Review - - The Last Lady B

The Last Lady B

by Eloisa James

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: May 12, 2026

Reviewed by PJ

In the depths of winter, Lady Genevieve Hughes, her pet piglet, and her septuagenarian husband travel to a haunted abbey in the Scottish Highlands. Evie is excited to meet a ghost (perhaps one of her husband’s three previous wives), but didn’t expect the funny, quirky guests to become the friends she’s never had. And she certainly didn’t imagine meeting Sir Godric Everly, a sardonic, witty solicitor who loathes her husband.

Yet as secrets and lies turn Evie’s world upside down, Sir Godric becomes the one person whom she can trust.

When ghosts, multiple wills, and a shocking marriage certificate bring Lord Burnsby’s past crashing into his present, Burnsby promptly dies, leaving Evie free to remarry…though as a virgin wife, now a virgin widow, she is more unnerved by the marriage bed than a spectral visit.

More importantly, she has to figure out whose identity is false, whose vows are dishonorable, whose truths could destroy her reputation—and where her heart belongs.

PJ's Thoughts:

It's rare for an author I've been reading for 20 years to surprise me but that's exactly what Eloisa James did...and in a very good way. I've read everything this author has published. The Last Lady B, in my opinion, is one of her best. 

The point of view is written in first person, a departure from past James books but very effective in this book. Evie's mind is such a fun place to be! The plot is fast paced, keeping me on my toes from start to finish. While I had no idea how Evie and her true love would ever get their HEA, I was truly hooked and eager to turn each page to discover what awaited around the next corner of this twisty tale and, let me tell you, I did NOT see some of those twists coming! Underpinning the twists are plenty of humor, conflict, witty dialog, social commentary, endearing chemistry, awkward physical intimacy (so well written!), and family of the heart.  

I really enjoyed the characters. They are all (good and bad) expertly developed with organically depicted evolutions that I found believable and relatable. I wanted to be friends with them (well, most of them) but especially Colette and Genevieve (Evie). I love that Colette is so quintessentially French, confident, outspoken, and loyal to those she loves. And, Evie. I really enjoy that she is firmly "of her time" throughout much of the book. It makes her evolution that much more satisfying...and fun. 

Whether you're an Eloisa James fan or new to her books, I enthusiastically recommend picking up a copy of The Last Lady B. I loved my first reading of this engaging Gothic romance. I know it won't be my last.

*ARC received from publisher via Edelweiss+

Fair and unbiased opinions

Review - - The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove

The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove

by Karen Hawkins

Dove Pond Series - Book 3

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: August 15, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

Three lives converge as a wildly talented baker returns to Dove Pond to face her past in this entry in the charming series that proves that sometimes miracles really do happen...

Ella Dove is an acclaimed baker whose desserts spark vivid, cherished memories in those who taste them. A restless soul, Ella goes wherever the wind takes her—but driven by a haunting dream, she’s coming home to Dove Pond. Years ago, her mentor, Angela Stewart Harrington, falsely accused Ella of stealing her beloved family recipe book, known as the Book of Cakes. Now, Ella believes it’s time for them to reconcile.

Angela has her own share of amends to make. Her daughter Jules has never forgiven her for divorcing her father, and they’ve been estranged ever since. But just as Angela begins to hope that she and Jules might mend their tattered relationship, a miscommunication turns into a lie that could destroy everything.

Meanwhile, Jules’s son Gray is shocked that Ella, his first love and his first heartbreak, has returned to Dove Pond. But even though he knows Ella is a wanderer and will soon leave, he’s unable to stop himself from falling for her once again. Can Gray find a way to convince Ella to give him, and their town, a serious chance? Or is he once again on the road to a broken heart?

With so much at stake, Ella, Angela, and Gray must learn to accept each other—flaws and all—forgive the many mistakes of their pasts, and trust that love can, and will, always find a way. For fans of Alice Hoffman and Sarah Addison Allen, The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove is a delicious and magical read that will warm your heart and charm your senses.

PJ's Thoughts:

Once again, Karen Hawkins quickly swept me into all the ups and downs of life in Dove Pond, and within the Dove family, holding me there, happily flipping pages to discover what would happen next, until the very end.

