Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Book Review: The Earl's Match by Holly Bush

Book Review + New Release!


The Earl’s Match

(The Thompsons of Locust Street, Book Five)

Holly Bush

 

Book Description:

Meet the Thompsons of Locust Street, an unconventional family taking Philadelphia high society by storm…

Payden Thompson’s pursuit of the man threatening his family and his clan proves to be far from a straightforward confrontation. His hunt to kill the illegitimate relative and the man’s followers is brutal and he is imprisoned and beaten after a daring rescue attempt goes awry. Overwhelmed by the violence and loss in Scotland, Payden finds himself unable to shed his fears and trauma after his heroic return to America.

Clarice Endicott finds Philadelphia society boring and chafes at her mother’s schemes to find her a husband amongst the wealthiest of the young men on the hunt for a well-connected wife. A chance meeting introduces her to a handsome and sullen Payden Thompson, who captures her interest, and who has just returned from Scotland after five long and dangerous years. Will Clarice be the woman to help Payden lift himself from the dogged effects of tragedy and violence?

 

Buy Now:

Amazon

 

My 5-Star Review:

The Thompsons of Locust Street are back with this latest novel by the talented Holly Bush. This time, it’s the youngest Thompson’s turn to have an adventure and possibly fall in love. I’ve read all the books in this series—as well as everything Holly has written—and have enjoyed them all.

When Paydon Thompson returns from a long, dangerous trip to his homeland to save his title and land, he is a broken man. The memories of what he experienced during battle haunt him, as does the loss of someone he loved so much. All he wants is to settle back into his life and feel safe again. Then, he meets the strong, willful, beautiful, Clarice Endicott, and she will not only bring more adventure into his life, but also be his true match of character in love.

The Earl’s Match has everything you want in a historical romance novel. Adventure, drama, and romance. Holly has a beautiful way of writing that keeps you on the edge of your seat while warming your heart. I highly recommend this novel – as well as the entire series.

 

 

About the Author:

“I love you. With every bit of myself, until we are old and infirm. Until the only thing left is love.”

The Thompsons of Locust Street, Philadelphia, features five siblings from Scotland with some family secrets that could place them in danger. The first book is The Bachelor's Bride, Elspeth's story. The Bareknuckle Groom, James Thompson, is the second book, and The Professor's Lady, Kirsty Thompson, is the third. Muireall Thompson's book, The Captain's Woman, releases in January 2023.

The Gentrys of Paradise begins with the novella Into the Evermore where readers meet Virginia horse breeders, Eleanor and Beauregard Gentry. The following books feature their children, Adam, Matthew, and Olivia. For the Brave is Matthew’s story and is the first full length book of the series. Olivia's book is For This Moment and Adam's story, For Her Honor, is the final book in the series.

The Crawford Family Series following the fortunes of the three Boston born Crawford sisters and includes Train Station Bride, Contract to Wed, Her Safe Harbor, and companion novella, The Maid’s Quarters. Cross the Ocean is a British set Victorian romance. Fan favorites stand-alones include Romancing Olive and Reconstructing Jackson. Holly's books are described as ‘emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance.’

Holly Bush books are set during the turbulent and transformative years of the late 1800’s. She makes her home with her husband, one happy Labrador Retriever, a clever Jack Russell rescued from the pound, and two difficult cats in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com, on Twitter @hollybushbooks, on Facebook at Holly Bush, on BookBub at Holly Bush, and on Instagram at Holly Bush Books. Follow Holly on her Amazon author page to receive new release updates and sale information.


Thursday, January 18, 2024

Book Review: The Healing Train by Kim Cano

 Book Review


The Healing Train

Kim Cano


Book Description:

A devastating diagnosis. A family with a broken past. Embark on an uplifting journey of love, hope, and the ultimate second chance.

When health-conscious Sarah gets diagnosed with breast cancer, her world spins out of control. She's supposed to grow old with her husband and see her daughter graduate college. Her future is all planned out. Getting sick wasn't part of her plan.

Friends and family rally around Sarah as she battles the disease. Her best friend offers inspirational advice while her mother takes her to treatment, her daughter makes green juice, and her older brother provides emotional support and makes her laugh with his ever-present potty mouth.

Then Sarah's estranged father returns. She gave up on him long ago and doesn't want to reconnect, but he won't go away, so she's stuck dealing with him at the worst possible time. His presence forces her to face a past she'd rather forget as she uses all her strength to fight for her life.

Buy now on Amazon:

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

 

My Five-Star Review:

When health-conscious Sarah is hit with a life-changing diagnosis, her world caves in around her. She tries to stay positive during her treatment with the help of her husband, daughter, and mother. Each week, as she takes the train into Chicago for treatment, Sarah looks ahead to her future, hoping she will be there for those she loves. But then her estranged father enters the picture, and it takes all the energy Sarah has left to deal with the family issues that have lain dormant for years.

The Healing Train by Kim Cano is a heartfelt story of a woman on a journey of healing and repairing old family wounds. This realistic story of a woman dealing with breast cancer will open your eyes to what a cancer patient endures and give you empathy for all the character goes through. The family that surrounds her reminds you of your own loving family members, each with their own unique personalities. This incredible story will certainly touch your heart.

