Book Spotlight Friday! Sandcastle Inn

  

Book Beginnings and Friday56

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by My Head is Full of Books and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your e-reader and share a non-spoiler sentence or two.  First Line Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Reading is my Superpower that asks you to share the first sentence of the book you're reading.

Another visit to hope harbor where new characters can get their second change and we can catch up with other well loved chararcters.

Sandcastle Inn

About the book:

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she'd left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course--because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn't in Matt Quinn's plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn't on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister's new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B--if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

*************************************************************

Book Beginnings

Good grief.

Friday 56

Everything was good.

My thoughts so far

I really enjoyed this installment in the Hope Harbor series.

   ************************************************************* 

Review: All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes Lib/E

All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes Lib/E by Betsy St. Amant
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Though I did feel like I have read a similar plot before, I enjoyed the audiobook a lot.

This was my first book by this author, and I enjoyed her characters and the banter and connection between the two friends.

Their non-communication was sometimes frustrating, but being friends for so long, I can understand why both held back on taking a risk on saying how they feel. Rather stay friends than lose the friendship after an awkward conversation – though the readers had the privilege to see the internal thoughts and feelings of both.

I loved how Lucas pushed Kat to follow her dreams and how he protected her against unfair treatment.

If you enjoy light romance and friends to more stories, this story should be on your TBR.

*I listened to the audiobook on Everand.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

She's written a recipe for her future, but does it include love?
Katherine 'Kat' Varland is a small town girl, born and raised---and every day, her dreams of owning her own bakery get further away. She has no money, and the cupcake shop she bakes for, Sweetie Pies, seems to get smaller and smaller. Kat might be the sweetheart of Bayou Bend, Louisiana, but she longs to make a name for herself where she can flourish as Kat---not as the girl baking someone else's recipes.
As head coach for the Bayou Bend championship high school football team, Lucas Brannen is used to winning---everything except his best friend's heart. He finally gathers the courage to make a gesture and show Kat his feelings by signing her up for the popular reality TV show Cupcake Combat. But his plan backfires after he realizes the cash prize for the winner also includes a one-year baking contract at one of New York City's most famous pastry houses.
The situation grows sticky when Kat enlists Lucas's help as her baking assistant for the show. Lucas is torn between helping Kat live her dream and selfishly wanting to keep her in town. His plan has always been a dozen acres of land and a farmhouse in Bayou Bend---but Kat is blinded by the stars in her eyes.
Will Lucas and Kat risk their chance at love in order to achieve their individual dreams? Or will they find that sometimes the most delicious happily-ever-afters begin and end in the same place?

About the author:

Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over fifteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two total opposite young daughters, a collection of coffee mugs, and one fur-toddler in the form of a mini-Schnauzer. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored in Christ. When she's not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a cold brew with vanilla cold foam. She blogs frequently at www.ibelieve.com, a devotional site for women. Visit her at http://www.betsystamant.com

also published under Betsy Ann St. Amant

Can't Wait Wednesday! Loyally, Luke

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

I loved the first two books in this series and looking forward to the third book which releases May 7th.

About the book: Loyally, Luke

A flannel-wearing man’s man inexplicably finds himself living out all the rom-com movie tropes as he falls in love with a true-blue princess. Luke Edgewood isn’t a romantic. Or, at least, he’s always felt certain things like rom-coms were invented as punishment for average guys. Besides, he’s always preferred to be a behind-the-scenes guy who lives a quiet life being a good friend, neighbor, and brother. So when he travels to the island of Skymar to work a few months on restoring abandoned buildings, he never expects to find himself directly in the middle of a romantic, trope-filled story. From a meet-cute that was anything but cute and an aging orphanage in need of as much tender care as the children it houses, Luke begins to wonder if he and his heart may be victims of some sort of hidden-camera movie moment. Only a few years out of university and attempting to find her feet in royal adult life, Aliana Roselynn St. Claire, youngest daughter of the king and queen of the Skymarian Islands, pours her energies and talents into charities and art throughout her beloved Skymar. Her parents do not seem very interested in her love of interior design but lavish her with praise over her support of Skymar’s largest orphanage and place her in charge of the renovations of the dilapidated building. Happy to escape her mother’s strong encouragement of building a romantic relationship with Ally’s lifelong acquaintance, the earl of South Waithe, she escapes to the secluded mountains to take charge of the orphanage’s renovations. When Ally learns the man she’d literally run into at the coffee shop is the one who has been hired to help with the orphanage’s repairs, she’s determined to keep her royal status as secret as possible. From fundraisers to fake dates to sleigh rides and snowball fights, Ally and Luke begin to discover that the wrong first impressions may lead to a romantic possibility with rom-com flavored magic included. But when Ally’s true identity is revealed and royal expectations bring Luke out of his preferred anonymity into the spotlight of the royal life, will their budding relationship fall prey to a very unhappily-ever-after ending?

