Things We Hide from the Light: when the shadows one tries to hide and the one who helps them fight back

Things We Hide from the Light is the second book in the Knockemont trilogy by Lucy Score. Nash Morgan was the good Morgan, always with an easy smile and charm for everyone in town. Now Nash is recovering from being shot and his Southern charm has given way to panic attacks, nightmares and missing pieces in his memory. While he tries to hide it, he is a brooding shell of himself and is desperate to keep his struggles from everyone. That is until his new next door neighbor moves in. Lina Solavita is smart, sexy and sees the shadows behind his forced smile. When she helps him through one of the worst panic attacks yet, he realizes that Lina may be the key to feeling like himself again. However, they both have secrets, secrets that could keep them apart for good; unless they are willing to fight their shadows for the simple chance at love. 

Things We Hide from the Light is a great continuation in the Knockemont series. While it doesn’t have the banter and tension that the first book had, it had its own struggles and sweet moments between Nash and Lina. Their story was definitely more slow burn, emotional and with psychological struggles. I loved to see Nash return stronger and more aware as he discovers issues within the department and moves to deal with them. I also loved the addition to his dog, Piper, and her own anxiety which in turn helped Nash with his. I liked Lina’s job as it was a bit unconventional and yet adds to the drama and adventure of the story. I also learned a lot about panic attacks and methods to calm them. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the third and final book in this trilogy. I highly recommend Things We Hide from the Light. 

Things We Hide from the Light is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

Call of the Camino: a deeply emotional and moving story about the transformative journey along the Camino de Santiago

Call of the Camino by Suzanne Redfearn is a deeply emotional and moving novel about the transformative journey along the legendary route of the Camino de Santiago. In 2024, twenty-five year old Reina Watkins lost her father when she was eight, even seventeen years later, the grief is still heavy on her heart. When an opportunity comes up that would boost her budding journalism career, Reina finds herself on the ancient five-hundred-mile path, the same route that her father took many years ago.  Armed with his journal, Reina takes the journey with her father at her side, little does she know that she will learn much more about her father, their family and the past. In 1997, seventeen year old Isabelle Vidal is a teenager on the run, after she flees from her boarding school. Hearing that the Camino will provide, she heads for the Way of Saint James, and comes in the form of new friends and a handsome young American who brings the promise of a new life. 

I have loved Suzanne Redfearn’s books for years and I was excited to read Call of the Camino. It is a powerful story of faith, self-discovery that involves learning the past to help shape your future. It is a story of two women who find courage, strength and love on the hallowed trail. Ms. Redfearn’s description of the trail and the experiences of those who walk it reminds me of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT), 2,650 miles from the US-Mexico border through California, Oregon and Washington to the Canadian border. Although not as long as the Camino, I have heard the same types of life-changing, transformative journeys. From the opening chapter to the closing page, I was hooked on Reina’s and Isabelle’s story. I felt as if I was on the path with them and I could not put the book down. I read on the edge of my seat as Reina’s and Isabelle’s story intertwine. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I highly, highly recommend Call of the Camino. 

Call of the Camino is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Noble Intent: a steamy friends to lovers romance with lots of fun banter and heavy emotions

Noble Intent is the first book in the Rapturous Intent series by Cadence Keys. Trent Bridger is the lead singer of Rapturous Intent, a chart topping rock band, and lives the rock and roll dream. However, something is missing. Then he runs into Becka Edmonson, a woman he knew as a child and she knows him and they easily fall back into their childhood friendship. Soon, Trent realizes that Becka is everything he has been looking for but he is not willing to sacrifice their friendship. After one night of passion, he finds himself choosing between the friend who has grounded him and the woman who lights a fire in him. Even when Becka acknowledges she has always hoped for something more, can they take that chance? Could he have both a friend and a lover? Can his noble intent to keep his distance mean he is also making a biggest mistake? 

