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

The True Love Bookshop: enemies to friends to something more?

The True Love Bookshop is the third book in the Somerset Lake series by Annie Rains. Tess Lane owning Lakeside Books has been a dream come true. She hosts a weekly book club there that has been her lifeline since her husband, Jared's sudden death three years ago. She’s ready to start a new chapter in her life, to finally move on until River Harrison shows up at the store. All her lingering unanswered questions come back. River is a former Marine turned private investigator. He is a reminder of everything she has lost. She tries to ignore him, but she soon realizes River is the key to finally getting the answers she needs. Together, they embark on a journey of discovery. Is she really ready for the answers she’s looking for? Once she knows, there’s no going back. Despite her misgivings, she forges forward and even finds joy and laughter in her life again. Can Tess find the strength to forgive, let go of the past and find love again? 

Annie Rains is a new author to me and I love the cover of this book that I picked it up. I didn’t realize that it is the third in the series and worried that it would affect my understanding. There were references to the previous two books, it didn’t overwhelm this story or my enjoyment. From the beginning, I felt for Tess and her struggles to move forward from her husband’s death. When River stumbles into her bookstore, she can’t quite be heartless and refuse his pleas for help. I enjoyed the chemistry and history between Tess and River. I also enjoyed that their story wasn’t a typical, formulaic romance. There were real issues that were discussed but didn’t magically disappear as their relationship grew from enemies to friends to maybe more? I even enjoyed the supporting cast. Overall, I truly enjoyed The True Love Bookshop and look forward to going back to the first two books and reading any future books in the series. I recommend The True Love Bookshop. 

The True Love Bookshop is available in paperback and eBook

Love's Healing Power: a short but sweet romance about faith through troubled times

Love’s Healing Power by Margaret Daley is the first book in the New Beginnings series. Tess Morgan is a nurse on the Pediatric floor of a Denver hospital when she meets Peter “Mac” MacPherson, former football running back and local celebrity. Tess is dealing with the sudden and tragic death of her husband while Mac is raising his three-year-old daughter after the death of his wife. Mac senses Tess is hiding a deep pain and is immediately drawn to her and a desire to help her. Tess reluctantly is drawn into Mac’s world, his family and finds herself falling in love with Mac and his family. She also finds herself confronting her guilt and pain toward her husband’s death. Mac is also hiding his own sense of guilt about his wife’s death. Can Tess come to terms with her husband’s death as well as the new direction her life seems to be taking? Can she open herself up to God again? Can Mac and Tess find peace with God?

Love’s Healing Power is a short but sweet romance story as Tess and Mac, both hurting in their own ways, met and together they confront their pasts and their possible future together. The main theme of the story is faith through difficult times as well as confront problems, rather than running from them. My favorite quote of the book is from Mac to Tess, he tells her, “Running away from your problems isn’t the best solution. They’ll only follow you and take you down.” I enjoyed Mac and Tess and loved their story together. Although everything seemed to happen fast without a sense if any time has passed, the main enjoyment stays the same. If you are looking for a quiet read, I recommend Love’s Healing Power.

Love’s Healing Power

is available in eBook

Almost Forever: not quite the story I was hoping for

Almost Forever by Deborah Raney is the first book in the Hanover series. It is the story of a community trying to move on in the aftermath of a tragedy. Bryn Hennesey is volunteering late one night at a local homeless shelter when a massive fire breaks out. Her husband, Adam, is a firefighter who responds to the call. The fire quickly gets out of control and five firefighters lose their life including Adam. In the days following the fire, Bryn must deal with her grief as well as her guilt as her last words spoken to Adam were in anger and a lie. Garrett Edmonds lost his wife, Molly, in the fire and, along with Bryn and the other spouses who lost his loved ones, they must learn to start over in life. As the investigators search for the cause of the fire, Bryn may hold the answer to all they need to know. Will she able to tell the truth she knows? Will Garrett be able to face life without his wife? Will they ever find the truth behind the fire?

