reecaspieces

Praise for J.P. Monninger and SEVEN LETTERS

“Monninger enchants with this lyrically written romantic love letter to Ireland and its people. Readers who appreciate love stories set against dramatic backdrops will find much to love.” 

—Publishers Weekly 

“A sweeping love story with intriguing characters and a well-described ending.” 

—–Booklist

The first letter brings her to Ireland. The next six are a test of true love…

SEVEN LETTERS

A Novel

By J.P. Monninger

The Blasket Islands are the heart of Ireland – once populated with some of the most famous Irish writers, they are now abandoned, filled with nothing but wind and silence. Kate Moreton, a PhD student at Dartmouth, is in Ireland to research the history of the Blaskets, not to fall in love. She has a degree to finish and a life back in New Hampshire that she is reluctant to leave. 

But fall in love she does, with both the wild, windswept landscape and with Ozzie, an Irish-American fisherman with a troubled past who shares her deep, aching love for the land. Together, they begin to build a life on the rocky Irish coast. But when tragedy strikes, leading Kate on a desperate search through Europe, the limits of their love and faith in each other will be tested.

Review

Kate is working on her PhD. She has decided to research the history of the Blasket Islands. She takes a sabbatical and takes off to study in Ireland. She never planned to fall in love.

At first, I did not feel a very strong connection between Kate and Ozzie. Basically because I thought of Ozzie as self centered and self absorbed. And Kate should have never accepted some of his excuses. As a matter of fact, I almost abandoned this tale because I disliked Ozzie so much. However, as their love grows, so does my belief in him.

 The scenery and the rich history of the Blasket Islands is what makes this tale. This is a beautifully written story. I bet the movie will be fantastic with the Irish coast as a setting. Nothing like researching a new place!

About the Author

J.P. MONNINGER, author of The Map That Leads to You, is an award-winning writer in New England and Professor of English at Plymouth State University.

Additional Praise for J.P. Monninger

“Romantic and unforgettable.”

—Nicholas Sparks on The Map That Leads To You

“Monninger’s debut novel will strike a chord with fans of Nicholas Sparks’ 

sweeping and sentimental tales.” 

—Booklist on The Map That Leads To You

“A gossamer confection, spun sugar at the summer carnival. It’s also an inspiriting estival fling, one that, as Heather says of her relationship with Jack, melts any residual winter ice. 

—The New York Times Book Review on The Map That Leads To You

Purchase Here

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Overview

Will she be the secret ingredient to his happiness?

Valerie Perry has just inherited her grandmother’s home in Last Stand, Texas, a far cry in the country from her city life as an organic grocery buyer in San Antonio. Her methodical daily routine suits her just fine, so she aims to freshen up the property, sell it, and take her funds back to the city. She’s only got two weeks during her vacation to make this happen. Now is the time to cash in and get out.

The oldest Hutchinson son, who people around town know as “Hutch,” is a third generation local who is poised to take over the family business with his brother, Cole. The barbeque brothers have very different ideas about the future of their restaurant, “The Hut.” Just when he thought his biggest headache was his job, Hutch meets Valerie and both their worlds are upended. He’s drawn to this fish out of water, but Valerie’s time in Last Stand has an expiration date. 

Their sweet and saucy styles don’t mix, but can they both find the recipe to a happy future?

Review

Valerie has inherited her grandmother’s home. She has decided to fix it up and sell it. She only has 2 weeks to get the job done. Enter Hutch. He and his brother own a barbecue restaurant and they are having creative differences. However, this does not keep him from Valerie once the sparks start to fly.

When Valerie is first introduced in this story. I was NOT a fan. She was very witchy to Hutch and I did not like it. However, as the story moves along, their relationship (of course) takes twists and turns. She becomes better but she does still keep her edginess. This makes for unique conversations between her and Hutch. They have some of the best banter sessions and they put a smile on your face!

This is a wonderful palate cleanser read. It has a lovely setting of Last Stand, Texas. The characters really keep you entertained. It is a solid, sweet romance that will leave you wanting more. I am looking forward to the second book in this series!

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

Purchase Here

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Overview

From the author of the multi-million copy bestseller The Tattooist of Auschwitz comes a new novel based on a riveting true story of love and resilience. 

Her beauty saved her — and condemned her. 

Cilka is just sixteen years old when she is taken to Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in 1942, where the commandant immediately notices how beautiful she is. Forcibly separated from the other women prisoners, Cilka learns quickly that power, even unwillingly taken, equals survival.

When the war is over and the camp is liberated, freedom is not granted to Cilka: She is charged as a collaborator for sleeping with the enemy and sent to a Siberian prison camp. But did she really have a choice? And where do the lines of morality lie for Cilka, who was send to Auschwitz when she was still a child? 

In Siberia, Cilka faces challenges both new and horribly familiar, including the unwanted attention of the guards. But when she meets a kind female doctor, Cilka is taken under her wing and begins to tend to the ill in the camp, struggling to care for them under brutal conditions.

Confronting death and terror daily, Cilka discovers a strength she never knew she had. And when she begins to tentatively form bonds and relationships in this harsh, new reality, Cilka finds that despite everything that has happened to her, there is room in her heart for love.

From child to woman, from woman to healer, Cilka’s journey illuminates the resilience of the human spirit—and the will we have to survive.

Review

Cilka was just 16 years of age when she was sent Auschwitz-Birkenau. When the camp was liberated, Cilka was then arrested for being a collaborator. She was then sent to a Siberian gulag where she spent the next 10 years of her life.