Noble Intent is a steamy friends to lovers romance with sweet memories. The story also deals with heavy topics of addiction, parental abandonment and feelings of inadequacy with lots and lots of emotions. Connected to the author’s other series, the LA Wolves, Noble Intent grabs readers from the opening chapter and leads them on a wild ride of emotions, personal growth and romance. I loved Trent and Becka. Their playful banter was fun and the chemistry between them was undeniable. I wasn’t expecting the emotional topics but it added depth to the characters’ past and their present choices. My heart broke for both characters as they discuss their past and deal with how those events inform their present. It was definitely something I could relate to. I enjoyed the connectedness with the other series. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Noble Intent. 

Noble Intent is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Always Mine: a small town friends to lovers romance

Always Mine is the first book in the Honey Mountain series by Laura Pavlov. Niko West has been Vivian Thomas’ best friend since kindergarten. Now he is the most beautiful man she has ever seen as a broody, chiseled firefighter. She has never crossed the line of their friendship as he has been the most solid person in her life. However, when her family gets a wedding invitation from her ex-boyfriend, Vivian decides she needs a fling, to discover what she has been missing, and makes Nike an offer he can’t refuse. It was supposed to be a one time thing; but they didn’t realize it would add fuel to the fire that slowly burned between them. Can they go back to just being friends? Or will they take a chance to have the kind of relationship they could only dream of before? 

Always Mine is a sweet and spicy friends to lovers romance with plenty of banter, drama and great emotional moments. In the small town of Honey Mountain, everyone is a big family community. I enjoyed Vivian and her family. The love and banter between the sisters is wonderful. Her relationship with her father is lovely. I also loved how Niko is a welcomed additional member of the family and her romantic relationship with him is encouraged. I loved Niko and my heart broke as he deals with his less than loving family. Overall, I loved the romance between Vivian and Niko. I loved the introduction of the supporting characters and setting up the possibility for their own stories in the series. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. If you enjoy small town, friends to lovers romance, I highly recommend Always Mine. 

Always Mine is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Good Dirt: one woman's emotional journey into the past to find her future

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson is the story of one woman’s journey to piece together the connection between a childhood tragedy and a beloved heirloom and finds herself in the process. When Ebby Freeman was ten years old, a gunshot shattered her family and a priceless heirloom as her beloved brother, Baz, lying on the floor and the centuries old jar in pieces next to him. As the case goes unsolved, it remains a point of interest for the public as the Freemans are one of the only Black families in a very well-to-do neighborhood of New England. As Ebby’s fiancé leaves her at the altar, the family’s history is once again a source of public talk. To escape the scrutiny and heal her wounded heart, Ebby flees to France. As she begins to process her family’s suffering and her own heartache, she discovers the key to her future is in the handcrafted pottery, brought North by an enslaved ancestor. 

After reading Black Cake, Charmaine Wilkerson’s beautiful debut, I knew I was in for an emotional journey with the characters of Good Dirt. And Good Dirt did not disappoint. Without knowing the full history of the jar, my heart broke when I read how it shattered and it broke more as the stories involving the jar were revealed. I loved how Ebby finds her future in the stories of her family’s past and finds strength of her ancestors within herself. Ms Wilkerson beautifully tackles grief, racism, the importance of our ancestries, mental health and trauma. I especially loved her portrayal of how deep and complex grief can be even years after the events. Good Dirt has a bit of mystery woven with history, romance and drama. It is a book that you will need to take your time reading, especially after the highly emotional chapters, in order to really absorb and digest what happened. I highly recommend Good Dirt. 

Good Dirt is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Not You Again: what if Mr Right is right there among the Mr Wrongs?

Not You Again by Terri Osburn is the first book in the NOT series. Becca Witherspoon has agreed to four blind dates in five days. She only agrees to get her four best friends off her back. They are worried about her and if a few dates will convince them that she is fine, then she’ll do it. How bad can a few blind dates be? Apparently, very bad. Each date is worse than the last. And none of them compare to her former fiance. Becca needs to prove she doesn’t need a man to move on. However, on each date, a beautiful stranger keeps saving her from the awful dates. Jacob Kim keeps crossing her path and the more time she spends with him, the more she wishes he was one of the dates. With one date left, will Becca get her wish? Are the odds in her favor? 

