Book Synopsis
The Baxter sisters come from a long line of women with
disastrous luck in love. But this summer, Sunshine and Margot will turn
disasters into destiny…
As an etiquette coach, Margot teaches her clients to fit in. But
she’s never faced a client like Bianca, an aging movie star who gained
fame—and notoriety—through a campaign of shock and awe. Schooling Bianca
on the fine art of behaving like a proper diplomat’s wife requires
intensive lessons, forcing Margot to move into the monastery turned
mansion owned by the actress’s intensely private son. Like his
incredible home, Alec’s stony exterior hides secret depths Margot would
love to explore. But will he trust her enough to let her in?
Sunshine has always been the good-time sister, abandoning jobs to
chase after guys who used her, then threw her away. No more. She refuses
to be “that girl” again. This time, she’ll finish college, dedicate
herself to her job as a nanny, and she 100 percent will not screw up her
life again by falling for the wrong guy. Especially not the tempting
single dad who also happens to be her boss.
Master storyteller Susan Mallery weaves threads of family drama,
humor, romance and a wish-you-were-there setting into one of the most
satisfying books of the year!
Purchase Links
My Review
The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is the story of two sisters. Although Margot and Sunshine are fraternal twins, they are not very much alike. Margot is an etiquette teacher. Sunshine is a freespirit working as a nanny. The one thing they have in common is terrible taste in men. One summer, though, things change. Margot goes to work for a famous (and somewhat scandalous) actress who has a handsome son. Sunshine falls for the father of the little boy she is taking care of. Can things change for them both in the space of a summer?
I always enjoy Susan Mallery novels. She does such a good job at writing women's lives, and her characterizations are always enjoyable. I wanted to read this novel because I like her work -- and I really enjoyed this book.
Margot and Sunshine were very relatable and sympathetic characters. Margot wants to be so proper and she is really challenged by her etiquette client Bianca, who has an issue with self control. Bianca's son, Alec, a scholar who lives in a repurposed monastery and studies ancient texts, is the polar opposite of his mother; he is so restrained that he has a hard time connecting emotionally.
Sunshine is my favorite character. She is very warm and sweet natured but has a tendency to get involved much too quickly with men who inspire her to leave her everyday life, traveling or moving suddenly, abandoning responsibility. She finally has a stable job as a nanny to a little boy named Connor. Connor's father, Declan, is a landscape architect who is a recent widower. Sparks fly between Sunshine and Declan but they are both wary because of the situation and timing.
I really liked all the lead characters and couldn't put the book down because I wanted to see what would happen with these possible relationships.
There are some fascinating details in this book. I enjoyed reading about Declan's work as a landscape architect, and Alec's home (a former monastery) was especially interesting. There are secrets waiting in the attic and the cellar, and Margot makes time to explore while she is staying there.
The Summer of Sunshine and Margot is a wonderful summer read -- the setting, the characters, and the fast moving storyline make this a perfect book for a vacation or for a weekend read.
There is also some real depth to the characters of Sunshine and Margot, and their desire to break out of longstanding patterns. For this reason I also think this would make a wonderful summer book discussion pick.
Author Bio
#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous
novels about the relationships that define our lives-family,
friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in
emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by
millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages.Susan lives
in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with
delusions of grandeur. Visit her at SusanMallery.com.
Connect with Susan
Book Synopsis
Sherry Oliveri has attained celebrity
status after winning the America’s Good Taste Recipe Contest with her
delectable New England Crab Cake Sliders. But now that she’s back home
in Connecticut, she’s got to deal with something else fishy . . .
Sherry’s making a guest appearance on a
local radio show when the news comes in: Poppy Robinson has been found
dead in the town’s community garden. Sherry was supposed to be taking
questions about her win in the national cooking competition, but instead
the callers start dishing dirt.
Poppy and Sherry were both involved in
the vegetable garden, and while Poppy may have been a bit priggish, it
wasn’t anything that called for a shovel to the back of the head. There
was already trouble brewing, with the owner of the land threatening to
renege on their agreement, and this murder has taken tensions to a new
level. Now while Sherry’s organizing a Fourth of July cook-off event,
she’s also got a murder investigation on her plate . . .
Includes Recipes from Sherry’s Kitchen!