These books are character driven and oh, what flawed, complex, delightfully complicated characters they are. Do I like them? Do I despise them? Do they make me laugh? Cry? Cheer for them or want to toss them off a cliff? Yes, to all of the above. Hawkins' characters are realistic. They're relatable. They embody emotions - and issues - many of us face in our daily lives. They're also quirky, sometimes devious, beautifully developed by the author, and always entertaining. 

I love Hawkins' sense of humor which is on full display in this book, especially in the scenes featuring Angela. Her interactions with both Ella and with Gray had me frequently chuckling and often laughing out loud while those with her daughter brought a depth of emotion that gave substance, tension, and hope to a fraught relationship. 

There are so many layers to Ella and Gray. I enjoyed their second chance at romance. While not the primary focus of this book, it holds a fair amount of weight in the overall story, especially as it relates to Ella's personal evolution, and comes with a happy ending. I appreciate that Hawkins devoted time to each character's issues and their individual growth as well as the slow progression into becoming a romantic couple. By the end of the book, I was firmly in their corner. And, bonus! Who knew Gray would come with a Highland Coo calf who is most definitely "Adorbs." I can't wait to see more of these three in future books (hopefully).

I've been reading Karen Hawkins for a long time. Her Scottish historical romances are among my favorites but this new contemporary fiction series with romantic elements, family dynamics, and a touch of magical realism is hitting all of my happy spots. Hawkins' Dove Pond stories touch my heart, tickle my funny bone, and leave me eager for more. I highly recommend this book and this series.

Review - - A Cup of Silver Linings

A Cup of Silver Linings

by Karen Hawkins

Dove Pond - Book 2

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: July 6, 2021

Reviewed by PJ

Ava Dove—the sixth of the seven famed Dove sisters and owner of Ava Dove’s Landscaping and Specialty Teas—is frantic.

Just as her fabulous new tearoom is about to open, her herbal teas have gone wonky. Suddenly, her sleep-inducing tea is startling her clients awake with vivid dreams, her romance-kindling tea is causing people to blurt out their darkest secrets, and her anti-anxiety tea is making them spend hours staring into mirrors. Ava is desperate for a remedy, but her search leads her into dangerous territory, as she is forced to face a dark secret she’s been hiding for over a decade.

Meanwhile, successful architect Ellen Foster has arrived in Dove Pond to attend the funeral of her estranged daughter, Julie. Grieving deeply, Ellen is determined to fix up her daughter’s ramshackle house, sell it, and then sweep her sixteen-year-old granddaughter, Kristen, off to a saner, calmer life in Raleigh. But Kristen has other plans. Desperate to stay with her friends in Dove Pond, Kristen sets off on a quest she’s avoided her whole life—to find her never-been-there father in the hopes of winning her freedom from the grandmother she barely knows.

PJ's Thoughts:

I fell in love with Dove Pond and her citizens while reading The Book Charmer and couldn't wait to return for book two, A Cup of Silver Linings. This time around, Ava Dove takes center stage but she's not the only one with a story to be told. I love how Hawkins takes the threads of various people in town, some related, some not, some old, some new, and weaves them together into a heart-tugging tapestry that completely immersed me into their lives and kept me eagerly turning pages while also wanting to slow down and savor each scene. There are some heart-wrenching situations, including grief and betrayal. I appreciate the fact that the author doesn't veer from the deep anger and pain that often accompanies those situations but that she also allows her characters to gradually, and realistically, work through those emotions and emerge on the other side with hope and the first steps towards healing. But balancing those deeper emotions are the charm, humor, and heart that are always evident in a story of Hawkins' creation.  

There are subtle hints of romance in the book but the primary focus of this series is on the women, their trials, triumphs, and relationships. I'm invested in them now and have a stake in their happiness, and in the case of the Dove sisters, their magic. I'll be in line to buy every book Hawkins decides to write in this series. 

