The Newcomer - Mary Kay Andrews

Here's a question for you - how do you know when summer is just around the corner? And the answer is.....when Mary Kay Andrews releases a new book! The Newcomer releases today - and it's such a great read!

We meet our lead character Letty as she pulls into the Murmuring Surf Motel (don't you love the kitschy name?), in the Florida town of Treasure Island. She's driven non stop from New York with her four year old niece. Why? The unthinkable has happened - Letty's sister and Maya's mother Tanya is dead. Tanya always said "If anything bad happens to me - it’s Evan. (her ex) Promise me you’ll take Maya and run. Promise me.”

In the last few books MK has added a mystery alongside the romance and feel good nature of her books. It really works for me, adding another layer to her books.

I loved each and every character in the book - from Letty and the extremely cute Maya, to the warm and welcoming motel owner Ava, her daughter Isabelle, the crotchety, but lovable senior residents, Ava's handsome son Joe - and more. They're all so well drawn and likeable. All except that Evan - MK did just as good a job drawing such a loathsome antagonist.

I loved the setting! It reminded me so much of my holidays when I was younger and I would happily stay there today as well. It has such a welcoming feel - kinda like a 'Cheers' vibe.

And yes, romance is another facet that makes Andrews books such great summer reading. It's not overt, sappy or in your face. The attraction is well done and fits seamlessly into the plot.

Now, take these wonderful characters, the fantastic setting and weave in the mystery of who killed Tanya. What have you got? A book you don't want to put down. And I didn't. Five stars for another engaging, heartwarming, eminently readable, take me away from it all, beach worthy read.  See for yourself - here's an excerpt of The Newcomer.

Hello Summer - Mary Kay Andrews

A new book from Mary Kay Andrews heralds the arrival of summer reading for me. Fittingly, her newest is titled Hello Summer. And it's one you're going to want to add to your summer reading list!

Why do enjoy I Andrews' books so much? First off, I love her characters. This time, the lead is newspaper reporter Conley Hawkins. She's on her way to a new prestigious newspaper job when she finds out the deal has fallen through. She's got nowhere to go - but home to Silver Bay, Florida. And her family's struggling newspaper, The Silver Bay Beacon. I liked Conley right away - she's smart, quick and curious. That curiosity will serve her well - she and and an old friend are walking home late one night when they come across a car wreck - and the victim is the local Congressman. But, the cause isn't cut and dried in Conely's opinion. She starts to investigate and not everyone is happy with this. Andrews herself worked as a reporter for many years. That insider knowledge and experience add much to this book. And Rowena's society columns for the paper are priceless.

The supporting cast of an Andrews' book always included a somewhat crotchety but lovable character. In this case its Conley's G'mama - family matriarch Lillian. I loved her feistiness and her sometimes not so subtle meddling. She has a sidekick in her companion Lillian. The friction between Conley and her sister Grayson is something that's been building over the years. They're both stubborn and carrying baggage. Can they see a way to mend fences? Again, another thing I love about Andrews' books - relationships and how they're depicted and handled. Believable. The supporting cast is just as well drawn.

And yes, romance is another facet that makes Andrews books such great summer reading. It's not overt, sappy or in your face. The attraction and slow build is well done and fits seamlessly into the plot.

That plot also includes a great mystery. Was the Congressman murdered? An accident? Who, what, where, when and why. The answers to those question kept me guessing until the last bit of the book.

The writing is engaging and the reader is easily drawn into the story. The setting has me wishing (and not for the first time!) again for a seaside cottage. Andrews descriptions of time and place had me inagining.

Sun, fun, family, romance, mystery and more populates the pages of Hello Summer. See for yourself - here's an excerpt of Hello Summer.  Great escapist reading for me - taking a break from reading about what's going on in the world and heading to the beach through the pages of Hello Summer. Five stars.

Credit: Bill Miles

"Mary Kay Andrews is The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House Cookbook and more than twenty novels, including The Weekenders, Ladies' Night, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues. A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia." You can connect with Mary Kay on her website, like her on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

The Chain - Adrian McKinty

There's been lots of publicity surrounding the release of Adrian McKinty's latest novel - The Chain. Did it live up to the hype? Oh yeah it did - thriller readers are going to want to pick up this one!

The premise is a frightening (and pretty dark) one...

