by Jasmyn | Oct 17, 2019 | Readers, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Title: To Kill a Fae (Hollowcliff Detectives #1)
Author: C.S. Wilde
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Fae enjoy playing dangerous games…
In detective Mera Maurea’s experience, three things motivate a murder: secrets, convenience, or passion. But none of the three can explain why the Summer King is dead.
With a tight deadline hanging over her head, Mera has to figure out who’s the culprit before the frail balance that holds the nation of Tagrad together crumbles into dust.
To aid her—or turn her life into a living hell, hard to tell which—is her fae partner Sebastian Dhay, a snarky detective with a penchant for the illegal. He’s a volatile wild card who will do anything to solve the murder, even if it means his doom.
The clock is ticking. And Mera is hiding a deadly secret of her own.
Excerpt from To Kill A Fae
Copyright ©2019
C.S. Wilde
Stepping beside her, Julian ran a hand over his hair. “What do you think, Mer? Lovers’ quarrel?”
Her throat suddenly dried at the sight of him.
Julian might be human, but he looked nearly ethereal. Like those marbled statues of the old gods, he was made of perfectly straight lines and sharp cuts. His strong, defined muscles were easy to spot, even covered by a white T-shirt and brown leather jacket.
Clearing her throat, she focused on the dead bodies ahead—the Summer King lying belly up, and the woman resting on her stomach, reaching for him.
Almost poetic.
Too poetic.
“It seems that way,” she muttered.
About C.S. Wilde
C.S. Wilde wrote her first Fantasy novel when she was eight. That book was absolutely terrible, but her mother told her it was awesome, so she kept writing.
Now a grown-up (though many will beg to differ), C. S. Wilde writes about fantastic worlds, love stories larger than life and epic battles.
She also, quite obviously, sucks at writing an author bio. She finds it awkward that she must write this in the third person, and hopes you won’t notice.
To be notified of upcoming releases, signup for the Kick-ass Team at www.cswilde.com
Follow C.S. Wile Online:
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by Jasmyn | Oct 14, 2019 | Readers, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Samaire Provost’s Frequently Asked Questions
When will your next book be released? I release at least two books a month, sometimes more. So if you wait, there will be a new book to read in less than two weeks. I release the ebook and paperback on the same day, so both will be available for purchase.
What are your pets’ names? I have two cats, Tyrion and Aladdin. I have two dogs: Aspen and Athena. The cats bring me comfort and make sure there’s plenty of cat hair on my clothes every day. The dogs bring me laughter and make sure life never gets dull. I will post pictures of them frequently on the PETS tab.
Which of your books is your favorite? My favorite book of my own is usually the one I am currently writing.
What is your favorite book of all time? My favorite book of all time is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, followed very closely by Good Omens, by Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
Do you ever do public appearances? Very seldom. I usually try to do two signings a year, in southern Virginia, but I hope to fit more in, in 2020. My days are filled with writing, and I have a very strict schedule, so if I take time off for a signing, it usually means writing ’til midnight to catch up.
How often do you write? I write every single day.
Where do you get your story ideas? There’s a little shop on a damp alleyway in Schenectady, NY. I visit once every other year, and in the basement I roll the bones at midnight to see what the brownie that appears has for me. It usually works, and he hands me a sheaf of papers full of ideas, bound in goatskin.
Are you always a wisecrack? Yes.
What are your influences? Several authors have been of great influence to me, including Neil Gaiman, Susan Cooper, Madeleine L’Engle, Walter Farley, and Stephen King.
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Title: The Pirates of Moonlit Bay (The Paladin Princess #1)
Author: Samaire Provost
Genre: Epic Fantasy
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They took her freedom: now it’s personal.
They assaulted her best friend.
They stole her dignity and enslaved her, stripped her of everything she loved, and ground her into the dirt.
Now it’s sweet payback time.
Jack Ryan meets The Princess Bride in this epic fantasy thriller.
They think they know her; they think they can best her.