Author Bio
Devon Delaney is a wife, mother
of three, accomplished cooking contester, recent empty nester, and
lifelong resident of the Northeast. She has been handsomely rewarded for
her recipe innovation over the last twenty-plus years, including a full
kitchen of major appliances, top cash prizes, and four trips to Disney
World. She has also won the Grand Prize in a national writing contest
for her “foodie” poem “Ode to Pork Passion.”
Check out Devon’s website at: www.devonpdelaney.com and find her on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/devonpdelaney/
Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound
Giveaway
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Book Synopsis
From New York Times bestselling author Sabrina
Jeffries comes a sparkling new series about an oft-widowed mother’s
grown children, who blaze through society in their quest for the truth
about their fathers . . . and in the process find that love just might
conquer all . . .
A series of stepfathers and a difficult childhood have left Fletcher
“Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, with a guarded heart, enviable
wealth, and the undeserved reputation of a rogue. Grey’s focus on
expanding his dukedom allows him little time to find a wife. But when
his mother is widowed yet again and he meets the charmingly
unconventional woman managing his stepfather’s funeral, he’s shocked to
discover how much they have in common. Still, Grey isn’t interested in
love, no matter how pretty, or delightfully outspoken, the lady . . .
Beatrice Wolfe gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Duke of
Greycourt with his rakish reputation isn’t exactly changing her mind.
Then Grey agrees to assist his grief-stricken mother with her latest
“project”: schooling spirited, unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. Now
that Beatrice is seeing through Grey’s charms to his wounded heart,
she’s having trouble keeping him at arm’s length. But once Grey starts
digging into her family’s secrets, she must decide whether her loyalties
lie with her family . . . or with the man whose lessons capture her
heart . . .
My Review
Project Duchess is the story of Beatrice Wolfe and "Grey," Fletcher Pryde. Grey is a Duke in need of a wife, and Beatrice is an independent woman who is planning her debut. Because Beatrice is from modest means, she aspires to marry a vicar or doctor. When Beatrice and Grey meet, there is an instant spark, and they find they have much in common with their difficult childhoods. But will this be enough for them to break tradition and find happiness together?
This is the first book in Sabrina Jeffries' new Duke Dynasty series. A large cast of characters with a lot of background is introduced in the first few chapters. It would be helpful to have a list of characters in the book for readers.
Once the book focused more on Beatrice and Grey, I became engrossed in their story. They are from different worlds but on an intrinsic level are so very alike. I liked Beatrice's spark and independence, and Grey's kindness and strength. There was a lot of back and forth between these characters with banter and a rollicking romance.
There is also a double mystery in the book -- there were two unexplained deaths in the past (Beatrice's uncle and Grey's stepfather -- both highly unsympathetic characters). Grey works to solve the two murders, and that is part of the plot as well.
We are also introduced to Beatrice's brother and Grey's siblings -- I am guessing they will appear in future books in this series. (I hope so!)
I enjoyed the setting of the country estate. There is even a kennel with pointers and foxhounds, and the dogs appear several times in the book.
There are also a number of interesting historic details -- like funeral biscuits, and ruins constructed on the estate (a ruined abbey with a bell tower).
I found Project Duchess a fun and entertaining read. I think readers who enjoy historical romance and the regency period will especially enjoy this book. I look forward to reading the next book in this series!
Author Bio
Sabrina Jeffries is the New York Times bestselling author of more
than 50 novels and works of short fiction (some written under the
pseudonyms Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas). Whatever time not spent
writing in a coffee-fueled haze is spent traveling with her husband and
adult autistic son or indulging in one of her passions—jigsaw puzzles,
chocolate, and music. With over 9 million books in print in more than 20
languages, the North Carolina author never regrets tossing aside a
budding career in academics for the sheer joy of writing fun fiction,
and hopes that one day a book of hers will end up saving the world.
Giveaway
We have two paperback copies of Project Duchess up for grabs! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to the US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Project Duchess
Book Synopsis
Wanted: an engagement of convenience. Found: A noble suitor.
Raised on a remote Scottish estate by her adoring grandfather, Lady
Theodora Worth has inherited an earldom as well as the land itself. But
when an upstart duke challenges her claim to the title and the Ladykyrk
estate, Thea is suddenly in need of a husband—in name, at least. An
elderly neighbor with a thoroughly modern sensibility and a dashing
great-nephew just might be the answer to Thea’s prayers. Except she has
no intention of marrying the first man she meets. That would be utterly
ridiculous.
