The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase

The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase
Ballantine Books
Women's Fiction
March 31, 2015

About THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:

Perfect for fans of Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner, this bright, funny debut from a fresh voice in fiction offers a delicious take on love, family, and what it means to build a home of one’s own.

Sarina Mahler thinks she has her life all nailed down: a growing architecture practice in Austin, Texas, and an any-day-now proposal from her loving boyfriend, Noah. She’s well on her way to having the family she’s hoped for since her mother’s death ten years ago. But with Noah on a temporary assignment abroad and retired Olympic swimmer—and former flame—Eamon Roy back in town asking her to renovate his new fixer-upper, Sarina’s life takes an unexpected turn. Eamon proves to be Sarina’s dream client, someone who instinctively trusts every one of her choices—and Sarina is reminded of all the reasons she was first drawn to him back in the day. Suddenly her carefully planned future with Noah seems a little less than perfect. And when tragedy strikes, Sarina is left reeling. With her world completely upended, she is forced to question what she truly wants in life—and in love.

Full of both humor and heartbreak, The One That Got Away is the story of one woman’s discovery that, sometimes, life is what happens when you leave the blueprints behind.


Advance Praise for THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY:

Refinery 29 includes Bethany Chase in their “21 New Authors You Need to Know” Feature, calling THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY “A novel that could be worthy of a big-screen adaption!”

"[A] sparkling debut [that] packs serious emotional punches . . . This utterly enjoyable romance will have readers swooning, sobbing, and eagerly anticipating Chase's next book."—Kirkus Reviews

“A warm, witty, and wise novel, The One That Got Away announces the arrival of a great new voice in fiction.”—Emily Giffin, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The One and Only

“Love can be complicated, and in The One That Got Away, Bethany Chase captures every nuanced beat of a conflicted heart. An authentic and warm voice infuses this story of humor, heartbreak, and home. While Sarina finds her way, we as readers might also find a way back to our own unique lives.”—Patti Callahan Henry, New York Times bestselling author of And Then I Found You

“This perfectly paced story is full of fresh, engaging characters, but Chase’s greatest accomplishment is Sarina Mahler. Sarina is so human, her inner world such a compelling mix of guarded and open-hearted, confident and faltering, that—through every loss, every funny moment, every blazing triumph—I felt completely with her and grateful to be there.”—Marisa de los Santos, New York Times bestselling author of Falling Together

“Bethany Chase is utterly charming and writes about loss with wisdom and heart.”—Allie Larkin, author of Why Can’t I Be You

“Don’t let this one get away: Chase’s debut is fun, romantic, steamy, and populated with heartfelt characters—not-to-miss delicious escapism!”—L. Alison Heller, author of The Never Never Sisters

“We fell in love with The One That Got Away from the very first page. In her charming debut novel, Bethany Chase reminds us about the one that got away, and makes us wonder what would have happened if he hadn’t.”—Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke, co-authors of Your Perfect Life

“The One That Got Away is juicy, steamy, witty, and real. Bethany Chase kept me laughing out loud as I quickly turned the pages. With a love story perfectly balanced between sexy and sweet, and settings so vivid and hip they feel like a literary Pinterest board, Chase will have you swooning.”—Taylor Jenkins Reid, author of After I Do


Buy The One That Got Away: Amazon | B&N | !ndigo

About The Author:
A native of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Bethany Chase headed to Williams College for an English degree and somehow came out the other side an interior designer. When she’s not writing or designing, you can usually find her in a karaoke bar. She lives with her lovely husband and occasionally psychotic cat in Brooklyn, three flights up. This is her first novel.

Connect With Bethany Chase: Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest | Facebook


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REVIEW: Dog Gone, Back Soon by Nick Trout

Title: Dog Gone, Back Soon (Cyrus Mills #2)
Author: Nick Trout
Publisher: Hachette Books
Publication Date: April, 2014
Genre: General Fiction

Description: When Dr. Cyrus Mills returned home after inheriting his estranged father's veterinary practice, The Bedside Manor for Sick Animals, the last thing he wanted was to stay in Eden Falls, Vermont, a moment longer than absolutely necessary. However, the previously reclusive veterinarian pathologist quickly found that he actually enjoyed treating animals and getting to know the eccentric residents of the tiny provincial town-especially an alluring waitress named Amy.