This book could stand on its own but I strongly recommend reading the books in order. As there are many characters and inter-woven stories that continue to evolve through the books, I think you'll have a much better understanding of the characters and less confusion if you begin with The Book Charmer before moving on to A Cup of Silver Linings. 

~~~~~~~~~~

 Ava Dove's magical gift is the ability to communicate with plants while her sister Sarah communicates with books. If you were able to choose a magical gift, what would it be? 

Tour Review - - Meet Me on Love Lane

MEET ME ON LOVE LANE

by Nina Bocci

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: December 10, 2019

Reviewed by Hellie

 

Charlotte Bishop is out of options in New York City. Fired, broke, and blacklisted by her former boss, she’s forced to return to her hometown of Hope Lake, PA to lick her wounds. Although she’s expecting to find a miserable place with nothing to do, she is pleasantly surprised to discover it is bustling and thriving.

She’s only supposed to be in Hope Lake temporarily until she can earn enough money to move back to New York. She’s not supposed to reconnect with her childhood friends or her beloved grandmother. She’s not supposed to find her dream job running the local florist shop. And she’s definitely not supposed to fall for not one but two of Hope Lake’s golden boys: one the beloved high school English teacher, the other the charming town doctor.

With a heart torn between two men and two cities, what’s a girl to do?

Hellie’s Heeds:

This story ticked the boxes for my usual feel good reads: small town setting, fun secondary characters, heartwarming heroes, and a plucky heroine. Said plucky heroine has to return to a home she hasn’t called home nor been in for over twenty years, and whose memories of her childhood here are filled with pain and antagonism. Her plan is to get on her feet long enough to make a new plan to get back to New York City (the only real city in the world) before anyone has made any real connection she is back. No sooner has she arrived to town than she makes a conquest of a new town doctor, Max, and nearly permanently emasculates her old childhood bestie, Henry, whom she doesn’t remember. 

Without going into details, I think you know who she ends up with. Anyone who has read a romance at all knows who the love interest will be. And in true Hallmark channel fashion, our plucky heroine finds her purpose and destiny--and neither of these involve New York City. (Which is great because by then we all love Hope Lake and want to move there.) 

For me, the story felt a little ho-hum (and this could be just the mood I was in when I read it.) It was okay, but not overly memorable in writing style, plot, or dialogue. There were funny moments and sad ones; I connected with the characters, but not in a deep way. (And again I don’t think every reader seeks that sort of experience of finding your new imaginary BFF with every book you read.) When I thought about it, I think my biggest disappointment was that the Black Moment didn’t feel black. Honestly, I couldn’t even identify a black moment...or even a mildly gray one. I will say the heroine’s struggle was her amnesia when it came to her childhood in Hope Lake, her memories of her mother’s constant belittling of the town and insistence of raising her child somewhere that wasn’t a bubble, and the fact she has basically missed out on important family time with her father and grandmother since her mother has been dead for several years. The conflict is internal and nearly solely the heroine’s--and the rest of the people who populate Hope Lake can come across as a bit too perfect and understanding at times. 

Now not every story needs a black moment of Black Hole proportions; and the story hit the right beats in the other ways of storytelling, so for you the story might be much more satisfying. I am intrigued enough by Hope Lake and other characters to search out the other books in the series to see if I grow to like the writing more. Please let me know what you think of it when you do get a chance to read it. 

Review - - Meet Me on Love Lane

MEET ME ON LOVE LANE

by Nina Bocci

Publisher: Gallery Books

Release Date: December 10, 2019

Reviewed by Hellie

 

Charlotte Bishop is out of options in New York City. Fired, broke, and blacklisted by her former boss, she’s forced to return to her hometown of Hope Lake, PA to lick her wounds. Although she’s expecting to find a miserable place with nothing to do, she is pleasantly surprised to discover it is bustling and thriving.

She’s only supposed to be in Hope Lake temporarily until she can earn enough money to move back to New York. She’s not supposed to reconnect with her childhood friends or her beloved grandmother. She’s not supposed to find her dream job running the local florist shop. And she’s definitely not supposed to fall for not one but two of Hope Lake’s golden boys: one the beloved high school English teacher, the other the charming town doctor.

