Living Lies by Natalie Walters

Book Summary:

In the little town of Walton, Georgia, everybody knows your name–but no one knows your secret. At least that’s what Lane Kent is counting on when she returns to her hometown with her five-year-old son. Dangerously depressed after the death of her husband, Lane is looking for hope. What she finds instead is a dead body.

Lane must work with Walton’s newest deputy, Charlie Lynch, to uncover the truth behind the murder. But when that truth hits too close to home, she’ll have to decide if saving the life of another is worth the cost of revealing her darkest secret.

Debut novelist Natalie Walters pulls you to the edge of your seat on the first page and keeps you there until the last in this riveting story that will have you believing no one is defined by their past.

 

My Thoughts:

First of all this cover is phenomenal!  I am more persuaded by a good cover on a book than any book blurb on the back!  This cover is amazing!  It catches your eye, but after reading this book, it also portrays a scene in the book!  I love that!

The first pages of this book have the shock factor that I really look for in a romantic suspense novel!  Don’t worry, this review will be spoiler free!  The reader is instantly drawn into what is happening and things are set in motion that will propel the story throughout the remainder of the book! How is that for being vague and non-spoilerish?

Several of the characters in this book are dealing with serious issues that come to light within the course of this murder investigation.  The struggles these characters face  shapes their mindset about the circumstances going on in their small town and leads to conflicts, misunderstanding and even fear.

Lane in particular was more difficult for me to connect with as a character.  She is reserved, defeated, and really someone who retreated into herself and had to be drawn out. I think her character was written very true to her circumstance.   Her particular struggles didn’t lend themselves to a bubbly personality, or someone who is  easy to get to know and love. Charlie slowly unraveled her defenses and was willing to really patiently allow her to feel secure enough to share her true self with him, struggles and all.

The conclusion of this book is packed with answers that provide a clear picture of motivations and reveal the killer!  And, of course there is the threat of danger as everything comes to light!  No spoilers!  However, there may be a very intense scene, and there may be shots fired!  That’s all I am going to say, go read it and see for yourself!

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Living Lies or learn more about Natalie Walters, visit the links below!

Amazon: Living Lies by Natalie Walters

https://www.nataliewalterswriter.com/

 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher.  I was not required to leave a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Sweet On You by Becky Wade

Book Summary:

Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who’s spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He’s achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him–Britt’s heart.

When Zander’s uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle’s tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?

My Thoughts:

Giddy squeal!  Britt’s story is finally out and it was just as amazing as I hoped it would be!  I have adored The Bradford Sisters series by Becky Wade.  Maybe because I am part of a 3 sister group, or mostly because these books have been perfection!  Britt’s story is the final book in the series and it did not disappoint!  The friends fall in love approach to this romance was fun and I loved it!  Zander might be my favorite hero of the series.  Gasp…I know.  Sorry John, you need to step aside for Zander.  I loved him. His introverted personality was something I could totally identify with and his hard upbringing made me want to hug him!  The friendship that Zander and Britt had was effortless and so genuine, I loved seeing their chemistry together!

Someone should have warned me that I needed to stock up on chocolate before I started  this book! Britt is a chocolatier and it was really fun to read all the chocolate creations she concocted during this story. However, reading about all the truffles and chocolates will give anyone a major chocolate craving, so if you are going to read this book, just run to the store really quickly, grab some chocolate….you will thank me later!

Apart from the adorable romance in this book there is also a mystery element!  And it was quite the mystery!  It really kept me guessing until the end!  I was so intrigued as Britt and Zander pieced together bits of information and worked to solve this mystery.  There were some intense situations that had me anxious and on the edge of my seat!

Britt’s character had to tackle some things and do a fair amount of growing in this story.  And sweet Zander was there for all of it.  My favorite scene happens toward the end of the story.   No spoilers!  She’s alone in the kitchen and after that….you will know when you get there!  That scene was impeccably written.  I still can’t get over it!

Obviously I really loved this book!  It had humor, mystery, characters with true depth and the sweetest romance!  It really was the perfectly well rounded contemporary romance novel and the perfect end to this series.  Would I recommend this book to readers?  Yes!  Over and over I would annoyingly pester you to read this book. Read it now!  Have you read it yet?  You won’t be disappointed!

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Sweet On You or learn more about Becky Wade, visit the links below!

