Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Book Blitz: Set The Night On Fire by: Laura Trentham


Happy book birthday to @LauraTrentham and Set the Night on Fire, a novel about starting over, finding your way back home—and falling head over heels. . . #Cottonbloom #smalltownromance #newrelease #romance http://www.lauratrentham.com/set-the-night-on-fire.html 


Set the Night on Fire Cottonbloom, Book 6 by Laura Trentham 

From award winning author Laura Trentham comes Set the Night on Fire, a novel about starting over, finding your way back home—and falling head over heels. . . Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes—and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella’s happiest memories: the Abbott brothers’ garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn’t make her motor run quite so fast…and hot. Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He’s in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcĂ©e who shows up to the garage in stilettos—and the longest, sexiest legs he’s seen in forever. But Ella’s grit and determination won’t quit…and soon Mack can see that she’s been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that’s revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along…and they’ve finally found the key?

 BUY LINKS
Amz: http://smarturl.it/w6mdag
BN: http://smarturl.it/ivkbic
iBooks: http://smarturl.it/3j0fsu
Kobo: http://smarturl.it/ao5ner
GooglePlay: http://smarturl.it/by72i2
Goodreads:  http://smarturl.it/zr1hgq 

 Author Info: An award-winning author, Laura Trentham was born and raised in a small town in
Tennessee. Although, she loved English and reading in high school, she was convinced an English degree equated to starvation. She chose the next most logical major—Chemical Engineering—and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. She writes sexy, small town contemporaries and smoking hot Regency historicals. KISS ME THAT WAY, Cottonbloom Book 1, won the Stiletto Contest for Best Long Contemporary and finaled in the National Readers Choice Award. THEN HE KISSED ME, Cottonbloom Book 2, was named an Amazon Best Romance of 2016 and was a finalist for the National Excellence for Romance Fiction. TILL I KISSED YOU, Cottonbloom Book 3, is a finalist in the Maggie contest. LEAVE THE NIGHT ON, the latest Cottonbloom book, was named an iBooks Best Book of the Month and a Recommended Read from NPR. When not lost in a cozy Southern town or Regency England, she's shuttling kids to soccer, helping with homework, and avoiding the Mt. Everest-sized pile of laundry that is almost as big as the to-be-read pile of books on her nightstand.

 Website: https://www.lauratrentham.com
 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham
 Or join my reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1733284316920632/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraTrentham
 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lauratrentham/
Sign up for my newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bwbOkD
Follow me on Bookbub for new release or sale announcements: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laura-trentham

 Giveaway: The first five (5) books in the Cottonbloom series!
Kiss Me That Way, Book 1
Then He Kissed Me, Book 2
Till I Kissed You, Book 3
Leave the Night On, Book 4
When the Stars Come Out, Book 5
Contest is open to International entries! US winner will receive autographed copies.

Link http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/746772684/?

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Review: Wildest Dreams by: Robyn Carr

Title: Wildest Dreams
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Thunder Point #9
Pages: 384
Format: iBooks
Source: Purchase

Description:


Blake Smiley searched the country for just the right place to call home. The professional triathlete has traveled the world, but Thunder Point has what he needs to put down the roots he's never had. In the quiet coastal town he can focus on his training without distractions. Until he meets his new neighbors and everything changes. 


Lin Su Simmons and her teenage son, Charlie, are fixtures at Winnie Banks' house as Lin Su nurses Winnie through the realities of ALS. A single mother, Lin Su is proud of taking charge and never showing weakness. But she has her hands full coping with a job, debt and Charlie's health issues. And Charlie is asking questions about his family history—questions she doesn't want to answer. 



When Charlie enlists Blake's help to escape his overprotective mother, Lin Su resents the interference in her life. But Blake is certain he can break through her barriers and be the man she and Charlie need. When faced with a terrible situation, Blake comes to the rescue, and Lin Su realizes he just might be the man of her dreams. Together, they recognize that family is who you choose it to be.

