The Christmas Inn - Pamela M. Kelley

I know, I know - Christmas fiction already?! Yup! Starting off the season for me is Pamela Kelley's new novel - The Christmas Inn.

Riley Sanders was stunned when she lost her New York job right before Christmas. But her mom could use her help with her B&B over the holiday, and she's not been home quite a while. Cape Cod is calling to her - it's where she was brought up. And it's where she broke her high school boyfriend's heart. Aidan is still on the Cape...

Kelley does a great job giving many women of all ages a romantic plot line. She also explores friendships and family. I loved the setting and would happily visit the B&B - especially at Christmas. Indeed the characters themselves say it feels like they're in a Christmas movie!

There are bumps on the road to true love, which is expected with this genre. Kelley does a wonderful job of putting all the pieces where they should be. A perfect story to start my seasonal reading. 

Definitely recommend for romance readers. See your self - read an excerpt of The Christmas Inn.

The Seaside Sisters - Pamela Kelley

Are you looking for a beach read? Yes? Perfect! Pamela Kelley has a new book out called The Seaside Sisters - and it takes place in Chatham, Cape Cod in the summer!

 

Hannah has had great success with her first book. But she's having trouble with the follow up book. Her personal life and health are not in a good place either. When her Aunt invites her to come for the summer, she jumps at the opportunity.

Hannah is the lead character and is quite likable - as is the case for most of the characters. There are players from all ages and stages of life. Kelley gives them all 'issues' to be worked through. And the endings for all are satisfying.

The settings are well drawn and detailed. The bookshop was my favorite. :0) There's quite a few  restaurants and a number of get togethers. The food and drink are detailed as well.

 

The book is somewhat predictable, but that was the draw for me - a book I could take my time with.

The perfect book to tuck in your beach bag! See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Seaside Sisters.

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club - Helen Simonson

The cover of Helen Simonson's new book, The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club, immediately caught my eye. The title and cover image promised a great read!

Simonson has set her book in 1919 postwar England. Men are coming back to their homes, their families - and their jobs. Women have filled those roles during the war and many of the women don't want to quit - and many of them can't afford to not work.

One of those willing to work at a much more challenging job  is Constance. But right now she is a companion to an older woman, living in a luxury hotel at Hazelbourne-on-Sea. 

"I was doing something important. Now we are all expected to go home to the kitchen or drawing room". 

Simonson's setting is wonderfully detailed and easy to imagine. She has also captured the mores of the time period - proper behaviour, doing as you're expected, listening to your elders and so much more. The expectations of the time are so constrictive. The dialogue was so well written and fun to read. Oral jousting while not stepping out of line!

But then Constance meets Poppy and her family and Poppy turns Constance's life upside down, introducing her to other forward thinking women. Simonson does a wonderful job depicting the women's' lives, hopes, dreams, wishes and the drive to keep trying to have more and do more. 

There's much more to the plot of The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club - and it's much more fun to discover it yourself. If you enjoy historical fiction, add this to the your list! See for yourself - read an excerpt of  The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club.

Village in the Dark - Iris Yamashita

Village in the Dark is the second book in Iris Yamashita's Detective Cara Kennedy series. (Yes, this can be read as a stand alone.)

Yamashita takes us back up to Alaska and the fictional village of Point Mettier. The entire village lives in a high rise building. This setting is based on an actual village that does indeed live in one building. I enjoyed the descriptions of life inside and the many idiosyncrasies of the inhabitants.

Cara suffered a loss in the last book. She thought she had put that loss to bed, so to say, but the past is still knocking on the door.

Yamashita gives us some great opening chapters - from the point of three women. Cara, Ellie and Mia. Ellie is a feisty landlady at the building. And Mia is a young woman who was raised in the bush, but has decamped to the city of Anchorage. Three very different backgrounds, skills and ages give the reader a different take on what's going on. Each is engaging, but I think I enjoyed Ellie the most. The narrative changes every chapter - which had me staying up to read 'just one more chapter.'

The crime in the book is not new, but Yamashita has put her own twist on the final how why. There's lots of tension and action throughout the novel. I can see this book being made into a movie. Yamashita is an award winning screenwriter with four Oscar nominations.

