New Additions To The TBR Pile In January

A drastic reduction to the number of books arriving, which is probably a good thing as I am behind on my reviews and the catch-up time will be a blessing. Both of these new additions are actually audiobooks, one of which I have already listened to and the other will be "ear-read" in February.

Title: 10th Anniversary by James Patterson
Description: Detective Lindsay Boxer's long-awaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memory when she is called to investigate a horrendous crime: a badly injured teenage girl is left for dead, and her newborn baby is nowhere to be found. Lindsay discovers that not only is there no trace of the criminals--but that the victim may be keeping secrets as well. At the same time, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano is prosecuting the biggest case of her life--a woman who has been accused of murdering her husband in front of her two young children. Yuki's career rests on a guilty verdict, so when Lindsay finds evidence that could save the defendant, she is forced to choose. Should she trust her best friend or follow her instinct? Lindsay's every move is watched by her new boss, Lieutenant Jackson Brady, and when the pressure to find the baby begins interfering with her new marriage to Joe, she wonders if she'll ever be able to start a family. With James Patterson's white-hot speed and unquenchable action, 10th Anniversary is the most deliciously chilling Women's Murder Club book ever.

Title: 11/22/63 by Stephen King
Description: Life can turn on a dime—or stumble into the extraordinary, as it does for Jake Epping, a high school English teacher in Lisbon Falls, Maine. While grading essays by his GED students, Jake reads a gruesome, enthralling piece penned by janitor Harry Dunning: fifty years ago, Harry somehow survived his father’s sledgehammer slaughter of his entire family. Jake is blown away...but an even more bizarre secret comes to light when Jake’s friend Al, owner of the local diner, enlists Jake to take over the mission that has become his obsession—to prevent the Kennedy assassination. How? By stepping through a portal in the diner’s storeroom, and into the era of Ike and Elvis, of big American cars, sock hops, and cigarette smoke... Finding himself in warmhearted Jodie, Texas, Jake begins a new life. But all turns in the road lead to a troubled loner named Lee Harvey Oswald. The course of history is about to be rewritten...and become heart-stoppingly suspenseful.

REVIEW: House Broken by Sonja Yoerg

Title: House Broken
Author: Sonja Yoerg
Publisher: NAL Trade
Publication Date: January, 2015
Genre: Women’s Fiction

Description: In this compelling and poignant debut novel, a woman skilled at caring for animals must learn to mend the broken relationships in her family.…

For veterinarian Geneva Novak, animals can be easier to understand than people. They’re also easier to forgive. But when her mother, Helen, is injured in a vodka-fueled accident, it’s up to Geneva to give her the care she needs.

Since her teens, Geneva has kept her self-destructive mother at arm’s length. Now, with two slippery teenagers of her own at home, the last thing she wants is to add Helen to the mix. But Geneva’s husband convinces her that letting Helen live with them could be her golden chance to repair their relationship.

Geneva isn’t expecting her mother to change anytime soon, but she may finally get answers to the questions she’s been asking for so long. As the truth about her family unfolds, however, Geneva may find secrets too painful to bear and too terrible to forgive.

My Thoughts: With House Broken, new to me author Sonja Yoerg writes a heartfelt story about a woman’s journey to connect with her mother, siblings, children and husband. Geneva Novak is a typical woman trying to find balance between career and family. Her world is thrown a major curveball when her mother, Helen, is injured in a car accident while driving intoxicated. Geneva’s relationship with Helen has never been ideal and she is reluctant to invite her to move in to recover, but Geneva is Helen’s only option. Geneva doesn’t count on the impact Helen’s presence will have on the rest of the household and before long, Geneva finds herself facing long buried secrets about her family that she never expected and new problems involving her own children.

I admired Geneva and her courage to persevere with so many obstacles in her path. Her determination to uncover the truth behind the reasons behind her mother’s drinking, her oldest sister, Paris’s 30 year estrangement with their mother made me feel a lot of empathy for her. Geneva starts looking at the parallels between the relationship she has with her mother and the one she has with her sixteen year old daughter, Ella, and realizes she doesn’t want the same patterns to repeat themselves.

The plot switches smoothly between the past and the present and gives the viewpoints of Geneva, Helen and Ella. As more is revealed about Geneva’s parents and the secrets that have been long buried, Geneva’s belief system is shaken. I had a hard time warming up to Helen but the more I learned about her, I felt sorry for her but didn’t agree with the choices she made. I really liked Geneva and her brother, Dublin. Geneva’s sisters, Paris and Florence, don’t make much of an appearance in the story’s present timeline and the glimpses I did get of them, I didn’t care for them. I liked Geneva’s husband, Tom and their children, Ella and Charlie and thought they were flawed just enough to make them interesting.

When I first saw the cover of this book, I initially thought this would be a woman’s hilarious journey to potty train her puppy. This book covers a lot of painful and sensitive topics that took me by surprise. Kudos to the author for writing a book that addresses these topics with grace and class that drew a lot of emotions out of me.

My Final Verdict: If you are a reader that chooses their books based on the cover, then you will be in for a big shock as the adorable dog on the cover is only a minor character in the story. I recommend this story for the strong familial relationships and one woman’s determination to shine the light of truth on the dark corners of her family’s past.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of House Broken from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Jill Mansell Spotlight Tour

The Unexpected Consequences of Love
By Jill Mansell
Sourcebooks Landmark
Women’s Fiction
February 3, 2015
ISBN: 9781492602088

Sophie has no interest in finding love. But what happens when love finds her?

Sophie Wells is a successful photographer with a focus on putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan returns to the seaside town of Cornwall from the States to run his family’s hotel, he can't understand why the fun, sexy girl has zero interest in letting him—or any man for that matter—into her life. He also can't understand how he's been duped into employing Sophie's impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited. Both girls remain mum about the reasons behind Sophie’s indifference to love. But that doesn’t mean Josh is going to quit trying…

Buy THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE by Jill Mansell: Amazon | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kobo

With over 9 million copies sold, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Mansell writes irresistible and funny romantic tales for women in the tradition of Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella. She worked for many years at the Burden Neurological Hospital, Bristol, and now writes full time. She lives with her partner and their children in Bristol, England.

