Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Christmas in Jubilee by Rachel Hanna

  • Title: Christmas in Jubilee
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: Jubilee #3
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
  • Takes Place:  Jubilee
  • Main Character: Madeline, Frannie
  • Other Characters: Eloise, Brady, Cole, Clemmy, Geneva, Jasmine, Anna
  • Pets: Gilbert the goat
  • Stars: 5

This is the 3rd installment of the Julee series and it is another great book by Rachel Hanna. I just love Rachel’s books. They always make you smile and feel good. They make you believe that anything is possible

The story follows us through the festive period from October to the New Year. It’s a tale of family unity and a second chance at love. When Madeline’s mother, Eloise, shows up unannounced at her doorstep, her life is turned upside down. She and her mother didn’t have the best relationship, so what could she want?

We’re also introduced to a new character: Frannie. Her grandmother passed away, and Frannie inherited the family’s home and some downtown retail space. Frannie spent a lot of time with her grandmother growing up and even went to high school there. She decides to stay in Jubilee and live in her grandmother’s house and pursue her dream of owning a bakery. Imagine her surprise when a highschool sweetheart shows up at her door.

It’s a story about second chances, family, small town community and love. It’s a story that will bring a smile to your face and make you laugh. I recommend reading the first two books before this one so you can get to know the characters and fall in love with them as I have. Every single one of Rachel’s books makes me want to move to the fictional town they are set in. The landscapes are always beautiful , but it’s the friendships that turn into families that I really love.

This book will be available to purchase on Amazon December 5th, 2023. You can preorder on Amazon or you can currently buy it at Rachel’s Store.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance

Christmas by the Bay by Kay Correll

  • Title: Christmas by the Bay
  • Author: Kay Corell
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #7
  • Genre: Romance
  • Takes Place: Moonbeam, Florida
  • Main Character: Violet, Danny
  • Other Characters: Allison, Rose, Rob, Evelyn, Rose, Blake, Emily, George, Walker, Tara, Willow
  • Stars: 5

This is the 7th installment of the Blue Heron Cottages series. I really love this series. It has great 3-dimentional characters who have their own unique personalities and blend in well with each other.

Violet is preparing to celebrate her first Christmas as the owner of Blue Heron Cottages. If you have read the previous books then you know that Violet is the owner of Blue Heron Cottages in the quaint town of Moonbeam, FL. She totally restored the old cottages and gave them quite the facelift. They are charming with their different colored cabins.

Danny is struggling with his teenage daughter, Allison, who has gotten in with the wrong crowd at school and has found herself in a bit of trouble. He decided the best medicine is to get away and take his unruly daughter to Moonbeam for Christmas. Even though she is so stubborn and doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t have much of a choice. This may be just the medicine they need to rekindle their father / daughter relationship.

Rose is still grieving over her husband who past away months before as she prepares for her first Christmas without him. She decides to revisit Blue Heron Cottages for the holidays and reconnect with her friends including Violet.

Aspen is worried that Walker is losing interest in her. He seems to be keeping a secret. To make matters worse, her sister cancelled her plans to come to Moonbeam to spend the holidays with Aspen.

It’s going to be a magical Christmas in Moonbeam!

This is a sweet book about Community, relationships, friendships, family, surprises and second chances. I really enjoyed it just like I have the other books in the series.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Flower shop on Magnolia by Kay Correll

  • Title: Flower Shop on Magnolia
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #6
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place: Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Daisy, Jack
  • Other Characters: Rose, Violet, Melinda, Ethan
  • Stars: 5

Kay Correll delivers another captivating story in this 6th installment of the “Blue Heron Cottage” series. I enjoyed visiting the residents of Moonbeam once again.

This time, we get to know Daisy, who is relatively new in town and is the owner of the flower shop. When Jack visits the flower shop to purchase a corsage, Daisy is curious about who this man is and what is his story. Then when Daisy’s neighbor seeks a tenant for his residence, Jack simply happens to be in search of a residence to rent and becomes Daisy’s neighbor. They become instant friends but could it be more? Daisy has a secret that may keep her from getting too close to Jack.