With a heart torn between two men and two cities, what’s a girl to do?

Hellie’s Heeds:

This story ticked the boxes for my usual feel good reads: small town setting, fun secondary characters, heartwarming heroes, and a plucky heroine. Said plucky heroine has to return to a home she hasn’t called home nor been in for over twenty years, and whose memories of her childhood here are filled with pain and antagonism. Her plan is to get on her feet long enough to make a new plan to get back to New York City (the only real city in the world) before anyone has made any real connection she is back. No sooner has she arrived to town than she makes a conquest of a new town doctor, Max, and nearly permanently emasculates her old childhood bestie, Henry, whom she doesn’t remember. 

Without going into details, I think you know who she ends up with. Anyone who has read a romance at all knows who the love interest will be. And in true Hallmark channel fashion, our plucky heroine finds her purpose and destiny--and neither of these involve New York City. (Which is great because by then we all love Hope Lake and want to move there.) 

For me, the story felt a little ho-hum (and this could be just the mood I was in when I read it.) It was okay, but not overly memorable in writing style, plot, or dialogue. There were funny moments and sad ones; I connected with the characters, but not in a deep way. (And again I don’t think every reader seeks that sort of experience of finding your new imaginary BFF with every book you read.) When I thought about it, I think my biggest disappointment was that the Black Moment didn’t feel black. Honestly, I couldn’t even identify a black moment...or even a mildly gray one. I will say the heroine’s struggle was her amnesia when it came to her childhood in Hope Lake, her memories of her mother’s constant belittling of the town and insistence of raising her child somewhere that wasn’t a bubble, and the fact she has basically missed out on important family time with her father and grandmother since her mother has been dead for several years. The conflict is internal and nearly solely the heroine’s--and the rest of the people who populate Hope Lake can come across as a bit too perfect and understanding at times. 

Now not every story needs a black moment of Black Hole proportions; and the story hit the right beats in the other ways of storytelling, so for you the story might be much more satisfying. I am intrigued enough by Hope Lake and other characters to search out the other books in the series to see if I grow to like the writing more. Please let me know what you think of it when you do get a chance to read it. 

Review and Q&A - - The Book Charmer by Karen Hawkins

The Book Charmer
by Karen Hawkins
Dove Pond - Book 1
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: July 30, 2019
Reviewed by PJ
 

Sarah Dove is no ordinary bookworm. To her, books have always been more than just objects: they live, they breathe, and sometimes they even speak. When Sarah grows up to become the librarian in her quaint Southern town of Dove Pond, her gift helps place every book in the hands of the perfect reader. Recently, however, the books have been whispering about something out of the ordinary: the arrival of a displaced city girl named Grace Wheeler.

If the books are right, Grace could be the savior that Dove Pond desperately needs. The problem is, Grace wants little to do with the town or its quirky residents—Sarah chief among them. It takes a bit of urging, and the help of an especially wise book, but Grace ultimately embraces the challenge to rescue her charmed new community. In her quest, she discovers the tantalizing promise of new love, the deep strength that comes from having a true friend, and the power of finding just the right book.

My thoughts:

I have fallen in love with Dove Pond and her citizens, both old and new. Karen Hawkins brings this small North Carolina town and her inhabitants to vibrant life in this charming novel filled with humor, heart, a touch of magic (who among us wouldn't want the ability to converse with the books we love), and satisfying emotional depth. This story, and these characters, really spoke to my heart. This is the first of a series so expect some stage setting as well as introductions to several characters. Also, keep in mind that while the author's previous books were full-on romances, The Book Charmer is more contemporary fiction with a romantic thread. Expect the signature humor and heart that are intrinsic to Hawkins' other books but not as much focus on romance. There are the first tentative threads of a blossoming romantic relationship for Grace but the primary focus of this story is not on that romance. It's more about the inter-twining relationships among several characters, with Grace's family relationships and her new friendship with Sarah taking center stage. That friendship is the bedrock of this book and one that I enjoyed immensely. I'm looking forward to the continuation of their friendship, as well as the evolution of Sarah's romantic journey, as the series continues. And I'm excited for the stories to come for the other Dove sisters as well. 

  

