The Taste of Air by Gail Cleare

Posted November 16, 2016 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: The Taste of Air
Series:
Author: Gail Cleare
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Published: September 22, 2016
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

A simple phone call disrupts Nell Williams’s well-ordered life. Her mother, Mary, is in a hospital in Vermont. But her mother is supposed to be safely tucked away in an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, so Nell can’t fathom why she would be so far from home.

After notifying her sister, Bridget, Nell hops on a plane and rushes to her mother’s side. There, she discovers that her mother has been living a second life. Mary has another home and a set of complex relationships with people her daughters have never met.

When Nell and Bridget delve deeper into their mother’s lakeside hideaway, they uncover a vault of family secrets and the gateway to change for all three women.

Stand Alone Title

A Baxter Family Christmas by Karen Kingsbury

Posted October 25, 2016 by Marsha in Christmas Romance, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: A Baxter Family Christmas
Series:
Author: Karen Kingsbury
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Christmas Romance
Published: October 25, 2016
Publisher: Howard Books
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Two sorrowful years have passed since the terrible car accident that took the life of John Baxter’s daughter, Erin, along with her husband and three of their four daughters. But this year John has invited a stranger for dinner – Kendra Bryant, the transplant recipient who now has Erin’s heart.

In light of her father’s idea, Ashley and her brother Luke don’t think it’s right. They want to protect their ten-year-old niece, Amy – the only surviving member of the accident. But John is determined and believes meeting this woman is something his deceased daughter would want.

At the same time, Maddie West, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Brooke Baxter West, is praying for meaning this Christmas. Could she find it in a newfound friendship with a boy she never expected to see again? Maddie believes in miracles, especially at Christmastime, but this is a stretch even she can’t imagine.

Meanwhile, Kendra Bryant has been struggling these past few years to find meaning in the tragedy that gave her a second chance. She believes this invitation to see the Baxters and witness their unwavering faith in God can instill hope and happiness back into her life.

Heartwarming and touching, filled with love and hope, A Baxter Family Christmas brings together two families in the aftermath of a tragedy and in the midst of an unfolding love story, all with the help of one very special child.

Read on for my thoughts on A Baxter Family Christmas. No true spoilers, promise.

Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner

Posted October 17, 2016 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: Good In Bed
Series:
Author: Jennifer Weiner
Genre: Woman’s Fiction
Published: April 2, 2002
Publisher: Atria
My Rating: 2 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

For twenty-eight years, things have been tripping along nicely for Cannie Shapiro. Sure, her mother has come charging out of the closet, and her father has long since dropped out of her world. But she loves her friends, her rat terrier, Nifkin, and her job as pop culture reporter for The Philadelphia Examiner. She’s even made a tenuous peace with her plus-size body.

But the day she opens up a national women’s magazine and sees the words “Loving a Larger Woman” above her ex-boyfriend’s byline, Cannie is plunged into misery…and the most amazing year of her life. From Philadelphia to Hollywood and back home again, she charts a new course for herself: mourning her losses, facing her past, and figuring out who she is and who she can become.

Read on for my thoughts on Good In Bed. No true spoilers, promise.

On Lone Star Trail by Amanda Cabot

Posted July 4, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: On Lone Star Trail
Series: Texas Crossroads #3
Author: Amanda Cabot
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction
Published: February 2, 2016
Publisher: Revel
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

If there’s one thing Gillian Hodge never wants to see again, it’s a man on a motorcycle. Her last encounter with one left her right hand crushed, ending her promising career as a concert pianist. But as she heads to Rainbow’s End Resort, a sudden thunderstorm causes a motorcycle to crash in front of her.

When TJ Benjamin’s wife died, he lost more than his best friend; he lost his faith. He’s spent the past year wandering the country on a motorcycle, trying not to think about his future. When he finds himself stranded with a busted bike and a reluctant rescuer, he has to wonder about God’s sense of humor.

Can this woman without a future and this man running from his past find romance in the present? Or are they too tied to the way life used to be?

Read on for my thoughts on On Lone Star Trail. No true spoilers, promise.

A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love by Linn B. Halton

Posted June 16, 2016 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 2 Comments

Title: A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love
Series:
Author: Linn B. Halton
Genre: Woman’s Fiction
Published: January 15, 2016
Publisher: Choc Lit
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Life isn’t all love and cupcakes …

Katie has had her fair share of bad luck, but when she finally realizes her dream of opening a bakery it seems things can only get better.

But the reality of running a business hits Katie hard and whilst her partner, Steve, tries to help she begins to sense that the situation is driving them further apart. Could Katie be set to lose her relationship and her dream job?

Then, one winter’s day, a man walks into her shop – and, in the space of that moment, the course of Katie’s life is changed.

But nobody finds happiness in the blink of an eye. Sometimes it takes two Christmases, three birthdays and a whole lot of cake to get there.

Read on for my thoughts on A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love. No true spoilers, promise.

The Thing Is by Kathleen Gerard

Posted April 7, 2016 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 2 Comments

Title: The Thing Is
Series:
Author: Kathleen Gerard
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Published: February 9, 2016
Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Meredith Mancuso is depressed. Ever since the death of her fiancé, she has shrunk from the world. Even with her successful writing career, she’s not motivated to work. When her sister, Monica, begs for a favor, Meredith wants nothing more than to say no. But she’s ultimately roped into pet-sitting an orphaned Yorkshire terrier named Prozac.

Blessed with spiritual wisdom and a high IQ, Prozac is an active pet therapy dog. To heal broken-hearted Meredith, he rallies his fan club at Evergreen Gardens, an independent living facility, where he visits each week.