So Cyrus is now determined to make Bedside Manor thrive. Not an easy goal, given that Healthy Paws, the national veterinary chain across town, will stop at nothing to crush its mom-and-pop competitor. And the rival vet practice isn't Cyrus's only competition; a handsome stranger shows up out of nowhere who clearly has a mysterious past with Amy. To top it off, Cyrus finds himself both the guardian of a very unique orphaned dog and smack in the middle of serious small town drama.

My Thoughts: Dog Gone, Back Soon is the charming sequel to The Patron Saint Of Lost Dogs, where the reader is first introduced to Dr. Cyrus Mills and the two legged and four legged residents of Eden Falls, Vermont. I enjoyed the first book so much that I was looking forward to this book to see what Cyrus was up to next. Dog Gone picks up very shortly after Patron Saint ends, so it is imperative you read Patron Saint first to fully understand and appreciate the background.

In Dog Gone, the reader is treated to the arrival of more adorable pets as well as a villain, of sorts. He runs the Healthy Paws veterinary clinic in a nearby town and has made it his mission to see Bedside Manor fail, especially when a few of their patients come to Cyrus for help.

Cyrus and Amy finally go on an official date that does not end well and the reader is taken on a journey of Cyrus battling the green-eyed monster and trying to come to terms with his feelings for Amy, while trying to do the right thing when he is mistaken for someone else.

I especially enjoy how the author uses his own remarkable veterinary skills to illuminate how Cyrus uncovers what is ailing each of his furry patients. As with the first book in the series, this story also tugs on the heartstrings. I really love how the animals bring Cyrus out of his introverted shell. He is not the same man he was when he first arrived and I love seeing the interactions between him and the animals.

My Final Verdict: I really hope to see another book in this series. I highly recommend this series if you enjoy a heartwarming story that elicits strong emotional responses filled with characters that are easy to connect and relate to.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Dog Gone, Back Soon from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Body In The Woods by April Henry

Title: The Body In The Woods (Point Last Seen #1)
Author: April Henry
Publisher: Henry Holt And Company
Publication Date: June, 2014
Genre: Teen / Young Adult / Mystery

Description: In this new series told from multiple perspectives, teen members of a search and rescue team discover a dead body in the woods.

Alexis, Nick, and Ruby have very different backgrounds: Alexis has spent her life covering for her mom’s mental illness, Nick’s bravado hides his fear of not being good enough and Ruby just wants to pursue her eccentric interests in a world that doesn’t understand her. When the three teens join Portland County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue, they are teamed up to search for an autistic man lost in the woods. What they find instead is a dead body. In a friendship that will be forged in danger, fear, and courage, the three team up to find the girl’s killer—before he can strike one of their own.

This first book in April Henry’s Point Last Seen YA mystery series is full of riveting suspense, putting readers in the middle of harrowing rescues and crime scene investigations.

My Thoughts: The Body In The Woods by new to me author April Henry is the first book in a series about three teens who are members of a search and rescue team. While on a search for a missing man, they discover the body of a young girl. The trio soon realize a serial killer is on the loose and decide to work together to solve the mystery before one of them becomes his next target.

Though this story did not pack a high level of intensity, it’s a good start to the series and holds a lot of promise as we learn more about Alexis, Nick and Ruby. I enjoyed meeting these characters and getting to know them. They are an awkward group that do not know each other very well but a friendship begins to bloom and becomes stronger as they work together to solve the crime. I thought each character was unique and interesting as more is learned about them and the reader gets to see firsthand into the lives of each one. The author does a good job of capturing the voice of each character’s personality and bringing them to life on the page.

The story moved at a good pace and the author does not mire down the reader in unnecessary details. I was able to guess the identity of the killer fairly quickly but I enjoyed seeing it all play out and wondering how the teens would get the police to help.

My Final Verdict: Good start to a series that will appeal to fans of young adult themes and mysteries. What the book lacks in suspense and intensity delivers with interesting characters that will draw the reader in to find out what happens next.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Body In The Woods from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: Pretty Reckless by Jodi Linton

Title: Pretty Reckless (Deputy Laney Briggs #1)
Author: Jodi Linton
Publisher: Entangled: Ignite
Publication Date: March, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Description: Welcome to Pistol Rock, Texas where everyone knows secrets last about as long as the sporadic west Texas rain showers.