Q&A with Karen Hawkins

Hi Karen! Welcome back to The Romance Dish. Thanks for visiting with us today.

Thank you. It’s always a delight to be here!

Your newest novel was released yesterday and, I have to say, it’s one of my favorites of your entire collection. Please tell our readers what they can expect from The Book Charmer and the Dove Pond series that it launches.

I’m excited to share THE BOOK CHARMER with readers. It really is the book of my heart and it took me almost a year and a half to write it.

It seems to me that the world is a little dark right now, and I wanted to write a hopeful book, one that inspired readers to smile. So I wrote about a family of seven sisters who had special abilities and their quirky, fun town in the mountains near Asheville, NC.

I’ve been writing magic realism into my historical romances since The Talisman Ring series first came out back in 2002, so when I decided to write a contemporary magic realism book, it was a natural step to take.

I’ve fallen in love with the Dove Pond community. How many books do you plan to set there? Are you able to share anything about the next book in the series?

There will be seven books in this series, one for each sister. Every one of the Dove sisters has their own special abilities, so it’ll be fun to explore them all.

Right now I’m writing about Ava Dove, who makes specialty teas that help people. Everyone thinks Ava is the sweet, simple, happy-go-lucky Dove sister, but they don’t know that Ava has a secret trapped in a shoe box wrapped in duct tape under her bed, and it’s fighting to get out . . . A CUP OF SILVER LININGS will be out next spring.

I think all of us who love books have tried our hand at book matchmaking from time to time though certainly not with Sarah’s unique ability. You’ve given each of the Dove women a magical gift. If you could choose one such gift for yourself, what would your magical ability be?

Hmmm. That’s a tough one. I’d guess I’d like the ability to make the people around me happier. It’s what I strive to do in my writing and is probably what I’d want to do in real life. But I wouldn’t mind having Sarah’s ability to know who should read what book. That would be a way to make people happy, too.

I was in Grace’s corner from the get-go and thoroughly invested in her journey. Her romantic thread is enjoyable, and her family relationships tugged at my heart, but it’s the friendship she and Sarah form that, for me, is the bedrock of this book. Will we continue to see Grace, and her relationships within Dove Pond, evolve throughout the series?

Oh yes! And as you must have noticed as you read The Book Charmer, Sarah’s story isn’t finished, either. That’s the beauty of a small town series – a number of character arcs can travel through book after book. I LOVE that!

Without giving away spoilers, what was your most difficult scene to write in this book? Which was the most fun?

The scenes with Mama G and Grace were the hardest to write because I loved Mama G SO much and yet I also knew what was happening to her. I’d write and weep, write and weep, even as I wrote happier scenes. She meant a lot to me.

The most fun scenes to write were the ones with Mama G and Trav, because they connected so well. They shared a similar fear – their world was changing and they were struggling to handle it, but in opposite ways. Mama G was fighting to keep her memories while Trav was trying to forget his, and yet they had such a positive impact on each other.

I’m recommending everyone add The Book Charmer to their summer reading list. What books are on your reading list this summer?

Thank you! Here are some books I’ve recently read:
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman (fabulous and fun)
Project Duchess by Sabrina Jeffries (such a fresh and entertaining read)

American Gods by Neil Gaiman (I’ve devoured every book he’s written and still want more)

It’s Getting Scot in Here by Suzanne Enoch (this hero – OH MY GOSH, so GOOD) 

Will you be attending any book signings or events this year where readers will have an opportunity to meet you?

On August 3^rd I’m having a book launch party complete with hors d’oeurves and beverages at Blantyre, a Gilded Age manor and now a luxury hotel in Lenox, MA right off the Massachusetts Turnpike. There will be a huge book giveaway, too!

Where can readers find you online?

facebook.com/KarenHawkinsWriter
www.twitter.com/TheKarenHawkins

www.Instagram.com/karenhawkinsauthor

www.karenhawkins.com

Thanks again for visiting with us, Karen.  Do you have anything else to add? Would you like to ask our readers a question?

First, if you enjoyed THE BOOK CHARMER, there’s also a fun enovella set in Dove Pond called LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON. It’s about a man who has a ghost living in his bathtub handing out life advice. It’s a fun introduction to Dove Pond.

