Category Archives: Rated B

January 27, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: Marry Me, Millie by Amy Lillard

Title: Marry Me, Millie by Amy Lillard
Paradise Valley Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Amy Lillard’s uplifting new series unites a “Widows Club” of women who share solace, friendship, and faith in the Amish community of Paradise Valley, Missouri . . .

When her young husband died unexpectedly, Millie Bauman thought her life was over too—until she learned she was carrying his child. Now, as she awaits the baby’s arrival, Millie’s sure her future will revolve around motherhood, the B&B she runs with her Aunt Sylvie, and the beloved Whoopie Pies her Widows Club whips up each week. But when a handsome newcomer arrives in town, Millie is intrigued, and the club wonders if Millie might find a second chance at love . . .

Henry King plans to stay in Paradise Valley long enough to take care of some family business, and hopefully mend the heartache of his own lost love. As Henry and Millie cross paths, it’s clear their neighbors are gently trying to play matchmaker. Not wanting to disappoint, the two pretend to play along—but life gets complicated when a true and tender affection grows. As Millie gets ready to welcome her baby, they must rely on faith and fate to decide if they should risk their hearts on love again . . .

Review:

Marry Me, Millie by Amy Lillard is a sweet (in more ways than one!) Amish romance.

Twenty-four-year-old Millie Bauman is beginning a new life following the unexpected death of her husband. She is six months pregnant and recently moved to Paradise Springs to live with her Aunt Sylvie who owns a B&B. Millie has no intention of remarrying but her Aunt Sylvie is cooking up a plan to matchmake her niece with Henry King, who is in town helping his grandfather, Vern. Having his heart broken after his fiancée called off their wedding, Henry is not looking for love either. Will Sylvie and Vern’s matchmaking efforts change either Henry or Millie’s minds?

Millie and Henry are delightful characters who immediately figure out what their loved ones are doing. They agree to be friends and enjoy one another’s company. Millie knows in a few months she will be busy with her new baby. Meanwhile, Henry is hoping to convince his granddad to move out of state to live with him and his father. Believing they have outsmarted their matchmaking family members, what will Henry and Millie do when they realize they have fallen in love with each other?

Marry Me, Millie is an entertaining romance with a heartfelt storyline. Millie is an appealing yet stubborn young woman. Henry is charming, laidback and easy to like. Sylvie and Vern are certain their matchmaking efforts will succeed and they refuse to give up on their plan. Millie and Henry are a wonderful couple but Millie is prone to making decisions without discussing them first with Henry. With late in the story conflict and an unanticipated romance, Amy Lillard brings this delectable love story to a heartwarming conclusion.  Fans of Amish romances are sure to enjoy this first installment in the  Paradise Valley series.

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Filed under Amish, Amy Lillard, Contemporary, Marry Me Millie, Rated B, Review, Romance, Zebra Books

January 24, 2022 · 12:01 am

Review: Forever Home by Elysia Whisler

Title: Forever Home by Elysia Whisler
Dogwood County Series Book Two
Publisher: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

If home is where the heart is, Dogwood County may have just what Delaney Monroe needs

Newly retired from the Marine Corps, Delaney is looking for somewhere to start over. It’s not going to be easy, but when she finds the perfect place to open her dream motorcycle shop, she goes for it. What she doesn’t expect is an abandoned pit bull to come with the building. The shy pup is slow to trust, but Delaney is determined to win it over.

Detective Sean Callahan is smitten from the moment he sees Delaney, but her cool demeanor throws him off his game. When her late father’s vintage motorcycle is stolen from Delaney’s shop, Sean gets to turn up in his element: chasing the bad guy and showing his best self to a woman who’s gotten under his skin in a bad way.

Delaney isn’t used to lasting relationships, but letting love in—both human and canine—helps her see that she may have found a place she belongs, forever.

Review:

Forever Home by Elysia Whisler is a slow-burning romance set in warm, welcoming community. Although this latest release is the second novel in the Dogwood County series, it can be read as a standalone.

After twenty years in the Marines, mechanic Delaney Monroe is putting down roots. She finds the perfect place for her motorcycle shop and her new post-military life. As she is settling in, Delaney is surprised by the off and on appearance of a sweet pit bull. She quickly discovers the former owners abandoned the dog she names Wyatt and the brothers become a thorn in her side.  Still mourning the loss of her beloved father, Delaney plans to enter his vintage motorcycle an upcoming show. When someone steals the motorcycle, Detective Sean Callahan works on her case. The two grow close but will Delaney let him past her formidable defenses?