Laney Briggs has long been considered reckless by the denizens of her hometown, but she’s finally turned it all around—she’s happily engaged to the local veterinarian and she’s become a Pistol Rock deputy sheriff. Everything’s fine and dandy—until a dead body turns up and her ex, Texas Ranger Gunner Wilson, decides to stick his boots into the town’s first murder case. Of course, the troublesome cowboy’s rugged good looks and T-shirt-straining muscles are already leaving Laney knee-deep in hot water, but she’ll be damned if she lets Gunner trample all over her turf. She’s decided that, instead of conflict, she wants a contented, steady life with her vet—a life in which Gunner Wilson and his seemingly endless ability to undermine her resolve and her libido plays no part. Still, it’s hard to keep her head as forbidden sparks ignite and suspicions arise between old rivals and old flames. And when the bodies start to pile up, Laney has to ask the lethal bad boy for a hand—and a truce in exchange for his help. But after uncovering the pack of lies surrounding not only her job but her heart… Having an ex-boyfriend as an ally might not be the best idea, but it’s certainly the most reckless, and Laney has always been pretty reckless…


My Thoughts: With Pretty Reckless, new to me author Jodi Linton introduces the reader to a feisty spitfire named Laney Briggs, a former school teacher turned Sheriff's Deputy in the small town of Pistol Rock, Texas. Murder isn't something that happens in this tiny little town so when Laney finds herself investigating her first murder case, she crosses paths with old flame, Gunner Wilson, a Texas Ranger whose relationship with Laney ended with a shotgun loaded with rock salt. Laney is now engaged to the local veterinarian and though she insists long and loud that she loves her fiancé, Gunner is determined to kick up a little dust over her shiny red cowboy boots.

This book was a lot of fun to read. I really liked Laney and Gunner together. Their chemistry and feelings were very evident though Laney trys very hard to fight it. Gunner is a pure rascal to the bone but you have to admire his tenacity. He's not a perfect hero and he is no innocent bystander. Some would even say that receiving an ass full of rock salt was the least he deserved. Once he arrives in Pistol Rock, he is like the proverbial moth to Laney's bright flame. He can't stay away and doesn't seem to care if he will get burned.

What initially appears as a run of the mill murder investigation quickly turns sinister when Laney starts receiving threats from an unknown source and more dead bodies start showing up.

The story moves at a very good pace and the author does an excellent job of describing the scenes with such clarity and detail, the reader is able to feel what Laney feels, all the way down to the dry dusty Texas landscape. I was able to guess early on who the true villains in the story are but what I was not expecting was the final show-down which had some intense nail-biting moments.

My Final Verdict: This is a very good start to a series that packs a punch. If you like your heroes to wear Stetsons and boots with a "Howdy Ya'll" drawl that will make your toes tingle, then Pretty Reckless will fit the bill. Turn up the A/C, pour yourself an iced glass of sweet tea, turn off the phone and get ready to be thoroughly entertained.

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

New Additions To The TBR Pile In February

I am currently up to my eyeballs in review books and more arrived in February. I used to think having time off of work would be ideal, but if that time were on a deserted island with no distractions, I might actually make a dent (smile). Lots of intriguing choices to choose from and I cannot make up my mind! Would love to hear any thoughts on these if you have read them.

Title: Ever After by Anya Wylde
Description: “With a shout from the queen, a hoot from the major, a joyous giggle from the good king … the long awaited princess finally arrived ...” In an unpredictable world where birds deliver babies, wise turtles live deep in the earth and grasshoppers advise the queen, the new-born and highly indignant princess finds herself trapped in a luxurious tower by the over protective king.

Soon after her seventeenth birthday, growing bored of trinkets, baubles and sparkling diamonds, she decides to rebel and win back her freedom. Her father relents and allows her to venture outside the tower, but only if she is accompanied by the royal entourage comprising of guards, doctors, nurses, maids, a cook, an elephant, as well as a military tank complete with a powerful cannon.

Just when she thinks she is beginning to understand the world outside the tower, she sees him moving amongst the crowd, and her entire world tilts on its axis and the tale takes an unexpected turn....

Title: If We Lived Here by Lindsey Palmer
Description: Razor-sharp and thought-provoking, Lindsey J. Palmer's incisive new novel both celebrates and skewers modern relationships and their milestones, offering a witty and wise look at what it takes to commit--to love, to a home, and to the life that's right for you.

After three years of dating and trading nights at their respective New York City apartments, Emma Feit and Nick O'Hare are moving in together. Or they will be, as soon as they find the right place. For two happily-in-love professionals--Nick's a teacher, Emma tutors college-bound teens--with good credit and stellar references, how hard can it be? As it turns out, very--in ways that are completely unexpected.

