Category: book review

In Maybe for You, she’s never had a no-strings fling. He’s never had anything else. But maybe this time will be an exception?

About Maybe for You: A Whiskey and Weddings Novel

After a year of mourning her fiancé, Alexis Parker has worked hard to rediscover what she wants out of life. Fresh out of the military and back stateside, her brother offers her a marketing job at the Stag Distillery. Ready for a new challenge, Alexis agrees to accompany her new co-worker Jake Cooper on a Stag cross-country promotional tour. He may have an infamous playboy reputation, but Alexis is surprised to find out that there is more to him than meets the eye. And she likes what she sees.

Jake promised Alexis’s brother that he’d be an absolute gentleman. Of course, that was before he and Alexis hit the road, and they both agree that what Alexis’s big brother doesn’t know won’t hurt him. The plan: to keep their fling confined to the RV, and everything will go back to normal once they head home. Things progress in ways neither of them could have imagined, and Jake realizes that he and Alexis make a perfect mix. Can he convince her that he’s ready to shake things up and give true love a shot in Maybe for You?

My Thoughts

In Maybe for You, we have two very different individuals – Alexis, a widow reeling from the her husband’s death – the man she thought she would spend her whole life with and Jake, a man who never had any plans on settling down with anyone.

Alexis is still very much in pain over the loss of her husband throughout the story. She feels that there are not too many people she can confide in with her pain and emotions but one person surprises her – Jake. Jake never seemed to be one high on emotions and talking but he becomes her confidante and sometimes counsellor. He helps her see the positive in every moment without ever dismissing her feelings, her love and her past with her husband. He allows her the room she needs to heal without protecting her from the world and holding her back from accomplishing her goals. She still feels hindered by all the plans she had made with her husband and feels lost with what her next steps should be – should she move back home like they had planned and get a normal 9-5 job or should she start a new and build her career?

Somewhere along the way, these two discover that there is so much more to each other than meets the eye. Alexis realizes Jake uses the playboy/joker image to hide a lot of hurt and pain from his childhood and Jake sees Alexis as more than just his friend and co-owner’s little sister. They try to keep their relationship at just a small fling level but both come to realize that they feel a lot more than just a casual fling. What is the struggle then? Neither is ready to let go of the past, nor have the strength to deal with the future together. Can they learn to talk it out, to work towards a future and can they tell the people who mean the most to them about this new relationship without destroying those relationships? Maybe for You is an excellent read that you will not want to put down!

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

Nicole McLaughlin wrote her first full length book (6 pages) about the birth of her baby sister, when she was eight years old. She only finished it because her mother bribed her with a Rick Astley cassette tape. Sad, but true. Now her characters are what keep her writing and her subject matter has gotten a little bit deeper and a lot more romantic. She resides in a small town outside of Kansas City with her husband and three sons. When she isn’t writing, she’s a wedding and portrait photographer, loves to cook, and watch historical dramas or documentaries. She is the author of the Man Enough novel All I Ask and the Whiskey and Wedding series.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In Second Chance at Two Love Lane, sometimes love is waiting in the second act.

About Second Chance at Two Love Lane

In her professional career, Ella Mancini plays matchmaker at Two Love Lane but, in her personal life, she takes the stage at the Dock Street Theatre. Now she has a chance at a new role in a Hollywood movie that happens to be filming in Charleston―one that features a big-name actress, Samantha Drake. Long ago, Ella passed up a major audition while awaiting a marriage proposal. Not only didn’t she get the role; she never got the ring, either. Instead, her boyfriend Hank went on to become a huge filmstar…leaving her, and all her dreams, behind.

But now Hank’s back in Charleston, cast as the male lead in the same movie Ella’s in. In spite of the dramatic tension off-screen, he and Ella try to stay cool onset. But when their old feelings start to heat up―at the same time leading-lady Samantha tries to play cupid―all bets are off. How can Hank convince Ella, after all this time, that she’s the one he really wants to be with in real life―and that some happy, rom-com endings really can come true?

My Thoughts

A second chance at love and forgiveness? We find this and more in this lovely story based on the wonderful characters from Two Love Lane.

The ladies at Two Love Lane are matchmakers and have made a strong business selling love and creating lasting relationships. Each one has had their own personal history with love and pain. In this novel, we learn more about Ella. Ella once wanted to make it huge on the big screen, she loved to act and her promise to her Father was to never give up on these dreams. She lived with a lot of regret after not only giving up on this dream for love but having that same person turn around and leave her for a dream acting job.

While Ella tries hard to pretend that she doesn’t live with this pain, it has hurt her deeply. When the man who broke her heart appears again in her life, she is not quite sure what to do. Hank helps her to score a part in his movie and begins to try to mend the distance between the two.

Hank made it huge after leaving Ella – he has it all, except for love. Ella was that love of his life. He wants to mend the bridges between them and start the road to healing. Like so many of us, he just doesn’t know how to.