"Your phone rings. A stranger has kidnapped your child. To free them you must abduct someone else's child. Your child will be released when your victim's parents kidnap another child. If any of these things don't happen: your child will be killed."

Takes the chain letter concept to a whole new level doesn't it?

McKinty has created a great lead character in Rachel. She's a divorced, single mother battling breast cancer. Why in the world have her and her daughter been targeted? I love books that place an everyday person in an extraordinary position. Can they beat the odds? Thwart the 'bad guys'? Pull off the impossible? Rachel is a force to be reckoned with.

Action is the word of the day in The Chain. The plot is driven forward by twists - most of them ones I could not have predicted. I love being caught unawares by a book. So, the game changes frequently and Rachel has to react and respond to the newest directive. Now, I must admit - some of those plot lines require a few grains of salt. And that's okay - this is pure escapist, entertainment reading.

I had a three day weekend lately - and I devoured The Chain on that extra day. It's addictive, propulsive reading that will consume the reader. The Chain is an action packed thriller film just waiting to be made. See for yourself - here's an excerpt of The Chain.

The Summer Guests - Mary Alice Monroe

Looking for a summer beach read? Look no further than Mary Alice Monroe's new novel - The Summer Guests!

A hurricane is set to strike the Florida and North Carolina coasts. Grace Phillips lives inland and has offered a number of her diverse group of friends to take refuge at her inland farm. The one thing they have in common? Horses.

The weather mirrors the lives of the large character cast. As the hurricane threatens, the lives of the characters are facing stormy times. When the storm hits, lives change and as the storm eases up, new paths are set for almost everyone over the course of ten days. (And a lot happens!)

All types of relationships are explored - friendship, mother/daughter, romantic, working - and horses. I am completely in the dark about equine matters and I learned quite a bit from Monroe's descriptions and settings. Again, much of the equine situations mirror what's going on in the lives of the group.

It is a diverse group and readers will gravitate towards some players (I really liked Moira and her mother Grace - maybe we'll see them in a future book?). And dislike others. With so many characters, the narrative changed often and I felt like I didn't really get to 'know' them as much as I would have liked.

The Summer Guests takes inspiration from Munroe's own life and experiences through an evacuation, her knowledge of the horse community and of course, the Southern settings.

This was a first read of Mary Alice Monroe for me. The Summer Guests engaged me, the story was entertaining and it just seemed right for beach reading. See for  yourself - here's an excerpt of The Summer Guests.

"Mary Alice Monroe is the New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the Beach House series: The Beach House, Beach House Memories, Swimming Lessons, Beach House for Rent, and Beach House Reunion. She is a 2018 Inductee into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame, and her books have received numerous awards, including the 2008 South Carolina Center for the Book Award for Writing, the 2014 South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence, the 2015 SW Florida Author of Distinction Award, the RT Lifetime Achievement Award, the International Book Award for Green Fiction, and the 2017 Southern Book Prize for Fiction. Her bestselling novel The Beach House is also a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. An active conservationist, she lives in the lowcountry of South Carolina." Visit her at her website and like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Sunset Beach - Mary Kay Andrews - Review AND Giveaway!

Oh, it wouldn't be summer without a new book from Mary Kay Andrews! Sunset Beach releases today - and you're going to want to add this one to your summer reading list. And.....I just happen to have a copy to give away to one lucky reader, thanks to St. Martin's Press!

Andrews takes us back to the beach......

Out of a job and down on her luck, Drue Campbell decides to move to Sunset Beach, Florida and take a job in her estranged father's law office. That decision comes with highs - she has inherited a beach bungalow from her grandparents. And lows - her father has married her best friend from grade eight - and she's Drue's new supervisor.

Beach houses. Many of Andrew's books feature a house on the water - and I always stop and daydream about having one myself. Even better when it's a fixer-upper! Steps away from the water? Heaven!

I liked Drue as a lead character. She's clever and feisty, someone you'd really like to know. Now, there's always a romantic thread in Andrew's books. And Sunset Beach is no different - Andrews gives Drue more than one choice of love interests.

But what I really liked about this book was the mystery that takes the lead role in the plot. Well, there's two actually. Drue finds a case at the law firm that was settled - but she thinks there's more to it and starts to investigate on her own. She also finds a box of files in the attic of the beach house that pertains to a missing woman. I was hooked!