They have no idea what they’ve unleashed.
She’s going to teach them a lesson they will never forget.
The first in the addictive, action-packed Paladin Princess series, The Pirates of Moonlit Bay features never-see-it-coming twists and razor-sharp dialogue.
Charlotte has never been one to play by the rules. When kidnapped by pirates on a ship pulled by giant manta rays, she is fearless in facing her deadly adversaries. She must fight for her life against ruthless enemies and fantastic beasts, while being thrust into a world of supernatural alchemy.
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Title: The Pirate Princess (The Paladin Princess #2)
Author: Samaire Provost
Genre: Epic Fantasy
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The Book of Mysteries.
According to legend, it holds the lost knowledge of all mankind.
Charlotte wants it. Badly.
She has her trusty troupe, a treasure map, and a worthy ship. But will that be enough?
The map can’t even begin to hint at what awaits them as they descend a rocky staircase into the heart of a volcano …
Friendships will be tested.
Lives will be on the line.
They will face challenges even more deadly than the dreaded kraken.
And they will face questions. Questions that go to the heart of their mission – and the core of their souls …
What do you believe?
Who do you care about most?
Are you worthy?
Worthy to obtain the Book of Mysteries. Within its pages lie the secrets to navigating the stars and curing deadly diseases.
But can they retrieve it before they wind up dead themselves?
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Title: The Lost Treasure (The Paladin Princess #3)
Author: Samaire Provost
Genre: Epic Fantasy
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Decaying corpses of powerful sirens float in the sea, forming a grisly trail toward the horror that killed them.
Mermaids whisper about a new threat in the ocean, a menace that imperils all the denizens of the waters, from Swerighe, to Alkebulan, to all the undiscovered seas.
Charlotte and her troupe, searching for clues, hear whispers of a secret treasure that might be connected to the siren deaths. An aged merman who has traveled farther than any other, reveals to them the tale of a strange, strange land:
“There is a faraway land, full of steep mountains, and dangerous creatures. The forest surrounding the tallest mountain is home to a multitude of dread monsters, each more terrifying than the last, who hunger for the flesh of unsuspecting travelers foolish enough to venture into their realm. At the apex of this tall peak, which rises twenty thousand feet, past deadly glaciers and a river of fire, is a sanctuary watched over by a forgotten order of mystics skilled in the art of battle and devastation. In the rear of the sanctuary is a passage that leads into the mountain, and deep into the heart of the Earth. At its end are catacombs guarded by a beast so dreadful that minds will go mad at the sight of it. The door to the catacombs can only be accessed by defeating the beast that guards it. Inside, concealed by a hideous shroud and an ancient poison, lies the lost treasure of El Dorado.”
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Title: The Pirate Prince (The Paladin Princess #4)
Author: Samaire Provost
Genre: Epic Fantasy
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The land is dying.
Great swaths of the northlands are growing warmer at an alarming rate.
Wildlife is suffering.
Monsters from the realm of fable and legend are being released from the glaciers, attacking villages.
And something – SOMETHING has caused this.
A great evil has emerged from the ice and lain this curse upon the land.
Charlotte’s parents – the queen and prince consort of Swerighe – have been abducted, and the land is in an uproar. Only Charlotte and her troupe can save the day.
But this evil is desperate to survive.
It will stop at nothing to take what it wants.
And it wants her baby.
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About Samaire Provost
Samaire Provost grew up in a lot of different places, and now happily resides on the
East Coast of America, laboring away at writing stories every day. She is an animal lover with far too many pets, yet she still muses how she’d like to add even more. A lover of all things night and gothic, she also loves to read and reread her favorite books. Owned by a cat named Tyrion, she can be found haunting the shadows and mists that hang low over the hills of southern Virginia.
Follow Samaire Provost online
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card!
by Jasmyn | Oct 2, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Romance
Puppy Christmas really brought all the good feels out. We have cuteness overload with a service dog in training and his new little girl, her dad (oddly named Ford Ford), and the puppy trainer they all fall in love with from the moment they set eyes on her in the super fluffly princess dress.