Cilka’s life in the gulag is as to be expected. She faces starvation, freezing temperatures and unimaginable hard work. But because of a kind doctor, Cilka begins training as a nurse. This act of kindness guides Cilka to ways to help her fellow prisoners.

Cilka is one of the strongest women I have ever read about. Not only is she tough and resilient. But she is kind and she sacrifices herself to help save others many heartaches.

This book is probably the best of the year for me. I enjoyed The Tatooist of Auschwitz. But, I felt the writing in that story was a little off. You can read my review here. This tale of Cilka and her life is heart wrenching and very well written! I was completely captivated from start to finish!

This is a tale not to be missed!

I received this novel from St. Martin’s Press for a honest review.

Purchase here

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Overview

USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts takes readers to the charming, snowbound town of Pine River in this irresistible holiday romance.

Sometimes you need to look beyond the big picture to see what really matters

Olivia Berg’s charity, Christmas from the Heart, has helped generations of families in need in Pine River, Washington, but this year might be the end of the road. Hightower Enterprises, one of their biggest donors since way back when Olivia’s grandmother ran the charity, has been taken over by Ebenezer Scrooge the Second, aka CFO Guy Hightower, and he’s declared there will be no more money coming to Christmas from the Heart.

Guy is simply being practical. Hightower Enterprises needs to tighten its belt, and when you don’t have money to spare, you don’t have money to share. You’d think even the pushy Olivia Berg could understand that.

With charitable donations dwindling, Olivia’s Christmas budget depends on Hightower’s contribution. She’s focused her whole life on helping this small town, even putting her love life on hold to support her mission.

When Guy’s Maserati breaks down at the edge of the Cascade foothills, he’s relieved to be rescued by a pretty young woman who drives him to the nearby town of Pine River. Until he realizes his rescuer is none other than Olivia Berg. What’s a Scrooge to do? Plug his nose and eat fruitcake and hope she doesn’t learn his true identity before he can get out of town. What could go wrong?

Review

Well, it’s that time of year again. Christmas romances are on the loose.

I love Olivia’s tenacity. She needs something…she goes and gets it. But, she goes and gets it to help others. Olivia is in charge of a non profit organization which helps people in need. She has lost one of her major contributors (all Guy’s fault!) and she is struggling to meet all the demands. Olivia has a huge heart. She is really an admirable character.

Guy starts out as someone you kind of despise. But as the story unfolds, he grows into someone the reader loves. AND you cannot wait for Olivia and Guy to realize they need each other.

This is your typical romance. Olivia and Guy start out hating each other. But then circumstances draw them together and sparks fly. What makes this story different is how sweet, kind and true all the characters are. It is a wonderful Christmas story. It made a great palate cleanser.

Purchase Here

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Overview

An exhilarating thrill ride that keeps you turning pages.. Ryan deftly delivers a denouement as shocking as it is satisfying.”–Liv Constantine, bestselling author of The Last Mrs. Parrish and The Last Time I Saw You

Law student Rachel North will tell you, without hesitation, what she knows to be true. She’s smart, she’s a hard worker, she does the right thing, she’s successfully married to a faithful and devoted husband, a lion of Boston’s defense bar, and her internship with the Boston DA’s office is her ticket to a successful future. 

Problem is–she’s wrong. 

And in this cat and mouse game–the battle for justice becomes a battle for survival. 

The Murder List is a new standalone suspense novel in the tradition of Lisa Scottoline and B. A. Paris from award-winning author and reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Review

Rachel has a new job as an intern with the DA’s office. This puts a huge strain on her marriage. Rachel is working for her husband’s nemesis. She is determined to make her marriage and her job work out.

As you are reading this story, you think it is about Rachel and her husband. And in a way, it is. But, not to the extent the reader thinks. I have to be careful what I say. I do not want to give anything away. All the way through this book I was giving it four stars. Then the huge twist came…sent it over the top!

Well! This book is not what you expect! You think it is…but then it’s not. I know I have already said it…I am trying to be careful with my words. Just understand this book is COMPLETELY TWISTED!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review

Purchase Here

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Overview

Four Women. Four Confessions. One Murder.

Something has gone terribly wrong at the Banks wedding. A man is dead. Four different women rush to offer confessions, each insisting that they committed the crime — alone. 

Ginger is holding her family together by a thread, and this wedding weekend is not the fabulous getaway she anticipated. 

Kate has enough money to buy her way out of anything. Well, almost anything.

Emily can’t shake her reputation or her memories, and she’s planning to drown this whole vacation in a bottle. 

Lulu’s got ex-husbands to spare, and another on the way — as soon as she figures out what the devil the current husband is up to behind her back. 

Why would they confess to the same murder? Only they know — and they’re not telling. This page-turning novel explores the depths of friendship and the truths we love to ignore.

Review

Well! There has been a murder at a wedding. What is really odd…is four women have confessed to the murder. Why? Only they know the truth!

These four women each have their own issues and problems. So why add to their long list of complications? You will have to read this to find out. I did not figure this out until the author wanted me to. That is unusual for me. I am very good at solving the mysteries! You know there is a cover up….but you don’t know the ins and outs or the whys and what fors.

This is an unusual premise for a book. Very unique. I just thought there were too many characters and too much nonsense which did not relate to the story.

I received this novel from Sourcebooks for a honest review.

Purchase Here

Barnes and Noble

Amazon