Between the Shady Groves: sometimes going home is the path to happiness, love and forgiveness

Between the Shady Groves is the tenth book in the Raspberry Ridge Sweet Beach Romance series by Jessie Gussman. Twelve years ago, Lauren left the small town of Raspberry Ridge for the glittering city life and full of ambition. Now, she is married and life isn’t what she imagined. After a series of devastating miscarriages, the death of her mother and her emotionally unaware husband, Lauren returns to her hometown and the family bakery, desperate to find herself again and find the healing she desperately needs. With every familiar sight and scent, stirs memories of heartbreak, anger and abandoned dreams, Lauren takes up her mother’s legacy and opens the bakery once again. As friendships renew and blossom, Lauren finds the sense of belonging she is looking for. What she doesn’t expect is her husband, Cannon, arriving in town with pleads of forgiveness. Lauren must learn that true happiness is not escaping the past but embracing love, family and forgiveness. 

I have not read the earlier books in the Raspberry Ridge series; however, the story sounded promising, so I took a chance. From the very beginning Lauren is a shell of herself and desperate to feel comfort and love from those around her. I empathized with Lauren as someone who has experienced multiple miscarriages as others around me were having babies; however, where I couldn’t sympathize with her is her attitude toward her husband. She expected Cannon to read her mind and know what is wrong, what she wants and needs. Her favorite repeated line was he’s smart, he can figure it out. Men, and people in general, need to be told point blank, "I need this or that.” Overall, I did not like Lauren or Cannon and even though they came to a resolution at the end, I didn’t find myself cheering for them. If you are a fan of the Raspberry Ridge series, I recommend Between the Shady Groves. 

Between the Shady Groves is available in paperback and eBook. 

Hello Little Girl: the fight to survive comes to the final showdown

 Hello Little Girl by Kay Bratt is the tenth book in the Hart’s Ridge series. The search for Lydia Grimes continues as new evidence provides proof she could still be alive. Caleb Grimes, her husband, is more determined than ever to bring her home. He won’t rest until he has her safe and sound or recovers her body for burial. Taylor is pulled from the search and given an opportunity to further her career and get the promotion she desires but it requires putting her career first and leaving her family behind for a period of time. A simple assignment quickly becomes a life and death situation. Meanwhile, Lydia becomes caught between the fight for her own freedom and the desire to protect another from the evil man who keeps them in captivity. Can she find the courage to save them both? As tensions and stakes rise, can Caleb, Taylor and Lydia find their own strength and determination to have the happy endings they are fighting for? 

I don’t think I have ever recently anticipated a book in a series as much as I waited for Hello Little Girl. Left with a bit of a cliffhanger in Blackbird, Hello Little Girl picks right off and keeps going. I was glued to the pages with pins and needles as the story unraveled. There were twists and turns and shocking revelations with one revelation I picked up on in Blackbird and waited for that shoe to drop! My jaw dropped a few times near the end. I am ecstatic to learn that there will be more stories in the series. Readers don’t have to say goodbye to Hart’s Ridge and the Gray Family just yet. If you have enjoyed the Hart’s Ridge series, you will love Hello Little Girl. If you haven’t started this series, you are missing out on an excellent series of intrigue, family, the fighting human spirit to survive. I highly, highly recommend Hello Little Girl and the entire Hart’s Ridge series. 

Hello Little Girl is available in paperback and eBook

Sunsets, Sabbatical, and Scandal: a dating app, a hacker stealing money and murder

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal by Tonya Kappes is the tenth book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Some of the local single gals are on a dating app and someone has hacked into several bank accounts and drained the funds. But the smalltown of Normal, Kentucky is shocked and shaken when one of their own is found dead on the floor of the diner. Mae and the Laundry Club ladies aren’t about to sit idly by as a murderer is on the loose. When a connection to Mae’s hometown pops up in the investigation, she must face a past she has tried to keep away. Who has murdered their beloved friend and citizen? And who is their hacker? Are they one and the same? 

Tonya Kappes has really found a rhythm with this cozy mystery series. When I first started the series, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy continuing. But I kept going and now I’m hooked. Learning more about Mae’s past was heartbreaking. The discovery of the victim was shocking; however the capture of the killer was oh so satisfying. I enjoyed seeing more of Hank and Mae’s relationship become closer and closer. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and I look forward to the many books in the future. These books are a great way to spend a lazy afternoon reading and so engaging that you will have a hard time putting them down. I recommend Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal.  

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Overdue Wishes: undue guilt, forgiveness and second chances at love

Overdue Wishes by Tammy L. Grace is the tenth book in The Wishing Tree series. Norma Braxton is a born organizer. A member of the Winey Widows and a retired high school librarian, she keeps busy with local events. As she helps organize the All-Class Reunion in Linden Falls, she comes face-to-face with a man from her past, a man she never expected to be in Linden Falls. She panics as he knows her secrets and tries to pretend that he’s mistaken when he recognizes her. Fearful he could reveal her secret and upend the life she has built but he’s persistent. Chet is committed to learn more about the woman he recognizes as the young girl he used to know. His appearance in town has awakened something in Norma’s heart. Does she dare hope that her overdue wish could come true? 

Linden Falls is a town where wishes come true. Sometimes they are granted right away and some take years. Long after the individual has long given up. Overdue Wishes is a sweet story of undue guilt, forgiveness and second chances at love. Norma hides a secret that even her dear late husband didn’t know. I enjoyed Norma and her dedication to her adopted home. I loved Chet’s loving forgiveness toward Norma as he convinces her that he has held nothing against her and his sweet pursuit of her. There was one moment I held my breath as I waited for the outcome. Surely Norma and Chet’s story wouldn’t end like that? Overall, I enjoyed this trip to Linden Falls and witness Norma and Chet’s love story blossom. I highly recommend Overdue Wishes as well as all the books in The Wishing Tree series. 

Overdue Wishes is available in paperback and eBook

Sweet Talk: a sweet, sexy romance

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood is the tenth book in the Buchanan/Renard/MacKenna series. When Special Agent Grayson Kincaid encounters Olivia MacKenzie, she leaves an impression. Olivia, beautiful but tough attorney, accidently stumbled into the middle of an FBI sting and chaos ensues. She isn’t fazed. She’s on the trail of an elaborate Ponzi scheme and her investigation has provoked some ruthless people and now her life is endangered. While she is no stranger to tight situations, she’s smart enough to call for help. Does she dare call for Grayson’s help? As their investigations intertwine, they learn they make a great team but they are also fighting an intense attraction. A battle they are certain to lose. 

I have enjoyed Julie Garwood’s romances since I was a teenager. And I have enjoyed the Buchanan/Renard/MacKenna series since Heartbreaker (2000). Sweet Talk is a sweet, sexy  romance that hits all the right moments. The tall, dark and handsome FBI agent meets a sassy, no nonsense woman and sparks fly. It was a fast read and enjoyable. However, I don’t feel it's on the same level as previous books in this series. The mystery about who is behind the threats against her life has been done before. Overall, I did enjoy Sweet Talk. There were moments I laughed and sighed as their love story blossomed. If you are a fan of Julie Garwood, you may enjoy Sweet Talk. 

Sweet Talk is available in mass market paperback, eBook and audiobook.