The characters in this book jumped right out of the pages into my heart. Ford and his flirty ways that have most of the single moms in the neighborhood at his beck and call – but not in a creepy way. They love the guy and have taken him under their wings to help him care for his beyond adorable daughter, Emily, who just happens to be hearing impaired. The bond these two share made me jealous.
I also loved that there wasn’t really a villian – just life and history and fear that was standing between Ford and Lila. Lila has a lot to learn about the more carefree side of herself, and Ford needs to learn to stop hiding behind jokes and flirting. Emily has her own very important role to play in all this as well, and I think giving her more of a primary role in the book was the perfect touch. This was the perfect way to start my Christmas Romance reading.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Puppy Christmas (Forever Home #2)
Author: Lucy Gilmore
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christmas
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Lila Vasquez might not be the “fun one” at Puppy Promise―the service puppy training school she runs with her sisters―but she can always be counted on to gets things done. So when her latest client shows an interest in princess gowns over power suits, Lila puts aside her scruples, straps on the glittery heels, and gets to work.
If only the adorable six-year-old’s father wasn’t such an appealing Prince Charming.
Ford’s whole life revolves around his daughter…until he meets Lila. Smart, capable, and amazing at helping Emily gain confidence with her new service puppy at her side, Lila is everything he ever wanted―but she’s way out of his league. Good thing Emily and her new pup are up to the matchmaking task. This Christmas, it’s all hands (and paws) on deck!
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by Jasmyn | Sep 30, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Romance
I have loved every one of the Fatal books by Marie Force, but this one kicked it up a notch in the case that falls into Sam’s lap. Well, technically it shouldn’t be her case, but she’s been suspended for hitting a fellow officer (who thoroughly deserved it). But when she’s the only person the victim can trust – what else can she do but start looking into it off the clock.
The case is very unusual and takes her to the highest positions in the FBI for suspects. When Special Agent Avery finds out what’s going on, he’s convinced that Sam is barking up the wrong tree. There’s no way that Josh was kidnapped as a baby by the director of the FBI.
The case takes Sam in some very interesting directions, and when Sam and Avery go out of town to investigate, Nick has to come to a truce and put his jealousy aside. I really liked this look into Sam and Nick’s relationship. Tense words may have been exchanged, but watching their love and trust shine through is pure #relationshipgoals.
Sam’s detective family is still mourning the loss of one of their own. I can’t even imagine what that would be like. Force treats the situation delicately, but she also doesn’t hold any punches. People are falling apart, people are holding it all in, and the team comes together to help in every way they know how. Another fantastic and suspenseful book.
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Title: Fatal Deception (Fatal #10)
Author: Marie Force
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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Every family has its secrets…
As the first anniversary of her marriage to Vice President Nick Cappuano approaches, Lieutenant Sam Holland is dreaming of Bora Bora — sun, sand and a desperately needed break from the DC grind. But real life has a way of intervening, and Sam soon finds herself taking on one of the most perplexing cases of her career.
Government worker Josh Hamilton begs Sam to investigate his shocking claim that his parents stole him from another family thirty years ago. More complicated still, his “father” is none other than the FBI director. When a member of Josh’s family is brutally murdered, Sam begins to question how deep this cover-up goes. Is it possible the revered director was part of a baby-napping ring and that others involved are also targets?
With a killer intent on deadly revenge and her team still reeling from a devastating loss, Sam’s plate is full — and when Nick and their son, Scotty, take ill, is her dream of a tropical anniversary celebration in peril too?
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by Jasmyn | Sep 29, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Romance
A Corporate Courtship was a really great story – but there were many times I felt like the romance was on the back burner. It felt more like a finding yourself story for both Gloria and Arthur. When they first meet, in the courtroom, there are some sparks, but I didn’t really feel the pull between them. They weren’t ready for that yet.