From the opening chapter to the last page, Not You Again, is a fun, sweet clean romance with plenty of laughs, emotions and a few tears and hard-hitting moments. I loved the recurring statement that it is okay not to be okay as Becca lives life just going through the motions. It is a lesson Becca needs to learn. The reason why Becca’s friends think she needs to move on from her former fiance isn’t revealed until near the end and it is a doozy! I loved Becca’s growth as she learns to speak up, to heal and to find and give forgiveness. I loved Jacob’s character and I loved how their paths kept crossing. The supporting cast of characters are loving and willing to call out Becca’s excuses. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend Not You Again. 

Not You Again is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Walking on Sea Glass: a faith based romance with realism and emotion

Walking on Sea Glass by Julie Carobini is the first book in the Sea Glass Inn series. Liddy Buckle comes to work at a seaside resort after her marriage falls apart. The dream of starting fresh is set back by a sudden health issue. As she struggles to grapple with her diagnosis, she finds herself drawn to Beau Quinn. Beau has a wounded heart himself as he is still dealing with the death of his wife and the urging of his community to move on. As their relationship grows, Liddy struggles to trust herself and a man again and Beau must decide if he is ready to commit to a woman who faces a challenging diagnosis. While they struggle with their challenges, there is something going on behind the scenes at the Sea Glass Inn with late night deliveries and secret meetings. Will Liddy and Beau find the courage and faith to face the challenges in their paths? 

Walking on Sea Glass is my first book by Julie Carobini and is described as a book that “weaves a romantic story of courage, faith, and the power of true love.” I loved the faith aspect of this story as it is real, gritty, emotional and yet filled with hope. While Liddy was not my favorite character, I enjoyed the romance between Liddy and Beau as they are drawn together and yet not quite trusting their connection as their own wounds still run deep. That being said, there is a lot happening in this story that I felt bogged down the flow. From the after hours activities at the inn to the hit and miss attempts at other relationships, I feel a lot of it was not necessary to the central story of Liddy and Beau. Overall, I enjoyed Walking on Sea Glass. If you enjoy faith based romance with realism and emotion, I recommend Walking on Sea Glass. 

Walking on Sea Glass is paperback, eBook and audiobook

When Ashes Fall: one woman loves two men, which one will she choose?

When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann is the first book in the Moments in Boston series. It has been said that you can’t love two men at the same time. You can’t split your heart, soul and body. However, Alix Rayne is here to tell you that yes, you can. Two men hold her heart, soul and body. Two men who are polar opposites of each other. Dylan Cole is like ice. Sharp and unpredictable. Like cracking thunder in a fierce storm. Smith Reid is warm, soft and gentle. Like the perfect sunny day. One man is a pilot, the other a lawyer. One has the world at his feet and the other has struggled for his place in the world. Both men are hers but she can only have one. But she isn’t a cheater. There’s more to her story than meets the eye. Which man will she choose? 

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. A story about one woman, two men and it isn’t about cheating? Told in the present day from Alix and Smith’s perspectives and Dylan's POV in the past, readers are taken on an highly emotional journey with shocking reveals. While one aspect of the story, I had an inkling early on but the reason why I thought it left me shocked and in tears. I sobbed through the last few chapters. I loved Alix. She was determined to be strong and yet she hid a vulnerability. And her romances with Dylan and Smith were spicy, heartwarming and romantic. The story reminded me of a book (and a movie) but I won’t reveal, as it spoils the reveals for this book. I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series. I highly, highly recommend When Ashes Fall. 

When Ashes Fall is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Hard Crush: a second chance romance with heart and a bit of spice

Hard Crush by Mira Lyn Kelly is the first book in the Back to You series. Abby Mitchel is not very tech savvy. From her broken phone to the temperamental Smart Board in her classroom, she never seems to get it to work. Her ineptness also includes “Tech Genius” who was her high school boyfriend, the one who walked away. Hank Wagner has been called a visionary, an innovator; but he is simply someone who is tech minded with an eye on the future. So why is he pulled into the past when he runs into the woman he left behind so many years ago? And why can’t he seem to walk away again? As a man who is used to getting what he wants, Hank is determined to reignite the flame between them. Abby knows better than to let him get too close but she can’t seem to push him away.

