Promise of Love: a predictable a la Hallmark romance

Promise of Love is the first book in the Holiday Family Christian Romance series by Tamie Dearen. Noelle Holiday doesn’t feel the magic of Christmas. Everything about the holiday seems to be cursed for her and she would rather avoid the holiday all together. When good things begin to happen for her, she starts to be suspicious. What’s the saying? If something is too good to be true, it probably is. First, she agrees to adopt an injured Golden Retriever, then she meets a guy who seems to like her and cares for her. For the first time in ages, she feels like she could have a family of her own. But when disaster strikes, Noelle feels she has lost the dog and the guy. The curse strikes again, or so she thinks. Is Noelle doomed to be alone? Or can the magic of Christmas find her once again? 

A predictable a la Hallmark romance, Promise of Love is touted as a faith filled romance of a believer who struggles with her faith and finds real love for the first time. While I love a faith based story especially with a believer who struggles with faith, because let’s face it we all have at some point, it irks me when the same old misquoted and misused Bible verses are used. For example, Noelle tells a character that “God says not to judge,” referring to Matthew 7:1 and yet ignores the rest of the chapter that teaches more than that. I didn’t care for Noelle who was so negative that it was hard to root for her. I really disliked that she ignored every warning in her head about a guy and then laments when he turns out to be a jerk. Like seriously!?!? I do not recommend Promise of Love. 

Promise of Love is available in eBook

The Thistle and the Rose: Scottish historical romance with secret missions and secret identities

The Thistle and the Rose is the first book in the MacPherson Clan series by May McGoldrick. Celia Muir escapes into the Scottish Highlands. With only her loyal friends and servants, Celia is determined to protect the infant Kit from enemies lurking in the shadows. To help her hide, she takes a desperate deception and introduces herself to the Campbell clan as the seductive Lady Caithness and Kit is her son. Colin Campbell knows that Lady Caithness is trouble but he can’t help being drawn to her. However, he knows Celia is hiding something and he is determined to find out what as well as his determination to take her into his arms. As the danger closes in, will Celia trust Colin enough to tell him the truth? Will they give in to the desires of their hearts? 

The Thistle and the Rose is more than just a romance. It has secrets, political intrigue and a host of historical figures. I was hooked from the beginning as I tried to figure out the mystery of who Celia really was and who Kit truly is! The Thistle and the Rose reminded me of the romances I used to read as a teen. I loved Celia and her fierce independence. She was not a shrinking flower. She was ready to fight if need be. Colin is the ultimate hero who will fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. As the two clashed, the battle of wits and wills was so entertaining! I also enjoyed all the side characters, especially Colin’s friend, Alec, and I am looking forward to reading his story. If you love Scottish historical romance, you will enjoy this story. I recommend The Thistle and the Rose. 

The Thistle and The Rose is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

His Christmas Wish: rediscovering the joy and magic of Christmas after a loss

His Christmas Wish is the first book in the Mountain Rescue Romance series by Melissa McClone. Carly Bishop loved Christmas until tragedy struck that left her distraught and grief-stricken. Unable to stay in the small town of Hood Hamlet after the deaths of her brother and fiancé, Carly packed up and moved as far away as she could. Now, six years later, her family needs her. She reluctantly returns to help with her niece and nephew, hoping to survive the days until she can leave Hood Hamlet behind once again. Jake Porter is a Bishop family friend and a volunteer mountain rescue climber. He lives with the guilt that he could not save his two friends on that fateful day and the heartbreaking loss that Carly carries. When she returns to town, he is determined to make amends. As Jake and Carly help give the kids the best Christmas ever, can he help her rediscover her love of Christmas? Can he also help her open her heart again to love? 