And second, yes, I’d love to ask a question! PJ asked me what special magical ability I’d like to have. The sisters in my book can do everything from speaking to books, to making tea that can help you find your car keys. If the sky was the limit, what one magical ability would you like to have?

Tour Review & Giveaway - - Gimme Some Sugar

Gimme Some Sugar
by Molly Harper
Southern Eclectic - Book 6
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: April 2, 2019
Reviewed by PJ

Lucy Brewer would never have guessed that her best friend, Duffy McCready (of McCready’s Bait Shop & Funeral Home) has been in love with her since they were kids. Fear of rejection and his own romantic complications prevented Duffy from confessing his true feelings in high school, so he stood by and watched her wed Wayne Bowman right after high school. Wayne had always been a cheapskate, so it comes as no surprise when he suffers a fatal accident while fixing his own truck.

Even as her family and friends invade Lucy’s life and insist that the new widow is too fragile to do much beyond weeping, Lucy is ashamed to admit that life without Wayne is easier, less complicated. After all, no one knew what a relentless, soul-grinding trudge marriage to Wayne had been. Only Duffy can tell she’s hiding something.

In need of a fresh start, Lucy asks Duffy to put his cabinet-building skills to use, transforming the town's meat shop into a bake shop. As the bakery takes shape, Lucy and Duffy discover the spark that pulled them together so many years ago. Could this finally be the second chance he’s always hoped for?

My thoughts:

Molly Harper's writing is as tart as a platter of freshly made lemon bars and as refreshing as a glass of sweet tea. In order words, it's a great big batch of southern goodness wrapped up in characters who made me laugh, sigh, and on a few occasions, go in search of my favorite shovel. 

Friends to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes and I was in Lucy and Duffy's corner from the get-go. I really liked these two. Harper does a great job of blending their shared history into the present-day story without an info dump. It gave me a good understanding of where they had been, the detours they took (unhappy marriages to other people), and where they are now as their new journey to being a potential couple begins. It was a fun journey, not without some introspection and angst (these are flawed, realistic characters, after all), but overall it was fast-paced, littered with snappy dialog, some heart-tugging emotion, humor, and a feel-good ending that made me smile and want to return to Sackett County again and again. 

Don't be put off by the fact that this is a long-running series. You can step into the town and the McCready family just fine without having read the previous books in the series. But, if they reel you in like they did me, you'll be interested to know several of the books are currently on sale for $1.99 in e-book format. 

Do you enjoy southern romance?

Do you have any favorite authors who write in this setting?

What's your favorite southern saying?

One person who leaves a comment before 11:00 PM, April 4, 2019 will receive a print copy of Gimme Some Sugar. 
(U.S. only)

Molly Harper is the author of two popular series of paranormal romance, the Half-Moon Hollow series and the Naked Werewolf series. She also writes the Bluegrass ebook series of contemporary romance. A former humor columnist and newspaper reporter, she lives in Michigan with her family, where she is currently working on the next Southern Eclectic novel. Visit her on the web at MollyHarper.com.

Beach Bag Bonanza Reviews & Giveaway

PJ here!  As I write this, my skin is gently caressed by sweet ocean breezes, my ears are serenaded by the music of waves lapping at the shore and my toes wiggle happily in warm sand. I'm in my happy place and all I need to complete the picture is a beach bag filled with good books.  Luckily for me, that's exactly what I have!  As I prepare to immerse myself in the first of many good stories I plan to read this week, let me share with all of you some recently read books that I recommend for your summer reading list.  

ALL I WANT IS YOU
A Coral Cove Novel
By Toni Blake
Publisher:  Avon
Release Date: May 27, 2014