Second Chance at Two Love Lane is a beautiful, well written, witty novel of forgiveness, healing and taking a leap of faith. It isn’t easy to admit fault, to ask for forgiveness but this is what they must do if they want a chance of love in the future. We watch as they stumble, almost give up, cry and laugh as they begin to repair all the damage from the past. This is a truly lovely book from start to finish.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 4.5/5

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Kieran Kramer is a former journalist and English teacher who lives in the Lowcountry of South Carolina with her family. She’s a game show veteran, karaoke enthusiast, and general adventurer.

Kieran is the author of the House of Brady novels, including Say Yes to the Duke and The Earl is Mine.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

“To the sea, to the sea, who or what waits here for me?” – A West Coast Summer

About A West Coast Summer

Pairing fourteen of Carol Evans’s wonderful watercolours with a lilting rhyming story by Caroline Woodward, A West Coast Summer tells a story of a timeless, idyllic season where “Sea salt in the air floats everywhere / and cedars smell so sweet beside the shore.”

Children race bikes along sand flats, search under logs and in tide pools for tiny creatures, jig at the dock for herring, dance at a totem raising ceremony, pick berries, make memories and leave footprints in the sand.

Evans’s illustrations capture the jubilation of children exploring the seashore, inspiring young readers to take their own journey to the sea to discover who or what waits for them in the Pacific Northwest―and learn that the best memories are those shared with family and friends.

Our Thoughts

A West Coast Summer is a visually stunning story of all that is perfect about summer. Spending the days exploring, fishing, dancing, making memories and more with family and friends.

First I have to take a moment to acknowledge the illustrations – these are water colours and they are so beautifully painted with attention to details, that a few times I had to look closer as I thought they were a photograph. I do water colours in my spare time (although I have found with my second child and both in soccer, my own time is out the window) and I found myself running my hands along the pages admiring the beauty. They really help to bring the story to life, you can feel the excitement, salt water in the air and the excitement and joy pop out of the pages.

The Pacific Northwest is a special community that embraces their culture and environment. The story acknowledges every angle of their way of life and makes you want to plan your next vacation for your family out there. I want my children to be children and enjoy the things that I loved as a child –  fishing, exploring and just being a kid (which can be hard to do in our urban area in the middle of Canada). The story and illustrations help you to imagine and feel the excitement of the children as they go fishing, jump in the water, hiking, dance with friends and so much more. You can picture yourself and your children there enjoying each and every moment.

A West Coast Summer will be the perfect gift for a young child and addition to your home library as you celebrate these last few days of summer in reflection.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Illustrator

Carol Evans’s work has achieved international acclaim as part of many group exhibitions and private collections worldwide. Her art has been published in West Coast: Homeland of Mist (SummerWild Productions, 1992), Releasing the Light (Raincoast Books, 1997), and the bestselling The Shores We Call Home (Harbour Publishing, 2010). She lives on Saltspring Island, BC, with husband Bryn King.

About the Author

Caroline Woodward is the author of multiple children’s books. She has also written books for books, including Light Years: Memoir of a Modern Lighthouse Keeper. She lives and works as a light keeper near Tofino, BC with husband Jeff George.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Executive, wife, and mother of an outgoing first-grader, Sydney Clayton crushes her day-to-day obligations at work but flounders in the cutthroat world of parental politics in Go On, Girl.

About Go On, Girl

Executive, wife, and mother of an outgoing first-grader, Sydney Clayton crushes her day-to-day obligations at work but flounders in the cutthroat world of parental politics.

She manages to avoid the local drama until she’s faced with an ultimatum: join the Forest River PTA or risk her daughter becoming a social outcast. Sydney reluctantly becomes treasurer, and takes the recently vacated position of the president’s sidekick. If protecting the children’s freedom of speech, one best friend ban at a time, isn’t complicated enough, Sydney and her husband receive an unexpected offer for their house they don’t think they can refuse.

Embroiled in the deception and manipulation rife among the elementary school moms, Sydney struggles. Should she sell the home she worked so hard to build in a town where betrayal runs rampant? Or should she stay put to avoid the fallout from uprooting her child? As Sydney focuses on what is best for her daughter, and let’s go of her judgments, she finds friendship can develop in very unexpected ways.

Warm, witty, and wise, Go On, Girl dramatizes the dilemmas of life in the suburbs and the bonds shared by women. Perfect for fans of Class Mom and I Don’t Know How She Does It.

My Thoughts

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book but I was hooked in the first chapter. I loved the humour, down to earth characters and the drama that while seems extreme is actually spot on. It felt like I was watching a version of my own years on the PTA but a richer version.