Connect with Jill Mansell: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Excerpt from THE UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCES OF LOVE by Jill Mansell

“Nearly done… Oh, it’s you.” Turning, she glimpsed him in the doorway and straightened up. Nodding at Griff, she said, “Have you come to get him? He’s shattered now. I’ve just finished the shoot.”
“I know, I saw the family driving off. And I am sorry. Dot did warn me about the door-opening thing,” Josh admitted. “I just forgot about it. Can I blame it on the jet lag?”
She gave him a look. “Only if you’re a complete wuss. You’ve had a whole week to get over it.”
Her eyes were bright and sparkling, silver-gray with very white whites. Her well-defined eyebrows were dark but tipped with gold and there was a smudge of mud on her left temple.
It wasn’t an expression he’d ever thought of using before, but it occurred to him that she had joie de vivre.
“True.” He dipped his head in acknowledgment. “All my own fault. So how did it go in the end?”
“Come over here and I’ll show you.” Leading the way across the room, she picked up her camera and began scrolling through the shots, starting with the half dozen or so pre-Griff originals, then on through the second stage of the shoot.
“These are great.” Josh nodded at them, genuinely impressed. “So it ended up not being such a disaster after all.”
“Thanks to me being a complete genius,” she agreed happily. He liked her attitude. “What’s your name?”
“Sophie.”
“Hi, Sophie. I’m Josh.”
“I know. Haven’t you noticed everyone whispering about you since you’ve been back?”
“Not really. Well, maybe a bit. You don’t take much notice after a while.” He paused. “Do you have a business card?”
She took one from an envelope in the side pocket of her black canvas camera case and handed it over.
Sophie Wells Photography. Portraits, Weddings, Commercial was written in silver on a black background, along with her contact details. Josh noticed that as well as the bracelets on her left wrist there was a key attached to a plain silver bangle. He reached out and touched it briefly. “What’s this for?”
“It’s the key to my secret Swiss bank account.” “Amazing. I didn’t know Swiss banks used Yale locks.”
A dimple appeared in her left cheek. “I started wearing it after I locked myself out of my flat three times in one week.”
“Look,” said Josh. “I still feel terrible about the photos.” “No need. I told Emma I’d do them for free.”
“But that means you’re losing out. Which is even worse.” Sophie shook her head. “They all like what we ended up doing instead. Emma’s still happy to pay.” “But their clothes…”
“They live on a farm. She says the mud’ll come out in a boil wash.” “But when I came back here with Griff, she was in tears.”
“I know, but you weren’t actually to blame for that. Relax,” Sophie said cheerfully. “It’s your lucky day. You’re off the hook.”
Women, he’d never understand them. Still, it was a positive result. Somewhat distracted by her eyelashes—were they also gold- tipped beneath the mascara?—Josh said, “Fine then. So long as you’re sure. Can I ask you a personal question?”
“You can try.”
He was charmed by her easy smile, playful humor, and feisty can-do attitude. Okay, and her body was pretty amazing too. “Are you single at the moment? Or seeing someone?”
If she were, he would have to say with good-natured regret, “Well, that’s a real shame,” and leave it at that.
“Me? Oh no, I’m not seeing anyone.” Sophie shook her head. “Completely and utterly single, that’s me.”
Excellent. Enjoying her honesty, Josh said, “So would you like to come out for dinner with me one evening?”
“It would have to be an evening.” Sophie nodded gravely. “Otherwise it wouldn’t be dinner; it’d be breakfast or lunch.”
“Definitely evening,” he agreed. “We could do it tonight if you like.” This is going so well.
“Oh, I can’t.”
“Yes, bit short notice. Friday, then? Or Saturday? You choose, whenever suits you best.”
But even as he was saying it, Sophie was shaking her head. “Sorry, no… I mean, thanks for asking, but I can’t meet you for dinner.”
“Right.” Taken aback, Josh said, “Not at all?” “No.”
“Okay. That’s fine.” It wasn’t remotely fine. What was going on? Did she have a small baby at home, or an elderly relative who couldn’t be left unattended? “Am I allowed to ask why?”
Her eyes sparkled. “Oh dear, are you offended?” “Of course not,” lied Josh.
Sophie gave him a who-are-you-kidding look. “I think you are. Don’t be. I’m just pretty busy right now.”
“So maybe in a couple weeks?” He couldn’t quite believe he was still asking.
“Look, thanks again, but no thanks. I just don’t really want to go out to dinner with…anyone.”
Aaaand another knock-back.
“No problem.” Josh wished he’d never started it. “Sorry.”
He managed a rueful smile. “Hey, all I need is a few months for my ego to recover. I’ll be fine.”
“It’s not you.” Sophie’s mouth was twitching. “It’s me.”
Okay, now she was making fun of him.
“Well, obviously,” said Josh.

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REVIEW: 10th Anniversary by James Patterson

Title: 10th Anniversary (Women’s Murder Club, #10)
Author: James Patterson
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Publication Date: May, 2011
Genre: Thriller / Mystery

Description: Detective Lindsay Boxer's long-awaited wedding celebration becomes a distant memory when she is called to investigate a horrendous crime: a badly injured teenage girl is left for dead, and her newborn baby is nowhere to be found. Lindsay discovers that not only is there no trace of the criminals--but that the victim may be keeping secrets as well. At the same time, Assistant District Attorney Yuki Castellano is prosecuting the biggest case of her life--a woman who has been accused of murdering her husband in front of her two young children. Yuki's career rests on a guilty verdict, so when Lindsay finds evidence that could save the defendant, she is forced to choose. Should she trust her best friend or follow her instinct? Lindsay's every move is watched by her new boss, Lieutenant Jackson Brady, and when the pressure to find the baby begins interfering with her new marriage to Joe, she wonders if she'll ever be able to start a family.

My Thoughts: I was starting to get bored with this series and was debating whether or not to continue reading it. I’m so happy I gave the series another shot, because 10th Anniversary brings back the intensity that I felt was starting to lack in previous books. I really enjoyed how this installment brings major changes to several of the characters, starting with Lindsay’s wedding to Joe. One of the reasons I have enjoyed this series so much is that each member of the Women’s Murder Club is vital and have to play a central role in the storyline. In addition to Lindsay’s marriage, Yuki is in a new relationship and Cindy’s relationship moves to the next level. Claire didn’t have any changes, but she was present throughout the book interacting with the rest of the group.

I also enjoyed the multiple plots. I thought the missing baby case was intriguing and the case Yuki is prosecuting was full of intrigue. Both cases threw a few surprise curveballs at me but I really enjoy that. Cindy is working on a serial rapist story that brings her a little too close for comfort but I enjoyed the way it played out. The story ends with a bang that left me excited and looking forward to the next one.

My Final Verdict: If you enjoy long running series, this series delivers on so many levels with characters you really care about and plots that keep you interested in what happens. Some of the books weren’t as enjoyable as others in the series, but overall this is a very good series that any fan of the thriller or mystery genre will lose themselves completely in the books.