His Christmas Wish is a sweet, emotional Christmas romance. It is a brother’s friend, second chance romance with hard hitting emotions. Melissa McClone does a beautiful job handling the sensitive topic of grief and guilt as life moves on. One of my favorite quotes sums up the story beautifully, “Life is about taking risks…and love makes those risks worth it even if we end up disappointed or hurt.” I loved Jake and Carly. They have a beautiful history together as they grew up together and have past crushes on each other that they never acted on. I loved their supporting characters, especially the niece and nephew as children can bring the infectious joy and magic of Christmas. There were a few tears as Carly confronted her grief. There are great moments of smiles and heartfelt connection between Carly and Jake. I loved this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy a Christmas romance with heart and real emotions, I recommend His Christmas Wish. 

His Christmas Wish is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

A Firefighter's Christmas Gift: a small town Christmas romance

A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift is the first book in the Holidays in Heart Falls series by Vivian Arend. Bradley Ford is the new fire chief in the small town of Heart Falls . He returned to help his father, Patrick, after an accident and what he didn’t expect is to have Hanna Lane catch his eye and his heart. Hanna is a single mom and her only concern is taking care of her eight year old daughter. She is looking to date but something about Brad keeps drawing her in. When a fire destroys their home, Hanna and Crissy are left  homeless weeks before Christmas. Brad offers them shelter on his family’s homestead under the guise that he needs help with his injured father. As they settle into their routines, Brad and Hanna find themselves drawn more and more together. There is no denying their chemistry but can Brad convince Hanna they have a future? 

A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift is a sweet Christmas romance with a happy ending. The chemistry and interaction between Brad and Hanna was sweet. Especially Brad as he seems to understand that she is gun shy and hesitant for a relationship. He is determined to show her he wants a future, not just a fling. There isn’t much drama or tension in the story other than Hanna’s own self doubt. My main issue with the story was Hanna’s daughter, Crissy, is supposed to be eight years old; however, I feel she behaves and speaks more like a six year old. It was a bit distracting. Overall, it is a nice Christmas romance. It was a quick and entertaining read. However, I felt no real connection to the characters and I probably will not be continuing the series. If you love small town Christmas romance, I recommend A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift. 

A Firefighter’s Christmas Gift is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm: a sweet romance filled with the hope, love and luck of Christmas

Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm is the first book in the Elliotts of Montana series by Kaylie Newell. Jim “Lucky” Elliott is the ultimate country boy next door. Charismatic, ruggedly handsome and charming, he catches the ladies’ attention wherever he goes. However, the beloved family farm is in trouble, he drops out of vet school to rescue his grandparents’ sleigh ride business and family farm. He needs a plan to drum up business when a flyer catches his eye. Rachel O’Rourke has dreams of making her podcast a full time job. She holds a contest for the best first kiss story to feature on her podcast as well as free advertisement for a local business. When she reads Lucky’s submission for his grandparents’ story, it is exactly the story she is looking for. As Lucky and Rachel begin to spend time together, Lucky revisits a dream he has had for a long time. However, to follow that dream would mean putting another dream aside. 

Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm is a cute, sweet romance filled with the hope, love and luck of Christmas. It is a quick read, perfect for the holiday season. I loved Lucky as a man who will do anything for his family, even put aside his dreams to help them. But when his ultimate dream could mean a future for the farm, will he have the strength to take that risk? Enter Rachel. I loved Rachel as a woman who has had her share of broken hearts but still believes in love, even if it may not be in the cards for her. Lucky and Rachel together were cute and inspirational as they encouraged each other to take that leap to pursue their dreams. I loved the small town setting with a great cast of supporting characters. I enjoyed this story and will continue the series. If you love small town romance with a Christmas setting, I recommend Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm. 

Christmas at Sleigh Bell Farm is available in paperback and eBook

The Art of Inheriting Secrets: one woman's journey into her mother's past

The Art of Inheriting Secrets by Barbara O’Neal is a story of discovery of a loved one’s past holds the key to one’s future. After the sudden death of her mother, Olivia Shaw learns she has inherited an English estate and the title of countess. With grief still raw and her head swimming with so many questions, Olivia leaves her home in San Francisco and heads to England, unsure what she will find but determined to unravel her mother’s secrets. Once in England, Olivia learns that Rosemere Priory, a magnificent estate, is in desperate need of repair and holds the secrets to her mother’s past. With personal issues and a job back home needing her attention, Olivia can’t help but fall in love with the English village, its residents and Rosemere itself. Will she return to San Francisco? Will she stay in England? Will Olivia finally understand why her mother kept it all a secret?