We get to see how Melody and Ethan are doing with their relationship and of course there is Rose. I would very much like to have a Rose in my life and have the opportunity to converse with her and gain insight from her experiences, as well as receive her invaluable advice.

I enjoy the way the author spins a story to keep the reader engaged and wanting more. If feel like I know these residents and are a part of their lives. Moonbeam is a place I would love to live.

If you’re a fan of sweet stories of small town friendship and romance with great relatable characters, you’re going to love this series. You can read it as a stand-alone book, but I highly recommend reading it in order to get to know each of the characters. That way, every time you read the next installment in the series, you’ll feel like you’re catching up with old friends.

Happy Reading!

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!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Lilacs by the Sea by Kay Correll

  • Title: Lilacs by the sea
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #5
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place:  Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Frankie, Will, Katie, Stacey
  • Other Characters: Melody, Ethan, Daisy, Violet, rose
  • Stars: 5

The fifth book in the Blue Heron Cottages series is one that I truly enjoyed. I have continued to fall in love with the characters from this series, as well as some new characters in this new story.

Will and Frankie are empty nesters who haven’t told their grown daughters that their marriage appears to be disintegrating. Unbeknownst to them, their daughters have organized a family vacation and a surprise celebration for their 40th wedding anniversary at the same location they spent their honeymoon. Even if the cottages have undergone a name change and updates since then, they nevertheless evoke many pleasant memories. How will they get through this week, and will a miscommunication lead to the breakdown of their marriage?

This is a wonderful tale of rekindled love, understanding, and family. It makes me want to travel to Blue Heron Cottages because I adore this series. There are some excellent characters, and the author is skilled at crafting a compelling narrative that keeps you turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Virgin River by Robyn Carr

  • Title: Virgin River
  • Author: Robyn Carr
  • Series: Virgin River #1
  • Genre: Romance
  • Takes Place:  Virgin River
  • Main Characters: Melinda, Jack, Doc, Preacher
  • Stars:  5

This is the first book I have read by this author but I watch the TV series and love it so decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. Reading it I was able to put faces with the characters and dive deeper into them so I really felt like I knew them.

Melinda Monroe recently lost her husband. Everywhere she goes reminds her of him She is tired of everyone asking how she is doing and looking at her with pity. She works at a busy ER where she met him. She needs to get away to somewhere where no one knows her.

She reads a want ad for a Midwife/Nurse Practioner in a remote country town of Virgin River, population 600. Rent-free cabin included. She applies for the job and is hired so she packs up to move to Virgin River, sight unseen.

When she gets there it isn’t what she expected. The cabin is a shambles and isn’t even safe to live in. The Doc is very unpleasant and says he doesn’t need any help. She doesn’t know what to do.

Hope, a town resident, thinks Doc does need help so she is the one who placed the ad. Melinda (Mel) feels like she has been misled and this wasn’t the right decision for her /she decides she is going to decline the job and move to Colorado to be near her sister.

Finding a baby abandoned on Doc’s doorstep May change her plans. And of course, she meets the local bar/restaurant owner Jack Sheridan who may have something to do with her decision whether or not to stay.

This is a great story. If you have watched the TV series you will love this book. Even if you haven’t watched the TV series, you will love this book. It is a story of loss, starting over, finding love again and moving on. You will fall in love with Jack and Mel and you will even grow to love Ornery Doc. I loved all the characters In this book and I fell In love with Virgin River.

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,

Fiction, Romance

Restaurant on the Wharf by Kay Correll

  • Title: Restaurant on the Wharf
  • Author:Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #4
  • Genre: Romance
  • Takes Place:  Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Tara, Joey, Lance
  • Other Characters: Walker, Aspen
  • Stars: 5

This is another great read in the Blue Heron Series. I am really enjoying the characters in this book which takes place in Moonbeam ,Florida.

Tara’s high school reunion is coming up and she can’t decide of she wants to go but her brother Walker talks her into it. Her ex neighbor, friend and classmate, Joey, shows up early for the reunion and stays at the Blue Heron Cottages. He hasn’t been back to Moonbeam in a couple of decades and has decided to come to the reunion and wants to reconnect with his friend Tara.