Honorable Mentions Of 2014

For the books that didn't make the top reads list for the year, I want to give an honorable mention to the titles I read in 2014 that didn't make the cut for the best but were still good reads and recommended:

I Love My Breakup by Sabrina Lacey
Never Google Heartbreak by Emma Garcia
Angels Fall by Nora Roberts
He Texted by Lisa Winning
The Unofficial Guide To Harry Potter by Ellie Down
Broken Hearts, Fences And Other Things To Mend by Katie Finn
The Awakening by Erika Wilde
The Broken by Shelley Coriell
S Is For Silence by Sue Grafton
Cold Feet At Christmas by Debbie Johnson
A Christmas To Remember by Jenny Hale
The Scent Of Scandal by Carole Matthews

2014 Reading Review

Another year has come and gone and the best part of the reading year is upon me as I get to look back and evaluate what I read and how my stats measured up. I am happy to report that 2014 found me successfully completing my goal. However, I gave up on more books in 2014 than I did in 2013. I read 49 books, 6 of which I gave up on. My goal was to read 40 books in 2014 and I completed 123% of my goal.

Goal for 2015: 50 books

2014 saw many changes for me in regards to my reading. I joined the reviewer team at The Chick-Lit Club and became a member of NetGalley. Fortunately, this has given me more opportunities to read authors I have never read before and may have not gotten around to. In 2015, I hope to make more contacts through these websites and improve my reviewing skills. For the first time in many years, I completed my reading goal and though I am happy I did, I wish I could have met it without having to lower it. I took my goal back up to 50 and I am really committed to not only making it, but exceeding it.

The biggest change to my reading tastes in 2014 was the addition of Erotica and Horror and the complete absence of any Cozy Mysteries. This took me by surprise because I really love cozies and thought I had a few for the year. Young Adult made an appearance back into my reading year. 2014 also saw me reading more Christmas themed books which really boosted my holiday spirit. I hope to do that again this year.

I was fortunate to come across many new to me authors in 2014 and hopefully will visit with them again in 2015 as well as find additional new authors. In comparison to 2013, Chick-Lit and Romantic Suspense and Other Fiction rose by half, Mystery / Suspense / Thriller dropped slightly, Non-Fiction & Paranormal Romance dropped by half, & Contemporary Romance, Historical Romance and Urban Fantasy remained the same. Here's how 2014 stacked up:

Chick-Lit: 18
Contemporary Romance: 2
Erotica: 3
Historical Romance: 1
Horror: 2
Mystery / Suspense / Thriller: 8
Non-Fiction: 1
Paranormal Romance: 2
Romantic Suspense: 5
Urban Fantasy: 2
Young Adult: 2
Other Fiction / Literature: 3

A big shout out to the authors who were new to me and the authors that made multiple appearances in my reading year:

New To Me Authors In 2014
Gerry Bartlett
Josie Brown
Jane Casey
Shelley Coriell
Ellie Down
P.N. Elrod
Katie Finn
Emma Garcia
Anna Garner
Alena Graedon
Nicole Haddow
Jenny Hale
Elizabeth Haynes
Jeannine Henvey
Debbie Johnson
Andrea Kane
Sabrina Lacey
Martha O’Sullivan
Susan Rieger
Nic Tatano
Sue Watson
Michaela Weaver
Erika Wilde
Lisa Winning
Elizabeth Young

Authors Read Multiple Times In 2014
Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Anna Garner
Kim Harrison
Sabrina Lacey
J.D. Robb
Nora Roberts
Nic Tatano

My selection for the best reads of 2014 in the order they were read are:
Caught by Harlan Coben
Lying To Meet You by Anna Garner
The Book Of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
The Search by Nora Roberts
Sugar Spun Sister by Anna Garner
Angel’s Tip by Alafair Burke
Boss Girl by Nic Tatano
Ever After by Kim Harrison
Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes
The Burning by Jane Casey
The Harlow Hoyden by Lynn Messina
Thankless In Death by J.D. Robb
Tweet Hearts by Nicole Haddow
Just In Case by Chrissie Manby
Sail by James Patterson
The Adventures Of Jillian Spectre by Nic Tatano
Taken In Death by J.D. Robb
The Bro-Magnet by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich
Totlandia by Josie Brown
The Wedding Date by Elizabeth Young
Manic Mondays by Michaela Weaver
Tales From A Broad by Jeannine Henvey
The Reluctant Elf by Michele Gorman
Snow Angels, Secrets And Christmas Cake by Sue Watson

Here's hoping 2015 will be a more productive year!

REVIEW: Can't Always Get What You Want by Chelsey Krause

Title: Can’t Always Get What You Want
Author: Chelsey Krause
Publisher: Loveswept
Publication Date: January, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: Fans of Ruthie Knox, Rachel Gibson, and Molly O’Keefe will love this deeply romantic and uplifting debut novel about losing everything you thought you wanted—and getting exactly what you need.

Sophie Richards has been looking forward to a much-needed girls’ night out: a Rolling Stones tribute-band concert, a few drinks, a distraction from her grueling nursing shifts in acute care. But when her best friend bails, Sophie gets stuck with a blind date.

Although Brett Nicholson may be the hottest carpenter alive, and Sophie may technically be single, she isn’t exactly on the market. Six years ago she found The One. He was everything Sophie dreamed a man could be—and then she lost him. In an instant, her whole life changed, and she forgot all about happily ever after.

But as she gets to know Brett, Sophie starts to wonder about the future for the first time. With a broken heart still clouding her mind, jumping into a new relationship feels impossible. When she’s in his arms, walking away feels even harder. Now Sophie faces an impossible choice: living in the past or choosing love in the here and now.

My Thoughts: Can’t Always Get What You Want is the debut title from up and coming author, Chelsey Krause. We meet Sophie Richards who is a nurse, but struggles in her career choice. She’s not a bad nurse, but you get a sense that her heart really isn’t in it. After her best friend bails on going to see a Rolling Stones tribute band, Sophie finds herself on a blind date. Sophie immediately feels a connection with Brett, but she is still heartbroken from losing the love of her life six years ago. Sophie finds herself facing the very difficult choice of whether she wants to try for happily ever after with Brett or keep her heart locked away.

I always know a book is going to be outstanding when I get pulled into the story from the very first page. This book made me laugh out loud immediately, but what really makes it truly extraordinary is the way Ms. Krause creates characters the reader feels a strong connection with. As a reader, it is so important to me to really care about the characters, what they have gone through, what they are currently doing and where they are headed. Ms. Krause does an excellent job of taking the reader into Sophie’s life. Instead of putting us into information overload with all of the events that brought Sophie to where she is when we meet her, Ms. Krause takes us gradually through the process. I really enjoyed this because I got to see it through Sophie’s eyes as if I was there with her. It gave me a better understanding of what she went through and how it shaped her into the person she becomes and the person that Brett meets.

Along with the many laugh out loud moments, there were many moments of tears that made me want to read more and find out what happened in Sophie’s past and how it was affecting her future. There were also moments of anger at Aaron’s mother and Dr. St. Luke. They were both very difficult and unlikable characters and I enjoyed how Sophie responded differently to both.