The Art of Inheriting Secrets is a great story of a woman’s discovery of her mother’s past and finding a future she didn’t know she wanted. However, where the story fails is that it leaves too many loose ends. The story builds up to this great mystery as to why her mother left and never told her about her life in England. The author is great with the descriptions and yet poor at unfolding the mystery to a satisfying end. The end felt rushed and left me asking WHAT? As I closed the final chapter. I still had questions. The writing is beautiful. I truly felt as if I could experience the weather of the English countryside. The author’s descriptions of the food truly made me hungry! There is a romance aspect that was beautiful and added to the tension. Overall, I did enjoy the story, despite the unsatisfying ending. I recommend The Art of Inheriting Secrets. 

The Art of Inheriting Secrets is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Keeping 13: the exciting conclusion to Binding 13

Keeping 13 is the second book of the Boys of Tommen series by Chloe Walsh. The story begins immediately after the events of book 1 Binding 13 as both Shannon and Johnny face life changing decisions, each with their own fallouts and dire consequences. After a devastating injury, Johnny is sidelined while he recovers and struggles to stay the course for his ultimate dreams. Feeling lost and insecure, he sets his attention to unraveling the mystery and secrets of the only other person who has been able to take his sights off his goals. Keeping secrets is second nature for Shannon as her family life demands it. Traumatized and desperate to protect herself and her little brothers, she finds herself falling into old patterns with cover-ups and walls in place to keep everyone out. However, Johnny is the only one with the ability to climb those walls. Falling in love with each other was the easy part, what they now face will be the test. 

Keeping 13 is a story of friendship, first love, friendship, and horrifying secrets in this love story of two teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks. After reading Binding 13, I couldn’t wait to finish this heartbreaking story and hoping for a happy ending. Picking up right where Binding 13 left off, Keeping 13 was a wild ride that kept going with its dips and turns until the very end. There were a number of surprises especially at the end. Just when I thought the story was over, it wasn’t!  It had heartbreaking moments with sobs and tears as well as heart gripping fear. However, there were side splitting laughter and smiles for miles as the teenagers will be teenagers. As I warned with Binding 13, I will give the warning again. It is written in the Irish teen vernacular with heavy foul language. I loved this story and I can’t wait to finish the rest of the series. I highly, highly recommend Keeping 13. 

Keeping 13 is available in paperback and eBook

The Christmas Window: a sweeet, cute and clean Christmas romance

The Christmas Window is the first book in the Silver Falls series by Melissa McClone. Callie Andrews has found her passion running a doggy daycare in the small town of Silver Falls. The town has a holiday window display contest that she is determined to win. To prove to her parents and older brothers that she is thriving on her own. Brandt Winslow has reluctantly returned home to Silver Falls. He left many years ago after being betrayed by someone he trusted. He hopes to spend his vacation avoiding the past and quietly checking off the days. When his well meaning, matchmaking aunt has decided that her nephew needs to find love, Brandt finds himself spending time with Callie and discovering hope and magic in the holidays. Is there enough magic to find love under the mistletoe? 

The Christmas Window is a sweet, cute and clean Christmas romance. I enjoyed Callie and Brandt as they met on the wrong foot and through forced proximity, they find common ground and a growing friendship and eventually love. I also enjoyed Brandt’s aunt and the other residents of Silver Falls. They were great support for Callie and Brandt. This story also brings the importance of standing up for yourself, for your passions and dreams as well as confronting the past in order to move forward. The story flowed smoothly and I enjoyed reading Callie and Brandt’s romance that I read well into the night. I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy small town romance with a Christmas atmosphere, I highly recommend The Christmas Window. 

