The magical realism in All the Breaking Waves sucks you into a world you know with just a little twist.
Molly and her daughter Cassie are such beautiful characters, and their mother-daughter bond was amazing.
I did not see the end coming – not at one bit. Kerry Lonsdale threw me a curveball, and I loved it.
About All the Breaking Waves by Kerry Lonsdale
After a harrowing accident tore her family apart, Molly Brennan fled from the man she loved and the tragic mistake she made.
Twelve years later, Molly has created a new life for herself and her eight-year-old daughter, Cassie. The art history professor crafts jewelry as unique and weathered as the surf-tumbled sea glass she collects, while raising her daughter in a safe and loving environment—something Molly never had. But when Cassie is plagued by horrific visions and debilitating nightmares, Molly is forced to return to the one place she swore she’d never move back to—home to Pacific Grove.
A riveting exploration of love, secrets, and motherhood, All the Breaking Waves is the poignant story of a woman who discovers she must confront her past, let go of her guilt, and summon everything in her power to save her daughter.
My Review
Kerry Lonsdale has a way with her characters. Molly and Cassie start the book faced with the frightening reality that Cassie has inherited psychic abilities. It runs in the women of the family, but each generation is a little different. Cassie is forced to see horrible events in the near future, reliving them in her nightmares until the event comes to pass. And someone usually ends up dead. Not a very good thing for a little girl.
When Cassie sees Molly’s death, they both completely freak out – understandably so – and take a trip to Molly’s mother’s house – hoping that Cassie can learn to control her abilities. But also hoping to find a way to avoid Cassie’s tragic vision.
Nana has other ideas though, and this is where things started to take a few very interesting turns. One of those turns was Owen. And while this isn’t quite a romance, there is definitely a romantic storyline between him and Molly – with a long history to drive it forward. Owen and Nana both play a crucial role in helping both Molly and Cassie find their way.
I found myself infinitely frustrated at Molly’s inability to stay away from the very things that could make Cassie’s vision come to pass. Like a moth to the flame – she was drawn to it. Lonsdale used this to create a level of suspense without having an actual bad guy, and it was brilliant. The tension was ever-present and I could feel it in every word and between each line.
I was shocked at the end. Lonsdale led me on and made me believe so many things – and I was wrong about a lot of them. We have a lot of happy moments, but there is some sadness as well. Much like life, this novel took me on a journey the was quite memorable.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
She shouldn’t get involved with the cowboy next door…
Laid off from her teaching job in the city, Jemma Monroe takes a job teaching in a tiny town and rents a house on the outskirts. A visitor soon shows up at her door—a horse. His owner, a handsome neighbor in boots and a cowboy hat, comes by to collect him.
When single dad Wyatt Langford meets Jemma, it’s the first time he feels interested in a woman since his wife left. But she’s his daughter’s new teacher, so they both know they should keep their distance.
Nonetheless, Wyatt keeps finding excuses to spend time with Jemma, and Wyatt’s daughter becomes more and more attached to her. With them, Jemma discovers the good things about country life, from starry skies to s’mores cooked over a fire. But she still misses her past life in the city. Is there any reason for them to dream of a future together?
I have loved Hallmark Movies for many years – and when I had a chance to read one of their new novels, I knew I had to try it. This book did not disappoint me. Country Hearts gives all the feel-good emotions and happily ever afters that I’ve come to expect and enjoy from Hallmark. But now I can get into the characters’ thoughts and emotions even more.
Jenna Monroe
Jenna Monroe isn’t really looking for an adventure, but she sure finds one when she takes a temporary teaching job in a small town. She’s far from prepared for the weather, the roads, and the animals – mostly the domesticated type. But she tries to take it all in a stride of her high heel boots until she starts to fall in love.
Wyatt Langford
Wyatt Langford thinks he’s all his daughter Bailey has left. As a single dad, Wyatt is very protective of her and will do anything to keep her from getting hurt. But when Jenna takes over as Bailey’s teacher, they all start to fall in love. Bailey knows that Jenna is just what they need to make their family whole, and she will do anything (including some really cute Valentine’s ideas) to make it happen.
