Coming to Rosemont: a woman starts fresh in a small town and finds herself in a fight against political corruption

Coming to Rosemont is the first book in the Rosemont series by Barbara Hinske. After the sudden death of her husband, Maggie Martin uncovers his double life and is left to deal with the financial and emotional aftermath. She is surprised to learn she inherits the Rosemont estate in Westbury, a Midwestern town. Why did she know about this house? Maggie travels to Westbury with the intent of selling the Rosemont; however, when she arrives she immediately falls in love with the house. Throwing caution to the wind and ignoring the concerns of her grown children, she moves into the Rosemont for a fresh start. Maggie soon discovers political corruption complete with fraud, embezzlement and arson. Instead of the quiet life she was looking forward to, Maggie finds herself in a fight to rid this quaint town of the wrongdoers. 

I have heard great praise for the Rosemont series and I was looking forward to reading the first book. Described as a “fast-paced, smart novel that has enough twists and turns to make the reader want to buckle in!” The story had wonderful characters. I enjoyed Maggie as a woman dealing with the death of her husband, the betrayal she uncovers and yet still fights for her new town. There was a bit of lighthearted romance. The political aspect was overly drawn out and tedious at times. It dragged down the story for me. Overall, I enjoyed the story. A few things were left unresolved, probably for future books in the series. However, I wasn’t interested enough to continue the series. If you enjoy women’s fiction with fresh starts and a bit of mystery, I recommend Coming to Rosemont. 

Coming to Rosemont is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Wishes of Home: a heartwarming story of love and home

Wishes of Home by Barbara Hinske is the twelfth book in The Wishing Tree series. Readers first meet Pam in book five, Workout Wishes and Valentine Kisses, as her relationship with Steve blossoms from childhood friends to colleagues to romance. In Wishes of Home, Pam and Steve are still going strong, although her past hurts from her ex-husband finds herself doubting her relationship with Steve. In this story, Pam furthers her talent for remodeling and home décor. What started as a hobby takes her on an unexpected path. With her boyfriend, Steve Turner, at her side, she is filled with more confidence. But when their relationship hits a rough patch, will her dreams come tumbling down? Meanwhile, a young girl’s wish from the Wishing Tree touches Pam’s heart and she is determined to fulfill this wish. Has she taken on more than she can handle? Can she fulfill her own wish as well as this young girl’s wish? 

Wishes of Home is a sweet, wonderful story. There are heartwarming moments and a few tears. When Pam is filled with doubt about herself and her relationship with Steve, instead of talking with him, she ghosts him. Thinking the relationship is over, Steve doesn’t know where to turn. But the residents of Linden Falls aren’t going to let Pam and Steve ruin their relationship because they are perfect for each other. It is a story of communication, even if it could be hurtful and tough. Communication is key. There was one piece of information that Steve thought Pam knew, thinking small town everyone knows, but not realizing that she does not. It adds to the old saying “Assuming makes an ass out of you and me.” Overall, I enjoyed this story. It has been a great addition to The Wishing Tree series. I highly recommend Wishes of Home as well as the rest of The Wishing Tree series. 

Wishes of Home is available in paperback and eBook. 

Paws & Pastries: a sweet, heartwarming story of second chances

Paws and Pastries by Barbara Hinske is the first book in the Paws and Pastries series. Clara Conway has had it with her cheating husband! After discovering he never ended his affair, she packs up her belongings and starts driving. She doesn’t need him and the heartache. Her plan is to find a new city that is large enough to support a patisserie she has dreamed of opening. Her plan is derailed when she has car trouble in the small town of Pinewood. While the town is charming with friendly and welcoming residents, she feels the town's too small for her dream. As another delay keeps her in town, she grows fonder and fonder of her new friends and the town. Will she recognize that her fate can survive in the small town? Will she realize that fate has placed her where she needs to be? 

Paws and Pastries is a sweet, heartwarming story of second chances. I easily fell in love with Clara and the residents of Pinewood. Paws and Pastries is a flowing story that pulls the reader in from the opening line. I could have easily read it in one day if I had the time. It is the type of story that just draws you in. I love Clara’s strength to declare “I’m done” and walk away. I loved that her journey was fueled by the “he-done-me wrong” songs that played on the radio. I loved how the residents welcomed Clara with open arms. I look forward to the rest of the series as book 2, Sweets and Treats was released this year. I can’t wait to read more of Clara’s adventures and misadventures as she still must deal with her devious soon-to-be ex-husband. What tricks will he pull? I highly recommend Paws and Pastries. 

Paws and Pastries is available in paperback and eBook

Workout Wishes and Valentine Kisses: when love is right before your eyes

Workout Wishes and Valentine Kisses by Barbara Hinske is the fifth book in The Wishing Tree series. In Linden Falls, wishes are tied to the branches of the linden tree in the town square. Wishes of hopes and dreams. Some believe in the magic of the tree and others do not. Can anything change their minds? Pam Olson and Steve Turner have been childhood friends who are now work colleagues at the local gym. They are perfect for each other except they do not see it. Fortunately, there are a few who do and are willing to bring these two together. After disastrous online dating, Pam joins Steve in a no-dating pact. What they don’t know is that there is a covert mission to bring these two together. Will they finally see the sparks between them? 

I love The Wishing Tree series and its magical town of Linden Falls. In this story, Pam and Steve have seen their share of heartbreak and are determined to never be hurt again. Reluctantly, Pam agrees to try online dating and it ends as horribly as she imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed Pam and Steve. They have a history and a friendship they don’t want to jeopardize in case their romance fizzles. I felt for Pam as each online date she goes on is worse than the one before. I enjoyed the involvement and the covert mission that those close to Pam and Steve put in action as they see these two belong together. I highly recommend Workout Wishes and Valentine Kisses as well as the previous books in The Wishing Tree series. 

Workout Wishes and Valentine Kisses is available in paperback and eBook

Guiding Emily: a story of finding the strength and courage to face new challenges

Guiding Emily is the first book in the Guiding Emily series by Barbara Hinske. It is a story of love, loss and courage. Emily Main had it all. She has a successful career with a technology giant, a handsome fiance, Connor, who is climbing up the corporate ladder and a destination wedding coming up. While on their island wedding and honeymoon, tragedy strikes and they rush home in the hopes to save her vision. Suddenly her idyllic life is thrown into chaos as all treatments are unsuccessful and she must learn to face life without her sight. Meanwhile, a black lab puppy named Garth starts his journey to become a guide dog and the challenges and dedication it takes to become one of the most important tools to those with certain disabilities. How will Emily respond to her new normal? Will she have the support of those around her? 

Guiding Emily is a heartbreaking, yet sweet story of one woman’s journey to a new reality and the dog that would become her sight and her companion. My heart broke for Emily; however, on the flip side I was annoyed with Emily. If she suffered from a disease that she could lose her eyesight with something as simple as violent sneezing, why would she agree to a destination wedding and an activity that she feared could lead to an accident? Why would her fiance even suggest such an activity? Sometimes it takes a tragedy to truly see how a person will respond to emergencies. Overall, I enjoyed Guiding Emily. It was an easy to read story of overcoming a tragedy and becoming stronger in the end. Some aspects of the story were predictable, but still enjoyable. If you love a story of strength, courage and dogs, I recommend Guiding Emily. 

Guiding Emily is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.