The Christmas Window is available in paperback and eBook

The Cure for Women: Victorian medicine and the challenging fight for change

The Cure for Women: Dr Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine that Changed Women’s Lives Forever by Lydia Reeder sets out to expose how Victorian male doctors used false science to argue that women were only fit to be wives and mothers and the bring to light the one doctor who proved them wrong. After Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to graduate from medical school and practice medicine, more and more women came forward for the chance to study medicine. Barred from prestigious universities, these women built their own medical schools and hospitals. When their success was too large to ignore, a group of elite, white male doctors set out to shut them down and prove that a woman’s menstrual cycles make them unfit for college and professions. Enter Mary Putnam Jacobi, the daughter of New York publisher George Palmer Putnam, armed with a medical education from the Sorboone medical school, she conducts the first ever scientific research on women’s reproductive biology. Her results would open the door for women and their higher education futures. 

When I received the invitation to read an advanced copy of The Cure for Women, I was intrigued to be introduced to the pioneers of women who paved the way for future generations of women. Touted to expose “the birth of a sexist science that still haunting us today as the fight for control of women’s bodies and lives continues,” I knew I was in for a wild ride. However, I was bored. I feel it was more about Elizabeth Blackwell and her sisters than Mary Putnam Jacobi. The author also went off on too many tangents that I was lost. By the time that Mary Putnam Jacobi was the focus of the book, I didn’t care. Another turn off for me was the political stance. I was hoping to read a book about women fighting for their chance, instead it became a book about female superiority and the male fight to keep women down. Overall, I feel that this book did little to bring Mary Putnam Jacobi to light. I do not recommend The Cure for Women. 

The Cure for Women: Dr Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine that Changed Women’s Lives Forever is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

A Winter Cabin Christmas: a cozy Christmas romance

A Winter Cabin Christmas by Megan Squires is a romance story with the magic of Christmas, Samantha Day is a talent agent who loves lining up the perfect gig for her clients. When a job requesting a look-a-like Santa and Mrs Claus, she knows her parents are the perfect choice. When they arrive in Cedar Crest, Samantha finds a different challenge. Noah Jensen is determined to turn his family mountain hideaway into a Christmas destination. He is willing to try anything, even a commercial. Noah is drawn to Samantha’s endearing nature and begins to fall for her. When Samantha realizes that the commercial is in trouble before filming even begins, she calls in her ex-husband and business partner in to help. Is Samantha’s relationship with her ex-husband truly in the past? Is there enough Christmas magic for Noah and Samantha? 

A Winter Cabin Christmas is a cute, quick and enjoyable Christmas romance. It is a clean romance with a few sweet kisses. I loved Samantha. She is bubbly with a positive attitude despite challenges she faces. I also loved Noah as he is determined to save his family’s legacy. It was evident early on that Noah and Samantha would be drawn together and I loved the growth of their relationship. I also enjoyed the side characters and their role in encouragement for Noah and Samantha. Even the bit of sibling drama between Noah and his older brother felt authentic and natural. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I was able to finish it quickly as the story was engaging and enjoyable. You enjoy a great cozy weather read with a Christmas romance, I highly recommend A Winter Cabin Christmas. 

A Winter Cabin Christmas is available in paperback and eBook

The Unforgivable Sin: what is it and who is in danger of committing it?

In the gospels, Jesus makes a statement that many believers talk about but few truly understand. In Matthew 12:31-32, Jesus says, “And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come” The statement also appears in Mark 3:28-29 and Luke 12:10. The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit aka The Unforgivable Sin can be worrisome to those who fear they have committed this act. What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit? Why is this sin so egregious to be unforgivable? Should believers worry about it? 