The town and the environmental impact statement that was standing in the way of progress was also standing between them – at first. It doesn’t take too long for them to figure out they are mostly on the same side of the argument, just for different reasons. The vast majority of the story revolves around this battle over the impact statements.
While I really appreciate the detail (and learned a lot) that the author put into how the plant, upgrades, and community all worked and the pros and cons of the revitalization plan, it really took away from the emotional connection I wanted to feel with the characters. Some moments were amazing, but there were overshadowed by the corporate dealing aspects of the story.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: A Corporate Courtship
Author: Amy Craig
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Mayor Gloria and British executive Arthur struggle to keep a professional distance while they work to revitalize a facility in Stoneblock, NJ. She knows everything about her constituents and he likes to keep his distance. When outside activists threaten the project, can they devise a solution full of opportunities amid the optimism of Christmas?
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by Jasmyn | Sep 28, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Romance
Sam and Nick are back from their honeymoon, and things just aren’t slowing down. Throw in the side characters – friends and co-workers of both Sam and Nick – pairing up and dealing with their own problems and issues, and you have a beautifully thought out world that is as intricate as real life.
The side story that impacted me the most this time was Jeannie dealing with some pretty serious trauma that happened in the last book. She’s such a strong character, and she almost stole the show.
Meanwhile, Sam is trying to solve a series of murders, and we get to see the whole crew from her department in action again. They work like a well-oiled machine tracking down leads and pulling the threads (as Sam likes to say) until they find that one vital piece of information that breaks the case wide open – to a surprising conclusion.
I love Sam and Nick, and they are one of my favorite couples, so I’m glad to see the series continues for many more books still.
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Title: Fatal Flaw (Fatal #4)
Author: Marie Force
Genre: Romantic Suspense
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Back from their honeymoon, Senator Nick Cappuano and D.C. Police Lieutenant Sam Holland are ready for some normalcy after the whirlwind of their wedding, but someone has other plans for them. When Sam discovers wedding cards containing thinly veiled death threats, she’s not sure if she or Nick is the target.
Already on edge, Sam and her team start investigating a series of baffling murders. The victims are well-liked with no known enemies, and the murders are carried out in a clean and efficient manner. Unable to find a clear motive for the deaths, she feels like she’s chasing her tail.
With no obvious connection between the victims, Sam soon suspects that she may be the ultimate prize in the killer’s clever game. When the danger starts to hit a little too close to home, she has two goals: find the elusive murderer and manage to live long enough to enjoy her happily ever after.
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by Jasmyn | Sep 27, 2019 | Book Reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Readers
The Summer Seaside Kitchen series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. The small island of Mure is anything but dull, and the people of the island, both generational residents and new, make the community a very interesting one.
The book continues its primary focus on Flora as she navigates her new-found love for her old home, but with new troubles brewing. Her former boss and current boyfriend, Joel, is away on business, and this starts a downward spiral for them. He refuses to open up to her, and she constantly wonders if she’s really enough for the hot-shot city lawyer.
But I was also introduced to two new storylines. Coltan, Flora’s brother’s boyfriend, has a secret – and it’s an awful one. He drags Joel into it, and it’s such a big secret that Joel can’t really handle it all. This mystery hovers over the story like a fog bank. It’s there, but most people don’t realize how thick it is. It plays out throughout the story, and when it’s all revealed, there’s a lot to take in. Jenny Colgan handles it all beautifully, showing that her characters have a depth and feeling that really brings them to life.
I was also introduced to Saif, the refugee that has found somewhat of a home as the island’s doctor. His story is another sad one, having been separated from his wife and two children in the war. He walks the beach just waiting for that miraculous moment when a boat shows up to reunite them. But after waiting for so long, he’s having a hard time hanging on to the hope.
Not all of these intricate storylines are entirely wrapped up at the end of the book. But they do seem to reach a natural position of concluded for now, but with more to tell. As I get to know more of the island’s residents, I fall in love all over again.