 Hard Crush is my first book by Mira Lyn Kelly. I recognized her name from other book recommendations but I haven’t picked up a book until now. Hard Crush is a sweet, emotional romance with wonderful spice mixed in. I could not put this story down as Abby and Hank fell in love again. It had deeper emotional moments than I was not expecting and my heart ached for Abby as she opened up to why she pushed Hank away despite obviously caring for him. Abby and Hank are a great couple and I enjoyed reading their second chance romance. They also had great supporting characters who encouraged them to take a chance on life and love. I look forward to reading the rest of the series as well as other books by Ms. Kelly. If you enjoy sweet, emotional romances with a bit of spice, I highly recommend Hard Crush. 

Hard Crush is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Women: one woman's story in a war the country wanted to forget

The Women by Kristin Hannah is one woman’s story as she goes to war and must fight to have her and other women’s contributions in the war recognized. Twenty year old Frances “Frankie” McGrath is a nursing student who wants to make her family proud. So proud to be worthy of the heroes wall which serves as a memorial to the war heroes in the McGrath family. Someone tells her that even women can be heroes which brings a revelation, she will take her nursing skills to the war effort. She joins the Army Nurse Corps and she is not prepared for what she will encounter. With the help of her fellow nurses, Ethel and Barb, Frankie sees firsthand the chaos and destruction of war, the gamble of life and death. Little does she know that the war is just beginning as she heads home and finds a country even more divided, angry protesters as her contributions are essentially forgotten. 

I have loved Kristin Hannah’s stories since I first picked up Firefly Lane (2008). The Women is a hard hitting, gut wrenching, emotional story that shines a light on the women who put their lives on the line to serve their country only to have their country deny they were even there. It is a story of friendships and courage under fire. Part 1 focuses on the war itself as Frankie is not prepared for the carnage. It is emotional and heartbreaking, filled with moments of gasps and plenty of tears. Part 2 focuses on her return home and her struggles to return to civilian life. I was shocked to learn that for the longest time, no one knew or no one would acknowledge that women served in Vietnam. It pains me to know that the male veterans were vilified and yet the women were ignored and forgotten. Overall, The Women is another amazing story from Kristin Hannah. I highly, highly recommend it. 

The Women is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Curvy Girls Can't Date Quarterbacks: an emotional young adult romance

Curvy Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks by Kelse Stelting is the first book in The Curvy Girls Club series. Rory Hutton has struggled with her weight for a long time. She’s been called a big girl, “plus sized” and forced to try every diet imaginable and she can’t stand it anymore. On the day Rory gets devastating news from her doctor, Merrit Alexander, Emerson Academy’s resident Mean Girl, runs her mouth off that fat people simply need to lose weight. Rory snaps and it leads to the worst decision of her life. She bets Merrit that she can get Beckett Langley to ask her to the homecoming dance. Beckett is the school’s star quarterback with a line of girls just waiting to date him. She has had a crush on him for as long as she can remember. With the help of her fellow curvy girls, Rory sets out to get Beckett’s attention. Once she does, she learns the real Beckett. The Beckett who is more than just a great quarterback, a Beckett who feels deeper than anyone thought possible. As their relationship progresses, Rory realizes she has one big problem: Beckett doesn't know that their relationship is based on a bet. How can she tell him the truth without risking losing the first and only guy she loves? Can she prove that curvy girls deserve a happily ever after too? 