Amazon: Sweet On You

https://beckywade.com/home/

 

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher.  I was not required to write a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

 

Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes

Book Summary:

In the wake of WWII, a grieving fisherman submits a poem to a local newspaper asking readers to send rocks in honor of loved ones to create something life-giving, but the building halts when tragedy strikes. Decades later, Annie returns to the coastal Maine town where stone ruins spark her curiosity and her search for answers faces a battle against time.

 

My Thoughts:

I am having trouble adequately expressing the ranges of emotions that this book gave me.  I think that it is truly rare to come across a debut novel which is so beautiful and moving.   Amanda Dykes is exceptionally gifted with storytelling and descriptive writing.  Her words lure you into her story and allow the images and emotions written on the pages to just settle into your soul as the story unfolds.  This story is so thought provoking and inspiring!  I loved it!  Ok, here is all the honesty…I cried like ten times while reading this book.  Happy tears, sad tears, sappy tears, all the tears.  This novel had so many layers that combined together in all the right ways to create such a memorable book.  As someone who has dealt with loss, I really connected with the way it was represented in this story.  This book is a total five star read, but more than that it is memorable.  Whose Waves These Are is going to stick with me.  I absolutely recommend this novel!  It was every bit as good as I anticipated and I am eagerly anticipating whatever comes next from Amanda Dykes!

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Whose Waves These Are or learn more about Amanda Dykes, visit the links below!

Amazon: Whose Waves These Are

http://amandadykes.com/

 

*I received  a complimentary copy of this book by the Publisher. I was not required to leave a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

P.S. Goodbye by Tari Faris

 

Book Summary:

What if a woman who’s all about the goals and plans falls in love with man who no longer believes his life has a purpose? A novice life coach needs to cement her reputation with one great success story. When a wounded ex-Army officer walks in looking for a job, she decides to work with him—a win-win for them both.

​If Caroline Williams had her way, she’d help everyone in town find their purpose in life—unfortunately, no one seems to want her help. But she refuses to give up, and her new status as a certified life coach should provide her with some badly needed credibility. All she needs is her first client. When Grant Quinn walks in looking for a job, Caroline knows he needs more than that—he needs a new plan for his life. But when Grant refuses to be honest about his dreams and his struggles, Caroline’s business might come crashing down before it starts.

Wounded former Special Forces operator Grant Quinn understood the cost when he enlisted and served his country with pride. The scars on his face are reminders of what he lost, but he is moving on—now if he could just convince his family that he’s fine. When Caroline steps back into his life and offers to help find him a job in exchange for being her Guinea pig in her new life coaching business, he agrees. After all, what better way to show his family he’s okay than with a new, stable job? But when the anxiety he’s been running from ruins his one interview, his plans come crashing down. Can he trust Caroline enough to be honest about everything?

My Thoughts:

Love, love, love! When your trusted Bookstagram friend tells you something is a a must read, it’s a good bet you are going to love it!  This novella was exactly what I love, and exactly what I look for in a contemporary romance.  I was instantly drawn into the story and totally connected to the characters from the start.  The dialogue between the characters was really where the magic in this story was for me.  Grant and Caroline have a history, which after encountering each other years later leads to a range of emotions and a lot of romantic chemistry!  I loved the writing style of this author!  I thought things played out perfectly!  The perfect amount of conflict, character growth, romance, humor, and I was thrilled with the conclusion of this one!  Tari Faris is going to added to my contemporary romance author favorites, I am predicting.  I cannot wait for the full length novel You Belong With Me which features some characters that popped up in the novella and also takes place in the town where the novella is set, Heritage.  Do yourself a favor and download this free novella!  I am pretty sure you are going to love it!

Want a free copy of this novella?  Visit the author’s website and sign up to be a part of her email list and she will send you a link to download this novella for FREE?  (I honestly can’t believe this novella is free, its seriously really good, quality writing, and I totally would have paid for it…but, its free, so go grab it, read it and then we will chat!)

Link below!!!

https://www.tarifaris.com/

 

No discalaimer today friends!  I am just this crazy about this novella.  No one told me to write a review, no one gave me anything for saying nice things.  I seriously just really enjoyed this novella and would love all my bookish friends to read it so we can giggle and gush over all the things!

 

The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Book Summary:

Cornwall, England, 1811
Blamed for her husband’s death, Cordelia Greythorne fled Cornwall and accepted a governess position to begin a new life. Years later her employer’s unexpected death and his last request to watch over his five children force her to reevaluate. She can’t abandon the children now that they’ve lost both parents, but their new guardian lives at the timeworn Penwythe Hall . . . back on the Cornish coast she tries desperately to forget.

