a job as caretaker of his vacation home.

They decided to coexist in the house for the time being on the condition their would be no mention of Christmas and no celebrating.

Then they meet a neighbor child, Max, who changes everything. They discover he is an orphan and his foster family left him.

This a sweet Christmas story about loss, starting over, moving on and finding love again.

What really made this story special is when I found out that a real Bed & Breakfast was the inspriation for this story. In fact, the picture on the cover is the actual Bed in Breakfast that was an inspration for this story. The story is fictional but Rachael was inspired by the Bed & Breakfast located in Jacksonville, IL and the owners story.

Happy Reading!

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

The Beach House by Rachel Hanna

  • Title: The Beach House
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: South Carolina Sunsets #1
  • Genre: Contemporary Romance
  • Takes Place: on an island off the coast of South Carolina
  • Main Character: Julie
  • Other Characters: Dawson, Janine, Dixie (My favorite)
  • Stars: 5

This was the first book I read by Rachel Hanna and it got me hooked on her books. It is probably still my favorite.

Julie has been married for over 20 years with 2 grown daughters and one day her husband announces to him that he is leaving her. He has met someone else and to make matters worse, he tells her they have a 6 month old son. All of this happened after they sold their house and made plans to move to a beach house. Julie is flabergasted and can’t believe this is happening to her. So he tells her the offer on their house went through but the beach house isn’t going to happen. So here is Julie with no home and no husband.

She didn’t know what to do and just wanted to start over somewhere new so she did something that probably wasn’t the smartest idea at the time. She bought a fixer up house on an island off the coast of South Carolina. She had never been there so she picked up her life and moved. The house was in worst shape than she ever imagined[. Then she met Dawson and he is the local contractor so helps her fix up her house. And of course their is Chemistry.

Then her extranged sister and mom show up so their is drama. I think my favorite character is the southern belle, Dixie who owns the local bookstore where Julie eventually works.

This is great read and made me want to read more.

Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

New York, New Year, New You by Rachael Bloome

  • Title: New York, New Year, New You
  • Author: Rachael Bloome
  • Main Character: Quincy
  • Takes place: Mostly New York City, NY
  • Star rating: 5

Review:

Rachael has been one of my favorite authors since i read her first book and this one does not disappoint.

A family competition sends Quincy to New York City to visit her best friend, Brynn for 3 months,. She has a bucket list she needs to complete which starts with moving to NYC.

Quincy has spent her whole life competing with her brother and sister and had trouble finding her place. She was known as Quincy the quitter. She wanted to prove to herself that should follow through with what she said she was going to do,

When Quincy’s dad’s right hand man decided to retire, he was going to put either Quincy or her brother in that position. Quincy jumped up without thinking and said she wanted to be the running as well. To do this, she has to prover herself.

She started by showing she wasn’t a quitter and to finish things on her bucket list that she never seemed to get to. First on the list was move to New York. Her best friend lived there, who she hadn’t been to visit in years, so she decided now was the time

Quincy learns a lot about herself along the way.

This book is funny, romantic and everything you would expect from Rachael. I have loved her books from the very first one I read, and this book does not disappoint.

If you are looking for a feel-good book that is an easy read and a ‘can’t stop’ reading book, then this is the book for you.

Read this to see where Quincy goes and if she wins the competition.