The beach, romance, humor and mystery. What more could you want in a book?! Sunset Beach is another easy, breezy read from Mary Kay Andrews, perfect for your summer reading list. Read an excerpt of Sunset Beach.

"Mary Kay Andrews is The New York Times bestselling author of The High Tide Club, The Beach House Cookbook, The Weekenders, Beach Town, Save the Date, Ladies’ Night, Christmas Bliss, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues. A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia." You can connect with Mary Kay on her website, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter and on Instagram.

And if you'd like to read Sunset Beach enter for a chance to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, ends May 18/19.

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The High Tide Club - Mary Kay Andrews - Review AND Giveaway

Oh, it's not summer without a new book from Mary Kay Andrews. The High Tide Club releases today - and it's so very, very good!  You're going to want to add The High Tide Club to your summer beach reads list. And I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader!

Andrews hooks the reader from the first pages with a prologue from 1941. Four young women have just buried a body. I know - not what I expected either! I wanted to know more - who and why? The narrative then flips to present day. Lawyer Brooke Tappenall is called to the island of Talisa. Ninety nine year old Josephine is the last of her family. She owns the majority of the island and has been fighting both developers and the state for years to keep her land. She also wants Brooke to find the heirs of her three childhood friends - all members of the self named High Tide Club. She needs to make amends.

There's the starting point and I'm not going to reveal any more. There are so many wonderful pieces to this story - friendship, loss, love, secrets and more. And of course the mystery of who was buried back in 1941. A back and forth narrative slowly reveals the past. And over the course of 480 delicious pages the past and present meet. Andrews provides some unexpected turns along the way. Some were a surprise. And some were darker than I could have predicted. But my hopes for a happy ending were met by the final pages.

The High Tide Club is told with both humour, warmth and pathos. Andrew's prose are easy and engaging. Mary Kay does 'southern' fiction so well. I loved her descriptions of the island, the ocean and the people. Her characters are always clearly drawn and the reader has no problem knowing who they're cheering on.

I really enjoyed this latest from Mary Kay Andrews. Now to begin the long wait for next year's book!Read an excerpt of The High Tide Club.

"Mary Kay Andrews is The New York Times bestselling author of The Beach House Cookbook, The Weekenders, Beach Town, Save the Date, Ladies’ Night, Christmas Bliss, Spring Fever, Summer Rental, The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues. A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia." You can connect with Mary Kay Andrews on her website || subscribe to her newsletter || like her on Facebook || follow her on Instagram || follow her on Twitter || follow her on Pinterest and find her on Goodreads.

And if you'd like to read The High Tide Club, I have a copy to giveaway courtesy of St. Martin's Press. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US only, no PO boxes please. Ends May 19/18.

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Happiness for Humans - P.Z. Reizin - Review AND Giveaway

Looking for a light, fun, rom-com read? Look no further than P.Z. Reizin's newest novel - Happiness for Humans. (And I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader, courtesy of Grand Central Publishing!)

Jen's job is to spend time talking to Aiden - a 'sophisticated piece of AI wizardry." He's a bit more advanced than anyone realizes, having become self aware, he has 'escaped' and copied himself to the web. He seems to be also experience feelings. Is is possible?  Tom is on the other side of the world in the US. Unknown to him, he also has an AI in his life - Aisling finds him quite fascinating.

The two AI's decide to meddle in both of their lives - helping the course of true love along.... with many mishaps along the way.

Reizin's premise is fun and full of possibilities. Both of the lead characters are eminently likeable and readers will find themselves hoping for a 'happily ever after' outcome. The two AI's are also quite 'personable', if you will. (Aiden will steal your heart) Their burgeoning awareness gives the reader pause. As does the use of electronic devices. We are so connected - phones, computers, surveillance cameras etc. The path to true love is, of course, rocky. Reizin plays this out well, with the unexpected entry of another character.

Happiness for Humans was a quirky, engaging rom-com love story that I found quite entertaining. Here's an excerpt. If you'd like to read Happiness for Humans, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada, no PO boxes please. Ends February 17/18.


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The Cafe by the Sea - Jenny Colgan

I love Jenny Colgan's books - they're the perfect 'feel-good' read. Her latest North American release is The Cafe by the Sea.