I love stories about firefighters. They are the ultimate heroes in my book. So, when Almost Forever was suggested to me, I grabbed it. The previous book I read by Deborah Raney had me on the edge of my seat and I was eager to read another. However, this story stalled after the opening chapter. I found myself not caring for Bryn. Her constant internal whining was annoying. Even Garrett was hard to like. He talks about not liking his wife’s job, then why would you marry a woman who wanted to be a firefighter?!?!? I understand being stressed and worried that your spouse could get hurt on the job, but it is something you know before. I found myself questioning certain character behaviors and decisions. Like why would the wife of a firefighter, a lieutenant no less, would operate a business that wasn’t up to code? There are so many more example that by the time I finished reading I was cheering “it’s about time!” and that’s not how I usually end books, even when it was a book I end up not caring for. When a book is this tedious to read, despite the high reviews from other readers, it’s hard to recommend it.

Almost Forever

is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Light in the Hallway: how do you move on when your spouse dies?

The Light in the Hallway by Amanda Prowse is a story of life after the death of a spouse and how does one move on? The story opens in 1992 with 10-year-old Nick Bairstow, along with his best friends, Eric and Alex, has begged his father for a bike only to be horribly disappointed. Fast forward 25 years, Nick is begging his 18-year-old son, Oliver “Olly” to come with him but her refuses. So, Nick goes alone. Where is he going? The hospital where his wife, Kerry, is dying of cancer. He arrives in time to say goodbye. Soon the doors of grief close in on Nick and he is not sure what do to. But life must go one as Olly heads to university and Nick finds a way to come home to an empty house. At every turn, he is criticized by his sister-in-law, Diane, for various missteps and bad behavior on his and Olly’s part. At one point, Nick confesses, “It seems I can’t do right for doing wrong, where they are all concerned.” What is the protocol for moving on? What are the steps to get on with one’s life when their loved one dies? Throughout the book, the story flashbacks to the summer of 1992 when Nick begins to learn important life lessons and connects to the new life lessons he learns in the present.

The Light in the Hallway is the fourth book I have read by Ms. Prowse. While it’s not my favorite (I still love The Food of Love (2016)), I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I found myself very protective of Nick as he tries to navigate life after Kerry’s death. I wanted to give Diane a piece of my mind when she criticized Nick for “moving on too fast” after Kerry’s death. But was he really? How long is he supposed to stay in mourning? I cheered when he finally gets the courage to stand up to her and tell her off. There was one moment when I cried my eyes out. I can’t discuss it further, but it is very significant to the story and it was very touching. I highly recommend The Light in the Hallway. It is a moving story of how one moves on after a death. Life truly does go on.

The Light in the Hallway

is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The Best Kind of People: the aftermath of horrible accusations

The Best Kind of People by Zoe Whittall is the story of one family’s journey after their seemingly idyllic life is torn apart. George Woodbury saved the life of his daughter and countless other kids at the Avalon Hills Prep school when he tackled an armed man whose goal was to kill. He became the school’s hero and the town’s favorite son. A few years later, that image would be stained when he is arrested for sexual misconduct with a minor. He is sent to jail pending trial. Meanwhile his wife, Joan, his son, Andrew and his daughter, Sadie, must deal with the aftermath of his arrest. The town becomes split in two as one half vilifies George and the other half supports and refuses to believe such charges. Each tries to do their best to move on with their lives and support their husband and father. But as more and more information comes out, they each have their doubts about his guilt or innocence. As the family moves closer and closer to the trial, the ties that bind them together are getting frayed. Is George innocent? Is he being set up? Is he guilty? How will they get on with their lives?

The Best Kind of People is an interesting book with an in-depth, no-holds-bar look into what happens to a family when serious accusations are made. When we hear about someone being arrested for sexual crimes such as the ones portrayed in the book, we often forget about the family. The wife who may or may not have known what was going on. His children who must consider the fact that their father could be guilty. The story is told from the perspective of Joan, Andrew and Sadie as the days past and the reader gets insight into each character and their thoughts, feelings and reactions to the events going on around them. I highly recommend The Best Kind of People. It will make you stop and think about how adults interact with teens and what can be seen as inappropriate or simply innocent.

