reecaspieces

Overview

Sandy Gingras’s Paradise Girls features a broken engagement. A ruined vacation in paradise. One adorable little girl. The perfect recipe for the chance of a lifetime…

It’s Christmas time, and Mary Valley is in a funk. She’s a writer for home magazines, but she’s lost touch with what home means. Her life seems meaningless. The last house she wrote about was a gazillion-dollar mansion with a moat! Plus, she’s estranged from her daughter, CC, and granddaughter, Larkin, and mired in a dead-end relationship with her boss.

Daniel is a man adrift since his son Timmy was killed in Afghanistan. He’s living on a houseboat in Florida with Timmy’s three-legged dog, Tripod, and taking tourists out on fishing charters. But his life is on the edge. He’s painting his houseboat black, and he can’t stop thinking about “getting lost at sea.”

When Mary’s boss tells her he’s spending Christmas with his ex, she books a trip with her family to The Low Key Inn, a hotel on the edge of the Everglades. But things go wrong from the get-go. CC bails out of the vacation, and Mary is stuck with an unhappy Larkin. The hotel is dated and down on its luck, and perhaps its owner is a witch. Then Mary meets Daniel, casts a hook into his head and wrecks his boat.

This is the story of how wounded people can help each other heal, how lost people can help each other find their way home. How life can become a love story….

Review

Mary has just broken up with her boyfriend and has decided to run away to a well deserved vacation. She ends up taking her young granddaughter with her after her daughter backs out at the last minute. Things just go down hill from there. She wrecks a boat, she loses her wallet…just to name a few.

Mary is a character I wanted to slap most of the time. She is very wishy washy and will not stand up for herself. She just takes and takes and takes, especially from her daughter and her boyfriend. Enter Daniel! Daniel is a fabulous character with a 3 legged dog named Tripod (not original at all 🤦🏻‍♀️). Daniel is struggling with his own issues but he can’t help but feel a connection with Mary.

Quite a few eye roll moments in this read. Now, I did finish it. I might not have if I had been reading it physically. But, I have more patience with a book if I am listening to it. No idea why!

I am definitely in the minority on my review of this read. And usually I love these types of books. But, this one just didn’t sit well with me. I almost gave it 2 stars. However, I did like several of the characters and the setting is perfect. An old, outdated hotel by the Everglades…I can just picture some of the decor!

Now, don’t let my review stop you from trying this book, especially if it is your genre. This novel definitely has a few perks.

Need a book with a great setting and an adorable dog…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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Overview

An unforgettable debut novel about family secrets, falling apart, and coming together.

Dublin 1996. Joan Egan lives an enviable life. She and her husband, Martin, and daughter, Carmel, are thriving in Dublin at the dawn of an economic boom. But everything changes when Joan receives a letter from Emma, the daughter who she and Martin gave up for adoption thirty years before, asking for a life-or-death favor.

While Joan grapples with the guilt over giving up her baby long ago, she must confront her present as the cracks in her marriage become impossible to ignore and simmering tension with Carmel boils over. Meanwhile, Carmel and Emma must come to terms with the perceived sins of their mother, to imagine a future for their family before it is too late.

Spanning the nineties and the sixties, with Dublin as its backdrop, The Making of Her is the tender and page-turning story of marriage, motherhood, a culture that would not allow a woman to find true happiness—and her journey to finally claim it.

Review

Joan has a secret. One she wishes she never kept. But, because of her situation, she felt it was better for everyone. However, as her life moves along and she gets older, she realizes she has made a terrible mistake. She is not sure if she can ever correct it or make amends for it. Due to a circumstance beyond her control, she just might get the opportunity to at least try and make it better. She knows she can never make it right but she just might have the chance to help every one heal from her terrible decision.

Joan definitely comes into her own as this story moves along. And I wanted to slap her husband and her mother-in-law so many times. And yes, I know quite a few people like that. I mean, GOD FORBID, that you do not come across as perfect. So, let’s damage everyone’s life to make sure yours is spotless. Can you tell this book elicited major reactions for me! That’s the sign of a good book!

The premise of this book has been used numerous times. But, it is never boring. And I love the way this author used this plot to create strong female characters, especially one which is a late bloomer. But when she decided to roar…she ROARED!

This is a captivating tale full of hurt, pain, love and healing.

Need just an all around great read…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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BECOMING FAMILY

Author: Elysia Whisler

ISBN: 9780778386469

Publication Date: August 16, 2022

Publisher: MIRA Books

Book Summary:

Contemporary romance for fans of Jill Shalvis and Lori Foster, returning to the characters of the Dogwood County series, Book 3 follows Tabitha Steele as she plans to have her best year ever.

On her thirtieth birthday, Tabitha realizes she hasn’t much to show for her life since she left military service. Tabitha makes a hasty vow that she will make this the best year of her life, which is a tall order considering her mish-mash of unfulfilling jobs, her stagnant social life, and the crippling PTSD she has to overcome on a near-daily basis. But she thinks she can do it with the help of her beloved service dog, Trinity.