Suddenly Emma is filled with questions about cohabiting, about giving up her freedom--not to mention about who's going to clean the toilet. And while her best friend plans a dream wedding to her wealthy fiancé, and her older brother settles into suburban bliss, Emma must figure out what home means to her--and how on earth to get there.

Title: Love By The Book by Melissa Pimentel
Description: A hilarious and refreshingly honest foray into modern dating, Age, Sex, Location is Bridget Jones's Diary for HBO's Girls generation.

An American living in London, Lauren is intelligent, beautiful and loves to party. So why can't she convince a man she isn't after something more serious than scrambled eggs and goodbye in the morning?

Determined to snare some regular male affection, she embarks on a project: each month she will follow the rules of a different dating guide - from refusing to pay the bill to chatting up every man in her path - and will switch seamlessly to the next book at the end of each month.

Lauren's love life is about to get scientific . .

Title: The One That Got Away by Bethany Chase
Description: Perfect for fans of Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner, this bright, funny debut from a fresh voice in fiction offers a delicious take on love, family, and what it means to build a home of one’s own.

Sarina Mahler thinks she has her life all nailed down: a growing architecture practice in Austin, Texas, and an any-day-now proposal from her loving boyfriend, Noah. She’s well on her way to having the family she’s hoped for since her mother’s death ten years ago. But with Noah on a temporary assignment abroad and retired Olympic swimmer — and former flame — Eamon Roy back in town asking her to renovate his new fixer-upper, Sarina’s life takes an unexpected turn.

Eamon proves to be Sarina’s dream client, someone who instinctively trusts every one of her choices — and Sarina is reminded of all the reasons she was first drawn to him back in the day. Suddenly her carefully planned future with Noah seems a little less than perfect. And when tragedy strikes, Sarina is left reeling. With her world completely upended, she is forced to question what she truly wants in life — and in love.

Full of both humor and heartbreak, The One That Got Away is the story of one woman’s discovery that, sometimes, life is what happens when you leave the blueprints behind.

Title: The Royal We by Heather Cocks
Description: "I might be Cinderella today, but I dread who they'll think I am tomorrow. I guess it depends on what I do next."

American Rebecca Porter was never one for fairy tales. Her twin sister, Lacey, has always been the romantic who fantasized about glamour and royalty, fame and fortune. Yet it's Bex who seeks adventure at Oxford and finds herself living down the hall from Prince Nicholas, Great Britain's future king. And when Bex can't resist falling for Nick, the person behind the prince, it propels her into a world she did not expect to inhabit, under a spotlight she is not prepared to face.

Dating Nick immerses Bex in ritzy society, dazzling ski trips, and dinners at Kensington Palace with him and his charming, troublesome brother, Freddie. But the relationship also comes with unimaginable baggage: hysterical tabloids, Nick's sparkling and far more suitable ex-girlfriends, and a royal family whose private life is much thornier and more tragic than anyone on the outside knows. The pressures are almost too much to bear, as Bex struggles to reconcile the man she loves with the monarch he's fated to become.

Which is how she gets into trouble.

Now, on the eve of the wedding of the century, Bex is faced with whether everything she's sacrificed for love-her career, her home, her family, maybe even herself-will have been for nothing.

Title: What Happens In Tuscany by T.A. Williams
Description: From rainy England…

Katie never imagined her life was perfect. But when she finds herself on a rainy street, soaked to the bone and with only a cheating boyfriend and a dead-end job keeping her in town, she knows something has to change. Which is what leads her to Iddlescombe Manor, to be companion to Lady Victoria Chalker-Pyne – the only 25 year old Katie’s ever met who hasn’t heard of Twitter, thinks camisoles are de rigueur, and desperately needs an education in the 21st century!

…to the Tuscan sun!

But it wouldn’t be an education without a summer holiday – and where better than Tuscany? Decamping to Victoria’s family villa, it’s soon clear that the valley really does have it all: sun, sea…and some seriously gorgeous neighbours. The only question is: when the weather’s this hot, the wine is this smooth and the local men are this irresistible…will Katie ever want to make the journey home?

Don’t miss deliciously funny romance What Happens in Tuscany… the perfect escape for fans of Fern Britton and Veronica Henry.

REVIEW: The Unexpected Consequences Of Love by Jill Mansell

Title: The Unexpected Consequences Of Love
Author: Jill Mansell
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Publication Date: February, 2015
Genre: Chick-Lit

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...