What makes Colgan's books such a delight to read? Her characters first and foremost. There's always a fun female lead facing decisions, both professionally and personally. This time 'round it's Flora, born on the remote Scottish island of Mure. When her mother died, Flora fled to London to pursue her career. Three years on she hasn't returned, even for a visit. But when her boss (yes she does have a crush on him - this is another integral part of Colgan's books - the romantic will they, won't they component) sends her there for work, she is forced to confront her past - and look to her future. (Another few pieces of the feel-good read - conflict and heart-string tugging.)

Flora is a perfect lead - fun, quirky and very likable. The supporting cast also endears themselves to the reader - Flora's loud and noisy family, the townsfolk - and two other possible romantic entanglements......

The grief and loss Flora is experiencing over her mother's death is very well written. Anyone who has suffered such a loss will find themselves shedding a tear or two. But there's lots of joy as well - rediscovering that place we call 'home' and finding your own passion - the thing you were meant to do. The title gives you a pretty broad hint of what Flora's passion might be. Colgan's description of the joy of food and baking was, well, mouthwatering! The descriptions of Mure are vivid, bring the imaginary isle to life - and had me wanting to visit. And who doesn't love a good romantic tale - the meandering path to true love - all the while knowing that yes, there's a happy ending. But sad for the reader when the end is reached. More please!

The Cafe by the Sea is the perfect summer (okay, really anytime) read - engaging, touching, joyful, romantic, humourous and more. Loved it! Read an excerpt of The Cafe by the Sea.

You can connect with Jenny Colgan on her website, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. (And I have to say that I look forward to reading the note from the author at the beginning of Colgan's books - her warmth and wit shine through and add a personal note to the novels.)

(Note that this is the same novel as the British titled The Summer Seaside Kitchen.)

Here's to Us - Elin Hilderbrand

My beach bag reading list wouldn't be complete without the latest Elin Hilderbrand novel. This summer's new title is Here's to Us.

Hilderbrand takes us back to her favourite setting - Nantucket. Her descriptions of the island and locale make me want to visit - or better yet - live in a lovely old wooden cottage by the ocean.

One of those cottages has been the vacation home of one man, Deacon Thorpe -  and over the years - his three wives and children. But with Deacon's death, the three women and their families have gathered at the cottage to spread Deacon's ashes.

They may have all loved Deacon, but they can't stand each other. This forced togetherness brings up the past both good and bad.

It took me a few chapters to put all the characters in their place - who was who, who was related etc. Once I had that down, I formed an attachment with some - first wife Lauren, adopted daughter Angie from marriage number two and local guide JP. I was torn on how I felt about Deacon - he was a conflicted man, but loved his children. Wives two and three (Scarlet and Belinda) were horrid, vapid, vindictive and shallow. Supporting male characters were a mixed bag. I was confused by Deacon's best friend Buck's actions - his long time attraction to Laurel is thrown away for a few minutes of sex with one of the other exes. I found this somewhat jarring and not what I expected from Hilderbrand.

But without having characters that aren't likable, we wouldn't have the tension, recriminations, secrets and ultimately at the end, a form of resolution. I'm sure that some of Hilderbrand's situations are not that far from the truth for some. Food plays a part as well, with many of Deacon's recipes included.

Here's to Us is a good escapist beach read, but I've enjoyed other Hilderbrand novels more. Read an excerpt of Here's to Us.  You can connect with Elin Hilderbrand on her website, find her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

The Weekenders - Mary Kay Andrews - Review and Giveaway

Summer reading has officially begun when Mary Kay Andrews releases her latest book - and it's here! The Weekenders has just released - and I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader.  I always love her covers - doesn't this one just shout beach!

Riley Griggs' family is one of the oldest on Belle Isle, North Carolina, developing summer homes and managing others. It's Riley's 'happy place.' Riley and her daughter Maggy are headed over to the island to open up their home on the Memorial Day weekend. Riley's husband Wendell is supposed to join them, but he's a no show and the ferry leaves without him. But, when Riley arrives there's a foreclosure notice on her door.....

The Weekenders is a little bit heavier in tone than previous releases. There's murder, family problems, health concerns, financial woes and lots of secrets. But all of that is accompanied by Mary Kay's trademark romance and overall 'chick lit' feel.