There are a few plot devices that need to be taken with a pinch of salt - just go with it. Overall, a great addictive read. I would happily pick the next book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Village in the Dark.

Queens of London - Heather Webb

Queens of London is Heather Webb's new novel. I knew it was one I wanted to read when I discovered that Webb took inspiration from actual historical events. She's woven fact and fiction into Queens of London.

Who are the Queens you ask? "Diamond Annie" is the Queen of the all women's criminal gang, Forty Elephants. The opening prologue gives you a good idea of how tough these women are. And what they are capable of. The book is set in 1925, post WWI. Money is short and this is how the gang makes their ends meet - and a little bit more. Much more is what they want...

Hot on Annie's heels is Detective Lilian Wyles - a woman who has who has fought her way into the male dominated Scotland Yard. There are two other characters who play pivotal roles in Queens of London - a clerk in a department store and a young woman named Hari. I had my favorite, but each woman has their own story. Oh, there's a great little dog as well. Each of the four women is given a point of view with their own chapters. 

There's also lots of action in the book that will keep the reader reading 'just one more chapter'. 

Queens of London explores women's roles in this time frame. All four women - on both sides of the law - want nothing more than to just have a say in how they're treated and the expectations piled on them. Society and mores of the timeframe dictates an opposite model from what they want. As the book progresses, the reader can see the writing on the wall...

This was a first read of Webb for me and I have to say I really enjoyed this latest book. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Queens of London.

The Last List of Mabel Beaumont - Laura Pearson

What a wonderful find Laura Pearson's novel was! The Last List of Mabel Beaumont is a heartwarming - and heartbreaking tale. 

Mabel and Arthur were married for sixty two years. I say were, as Arthur has passed away. Arthur loved list and when Mabel comes across a cryptic note, she knows it is for her. All is says is 'Find D."

Dot was Mabel's best friend for years, until.....

The answer to that - and other revelations are found in Mabel's memories. She is determined to finally bring her life, good and bad, to light.

A group of other women are with her on the journey to find Dot. They're of all ages and stages of life and are given rich personal lives as well. With every step, the years fall away and the past is finally addressed for Mabel. The other women are also on journey of their own. Pearson tackles a number of issues with this group.  

There's so much to enjoy about this novel. Friendships, hard times, being true to yourself, love, loss, grief and more. I had an inkling of what might be ahead and was proven right in the end. No matter, it's the journey that makes this such a great listen.

I choose to listen to The Last List of Mabel Beaumont. The reader was Penelope Freeman and she did a wonderful job presenting Pearson's work. The voice for Mabel was perfect - somewhat querulous at times. But she still has a bite when needed. She provides distinct and different voices for all of the other characters, making it very easy to know who is talking. She speaks clearly and enunciates well. The speed is just right. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt. 

A wonderful listen!   11 hours

The Homewreckers - Mary Kay Andrews

Are you looking for a new beach read? Yes? Well, you can't go wrong with Mary Kay Andrews. The Homewreckers is newly released in trade paperback - and is just waiting to be tucked into your beach bag!

I'm a fan of MKA's storytelling. Why you ask? Well, there's always a lead character that you'd like in real life. Hattie Kavanaugh is that character. She's a young widow and works with her father-in-law and best friend flipping houses in Savannah, Georgia. She's ambitious, smart and driven. The supporting cast of characters are just as warm and likeable. Most of them that is. There needs to be some antagonists in every tale as well. Oh, and there's a dog. Every good book has a dog. ;)0

When the latest flip loses money, Hattie has to find a way to recoup their losses. She finds a property, but it's still going to be a struggle. Until....a Hollywood producer offers Hattie a chance to star in a 'home show.' I have to admit, I love those shows. It was fun to read what transpires 'behind the cameras'.

There are some strings attached to the offer though - including one in the form of a co-host - an attractive designer. And there's the next bit - a romantic angle - or two. There's always the right one and the wrong one. We just need Hattie to see what we see!

