Category: Women’s Fiction

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Welcome to Jubilee by Rachel Hanna

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Welcome to Jubilee
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Series: Jubilee #1
  • Genre: Women’s fiction, Romance
  • Takes Place:  Jubilee, GA
  • Main Character: Madelyn Harper, Brady Nolan
  • Other Characters: Geneve Whitby, Laura Kearney
  • Pets: a goat named Gilbert
  • Stars: 5

This is the first book, in Rachel Hanna’s newest series, Jubilee. As usual, this author does not disappoint. This book has the same feel to it as you would expect from a Rachel Hanna book.

Madeline is a famous author who has been down on her luck. Her marriage broke up and now her new book isn’t selling. Her agent suggests she write about a small town since this is what the readers are reading now. The problem is that Madeline is from the city and doesn’t know anything about small-town living. So at the suggestion of her agent, she temporarily moves to a little town in the Blue Ridge Mountains called Jubilee. It’s a wonderful small town with some quirky residents and her sexy neighbor, Brady.

I fell in love with Geneve, the 96-year-old resident who is as spry as ever and has a lot of wisdom, which she offers to Madeline.

Can this small-town girl survive, or will she ache to head back to the city?

I think you will love this book as much as I did. I just wish Jubilee wasn’t a fictional town so I could visit and meet these residents that I fell in love with. If you love a book about new beginnings, small town living in the mountains with wonderful characters, a goat named Gilbert, and some romance thrown in, you will love this book.

“I Look at these hills as gits from God. I don’t worship the mountains, but I revered them. I cherish them. But I still pray every morning and every night. Two things will save you in this life-the prayers you send up and the roots you put down”

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Lilacs by the Sea by Kay Correll

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Lilacs by the sea
  • Author: Kay Correll
  • Series: Blue Heron Cottages #5
  • Genre: Romance, Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place:  Moonbeam, FL
  • Main Character: Frankie, Will, Katie, Stacey
  • Other Characters: Melody, Ethan, Daisy, Violet, rose
  • Stars: 5

The fifth book in the Blue Heron Cottages series is one that I truly enjoyed. I have continued to fall in love with the characters from this series, as well as some new characters in this new story.

Will and Frankie are empty nesters who haven’t told their grown daughters that their marriage appears to be disintegrating. Unbeknownst to them, their daughters have organized a family vacation and a surprise celebration for their 40th wedding anniversary at the same location they spent their honeymoon. Even if the cottages have undergone a name change and updates since then, they nevertheless evoke many pleasant memories. How will they get through this week, and will a miscommunication lead to the breakdown of their marriage?

This is a wonderful tale of rekindled love, understanding, and family. It makes me want to travel to Blue Heron Cottages because I adore this series. There are some excellent characters, and the author is skilled at crafting a compelling narrative that keeps you turning the pages. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

Happy Reading!

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Virgin River by Robyn Carr

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Virgin River
  • Author: Robyn Carr
  • Series: Virgin River #1
  • Genre: Romance
  • Takes Place:  Virgin River
  • Main Characters: Melinda, Jack, Doc, Preacher
  • Stars:  5

This is the first book I have read by this author but I watch the TV series and love it so decided to give it a try. I am so glad I did. Reading it I was able to put faces with the characters and dive deeper into them so I really felt like I knew them.

Melinda Monroe recently lost her husband. Everywhere she goes reminds her of him She is tired of everyone asking how she is doing and looking at her with pity. She works at a busy ER where she met him. She needs to get away to somewhere where no one knows her.

She reads a want ad for a Midwife/Nurse Practioner in a remote country town of Virgin River, population 600. Rent-free cabin included. She applies for the job and is hired so she packs up to move to Virgin River, sight unseen.

When she gets there it isn’t what she expected. The cabin is a shambles and isn’t even safe to live in. The Doc is very unpleasant and says he doesn’t need any help. She doesn’t know what to do.

Hope, a town resident, thinks Doc does need help so she is the one who placed the ad. Melinda (Mel) feels like she has been misled and this wasn’t the right decision for her /she decides she is going to decline the job and move to Colorado to be near her sister.

Finding a baby abandoned on Doc’s doorstep May change her plans. And of course, she meets the local bar/restaurant owner Jack Sheridan who may have something to do with her decision whether or not to stay.

This is a great story. If you have watched the TV series you will love this book. Even if you haven’t watched the TV series, you will love this book. It is a story of loss, starting over, finding love again and moving on. You will fall in love with Jack and Mel and you will even grow to love Ornery Doc. I loved all the characters In this book and I fell In love with Virgin River.

Happy Reading,

Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Women's Fiction

Seaside Bookclub by Meredith Summers

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Seaside Bookclub
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • Series: Lobster Bay #6
  • Genre: Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place: Lobster Bay, Maine
  • Main Character: Bunny, Sam, Liz, Jane, Andie, Mr Smith
  • Other Characters: Claire, Maxie, Rob, James
  • Stars: 5

This is the 6th book of the Lobster Bay series. I love that each book in this series seems to bring different characters in the quaint town of Lobster Bay to the forefront. Sam is a retired detective who lost the most important part of his life when his wife passed. He has struggled to find a reason to get up in the mornings. If it wasn’t for his dog Dooley, he probably wouldn’t have founod the motivation to leave the house, that is until he met Bunny.

