Review: Snakes in the Garden by Victoria Roberts and C.A. Roberts

Goodreads Blurb

Following in the footsteps of her late father, Annella Poley is an assassin for the Crown. She’s determined to avenge her father’s death, no matter what the cost. But then a brawny Highland captain crosses her path and helps her uncover secrets of her past that might save her future…unless she kills him first.

Marcus Grant would rather be anywhere other than the English court. When his laird orders him to follow a mysterious woman who can fight as well as any man, he’s trapped in the last place he wants to be. Marcus knows Annella is not to be trusted, and he plans to expose what she’s been hiding—but that’s before he risks everything by falling in love.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Victoria Roberts partnered with her daughter to write an amazing book that has girl power written all over it. I love to have a heroine who fights like a man and isn’t intimidated. It was great to have the English and Scottish being not just protective but a family. This book had some tragic moments of loss, which scars Annella at an early age and is guided with revenge for what occurred. This is another great book by Victoria. Don’t miss out.

Author Biography

Award-winning author Victoria Roberts writes Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was the recipient of the 2013 RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Medieval Historical Romance for X MARKS THE SCOT, as well as the 2014 BTS Book Reviews Red Carpet award for Best Historical and Best Book of the Year for MY HIGHLAND SPY.

Represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, several local chapters, in addition to being a contributing author to the online magazine CELTIC GUIDE.

Victoria resides in western Pennsylvania with her husband of twenty two years and their two beautiful children–not to mention one spoiled dog. When she’s not plotting her next Scottish adventure, she’s dragging her clan to every Scottish festival under the sun. Please visit Victoria at VictoriaRobertsAuthor.com.

Current Read: A Wedding in Lake Como by Jennifer Probst

Goodreads Blurb

A destination wedding in Italy’s Lake Como brings three best friends back together to face the secrets of the past in this romantic novel from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

Best friends Ava, Madison, and Chelsea made a pact to reunite for each other’s weddings when their careers sent them in different directions. But after one of them makes a choice that tears the group apart, an upcoming wedding might be their last chance to heal old wounds.

Ava is about to marry the man she loves in a lavish ceremony on the shores of Lake Como, but she’s haunted by the mistakes she’s made.

Madison’s made a name for herself as an influencer in the fashion world but is threatened by a scandal impacting everything she holds dear.

And Chelsea has the perfect family she always craved, but her professional dreams have fallen by the wayside.

As they return to Italy’s gorgeous coast, the three women revisit their life-changing first trip to Lake Como during college. When Madison comes face-to-face with the college sweetheart who was at the heart of one of the most pivotal times of her life, can they forge a new way forward?

Author Biography

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She holds a masters in English Literature and lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. Her family keeps her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. Her passions include horse racing, Scrabble, rescue dogs, Italian food, and wine—not necessarily in that order.

She is the NYT, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, spent 26 weeks on the NY Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases at http://www.jenniferprobst.com. Sign up of her newsletter at http://www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a free book.

Review: Eligible: A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice by Curtis Sittenfeld

Goodreads Blurb

This version of the Bennet family and Mr. Darcy is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend, neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy, reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . . And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

It is truly a remarkable book. When reality hits close to the heart. Loved that the author has brought topics and issues that we all currently encounter in our society today. It made the story feel like anyone one of us is part of Bennett’s family. I was so happy to be able to read another story that reminded me so much of Pride and Prejudice, but each character had a flaw, unlike the original. Was in love with the original, but this book made life so much more real, colorful, powerful, and enlightening. I’m hoping to see this stort turned into a movie.

Author Biography

Curtis Sittenfeld is the New York Times bestselling author of six novels, including Rodham, Eligible, Prep, American Wife, and Sisterland, as well as the collection You Think It, I’ll Say It. Her books have been translated into thirty languages. In addition, her short stories have appeared in The New Yorker, The Washington Post Magazine, Esquire, and The Best American Short Stories, for which she has also been the guest editor. Her nonfiction has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, and Vanity Fair, and on public radio’s This American Life.

Cover Reveal: The Cartagena Cartel by T.C. Roberts

BOOK DETAILS:

The Cartagena Cartel
by T.C. Roberts
(The Misadventures of a Modern-Day Nomad, #2)
Publication date: August 15, 2024
Genres: Adult, Crime, Humor

Synopsis:

Archie, a heartbroken young man who has skipped bail, embarks on his first adventure as a wannabe digital nomad. Seeking new beginnings in the romantic old town of Cartagena, Colombia, he hopes to find love once more. But Cartagena is far from the idyllic escape he envisioned.

