Friday, March 28, 2025

Misfortune and Mr. Right by Savannah Scott


Misfortune and Mr. Right by Savannah Scott is the third book in the Only Magic in the Building series. Olivia Pennington has spent her whole life competing with Logan Alexander. She thinks she has finally put him out of her life when he is working in Boston until one day when he shows up as her new co-worker. Second chance at love?

I was intrigued from the first page, and the story did not disappoint. Olivia and Logan had great banter, chemistry and you could not help, but root for them to be a couple. I loved the nods to Pride and Prejudice throughout the story. The secondary characters were integral to the story and I loved how they cared for each other. Magical realism is becoming my new favorite type of book to read, and Misfortune and Mr. Right explored this well. The fortune cookies that pop up through the story will bring you joy.

I am a big Savannah Scott fan, but this may be my favorite of all her books. The connection of the main characters to each other, their amazing friends, and the themes of redemption were so well done. There is nothing quite like a second chance and this book does that beautifully. I highly recommend Misfortune and Mr. Right by Savannah Scott and this will be a 2025 favorite!

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Hi, I’m Savannah …
I’m a Zumba dancing, coffee sipping, road tripping girl and I love writing closed-door romcom!

My stories make you laugh, smile, and sometimes keep you up past your bedtime chanting the famous reader mantra, “just one more chapter.”

I hope you find your next sweet escape in one of my books.

You can read more about me on my “Get to Know Savannah” page.

I love hearing from you! Sign up for my weekly email, join my reader group on Facebook, or follow me on Instagram so we can connect more often.
 

Tuesday, March 25, 2025

A Jane Austen Year: Celebrating 200 years of Jane Austen by Jane Austen's House on tour with Austen Prose.


What is one of the best surprises you have had this year? OR What are you reading.

For me the best surprise of my year happened when A Jane Austen Year Celebrating 200 Years of Jane Austen arrived on my doorstop from Jane Austen's House published by Pitkin  on Valentine's day! ❤ Yes, Valentine's Day! (My husband luckily brought flowers, but I did tell him it was hard to top the book) Happy to be on the book tour with Austen Prose

It has been a delight to read through A Jane Austen Year! I felt like an insider learning about the many of the details that are in Jane Austen’s novel. The book is divided by month and includes photographs, drawings, letters, Austen book quotes, Regency history, and information on Jane Austen’s life and home. I found myself reading a little each day as the book continues to bring me joy. I was drawn in by the letters that Jane Austen had written to friends and family, the family portraits, and history of her home. Such an amazing read!

This is the ultimate book for any fan of Jane Austen, someone who loves the Regency time period, or appreciates beautiful books. Truly, you cannot go wrong reading or giving to someone as a gift. This will be one of my top favorite books for 2025. I very highly recommend A Jane Austen Year! 
 
I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Author: Jane Austen’s House is the inspiring Hampshire cottage where the beloved author lived for the last eight years of her life. It houses an unparalleled collection of Austen treasures. Highlights include Jane’s jewelry, letters, first editions of her novels, and the table at which she wrote her much loved novels. Visitors can step back in time to 1816 and follow in Austen’s footsteps as they explore the rooms where she lived and wrote. It has been open to the public as a museum since 1949 and is an international center for Jane Austen studies.

Monday, March 17, 2025

Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet


Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet is a delightful romantic-comedy that I absolutely enjoyed. It is second in the Beignets For Two series, but can be read as a stand-alone novel. Kate Landy has carefully planned her life and suddenly it is not so neat and tidy. She is running her café, taking care of her teenage niece, trying to expand her business, dealing with her parents, and now Micah Gurdy is back in town! Micah has moved back to take a job at the library, take care of his dad, and wonders about what happened to Kate. But so many things have kept them apart through the years.


This was such a wonderful read with engaging characters who had such depth and personality. Kate and Micah were funny, had great banter & chemistry, and you simply wanted to cheer for them! The secondary characters added interest and some comic relief including the animals. It was enjoyable to listen in on the deeper conversations between Kate and her friends, and to visit New Orleans. The faith elements were beautifully done and the themes of found family, friendship, and second chances resonated with me.

Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet is filled with wonderful characters, redeeming themes, and sweet humor. The romance and comedy are the perfect blend making this a story that I highly recommend! A favorite of 2025 for me!


I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

I grew up on beignets and cafe au lait, and love infusing my colorful New Orleans culture into my stories. My husband is an answer to prayer who puts up with me rearranging furniture and being a serial plant killer. My two sons keep me laughing and share in my love of desserts. Extra time is spent target shooting, reading, and fangirling over my favorite authors on social media. As a reader I enjoy inspirational romances, mysteries, classics, and biographies on people from King Henry VIII to Andre Agassi.

Friday, March 14, 2025

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley read by Hillary Huber


Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley read by Hillary Huber is a great story.  Jane and Dan have gone out to dinner for their anniversary.  It is an amazingly expensive and elegant restaurant.  While there the restaurant is taken over by eco-terrorists.  Except the evening is playing out like Jane’s last novel.  What?