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Title: The Endless Beach (Summer Seaside Kitchen #2)
Author: Jenny Colgan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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When Flora MacKenzie traded her glum career in London for the remote Scottish island of Mure, she never dreamed that Joel—her difficult, adorable boss—would follow. Yet now, not only has Flora been reunited with her family and opened a charming café by the sea, but she and Joel are taking their first faltering steps into romance.
With Joel away on business in New York, Flora is preparing for the next stage in her life. And that would be…? Love? She’s feeling it. Security? In Joel’s arms, sure. Marriage? Not open to discussion.
In the meanwhile, Flora is finding pleasure in a magnificent sight: whales breaking waves off the beaches of Mure. But it also signals something less joyful. According to local superstition, it’s an omen—and a warning that Flora’s future could be as fleeting as the sea-spray…
A bracing season on the shore sets the stage for Jenny Colgan’s delightful novel that’s as funny, heartwarming, and unpredictable as love itself.
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by Jasmyn | Sep 26, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Romance
Pinecraft, FL isn’t your typical Amish community. They are a little less strict, a little more outgoing, and a lot more involved with the Englisch world. But, they still hold all the basic beliefs of the Amish – love, charity, simple living.
Lovina moved to Pinecraft with her family because the air would help her father’s lung and breathing issues. But the area is so full of women, that Lovina’s mother has almost given up hope that her daughters will find a respectful eligible bachelor – but that’s OK with Lovina. She isn’t all that interested in finding a husband – she wants to open a pie shop.
There are several people in the community touched by Lovina’s dream. Lovina, her mother, the handsome Noah Yoder, a reporter. I would even say that the whole community learned a lesson on determination, following God’s will, and not judging others by watching this strong young woman. I really loved how she stuck to her Amish beliefs and found a way to work them into the world around her. Never compromising on the important issues, but also willing to listen to what others had to say.
But, on to the romance. Noah isn’t what most in the community would call an ideal candidate for a husband. Having caused some major trouble a few years back when he was younger, many in the community seem to shun him. Noah is trying so hard to find a place for himself and the teenagers (also having gotten into trouble) that he brought with him. He wants to teach them a skill and show them how wonderful the Amish community can be.
Made with Love was a really great story – and I loved that it was a lot different than most of the traditional Amish romances I’ve read. I’ve added the rest of the series to my TBR, and they sound amazing!
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Made with Love (Pinecraft Pie Shop #1)
Author: Tricia Goyer, Sherry Gore
Genre: Inspirational Romance, Amish Romance
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A Dash of Love, a Pinch of Hope, and a Whole Lot of Good Cooking Lovina Miller should be thrilled. Pinecraft, Florida, has everything a young Amish woman could ask for: sun, sand, volleyball games, and evening singings in the park. But Pinecraft lacks the one thing Lovina desperately wants–a pie shop of her own. She longs for a place to gather with the community and serve the treat she loves.
A young carpenter named Noah Yoder strolls into her life and offers a way to make her dream come true. But before Noah and Lovina can build a shop–and a life–together, they must each face heartaches from the past. Is their new love stronger than their regrets? Find inspiration, romance, and authentic Amish recipes for everyone’s favorite food–pie!
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by Jasmyn | Sep 25, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Romance
I love worlds where dragons are real in any shape or form, and the dragons in this world sound pretty nice to look at when they’re in their human shape. When Aoife finds out the handsome stranger in her life isn’t just a trick of her imagination, but real life dragon shifter, she has two reactions. 1) Extremely pissed off that no one believed her and they locked her up in a hospital, and 2) holy crap!!
Aoife was a very sarcastic woman with a lot of witty (but crazy) lines throughout the book. While I am all for a quirky character, sometimes she got just a tad annoying. Kostya, our dragon, is such an opposite to Aoife it made both their characteristics really stand out. Kostya was stubborn, grumpy, and determined to never talk about his previous mate or anything to do with mating every again.