This was such a well-written story. The author draws on her own personal nursing experience to make Sophie’s actions relevant and believable. The story moved at a very good pace, giving me time to process what was going on instead of getting lost in the details. As a fan of the Rolling Stones, I loved that each chapter is a song title and how their music plays such an important role in Sophie’s choices.

I wanted to be angry at Brett for making Sophie choose. Initially, I felt he was being unfair and selfish, but this story really focuses on forgiveness so I forgave him. Sophie has to find a way to forgive herself before she could move on in her life and live the life she is meant to. Sometimes, we have to be nudged, and not in a subtle way, before our eyes are opened.

My Final Verdict: If you are looking for a story that will pull on all of your emotions, filled with characters you feel a strong connection to, run, do not walk to your nearest book retailer and get this book. Not many people have the chance to find true love more than once in their lives and this story gives us a first row seat to see it happen. Kudos to Chelsey Krause for the many hours of laughter and tears. I will never look at Oreo cookies the same way again and I will be looking for more from this talented author.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Can’t Always Get What You Want from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In December

The year wouldn't be complete without several review requests showing up in the final month. This next year will bring many hours of reading bliss...

Title: A Kiss And A Cuddle by Sophie Sloane
Description: Rose West is about to play the most important, breakthrough gig of her life, when Rex Byron swans into the club and steals the spotlight, with a flurry of fans and flashing lights. It was hate at first sight. Rex is the British heir to his father’s multimillion dollar art fortune and is known for getting into trouble around the world, particularly with no clothes on. Rose’s mesmerizing singing voice catches the eye of the playful and aggravatingly persistent heir, and he is determined to teach her the fine art of flirting, but she is not interested in being involved in his next American scandal.

But is there more to Rex than what meets the eye? Is he an arrogant, pompous twit or a sensitive soul with a troubled past? More importantly, will Rose even give him the time of day?

Title: Husband Hunters by Genevieve Gannon
Description: Clementine, a psychologist specializing in couples counselling, is reeling from the discovery that her boyfriend is married. Annabel, an ex-model, only seems to attract men who want her as a trophy. Belinda, a civil engineer, is stuck in the friend zone.

Abandoning the romantic notions of true love that haven't worked out for them, the three decide to use their considerable professional skills to find a partner. This isn't about hearts and flowers; it's about being practical.

Warm and witty, Husband Hunters is about what happens when you try to engineer love.

Title: If You're Not The One by Jemma Forte
Description: What if you could do it all over again?

Jennifer Wright is pretty sure her husband doesn't love her anymore. She and Max used to be the perfect couple, but the pressures of work and kids have pulled them in opposite directions. Now , Jen is full of "what if" questions about whether her bland, suburban existence is all she was ever destined for.

When a terrible accident sends Jen into a coma, she is able to see what her life could have been if she had run off to Australia with the handsome, dangerous man she met on vacation, or if she had stayed with her workaholic college boyfriend. Would she ever have loved another child as much as she loves her daughters? Could she have become rich? More than anything, Jen wants to do the right thing for her family. But what she discovers may leave her with even more questions about the choices she made, and no easy answers about what to do next.

Title: Party Girl by Rachel Hollis
Description: Landon Brinkley’s dreams are all coming true. She’s landed an internship with the fabulous Selah Smith, event planner for the Hollywood elite, taking her from small-town Texas to the bright lights of LA. Landon soon finds herself in a world in which spending a million dollars on an event—even a child’s birthday party—is de rigueur and the whims of celebrity clients are life-and-death matters. At first, the thrill of working on A-list parties and celebrity weddings is enough to get Landon through the seventy-five-hour workweeks and endless abuse at the hands of her mercurial boss. But when the reality of the business reveals itself, she’s forced to make a choice: do whatever it takes to get ahead, or stay true to herself.

Drawing on the author’s real-life experiences as an event planner to the stars, Party Girl takes readers on an adventure among Hollywood’s most beautiful—and most outrageous—people, revealing the ugly side of Hollywood’s prettiest parties.

Title: Poppy's 3 Men by Sophie Sloane
Description: It is the wedding day for Poppy Shillington, a young, American woman. Everything is perfect: the white dress, the veil, the orchestra, except for one thing. Who is the groom? She stares into the mirror in her dressing room, and reminisces about her relationships with the three men she dated in her twenties: Dax, Mike, and Simon. A good-looking guy with bad manners, a straight-forward sensitive soul, and an adoring intellectual.

She remembers the passionately devastating trip to Paris, her humiliating adventures in the Great Outdoors, and a traumatizing game of Scrabble with the in-laws. As she shares the embarrassing, funny, and romantic stories of each man, it becomes increasingly challenging to predict which man she will end up with.

Title: Saving Grace by Jane Green
Description: Grace and Ted Chapman are widely regarded as the perfect literary power couple. Ted is a successful novelist and Grace, his wife of twenty years, is beautiful, stylish, carefree, and a wonderful homemaker. But what no one sees, what is churning under the surface, is Ted’s rages. His mood swings. And the precarious house of cards that their lifestyle is built upon. When Ted’s longtime assistant and mainstay leaves, the house of cards begins to crumble and Grace, with dark secrets in her past, is most vulnerable. She finds herself in need of help but with no one to turn to…until the perfect new assistant shows up out of the blue. To the rescue comes Beth, a competent young woman who can handle Ted and has the calm efficiency to weather the storms that threaten to engulf the Chapman household. Soon, though, it’s clear to Grace that Beth might be too good to be true. This new interloper might be the biggest threat of all, one that could cost Grace her marriage, her reputation, and even her sanity. With everything at stake and no one to confide in, Grace must find a way to save herself before it is too late.

Powerful and riveting, Saving Grace will have you on the edge of your seat as you follow Grace on her harrowing journey to rock bottom and back.

Title: Sudden Death by Allison Brennan
Description: Heroic Justice

When a homeless veteran is found dead in a squalid Sacramento alley, FBI special agent Megan Elliott vows to find the murdered hero’s killer. Her investigation gets complicated fast, for the victim, a former Delta Force soldier, is just one link in a nationwide spree of torture and murder.

Straight off a job rescuing medical missionaries, soldier-for-hire Jack Kincaid returns to his home base in the Texas border town of Hidalgo only to receive the news that one of his closest colleagues–also ex-military–has been brutally murdered. Faced with an inept local police force, Jack takes matters into his own hands.

Now, as part of a national task force to stop the sadistic killings, by-the-book Megan and burn-the-book Jack form a tense alliance, sparked with conflict and temptation. But they struggle against more than passion, for a vicious pair of killers has only just begun a rampage of evil . . . and the primary target is much closer than Megan suspects.

Title: The Divorce Diet by Ellen Hawley
Description: "Revenge is sweet. Reinventing yourself is even sweeter." --Cathy Lamb

Abigail is sure the only thing standing between her and happiness is the weight she gained along with her beloved new baby. Until she instantly loses 170 pounds of husband.