The town is on Bailey’s side and is one of the many reasons I loved Country Hearts. Every resident sees what Jenna and Wyatt refuse to admit to anyone – they were meant to be together. I really hope that Hallmark finds a way to turn this into a bit of a series. I’d love to come back and visit to see what everyone is up to.
A few times I felt like Wyatt’s refusal to accept Jenna into his heart went on a little too long. You’ll hear me say this often about fictional couples (and I’m sure it’s true in real life as well): You’re the adults, have a conversation and figure it out! But then we wouldn’t have quite the same story, would we? Overall this definitely hit the mark as a fun winter-themed romance with a dash of Happy Valentine’s.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
– Enjoy historical settings that really come to life and are full of adventure – Know pirates aren’t always the bad guys, just sometimes – Love epic adventures but prefer to skip the stuff between action scenes
My full review for Marisol ~ Spanish Rose
Marisol ~ Spanish Rose starts out as a bit of a tragic story. Forced to flee her home after killing a nobleman in self-defense, Marisol’s luck just keeps getting worse. Captured and forced into basically the slave trade as an indentured servant. But, she has no idea how her life will change after English privateers capture the Spanish ship she is being transported on. The Captain of the ship, Ethan Becket, is in for quite a surprise as he learns about Marisol’s past as she slowly thaws his heart and allows him to love again.
Marisol ~ Spanish Rose had all the aspects of a great historical fiction adventure. High seas adventure – check. Dashing historical figures and lively, memorable places – check. The one thing it was missing was the romance. I feel like Marisol and Ethan just didn’t spend any time together at all and suddenly they were in love. Time passed off the pages, but I couldn’t watch their relationship grow and build over time, it almost seemed like it wasn’t there. I loved the well-developed characters, but I didn’t see them together as a couple. They just weren’t there.
The drama, adventure, and excitement were definitely there. The beautifully written scenes on the ship were told in a way that I understood. Even though I know nothing about ships. I would have liked to learn more about some of the side characters, but perhaps they develop as the series goes along. They all seemed to be very interesting, and I wanted to know more.
More about Marisol ~ Spanish Rose by Elva Cobb Martin
Escaping to the New World is her only option…Rescuing her will wrap the chains of the Inquisition around his neck.
Marisol Valentin flees Spain after murdering the nobleman who molested her. She ends up for sale on the indentured servants’ block at Charles Town harbor—dirty, angry, and with child. Her hopes are shattered, but she must find a refuge for herself and the child she carries. Can this new land offer her the grace, love, and security she craves? Or must she escape again to her only living relative in Cartagena?
Captain Ethan Becket, once a Charles Town minister, now sails the seas as a privateer, grieving his deceased wife. But when he takes captive a ship full of indentured servants, he’s intrigued by the woman whose manners seem much more refined than the average Spanish serving girl. Perfect to become governess for his young son. But when he sets out on a quest to find his captured sister, said to be in Cartagena, little does he expect his new Spanish governess to stow away on his ship with her six-month-old son. Yet her offer of help to free his sister is too tempting to pass up. And her beauty, both inside and out, is too attractive for his heart to protect itself against—until he learns she is a wanted murderess.
As their paths intertwine on a journey filled with danger, intrigue, and romance, only love and the grace of God can overcome the past and ignite a new beginning for Marisol and Ethan.
Do not read this book if you:
– Want a really solid romance-forward story, the romance is more of a sub-plot – Want an epic historical adventure told in epic format, as Marisol jumps around skipping details.
– A really different take on the Cinderella trope – A great Christian theme without going over the top on religious elements – Love ALWAYS finds a way back – Clever references to classic books that I loved to read – very well done
My full review of Finding Lady Enderly
Finding Lady Enderly is not your typical romance. Finding Lady Enderly starts as a sort of rags to riches story. Raina is swept up like Cinderella to the ball, her rags turned to silk, and suddenly she’s the Lady. But it isn’t all diamonds and fancy dresses. Her new life is a lie, and it weighs heavily on her shoulders. Her struggle wasn’t just with God and her spirituality. She struggled with morality and if she was doing the right thing.
The romance of the novel is a little more subtle, as it draws heavily on the long lost love of Raina’s life. But he is no longer there to rescue her from her predicaments, and she finds that she needs to rescue herself instead. Every day she spends as Lady Enderly pulls her further into danger and deceit.
