Month: January 2019

Sunday Post

Mary Book arrivals, Mailbox Monday, Sunday Post

Book arrivals:  (linked to Mailbox Monday)

        

Last week on Bookfan:

Another quiet week on the blog, another snowstorm, another quick visit at my mom’s.

I found some time for reading and finished this book. 

I’m a few chapters in on this one:

Reading plan for this week:

 

Sunday Post

Mary Book arrivals, Mailbox Monday, Sunday Post

Book arrivals:  (linked to Mailbox Monday)

Last week on Bookfan

A quiet week here on the blog. I spent a few days with my mom and arrived back home ahead of the snowstorm that arrived a day later. It’s safe to say that winter is here!

I don’t have any more books that need to be reviewed in January so it will continue to be quiet for a couple of weeks. February is fully scheduled though so please watch for my take on some really good books!

Reading plan for this week:

 

 

 

Sunday Post

Mary Book arrivals, Mailbox Monday, Sunday Post

Mailbox Monday: (linked to Mailbox Monday)

      

Last week on Bookfan:

   

Reading plan for this week:

I’m back at home this week and look forward to more reading time after almost none last week. Thanks for the good wishes as we worked to get my mom’s winter home ready to list. We’re hoping for a fast sale.

 

The Best of Us by Robyn Carr

Mary Contemporary Fiction, Little Bird Publicity, MIRA Books, Robyn Carr

The Best of Us by Robyn Carr

January 2019 – Mira

Review copy courtesy of Mira and LIttle Bird Publicity

Description:  In Sullivan’s Crossing, #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr has created a place where good people, powerful emotions, great humor and a healthy dose of common sense are the key ingredients to a happy life. Sullivan’s Crossing brings out the best in people. It’s a place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Dr. Leigh Culver loves practicing medicine in Timberlake, Colorado. It is a much-needed change of pace from her stressful life in Chicago. The only drawback is she misses her aunt Helen, the woman who raised her. But it’s time that Leigh has her independence, and she hopes the beauty of the Colorado wilderness will entice her aunt to visit often.

Helen Culver is an independent woman who lovingly raised her sister’s orphaned child. Now, with Leigh grown, it’s time for her to live life for herself. The retired teacher has become a successful mystery writer who loves to travel and intends to never experience winter again.

When Helen visits Leigh, she is surprised to find her niece still needs her, especially when it comes to sorting out her love life. But the biggest surprise comes when Leigh takes Helen out to Sullivan’s Crossing and Helen finds herself falling for the place and one special person. Helen and Leigh will each have to decide if they can open themselves up to love neither expected to find and seize the opportunity to live their best lives. (publisher)

My take:The Best of Us is book 4 in the Sullivan’s Crossing series but can stand alone. There are brief appearances of former primary characters that give continuity to the series and made me smile remembering their particular books.

In The Best of Us we meet the new town doctor and she meets the town’s favorite pub owner. They hit it off from the start and enjoy their relationship until an unexpected surprise is found out. No spoiler here. If you’re a fan of Robyn Carr’s series you’ll want to read this latest book ASAP. I enjoyed it all, especially the supporting plot line involving the doctor’s aunt, a noted mystery author, and Sully. Lots of fun reading about their friendship!

If you like a novel about people learning to take their second chance when life offers, this should fit the bill.

Robyn Carr is the bestselling author of over 40 novels, which have sold over 27 million copies, been translated into 19 languages, and distributed in 30 countries. The 20-volume Virgin River series alone has netted more than 13 million copies. Eleven of her books have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, collectively spending 231 weeks on the list since A Virgin River made its debut there in 2008. In 2016, the Romance Writers of America recognized Robyn with the Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award for her achievements in the genre. Robyn and her now-retired husband live in Las Vegas, Nevada, although they enjoy traveling and take frequent research trips together.

MORE PRAISE FOR ROBYN CARR

“Carr’s gift for writing lovably flawed heroes and heroines is evident on every page.”

–Publishers Weekly

“Robyn Carr is a master of the small-town romance.” –New York Journal of Books

“Understanding what women do and say and want is something Carr has considered hard over her long career…. [She] taps into female emotions over and over in her books.” -The Miami Herald

 

In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick

Mary Berkley Books, Beth Kendrick, Contemporary Fiction

In Dog We Trust by Beth Kendrick

January 2019 – Berkley

Book provided by the publisher

Description:  From the author of Once Upon a Wine, a new novel set in the charming seashore town of Black Dog Bay, Delaware.

When everything has gone to the dogs . . .

When Jocelyn Hillier is named legal guardian for the late Mr. Allardyce’s pack of pedigreed Labrador retrievers, her world is flipped upside down. She’s spent her entire life toiling in the tourism industry in Black Dog Bay and never expected to be living the pampered life of a seasonal resident in an ocean side mansion, complete with a generous stipend. But her new role isn’t without its challenges: The dogs (although lovable) are more high-maintenance than any Hollywood diva, the man she wants to marry breaks her heart, and she’s confronted at every turn by her late benefactor’s estranged son, Liam, who thinks he’s entitled to the inheritance left to the dogs.

Jocelyn has worked too hard to back down without a fight, and she’s determined to keep her new fur family together. As she strives to uphold the “Best in Show” standards her pack requires, Jocelyn finds love, family, and forgiveness in the most unexpected places.

My take:  I thoroughly enjoyed In Dog We Trust. How could I not enjoy a book that involves adorable dogs (I mean, come on – that cover!), a seaside setting, likeable characters (for the most part) and an entertaining plot. There are shenanigans involving a will, dog people, and assorted other people. It all adds up to a perfect vacation read – could be read on a cross-country flight – or when you’re in the mood for a light, funny read. In Dog We Trust is book 4 in the Black Dog Bay series but it can stand alone.

Praise for Beth Kendrick and her novels:

 

Witty, juicy, and lots of fun!”

―Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author of The Girls of Mischief Bay

“A smart, funny spin on happily-ever-after!”

―Beth Harbison, New York Times bestselling author of One Less Problem Without You

“Kendrick proves she is the leader of the pack when it comes to fashioning cheekily clever love stories.”

―Booklist (starred review)