When Thad declares that "this whole marriage thing" is no longer working, a shell-shocked Abigail takes her infant daughter, Rosie, and moves back to her parents' house. Floundering, she turns to an imaginary guru and best friend, the author of her new weight-loss book. But surviving heartache, finding a job, and staying sane as a suddenly single new mom isn't easy, especially on a diet--sorry, life journey.

Make an inventory of your skills, Abigail's guru instructs. Abigail loves cooking and preparing food--real food, not the fatless, joyless dishes her diet prescribes, or the instant-frozen-artificially flavored fare she finds in her mother's kitchen. So far, following everyone else's rules has led to being broke, lonely, and facing a lifetime of poached eggs, faux mayonnaise, and jobs in chain restaurants. What might happen if Abigail followed her own recipe for a good life instead?...

Bitingly funny, wise, and insightful, Ellen Hawley's fresh new novel is an ode to food and self-discovery for any woman who's ever walked away from a relationship--or a diet--to find what true satisfaction is all about.

Title: The Unexpected Consequences Of Love by Jill Mansell
Description: Sophie has no interest in finding love. But what happens when love finds her? Sophie Wells is a successful photographer with a focus on putting the past firmly behind her. When Josh Strachan returns to the seaside town of Cornwall from the States to run his family's hotel, he can't understand why the fun, sexy girl has zero interest in letting him-or any man for that matter-into her life. He also can't understand how he's been duped into employing Sophie's impulsive friend Tula, whose crush on him is decidedly unrequited. Both girls remain mum about the reasons behind Sophie's indifference to love. But that doesn't mean Josh is going to quit trying...

Title: 'Twas The Nate Before Christmas by Sophie Sloane
Description: Daisy, a young, American woman, has moved to Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, England. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the town centre at Christmastime, she rather clumsily falls to the ground. She looks up to see the most handsome face she had ever seen. Nate. It was love at first fall.

He is a gardener at Friar Park, but things don’t seem to add up, as he is constantly jumping into black sports cars, using code names, and hiding her from his friends. At other times, he is the perfect gentleman; wining and dining her at fancy restaurants, zipping around on their scooters, and wooing her with his British wit and banter.

Will he tell her the truth, or will she end up alone at Christmas?

REVIEW: The Scent Of Scandal by Carole Matthews

Title: The Scent Of Scandal
Author: Carole Matthews
Publisher: William Morrow & Company
Publication Date: November, 2004
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: Love Stinks

It does when you find out that the guy you're head-over-heels about is already married. That's when Rose Stevens decides to escape her problems and flee to a remote country village. All she wants is peace and quiet, but the quaint, eccentric villagers of Great Brayford have other ideas.

Rose is amazed that her occupation as an aroma-therapist is causing such consternation among the townsfolk, when what else goes on within the village limits seems so much worse: there's a housewife who's a hooker, a sex-starved neighbor and a troublesome Peeping Tom.

Beneath the all-pervasive aroma of garden lavender there's a distinct scent of scandal here, and Rose thinks that her small transgressions seem paltry in comparison -- until she starts to get intimately involved with the sexy local builder ... and her ex-lover arrives out of nowhere with a shocking announcement ... and she unwittingly finds herself in the center of a chaotic, rumor-fed hurricane of scandal that ensures her life is even more complicated than it was before. But maybe that's also because she's in love again.

My Thoughts: What began as a very slow and sluggish start of this book for me, turned out to be quite enjoyable. I really liked Rose and Dan and once all of the introductory blah blah blah for all of the various characters was done, I started to enjoy the story and found myself wondering how it was all going to play out. Considering how Rose is judged by Anais without reason, I am surprised Anais didn’t wind up being murdered, but I did enjoy the way she gets her comeuppance in the end.

I didn’t care for the way Rose handled the return of Hugh and how easily she gave up on Dan. If the story had ended there, I would have put the book in the freezer. Thankfully, the story provides excellent closure and a happy ending.

My Final Verdict: An enjoyable story that will entertain fans of contemporary romance and chick-lit. If you are a patient reader and can get through the sluggish start, I recommend this book.

REVIEW: Snow Angels, Secrets And Christmas Cake by Sue Watson

Title: Snow Angels, Secrets And Christmas Cake
Author: Sue Watson
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: For Tamsin Angel, Christmas is always the biggest and best… chic parties and a little showbiz sparkle are a must. This year though, things aren’t going quite as planned… With bailiffs suddenly at the door and her husband nowhere to be found, it looks like Christmas just got downsized. Moving into her sister’s one-bedroom flat, she wonders whether things will ever be the same again. After losing her husband on Christmas Eve, Sam Angel has rebuilt her life around her son Jacob and her new business – The White Angel Bakery. She’s also found herself a very handsome, loving boyfriend, but is struggling to let go of the past. Thrown together with a sprinkle of Christmas magic, Sam and Tamsin might just learn a little more about each other – and themselves. But when disaster strikes at the bakery, will they be able to save the day in time for Christmas?

My Thoughts: New to me author Sue Watson brings a perfect blend of Christmas cheer and chick-lit humor together with Snow Angels, Secrets And Christmas Cake. This story centers around the two Angel sisters, Sam and Tamsin. Sam is a single parent who owns and operates The White Angel Bakery. Tamsin is Sam’s older sister who is living the materialistic dream of the wealthy until the rug is ripped out from under her when she finds out her husband has bankrupted them and has taken off rather than face her and their children. Tamsin moves in with Sam and her son and begins helping Sam out at the bakery, giving these two women a chance to reconnect as sisters.

I was really prepared to dislike Tamsin before getting to know her but seeing the vulnerability and pain of the past she keeps deeply buried inside gives the reader a better understanding of why she behaves the way she does in the beginning of the book. Initially, she comes across as a very conceited and self-centered snob who spares no expense trying to outdo everyone else on the Christmas decorations and party celebrations. After she moves in with Sam, we begin to see the real Tamsin and after learning about her childhood, I felt empathy for her and began to connect with her.

I liked Sam and though we don’t find out what happened to her husband until much later in the book, I admired her strength. I wished we knew sooner what happened because it gave a lot of insight to why Sam kept pushing people away and keeping them at arm’s length. Once I learned what happened, I admired her ability to get out of bed every day, much less raise her son and start a business.

I loved the world Ms. Watson creates with The White Angel Bakery. I found myself wishing I could go there and hang out and watch the snow, drink a hot beverage and eat a yummy treat. As I learned more about each sister, I saw their relationship change and improve, amidst many tears and much laughter.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Watson’s writing style and will be looking for more from this very talented author.