Why did I wait so long to read this book?!?!? I added it to my To Be Read list and forgot about it. Until an ad for the book popped up and reminded me. I started reading and could not put it down! I read well into the night as I was hooked on Rory and Beckett’s love story. If the story premise sounds familiar, it should. A similar storyline is the plot of the 1999 teen comedy, She’s All That. However, this story takes a deeper and more emotional turn than the movie. I was angry during the first 25% as a curvy girl and woman who has always struggled with her body image, my heart broke for Rory. I felt Rory’s pain and frustration. I laughed, sighed and grinned during the middle 50%. Beckett and Rory are perfect for each other. And I ugly cried, sobbed really, at the final 25%. It is a great story about how it can take just the right person to break through the self-doubt to find the confidence and beautiful sexiness you always hoped was there. Yes, it is a Young Adult novel with a bunch of teen drama and immaturity but there are life lessons to be learned that even adults can learn. I look forward to the rest of the series! I highly, highly, highly recommend Curvy Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks. 

Curvy Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Mother of Pearl: how far would a mother go for her child?

Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert asks the questions how far would a mother go for her child? Barrie Graeber has a great life. Two wonderful kids, a loving husband and a job as a respected high school counselor in their tight knit community. Suddenly, her teenage daughter, Pearl, seems to unravel before her eyes. Barrie is at a loss how to help Pearl. Nothing prepared her for this helplessness as her attempts to help her daughter fail and Pearl pulls farther and farther away. When the unthinkable happens, Barrie is at a loss how to move forward. Until she discovers a terrible secret about her nemesis, Michael Warren, the football coach. When Barrie decides to go up against the coach, she finds herself without support. Fueled by love for her daughter, she learns to trust in something bigger than herself and fight back. 

Going into this story, I knew it was described as “emotionally riveting and profoundly moving,” so I was expecting emotions. However, this story was more of a roller coaster of emotions. Without giving up plot points, which spoils the emotional impact, it truly was a roller coaster. It is a powerful story of one mother’s determination to do right by her daughter and protect other daughters from the same situation. I loved the Christian faith aspect. It wasn’t overdone. It was a great and honest portrayal of faith and even the resistance to such a faith. I enjoyed all the characters especially Jackie who becomes a source of comfort for Barrie. I also enjoyed the double meaning of the title which is fairly subtle if you aren’t looking for it. I enjoyed this book so much! I highly, highly recommend Mother of Pearl. 

Mother of Pearl is available in paperback and eBook

Hold You Down: an emotional ride for single Black mothers in 1980s New York City

Hold You Down by Tracy Brown is a story about the perils of love and the ties that bind us. Mercy and Lenox Howard have always had each other. Abandoned by their mother, raised by their grandmother, they grew up on the mean streets of Harlem. As single moms with young sons, they are determined to survive and give their sons brighter futures. Mercy is the quiet, straight laced, playing the book and yet struggles to make ends meet. Lenox is the diva, the wild child, always looking for excitement and making it big in life. Their boys, Judah and Deon, are more brothers than cousins, and have forged a bond that seems unbreakable. When Lenox believes that success and power is hers for the taking as she heads down a path that will forever alter the course of her life as well as the life of her loved ones. 

I read Ms. Brown’s previous book, Single Black Female and knew I was in for an emotional ride. Hold You Down takes place in New York City during the late 1980s into the 1990s. It is a powerful, heartfelt story of a family trying to better themselves and the challenges they face. There were beautiful moments of celebration and family joys. There were gut wrenching moments of tears and devastation. I admire the strength of the characters as they come to grips with their lots in life and do their best to overcome them. Ms. Brown gives readers a hard-hitting, gritty, no-holds-bar story of life for black single mothers in 1980s New York. She does not hold back from the realities that Mercy and Lenox face and the Catch-22 they live in. Be prepared to laugh and cry with Mercy, Lenox and their sons. I highly recommend Hold You Down. 

Hold You Down is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Under the Maui Sky: one secret, one betrayal threatens to tear apart a family

Under the Maui Sky is the first book in the Maui Island series by Kellie Coates Gilbert. It is the story of Ava Briscoe and her four children as they deal with the loss of a loved one and a betrayal that will shake them to the core. Ava Briscoe’s strength and resilience will be put to the test. Christel is the oldest Briscoe child and the foundation that she trusted to stand firm will be shaken. Katie is a wife, mother and businesswoman, she yearns for a chance to shine. Aiden makes a living rescuing people in trouble but can he rescue his family when they need him the most? Lastly, Shane, the baby, has been tagged as the ne'er-do-well. He does what he can to live up to it but deep down he wishes for the chance to prove his worth. Will they find a way to come together, stronger than ever? Or will this secret break them beyond repair?