Chris Hobbs, the playful and wild-hearted bad boy of the Semper Fit gym, is Tabitha’s complete opposite. Which is why, despite his habit of dating any woman who bats an eye at him, he’s always steered clear of Tabitha, even though they’ve formed a tight friendship. Especially because of that.

Review

Tabitha is struggling with her PTSD and with the direction of her life. She is determined that within this year she will discover what she is good at and where she wants to go with her career. But, life tends to get in the way. Enter Chris…Chris has his own family issues and reservations. But, life continues to throw these two together.

The first book I read by this author was Rescue You . I really enjoyed that one, so when this one as offered, I took it. This is on the same vein as Rescue You and I loved it.

This story is full of wonderful animals and the characters have a connection which can’t help but draw you into the story. I love Tabitha. She is broken and knows she has issues. But she keeps up the fight! And then there is Chris! He is like most men…and he is not! He is funny and witty and NOT looking to settle down. But there is just something about Tabitha!

Need an all around good romance with great rescue dogs…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

About the Author

Elysia Whisler is the author of RESCUE YOU and other coming titles in the Dogwood County series. She was raised in Texas, Italy, Alaska, Mississippi, Nebraska, Hawai’i and Virginia, in true military fashion. Her nomadic life made storytelling a compulsion from a young age. Her work as a massage therapist and a CrossFit trainer informs her stories. She lives in Virginia with her family, including her large brood of cat and dog rescues, who vastly outnumber the humans.

Author Website: https://www.elysiawhisler.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElysiaWhisler/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElysiaWhisler

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elysiawhisler/ 

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/rpukw53

Buy Links:

BookShop: https://bookshop.org/books/becoming-family-9780778386469/9780778386469  

Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9780778386469_becoming-family.html 

Barnes & Noble:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-family-elysia-whisler/1140304086?ean=9780778386469 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Family-Novel-Dogwood-County/dp/0778386465/ref=sr_1_3?crid=10IFRJHYTD09R&keywords=becoming+family&qid=1659626577&sprefix=becoming+family%2Caps%2C55&sr=8-3 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Becoming-Family/Elysia-Whisler/9780778386469?id=8292090795540 

Powell’s: https://www.powells.com/book/becoming-family-9780778386469

About The Book:

After the death of her beloved husband and becoming a single parent to her nine-year-old son Alexander, overworked scientist Helen desperately needs an escape. So when Alexander proposes a trip to Greece—somewhere he’s always dreamed of visiting—Helen quickly agrees.

After spending several days exploring the tourist-filled streets, they stumble upon the ancient city of Mystras and are instantly drawn to it. Its only resident is Elias, a mysterious tour guide living on the city’s edges…both physically and temporally.

In 1237, Elias’s mother promised his eternal service to the Profitis Ilias in Mystras in exchange for surviving a terrible illness. But during his 800 years of labor, he’s had one common enemy: the noble Lusignan family. The Lusignan line is cursed by a deadly disease that worsens with each generation, and a prophecy hints that Elias’s blood is their only hope for a cure. He has managed to survive throughout the centuries, but the line has dwindled down to the last Lusignan and he is desperate to avert his family’s destiny.

When Elias runs into Helen, he meets his match for the first time—but he unwittingly puts both her and her young son in danger as a result. With time running out and an enemy after them, Elias and Helen are forced to choose between the city they love, and each other.

Review

Helen is an overworked and wounded scientist. Her husband has recently passed away and she is struggling to find the correct balance to raise her son. So, when an opportunity arises for her and her son to visit Greece, they jump at the chance. Little do they know this will change all aspects of their future.

Helen and her son are damaged and I felt and instant connection. Helen is smart and hard working. I love her scientific study on Huntington’s disease. This hooked me right from the start!

I did enjoy both time periods in this novel. I learned so much in both. But, and this is unusual for me, I liked the present day better than the Ancient Greece sections. Basically because I felt a better connection to the characters.

The only reason I gave this 4 stars is because it is a bit long and drawn out in places. But…that is minor because I so loved reading about Ancient Greece. Add in the science…and I was hooked.

This is a unique tale you do not want to miss!

Need a wonderful dual timeline novel…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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About The Author:

Melodie Winawer is the author of THE SCRIBE OF SIENA (2017), which was praised by Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Bustle, and Real Simple, and was declared a “Must Read Book” by the New York Post. SCRIBE has been translated into German, Czech, Polish, and Norwegian . Winawer is also the author of the recently published ANTICIPATION (November 2021), which was a starred review Publisher’s weekly “Pick of the Week”, called one of the “Best books released in November” and “Best Historical Fiction Fall 2021” by BuzzFeed, and is now a Target Recommends Pick.  Melodie is also a contributor to WE ALL FALL DOWN; STORIES OF PLAGUE AND RESILIENCE, an anthology of short stories by nine historical fiction writers. A physician-scientist and associate professor of neurology at Columbia University, Melodie has published over fifty scientific articles. To find the energy to write, she relies on unflagging enthusiasm and green tea. Melodie lives with her spouse and their three children in both New York City and Vermont. http://melodiewinawer.com/

Social Media:


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorMelodieWinawer

Instagram: https://instagram.com/melodiewinawer

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodiewinawer

Overview

A spellbinding novel of World War II based on the little-known history of the X Troop—a team of European Jews who escaped the Continent only to join the British Army and return home to exact their revenge on Hitler’s military.