The Best Kind of People

will be available September 19, 2017

in hardcover and eBook

Faithful: one woman's journey from the depths of despair

Faithful by Alice Hoffman is the story of one woman’s struggle to regain her life after a tragedy leaves her wishing the outcome was completely different. Shelby Richmond was in a terrible car accident during her senior year of high school, which left her friend, Helene in a coma. As Shelby struggles with survivor’s guilt, mental breakdown and a suicide attempt, she begins to receive a series of postcards with simple messages. Messages of encouragement and inspiration. She decides to start fresh, moves to New York City with her boyfriend, Ben Mink, and tries to discover what she wants in life. She gets a job at a local pet store, she befriends a coworker and all the while still receiving the postcard messages. She goes through a few breakups, twists and turns and begins to rebuild her life. Will Shelby be able to leave her guilt behind? Who is sending the postcards?

Faithful is a wonderful story of life after a tragedy. The struggle with survivor’s guilt is portrayed with very realistic details. As Shelby is pulled back into the land of the living, learning to love herself again and others as a result. I enjoyed the reveal of the mysterious postcard writer. I loved the “in your face” grittiness of Shelby’s story. It’s an excellent book and I highly, highly recommend it.

Faithful

will be available November 1, 2016

on Amazon and Barnes and Noble

in all formats

Everything we keep: one woman's search for the truth

Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale is a story of one woman’s belief that her fiance, James, wasn’t dead and her determination to figure out why everyone tries to convince her otherwise. The story opens in July on what was supposed to be Aimee Tierney’s wedding day. Now it’s a funeral. She struggles to move on with her life as sudden changes occur around her. Her parents sell their restaurant leaving her without a job. Her favorite café closes. She meets Ian, a handsome photographer. One day, she decides to open her own café as she always dream she would. As her friends, family and Ian help her realize her dream. But as she moves on, she still can’t shake the feeling that James was still alive. She goes on a mission to find out the truth surrounding James’ death. Is James alive? Will she find out the truth? Will she be able to move on with the new life she’s built?

Everything We Keep is an excellent story. I enjoyed Aimee’s story from grief to a new life. I felt her journey was very real and emotional. Readers will grieve with Aimee as she struggles with life after James. Readers will rejoice as she fulfills her dream and maybe even finds new love. Readers will cheer with Aimee as she is determined to find out the truth despite the opposition from others. Without giving too much away, it was highly suspenseful and it definitely had an ending I was not expecting. I highly, highly recommend Everything We Keep!

Everything We Keep

Is available at major booksellers

In paperback, audiobook and Kindle

Part 3: The long goodbye

One year later, she stood at the gravesite once again. She stands taller than she had before. A newer confidence held her head high. She reads the inscription and smiles. “Hi my loves. I’ve come to say goodbye. I will never understand how I lost you both but knowing you are together helps past the days until I can be reunited with you. Every day I have to learn how to say goodbye and I know it will take a lifetime. There’s no life for me here anymore that you are gone. Friends don’t know how to act around me so they no longer call or invite me places. I guess I understand that. I no longer fit in their world. They’ve found new friends with children their kids’ age. They have moved on and so must I. I know they still care for me but I’m a reminder that life doesn’t always work out like you hope and dream. I’m moving home to Mom’s. There’s a job opening there and it would be a fresh start that I know you would want me to take.”

She lays flowers down and lovingly caresses the granite. She got up, turning to walk away. At the office door, she sees the funeral director, she smiles and waves. He gives her a salute as if to say “I’ll take care of them.” She walks away with one final look at the gravestone. “Goodbye, my loves. I take your memory with me” she whispers as she turns around to start a new chapter in her life.

John Michael Harrison

March 3, 1988 - October 29, 2012

John Michael Harrison, Jr.

October 29, 2012

Father and Son together forever

Dedicated to all our loved ones who are gone but never forgotten!