reecaspieces

Overview

Rocky seas lie ahead…

DI Shona Oliver is caught in the crosshairs of the National Crime Agency. They know she has information about the murder of her former boss and are determined to charge someone.

Shona is relocated to Galloway, where her higher ups think she’ll draw less attention. She meets DI Kenneth Dalrymple, currently on compassionate leave to care for his terminally ill wife. He confides in Shona that his wife’s dying wish is to learn who killed her sister. It’s a case about as cold as it gets, but Shona agrees to help.

Only she hadn’t banked on a fresh murder to investigate, or the chances of her being in the dock herself looking stronger by the day. Can she find answers and weather the storm?

Review

DI Shona Oliver is relocated to Galloway. She meets DI Kenneth Dalrymple, currently on compassionate leave to care for his terminally ill wife. He confides in Shona that his wife’s dying wish is to learn who killed her sister. It’s a case about as cold as it gets, but Shona agrees to help.

Well anything set in Scotland I am going to love…add in a cold case and I am definitely in for the long haul!

This story has a lot going on. I really need to go back and pick up others in this series. I really wanted to know more about DI Shona. She is smart but she has a past that is intriguing. And she lets nothing get by her.

The narrator, Angela Ness, is matter of fact and the perfect voice for the DI.

Need a good mystery with a great setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

From New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas—a sweeping, richly layered Victorian novel about a trailblazing female economist who’s determined to build Britain’s first women’s bank, but she must fight both financial corruption and a system intent on destroying the newly found family she’s created.

In Victorian England, no woman—not even a brilliant economist like Reina Martin—is allowed to open her own bank account. Men will take care of everything, women are told. But Reina knows better. As the illegitimate daughter of a Spanish immigrant mother, she’s haunted by the memory of living with unpaid grocer’s bills and no coal for the hearth.

So together with her mentor, the powerful banker William Farlow, Reina will build the first all-women’s bank, where women can manage their own financial security.

At home, Reina’s domestic staff of recently paroled prisoners are building new lives and becoming a found family. But soon Reina is shocked to discover that her enigmatic butler, John Pembroke, is an undercover police detective. He’s been assigned to investigate Farlow, who’s suspected of financial crime on a scale so massive, it could destabilize the British economy. Pembroke needs Reina’s expertise for a high-stakes nighttime heist to obtain incriminating evidence.

Now Reina faces the agonizing choice of betraying her mentor or turning her back on thousands of working-class families who stand to lose everything. Either way, her dream of the women’s bank may be over.

But courage and sacrifice aren’t limited to the battlefield—they also occur at the kitchen table, where women who believe in compassion and community are working to remake the future. And when the stakes are highest, Reina knows to trust her heart as well as her intellect.

Review

I have not read this author in a hot minute. This was like visiting an old friend.

In Victorian England, no woman—not even a brilliant economist like Reina Martin—is allowed to open her own bank account. Men will take care of everything, women are told. But Reina knows better. As the illegitimate daughter of a Spanish immigrant mother, she’s haunted by the memory of living with unpaid grocer’s bills and no coal for the hearth.

Now, there are quite a few characters introduced at the beginning of this novel. But in true Lisa Kleypas form, she mastered each and every one.

This story takes you through so many areas of information from this time period! I enjoyed each and every one. I love that this was based on real people. It always makes the story so much better. I love learning about trailblazers and strong women!

The narrators, Mary Jane Wells and Joe Jameson, did an excellent job. I especially loved Joe! Such a smooth voice.

Need a story to take you on a journey…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion.

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Overview

Christmas in Shelter Springs is the season of twinkling lights, open hearts and unexpected second chances. And for Hannah Goodwin, it also brings the one person she never wanted to see again…

Hannah’s built a full life for herself in the warmth of her close-knit town, with her family, her work and her music. And when her dear friend Morgan desperately needs her help, Hannah temporarily steps in to care for Morgan’s children. That’s what friends do—especially at the holidays. But she never expected to run into Wes Kenner…

Moving back home is the last thing K9 law enforcement officer Wes Kenner ever wanted. It’s where he fell in love with Hannah—and where an accident changed his mother’s life forever. But when his grandfather needs a helping hand, he can’t say no. It’s the perfect opportunity for him and his beloved K9, Kodiak, to recover. Still, seeing Hannah again fills him with regret—and hope.

After all this time, Hannah still represents all of the joy and light Wes pushed out of his life. Everything he’s desperate to get back. And as Hannah brings much-needed holiday magic to Morgan—and her kids—he realizes this is his chance. Because this Christmas, all he wants is her.

Review

Moving back home is the last thing K9 law enforcement officer Wes Kenner ever wanted. It’s where he fell in love with Hannah—and where an accident changed his mother’s life forever. But when his grandfather needs a helping hand, he can’t say no. It’s the perfect opportunity for him and his beloved K9, Kodiak, to recover. Still, seeing Hannah again fills him with regret—and hope.

Nothing like a good second chance romance to get you into the Christmas spirit!

Hannah and Wes are so cute together, even when they are not. I adored Wes…and of course his wonderful dog! But Hannah had a special place in my heart. Her best friend gets sick and has to be in treatment for a while. And she takes her kids! Oh! I admired this. This takes some strength.

I love a book which has strong characters, great chemistry and of course a bit of Christmas spirit!

