Review: Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea by Piper Huguley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Althea Dailey is successful and has made partner at her law firm. Her first case as a new partner requires her to travel for a case, taking her back home to Milford, Georgia. Once she arrives, she is shocked to find a young man has befriended her elderly grandmother.

Jack Darwent is a documentarian and is working on a cookbook about Southern food. That's when he meets Althea's grandmother and encounters her suspicious niece who is convinced Jack is after her grandmother's recipes.

As they get to know each other, will Althea and Jack overcome their differences and see each other in a sweeter light?

Althea and Jack's sweet romance is a typical Hallmark sweet read that would make a nice movie. I loved the descriptions and the food, which made me feel like I was in the town. I really enjoyed how Piper Huguley incorporated rich history for Milford's ancestry in her work. It really helped established the small town roots and made me understand why this was a town no one wanted to leave.

I also absolutely loved loved the cover design. Thank you #Netgalley and #HallmarkPublishing for allowing me to read this work.

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Review: Island Queen

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dolly or Dorothy Kirwan Thomas was enslaved living in Montserrat. She was able to purchase her freedom for herself, her mother and sister after many years. Following that huge milestone, Dolly used her smarts and opened her own businesses, amassing a huge amount of wealth. Equally fascinating is Dolly's personal life - the men and her children. Her distinct beauty and wit captured the eyes of many men--some she welcomed and some she didn't. But this all made for a fascinating tale.
First and foremost, I commend Vanessa Riley on her research. Her dedication and diligence in this project is evident. Vanessa Riley brought Dolly to life and as I read, I was fascinated at everything this woman had to endure, while admiring her grit and strength.
Second, I love that there were women of color who made a name for themselves and triumphed despite the harsh realities of the time. Vanessa tackled each subject matter, not shying away from the ugly but definitely bringing the good.
It was a lengthy read and there was a lot covered about Dolly's life but it was told with such skill, that it kept my interest. I had never heard of Dolly before but I admired her grit. Dolly wasn't a perfect heroine but I did always understand--even if I didn't agree--with some of the things she did.
Finally, what an amazing amazing cover. Island Queen's cover art is simply gorgeous. But, please open the pages, you'll enjoy. I loved the Author's Note which highlighted the research and other fascinating information.
Thank you #Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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Review: One Week to Claim It All

One Week to Claim It All by Adriana Herrera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

At the very last possible moment, Esmeralda Sambrano-Pena accepts the top position in her father's media empire. However, not everyone is sure about her assuming the CEO position, particularly Rodrigo Almanzar. He trained under her father and feels it is time he gets to run the company himself. Therefore, the competition begins and each is determined to end up on top. But Rodrigo and Esmeralda have a past and their attraction is interfering with their plans.
First off, once again, I am blown away by a Harlequin cover. It is so beautiful. Second, Adriana Herrera writes a hot scene. The chemistry between them is hot and intense and you get why they can't keep their hands off each other.
The enemies to lovers and rekindled romance tropes are in effect and I think readers will enjoy the first book in a new series. All I can say I look forward to reading.
Thank you #harlequin

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Review: The Summer of No Attachments

The Summer of No Attachments by Lori Foster
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Local vet, Ivey Anders has ended her relationship and heads into the summer determined not to get involved with anyone. She doesn't need anything that is going to complicate her life. Then she meets Corbin Meyer and his son, Justin, and her plan goes awry.

Hope Mage, Ivey's assistant, has suffered a devastating trauma which makes her fearful to move forward. She is scared to trust and open her heart. But then Corbin's brother, Lang, coming into the picture and he is patient and so understanding that she finds herself beginning to open up in ways she never imagined.

Lori Foster wrote a summer read that I think many will find a nice surprise and a sweet read. It was filled with so many serious themes but the strong relationship between the two couples made it a heartwarming read. I enjoyed seeing a different kind of heroine - bold, spoke her mind and upfront with her feelings. I loved the strong sense of family and how strong the bond was. Justin's storyline resonated with me.