Sean is still reeling a bit from his divorce so he is a little surprised by how much time he spends thinking about Delaney.  He is not as certain as she is about the thief’s identity since something seems a little odd about the theft. Sean is concerned about the brothers’ continued animosity toward her. Although she can take care of herself, he cannot help but feel protective of her. As they enjoy one another’s company, Sean realizes his feelings from her are growing deeper, but is there are chance for a future with her?

Forever Home is an entertaining romance with appealing characters and adorable canines. Delaney is tough but tender as she settles into civilian life. She is gentle yet firm with a former marine whose path she crossed under difficult circumstances. Sean is charming and not at all put off by Delaney’s sometimes gruff manner. The motorcycle theft is an interesting story arc and ends with a surprising resolution. The community is welcoming and the townspeople are always willing to lend a helping hand. With flawed but likable characters, a sweet romance, and a tantalizing mystery to solve, old and new readers will enjoy Elysia Whisler’s second installment in the Dogwood County series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Dogwood County Series, Elysia Whisler, Forever Home, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B, Review, Romance

December 23, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Devil’s Choir by Martin Michaud

Title: The Devil’s Choir by Martin Michaud
Victor Lessard Series Book Two
Publisher: Dundurn Press
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery
Length: 448 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In this intricate, intense mystery from the acclaimed “master of the Quebec thriller,” the ghosts of Victor Lessard’s past come back to haunt him as he investigates a horrific murder-suicide that doesn’t add up.

When a young Montreal family dies in an orgy of bloody violence, all signs point to a rampage by the father. But Victor Lessard isn’t convinced. The brilliant, brooding detective suspects that others were involved in the killings. But who? And why? As Lessard struggles to solve the puzzle, the discovery of a nightmarish chamber of horrors seems to confirm that the murders are part of a wider pattern.

Meanwhile, in the Major Crimes Unit, Jacinthe Taillon is investigating the strange kidnapping of Laila François, a former street kid turned webcam girl. Could there be a connection with Lessard’s case?

With a ghost from his past making him doubt his own sanity, Lessard must evade the lethal operatives of a powerful, highly secretive organization as he races to untangle the mystery ― before a diabolical killer can strike again.

Review:

The Devil’s Choir by Martin Michaud is a perplexing mystery set in Montreal. Although this newest release is the second installment in the Victor Lessard series, it can be read as a standalone.

Detective Sergeant Victor Lessard is haunted by both his current case and his deceased brother as he works on a suspected murder/suicide. Troubling aspects at the scene include an incredibly high number of flies and shocking self-inflicted wounds in addition to an inexplicable wound on suspected killer John Cook. By all appearances, John murdered his wife and children before taking his own life. Lessard is immediately is thrust back into his past as he tries to prove this case is not as open and shut as it appears.

Meanwhile, there is a secondary story arc involving a young sex worker who goes missing. Laila is in the process of straightening out her life while at the same time fearing someone from her past will find her. When she is initially kidnapped, Laila believes she knows who has taken her, but she quickly realizes she is wrong.

The Devil’s Choir is a multi-layered mystery with a memorable storyline. Lessard is sinking into depression as he loses sleep while trying to figure exactly what happened in the Cook household. The plot is interesting but sometimes a little confusing due to the sheer number of characters. With many unpredictable twists and turns,  Martin Michaud brings this clever mystery to an unanticipated conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Dundurn, Martin Michaud, Mystery, Rated B, Review, The Devil's Choir, Victor Lessard Series

December 20, 2021 · 12:02 am

Review: Return to Sweetheart Lake by Evelyn Jordan

Title: Return to Sweetheart Lake by Evelyn Jordan
Publisher: Alcove Press
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

A sure hit for fans of Jill Shalvis, this complex novel illuminates how the secrets of our past can break us…or make us.

They were from opposite sides of the tracks: the wealthy Nortons and the working-class Michaels family. Yet Gray Norton and Charlie Michaels had become the unlikeliest of best friends, thick as thieves and utterly inseparable.