Instead, Archie attracts all the wrong kinds of trouble, hitting rock bottom in a foreign land, completely broke. Alone and desperate, he strikes a risky deal with a charming local street hustler, Christian, hoping to impress the enigmatic “Pocahontas” who could be his only saviour to make it out of Cartagena alive.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214162135-the-cartagena-cartel

AUTHOR BIO:

This author also writes as Tim Roberts
T.C. Roberts is the author of the non-fiction title, Goodbye Office, Hello World!, the novel, Highly Flawed Individual, and the forthcoming graphic novel Killer Sexbot. Originally from Sydney, Tim has no fixed address and considers himself a citizen of the world. When he is not writing, he’s traveling and exploring new places, or seeking out his next destination.

Author links:

Home

https://www.facebook.com/DigiDrifter

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/45251509.T_C_Roberts

Series Cover Reveal: Love on Thin Ice Series

BOOK DETAILS:

Love on Thin Ice Series
Authors: Anne Kemp, Ellie Hall, Elsie Woods, Grace Worthington, Kate O’Keeffe, Melissa Baldwin, Whitney Dineen
(Love on Thin Ice, #1-7)
Publication date: 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis (all individual blurbs are attached):

Love is on thin ice this fall in this seven-book closed-door hockey romcom series, featuring a charming small town with all the cozy autumn essentials. Tropes include: second chances, grumpy sunshine, best friend’s brother, friends to love, enemies to love, and more. From swoony heroes to sweet kisses, this feel-good collection of romantic comedies that stand alone but are interwoven in a shared story world are sure to warm your heart.

This 7-book series includes:
Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen  
The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe
The Friend Faceoff by Grace Worthington
Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin
The Parent Playbook by Elsie Woods
Love at First Skate by Ellie Hall
In the Penalty Box by Anne Kemp

Here’s the pre-order links for each book:
Whitney Dineen: https://mybook.to/BreakingtheIce

Kate O’Keeffe:  https://books2read.com/TheReboundPlayt

Grace Worthington: https://books2read.com/friendfaceoff

Melissa Baldwin: https://books2read.com/u/bPl6xR

Elsie Woods: https://books2read.com/TheParentPlaybook

Ellie Hall: https://books2read.com/LAFS

Anne Kemp: https://books2read.com/PenaltiesandProposals

Review: Grimm’s Furry Tail by Kathi Daley

Goodreads Blurb

A cozy mystery series set on Madrona Island, a fictional island within the San Juan Islands off the coast of Washington State. As a fourth generation islander, Caitlin Hart is struggling to make her way as the economy and culture of the island evolves toward a tourism based industry. Cait lives in a cabin on her aunt’s oceanfront estate where she helps her aunt run Harthaven Cat Sanctuary. When she isn’t working with the cats, she helps best friend Tara, operate the coffee bar/bookstore/cat lounge they own, named Coffee Cat Books. In the third book in the series, Cait’s friend Cody buys the old newspaper and discovers a previously unpublished edition that details a murder that occurred decades ago. The fact that the story was written but never published piques the curiosity of the friends, who decide to delve into a cold case that reaches back fifty years. When the truth is discovered they struggle with the ramifications of what they have uncovered. They know that revealing it will rock the small island community to its core.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Another amazing book written by Kathi. I really loved how the cat was used to try to help in the case. Emily did a great job in solving the case. She goes straight to the hurricane without looking back in order to find justice. I was hoping that her and Cody were going to get back together. Guess I would have to find out in the next book if it happens. This book has an amazing cover. As I read, I kept on trying to decipher who the killer was. It had some shocking moments that I didn’t expect.