I especially loved the sisterhood and friendship between Ivey and Hope. This story should the the healing power that time and the right person brings. Hope and Lang's story warmed my heart. I look forward to reading more from this author and recommend this read.
THank you #Netgalley

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Review: The Beach House

The Beach House by Rochelle Alers
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Leah Kent has returned to Coates Island, North Carolina where she and two women forged a bond over bonds at a summer book club. Leah will also find the courage to leave her husband, Alan. Her twin sons are adults and she decides it is time to end things, while embarking on a friendship with Derrick, her friend's brother.
:Let me first start off my saying that the cover for this beach read is absolutely gorgeous. The first part of the book deals with the backstory for Leah and Alan. I wasn't sure how much this was needed but it did provide a strong reason for Leah wanting to end her relationship.
I loved the sisterhood and I think Derrick was a wonderful hero. This is a read that covers heavy subject matters but still have plenty of other things that keep it a beach read - like food. The author always give so many descriptions on food and location that I think many will appreciate and love.
Even though I didn't read the first book, I think readers won't have any difficulty reading or getting into this read.
Thank you #Netgalley for an ARC.

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Review: Finding Ashley

Finding Ashley by Danielle Steel
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

After losing her son to cancer, Melissa Henderson has become a recluse, giving up a lucrative career, her only focus is restoring her own home. Then a wildfire looms and could possibly destroy her home, which leads to a gradual reopening of her life...and heart. Her sister Hattie reaches out in an effort to restore their relationship. We then learn that Melissa became pregnant at sixteen and had to give up her daughter. A daughter she tracks down to find.
I remember reading Danielle Steele years ago and I am eager to read her titles. In Finding Ashley, there were a lot of repetition in the beginning and the overwhelming heavy narrative made it a tough start for me. I think fans will enjoy the read although for me, it wasn't a fave. I look forward to reading the other titles available.
Thank you #Netgalley

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For Authors: Good and Not-so-Good Advice.

Years ago, when I first started out in my author journey and was still new to social media, I attended a workshop and one major suggestion was to become friends with friends of authors. I did that. I tried it once or twice before I stopped. I stopped because I am an avid reader. Now, I don't just read one author and if I hear enough people talk about an author, it makes me curious and eager to check out their work.

So, I decided I would concentrate on writing great stories and hopefully my readers will talk about me to someone else. I'm not saying that was bad advice but it wasn't so good for me. It might work for you and kudos to you if it does! However, apparently it is seen as stealing readers - I heard that from one of my readers when one of my author friends sent them a request. I told them it was just business but they didn't see it that way.

Besides reading reading reading, one of the BEST advice I received was to keep a folder of book ideas. Writing them down. Because you know what, you will not remember them all. I have a folder with a good amount of story arcs/ideas. What I don't have is the time to write them all. (Not yet.)

But writing them down gives me opportunity. As an author, you have to be prepared. You have to have your vault of ideas. Here's why. You might get an opportunity to talk with an editor and pitch your idea. But what if the agent/editor isn't feeling that idea and asks, what else do you have? Or, what if an agent/editor loves your idea and asks what else do you have? The last thing you want to have to do is say, Let me get back to you or I don't have anything. You must be able to sell yourself. Your elevator pitch has got to be on standby. Always.

Now, maybe you have the gift of gab and you can pull something out of thin air but in my experience with agents/editors, they like a well-thought idea. They ask questions. Questions you can answer, if you have proposal ideas or projects ready to go. Notice I didn't say completed manuscripts. I said ideas/proposals. Deals are made on proposals and what an agent/editor believes you can do.

I am not saying you shouldn't have completed manuscripts, but that is when you are young and starting out. Agents/editors need to know you can finish a book. However, once you have secured an agent/editor, the focus shifts from writing to get paid to getting paid to write. I am just beginning to make that shift by the way. But, this is what is great about this business. Ever learning.