With the beautiful tropical island atmosphere, Under the Maui Sky is an emotional ride of grief, heartache, and devastation. It is a story that will have readers quickly turning the pages to the end. It is a story that takes hold and will not let go. A dark secret is revealed that will turn their grief and heartache to anger. Ms. Coates Gilbert has an amazing ability to capture families and their dynamics. The reactions of each character were very authentic. The interactions between the siblings were realistic. I could easily imagine myself and my siblings bickering and bantering the same way. There were moments of tears and moments of laughter. There were moments of shock and despair. I closed the book with tears in my eyes and my heart filled with hope. I look forward to the rest of the series as the Briscoe family continues to deal with their issues. I highly recommend Under the Maui Sky! 

Under the Maui Sky is available in paperback and eBook

Half a Heart: an emotional journey

Half a Heart by Karen McQuestion is a story of a little boy who has lived in a very rough situation and when the chance to run came, he took it. At 9 years old, Logan Weber knows the routine: keep quiet, make the food last and don’t cause trouble. He does whatever it takes to avoid the rages of his violent father. One day, he runs away and ends up in another state. Alone in an unfamiliar place and relying on his instincts and the kindness of strangers, Logan manages to find a safe place to hide. Hoping for one more day, Logan manages to catch the attention of Joanne Dembiec and Paul and Laura Sutton, neighbors who, in their own way, help him. Will Logan finally find a safe and loving home? Or will he be taken back to face the anger of his father?

Karen McQuestion can always be counted on to provide an emotional journey with a heart wrenching story filled with suspenseful moments. Half a Heart is an emotional journey of a little boy who has been abused and neglected. He finally sees a way out and he takes it, with not much thought of where to go or what to do next. A child who has learned to fend for himself, Logan is quite resourceful when he needs food, shelter and other necessities. It is heartbreaking that a child learns to be so independent through such horrific circumstances. I enjoyed Half a Heart as a story of one child’s resilience and his ability to affect the lives of the adults around him, especially the older Joanne Dembiec, who seems to be on her way to being a cranky and unpleasant neighbor. I recommend Half a Heart. 

Half a Heart is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

Into the Blue: the emotional journey of healing and coming to terms with the past

 Into the Blue is the third and final book in Kay Bratt’s By The Sea series. Jules Monroe is a woman who isn’t afraid of hard work and, with dedication, has built a life for herself and her family. Now in her late fifties, she continues to give selflessly to her husband, her kids, her grandchildren as well as their family owned business and community. But everything comes to a halt when her body seemingly tells her enough and she must allow her mind and body the rest it desperately needs. Her oldest son, Jonah, is a veteran who continues to be haunted by a childhood tragedy in which the family lost their beloved Nama. When his sister, Kira, goes missing, Jonah must rely on the kindness of strangers to help find her. A beautiful paradise, Maui is also a place where ancient superstitions threaten to rob the Monroe family yet again of their happiness and their future. Will they be able to finally put the island spirits to rest and repair the damage done? 

The By The Sea series has been an emotional journey and Into the Blue is the final emotional battle before we say goodbye to the Monroe family and their community on the beautiful Maui. It is a beautiful story of healing. Healing from the physical, the spiritual and the emotional scars of the past and present. It is a story of family and coming together in good times and in emergencies. It was great to see all the characters from the first two books and see how they have come together as family and friends. I loved that Jules discovers to find the miracles out the tragedies. To see the renewal and growth after the hardships and heartache. It is hard to say goodbye to the Monroe family and the magical paradise where they live. But Into the Blue is a fitting and satisfying ending to a wonderful series. I highly recommend Into the Blue as well as the first two books of the series, True to Me and No Place Too Far. 

Into the Blue will be available in paperback and eBook on March 19, 2021

True to Me and No Place Too Far are available now in paperback and eBook