Consumed with guilt after Charlie’s untimely death, Gray fled his hometown to work as a doctor in a war zone. But Charlie’s demise isn’t the only thing that haunts Gray.

For years, Gray and Romey, Charlie’s sister, had been lovers–and Charlie never knew. Now a single mom, Romey has moved on from her painful relationship with Gray to work on her business, The Crusty Petal bakery. But when Gray returns to reconnect with the family he left behind–and the girl whose heart he broke–Romey’s world comes apart.

Romey has no intention of giving Gray the time of day, much less one of her famous pies. But can she resist the plan Gray has set in motion to make amends and win her back? Both have secrets and painful memories they’ve been harboring for years–but the past always has a way of catching up.

Food, family, and the search for self-acceptance come together in a richly drawn novel of exceptional emotional resonance.

Review:

Return to Sweetheart Lake by Evelyn Jordan is a heartfelt second chance at love romance.

Romey Michaels has not it easy the past few years but she is finally at a good place in her life. She is a single mother to an adorable baby girl and she has opened her own business. Romey works long hours and her hard work is paying off. So, the last thing she needs is the unexpected reappearance of her friend (with benefits) Gray Norton. He disappeared without a word almost two years ago and a lot in her life has changed since then. Romey has no intention of getting involved with him again but will Gray change her mind?

Gray is the only son of wealthy parents who were always too busy for him. After becoming best friends with Romey’s brother Charlie, he spent more time at their house than his. Gray and Romey became fast friends but their attraction has always been too strong to ignore. But their relationship never moved out of the friends with benefit stage nor did they ever take it public. Gray abruptly left to work for Doctors without Borders in order to escape his problems and when he returns, will Romey be willing to give him a second chance?

Return to Sweetheart Lake is a compelling romance with a peaceful setting. The characters are well-rounded and a bit eclectic. The storyline is quite engaging and moves at steady pace. Sweetheart Lake is a small town and some of its residents are small-minded. Romey is initially unwilling to offer much forgiveness after Gray’s return. But circumstances bring them together in unanticipated ways. Lack of communication becomes an issue between them and threatens to derail the progress they have made. Evelyn Jordan brings this marvelous romance to an absolutely heartwarming conclusion.

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Filed under Alcove Press, Contemporary, Evelyn Jordan, Rated B, Return to Sweetheart Lake, Review, Romance

December 14, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Memory Quilt by Lenora Worth

Title: The Memory Quilt by Lenora Worth
The Shadow Lake Series Book One
Publisher: Zebra Books
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Running a historic Inn on beautiful Shadow Lake is a satisfying life for the Amish King sisters. Until love stirs a longing for more . . .

When Abigail King stumbles upon a man lying on the beach near her family inn, her every instinct says to help the stranger. With his memory gone, “Jonah” is reluctant to contact the authorities, so Abigail offers him shelter, despite her sisters’ reservations.  As she nurses him back to health, Abigail helps him recover his lost past, creating a quilt from images of the shattered fragments he recalls. But with every square Abigail adds, she wonders if she is falling for a man who can never truly be hers . . .

Jonah feels at home at The Shadow Lake Inn with the lovely Abigail, at peace with the Amish lifestyle she lives.  But as the pieces of his past are sewn together, the mystery only deepens—until he knows the only way forward is to turn himself in to the police, to finally discover the truth of who he really is.  For the one thing worse than not knowing his past, is not knowing what the future holds for him and Abigail . . .

Review:

The Memory Quilt by Lenora Worth is a sweet Amish romance with a slight hint of suspense.

Abigail King and her sisters Eliza and Colette run their family-owned inn. Abigail is in charge and she works tirelessly keeping the inn running smoothly. She is independent yet she tries to be obedient to her parents’ wishes. Abigail is also a gifted artist and she designs beautiful quilts. She finds her alone time in morning while taking prayerful walks along the shore of Shadow Lake. One morning, Abigail makes a startling discovery when she finds a man near death during her walk. When he awakens with no memory of who he is, Abigail cares for him while keeping his presence a secret from her parents. But it is just a matter of time before they find out. When they do, will Abigail respect their wishes or will she continue to spend time with the man she is beginning to care for?

Since he does not know who he is, Abigail dubs the injured man “Jonah”. His injuries are troubling and cause Abigail to question what type of person he is. But she is certain she is safe and she steals as much time as possible getting to know Jonah. His memories are deeply buried and when he does remember something from his past, they are short recollections that are more frustrating than revealing. As he and Abigail spend time with each other, Jonah becomes torn between his past and his present when his feelings for Abigail deepen.