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Memory Lane

Memory Lane by Becky Wade
My rating: 💛💛💛💛

Memory Lane was such an enjoyable contemporary story with the right amount of mystery.

I enjoy amnesia stories, mainly because it gives the character to break out of the box previous circumstances and people might have placed them in and have a chance to become the person got created them to be.

I loved Remy and “Jonah” and the chemistry they had. I loved how Remy tried to ignore the connection and how “Jonah” approached wooing her.

The author also tackled a sensitive topic in this story in a very respectful manner. This might be a trigger though for readers who might have also dealt with sexual abuse.

The audiobook is very well narrated, and I would highly recommend it to readers who prefer listening to audiobooks.

The mystery around who “Jonah” is and how he ended in the ocean grabbed and held my interest from beginning to the end.

This story is possibly my favourite book by this author.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

After surviving a trauma several years back, Remy Reed relocated to a cottage on one of Maine’s most remote islands. She’s arranged her life just the way she wants it, spending her time working on her wood sculptures and soaking in the beauty of nature. It’s quiet and solitary—until the day she spots something bobbing in the ocean.

Her binoculars reveal the “something” to be a man, and he’s struggling to keep his head above water. She races out to save him and brings him into her home. He’s injured, which doesn’t detract from his handsomeness nor make him any easier to bear. He acts like a duke who’s misplaced his dukedom . . . expensive tastes, lazy charm, bossy ideas.

Remy would love nothing more than to return him to his people, but he has no recollection of his life prior to the moment she rescued him. Though she’s not interested in relationships other than the safe ones she’s already established, she begins to realize that he’s coming to depend on her.

Who is he? What happened that landed him in the Atlantic Ocean? And why is she drawn to him more and more as time goes by?

There’s no way to discover those answers except to walk beside him down memory lane.

Travel to the rocky coast of Maine for "opposites attract" banter, witty humor, a fascinating mystery, and destiny-changing love. This sweet contemporary romance kicks off Becky Wade's new Sons of Scandal series!

*Note: For a list of sensitive topics in Becky's novels, visit BeckyWade . com and click the link you'll find at the top of the "My Books" page.

About the author:

Becky’s a California native who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and settled in Dallas

with their three children and one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She loves penning sweet contemporary romances laced with sizzling chemistry, mystery, faith, banter, and humor. Her thirteen novels and five novellas have been recognized with a Carol Award, INSPY awards, and a spot in the Christy Award Hall of Fame.

When she’s not at her computer, you’ll find her power-walking her neighborhood, driving carpool, eating chocolate, doing yoga, or admiring her dog.

Connect with Becky via her website at BeckyWade.com, on Facebook as Author Becky Wade and on Instagram as BeckyWadeWriter.

Review: The Vanished

The Vanished by Cara C. Putman
My rating: 💛💛💛

The Vanished was a bit different from what I have expected.

I have discovered the author through the Hidden Justice series, which for me, was more of a faster pace legal suspense which I expected starting this story.

Though I found the pace a lot slower regarding the suspense, this was still an enjoyable legal mystery which tackled the intricate waves of ethical versus legal rights when it comes to stolen art and other valuable items from the WW2 era. A lot was stolen by the Germans and others during the war and this novel showcased how complicate it still almost 80 years after the war.

Throw in some Italian mafia, a possible murder and a suspicious board chair, and the intrigue picks up.

I enjoyed getting to know Carter and Janae and loved seeing Drew again.

I did find some threads in the plot to feel a bit rushed/patchy, but having read the novella, it made more sense to me than a reader who perhaps did not read the Novella – so, if you have not read the novella, get it directly from the author’s page.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*


View all my reviews

About the book:

Janae Simmons left the small town of Kedgewick, Virginia, ten years ago to pursue her legal career and never looked back--until a professional mistake leads her to her grandmother's historic carriage house and to the town where her past threatens to find her. The quiet streets echo with her grandfather's sterling reputation, one that conflicts with fresh questions that claw at Janae, launching her on a reluctant journey to unearth his secrets. When her new job at a local law firm doesn't live up to expectations, she wonders if coming home was the right decision.

Carter Montgomery starts his art preservation career with the only job he can get--director at the Elliott Museum of Art. At least Kedgewick is a nice enough town to provide him and his nephew with a safe place to grieve the loss of Carter's sister. But Carter's calm days disappear when an elderly woman claims two paintings in the museum's collection were stolen from her family during World War II. Carter enlists Janae's help to unravel the legal labyrinth of art ownership, and the peaceful facade of Kedgewick morphs into a hot bed of secrets.