There are so many amazing romantic gestures that made my heart swoon. Communicating to your love by marking lines of text in classic novels from Bronte, Austen, and Dickens is a surefire way to a booklovers heart. Add glances across the room, glimpses of a familiar face in a crowd, and a song that will move your heart, and even though we don’t see the hero’s side of the romance, we don’t really need to.
The ending has several unexpected moments. Surprises and twists on what I thought was going to happen. In many ways, these were amazing, but I did feel a little cheated on my happily ever after – it didn’t happen soon enough. The story ends in a way that vividly reminds me of the classics used in the story, with a more settled feel and deliberate feel to it, but heartwarming and satisfying in its own way.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Don’t read this book if:
– You really dislike Christian themes – religion is an integral part of the characters themselves – You want loads of romance and contact between characters, this is a more subtle approach – Main characters placed in circumstances where they HAVE to lie
Reasons you should read Kitty Confidential by Molly Fitz:
– You think that talking to pets is a perfectly normal part of life and would love if they could talk back to you. – Love a great mystery with a little bit of a talking animal in it. – You enjoy hits of a love interest without getting all mushy-mushy and kissy-kissy.
Kitty Confidential by Molly Fitz Book Cover
My full review of Kitty Confidential
Angie is your typical girl floating through life without having much of a purpose. A little snarky, a little sarcastic, and suddenly able to talk to an old dead woman’s cat. Her shock was quite genuine, and her introduction to Octo-cat was charming, comical, and started the book off on a really great note.
Octo-cat is full of himself and forgetful, which sounds just like the wonderful fur-babies I have at home. This doesn’t mean he’s not good. It’s just how cats seem to be. But the incredibly loyal Octo-cat wants to help his new human find out who killed the woman that was his for so long. He’s even willing to suffer a few car rides to solve the case.
Kitty Confidential took me in all sorts of directions. There are several very nice suspects to consider, and each has a pretty good motive. However, the real culprit was still a bit obvious – which I think is OK in a cozy mystery. How it was done, was still a big surprise.
A little over the top, even for a kooky cozy mystery, I still had a lot of fun reading Kitty Confidential. There were several side characters that I look forward to seeing more of, and I wonder what antics are next in line for this crazy duo.
Do not read this book if:
– You do not like things slightly ridiculous, over the top, and dramatic. – You are offended by talking animals.
***I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book***
-Wish Upon a Cowboy is the ultimate example of how being nice and treating others well will come back to you when karma gets a chance.
-Cowboy heroes are hot – always.
-Moms who will do anything for their kids are the ultimate heroine, and we need more books starring them.
About Wish Upon a Cowboy by Jennie Marts
Title:Wish Upon a Cowboy Author:Jennie Marts Series: Cowboys of Credence #4 Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Cowboy, Small Town
Hot on the ice and tall in the saddle…
Rancher and hockey coach Logan Rivers’ attempts to hire a housekeeper are hindered by women more interested in marriage than meal-planning. So when snarky Harper Evans arrives with zero romantic interest in him, he couldn’t be happier. But as he gets to know her, he finds himself hungering for more than her cooking.
Down-on-her-luck single mom Harper Evans came to Colorado with one goal: to find her son and bring him home. Temporary work for a local rancher seems perfect, but to keep the job she has to deny her feelings for the hot cowboy who’s heating up her kitchen.
Logan’s secret learning disability has caused a financial mistake that could cost him everything. With the holidays approaching and a storm closing in, he and Harper have to save his ranch and fight for her son. But can Harper trust the cowboy who is offering her both a home–and his heart?
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
– You enjoy a really sweet romance without being too sugary – Dogs are awesome – Just enough suspense to keep you near the edge of your seat
My review of Shielding Shelly by Emmie Lyn
Shielding Shelly is one of my favorites from the Gold Coast Retrievers – so far. Shelly was an absolute doll of a woman, and I loved her resilience and ability to give to those around her. She’s running from something in her past – something that hurt her, and it has tracked her down. Her support animal, Jake (I may have fallen for Jake because he reminded me of a Black Lab I had as a kid), was always there for her, anticipating her anxiety and panic attacks, and making sure that she really was OK.