Joey shows up at the restaurant that Tara works at and her parents own. Joey lived next door to Tara and they were best friends and inseparable growing up. Tara is excited to see Joey and their friendship picks right back up as if no time has passed between them. Things are going great with Joey and Tara until an old crush, Lance shows up for the reunion. Tara had a huge crush on him in high school but he never asked her out. He evidently hasn’t changed that much and is still good looking so Tara still gets butterflies when she sees him. She still has dreams of her teenage crush asking her out. When Tara and Joey run into a Lance, she gets her wish. Lance asks her to dinner! She can’t believe it and is so excited. Joey is a bit hurt that she is still hung up on Lance. Do you think this date turns out as well as she has imagined? You will have to read to find out if things work out for Tara and Lance or if destiny has other plans.

In my opinion, this story is a bit unrealistic that she would still have a crush on someone after 20 years but overall, I loved the story.

It is a sweet, clean romance of finding expectant love and realizing people don’t really change and they aren’t exactly who you imagine they are.

If you love a clean romance with great characters, then you will love this series.

Fiction, Romance

Bookshop Near the Coast by Kay Correll

  • Title: Bookshop Near the Coast
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #3
  • Genre: Romance
  • Takes Place:  Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Violet, Collette, Mark, Rose
  • Other Characters: Rob, Evelyn,
  • Stars: 5

This is another sweet book by Kay Correll. It is the 3rd book in the Blue Heron Cottages series. It took me a bit longer to get into it but I did enjoy it.

Mark Wheeler is staying at the Blue Heron cottages for a vacation that was highly suggested by his boss. Okay it was actually required by his boss and Mark really didn’t get a vote. There was an innocent at the hardware store where Mark works and he feels like it was his fault so his boss sent him on a 2 week vacation so he could decompress.

Collette owns the bookstore in town. She is an avid reader and feels like everyone should read. Whatever your interests, Collette can suggest the book you should read. She befriends Mark and invites him to come to her bookshop. Mark is not a reader. Collette is well read, well traveled and is extremely smart in a lot of areas. Mark has never left the state of Florida and doesn’t read and he feels like he isn’t smart. Collette talks him into reading a book that was written by Violet’s brother Rob. Mark knew he would never read the book but was embarrased to tell Collette. Then he discovers audio books and becomes addicted but he is still embarrased to tell Collette that he listens to the book instead of reading it.

Collette knows he is hiding something and they always seem to be running into each other. Collette just isn’t sure if he is interested in her so she tries to avoid him. Mark is afraid to share his secret and he has a couple of them. He is afraid Collette won’t think he is smart enough.

This is a story romance, a wedding & realizing life is too short to wait for love and happy ever after.

Happy Reading,

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Walks along the Shore – Kay Correll

  • Title: Walks along the Shore
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages
  • Genre: Romance
  • Takes Place:  Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Christie, Tony, Jill, Scott
  • Other Characters: Violet, Rose
  • Stars: 5

This was a sweet story of rekindled love along with a Wedding mishap

Christie and Tony are getting married and choose the quaint Blue Heron Cottages as their destination but things don’t quite go as planned. First her wedding planner is ghosting her and her wedding dress ends up being shipped to Paris. Everything seems to be falling apart until her best friend & maid of honor Jill steps up, along with the owner of the cottages, Violet and others in this small town and plan the perfect wedding in less than a week. It shows that if everyone pulls together miracles can happen.

During the wedding planning, the maid of honor, Jill and the best man, Scott seem to have a history that is causing a lot of stress since they are both participants in the wedding party. As much as Jill tries to avoid Scott they keep being thrown together.

This is a sweet, clean story of Community, friendship & rekindled love. I really liked this sweet romance.

When you read it, be sure to download the bonus epilogue to read the rest of Jill & Scott’s story. In the Ebook version, there is a link at the end of the book to join the author’s newsletter. Once you join, you will be emailed the bonus epilogue. It is worth the read.

Let me know if you read this book and give my your thoughts in the comments.

Happy reading