The friends of Lobster Bay decided to start a bookclub where they meet each month at Tides, the Inn that Jane and Andie own. The first book is a mystery and Bunny, a feisty widow, has really gotten into it. So much so, she starts to suspect that a guest at the Inn, Mr. Smith, is a killer. Sam’s detective skills come alive when he witnesses Bunny lurking around and following Mr. Smith. They decide to team up to see just what Mr. Smith is up to. Could they have a killer staying at the Inn?

Jane is getting suspicious as to why Andie and Mike were spotted at the local hardware store and then at the Inn. She knows they are hiding something, but what could that be. She has her suspicions, and it scares her a bit.

Then over at the bakery, Claire is making dog treats that she is calling Beach Bones. The thing is, that some of her customers are telling her that someone in another town is also selling dog treats by the same name. Claire has her daughter checking on trademarks as she is puzzled and wonders if someone has stolen the name from her. Will Claire be able to continue selling her Beach Bones?

This was a great book with a few mysteries. I loved it and highly recommend this sweet Women’s fiction.

Quote:

“Keeping memories is good, but don’t let them overshadow everything you’re doing now. Don’t let old memories prevent you from moving on to make new ones.”

Happy Reading,

Fiction, Women's Fiction

Seaside Bonds by Meredith Summers

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Seaside bonds
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • SerieTs: Lobster bay #5
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place:  Lobster Bay, Maine
  • Main Character: Liz, Jane, Andie
  • Other Characters: Maxie, Claire, Shane, Rob, James
  • Pets: a Golden Retriever named Cooper, 2 cats named Rembrandt & Picasso
  • Stars: 5

This is the fifth book in the Lobster Bay series and I really loved this one. In this book, we meet Liz who came to town to clean out her dad’s house. Her dad had been living in an assisted living for a few years and has recently passed away. Since he has been in the assisted living, his house had really gone downhill. It was cluttered and needed a lot of repair. It was like walking into the 1970s when Liz walked into the house.

Liz hadn’t had the best relationship with her dad, so she was really nervous about going into the home after so many years. As she begins cleaning out the home, maybe there are some happy memories instead of just bad ones. She starts to see everything in a different light. She is staying at Tides while cleaning out the house and begins to develop a friendship with Jane and Andie, which just may change her life.

This is a sweet story of friendships and family. This just may be my favorite in the series so far. I love all the characters and how they all come together for each other. The author’s vivid description makes you think you are right there. I highly recommend this book. You could read it as a standalone, but I think it is best if you read the first 4 books in the series first so you can get to know each character.

Fiction, Romance, Women's Fiction

Shifting Sands by Meredith Summers

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Shifting Sands
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • Series:Lobster Bay #4
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place: Lobster Bay, Maine
  • Main Character: Andie, Emily, Mary, Jules, Shane
  • Other Characters: Jane, Claire, Maxi, Damien
  • Stars: 4

I am really enjoying this series. This book is the 4th in the Lobster Bay Series.

Andie returned to Lobster Bay because their mom was going into a memory care facility. She has also been helping her sister get their family inn back in shape so she can begin making money. Andie took a leave of absence from her job in New York to help her sister and now she is wondering if she even wants to return to New York or stay in Lobster Bay. She bought an antique store that includes an apartment above it, but still, she feels like something is still missing. She still needs to have a purpose and project to keep her happy. Then an opportunity falls in her lap. She takes on the project of helping to renovate one of the oldest homes in Lobster Bay. That is if the ruthless Inspector doesn’t get in her way. To add to the drama, an old flame just happens to be one of the people helping to renovate the home, so some sparks are sure to fly.

This wasn’t my favorite from the series, but I did enjoy reading it. It is a great book to read while at the beach lounging. You can read it as a standalone, but I recommend reading the books in order so you can really learn about each character. If you like a sweet story about friendship in a small town with a little romance thrown in, then you will love this book. This author knows how to spend a story so you feel like you are there.

Happy Reading.

Fiction, Women's Fiction

Making Waves by Meredith Summers

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Making Waves
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • Series: Lobster Bay #3
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place:  Lobster Bay Maine
  • Main Character: Maxi, Andi, Jane, Claire,
  • Other Characters: James, Mike, Rob
  • Pets: 2 cats – Rembrandt & Picasso
  • Stars: 5

If you have read the first two books, then you already know that this series takes place in the coastal town of Lobster Bay and is about 3 best friends and their friendship and challenges. I really am loving this series and all the characters. They seem so real that I start to think of them as friends. Lobster Bay is a place I would like to visit.