Max is a mystery author. I love when authors put authors as characters in their books. He’s a sweetheart that always seems to be on the outside looking in as he people watches and dreams up the next mystery for his books. But Shelly brings him out of his shell, with the help of a cute little girl she helps watch, and they find themselves opening up to each other.
Shelly’s past was a really nice and suspenseful backdrop to the growing romance between Shelly and Max. It was something that she needed to face and overcome, and Max was right there with her as she did it. They make an incredible couple, and I really hope to see them pop up in future books in the series.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
I did not like Nicole Hawkins. She made a brief and very unappealing appearance in a previous Gold Coast Retrievers story, and she left a bad taste behind. Becky Muth does a great job of trying to redeem her, even bringing in the prior couple to forgive and sort of awkwardly befriend her, but it didn’t work for me.
Her co-star in the romance, Arnold, seemed very flat. He was loads of fun in the previous book, and I was excited to see a story for him. I hate to say his pet stole the show (and it wasn’t even the dog co-star). In fact, the dog co-star is seen very little and there were times I wondered if this really fits in the series.
What I did like a lot was the positive message the book tried to convey regarding scarring and injuries. Nicole faces a lot of adversity after she almost dies in a fire and is horribly burned. The scenes of her dealing with the aftermath – while a bit quick – were heartwarming and allowed me to start disliking her a little bit less.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
She almost died in a fire and it wasn’t accidental… Can her trusty canine sidekick and new love interest help to reveal the arsonist before he can strike another match?
Her entire life, everyone has just assumed that Nicole “Hawk” Hawkins was a pretty face without much substance. Now to prove them all wrong, she’s taken on the toughest job she could find—as a Redwood Cove firefighter. She’s not on the job long before a deadly fire nearly takes her life, scarring and disfiguring her once gorgeous features in the process.
The worst part of it all? What happened wasn’t an accident.
Arnold “Snowball” Winters, a detective with Redwood Cove’s police force, has loved Nicole since the day she first joined the station, and this new change in her appearance doesn’t change what’s in his heart. He’ll do whatever it takes to help her recover both her personal and work lives, recruiting Chance, a young Golden Retriever, to help in this mission.
No sooner is Nicole released from her lengthy hospital stay than another freak fire threatens her again—this time in her own home. Can Arnold and Chance find the culprit in time to save Nicole’s life… and maybe even win her heart while they’re at it?
Title: Meet Me in the Strange Author: Leander Watts Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
2019 IPPY SILVER MEDALIST – YOUNG ADULT
Meet Me in the Strange is an intoxicating adventure set in a glittery, retro-futuristic world of glam rock, spectral aliens, and gender-bendy teens. Davi is mesmerized by a girl at a concert, who appears to lose herself in the power of the otherworldy music of Django Conn. Later, through a chance meeting, Davi becomes friends with the girl, Anna Z. She is like no one Davi has ever met: she loves to talk, talk, talk and has grandiose theories of the next evolution of humans and a strange phenomenon she calls the “Alien Drift.” But danger lurks around every corner, because Anna Z is on the run, and her cruel and controlling older brother is determined to find her, at any cost. Davi faces a daunting decision, go on living a safe existence at the magical Angelus Hotel, which has been in the family for generations, or help Anna Z escape her troubled past. When the two take off to follow the concert tour of their glam-rock idol, Django Conn, Davi and Anna Z will face the biggest threat of their young lives.
“My name’s Davi.”
She waited just a couple of seconds, then said, “I’m Anna Z.”
That was the shortest thing I ever heard her say. Soon enough, so many words were coming out of her that I felt like I was drowning. Wild stories, charming lies, true facts and fairy tales, rambling rants, song lyrics, rhymes and riddles and beautiful secrets. But for those couple of minutes, she still didn’t know if she could trust me. So she didn’t say much at first.
I asked about her favorite album. Of course, like me, it was Man in the Moon in the Man. We agreed that it was amazing and that we could listen to it a thousand times and never use it up. Only ten songs and there was a whole world hidden there in the grooves.
“Radiation Nation,” I said.
