Book review: Cupcakes for Christmas

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I always enjoy a fun Christmas book and when it is mixed with cupcakes, who can say no?
This is a part of a series but I was able to read, understand and enjoy it even though I had not read the other books in the series.
Olivia James owns a tea and sweet shop which had previously been her mother. Olivia has been enjoying the adventure of running this little shop by herself and experimenting with different flavors. When Simon Blacklock comes across this shop she finds she enjoys his personality. At the end of the visit, after he promised he would be back, she found herself looking forward to his next time.
I enjoyed both of the main characters of this book and the way Hewitt has them meet made my heart swell. This does not mean that all went smoothly for the two. The author was able to create realistic issues that they both have to deal with, which make them stronger in the end. I will try to read more books by this author in the future.





Cupcakes for Christmas is the type of book that is just as much heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. The couple within this story were both immediately likable and their meeting and getting to know one another quite sweet. Both however have issues in their lives that are quite heartbreaking and bringing that into each other’s lives only made them seem stronger so overall I found this quite the touching read with a bit heavier subject matter.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Book Review: Waterloo, Waterloo

I was given this book by Endeavor Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I loved this book. The characters were so realistic, crazy and outrageous. The story is tragic, funny and filled with pathos. The satirical humor can be found throughout and will have the reader laughing as they read.
The story is told from each person's inner voice. The story looks at ordinary life with a family that is anything but perfect. If looking close, the readers may find themselves or those of others in the characters.
This is a great read and I highly recommend it.

Book Review: Heir to the Everlasting

In this book, "Heir to the Everlasting" Janice Daugharty focuses on Big Eddy which is the home of three generations of women from the South. This is their home. Pinkie Alexander's story takes place at the beginning of the previous century. She is a strong-will woman who is also lovely. This strong will helps her to make sure that her family survives on their home. A place that holds the family cemetery as well as secrets from the family past.

Pinkie's story is told through the eyes of her granddaughter as she grows. Pinkie considers the land and Big Eddy as much her family as those that take human form. She knows these will help sustain the bodies and souls of others in future generations.

Hon, the granddaughter grows up. However, she comes back to Big Eddy alone, and with her husband. She sees that her Grandmother Pinkie is aging but the importance of love is still being sowed in her loved ones.

The second part of this book continues with Hon's story, but now she is older. Many know her as the name that Pinkie gave her, Hon, than by her other name, May. We read about Fancy, Hon's sister, and their relationship. This is so tender and loving. We also see that Hon now takes care, part-time, of her granddaughter, Sara Ann. Sara Ann's father, Hon's son, Herman isn't sure how to care for Sara Ann, so he is strict and does not show love to his daughter. Herman's wife left many years ago but Sara Ann does not know the truth as to why. Due to these factor's Sara Ann prefers the company of her grandmother than her father. 

Through this book we see love instilled in others is love that will grow throughout the years. There are good and bad occurrences but these just make up the story of Big Eddy and this family.

There are other characters introduced through the story, who become apart of a woven cloth. They help to make interesting lives. The writer knows how to invest each character with depth to help the reader become involved through the reading. 

The author has spent her life in the location of the story and the love she feels for it is evident everywhere. She researched information and has described the area in such a way that I felt I was there myself.

For those who enjoy reading generational books or books centered around the South, I would recommend they look into this book.

I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Book Review: The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg

Elizabeth Berg is such a delightful writer. The characters in this book were all warm and easy to have feelings for.

Arthur is visiting his wife's grave when he meets Maddy. Each day he goes there to eat his lunch. Maddy, a high school senior, goes there to help figure out her crush. Then there is Arthur's neighbor who is in love, but the family does not share that sentiment about her.

Arthur is open as he reaches out to Maddy, as a friend. Arthur likes to help others reach a goal.

This book is a nice book to read. It is nice not to have to worry if there is a previous book I missed or if I have to wait for a follow-up. This is the complete story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Random House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be purchased HERE!

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Book Review: The Legacy

The Legacy, by Michael Phillips, is the third book in the Secrets of the Shetlands series. I have read the second and now the third books and I love them,

In this final installment of the series the story of David and Loni continues as does the story of Loni's great-grandparents. It tells of how the latter couple met and then grew to love each other. It also tells why Brogan, the great-grandfather, gave up his position as the next Laird and made his home in America.

These stories make me feel like I want to be a part of the story. Once I picked them up, I could not put them back down. Throughout the story, Phillips makes sure to include faith and how faith should be part of the inheritance each person in a family should receive.

The work of Phillips is amazing. He is an author, co-author with Judith Pella, of fiction and non-fiction, plus an editor.

I loved this series and recommend it and the rest of the series, most highly.

I was given this book by Bethany House Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

This book may be purchased HERE!!!

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Book Review: Beach House for Rent

Cara rents her beach house to Heather Wyatt for the summer. For Cara the income will help keep her husband's boat business open and for Heather it gives her a peaceful place to work on her commission of painting birds on stamps.

Read to find how their summers turn out and to find very rich characters throughout the book.

I love the way she creates powerful women who may not realize the strength they truly have. I also enjoyed the descriptions though out the story. I could just envision myself staying some place like this with turtle, birds and sea life. This book was so much fun to read. I enjoyed it so much. Thank you.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for my honest review.

Book may be purchased HERE!

Book Review: Flood

Laura Brooks left Hannibal, Missouri years ago, now she is coming back. She doesn't tell anyone she is coming. When she get there she tells everyone that she is only going to be there for a short time and to attend her high-school reunion. Soon, her friend Rosie pulls into her divorce proceedings, and her former fiance, Sammy McGuire is there.

Laura had left this town at eighteen because she felt she was drowning in the town's past, both the ties to Mark Twain, and the cultural and economic.

I felt that the author knows about her hometown, Hannibal and conveys this knowledge very well to the reader, in a contemporary way. I enjoyed this novel. I felt like she was able to create real characters, flaws and all. I enjoyed the details that she included throughout.

I was given this book by NetGalley and Faithwords/Center Street in exchange for my honest review.