My Thoughts: An amusing and heartwarming story about a young man named Josh who returns to Cornwall to help his grandmother run the family business. He wants to get to know local photographer Sophie Wells better and on a personal level, but she keeps him and every other man at arm’s length. Sophie shows absolutely no interest at all in the dating ritual and would rather bury her wounded heart in her work, where she focuses all of her energy. The more Josh tries to draw Sophie out of her shell, the more resistance he meets, but he is determined to get to the bottom of the matter, no matter the outcome.

I really liked all of the characters in this story. Sophie and Josh were wonderfully written and just perfect for each other. I just kept turning pages in anticipation of how they would eventually get together. The secondary characters breathe glorious life into the story in their own right. There’s Sophie’s impetuous friend, Tula who finds herself unemployed and moving to Cornwall after she gets busted calling off sick when she wasn’t. There’s Riley, the attractive beach bum who appears to have no prospects and is living with his successful author Aunt and last but not least, Josh’s divorced grandparents who are still quite fond of one another. I was rooting for all of these characters to receive a happy ending because they were all so likable. I loved the setting of Cornwall for this story. The pace seems slower, which fits this story beautifully. No big city noise or smog polluting the air or the ears here. I got a very real sense of tranquility, peace and relaxation while reading this story. I’m not a fan of the beach setting, myself, but I really felt so comfortable while reading it.

My Final Verdict: Overall, I’m fairly new to the writing of Jill Mansell, but after reading this book, I am a fan. I highly recommend this book if you like stories that feature characters who surprise you with their actions. This story will reaffirm that love happens in the most unexpected ways so there is no use fighting it or trying to avoid it.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of The Unexpected Consequences Of Love from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

REVIEW: The Patron Saint Of Lost Dogs by Nick Trout

Title: The Patron Saint Of Lost Dogs (Cyrus Mills #1)
Author: Nick Trout
Publisher: Hachette Books
Publication Date: January, 2013
Genre: General Fiction

Description: After fifteen years, Dr. Cyrus Mills returns to rural Vermont to inherit the Bedside Manor for Sick Animals, the failing veterinary practice of his recently deceased and long-estranged father. Cyrus, a veterinary pathologist far more comfortable with cold clinical facts than living, breathing animals (not to mention their quirky, demanding owners), intends to sell the practice and get out of town as fast as he can.

Then his first patient—a down-on-her-luck golden retriever named Frieda Fuzzypaws—wags her way through the door, and suddenly life gets complicated. With the help of a black Labrador gifted in the art of swallowing underwear, a Persian cat determined to expose her owner’s lover as a gold digger, and the allure of a feisty, pretty waitress from the local diner, Cyrus gets caught up in a new community and its endearing residents, both human and animal. Sensing he may have misjudged the past, he begins to realize it’s not just his patients that need healing.

The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs is a winsome tale of new beginnings, forgiveness, and the joy of finding your way home.

My Thoughts: The Patron Saint Of Lost Dogs by new to me author, Nick Trout, is a very good story about coming home again, forgiveness and making peace with your past. Cyrus Mills returns to his hometown to take over his deceased father’s veterinary practice that is on the brink of failure. To further complicate matters, Cyrus is not a veterinarian in practice as he has never treated living animals. Instead, his expertise lies in veterinary pathology. Cyrus intends to sell the practice and return to South Carolina as quickly as he can. However, he does not anticipate how his arrival affects the numerous quirky characters he meets, both animal and human.

I really enjoy books that feature animals prominently throughout the story and this book did not disappoint. Mr. Trout does an excellent job of bringing the animals to life with individual personalities and traits that enabled me to feel a profound connection with each one. I was intrigued and worried at the same time whether or not Cyrus would figure out in time what was wrong with each of his patients. A couple of the animals really got to me on an emotional level and a box of Kleenex was necessary. In addition to the animals, the human characters of Eden Falls, Vermont are just as interesting and intriguing.

The story flows smoothly as Cyrus tries to acclimate himself to his new surroundings that are filled with painful memories and ghosts from his past. I enjoyed how he handled the stress of being out of his element interacting with living animals for the first time while meeting new people. Cyrus is very much a loner who has done a remarkable job of hiding his feelings and not getting close to people. Seeing him open up to both animals and people was uplifting.

My Final Verdict: If you enjoy heartwarming stories that feature animals in leading and supporting roles or enjoy stories that have likable characters who tug on your emotions, I highly recommend The Patron Saint Of Lost Dogs as a very good choice. This is the first book of the series and I am looking forward to reading the next book, Dog Gone, Back Soon.

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.