This book can be read as a stand alone but it is best if you read them in order. That way you can get to know all the characters. This book’s focus is on Maxi. Maxi and her husband have been married for years and have recently become empty nesters. Everyone thinks that Maxie& James have the perfect marriage but do they? Maxi starts to wonder as her suspicions rise. Maxi’s dream has always been to become an artist so when she meets a guy who is opening an art gallery in Lobster Bay, could this dream finally come true?

Over at Tides, the Bed & Breakfast owned by Jane, is planning their first event, a wedding with a Bridezilla and mom who is even worse. This wedding could be what they need to save Tides, so it is very important that it goes off with a hitch. But does it?

Jane’s sister, Andi, is trying to make some tough decisions. Does she go back to her Job, Does she take the job her old boss offered her in New York or does she stay in Lobster Bay? You will need to read the book to find out.

I recommend this series. I can’t wait for book #4.

Happy Reading,

Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery, Women's Fiction

Death is Better at the Lake by Ashley Albi

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: Death is Better at the Lake
  • Author: Ashley Albi
  • Series: Scarlet James Cozy Mystery Series #1
  • Genre: Cozy Mystery
  • Takes Place: Spirit Lake, Iowa
  • Main Character: Scarlet James
  • Other Characters: Jasper Hall, Gabe, Justin, Julie, Ellie, Lily, Bree, Zoey, Della,
  • Stars: 5

Death is Better at the Lake is the first book in the Scarlet James Cozy Mystery Series. This is the first book I have read by this author and, I have to say, I am hooked. I love her writing and the mystery she weaves.

Scarlet is a literary agent in Chicago and she just broken it off with her boyfriend because of his betrayal. She got an urgent phone call that her grandmother, who practically raised her, has fallen, so she immediately heads home to Spring Lake, Iowa. While her grandmother is in the hospital, Scarlet stays at her house and gets together with some long time girlfriends.

She is worried about her grandmother but still able to enjoy her friendships with her girlfriends, that is until her ex shows up. She immediately puts him in his place and he leaves. Everything is going fine until her ex ends up dead and Scarlet is the prime suspect. Scarlet is determined to prove that she didn’t kill her ex.

I really loved all the characters in this story. The author has really developed the characters in such a way that I can really picture them. The protagonist is a strong independent woman who is determined to prove she is innocent.

The author will take you on lots of twists and turns until the Climax of the book. If you love a good cozy mystery with lots of twists and lovable characters, you will love this book. I can’t wait to read the next book.

Fiction, Women's Fiction

Changing tides by Meredith Summers

Chapters & lattes

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

8:01 PM

  • Title: Changing Tides
  • Author: Meredith Summers
  • Series: Lobster Bay #2
  • Genre: Women’s fiction
  • Takes Place: Lobster Bay, Main
  • Main Character: Jane, Andie, Mike
  • Other Characters: Claire, Maxie, Addie, Sally , Shane
  • Pets: Cooper
  • Stars:5

Once again, we visit the quaint little town of Lobster Bay, Maine in the 2nd book of the series. This time the focus is on Jane Miller and her Bed & Breakfast, Tides, which has been in her family for generations.

Since Jane had to make the tough decision to put her mom in an assisted living home, the burden of running Tides has fallen on Jane. Unfortunately Tides is losing money. Jane promised her mom she wouldn’t sell it so she has to figure out how to save Tides.

When Jane is literally knocked over by a friendly dog, things seem to change. She also gets a little help from her friends and her estranged sister shows up.

If you love books about friends, family and community you will love this story. Read to find out if Jane is able to save Tides or does she have to sell. I am really loving this series and can’t wait to read book #3.

Happy reading!

Fiction, Women's Fiction

The Bucket List by Rachel Hanna

Chapters & lattes
  • Title: The Bucket List
  • Author: Rachel Hanna
  • Genre: Women’s Fiction
  • Takes Place: South Carolina
  • Main Character: Jill
  • Other Characters: Monica, Levi, Annie, Lila
  • Stars: 5

Wow, Just wow. That is how this book left me feeling. Rachel never disappoints. This book had me captivated by the very first word until the very end.

Jill’s best friend, Monica , dies way too young. To Jill’s surprise, she is in Monica’s will, but there is a catch. Monica left her a bucket list that she wants Jill to complete. She has to complete each task and then blog about it. Monica’s lawyer will keep up with the blog to confirm that each task is completed.

Jill has anxiety and she is not adventurous at all. Her husband died suddenly 15 years ago and it takes everything in her just to get out of the house. Of course her best friend Monica was the complete opposite and would go on all sorts of adventures. This is Monica’s way to get Jill out of her comfort zone.

This book was very relatable. I loved all of the characters but I could really relate to Jill in so many ways.

It is hilarious, sweet, romantic and all about discovering things about yourself that you didn’t know existed. I highly recommend this book.

Quote from the book:

“Anxiety is a thief. It steals your focus. It steals your fun. It steals your peace. It steals large chunks of your life as you zero in on your symptoms and your thoughts instead of paying attention to everybody around you. For the first time in my life, I’m determined to defeat it. I’m determined to tell it to sit in the back seat while I take us on the rides. Instead of letting anxiety drive, my new goal is to put it in the trunk.”