My Final Verdict: If you are looking for a heartwarming story that will put you in the Christmas spirit while reminding us that starting over is not a bad thing, I highly recommend this book.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Snow Angels, Secrets and Christmas Cake from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison

Title: The Undead Pool (The Hollows #12)
Author: Kim Harrison
Publisher: Voyager
Publication Date: February, 2014
Genre: Urban Fantasy

Description: Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.

My Thoughts: Not that the book was bad...technically, but I struggled quite a bit with this story. Maybe my expectations are too high, but I committed to this series as soon as I started Dead Witch Walking and was determined to stick with it even though some of the books in the series didn't leave me with a thrill or excitement for the next one. Rachel, Ivy and Jenks have come a long way from that first book and they all have been through a lot. I get that. I try not to demand too much of them, but I haven't felt that thrill with this series for a while and I really want to. I am really hoping that the next book, which is the last book really packs a punch and knocks my socks off.

So here I am, with the next to the last book in the series read and all I can keep thinking about is Al. I knew he is the last living organism in Heaven or Hell, on Earth or in the hereafter who will raise a glass and toast Rachel and Trent hooking up. I would have been right there with Al, spewing venom. Trent has not been a good guy or even a nice guy and though I have observed a change in him and a definite softening in Rachel where he is concerned, I didn't trust it. I didn't trust him. They have been at war for the entire series and actually even before that. I'm just surprised that Rachel has let her guard down, among other things, with Trent. He has redeemed himself so I really hope that it's genuine. The last thing on Earth that Rachel needs is a big fat I Told You So from Al. So, I'm not completely unhappy that this is the direction the series has gone with Rachel and Trent. She has had her share of bad luck where men are concerned and even with this twelfth book, I am still very angry at Nick and his betrayal.

My heart still hurts for Jenks and the loss of his wife, though he appears to be doing well and I get such a kick out of him. He is truly my favorite character and he deserves his own series. I love everything about him, from his hundreds and hundreds of kids, his odd relationship with Belle, his protectiveness of Rachel, his refusal to think even for a moment that his pint-sized, cute pixie self isn't big enough to handle some of the crap that comes Rachel's way. I love it when he gets drunk on honey and his Tinkerbell curse words. Ms. Harrison, if you find yourself reading this review, I am hoping you are considering something special for Jenks down the road.

I have been less sure of Ivy. Didn't really care for the direction her relationship with Rachel was heading a few books back with the whole blood relationship thing and I am so happy that they have moved away from that and Ivy has Nina now. Am I rooting for her? Not really. Don't get me wrong. I don't dislike her, I just don't pine for her when she is absent like I do for Jenks. I am not looking around wondering where she is and when she will make an appearance. Rachel cares for her so I don't wish bad things on her, though I often thought it would be really interesting if she did die and what she would be like as an undead vampire.

The other supporting characters of Quen, David and Detective Glenn are all interesting characters that I enjoy seeing Rachel interact with.

I found this story to be just OK. Rachel seems to have her hands full trying to figure out what is going on with the undead Master vampires and why so many spells are going wrong. The story just seemed to meander from one plot point to another without any strong sense of direction or purpose. Even finding out who is behind the latest mess Rachel has to clean up didn't leave me with an "oh boy, here we go" feeling. It was just kind of a "meh" feeling. In spite of the less than exciting response this book gave me, I am looking forward to the next book so I can hopefully get closure. Overall, I have enjoyed this series. It's been a great ride and I am sad to see it all come to an end.

REVIEW: A Christmas To Remember by Jenny Hale

Title: A Christmas To Remember
Author: Jenny Hale
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: October, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: A beautiful story about the magic of childhood Christmas memories, the strength of family and falling in love when you least expect it.

Everyone loves Christmas – don’t they?

Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life.

As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree!

The only problem could be her boss… single-dad Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realize he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter?

As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realizes that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… after all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!

My Thoughts: A Christmas To Remember by new to me author Jenny Hale introduces the reader to a story of Carrie Blake, a nanny who is at a crossroads in her life, working in a field she loves but has decided she needs to embrace new experiences in her life. Her last job as a nanny is a temporary assignment for Adam Fletcher, a workaholic single father and his four year old twins, David and Olivia. Carrie quickly learns that Adam’s relationship with his children is virtually non-existent and takes it upon herself to convince Adam to actively participate in the Christmas festivities with his family.

I enjoyed the story, but I found Carrie annoying with her inner monologue about her personal insecurities. I also struggled with her determination to confront Adam on his lack of parenting skills. I kept thinking she was out of line and it wasn’t her place to tell Adam he needed to work on his relationships. Despite my initial reservations about Carrie, I got so immersed in the story and what would happen next. I quickly saw how much Carrie loved her job and how enthusiastic she was to make Christmas wonderful for the entire Fletcher family. I really liked Adam and was very curious about the backstory of why he worked so much instead of spending more time with his family. The arrival of his parents, grandfather, sister and brother-in-law made the story more enjoyable with their individual personalities.

The author does a wonderful job of illustrating the emotions by all of the characters and the blossoming attraction between Carrie and Adam was a joy to witness. If you are looking for a story that is sweet and full of Christmas whimsy and spirit, then this book is a good choice.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of A Christmas To Remember from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In November

Welcomed five new review requests to the teetering pile in November and December is off with a bang and the arrival of more today. My goal of getting the books I already owned read seems to be slipping further and further away. Fortunately, you will never hear the words "I have nothing to read" spoken by me.

Title: Can't Always Get What You Want by Chelsey Krause
Description: Fans of Ruthie Knox, Rachel Gibson, and Molly O’Keefe will love this deeply romantic and uplifting debut novel about losing everything you thought you wanted—and getting exactly what you need.

Sophie Richards has been looking forward to a much-needed girls’ night out: a Rolling Stones concert, a few drinks, a distraction from her grueling nursing shifts in acute care. But when her best friend bails, Sophie gets stuck with a blind date.

Although Brett Nicholson may be the hottest carpenter alive, and Sophie may technically be single, she isn’t exactly on the market. Six years ago she found The One. He was everything Sophie dreamed a man could be—and then she lost him. In an instant, her whole life changed, and she forgot all about happily ever after.

But as she gets to know Brett, Sophie starts to wonder about the future for the first time. With a broken heart still clouding her mind, jumping into a new relationship feels impossible. When she’s in his arms, walking away feels even harder. Now Sophie faces an impossible choice: living in the past or choosing love in the here and now.

Title: Difficult Husbands by Mary de Laszlo
Description: Difficult Husbands - In sickness and in health, for better but definitely not for worse…

Newly divorced Lorna is struggling to adjust to life on her own. When she discovers that her beloved godfather has left her the grand (and crumbling) Ravenscourt House in the heart of Sussex, she soon has a project on her hands.

Nathan sells delicious goodies at Mulberry Farm. When he meets Lorna at a Christmas market, neither of them can ignore the chemistry. But as they get to know one another, Lorna wants to know one thing – is he after her or the house?