Author Biography

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she’s not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Review: Soul Surrender by Kathi Daley

Goodreads Blurb

Now that Zak and Zoe have their house, their lives, and their wedding back, things seem to be on track once again, until a man is found dead and Zoe is once again pulled into a murder investigation. The victim is a well known and liked member of the community who didn’t appear to have any enemies until his secret past caught up with him. Zak and Zoe work together to find the killer while Zoe deals with the fact that Levi and Ellie seem to be imploding before her very eyes. Meanwhile Alex shares a shocking piece of news which causes Zak and Zoe to consider taking a huge step which could forever alter their future.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Best book ever as I sit here crying. I really enjoyed this book. I loved that it started off with a death scene right of the bat. I really enjoyed the romance between Zoe and Zak. Zak is the perfect boyfriend ever. He loves to help children who are in need and just keeps on surprising Zoe. I was in tears when he drove her to the land in which he thinks of purchasing in order to build a school. He is just charming. I was cracking up with Nona riding a motorcycle with her pink leather jacket. She is also full of surprises. She has no shame while she is outside half naked doing yoga. I was just laughing when she popped out a cigar from her bra. You just never know when you’ll need a cigar. Was so happy that they both did their personal vows. It was just perfect. Can’t wait to see how the honeymoon is going to go.

Author Biography

Kathi lives with her husband, kids, grandkids, and dogs in beautiful Lake Tahoe. When she isn’t writing, Kathi likes to read (preferably at the beach or by the fire), cook (preferably something with chocolate or cheese,) and garden (planting and planning not weeding). She also enjoys spending time on the water when she’s not hiking, biking, or snowshoeing, the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home.
Kathi uses the mountain setting in which she lives, along with the animals (wild and domestic) that share her home, as inspiration for her cozy mysteries.

Review: Last Night’s Reading: Illustrated Encounters With Extraordinary Authors by Kate Gavino

Goodreads Blurb

Irresistible illustrations of authors and the charming, wise, and hilarious things they say at their readings

Why do we go to book readings? For a chance to see the authors we love come to life off the page, answering our questions and proving to be the brilliant, witty people we catch glimpses of through their work. Illustrator Kate Gavino captures the wonder of this experience firsthand. At every reading she attends, Kate hand-letters the event’s most memorable quote alongside a charming portrait of the author. In Last Night’s Reading, Kate takes us on her journey through the literary world, sharing illustrated insight from more than one hundred of today’s greatest writers—including Zadie Smith, Junot Diaz, Lev Grossman, Elizabeth Gilbert, and many more—on topics ranging from friendship and humor to creativity and identity. A celebration of authors, reading, and bookstores, this delightful collection is an advice book like no other and a love letter to the joy of seeing your favorite author up close and personal.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

This is a marvelous book that brings together authors’ quotes about life with illustrations of each author. I love that I completely understand the feeling of going to book signings and panels because you are able to dive into the authors’ thoughts and feelings about their works. I truly enjoyed this book. The illustrations perfectly resemble each author. Plus, I loved the wonderful map of NYC that shows all the different book stores and events that I have been to myself.

Author Biography

Kate Gavino is a writer and illustrator. She is the creator of the website, Last Night’s Reading, which was compiled into a published collection by Penguin Books in 2015. Her work has been featured in the New Yorker online, the Believer, BuzzFeed, Oprah.com, and more. She was named one of Brooklyn Magazine’s 30 Under 30. Her second book, Sanpaku, was published by BOOM! Studios in 2018.

Review: Twins for the Bull Rider by April Arrington

Goodreads Blurb

In July 2016, the HARLEQUIN® AMERICAN ROMANCE® series will become the HARLEQUIN® WESTERN ROMANCE series. Same great stories, new name! A SPECIAL COWBOY Cissy Henley is stranded in rural Georgia with her two orphaned nephews, no money and no job. When they’re rescued by a white knight in a Stetson, Cissy knows their stay at Dominic Slade’s family ranch is temporary…even if her growing feelings for the wandering cowboy aren’t. Raintree Ranch was supposed to be a pit stop before Dominic hit the road again. Instead, Cissy and her pint-size twin boys are tempting the champion bull rider to reconnect with his roots and his family. But can he give up the life he knows to be the loving husband and father Cissy deserves?

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I couldn’t put this book down. My heart broke to find out all Cissy had gone through with her twin sister and tried her best to keep her two nephews living a normal life. Loved Cissy’s character. She was independent, strong, determined, and loved her nephews very much. She isn’t one to give up, but even with nothing, she would find a way to make a living for her small family. I loved a lovely story that includes not only a cowboy but a bull rider who has been lonely, and the only way he could escape his past would be bull riding. I was so happy at how this beautiful story ended. I just love me a good romance novel.