The last few books have included a mystery as well. Someone seems determined to not have Hattie succeed with this latest reno. But who and why? Well, we discover the why, but the who takes us right to the final pages. There are lots of suspects for the answer to the whodunit, and I was kept guessing. 

And let's not forget the setting. The house they're working on is on Tybee Island, Georgia. Mary Kay Andrews herself has ties to the island. Her descriptions make me want to visit, sit on a porch or walk on the beach. Here's a fun fact  - "Mary Kay is an intrepid treasure hunter whose favorite pastime is junking and fixing up old houses."

Now, take these wonderful characters, the fantastic setting and weave in the mystery and romance and 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 - read an excerpt of The Housewreckers.

And keep your eyes out for Bright Lights, Big Christmas: A Novel, coming out on  September 26, 2023.

The Bookshop by the Bay - Pamela Kelley

It's time to load up your beach bag with some 'beach reads'. Pamela Kelley's new novel, The Bookshop by the Bay, would be great choice!

Jess's life is turned upside down when her husband admits to cheating on her. Jess decides to head home to Chatham, Cape Cod, where her mother and best friend Allison reside. It's also home to a bookstore - that might just be what be the friends need...

"Yes, but there's nothing like browsing a bookstore. Smelling through all those books, flipping through the pages and choosing the perfect one for your mood at that moment."

Jess is the lead character, with Allison right behind her. I quite enjoyed the depiction of their friendship and ideas about romance. Kelley gives the reader some generational romance as Jess and Allison's daughters also play a large part of the book. And Jess's mom is as well. There's a large cast of supporting characters and they too are well drawn. The characters are people you'd like to know in real life. (except for one or two!)

The setting is wonderful and I'd love to be lying on the beach reading the book I just bought at the bookshop, heading in to the coffee shop, perusing the main street and more. 

There's not a lot of surprise in how the plot progresses and what direction Jess and Allison's lives will take. But that's exactly what I was looking for - a wonderful escapist read where a 'happily ever after' ending waits.

See for yourself - read an excerpt of The Bookshop by the Bay.

Weyward - Emilia Hart

Oh, look that cover - isn't it gorgeous? Even better is the story that awaits you in Emilia Hart's debut novel, Weyward.

Hart's book unfolds through the narrative of three women over the course of five centuries. In 1619, Altha is on trial for witchcraft. In 1942, Violet is virtually a prisoner in her family's manor house. And in 2019, Kate is on the run from her life in London.

What ties the three together is their family tree and Weyward Cottage. There's more of course, but not all of them are aware yet of their strengths, abilities or what came before. 

Hart tells her story in rotating points of view, often ending at a place I couldn't wait to return to. (Makes for lots of late night reading!) And as those time periods flip, you realize that the more things change, the more they stay the same. 'Nuff said. "The thought sparks fury in her. She's not sure if it's a new feeling, or if it was always there, smothered by fear. But now it burns bright in her blood."

Hart's descriptions of nature are beautiful and remind us to appreciate what grows and lives in a garden. And to take solace and peace from Mother Earth. "For I had begun to suspect that nature, to us, was as much a life force as the very air we breathed." 

Weyward is a brilliant, bewitching debut.  I can't wait to read what Hart writes next. See for yourself - read an excerpt of Weyward.

One of the Girls - Lucy Clarke

Oh, you're going to want to get your hands on a copy of Lucy Clarke's new novel - One of the Girls. It's a fantastic read!

Six women head off to an isolated villa in Greece. Bella, one of the six has arranged for a bachelorette party in anticipation of Lexi's wedding. Robyn, Ana, Fen and Eleanor round out the six.

One of the six (we don't know which) acts as a narrator for some short italicized inserts between some chapters. The foreshadowing in those short missives just fueled the fire for me. 

"We all had different reasons for being there. But one of us - well, she had a very specific reason for saying yes to the hen weekend. The problem was, none of us realized until it was too late."

On the surface, the relationships between the women are good - old friends meet new, memories are recounted, new ones are being made and more. But there are undercurrents, tendrils that have been hidden, but are slowly but inexorably making their way to the surface. Planting roots and changing how the dynamic of the women changes. Incidents from the past, suspicions, jealousy. Revenge perhaps?