When an attorney turns up dead and Janae uncovers another painting, what began as a simple legal issue spirals into a race against time. As the web of intrigue tightens, the duo must confront a looming question: What dark truths lie beneath the surface, waiting to be exposed?

About the author:

Cara C. Putman lives in Indiana with her husband and four children. She is a clinical assistant professor in law and ethics at Purdue University's School of Business. She has loved reading and writing from a young age and now realizes it was all training for writing books. She loves bringing history and legal romantic suspense to life.

An honors graduate of the University of Nebraska, George Mason University School of Law, and Krannert School of Management, Cara left small town Nebraska and headed to Washington, D.C., to launch her career in public policy.

Cara is an author chasing hard after God as she lives a crazy life. She invites you to join her on that journey. She's currently writing her 41st book with more on the way. Please check out her website to learn more about her books and read first chapters.

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters I’d Like to go on Vacation With

Join in the Top Ten Tuesday fun! Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Oh, this one is a bit tricky. But lets try:

1. Jeremiah - I loved his fun personality.

2. Gracie - I loved her naivety and tendency to find herself in suspenseful situations.

3. I would love to go treasure hunting with Beth and Lord Sheridan.

4. Daphne was quirky and fun.

5. Ned - because if I found myself in danger, I would like him next to me.

6. Because Penelope will cause for a few humerous moments.

7. RJ and York - because I would like to run around Europe with them.

8. Range - well, he is a Metcalfe and he is Range.

9. Sadie - because I loved her beachfront vacation setting.

10. Maddison, because I would like to learn sailing with her.

Review: The Songbird of Hope Hill

The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Vogel Sawyer
My rating:💛💛💛💛
The story between these pages, about forgiveness, redemption, and grace, was beautifully written and delivered.

The topic of prostitution might not be an easy topic for some readers, but the author addressed the struggles experienced in the 1800’s with sensitivity and a wide variety of emotions and opinions through the POV’s from Birdie, Ephraim, and Ophelia.

I enjoyed the growth I saw in Birdie, and how she only was able to completely forgive and move on after she gave her heart to God. Her struggles to overcome her shame were real even though she was taken advantage of when she only asked for help. Her compassionate heart for others and the empathy she showed was what made her a strong, loveable character.

Ophelia was a beautiful character who represented unconditional love tangibly.

Ephraim’s own journey to learn to find God’s will for his life under the shadow of his parents’ ministry also came across strongly. His internal struggles and questions, while trying to respect his parents, was something which made me connect with him so much more and made him feel more real to me.

The focus of this story was about new beginnings and faith in God, though there was also a subtle love story growing in the background.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

A young woman longs to know true love after escaping from a hopeless situation at a house of ill repute in this heartwarming novel inspired by historical events—from the bestselling author of A Tapestry of Grace .

Birdie Clarkson only recently started working at Lida’s Palace, a house of ill repute at the edge of Tulsey, Texas. Abandoned and penniless, she turned to someone she thought was a friend, but instead it turned out to be a nightmare. She wants to leave, but doesn’t know how. And how will she ever feel clean again? When Reverend Isaiah Overly and his son, Ephraim, arrive offering a safe haven and better life for any of the women who want to leave, Birdie takes a chance. Ignoring the madam’s furious raging, she climbs into the back of the preacher’s wagon.

The Reverend and his wife, Ophelia, welcome Birdie to Hope Hill, which they founded as a haven to teach women how to read and write, how to keep a house, and other skills necessary to ensure their future will be brighter than their past. Hesitant at first, Birdie soon joins the preacher at revival meetings and becomes part of the chorus, singing alongside Ephraim.

Reverend Overly’s ministry is built on the premise than none are irredeemable. When romance develops between Ephraim and Birdie, will Ephraim be able to convince Birdie that God’s redemption wipes the soul clean—or will she feel forever smeared?

About the author:

Award-winning, bestselling author Kim Vogel Sawyer told her kindergarten teacher that someday people

would check out her book in the library. The little-girl dream came true in 2006 with the release of Waiting for Summer's Return. Kim's titles now exceed 1.5 million copies and are available in six different languages. A former elementary school teacher, she now enjoys a full-time writing and speaking ministry. Kim's passion lies in writing stories that point the reader to a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. When Kim isn't writing, you'll find her traveling with her retired military hubby, spoiling her granddarlings, petting the cats, quilting, or--as time allows--participating in community theater. You can learn more about Kim's writing and speaking ministries at her website, KimVogelSawyer.com.