This was a delightful fast paced story.  I loved the humor, banter, and the mystery.  I laughed out loud so many times, and kept wondering what was going to happen next.  There is also something about two people who have been married awhile that just makes for some good humor.  I enjoyed this one from beginning to end!  I loved the audio book and the narrator made this story come alive.  I would highly recommend the audio of Jane and Dan at the End of the World by ColleenOakley.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Colleen Oakley is the USA Today bestselling author of six novels including, The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise, The Invisible Husband of Frick Island, You Were There Too, Close Enough to Touch,  Before I Go and her latest Jane and Dan at the End of the World, which was the Good Housekeeping book club pick for March 2025 and named a most-anticipated book for 2025 by People magazine, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Zibby Media and more. Colleen’s novels have been longlisted for the Southern Book Prize twice and Close Enough to Touch won the French Reader’s Prize

A former magazine editor for Marie Claire and Women’s Health & Fitness, Colleen’s articles and essays have been featured in The New York Times, Ladies’ Home Journal, Women’s Health, Redbook, Parade, Woman’s Day, Fitness, Health, Marie Claire and Martha Stewart Weddings. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia’s school of journalism, Colleen currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, four kids, and a terrier mutt named Baxter.

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

The Cupid Chronicles by Courtney Walsh



The Cupid Chronicles by Courtney Walsh is a delightful romantic, magical, and sweet love story that is part of the Only Magic in the Building series. Iris Ellington is an art teacher who is excited about her fresh start in her new apartment, new town, and new job. Matteo Morgan is happiest alone, brooding, or cooking. They both come together to help with a persistent magical newspaper that leads them on many quests.

The Cupid Chronicles
was a sheer delight! Grumpy Matteo and sunshiny Iris have good chemistry, big hearts, and many great moments together. I was so drawn into the story and was rooting for these very likeable characters. The magic plays a whimsical part in the story that I found enchanting. The author dives into deeper topics that give the book depth and make it memorable. Grief is handled in a beautiful way that spoke to my heart. It was a joy to read.

I highly recommend The Cupid Chronicles by Courtney Walsh. This wonderful story has humor, romance, great themes, and likeable transforming characters. The Cupid Chronicles is everything you want in a book!

I look forward to all the books in the series!

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Courtney Walsh is the Carol award-winning author of several low spice, small town romance novels. She’s committed to creating stories that bring joy and always promises a happy ending. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book best-seller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she co-owns a performing arts studio and youth theatre with her business partner and best friend—her husband.
 


Wednesday, February 26, 2025

Old-Fashioned On Purpose A Homesteading Manifesto by Jill Winger


Today is National Retro Day! It seems like a great day to share about Old-Fashioned on Purpose by Jill Winger

Do you can, garden, make bread, or try to cultivate a simpler life? OR What are you reading? We have been trying to cultivate simpler for many years. We have earth boxes, raised beds, grow herbs, tomatoes and peppers. We try to cook with whole ingredients, but, it is hard to keep motivated.

I was thrilled to be able to read Old-Fashioned on Purpose: A Homesteading Manifesto by Jill Winger.  This book has been updated and just came out in paperback!

I feel like I am always seeking simpler. Reading Old-Fashioned on Purpose by Jill Winger is a good way to get there. I enjoyed reading the author's journey and how she outlines step by step how to change your life. She has recipes, advise on how to escape excess, and a list of important skills to build in your life. Old Fashioned on Purpose is an interesting, a wonderful resource, and is filled with wisdom. I highly recommend Old Fashioned on Purpose. 

 I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Blurb: As our society races toward progress, we’ve left something important behind. We are more connected than ever before, yet we’re still feeling unfulfilled. In Old-Fashioned on Purpose, Winger shows how simplifying our lives and adopting retro skills such as gardening and handiwork can be the key to creating the happy and healthy life we’re yearning for. Inside these pages, readers will learn:
How to find joy in the kitchen (even if you hate to cook)
Proven strategies for growing your own groceries
The surprising stress-relievers that can be found in your backyard
How to craft a more grounded routine and save money in the process.
You don’t have to live on a farm to cultivate a simpler life. This inspiring and practical book offers a powerful new sense of purpose, with plenty of tomatoes, chickens, and bread making along the way.

A link to Jill's website.   


Monday, February 24, 2025

Extreme Romancing in Idaho by Bonnie Jo Pierson

 


Extreme Romancing in Idaho by Bonnie Jo Pierson is book number two in the Clear Springs Romance series was a great romantic comedy. Angie Johnson is a NICU nurse who has grown up on a farm in Idaho. She is trying desperately to work her job, marry a man before her father passes, and keep up with their farm. She starts trying to date Daniel Smoot a man who is ready to settle down and is into extreme sports. The only problem is she is not into extreme sports, she needs help to understand them, and she is afraid of heights. Remington James the third has been given the task to buy Angie’s farm, but can he help her on the farm, help her understand extreme sports, and make her like him?

This was a delightful closed-door romance. Angie was trying so hard to keep it all going in her life, and I enjoyed watching her grow, change, and develop as a character. I appreciated the banter, chemistry, and romance in the story. There were so many funny scenes and small-town joy. I valued the deeper themes of family, doing what you love, and self-sacrifice. This was a beautiful inspiring story.

I highly recommend Extreme Romancing in Idaho by Bonnie Jo Pierson. The banter, chemistry, humor and deeper themes will bring you joy. I look forward to more books in this series.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Gifted with a short attention span, Bonnie wants to experience and do as much as she can. Using the great powers of YouTube she’s taught herself how to knit, crochet, paint with oils, acrylics, and watercolors, coach volleyball, play the piano and cello, ride a motorcycle, renovate a house, sing, sew, raise livestock, bake, and most importantly how to write. With a degree in biology, she’s a lover of all things science, especially in the microscopic world. She and her Navy veteran husband have four children and spent several years bouncing around to various locations in the United States. Now she’s made her home in small-town Idaho, where she’s attempting to resurrect her great-grandparents one hundred year-old farm