After losing her parents in a devastating house fire, Christy Knight is starting over with nothing - no insurance money, no childhood memories, barely enough income to make it from paycheck to paycheck and her dream of supporting herself with her jewelry designs seemingly out of reach.  But she's hanging on until she learns her beloved grandfather is about to be kicked out of his nursing home in Coral Cove, Florida for lack of money to pay their high fees.  He's her only remaining relative and she's not about to let him go down without a fight. Her roomie suggests Christy find herself a rich husband to solve all her problems. Unfortunately for Christy, none of her rich dates measure up to Jack DuVall, her sexy handyman neighbor, a man with the potential to fulfill all her needs except one: money.  Jack's had his heart broken by a woman in search of a rich husband before and isn't about to go down that road again.  He initially pegs Christy as a gold digger and even though he changes his mind as he gradually gets to know her he still protects his heart by letting her think he's a low-income handyman.  A road trip from Ohio to Coral Cove to visit Christy's grandfather changes everything and teaches both Christy and Jack what's really important in life.  But just as they begin to trust in each other and what they have between them, Jack's secret comes to light and that betrayal of trust threatens to tear them apart.  Forever.

This first book in Toni Blake's new Coral Cove series is a winner.  She's created a lovely, laid-back beach town in Coral Cove that I want to visit and has populated it with quirky, heartwarming characters that I want to meet.  Christy's Grandpa Charlie would be first on the list!  Full of wit and wisdom, Charlie is in his twilight years but very important to this story.  Blake gives Charlie his own story-within-a-story by reflecting on a time in his life when he chose to do the "responsible thing" over following his heart, a choice he has regretted his entire life and it's this life experience that enables him to help Christy with her own love vs responsibility struggles.  We also meet other characters who fill in the Coral Cove landscape and I hope will make more appearances in future books.  When you pick up this Toni Blake book you can expect realistic and fully developed characters, a richly told emotional journey and laughs, sighs and cheers along the way. Add this one to your summer beach bag.  You won't be sorry.

WHAT A WOMAN NEEDS
By Judi Fennell
A Manley Maids Novel
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date:  June 3, 2014

Movie star Bryan Manley is used to swarming paparazzi and swooning fans. Surprisingly, he's also used to dusting, sweeping and cleaning toilets.  The grandmother who raised him and his siblings saw to that so when he loses a bet with his sister that has him spending six weeks in his hometown as a Manley Maid for her cleaning service, he isn't worried about being able to do the job.  Then he meets the client, widow Beth Hamilton and her five children.  Suddenly, four weeks in the Hamilton household takes on a whole new meaning.

After the traumatizing media circus surrounding her late husband's headline-making death, the last thing over-worked and over-stressed Beth Hamilton and her children need is any kind of connection to handsome, sexy, media darling Bryan Manley.  But then the man arrives at her house in that ridiculous Manley Maids uniform and he's so gorgeous, so sexy, so nice.  And he cleans!  Four weeks with the actor who stars in the dreams of women world-wide.  What could go wrong?

I loved this book!  It's sweet, sexy, flirtatious and heartwarming.  My recipe for a no-fail summer read? Take one worn-out mom, one surly teen son, one teen daughter in the throes of puppy love, twin sons who rival an F5 tornado and an adorable little girl sure to win everyone's heart.  Toss in a sexy, charming, too-good-to-be-true movie star with the ability to send a woman's libido into orbit while corralling her children, cleaning her house and winning all of their hearts in the process. Relax.  Read.  Enjoy!

STORMY PERSUASION
A Malory Novel
By Johanna Lindsey
Publisher: Gallery Books
Release Date: June 10, 2014

Johanna Lindsey's Malory family captured my heart in our first meeting which happened to be in the first book of the series.  There have been highs and lows over the course of eleven books and I admit to being a bit disappointed with the last few books but I'm happy to say that Stormy Persuasion has our love affair back on the right course.

While cousins Jacqueline "Jack" and Judith Malory, daughters of James and Tony, may have different life goals - marriage and motherhood for Judith while Jack yearns to sail the seas like her former pirate father - they've been best friends since the cradle.  So, of course, when the girls turn eighteen and Jack has to travel to America for her debut to satisfy a promise her father made to her mother's American brothers she isn't about to go without Judith beside her.  Setting sail in the company of their fathers, Jack's mother, an aunt and uncle and a newly discovered cousin, the girls look forward to fun and adventure before returning to England where Judith's mother is busy narrowing the field of Scottish marital prospects for her daughter. Neither girl has any idea that the trip will be life-changing in ways they could not possibly have foreseen.