Clarke has done an amazing job creating her characters. I could mentally see each one very clearly in my mind. Their thinking and actions ring true and are very believable. I know who I liked and who I would avoid in real life. Each player is given a voice with their own chapters. 

And this is where the unravelling begins. Those tendrils start winding themselves together. The connections were ingenious and surprising. I really enjoyed being got off guard. I hadn't imagined the ending at all and truly thought things would play out a different way. But, I was quite satisfied with how things turned out. 

Clarke's prose are effortless and make for addictive reading. An easy five stars to One of the Girls. See for yourself - read an excerpt.

The School for German Brides - Aimie K. Runyan

There’s a wealth of World War II fiction just waiting to be read these days, told from many different points of view. Land girls, air taxis, nursing, codebreakers and more. Aimie K. Runyan gives us another view point in her latest historical fiction novel - The School for German Brides. 

What's different you ask? The book takes us to 1938 - 1939 Germany and is told from the sympathetic view of three young German women. One of them, Tilde, is Jewish. She and her mother make a living as seamstresses. Hanna has been sent to live with her aunt and uncle in Berlin. Her aunt is determined that Hanna will marry well. Hanna has other ideas, but her future is already written when an SS officer takes an interest in her. The third woman is Klara and her future looks just like Hanna's. I quite liked all three women and thought they were well drawn. The reader can't help but behind them. And of course there are those on the other side of the equation. Just as well done and you can't help but dislike them!

Now, about the School for German Brides. There actually were Bride Schools that taught the skills needed to be the (supposedly) perfect SS wife. Runyan has also woven historical figures and settings into her novel. 

Runyon does a great job of giving us an inside view of Germany at this time. She makes it personal as we see it through the girls' eyes. Their stories build towards an inevitable meeting of the three. Lives hang in the balance and their bravery, sense of rightness and their own ideals are called upon. There’s love, loss and hope and an ending is satisfying. 

Fashion funnily enough plays a large part in uniting these three women. I really enjoyed the descriptions of fabrics, patterns and the dresses worn. 

WWII fiction fans, this one's recommended for you. See for yourself - read an excerpt of The School for German Brides.   #BooksofHCC   @harpercollinsca

A Season for Second Chances - Jenny Bayliss

A Season for Second Chances is Jenny Bayliss' new novel. 

I quite enjoyed last year's The Twelve Dates of Christmas and was eager to get lost in another escapist read.

Annie is forty four years old and is a successful restaurateur with two wonderful sons ... and a husband who is a serial philanderer. When she catches him, um... red handed it's the final straw. When she spies an ad for a seasonal caretaker for a wee cottage in a seaside town, she knows that it's just what she needs - to get away and reassess her life.

Ahh, I loved the setting. Living by the water in a quirky historical building sounds perfect! The rest of the town is also well drawn and I would happily sit in the pub with a pint, catching up with the latest.

Annie is a great lead character. I liked her being older (not that forty four is old!) and could connect with her. She's kind and friendly, as are the rest of the residents of Willow Bay. The supporting cast is eclectic and quirky as well. Annie easily slips into village life. 

Except for John - the nephew of the elderly lady who owns the building Annie is living in. He has his own plans for for it. But...he is rather handsome...

All the bits are there for a fun rom-com, will they, won't they read. And yes, this is a seasonal read. Willow Bay hosts a large number of festivals and events, with Christmas being the biggest hurrah. I wanted to put up my decorations right away!

I quite enjoyed A Season for Second Chances but ... yes, I have a but. There's a sex toy introduced in the book club that whole element just felt awkward, forced and not realistic. Frankly, it wasn't a needed piece of the story and I found it took away from the feel of the book. Other than that, a fun read in the run up to Christmas.

Read an excerpt of A Season of Second Chances.

Christmas by the Book - Anne Marie Ryan

Yes, the Christmas reading continues! Don't you love the cover of Anne Marie Ryan's new novel, Christmas by the Book? 

Bookstores are always wonderful, but even more so at Christmas - finding just the right book for a family member or friend. What about for someone you don't know? 