I still remember when I was on my first maternity leave with my second son (I had my first son in my second year at University so no break for me!), I was so excited to be getting some downtime from working full-time, studying part-time and owning a part-time business. Apparently though, this meant to some of the other moms at our very small school that this meant I could take on more responsibilities with the school – especially as some of the Moms of the older kids weren’t getting along with the principal and felt that they had done enough. I gave into a PTA meeting and left as the President. Yes – I caved to the pressure but I could never imagine the drama that would begin! The cliques, the not sharing information, the attitudes and the list goes on and on. I need a drink now just thinking of it!

As I read Sydney’s story and her interactions, I found myself laughing out loud as I had lived some of that. You think why do we do this? Why do we let ourselves get suckered in and deal with the drama? For our kids! I just wanted to contribute to a positive community for my children and spend some extra time with them – what a kick in the butt that became.

While it can come with the drama, it also had its positives like Sydney found out. You realize that you are more alike then you realize, that some of those women become the best of friends and support you through anything and we learn a lot about people and how they behave and interact with others. I wouldn’t change it for a minute.

This is an amazing novel that you will not want to put down – you will laugh, cry and relate to so many moments in Sydney’s life. She becomes your best friend and you don’t want the story to end! I would love to see a second installment in her story as she leaves off with a major change in her and her family’s life.

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her “characters.” She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She’s been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodge ball – she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on the beach in Long Island.

Disclosure: I received a digital copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The special relationship that author Kevin Meehan and rescue dog Isosceles formed became the inspiration behind his new children’s picture book, Isosceles’ Day, a whimsical tale that takes readers through a  day in the life of Isosceles as he interacts with a variety of other furry, feathered and friendly animals.

About Isosceles’ Day

Isosceles’ Day – From being awakened by friend Mole, to a breakfast of dancing eggs, howling and grunting with Moose, time spent with Frog and Platypus, lunchtime with Lizard, playing it cool with Mouse, listening to drums with Prairie Dog, riding in a wagon with Rhino, drinking from a hose with Goose and a lullaby with Frog – come share a fun day with Isosceles, a happy rescue dog, and his animal friends.

The Inspiration

Isosceles was neglected, and likely abused for his first three years of life in Wyoming. He had not been allowed to enter the house and had to endure outdoor temperatures down to -20F. He shared this miserable life with his sister, both isolated from any type of human affection. It was said that schoolchildren would feel sorry for them and pet them before and after school. The dogs were given up for adoption when their owners moved out.  The day they were found abandoned, Isosceles was brutally separated form his sister and taken to an adoption center.  

​The very first day he entered the adoption center, he was rescued by the author of this book, Kevin.  For the first time in his short life, Isosceles was introduced to a house, a warm bed, outdoors beyond an isolated cold backyard and homemade food.

With unconditional love and patience, Isosceles was nurtured back to health and started to experience innumerable adventures with new friends, wandering in the woods and interacting with nature. This book is about one day in his new, lovely life, full of magic and fun with the special relationships he has with his friends.

Our Thoughts

I have always had a pet in my home – whether it be hamsters, birds and dogs. Pets were special members of our family – they loved you unconditionally, brought laughter into the home and were always there for you. I still remember my first dog – she would make this crying noise when you got home, pee herself (this continued right into adulthood!) when she saw you and she had this way of knowing when you were sad and would be there for cuddles. I have amazing memories of the animals in my life so I wanted my kids to experience this as well.

We now have two dogs and two young boys in our home and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The dogs sleep with our youngest, they trail him for treats (one bite for him, two bites for them!) and they love to cuddle with you (our puppy has no concept of personal space and I wouldn’t have it any other way). They have an amazing way of teaching us about true love and trust, and this is the lesson I want my children to learn.

What I have never understood is how there are people in this world who don’t see this. Who don’t offer these perfect animals back the same love that they offer us. My heart broke for Isosceles and the thought of him never knowing the inside of a home and never given the affection that he truly deserved. Animals don’t deserve to be lonely, they are such friendly and social creatures – especially dogs.

I loved that this story told the beauty of adopting a shelter pet. Shelter pets are special, loving and in need of a good home. I think we sometimes forget or worry that they will be more work or not as social because of their past. This is not true! They need that extra bit of love and who doesn’t love showering a pet with love? With love, nurture and patience – their true nature emerges and they become the animal they were meant to be.

This is a beautiful story of rescue, hope and the building of trust through love and patience. A definite must read for all children (and some adults too!).

You can purchase a copy of this book on Amazon and more information on Kevin’s website.

Rating: 5/5

About the Author

As a child, the author experienced a similar life condition as Isosceles. Not having much of a home, love or sense of protection and safety, he has a very special understanding of Isosceles’ early years. As a diplomat of acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and an integrative health care practitioner for almost three decades, he recognizes the importance of the compassion essential in helping others; people and animals. The author’s commitment to helping animals and humans, coupled with his passion for biochemistry, lead him to design a unique, patented, line of canine orthomolecular supplements to nurture dogs back to health in a natural way. One of his favorite quotes is, “With the eyes of a child we learn how to see”!

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.