Together with Gloria – whose marriage to alcoholic Adrian has hit rock bottom, and Rosalind – struggling to deal with her womanising husband Ivan, the three friends hatch a plan. They’ll ditch their difficult husbands at Ravenscourt House and enjoy stress-free Christmases with their families. But nothing is ever that simple…

Title: House Broken by Sonja Yoerg
Description: In this compelling and poignant debut novel, a woman skilled at caring for animals must learn to mend the broken relationships in her family.…

For veterinarian Geneva Novak, animals can be easier to understand than people. They’re also easier to forgive. But when her mother, Helen, is injured in a vodka-fueled accident, it’s up to Geneva to give her the care she needs.

Since her teens, Geneva has kept her self-destructive mother at arm’s length. Now, with two slippery teenagers of her own at home, the last thing she wants is to add Helen to the mix. But Geneva’s husband convinces her that letting Helen live with them could be her golden chance to repair their relationship.

Geneva isn’t expecting her mother to change anytime soon, but she may finally get answers to the questions she’s been asking for so long. As the truth about her family unfolds, however, Geneva may find secrets too painful to bear and too terrible to forgive.

The Creatives by Lindsay Lewis
Description: Like all cubical-bound underlings at Stranton Advertising, Lissy Swanson is desperate to become a Creative. Her impossibly chic superiors enjoy liquid lunches at hip restaurants where intricate bits of sushi are served on bare midsections of androgynous models while she buries herself in dreaded data entry.

When her dreams of Creativedom are finally realized, Lissy is thrilled to work on her first real account - a new drug that scorches fat, bronzes skin and fires up dormant libidos: the Barbie Pill. She plans the perfect campaign, targeting new mothers dying to shed baby weight and rekindle their more adult desires.

When Lissy discovers the beauty pill's ugly secret, she must choose between a promising new love interest and succeeding in the glossy world of Los Angeles advertising.

Title: The French For Christmas by Fiona Valpy
Description: A year to forget. The perfect escape. And a little Christmas magic…

Touching, uplifting, and filled with delicious French cooking,The French for Christmas is the perfect Christmas treat.

Evie used to LOVE Christmas, but this year she can’t wait for the tinsel and presents to be a distant memory.

When her best friends offer the use of their cottage in the beautiful French countryside, Evie jumps at the chance. With her soon-to-be-ex-husband, celebrity chef Will Brooke, plastered over the news with his latest ‘love interest’, leaving the country seems like the perfect plan.

Armed with her French grandmother’s tattered notebook of recipes, Evie is determined to ignore Christmas altogether and bake herself back to happiness.

And when Evie meets her next-door neighbour – the très gorgeous doctor Didier she finds a very willing taste-tester. But is it possible that he could be interested in more than just her Tarte Tatin?

With snow falling, a special Réveillon dinner and a little Christmas magic in the air, could Didier even be the one to thaw Evie’s heart? Or will a visit from the ghost of Christmas past change everything?

REVIEW: Cold Feet At Christmas by Debbie Johnson

Title: Cold Feet At Christmas
Author: Debbie Johnson
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Publication Date: November, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: Running out on your wedding shouldn’t be this much fun! A remote Scottish castle on a snowy Christmas Eve. A handsome husband-to-be. A dress to die for. It should have been the happiest day of Leah Harvey’s life – but the fairytale wedding turns sour when she finds her fiancé halfway up the bridesmaid’s skirt just hours before the ceremony! Fleeing the scene in a blizzard, Leah ends up stranded at the nearest cottage, where she collapses into the arms of its inhabitant – a man so handsome she thinks she must have died and gone to heaven! And when Rob Cavelli suddenly finds himself with an armful of soaking wet, freezing cold, and absolutely gorgeous bride on the run, he’s more than happy to welcome her into his snowbound cottage this Christmas…

My Thoughts: Leah Harvey runs out on her wedding after she discovers her groom in a compromising position with a bridesmaid. She finds herself stranded in rural Scotland in the middle of a snowstorm without a cell phone signal or any supplies to survive. She finds a cottage where she hopes to wait out the storm and meets the inhabitant, Rob Cavelli.

Every Christmas Rob Cavelli heads to the remote Scottish cottage to hide from his pain and the guilt he carries and is unable to let go of. When he opens the front door of the cottage to find a bride, gorgeous and nearly frozen, he brings her in to the cottage and his life, against his better judgment.

Leah and Rob spend Christmas together exploring the attraction they both feel and when Christmas is over, Leah accepts an invitation from Rob to go to Chicago with him, but as friends only.

I enjoyed this cute and charming story. I liked Leah immensely. She is a spunky and feisty character who doesn’t let the events of her fiancé’s betrayal and failed wedding hold her back from grabbing a chance at happiness. She takes a huge leap of faith and travels to Chicago with Rob and believes he is the only man for her, in spite of his determination to push her away. I liked Rob when I first met him, but after they returned to Chicago, I didn’t care for the change in his behavior or personality. He became overbearing and at times, downright hurtful to Leah. Even after learning why, I felt bad for him, but still wanted to hit him with something heavy until he fell down. It surprised me that Leah continued to believe the best in Rob in spite of his constant rejection and I really liked that she didn’t become bitter or hurtful in response.

I recommend this book if you are looking for a story about forgiveness and second chances.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Cold Feet At Christmas from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Reluctant Elf by Michele Gorman

Title: The Reluctant Elf
Author: Michele Gorman
Publisher: Notting Hill Press
Publication Date: October, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: Meet Britain's Worst Innkeeper

Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?

My Thoughts: When Lottie’s Aunt Kate is seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident, Lottie and her seven year old daughter spend Christmas in Wales and find themselves hosting a reviewer at her Aunt’s B&B to obtain a rating that will ensure Kate keeps her business. What Lottie doesn’t count on is the home is rundown and in dire need of repairs and refurbishing. With the assistance of the local taxi driver, Danny, she tries to turn the B&B into a Victorian themed Christmas experience for the reviewer and his dysfunctional family.

I really enjoyed this cute story. Lottie and her daughter were likable characters that I had a lot of empathy for. Lottie is in over her head without a clue how to turn this Christmas disaster around but I liked how determined she was to try. Lottie’s daughter is precocious and the statements she makes throughout the story should be from someone who is much older than a seven year old. I wasn’t too sure about Danny at first, especially when Lottie offers him a large chunk of change to help her and she knows virtually next to nothing about him. Fortunately, Danny turns out to be a decent guy who steps up to assist and has quite a lot in common with Lottie.