Nora and her husband, Simon have run a bookshop in their small British town for over thirty years. But as Christmas approaches, the writing is on the wall - and the bailiff at the door. The shop will close after the Christmas season. The pair are determined to thank the village for all their support over the years. Simon comes up with the idea of anonymously giving a Christmas book to those who might need a pick-me-up. 

I loved all the titles referenced throughout the book, but especially those seasonal titles. Ryan's love of books and bookshops is evidenced on every page. Now, those books are wrapped, so Nora simply drops one in each of the mail slots, not knowing who is going to get what title.

Here's the Christmas magic bit that I loved - each of the books is perfect for the recipient in one way or another and...... well you're going to have to read Christmas by the Book to find out the rest.

I loved Nora as a lead character. She's someone you'd love to have for a friend. Nora and Simon's relationship is lovingly drawn and is believable. The villagers are a lovely mixed bunch and are again, folks you'd love to have as neighbours and friends.

I know where I would be spending much of my time if I lived in this village - at the bookstore. I created vivid mental pictures of the shop with Ryan's descriptions. Cosy, creaky floors, a working fireplace, large easy chairs by that fire, a children's area, book clubs, events and so much more. Nora and Simon live above the shop - don't you think that would be a fabulous flat to live in! Oh, and there's a shop dog too. :0) 

Christmas by the Book was wonderful seasonal reading for me. Best read with a cup of tea and a quilt.Booklovers, I think this one might just fit in your stocking!

Fans of Jenny Colgan would enjoy this one. Jenny says "A heartfelt and lovely Christmas tale for book lovers everywhere!" I agree! Read an excerpt of Christmas by the Book.

About Us - Sinead Moriarty

Sinead Moriarty's new novel has three couples and one therapist's couch as the base for her new book, About Us. 

Moriarty has cleverly chosen three couples of varying ages and stages of life, each with their share of issues and conundrums. So, there's a character or situation that any reader can connect with.

Ken and Ann are at the retirement stage of life, but it's not living up to what either had imagined. Niall and Alice have four children and not a lot of energy left for each other. Orla is carrying baggage from her past and has a medical issue. She meets Paul and adores him, but can their relationship thrive?

The therapist all three attend is an American who has set up practice in Ireland. I found this a bit odd. Do Irish therapists not tackle sexual issues? Sex does seem to be the biggest 'problem' brought to the office, although other issues are explored as well. 

The chapters rotate through the three sets of characters. About Us is told from the women's viewpoints. I found myself most drawn to Alice, but the other two women are just as likable. I thought Moriarty did a good job portraying the women's inner thoughts, needs and wants. The therapist's advice seems reasonable and well written. But. Yes, for me there's a but. I grew tired of the therapist's scenes. While there is some what I assume is good advice (was an actual therapist consulted?), I found it becoming a bit 'textbooky' and repetitive for me. And that slowed down my finishing the book. I do think things could have been reconciled a bit sooner.

About Us was an okay read for me, but not a standout. And for me, not as funny as some have mentioned. See what others thought on Goodreads. 

Safe in My Arms - Sara Shepard

Safe in My Arms is the new novel from Sara Shepard.

The Silver Swans preschool is the place the yummy mummys want to send their children. Three moms have just enrolled their children. But they don't fit the mold and it seems someone doesn't want them at the school. Vitriolic notes are found in their kid's backpacks telling them quit the school.

The three meet each other and band together - they're determined not to be drummed out of the school. The thing is though....Andrea, Lauren and Ronnie all do have secrets that they don't want brought to light. And the person leaving the notes seems to know those secrets....

I quite liked the three moms, although I admit to having a soft spot for Andrea.
Each of the women bring a different mindset and skill set to the friendship. The reader becomes privy to what their secrets are as the story progresses and three new plot lines are added to the book. Things at the school escalate and the three friends seem to now be suspects. So.....they decide to investigate on their own. I did find I had to suspend disbelief in a number of situations, including the police investigation into the crime at the school.