I liked Riley as a character and empathized with her plight. A wee bit of me was angry with her for not being a bit more proactive when it came to her own finances. No chick lit romance is complete without some push/pull, yes/no, back and forth before - well, you know. Loved the love interest in this book. And of course there needs to be a best friend sidekick, who's a little brash, but who would do anything for her bestie. And Parrish is all that. Daughter Maggy is a handful - and Andrews depicts that teen 'tude very well. The rest of the supporting cast is just as well drawn and explores other social and family issues.

That murder? Well, there's lots of suspects to choose from - and whodunit wasn't quite who I expected it to be at all!

Mary Kay's settings always leave me wishing I lived there. And Belle Isle was no exception - descriptions of weathered wood, whitewashed walls and the sound of waves sounds absolutely perfect to me.

The Weekenders was an engaging, entertaining, satisfying escapist read to start off my summer. (Pack drinks and snacks in in your bag too - it's a delicious 450+ pages.)  Read an excerpt of The Weekenders.

"Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times bestselling author of the novels Beach Town, Save the Date, Ladies' Night, Christmas Bliss, Spring Fever, and Summer Rental, all from St. Martin's Press, as well as The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues, all HarperPerennial.  A former journalist for The Atlanta Journal Constitution, she divides her time between Atlanta and Tybee Island, Georgia." You can connect with Mary Kay Andrews on: ||  Website  ||  Twitter  ||  Facebook  ||  Pinterest  ||

And if you'd like to take The Weekenders to the beach with you, enter to win a copy using the Rafflecopter form below. Ends Jun 18/16. Open to US only, no PO boxes please.

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Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery - Jenny Colgan

Jenny Colgan's newest book is Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. Now, it's a follow-up to Little Beach Street Bakery, but you don't need to have read it to enjoy 'Summer'. (Although you might want to pick it up as well and tuck both into your summer reading beach bag)

Polly Waterford has made a place for herself in the tiny Cornish town of Mount Polbearne - she's running a successful bakery (she doesn't own it yet, but...) has bought a home (yes an operating lighthouse!), has a fabulous boyfriend (Huckle, a transplanted American honeybee keeper) and a pet puffin named Neil. Life is good. Until....

.....a new owner takes over the bakery - and that changes everything.....Polly faces uncertainty again on every front....

Colgan has created a wonderful backdrop and setting for her characters. I love quaint little towns and quirky characters and Mount Polbearne is just that. (I think I'd be quite happy living there) Polly is a great lead character - she's someone you'd love to have as a friend. And it's impossible not to cheer her on. Huckle is great, but it's Neil the puffin who takes best supporting character. Without saying much more than Eep, he'll steal your heart. (He does have his own twitter account @neilthepuffin) I wasn't completely sold on friends Kerensa and Reuben - they were a bit over the top. But they play their designated roles perfectly.

Colgan's description of the breads and baking had me salivating as I read. I've always dreamed of having my own business and enjoyed following Polly's start-ups.

Summer at Little Beach Bakery has everything you want in a great chick-lit book - love, loss, drama, humour and yes - a just right ending. There are many more stories waiting to be told in Mount Polbearne - I hope Colgan has plans for another book set here.

Jojo Moyes contributes a blurb to the cover - "Deliciously warm and sweet." I absolutely agree. Tuck Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery in your beach bag - it's perfect summer reading! Read an excerpt of Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. 

"Jenny Colgan is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including Little Beach Street Bakery, Christmas at Rosie Hopkins’ Sweetshop, and Christmas at the Cupcake Café, all international bestsellers. Jenny is married with three children and lives in London and Scotland." You can connect with Jenny on Twitter @jennycolgan and find her on Facebook. See what others on the TLC book tour thought - full schedule can be found here.

The Guest Cottage - Nancy Thayer

I don't read a lot of romance, but summertime is just the right time for a feel good read. And there's still some summertime left - and time to pick up Nancy Thayer's newest release The Guest Cottage.

Thayer takes us back to Nantucket Island. (There's nothing better than a beach setting as you read on the beach!)

A series of miscommunications results in two renters arriving to spend the summer in the same guest cottage. Widower Trevor and his young son Leo, both still recovering from the loss of Leo's mother and Sophie, an impending divorcee, along with her children Jonah and Lacey. A compromise is met with the two families agreeing to share the house.

Uh, huh you can see it coming can't you - two lonely people.... But of course that path is fraught with will they, won't they, yes, no, and many complications along the way. Thayer blends in a secondary storyline involving the older man living in the attached apartment.