If you follow me at all, y’all know that I am not a big fan of how a narrator does a child’s voice. But, Carly Robins, did an excellent job on these children, and that makes me happy!

Need a story with a bit of holiday magic…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received novel for a honest review.

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Overview

From the international bestselling author of The Door-to-Door Bookstore comes a delicious, heartwarming story of a has-been ballerina who takes up a temporary job in a bakery, finding purpose in every loaf she bakes, for readers of Fredrik Backman and Robin Sloan.

What ingredients does a good life need?

Though she only just started her temporary job at the village bakery, former ballet dancer Sofie already wants to quit from day one. Her career abruptly ended after an injury threatened any and all chances of success, and losing her most beloved passion has thrown her life off track.

Yet there’s something about the rhythms of the bakery that captivates her. Fascinated, Sofie watches old Italian baker Giacomo at work, and discovers that baking bread is almost like a dance: the dough is kneaded on beat, the rotation of the hands a steady rhythm, the swing of the hips like a practiced routine. To her own surprise, Sofie comes to see the little bakery as far more than just a place of work: it slowly transforms into a reprieve. It is here that she discovers the wisdom of a simple man, the joy of small things and the courage to embrace change.

A bestselling phenomenon, The Story Baker is the delightfully charming small-town story of one woman who finds solace, love, and community in the most unlikely of places.

Review

Though she only just started her temporary job at the village bakery, former ballet dancer Sofie already wants to quit from day one. Her career abruptly ended after an injury threatened any and all chances of success, and losing her most beloved passion has thrown her life off track.

Sofie is struggling to get through this rough patch. And when she starts her new job at the bakery, she has no intention of doing her best. But, as time goes on, she learns a few things about her life and herself.

This is a story about accepting the fact life changes and it may not be to your benefit! But keep an open mind, you might find something better on the horizon, including friends!

I enjoyed this narrator, Hannah Curtis. She has such a smooth voice.

Need a sweet story about life changes…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

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Overview

Bestselling author Sheila Roberts is back with a heartwarming holiday romance full of family, love, and a little bit of intrigue!

Jordan Frost had to do it. Her family was simply too perfectly eccentric not to put in a novel. She was thrilled when she got an agent and then a publishing deal. For two books. Two! Then reality set in. The book about an oddball family’s holiday adventures is coming out in November. Just in time for her trip home to Holly Bay, Washington, from the big city. Jordan is desperately hoping she can keep her pseudonym a secret so she can stay in her family’s good graces. She wrote the book under a pen name and when it was time for an author picture, she wore a wig and glasses. No one will know it was her, right?

Wrong. Charles Pine, her high school friend who always hoped for more, recognizes the woman he’s never gotten over as soon as he unpacks her book to shelve at the bookstore where he works. He knows this is the perfect opportunity to get Jordan to see him in a new light and he makes sure to run into her when she arrives home. She never thought of him as anything more than a shoulder to cry on back then, but he’s determined to make her see him as boyfriend material. Can he be her hero and help her get through the season with her secret intact? Or at least save her from a holiday meltdown? 

When a series of minor family emergencies threatens to add even more chaos to Jordan’s already hectic life, Charles tries to help her find the true meaning of the holiday. Maybe coming home wasn’t a bad idea after all…

Review

If you follow me at all, you know I really enjoy Sheila Roberts! And this book is just adorable!

Well, Jordan has gone and done it! She has written a novel about her crazy family. Now she has arrived home for the holidays and she is terrified. She did write the book under a pen name. She also wore a wig and glasses for her author photo. Surely no one will recognize her correct? Oh boy!

Talk about a cute family drama with great characters that will make you laugh and forget the stress of the holiday.

I fell for Jordan right off the bat. Her crazy family is a lot like my crazy family and I was laughing quite a few times during this because we’ve all been there. Her struggle to keep her book a secret tickled me. She even roped in the hot, local book seller!

Tanya Eby narrates all of this author’s books. She is fantastic with all the voices.

Need a good family drama Christmas tale…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest opinion

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Overview

The fate of two strangers becomes part of the heartbreaking history of a celebrated painting in a novel of suspense and forbidden love by the bestselling author of The Lost Letters of Aisling.

The historic art gallery Hatterfield House symbolizes hope for cancer survivor Hannah Caddell. Like the art she painstakingly restores, Hannah needs to be brought back to life herself. Everything is upended when she and a new client, Lucas Henry, are held hostage by gunmen in search of a world-renowned painting from the Cuban Missile Crisis that, decades ago, captured both dread and beauty in a time of cataclysmic fears.

Review

I love a good story with dual timelines and family secrets. This one fit the bill!

Like the art she painstakingly restores, Hannah needs to be brought back to life herself. Everything is upended when she and a new client, Lucas Henry, are held hostage by gunmen in search of a world-renowned painting from the Cuban Missile Crisis that, decades ago, captured both dread and beauty in a time of cataclysmic fears.

This is definitely full of drama and intensity. I also enjoyed the setting of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This happened before my time, but I remember quite a bit from this era. I forgot about the fear it created among the population.

This also opened up a rabbit hole for me… famous artists from Cuba! Not exactly a rabbit hole I expected to go down. But I so wanted to know more!

Frankie Corzo is the narrator! I loved her voice.

Need a story you will lose yourself in…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel for a honest review.

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