Shepard is the author of the successful teen series Pretty Little Liars. I'm not aware of any other adult books that she's penned, but I could be wrong. For me, I found this book to have a simpler style of writing. The tone was what I would call light suspense, not the edge of your seat suspense. Shepard does throw some turns into her tale as the end draws near. And kudos for doing it for all four plotlines. I did find the wrap up went on too long for me as the explanation for everything that has gone on is detailed in the run up to the final pages. And she throws in one more twist. Not sure that last one worked for me.

In the author's notes at the end, Shepard says that "As I wrote this story, much of the world felt unstable, uncertain and in flux, though as a result, I felt even more inspired to acknowledge the struggles of motherhood and how it's not always about being the 'best' or 'perfect", but accepting where you're at and cutting yourself some slack." Safe in My Arms was an interesting vehicle to carry this message.

A good book for the beach, but not as suspenseful as I had expected.  See for yourself - read an excerpt of Safe in My Arms.

Feels Like Falling - Kristy Woodson Harvey

The weather's not cooperating with my desire to sit in the sun and read summer fiction. But closing my eyes and listening to a book in a sunny window is the next best thing.

My latest beach bag listen is Kristy Woodson Harvey's new book - Feels Like Falling.

"It’s summertime on the North Carolina coast and the livin’ is easy." But not for everyone. Gray Howard's life is in turmoil - her mother has passed, her husband has left her for his secretary and she doesn't know what to do next. Either does Diana Harrington. She's broken up with her latest boyfriend and he's spent her nest egg. With nowhere else to go, she's living in her car. Until.....Gray and Diana's lives cross. And things might just be looking up...

Oh, all the right elements are there for a great beach bag read! Interesting, well drawn characters that you want to know more about. Feels Like Falling is told in alternating chapters from Gray and Diana. Now, I must admit, I was more drawn to Diana. I just really like her down to earth outlook. Gray surprised me though - she ended up being more thoughtful and kind than I first thought she would be. I quite enjoyed the interplay between the two as their relationship turns into friendship.

And of course there must be obstacles to overcome. And there are! Setting is important too and Harvey hits all the right notes here as well. (Wish I was there!) But what's the most important element of a great summer read? Uh huh - you got it - romance! Love lost and all the angst that comes with it. And the winding road to love found. And all the missteps, miscommunications and missed cues along the way.

Harvey's writing is easy and engaging and I found myself quickly caught up in the tale.

As I mentioned, I chose to listen to this book. Two narrators were used - Kelsey Navarro and Amanda Ronconi. Navarro had the perfect voice for the mental image I created for Gray - cultured and sophisticated. It was very 'smooth' if that makes sense. Easy to listen to and well modulated. She also captured the emotions of the character with her voice. Ronconi's voice was ideal for the character of Diana. Rough around the edges, a nice twangy accent and well, just a down home, heart of gold manner of speaking. Easy to listen to as well. And I really appreciate having two different readers. In addition to be easier to know who's speaking, it feels more like actual conversations. Makes the listening more immersive. Both did an excellent job. Hear for yourself - listen to an excerpt of Feels Like Falling.

This was the first book I'd read/listened to from Kristy Woodson Harvey - and I would happily pick up another! Who else enjoyed Feels Like Falling?  "Buckle up, buttercups, because Feels Like Falling feels like your next summer sizzler!" - Mary Kay Andrews.

The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew - Milly Johnson

The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew is a first read of Milly Johnson for me - but it won't be my last!

Sophie has been brought up to stifle her emotions and 'do her duty'. That duty doesn't include herself. Instead she is to support her husband, a politician who has a good shot of being Prime Minister. She has always done what is necessary to help his career. After all, he loves her - doesn't he?

Until....Doorstepgate.....the day that Trophy Sophie has had enough. Enough of her husband, their families and not enough of herself. She runs away to the only place she truly remembers being herself - and being happy. To a small village by the sea. (Who doesn't want to live in a village by the sea?!

The first few chapters have a lot of political machinations and descriptions - not my favorite. But it does give us an idea of what Sophie is living with and shy she rebels. (In fine fashion!)

The real treat is when she lands in the village. The village is home to many quaint shops, kind and generous villagers - and a handsome vicar and his son.... Uh huh, there is most definitely some attraction there.