This is a romance novel, so the reader will have to suspend disbelief in some instances. The wealthy Bulgarian tycoon was a bit of a reach and somewhat cliched. And I wondered about some of those bumps on the way (the attractive best friend being one.) But, once I stopped trying to force hard realities into Thayer's story, I enjoyed the book. As I said, it's great escapist summer reading. Those looking for romantic fairy tale kind of read with a happy ending will absolutely find it here. And that's what summer beach reads are all about. Read an excerpt of The Guest Cottage.

You can connect with Nancy Thayer on her website as well as on Facebook.

Giveaway - Summer Secrets - Jane Green

Oh, have I got a great giveaway for you today! Could there be a more perfect book for beach or the porch!

Jane Green's new book, Summer Secrets has just released - and I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader. (It's on my summer reading list too - watch for my review!)

From the publisher, St. Martin's Press:

"When a shocking family secret is revealed, twenty-something journalist Cat Coombs finds herself falling into a dark spiral. Wild, glamorous nights out in London and raging hangovers the next day become her norm, leading to a terrible mistake one night while visiting family in America, on the island of Nantucket. It's a mistake for which she can't forgive herself. When she returns home, she confronts the unavoidable reality of her life and knows it's time to grow up. But she doesn't know if she'll ever be able to earn the forgiveness of the people she hurt.

As the years pass, Cat grows into her forties, a struggling single mother, coping with a new-found sobriety and determined to finally make amends. Traveling back to her past, to the family she left behind on Nantucket all those years ago, she may be able to earn their forgiveness, but in doing so she may risk losing the very people she loves the most.

Told with Jane Green's keen eye for detailing the emotional landscape of the heart, Summer Secrets is at once a compelling drama and a beautifully rendered portrait of relationships, betrayals, and forgiveness; about accepting the things we cannot change, finding the courage to change the things we can, and being strong enough to weather the storms." Read an excerpt of Summer Secrets.

"A former feature writer for the Daily Express in the UK, Green took a leap of faith when she left, in 1996, to freelance and work on a novel. Seven months later, there was a bidding war for her first book, Straight Talking, the saga of a single career girl looking for the right man. The novel was a hit in England, and Green was an overnight success. Most weekends see her cooking for a minimum of twenty people in her home in Westport, Connecticut, where she lives with her husband and their blended family. When she is not writing, cooking, filling her house with friends and looking after their animals, she is usually thanking the Lord for caffeine-filled energy drinks." You can connect with Jane Green on her website, on her blog, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

Who else loved Summer Secrets?

"The quintessential beach novel, complete with juicy drama and characters you fall madly in love with. You will devour it!" -Elin Hilderbrand 
"Warm, witty, sharp and insightful. Jane Green writes with such honesty and zing." -Sophie Kinsella "The perfect summer read...You'll be hooked." -Kristin Hannah

One copy to giveaway. Open to US only, no PO boxes please. Ends July 11/15. Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Good luck!

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Beach Town - Mary Kay Andrews

It's not truly summer until Mary Kay Andrews releases her newest book. Well, it's here - Beach Town has just released!

Andrews has set her latest on the Florida Gulf Coast this time. Greer Hennessey is a film location scout. Her latest search turns up sleepy Cypress Key - a run-down, sleepy little town off the beaten path that is just what the director is looking for. Cypress Key won't be sleepy much longer with the influx of the movie stars and crew. But not everyone is happy that they're there.....

Beach Town captures all the elements of a chick lit novel - love found, love lost and perhaps found again - Eb, the mayor of Cypress Key is quite attractive.... Complications in the form of  misunderstandings, family and self sabotage - Greer has unresolved family issues.....And of course, there needs to be a sidekick friend, always a little 'out there' - CeeJay, hair and makeup maven. A dastardly boss with unrealistic expectations - movie director Bryce is definitely demanding. And lots of supporting players with their own issues and story lines.

I always look forward to the latest from Mary Kay Andrews - I like her warm, humorous storytelling. But, somehow this latest fell a little flat for me. It took a bit to figure out what it was that stopped Beach Town being another great read for me. And upon reflection - I didn't like Greer. Despite plot line developments that are meant to endear her to the reader, I just never warmed up to her. I found her self-serving and insensitive and I never felt like cheering her on.