“Signs and Wonders,” she said back. “With the wild gamba solo, right?”
“Love and Gravity, Royal Shining Things,” I said the song names like I was using secret passwords. “Forty Months and a Day. The first time I heard that one, I thought my brain was going to catch on fire.”
She didn’t walk away saying I was a freak or an imbecilo turd-toy. I’d been through that enough times before, people telling me to go away, that I was too fanatical, too wound-up, too much. But right there in front of the theater, I went up to her and started talking about Django Conn, and that’s all it took to bring us together.
“I’ve got some bootleg LPs and some really rare 45s,” I told her, not bragging, but saying it just to see how she’d respond. “I saw a ticket stub from his first show with the Reptiles. A guy had it for sale. It was supposedly autographed, but how could you prove that Django really signed it?”
I kept thinking how amazing it was that she didn’t walk away. Once she’d gotten used to me, and that didn’t take long, she stood there like she was really listening. And I did too. Of course, that was probably easier for me because she was Anna Z, and there was nobody like her on the whole planet, maybe in the whole universe. Her hair wasn’t quite so wild as at the Maxima, but there were still black snakes tangled in it. No liquid blurs of color moved on her glasses. All the same, it was hard to see her eyes. Swept up into Django’s sound, she was lost and found. Standing on the street with me, she wasn’t so free, so spontaneous. But I remembered how she’d been, and I knew she’d be that way again.
I told her about the Angelus, that my family owned it and that I had always lived there. I mentioned Sabina and Carlos and the others. And that was all it took to make the final link between us, because she told me she’d been there just a few hours before. It really was her I’d heard through the wall, talking about blood, fire, moonlight, music, and mutation. It was no phantasm I’d seen walking down the hallway to the elevator.“
About Leander Watts
An avid musician, Leander Watts has played and sung for decades in a wide variety of bands. His interests range from garage rock to skronky jazz, from baroque organ to Appalachian gospel. The first rock concert he attended was David Bowie on the Diamond Dogs tour in 1974. He teaches writing and literature at the State University of New York at Geneseo (his alma mater). Leander Watts is the author of STONECUTTER, WILD RIDE TO HEAVEN, TEN THOUSAND CHARMS, and BEAUTIFUL CITY OF THE DEAD.
Willow is not your typical celebrity, but she does seem to have some of their same troubles. Her morning talk show is losing ratings, which means she may be losing her job. Her last chance to keep it means becoming the host of the new dating show. A show she needs to figure out fast before it doesn’t take off at all.
Willow really impressed me with her taste in dogs. Her pick of the “litter” of golden retrievers was quite refreshing. And the bond she formed with Buddy from the moment they met was everything I wanted it to be.
Caleb, the bodyguard hired to protect Willow after she receives threatening letters, was another story. Ya, I loved that he loved Buddy, but his predisposition to assume all celebrities were snobs and brats really put me off. Especially when he continued to hold that position after meeting Willow and Buddy. Yes, eventually he realizes that not all celebrities are like that, but then he decides that Willow can even be his friend because he can’t focus on protecting her if she’s more than just a job.
The story really seemed to get caught up in Caleb’s head for a long time. It took too much of the focus off finding the bad guy, and too much into Caleb’s insecurities. The bad guy was super obvious to me right from the very first letter he sent. And his big appearance at the end of the story was a tad unbelievable.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Title: Watching Willow Author:: Ann Omasta Genre: Romantic Suspense, Sweet Romance
On the verge of losing her job, local television star Willow Winks desperately seeks the one thing she believes can save her fledgling career––a golden retriever sidekick.
Willow thought being told she was getting too old for television was the most frightening thing a celebrity diva could hear––until she and her furry best friend, Buddy, receive a threatening letter.
Concerned for their safety, the television studio hires Caleb McCreery, a brave, strong, and young bodyguard to protect the famous duo. Caleb is ready to do whatever it takes to keep his charges safe, even if that means risking his own life.
As the threats begin to escalate, Willow and Caleb struggle to keep their budding attraction at bay. Will the distraction of their growing feelings make the bodyguard vulnerable and put all three at risk?
This sweet tale is a romantic adventure you don’t want to miss… Grab your copy and start reading today!