Prozac and the community of resilient older folks challenged by losses of their own propel Meredith, often against her will, back into the land of the living. Meredith learns that most people carry some sort of burden, but it’s still possible to find meaning, purpose, and joy—and sometimes, even love—along the way.

Read on for my thoughts on The Thing Is. No true spoilers, promise.

A Girl’s Guide to Moving On by Debbie Macomber

Posted February 23, 2016 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: A Girl’s Guide to Moving On
Series: New Beginnings #2
Author: Debbie Macomber
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Published: February 23, 2016
Publisher: Ballantine Books
My Rating: 4.5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

When Nichole discovers that her husband, Jake, has been unfaithful, the illusion of her perfect life is indelibly shattered. While juggling her young son, a new job, and volunteer work, Nichole meets Rocco, who is the opposite of Jake in nearly every way. Though blunt-spoken and rough around the edges, Rocco proves to be a dedicated father and thoughtful friend. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Jake wagers everything on winning Nichole back—including their son Owen’s happiness. Somehow, Nichole must find the courage to defy her fears and follow her heart, with far-reaching consequences for them all.

Leanne has quietly ignored her husband’s cheating for decades, but is jolted into action by the echo of Nichole’s all-too-familiar crisis. While volunteering as a teacher of English as a second language, Leanne meets Nikolai, a charming, talented baker from Ukraine. Resolved to avoid the heartache and complications of romantic entanglements, Leanne nonetheless finds it difficult to resist Nikolai’s effusive overtures—until an unexpected tragedy tests the very fabric of her commitments.

An inspiring novel of friendship, reinvention, and hope, A Girl’s Guide to Moving On affirms the ability of every woman to forge a new path, believe in love, and fearlessly find happiness.

Read on for my thoughts about A Girl’s Guide to Moving On. No true spoilers, promise.

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

Posted January 5, 2016 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend
Series:
Author: Katarina Bivald
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Published: January 19, 2016
Publisher: Sourcebooks / Landmark
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Once you let a book into your life, the most unexpected things can happen…

Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her pen pal, Amy. When she arrives, however, she finds that Amy’s funeral has just ended. Luckily, the townspeople are happy to look after their bewildered tourist—even if they don’t understand her peculiar need for books.

Marooned in a farm town that’s almost beyond repair, Sara starts a bookstore in honor of her friend’s memory. All she wants is to share the books she loves with the citizens of Broken Wheel and to convince them that reading is one of the great joys of life. But she makes some unconventional choices that could force a lot of secrets into the open and change things for everyone in town.

Read on for my thoughts on The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend. No true spoilers, promise.

House Trained by Jackie Bouchard

Posted October 20, 2015 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: House Trained
Series:
Author: Jackie Bouchard
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Published: October 20, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Alex Halstad, a childless-by-choice interior designer and dog mom, is a true perfectionist. But her orderly life turns chaotic when the teenage daughter her husband, Barry, never knew he had shows up on their doorstep…with a baby girl of her own in tow. While Alex’s dog enthusiastically welcomes the new arrivals, Alex struggles with the loss of her steady routine. She desperately needs peace and quiet to get her business back on track before Barry finds out she’s spent most of their savings.

Meanwhile, the arrival of the girls stirs up old insecurities, and Alex can’t help but worry that Barry’s ex will make an entrance too. With her tidy life a distant memory, will Alex be able to learn from her dog the true meaning of love and acceptance?

Read on for my thoughts on House Trained. No true spoilers, promise.

Promises To Keep by Patricia Sands

Posted October 17, 2015 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: Promises To Keep
Series: Love In Provence #2
Author: Patricia Sands
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
Published: October 13, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 4 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

Falling in love with the south of France was no surprise to Katherine. Choosing to walk away from her past and start over was completely unexpected. A new country, a new lover, and the promise of a bright future beginning in mid-life … who knew?

Now there were the exciting dreams of restoring the property on the Cap, of beginning a new career, of experiencing the traditions of Christmas in Provence, of falling even more deeply in love with the man who inspired these hopes.

It was all so perfect, until it wasn’t.

She had embraced new possibilities in life and given her heart only to discover something was being kept from her. Something terrible from her lover’s past. Something that could destroy everything.

What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, had become her mantra. Would it be enough?

Read on for my thoughts on Promises To Keep. No true spoilers, promise.

The Promise of Provence by Patricia Sands

Posted October 6, 2015 by Marsha in Women's Fiction / 0 Comments

Title: The Promise of Provence
Series: Love in Provence #1
Author: Patricia Sands
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Published: October 6, 2015 (first pub. March 2013)
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
My Rating: 5 stars
Source: NetGalley
Cover Description:

On the evening of her twenty-second wedding anniversary, Katherine Price can’t wait to celebrate. But instead of receiving an anniversary card from her husband, she finds a note asking for a divorce.

Fifty-five and suddenly alone, Katherine begins the daunting task of starting over. She has her friends, her aging mother, and her career to occupy her, but the future seems to hold little promise—until, after a winter of heartbreak, Katherine is persuaded to try a home exchange holiday in the South of France.

In Provence, bright fields of flowers bloom below medieval hilltop villages with winding cobblestone streets. Charmed by the picturesque countryside, the breathtaking Côte d’Azur, and the enchantment-filled boulevards of Paris, Katherine feels life opening up once again. Lavender perfumes the air, and chance encounters hint at romance and passion. But memories of heartbreak and betrayal linger—and her former life waits for her back home. Can she find the courage to begin again?

Read on for my thoughts on The Promise of Provence. No true spoilers, promise.