Although there are lots of details about the movie biz, I found I wasn't overly interested - I prefer the books set on Tybee Island and the Outer Banks. Books that feature more 'everyday' people and situations. In Beach Town, those are the characters I enjoyed the most - Eb and his aunt Gin, residents of Cypress Key.

This latest just wasn't as heartwarming, heartfelt and humorous as I wanted it to be. Still, that being said, Beach Town was an entertaining read, light fare for beach chair perusing. And I will still be looking forward the the next MKA. Read an excerpt of Beach Town.

"Mary Kay Andrews is the New York Times bestselling author of The Fixer Upper, Deep Dish, Blue Christmas, Savannah Breeze, Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies, and Savannah Blues. A former journalist for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia." You can connect with Mary Kay Andrews on Twitter as well as on Facebook.

Mary Kay Andrews Prize Pack Giveaway!

Summer is just around the corner....and that means it's time to stock the beach bag with some fantabulous summer reading.

And for me - that means Mary Kay Andrews!! I can't wait to read her newest book, Beach Town,  - it releases May 19th.

But, while we're waiting, I have an amazing Mary Kay Andrews giveaway for one lucky reader to win that includes:

A copy of SAVE THE DATE in trade paperback
A copy of SUMMER RENTAL in mass market paperback 

Two different Mary Kay Andrews bookmarks

Set of 3 SAVE THE DATE recipe cards

SAVE THE DATE magnet MKA

Summer Rental sticker

BEACH TOWN lip balm with SPF 15

So, if you're looking to stock your beach bag with some great summer reading, enter to win this great prize pack using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to Continental US only, no PO boxes please. Ends May 30/15

And here's a quick peek at Beach Town...

"Greer Hennessy is a struggling movie location scout. Her last location shoot ended in disaster when a film crew destroyed property on an avocado grove. And Greer ended up with the blame.

Now Greer has been given one more chance-a shot at finding the perfect undiscovered beach town for a big budget movie. She zeroes in on a sleepy Florida panhandle town. There’s one motel, a marina, a long stretch of pristine beach and an old fishing pier with a community casino—which will be perfect for the film’s climax—when the bad guys blow it up in an all-out assault on the townspeople.

Greer slips into town and is ecstatic to find the last unspoilt patch of the Florida gulf coast. She takes a room at the only motel in town, and starts working her charm. However, she finds a formidable obstacle in the town mayor, Eben Thinadeaux. Eben is a born-again environmentalist who’s seen huge damage done to the town by a huge paper company. The bay has only recently been re-born, a fishing industry has sprung up, and Eben has no intention of letting anybody screw with his town again. The only problem is that he finds Greer way too attractive for his own good, and knows that her motivation is in direct conflict with his.

Will true love find a foothold in this small beach town before it’s too late and disaster strikes? Told with Mary Kay Andrews inimitable wit and charm, Beach Town is this year’s summer beach read!" Read an excerpt of Beach Town.

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Save the Date - Mary Kay Andrews - Review AND Giveaway!

My summer reading list would not be complete without the latest book from Mary Kay Andrews.

Save the Date is another wonderfully warm, funny, romantic read that's a must for your beach bag.

Andrews populates her books with lovable, quirky characters that you wish you could actually count among your friends.

In Save the Date, we meet Cara Kryzik, a florist trying to make a go of her fledgling business in Savannah. She lands one big society wedding that could make or break her reputation - and her bank account. Can she pull it off? Or will fate conspire against her? Her landlord wants to sell her building, her loan is being called in and her trusted assistant is acting funny. Then a well known 'society' florist opens a shop in Savannah, determined to put Cara out of business..... And what about that builder that 'kidnapped' her dog? And why is he at every wedding she's working?

I was captured from first page to last. All the elements are there - a main character you can't help but cheer for, a hunky guy, that will they, they won't they romantic storyline, an eclectic supporting cast and an antagonist you can't help but dislike! All of it is wrapped up in distinctly enjoyable dialogue and situations, making Save the Date a sweet, easy, breezy read.

I really enjoyed some of the wedding ideas and descriptions and learned quite a bit about flowers as well. Andrews's books are set in the South, where she herself makes her home. Her descriptions of time and place make me want to visit the settings.(Or in the case of Tybee Island - move there)

My usual fare is mysteries and thrillers, but I enjoy a good 'chick lit' book. Andrews always fills the bill - and for this reader, Save the Date was a really good read.