To understand why Jesus made this statement in Matthew 12:32, we need to back up to Matthew 12:22 as the religious leaders accused Jesus of being under Satan’s power. Jesus heals a demon possessed man who was blind and mute (verse 22) as the people were wondered if Jesus was the Son of David (verse 23), the Pharisees said that “only Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons” (verse 24). Beelzebub (or Beelzebul) is a Philistine deity known as the Lord of the flies or the Lord of filth, a term often used to refer to Satan (Winger, 2019). By attributing Jesus’s work to Satan, they were actively campaigning against Jesus to slander him and ruin his reputation (Winger, 2019). Jesus confronts the Pharisees and states that Satan cannot be divided against himself as a kingdom, a city, a household cannot be divided against itself (verses 25-26). Jesus is trying to warn the Pharisees that they were on shaky ground, on the brink of eternal ruin. 

The blasphemy against the Holy Spirit means to attribute the work of the Holy Spirit to Satan. It is a deliberate and ongoing rejection of the Holy Spirit’s work and even of God Himself. It is a conscious, persistent, deliberate and malicious rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testament to the deity and saving power of Jesus Christ. A person who has committed this sin has shut himself off from God so thoroughly that he is unaware of the sin at all. The Pharisees were deliberating refusing to acknowledge God’s power in Christ. The Holy Spirit testifies to God’s power in two ways: first, external through miracles and second, internal through the conviction of sin (Mike Winger, 2019). I understand skepticism and a desire to be absolutely sure before making a bold statement either way, even John the Baptist had a season of doubt (Matthew 11:2-6 and Luke 7:18-35). However, a deliberate refusal shows a deliberate and irreversible hardness of heart and therefore the inability to seek repentance. It is a profound hardness of one’s heart. An attack against Jesus, the Holy Spirit can overcome. However, to see what God is clearly doing and attack His Spirit is an insult, a dishonor and makes an enemy with His Spirit. Who can help bring someone back from that? 

A person who fears having committed this sin shows by his concerns that he hasn’t committed it at all. A true believer in Jesus Christ cannot commit this sin. Why? Because it is a refusal to accept the witness of the Holy Spirit to who Jesus is and what He came to do and fully submit their lives to Him. Repentance requires a simple, invaluable and a softhearted condition. Christians are warned to not be like Esau who “found no place of repentance” (Hebrews 12:17). His heart was so callous and hard that he was not able to genuinely repent. To harden one’s heart doesn’t really allow for that type of submission. Whoever does rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit and has fully turned their back to God and all faith do need to worry. They have removed themselves from the force that could lead them to repentance and restoration to God. As Jesus says in Mark 3:29, it is an eternal sin. Hebrews 3:7-8 warns that someone hears the voice of God, “do not harden your heart.” 

In conclusion, the unforgivable sin is not unforgivable because forgiveness isn’t granted, it is not sought in the first place. Someone who blasphemies against the Holy Spirit, denying the work of God, usually isn’t going to see the errors of his ways and seek forgiveness. It is a hardening of the heart to the point of no return. A true follower of Christ, who has believed the witness of the Holy Spirit, cannot blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as he or she does not deny or would not His work. It is okay to have doubt. It is normal, common and a part of growing in your faith. However, do not let your doubt harden your heart and let your eyes become clouded to the testimony of the Holy Spirit.

References

Winger, Mike (2019). What EXACTLY is the Unforgivable sin? The Mark Series Part 12. https://youtu.be/KmCHX8-2Smo?si=30FO9J77QvqMk02M. Retrieved November 17, 2024. 

The First Love: can a second chance at love overcome the secrets of the past?

The First Love is the first book in the Lake Bittersweet series by Jennifer Bernard. Carly Gault returns to Lake Bittersweet after seventeen years. She is shocked by the sudden death of her father, Steven Gault, when she receives another shock when she discovers she has been named as the executor of his estate. Besides dealing with the mountain of bills and debts he left behind, she must deal with the pain of the past and the boy who broke her heart. To Thomas Cooper, Carly is the girl who got away, the one he gave away. Seeing her again takes him back to their summer together, their love and the choice he made when he broke her heart. Now that she’s back and more beautiful than ever, there is no denying their attraction is still there. But when secrets of the past come to light, can they have a second chance at love? 