It just can’t be him. . .
Lord William Cavensham is entirely too devoted to his family’s
estate—ever since he was jilted as a lad–to wed, but he agrees to meet
the woman his aunt has taken under her wing—and introduce her to
possible suitors. But after just one meeting with beautiful, spirited
Thea, Will is determined to help her reclaim her title. And even moreso,
he can’t stop thinking that perhaps marriage to this bold, passionate
woman may be the one thing he’s been missing all along?
My Review
Lady Theodora Worth (Thea) inherits an earldom and Ladykyrk
estate when her beloved grandfather dies. The problem? She needs to find a husband. Her elderly neighbor does some matchmaking with Thea and her great-nephew. There are obstacles ... but will they find their way together?
Rogue Most Wanted is a very enjoyable historical romance. I really liked Thea, with her independence and her occasional social awkwardness, and the kind and dashing hero, William. I particularly liked that they started out as friends, despite an immediate attraction, and their romance built from that. They were thwarted at several turns by an evil duke who wants both Thea and her estate.
Each chapter begins with a quote from a local newspaper called The Midnight Cryer. These quotes tend to be swipes at Thea, and they help set the scene for the action in the upcoming chapter.
The setting of Northumberland near the Scottish border was delightful, as was William's family estate in London, and I enjoyed the period details. The author does a good job at creating a world and introducing it to readers. I loved details like the maze on the estate, and the folly that Thea's grandfather built for her eighth birthday:
"The bucolic scene was breathtaking by itself, but the majestic folly sitting regally before them demanded center stage. The stone pavilion had four separate entrances under elaborate porticos, each guarded by Boreas, Zepher, Notus, and Eurus, the gods of the four directional winds. A small dome centered in the middle of the building was topped with a weather vane in the form of a welcoming Aeolus, the King of the Winds, with an outstretched hand" (p. 83).
This is the fifth book in the Cavendish Heiresses series. I have not read the previous books, but this book worked fine as a standalone read.
Rogue Most Wanted is an enjoyable read. I recommend it especially for readers who enjoy historical romance and the Regency period.
Author Bio
Janna MacGregor was born and raised in the bootheel of Missouri. She
credits her darling mom for introducing her to the happily-ever-after
world of romance novels. Janna writes stories where compelling and
powerful heroines meet and fall in love with their equally matched
heroes. She is the mother of triplets and lives in Kansas City with her
very own dashing rogue, and two smug, but not surprisingly, perfect
pugs.
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour, we are giving away two paperback copies of Rogue Most Wanted by Janna MacGregor! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.
Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on July 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.
Rogue Most Wanted
Book Synopsis
Robbie Jordan’s rustic
country store is growing in popularity. But when a dead body appears, it
turns out that Robbie’s home-style cooking attracts hungry
customers—and murder!
While Robbie scrambles through breakfast
orders for her expanding clientele at Pans ‘N Pancakes, tempers run as
high as the sticky August heat in South Lick, Indiana. Real-estate
developer Fiona Closs plans to build a towering luxury resort at one of
the most scenic hilltops in Brown County, and not everyone can see the
sunny side of the imposing proposition—including Robbie’s furious Aunt
Adele, who doesn’t waste a minute concocting protests and road
blockades. When tensions boil over and a vocal protester is silenced
forever at the resort site, Robbie ditches the griddle to catch the
killer. But if slashed tires are any indication, she’ll need to crack
this case before her own aunt gets served something deadly next . . .
Includes Recipes for You to Try!
Author Bio
Maddie Day is a
talented amateur chef and holds a Ph.D. in linguistics from Indiana
University. An Agatha Award-nominated author, she is a member of Sisters
in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and also writes award-winning
short crime fiction. She lives with her beau and three cats in
Massachusetts.
As Edith Maxwell, she writes the Local Foods Mysteries (Kensington Publishing) and the Quaker Midwife Mysteries (Midnight Ink).
You can find all Maddie’s/Edith’s
identities at www.edithmaxwell.com. She blogs every weekday with the
other Wicked Cozy Authors at wickedcozyauthors.com. Look for her as Edith M. Maxwell and Maddie Day on Facebook and @edithmaxwell and @maddiedayauthor on Twitter.
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