Though the results were not perfect, Lottie and her crew manage to pull off their best effort in spite of the reviewer’s demanding and ungrateful family. Michele Gorman pens a sweet Christmassy story that will thaw the heart of any Grinch.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Reluctant Elf from the author in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Tales From A Broad by Jeannine Henvey

Title: Tales From A Broad
Author: Jeannine Henvey
Publisher: Melange Books, LLC
Publication Date: June, 2014
Genre: Chick-Lit

Description: If you enjoy new twists on old classics, then Tales From A Broad is a comedic adventure of one woman’s quest to find herself, but the spotlight focuses on her older chaperone, instead.

Forty-two and feeling not-so-fabulous, Lucy Banks allows her older sister to talk her into accompanying her twenty-four-year-old niece on a trip around Europe. In the past year she has lost her fiancé, her job and her fertility. Embracing her role as spinster aunt seems to be Lucy’s only option, until she embarks on a romantic adventure through London, Amsterdam, Munich, Paris and Florence. Will a room with a view and a handsome stranger be enough to open her heart and mind to new experiences?

Tales From A Broad promises to draw readers into a light-hearted tale of emotional development, self-discovery and love.

My Thoughts: Tales From A Broad by new to me author Jeannine Henvey is a wonderful story about a woman who cures her broken heart by going on a European adventure with her niece, Tess. After Lucy Banks has lost her job, her life takes a downward spiral when her fiancé dumps her after she finds out she is infertile.

I really enjoyed this fun and uplifting story as Lucy comes to terms with her heartbreak and learning to open herself to the possibility of love again. I really liked Lucy and Tess. Their witty dialogue and banter made their relationship one of friendship as well as family. The introduction of brothers Mark and Simon made the story even more entertaining and interesting. The author does a fantastic job of drawing the reader into the locales Lucy visits on her trip that I got a real sense of what Lucy was experiencing as if I was there with her.

My Final Verdict: Overall, this was a fun story with characters that the reader can easily relate to and care about. I highly recommend this story to readers who want to get so completely immersed in a story, they easily forget it’s a work of fiction instead of a real adventure.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Tales From A Broad from the author in exchange for an honest review.

New Additions To The TBR Pile In October

I never tire of new books arriving on my TBR pile. I seem to be drawn to more Christmas themed settings this year so I am hoping to get in the quickly approaching Christmas season. Here are the new arrivals now making themselves at home...

Title: Cold Feet At Christmas by Debbie Johnson
Description: Running out on your wedding shouldn’t be this much fun!

A remote Scottish castle on a snowy Christmas Eve. A handsome husband-to-be. A dress to die for. It should have been the happiest day of Leah Harvey’s life – but the fairytale wedding turns sour when she finds her fiancé halfway up the bridesmaid’s skirt just hours before the ceremony!

Fleeing the scene in a blizzard, Leah ends up stranded at the nearest cottage, where she collapses into the arms of its inhabitant – a man so handsome she thinks she must have died and gone to heaven!

And when Rob Cavelli suddenly finds himself with an armful of soaking wet, freezing cold, and absolutely gorgeous bride on the run, he’s more than happy to welcome her into his snowbound cottage this Christmas…

Title: Don't Mention The Rock Star by Bree Darcy
Description: They fell in love in an instant … so why have they spent a lifetime apart?

As a teenager Kellie dated an American boy but circumstances meant they went their separate ways. Now he’s back and she’s so tempted to see him again. But two decades have passed and they are both married with children.

And the last thing a celebrity reporter like her needs is the world finding out about her past relationship with a rock star. Especially as Kellie’s husband doesn’t even know she once dated AJ Dangerfield, lead singer of legendary band Danger Game. And she has no intention of him finding out. EVER.

As Kellie deals with a demanding boss, a bullied son, an infuriating mother-in-law and a best friend who won’t act her age, she finds herself playing a dangerous game. What will happen if her two worlds collide? And is it possible that first love never fades?

Title: I'll Be Watching You by Andrea Kane
Description: "I'll be watching you . . ." the cryptic e-mail read.

Taylor Halstead, psychologist and successful radio personality, is terrified that she'll never be safe again. Coming on the heels of a series of tragic and terrible events, the e-mail sends chills racing up her spine. Her safe, secure world has already been violated by her cousin Stephanie's boyfriend, Gordon Mallory, in her own apartment. Only the door buzzer and Stephanie's intervening voice rescue her, but not before Gordon promises to return. Soon after, he is killed along with Stephanie in an inexplicable explosion aboard his yacht. Or is he?

The e-mail is just the beginning. The terror campaign escalates when an electronically disguised voice on Taylor's telephone threatens to kill her, and her life becomes a nightmare. It seems the only one she can turn to is attorney Reed Weston, her confidant, protector, and, ultimately, lover. But is Reed's determination to protect her enough to avert disaster? And can Taylor trust Gordon's identical twin, Jonathan, who always seems to show up when she least expects him?

Grief and dread unravel Taylor's sanity, playing tricks with her mind and heart. Someone out there wants her dead—a crazed fan or the troubled teenage boy she's been counseling or, impossibly, Gordon himself. His vow to return and those final menacing words—"I'll be watching you"—haunt her day and night. Whoever is out there is coming closer, and Taylor Halstead has nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.

Title: Snow Angels, Secrets And Christmas Cake by Sue Watson
Description: For Tamsin Angel, Christmas is always the biggest and best… chic parties and a little showbiz sparkle are a must. This year though, things aren’t going quite as planned…

With bailiffs suddenly at the door and her husband nowhere to be found, it looks like Christmas just got downsized. Moving into her sister’s one-bedroom flat, she wonders whether things will ever be the same again.

After losing her husband on Christmas Eve, Sam Angel has rebuilt her life around her son Jacob and her new business – The White Angel Bakery. She’s also found herself a very handsome, loving boyfriend, but is struggling to let go of the past.

Thrown together with a sprinkle of Christmas magic, Sam and Tamsin might just learn a little more about each other – and themselves. But when disaster strikes at the bakery, will they be able to save the day in time for Christmas?

Title: The Extraordinary Life Of Lara Craft by Lola Salt
Description: From bestselling authors Becky Wicks (Before He Was Famous, Before He Was Gone) and Sarah Alderson (Hunting Lila, Fated, Come Back to Me) comes a new romance with a difference...

After losing her job and her boyfriend on the same day, Lara's beginning to wonder if her life can possibly get any worse. Then along comes Jamie, a childhood friend, offering her a job delivering mysterious packages to random destinations around the world. Suddenly, things are looking up.

Lara packs her bags and sets off on an epic adventure, meeting billionaire Arabic Princes in Dubai, rugged cowboys in Australia, a sparkling wannabe vampire in LA, a love guru with sex on the brain in Bali and Angelina Jolie's bodyguards in a hostage situation that can only be resolved with some very special eggs. But though trouble always seems to find Lara, it seems love is rather more elusive.

Pack your bags. The adventure's about to begin!

Title: The Reluctant Elf by Michele Gorman
Description: Meet Britain's Worst Innkeeper…

Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?

Title: The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
Description: Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.