 


About the Author:

Kim Cano is the author of six women's fiction novels: A Widow Redefined, On the Inside, Eighty and Out, His Secret Life, When the Time Is Right, and The Healing Train. She writes emotionally charged book club reads about second chances, family life, and friendship.

Learn more about Kim at: www.kimcano.com


Friday, November 3, 2023

Book Review – The Herbalist’s Secret by Annabelle Marx

 Book Review


The Herbalist's Secret

Annabelle Marx


Book Description:

Two small lifeless bodies lay on the sand, arms carefully placed by their sides. On the other side of the loch stands an imposing house. It's almost as if it gives a silent howl of distress, echoing over the hills, making the birds turn their gaze down to the beach where the two bodies lie, awaiting discovery.

1889:
 Kitty Gray dreams of attending university and becoming a doctor, but when she is married off to Charles Maclean, one of Glasgow's richest and most eligible bachelors, her aspiration suddenly slips far from reach.

Exiled to her new remote home in the Scottish Highlands, with its gargoyles, gothic arches and turrets, Kitty seeks solace in creating a restorative herb garden. Combining her medical knowledge and new-found fascination with herbalism, Kitty spends her days absorbed in a world of herbs and their healing properties until a devastating tragedy strikes...

2003
: Caitlin Black arrives at Ardbray House determined to restore the crumbling mansion and Kitty's walled garden to their former glory, enlisting the help of long-time housekeeper Greer Mackenzie. But as Caitlin delves deeper into the history of this once magnificent home, she uncovers a past haunted by misfortune and grief. And beneath the blood-red roses that climb beside the bay window of the drawing room, a human skull is about to be unearthed.

The truth that has held Ardbray House captive for so long is surfacing, and with it, the heart-breaking secret of the herbalist who once lived there.


Buy Now:

Amazon Kindle

 

My Five-Star Review:

1889 - Kitty’s dreams do not come true after her marriage. Eventually, sent to Ardbray House in the Scottish Highlands, Kitty begins to find her true passion through growing and working with herbs.

2003 – Caitlin Black wants to buy Ardbray House to turn it into a spa – a refuge from society. Greer, the caretaker of the house for decades, is not sure about Caitlin’s ideas for the place. Greer has been protecting the house and caring for the spirits that haunt it since Kitty’s death.

The Herbalist’s Secret is an interesting story that draws you in and keeps you interested. I will definitely look for more books in the future by author Annabelle Marx.

 


About the Author:

Annabelle Marx has worked in marketing and event production as well as running her own food business, winning two Great Taste awards. She’s an alumna of the Faber Academy and in the process of completing an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. Annabelle finds inspiration in the places she spends time in, most often the Highlands of Scotland. Her debut novel, The Herbalist’s Secret is published on 27th October 2023.

Connect with Annabelle, she’d love to hear from you: Website: www.annabellemarx.com


 

Tuesday, October 3, 2023

Release Day! Mrs. Winchester's Biographer

 

It's Release Day!

Mrs. Winchester's Biographer


I'm so excited that my newest novel, 
Mrs. Winchester's Biographer, 
is finally out in the world!

You can buy it on Amazon at the following links:




And of course it will be available on
Kindle Unlimited


Book Description:

Was Sarah Winchester a woman of mystery or simply a strong woman who lived her life on her own terms? It will take another strong woman to ensure her story is told.

 

1918 – Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester rifle fortune, has read and heard all the newspaper stories written about her. Snob. Crazy. Insane. Spiritualist. Ghosts. Séances. The list goes on and on. At the age of seventy-nine, she’s lived an incredible life, and her wealth has allowed her to live as she pleased. Sarah loves projects, and now she has one last project she wishes to complete. It’s time she compiled her life story so friends and family will know the truth once she’s gone. But with her crippling arthritis, she needs someone to help her. She hopes the young woman her lawyer, Frank Lieb, has sent to the house will fit in with her staff and work well as her typist. Sarah knows she doesn’t have many years left, and this is a project she is determined to finish.

 

1918 – Olivia Collins is a young single woman who has found herself in a precarious predicament. Through a mutual friend, lawyer Frank Lieb, she’s been offered a chance to work with the infamous Sarah Winchester. Olivia is nervous about meeting the elderly woman she has heard stories about all her life. But she desperately needs this job. Without it, Olivia has no idea what her future will hold.

 

Today – Morgan Connors is helping her mother go through her recently deceased grandmother’s possessions when she comes upon an old manuscript. The title states it is Sarah Winchester’s Autobiography. Morgan works as an acquisition editor at a publisher in San Francisco and knows that no such book has ever been published. When her mother explains that Morgan’s great-great-grandmother, Olivia Collins, once worked for Mrs. Winchester, she’s intrigued. Who was Olivia Collins, and why did she have a manuscript of Sarah Winchester’s life story? 

 

Mrs. Winchester’s Biographer tells the captivating story of Sarah Winchester’s life and how she became one of the most talked-about women of her time despite her attempts to protect her privacy.


I hope you enjoy this story. Be sure to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads to let me know if you liked it.