Jac Trethewey is determined to revive Penwythe Hall’s once-flourishing apple orchards, and he’ll stop at nothing to see his struggling estate profitable again. He hasn’t heard from his brother in years, so when his nieces, nephews, and their governess arrive unannounced at Penwythe Hall, he battles both grief of this brother’s death and bewilderment over this sudden responsibility. Jac’s priorities shift as the children take up residence in the ancient halls, but their secretive governess—and the mystery shrouding her past—proves to be a disruption to his carefully laid plans.

Rich with family secrets, lingering danger, and the captivating allure of new love, this first book in the Cornwall Novels series introduces us to the Twethewey family and their search for peace, justice, and love on the Cornish coast.

My Thoughts:

Sarah Ladd has written another beautifully descriptive Regency novel!  The Governess of Penwythe Hall had a different feel from other Sarah Ladd books that I have previously read.  It was a more slow paced, character centered book I felt.  The relationships between the orphaned children and Deila as well as Jac really made this story rich. I loved that Jac was a man who labored alongside his workers, it made him more approachable and I respected him for it.  Deilia’s past is filled with such heartache that you are anxious for her to get a happy ending. I felt that there was more emphasis placed on winning the children’s affections and making them feel secure than on the pursuit of romance between the characters.  I didn’t mind that a bit!  It showed a great deal about Jac and Deilia in the way that they cared for the Tretheweay children.  Delia’s vaugue past adds a bit of mystery and the hint of danger is always lurking.  As with all Sarah Ladd books there was a bit of suspense and some danger as the story concluded!  No spoilers!   I was happily satisfied with the ending!

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Governess of Penwythe Hall or learn more about Sarah E. Ladd, visit the links below!

Amazon: The Governess of Penwythe Hall

https://sarahladd.com/

 

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The Golden Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

Book Summary:

The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues when Olivia Brighton finds herself widowed and working her brother’s restaurant in San Francisco during the height of the rush for gold. Even though she receives at least twenty marriage proposals a day, she will never marry a gold miner. Her brother’s friend Joseph Sawyer has gotten caught up in local politics and the plight of Chinese in forced labor. The more Joseph gets pulled into investigating crime in the city, the less Olivia sees of the compassionate man. And just when she thinks she could love again, a fire threatens to steal all hope.

 

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this latest novel in The Daughters of the Mayflower series.  I thought that the story was interesting and the characters were easy to like.  Olivia was a great heroine and I really loved how strong and resilient she was.  I loved that this book had a heavy faith element and that the character’s were burdened for their lost city.  I enjoyed that Olivia and Joseph created a strong friendship before they shared any romance, it made their relationship more genuine.  I enjoyed that journals from Olivia’s ancestors made an appearance in this book, it really helped to connect this book to the series.  The Golden Bride was a great addition to this series!

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Golden Bride or learn more about Kimberly Woodhouse, visit the links below!

Amazon: The Golden Bride

https://kimberleywoodhouse.com/

 

*I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The Artful Match by Jennifer Delamere

Book Summary:

At loose ends in 1881, Cara Bernay befriends a carefree artist, the brother of the handsome but infuriating Henry Burke, the Earl of Morestowe. Recognizing the positive influence Cara has on his brother, Henry invites her to accompany them back to their estate. When secrets on both sides come out, Cara devises a bold plan with consequences for her heart.

 

My Thoughts:

The Artful Match is the third book in the London Beginnings series, and tells Cara Bernay’s story.  I found this book really hard to get interested in compared to the previous books in this series.  I think that I mostly did not care for Cara as a character and it made it difficult for me to connect with this particular story.  I also felt like the group of “bohemian” artists and their lifestyle really gave this book a weird vibe from the start.  It seemed very scandalous for this particular time period for unmarried men and women to live together and work together.  Cara embraced this non-traditional living situation without pause and it caused me to question her character.  I just did not care for this particular story or the way the characters were written, basically this just wasn’t the book for me.  I was happy that at the conclusion of the book that all of the story lines of this series were wrapped up nicely.   I would encourage and Historical Fiction fans to read the book blurb and if this book sounds interesting to you then most definitely give it a try!  Each book affects readers differently and I think this book could definitely interest the right reader.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Artful Match or learn more about Jennifer Delamere, visit the links below!

Amazon: The Artful Match

https://jenniferdelamere.com/

* I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.