I loved Jennifer Barnard’s Lost Harbor, Alaska series and I looked forward to starting the Lake Bittersweet series. First loves are often powerful and first heartbreaks are just as powerful. I love second chance romances. Unfortunately, The First Love did not have the same feel that the books from the Lost Harbor series. I did not care for Carly or Thomas, although I did like Thomas a little bit more. When Carly returns home, she learns that her father’s bar has been shut down by order of the fire marshal. She goes to confront the first marshal, only to learn that it is Thomas. Their conservation about the violations was eye rolling. He is in the right to shut it down and her only defense is that other buildings probably have the same violations. Like what? Overall, I did not enjoy The First Love and I am unsure if I will continue the series. 

The First Love is available in paperback and eBook

Building Fences: a second chance romance

Building Fences is the first book in the Cedar Creek Families series by Violet Howe. Caroline Miller’s life has been thrown into turmoil as she is on the verge of divorce, an upcoming move with her two children and someone connected to her birth mother reaches out. Caroline has been searching for her birth mother for years and now she finds herself driving to Cedar Creek, only to have her car stolen in a plank gone horribly wrong. Love is the last thing on her mind and she definitely wants nothing to do with Levi, the handsome prankster, who tries to make amends. As she prepares to reunite with her birth mother and learn more about her origins, Caroline begins to examine her current life and her wide open future. Will she take a chance on love again? 

Building Fences is my first full length novel by Violet Howe. I love stories of second chances, rebuilding lives after life changing events, so I was looking forward to reading this story and being introduced to a new author. After the first chapter, I was confused about who was who and had to reread a few sections for clarity. There were a few awkward sentences and I thought maybe I was reading too fast to understand but slowing down and rereading didn’t help much. It didn’t do better from there. As I read, I found the storyline farfetched, the characters were unlikeable and the length of the novel was too long. Overall, I did not enjoy Building Fences and I will not continue with this series. If you are a fan of Violet Howe’s books, you may enjoy Building Fences. 

Building Fences is available in paperback and eBook

White Mulberry: one woman's determination to survive despite the racial tensions

White Mulberry by Rosa Kwon Easton is a moving story of a woman who lives between two worlds in order to survive. In 1928, Japanese-occupied Korea, eleven year old Miyoung has big dreams. When she is presented with the chance to pursue those dreams; however, she must leave her mother behind and live with her older sister and her husband in Japan. Knowing that Koreans are treated well in Japan, she must leave her name and culture behind. Once in Japan, she takes a new name and finds a new calling in nursing and finding solace in a local Korean church. What she never expects is to fall in love and find new purpose in her husband and their son. As war looms, she feels the racial tensions more than ever. Miyoung is faced with a choice: does she stay in Japan or does she find her chance to leave and provide a future for her and her family? 

White Mulberry was an Amazon First Reads choice for November. I loved the beautiful cover and was intrigued by the story as I have done a lot of research about Korea. I haven’t seen many historical books written from a Korean perspective. From the opening chapter to the closing author’s notes, I was deeply moved by Miyoung’s story. White Mulberry was inspired by the author’s Korean grandmother’s story which I love. I loved Miyoung as she struggles to hold on to her Korean identity and yet discovers a way to survive within the strict racial rules that the Japanese culture had put into place. I loved her resilience and determination to prove those against her wrong. It is a beautiful story about one woman, being caught between two worlds, who suffered the trauma of occupation, racism and displacement and yet still had the sheer determination to survive and reclaim her name and culture. I highly, highly recommend White Mulberry. 

White Mulberry will be available in paperback, eBook and audiobook 

on December 1, 2024

8 weeks: is eight weeks enough time to win back love and trust?