The Memory Quilt is a heartwarming novel with wonderful characters and a bucolic setting.  Abigail is a dutiful daughter but she finds is very difficult to keep her distance from Jonah. Her parents are understanding but firm as they try to prevent their daughter from making a decision she might regret. Despite the circumstances. Jonah enjoys the peace and quiet and hard work that soothe his worries. He and Abigail realize there is no future for them unless he remembers his past. But will he remember what happened to him before the people he cares deeply about are endangered?

This first installment in Lenora Worth’s The Shadow Lake series is a heartfelt romance that readers are going to love.

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Filed under Amish, Contemporary, Lenora Worth, Rated B, Review, Romance, The Memory Quilt, The Shadow Lake Series, Zebra Books

December 9, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Bone Cay by Eliza Nellums

Title: The Bone Cay by Eliza Nellums
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery, Suspense
Length: 288 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the critically acclaimed author of All That’s Bright and Gone comes an atmospheric thriller that unearths a cache of age-old secrets–and a hidden danger–in the Florida Keys.

Magda Trudell is the present-day caretaker of Whimbrel Estate, the Key West home of the famous poet Isobel Reyes. Isobel’s suicide at the residence in 1918 has nearly overshadowed her creative legacy–but Magda, a botanist and avid historian, is determined to protect it. Over the past decade, Magda has lovingly restored the house to the exact condition Isobel would have known. And even though a fierce October hurricane is headed straight for the Keys, she isn’t about to abandon her life’s work to evacuate.

As the mighty storm makes landfall, the dangers mount. First, a fire and flood threaten to destroy the house. Then the storm claims most of Magda’s supplies. When part of the house collapses, she unearths an old steamer trunk in the rubble that contains a woman’s remains. Is there more to Isobel’s story than Magda knows?

The unexpected appearance of a teenage girl and her father seeking shelter from the storm poses unnerving new questions. Are they really who they seem? And could they have a connection to the house’s shadowy past? As the storm rages, Magda desperately tries to solve the real mystery of Isobel’s death–and keep the living in one piece.

Review:

The Bone Cay by Eliza Nellums is a fast-paced mystery with a unique storyline.

Historian Magda Trudell is obsessed with poet Isobel Reyes. She works at Isobel’s family home, Whimbrel Estate, in Key West. Isobel died in 1918 and Magda is dedicated to bringing Whimbrel back to its former glory. But funding is tight, so she has only managed to complete the first floor. With a possibly deadly hurricane bearing down on Florida, Magda refuses to evacuate so she can protect Isobel’s treasures. With the hurricane raging around her, Magda is shocked when handyman Hank McGrath returns by boat with his teenage daughter Emily. Although her attention mainly focused on a shocking discovery, she cannot help but worry about Emily. Can Magda protect the historical home and keep everyone’ safe ?

After an unsettled childhood with her musician father, Magda has set down roots in Key West. She discovered Isobel’s poems while on the road with her father and she immediately connected to the poet’s words. Magda is fiercely protective of Isobel’s history and she is determined to keep the Whimbrel Estates’ treasures, house and property as safe as she can during the hurricane.

Trouble ensues almost immediately as Magda makes costly mistakes. She is less than thrilled when Hank and Emily arrive but she has no choice but to ask them to join her. Magda is distracted by what she just unearthed but she realizes something is just a little off with father and daughter. Her uneasiness grows as the hurricane worsens and dangerous flooding threatens to overtake the house. However, Magda soon learns that she might be in more danger than just the hurricane.

The Bone Cay is an intense mystery with a clever storyline. Magda’s obsession with Isobel is a distraction as she rides out the hurricane with people she finds difficult to trust. The setting vividly springs to life and it is impossible not to feel the extreme threat posed by the hurricane. The storyline is well-developed with stunning twists. Magda is a little irritating as she continually puts herself in peril because she makes unsound decisions. Emily is a sympathetic character but is she telling Magda the truth? Hank becomes more menacing as Eliza Nellums brings this suspenseful mystery to a pulse-pounding conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Crooked Lane Books, Eliza Nellums, Rated B, Suspense, The Bone Cay