Pair that with a very strange curse that makes Kostya’s dragon clan attack each other on sight, and you are set with quite an adventure. Throw in some fancy magic, a demon, and a handful of demon lords, and there is sooo much going on. But Katie MacAlister handled the craziness well. I never got lost or confused in the action, and the side characters all added their own important element to the story.
This was a great start to the series, with a really fun couple, a super romantic HEA, but several strings in the overall scheme of things that still need to be tied.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Dragon Fall (Dragon Falls #1)
Author: Katie MacAlister
Genre: Paranormal Romance
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YOU FLIRT WITH FIRE…
For Aoife Dakar, seeing is believing—and she’s seen some extraordinary things. It’s too bad no one else believes that she witnessed a supernatural murder at an outdoor fair. Returning to the scene for proof, Aoife encounters a wise-cracking demon dog—and a gloriously naked man who can shift into a dragon and kiss like a god. Now thrust into a fantastical world that’s both exhilarating and terrifying, Aoife is about to learn just how hot a dragon’s fire burns.
WHEN YOU DATE A DRAGON
Kostya has no time for a human woman with endless questions, no matter how gorgeous or tempting she is. He must break the curse that has splintered the dragon clans before more of his kind die. But his powerful attraction to Aoife runs much deeper than the physical—and there may be more to her than even his sharp dragon eyes can see. To survive the coming battle for the fate of his race, he needs a mate of true heart and soul . . .
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by Jasmyn | Sep 24, 2019 | Book Reviews, Contemporary Fiction, Readers
Now That You Mention It was a bit different than what I expected. When I first meet Nora, she seems a little insubstantial. Like there was really nothing to her personality. She’s a successful doctor, dating another successful doctor – until she gets hit by a car – and then dumped while she believes she’s actually a ghost. The scene was devestating for her, but Kristan Higgans gave it just a bit of a lighthearted feel somehow.
The bulk of the story takes place when Nora returns to her roots – Scupper Island. Everything and nothing has changed, and Nora still feels like she doesn’t belong. Throw into the mix her mother, who still can’t seem to show any affection, and her niece, a moody and withdrawn teenager whose mother is in jail, and Nora puts on a brave face and starts to pretend that everything will just be OK.
But, of course, it isn’t. There are old high school rivals, bullies, and mean girls to contend with. And a few are still holding a very serious grudge. But Nora tries not to let that get to her. She’s determined to make the most of what she has – even if it doesn’t seem like much at times. I loved how determined Nora was, while still showing a vulnerable side, and I really loved how much she loved her family and was willing to do just about anything to reconnect with them.
In the long run, Nora grows into someone far more complex and likable that she was at the beginning. There a a few fantastic twists and turns with the people around her, and I was really surprised be a couple of them. I highly recommend this book. It was an enjoyable, relaxing listen with just enough excitement laced throughout.
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Title: Now That You Mention It
Author: Kristin Higgins
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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One step forward. Two steps back. The Tufts scholarship that put Nora Stuart on the path to becoming a Boston medical specialist was a step forward. Being hit by a car and then overhearing her boyfriend hit on another doctor when she thought she was dying? Two major steps back.
Injured in more ways than one, Nora feels her carefully built life cracking at the edges. There’s only one place to land: home. But the tiny Maine community she left fifteen years ago doesn’t necessarily want her. At every turn, someone holds the prodigal daughter of Scupper Island responsible for small-town drama and big-time disappointments.
With a tough islander mother who’s always been distant and a wild-child sister in jail, unable to raise her daughter–a withdrawn teen as eager to ditch the island as Nora once was–Nora has her work cut out for her if she’s going to take what might be her last chance to mend the family.
But as some relationships crumble around her, others unexpectedly strengthen. Balancing loss and opportunity, a dark event from her past with hope for the future, Nora will discover that tackling old pain makes room for promise…and the chance to begin again.
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