8 Weeks is the first book in the Time for Love series by Bethany Lopez. Shelly has been in love with Cal since high school. They married right after graduation and built a life together, despite everyone claiming the odds were against them. Six years later, they are stronger than ever, at least Shelly thinks they are. Cal returns home from a guys weekend with a horrible confession. She now faces the ultimate betrayal and her first instinct is to call it quits. Cal comes up with a way to prove to Shelly that his love is still true. All he asks is for eight weeks, Eight weeks to convince her that their marriage, their life together is worth saving. Will Shelly trust him again? Is eight weeks enough time for Cal to win back Shelly’s love and trust? 

This story was so hard to read and no, it wasn’t because of a single night of infidelity and the possibility of divorce. While infidelity is something hard to forgive and why would anyone listen to the excuses? It was everyone involved. From Shelly and Cal to their friends. Cal’s buddies tell him to not tell Shelly. So their solution is simply to not tell her. Cal knows that won’t fly but Shelly knows him too well. And he was right. Shelly says she knows that Cal wouldn’t willingly cheat on her; but she refuses to talk to him about what happened. Even as Cal explains what he can remember, it seemed obvious that it wasn’t a willing situation. Overall, I did not enjoy this story and I will not continue the series. I do not recommend 8 Weeks. 

8 Weeks is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Talking Tree: when her mother's death sends her searching in the past for answers

The Talking Tree is the first book in The Hartwell Women by Judith Keim. Returning to her hometown after the death of her estranged mother, Marissa Cole just wants to dot the i’s and cross the t’s and leave it all behind once again. However, her mother has one final request: take her ashes to New Hope, Maine and scatter them from the local cliffs. Marissa never heard her mother mention New Hope and she didn’t understand why her mom would make such a request. Once in Maine, she discovers a family her mother left behind. However, the family isn’t what she thought where the smiles and the welcomes aren’t as sincere as she hopes. With the family fortune on the line, can Marissa make the right decision for herself, her family and her future? 

This story had an interesting start. A woman discovers her mother was hiding secrets and she must unravel the mystery after her death. However, once Marissa is in New Hope and she learns about her mother’s family, the story gets bogged down. The drama surrounding the family business and who should be running it or not. I definitely didn’t care for Brad, Marissa’s boyfriend and “love of her life.” I didn’t care how he acted like a spoiled brat when Marissa was trying to find her place in her mother’s family. By the end of the book, I was glad it was over. Overall, the story was good; however, I was not interested enough to continue the series. If you enjoy stories of discovering family, coming to terms with the past and finding a new future, I recommend The Talking Tree. 

The Talking Tree is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Life is a Cabernet: a novella set in the romantic wine country of Napa Valley

Life is a Cabernet by Jan Moran is a companion novella to The Winemakers, a part of the Heartwarming Family Saga series. It is 1956 Napa Valley, Juliana Cardona is passionate about winemaking and wants to build her career as a wine publicist. She is also struggling with the death of her fiance killed in an army ambush during the Korean War. Juliana isn’t sure she has the strength or courage to risk love again. Until she holds a press event in San Francisco and meets the elusive Henri Laurent, a local winemaker. Their budding friendship turns romantic, Juliana learns Henri is hiding a secret that could devastate any future they may have together. Can she find the strength to face the troubled past of Henri and risk her heart once again? 

I’m not much of a wine drinker and I do not know the ins and outs of winemaking; however, the discussions about the wine and its process only added to the richness of this romance. Juliana is trying to avoid love and Henri is avoiding people all together. The two together have a chemistry that is as rich as the wine they are so passionate about. Together they find healing they didn’t think was possible. Life is a Cabernet is a fun read for an afternoon. I am looking forward to reading the companion novel, The Winemakers, which features Juliana’s friend Caterina Rosetta. Will Juliana and Henri make an appearance? If you enjoy second chance romance with the romantic backdrop of Napa Valley wine country, I recommend Life is a Cabernet. 

Life is a Cabernet is available in paperback and eBook