Get a taste - read an excerpt of Save the Date. I've also listened to Mary Kay Andrews titles. Save the Date is available on audio as well. The reader is Kathleen McInerney, and she's great. Hear for yourself -  https://soundcloud.com/macaudio-2/save-the-date-audiobook-excerpt

You can keep with Mary Kay Andrews on Facebook and on Twitter.

Thanks to the generosity of St. Martin's Press, I have a copy to giveaway to one lucky reader. Open to continental US only, no PO boxes please. Simply leave a comment to be entered. Ends August 2/14.

Summer Rental - Mary Kay Andrews

I listen to at least one audio book over the course of a week, driving back and forth to work. I had great fun listening to Summer Rental by Mary Kay Andrews this week. As summer is (finally) on it's way, it seemed a quite appropriate choice.

Dorie, Ellis and Julia have been best friends since their childhood days in Georgia. They've kept in touch even as their lives diverged. Now in their thirties, each is facing a significant turning point in their life. Who better to commiserate with than your best friends? And where could be more relaxing than a cottage on North Carolina's Outer Banks? But - mix in a woman on the run and a very interesting neighbour in the garage apartment - and things get a little hotter in North Carolina.

Mary Kay Andrews creates the most engaging characters. All three women were very different, but all of them were someone you'd love to have as a friend. Dorie is gentle, sweet and kind, Ellis is the organizer and practical one and  Julia is the risk taker and the most outspoken.  Each is a very different personality that brings something different to the story. (I have to say, Julia was my favourite)

The reader was Isabel Keating. She has a wonderfully rich and resonant voice. (She works as an actor as well) Keating creates a voice for each character that perfectly embodied the mental image I had imagined for each woman. Her Southern accent was lovely to listen to - and believable. She captured the tone of the book - from fun to danger...and more. Yes, there's much more to the story than women sitting on the beach in the sun! Andrews has penned a fun novel, but there are some truths hidden there as well...

Andrews' writing style is light, breezy and chock full of southern charm. She herself makes her home between Georgia and North Carolina, so her setting descriptions conjure up quite vivid mental pictures. The cottage with it's sandy floors and worn paint just called to me. And so did that beach chair, just sitting watching the tide roll out.

Great summer listening? Absolutely! Rental is an easy, entertaining listen, perfect summer escapist fare. Pop it into the player on your way to the cottage.  Listen to an excerpt of Summer Rental.

I'm looking forward to Andrews' latest release - Save the Date, out June 3/14. You can keep up with Mary Kay on Twitter.

Coming Soon - All Fall Down - Jennifer Weiner

I think the warm weather is finally here to stay! And soon it will be time for the beach. I can happily sit and read a book all day by the water. So, time to plan for the summer beach bag reads! Here's one on my list....

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner's new book - All Fall Down - releases on June 17 /14.

From the publisher, Simon and Schuster:

"Allison Weiss got her happy ending—a handsome husband, an adorable little girl, a job she loves, and a big house in the suburbs. But when she’s in the pediatrician’s office with her daughter and a magazine flips open to a quiz about addiction, she starts to wonder whether her use of prescription pills is becoming a problem. On the one hand, it’s just prescription medication, the stuff her doctors give her. Is a Percocet at the end of a hard day really different than a glass of wine? Is it such a bad thing to pop a Vicodin after a brutal Jump & Pump class…or after your husband ignores you?

Back in the car, with her daughter safely buckled behind her, Allison opens the Altoid tin in her purse and slips a chalky white oval underneath her tongue. The pill unties her knotted muscles, erases the grime and ugliness of the city, soothes her as she frets about the truth of her looking-good life: that her husband’s becoming distant, that her daughter is acting out, that her father’s early Alzheimer’s is worsening and her mother’s barely managing to cope. She tells herself that the pills let her make it through her days…but what if her ever-increasing drug use, a habit that’s becoming expensive and hard to hide, is turning into her biggest problem of all?

All Fall Down is the story of a woman’s slide into addiction and struggle to find her way back up again. With a sparkling comedic touch and tender, true-to-life characterizations, this tale of empowerment and redemption is Jennifer Weiner’s most poignant, timely, and triumphant story yet."

Read the first chapter of All Fall Down.  You can find Jennifer Weiner on Facebook, on Twitter.