A lone soldier wearing a German uniform stumbles into a British military camp in the North African desert with an incredible story to tell. He is the only survivor of an undercover operation meant to infiltrate a Nazi base, trading on the soldiers’ perfect fluency in German. However, this man is not British-born but instead a German Jew seeking revenge for the deaths of his family back home in Berlin.

As the Allies advance into Europe, the young lieutenant is brought to recover in Sicily. There he is recruited by a British major to join the newly formed X Troop, a commando unit composed of German and Austrian Jews training for a top secret mission at a nearby camp in the Sicilian hills. They are all “lost boys,” driven not by patriotism but by vengeance.

Drawing on meticulous research into this unique group of soldiers, The Last of the Seven is a lyrical, propulsive historical novel perfect for readers of Mark Sullivan, Robert Harris and Alan Furst.

Review

Froelich is the only survivor of an undercover operation. When he wanders from the desert into a British camp, he is mistaken for a German soldier. After some fast talking, he is finally believed and sent to the hospital. But his war is not over. It is just beginning!

I very much enjoyed the beginning of this book. Froelich is such a tough guy and he has a big heart. His strength comes through the pages like the warrior he is! He has sustained some terrible injuries. However, through some chance encounters, he finally receives the help he needs to put him back into the line of fire.

There were parts of this book that I loved and parts I just skimmed. I usually don’t mind war books. But, I had trouble with those sections in this novel. I just could not get interested in it. But, don’t let that stop you! It was most likely me. I am very much a mood reader and I may not have been in the mood!

Need a good historical war novel…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

About the Author:

Steven Hartov is the coauthor of the New York Times bestseller In the Company of Heroes, as well as The Night Stalkers and Afghanistan on the Bounce. For six years he served as Editor-in-Chief of Special Operations Report. He has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, and most recently the History Channel’s Secret Armies. A former Merchant Marine sailor, Israeli Defense Forces paratrooper and special operator, he is currently a Task Force Commander in the New York Guard. He lives in New Jersey

Social Links:

Author website: https://stevenhartov.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevenHartovAuthor 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Steven_Hartov 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenhartov_author/ 

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Seven-Novel-World-War/dp/1335050108/ 

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-last-of-the-seven-steven-hartov/1140465637?ean=9781335050106

Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/books/the-last-of-the-seven-a-novel-of-world-war-ii/9781335050106 

IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781335050106 

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Last-Seven/Steven-Hartov/9781335050106

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-last-of-the-seven 

AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-last-of-the-seven/id1584482821 

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Steven_Hartov_The_Last_of_the_Seven?id=0S5BEAAAQBAJ 

Libro.FM: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781488214332-the-last-of-the-seven?bookstore=ggpbooks 

Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-last-of-the-seven/9781335050106-item.html

Overview

Things We Do in the Dark is a brilliant new thriller from Jennifer Hillier, the award-winning author of the breakout novels Little Secrets and Jar of Hearts. Paris Peralta is suspected of killing her celebrity husband, and her long-hidden past now threatens to destroy her future.

When Paris Peralta is arrested in her own bathroom—covered in blood, holding a straight razor, her celebrity husband dead in the bathtub behind her—she knows she’ll be charged with murder. But as bad as this looks, it’s not what worries her the most. With the unwanted media attention now surrounding her, it’s only a matter of time before someone from her long hidden past recognizes her and destroys the new life she’s worked so hard to build, along with any chance of a future.

Twenty-five years earlier, Ruby Reyes, known as the Ice Queen, was convicted of a similar murder in a trial that riveted Canada in the early nineties. Reyes knows who Paris really is, and when she’s unexpectedly released from prison, she threatens to expose all of Paris’s secrets. Left with no other choice, Paris must finally confront the dark past she escaped, once and for all.

Because the only thing worse than a murder charge are two murder charges.

Review

Paris has been accused of the murder of her famous husband. She knows this is what she should be most worried about. Sadly, this is not the case. She is terrified of the media. When her face is plastered all over the country, she knows her past will come back!

Paris is lady with many faces. At first, I didn’t quite know what to think about her. But, as the story starts to unfold, her past tears my heart up! I could hardly stand her being hurt all over again!

I am big fan of this author. I have read all her books and they are all intense, especially Jar of Hearts. This book is right up there with it! I absolutely loved the mystery surrounding Paris! You knew enough as a reader to know not all is as it seems. BUT…you just don’t know it all till the end!

Need a great story which will have you guessing…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!

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

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