I loved Milly as a lead character - the reader can't help but feel outraged at how her family and husband treat her. (And they are quite despicably well depicted) And hope that that little spark inside her can grow. The supporting cast in the village is simply wonderful - you can't help but wish you lived there! Johnson develops the Sophie romantic sub plot at the just the right speed - as friends with no agenda. There are also some other relationships in the village that need repair and these too are well depicted. There's a wee touch of magic in an old house as well that makes you wonder.....

And although the book builds towards it and the reader has an inkling of what it might be, the ending is simply perfect! I wonder if there could be more stories from this Yorkshire village?

Jenny Colgan is one of my go-to's for feel good reading. I've added Milly Johnson to that list as well! See for yourself - here's an excerpt of The Magnificent Mrs. Mayhew.

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.

Giveaway - A Good Enough Mother - Bev Thomas

Oh, I really like the cover of Bev Thomas's new novel A Good Enough Mother! And even better....I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader!

What's it about? From Pamela Dorman Books:

"A riveting page-turner that lets us inside the secret world of therapist and patient, where boundaries get crossed, and events spiral out of control. . .

Ruth Hartland is a psychotherapist with years of experience. But professional skill is no guard against private grief. The mother of grown twins, she is haunted by the fact that her beautiful, difficult, fragile son Tom, a boy who never “fit in,” disappeared a year and a half earlier. She cannot give up hope of finding him, but feels she is living a kind of half-life, waiting for him to return.

Enter a new patient, Dan–unstable and traumatized–who looks exactly like her missing son. She is determined to help him, but soon, her own complicated feelings, about how she has failed her own boy, cloud her professional judgement. And before long, the unthinkable becomes a shattering reality….

Photo: © Natasha Merchant

An utterly compelling drama with a timebomb at its core, A Good Enough Mother is a brilliant, beautiful story of mothering, and how to let go of the ones we love when we must."

Read an excerpt of A Good Enough Mother. A reading group guide is also available.

"Bev Thomas was a clinical psychologist in the NHS for many years. She currently works as an organizational consultant in mental health and other services. She lives in London with her family."

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A Good Enough Mother - Bev Thomas

I love the cover of Bev Thomas's debut novel A Good Enough Mother. There's so much suggestion in those tulips....

Thomas herself was a clinical psychologist for many years. She has taken that expertise and parlayed it into the story of Ruth Hartland - a psychotherapist also with many years experience. Ruth's son Tom has been missing for over two years. A young patient named Dan is assigned to Ruth at the clinic she works at. He bears more than a passing resemblance to Tom - and this fact clouds Ruth's judgement. She makes some decisions that affect many lives, including her own.

The book is told from Ruth's point of view. The events have happened and are slowly relayed to the reader. Thomas throws in lots of foreshadowing that keeps the reader guessing as to the outcome.

A Good Enough Mother is a slow burn, exploring relationships of many kinds. Mother and child. The parenting of Ruth's son Tom and daughter Carolyn is very different. I found Ruth's determined push to make Tom 'fit in' very uncomfortable. Even though she is a therapist, Ruth can't seem to take the advice she would give a client. Her marriage also falls victim to this push.

Ruth works in a specific type of clinic and there is much detail given on 'the work', as the therapy is referred to. Interesting as it was in the beginning, I began to feel a bit bogged down as the book progressed. But I did wonder about a therapist's own life. How do they keep the two separate? What did fascinate me was the back and forth between Ruth and Dan during the sessions. There is danger there, but Ruth seems unable or unwilling to see it.

"There was nothing to hint at his capacity for violence. Nothing at all to suggest what he was capable of. It took awhile to understand that the question wasn't Why didn't I see it coming? but Why didn't I move out of the way?

Those looking for an intricate puzzle and mix of family dynamics and psychotherapy will find it in A Good Enough Mother. I do think the suspense/thriller tag the publisher has used in their description of the book is a bit of a stretch. But Thomas is a talented wordsmith - I will be curious to see what she pens next.  Read an excerpt of A Good Enough Mother.