Masquerading as a deck hand on the ship, Nathan Tremayne is actually a ship captain and smuggler carrying out a secret mission for the British government in exchange for a full pardon and the chance to reclaim his stolen ship. The last thing he needs is a pampered society miss mucking up the works but he can't seem to resist the lovely Judith and it appears the feeling is mutual.  Just when he begins to entertain ideas of a future with her though, an event aboard ship changes everything and leaves Nathan disappearing into the night and Judith heartbroken.  But fate isn't quite finished with this pair.  When Jack's life is put at risk, only Nathan has the means to rescue her but will he be able to put his pride aside and offer assistance?  And, more importantly, will Judith and her family be able to accept his assistance with the strings that are attached?

Stormy Persuasion is a fast-paced, high seas romance of the very best kind.  Fans of the Malory series will delight in seeing the girls all grown up and watching their former rakehell fathers deal with all the ramifications of having respectable - and not so respectable - gentlemen sniffing around their skirts.  Loved it!  For readers who have not read the series, not to worry.  This book stands well on it's own.  Though, after reading it, you will most likely start searching out the rest of the books in the series, especially Tony and James' stories (Tender Rebel #2 and Gentle Rogue #3).  My favorite couple, Amy (Malory) and Warren Anderson also make an appearance in this story.  Their book is The Magic of You, #4 in the series.

I do hope Lindsey is planning a book for Jack.  I can't wait to see what she does with her.  Whatever it is, it's sure to be fun.  She truly is her father's daughter!  :)

FAIR PLAY
By Deeanne Gist
Publisher: Howard Books
Release Date: May 6, 2014


In 1893, the world descends upon the city by the lake for the World's Columbian Exhibition, otherwise known as the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. One of those working at the fair is Dr. Billy Jack Tate, a woman ahead of her time.  She loves the city, is dedicated to her profession and is working toward her goal of establishing her own successful medical practice.  Hunter Scott, a Texas Ranger, traditionalist and country boy through and through is one of the elite Columbian Guards hired for the duration of the fair.  He thrives on wide open spaces and can't wait to get back to Texas.  He also believes a woman should be a homemaker, not a wage earner. You know from the minute of their unconventional first meeting that these two are going to be fun!

When Hunter finds an abandoned baby and takes him to Billy Jack, the baby eventually leads them to the slums of Chicago's Nineteenth Ward and the mass of downtrodden children living there.  Determined to do something to brighten the lives of those children, they team up to build a playground, a decision that eventually spawns a playground movement that spreads across the country.  In the process of working together to help the children, Billy Jack and Hunter grow closer and eventually fall in love but in order to have a happy ending will one of them have to sacrifice their dream?  

I grew up close to Chicago and was fascinated by family stories of ancestors who lived there.  In fact, my multi-great grandfather emigrated from Canada to Chicago to take a job building the "White City" that was the 1893 World's Fair so this story had special meaning for me.  As I read Gist's book, it was as if I was actually there, experiencing all that Billy Jack, Hunter and my ancestors had as they walked the grounds of the fair and ventured into the garbage-strewn, poverty-stricken areas of the city.  Gist's descriptions are spot-on and her characters realistic and true to the times, bringing 1893 Chicago vividly to life.  She does an excellent job of weaving real characters into the fabric of her story as well, to the point that it's difficult to differentiate between real and fictional.  They all seemed real to me.  The romance between Billy Jack and Hunter is sweet and emotional but not explicit. Again, Gist does a good job of keeping the heat factor (mild) true to the characters without sacrificing any of the emotion or sexual tension.  Readers may notice that this book is published by an inspirational imprint but I would not classify it as such. In fact, I believe it signals Gist's move from inspirational romance to more mainstream stories. 

If you enjoy rich, historical Americana with a heartwarming romance then I suggest you tuck this book into your beach bag this summer.  In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I may just tuck it into mine and go back for a second visit! 

~PJ


Now it's your turn!  Tell me what books are on your beach bag list this summer.  Or tell me what book(s) you've read lately that I need to add to mine.  I'm cleaning out my bookshelves and have two boxes and three packages of books to give away today.  My apologies to our international readers but shipping costs require me to limit this giveaway to U.S. addresses only.  

Let's Dish!