My Thoughts: 

Blake Smiley a cyclist moves into Thunder Point to set up roots somewhere.  There he meets Charlie whose mom works for the woman across the street.  Something draws both Charlie and Lin Su to Blake.  Lin Su has had a lot of ups and downs in her life being adopted by an American family and she has memories about her mother and wants to know the truth.  She also keeps herself and Charlie safe at all costs and doesn't trust many outsiders.

Blake wants to build something with Lin Su but getting through her tough exterior really makes it difficult as they battle the heat between them eventually they get to where they want to be.

This was a great story about love, family and close friends.  Lin Su really has a long way to go she has so many insecurities especially associated with her adopted family and how she came to live with them along with Charlie's father.  

I really loved reading about Winnie the elderly lady and Charlie as he grows and of course Lin Su and Blake who have alot to get through.  They both have vastly different up bringings.  This greatly impacts how they deal with things and overcome things!  I love going back to Thunder Point such a great town I love to visit time and again!
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Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Review: Cocoa Beach by: Beatriz Williams

Title: Cocoa Beach
Author: Beatriz Williams
Publisher: William Morrow
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:

The New York Times bestselling author of A Certain Age transports readers to sunny Florida in this lush and enthralling historical novel—an enchanting blend of love, suspense, betrayal, and redemption set among the rum runners and scoundrels of Prohibition-era Cocoa Beach.

Burdened by a dark family secret, Virginia Fortescue flees her oppressive home in New York City for the battlefields of World War I France. While an ambulance driver for the Red Cross, she meets a charismatic British army surgeon whose persistent charm opens her heart to the possibility of love. As the war rages, Virginia falls into a passionate affair with the dashing Captain Simon Fitzwilliam, only to discover that his past has its own dark secrets—secrets that will damage their eventual marriage and propel her back across the Atlantic to the sister and father she left behind.

Five years later, in the early days of Prohibition, the newly widowed Virginia Fitzwilliam arrives in the tropical boom town of Cocoa Beach, Florida, to settle her husband’s estate. Despite the evidence, Virginia does not believe Simon perished in the fire that destroyed the seaside home he built for her and their young daughter. Separated from her husband since the early days of their marriage, the headstrong Virginia plans to uncover the truth, for the sake of the daughter Simon never met.

Simon’s brother and sister welcome her with open arms and introduce her to a dazzling new world of citrus groves, white beaches, bootleggers, and Prohibition agents. But Virginia senses a predatory presence lurking beneath the irresistible, hedonistic surface of this coastal oasis. The more she learns about Simon and his mysterious business interests, the more she fears that the dangers that surrounded Simon now threaten her and their daughter’s life as well. 

My Thoughts: 

This book follows the love story of Virginia and Simon as they both were working during the war and fell in love with one another.  As the story continues it makes you question everything you know about Simon and Virginia's father in the death of her mother.  Samuel Simon's twin brother has done quite a bit of damage to Simon's reputation and Virginia's view of her husband.

This book took you all over Florida It really pulled you in wanting to see how the story ends and whether they get reunited or will Simon really be deceased in it?  I love Beatriz Williams her books are so captivating and you find you don't want to put it down and this was definitely the same way!
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Monday, July 23, 2018

Review: The Ghost and The Haunted Mansion by: Alice Kimberly

Title: The Ghost and The Haunted Mansion
Author: Alice Kimberly
Publisher: Berkley Books
Series Haunted Bookshop #5
Pages: 281
Format: e-book
Source: Personal Purchase

Description:

When the local mailman inherits a haunted house and demands an exorcism, Pen must act fast to save her favorite ghost in this Haunted Bookshop mystery from New York Times bestselling author Cleo Coyle, writing as Alice Kimberly.

Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure didn't believe in ghosts--until she met the spirit of hard-boiled 1940s detective Jack Shepard. And when Pen's friend and mailman, Seymour Tarnish, gets into deep trouble, Pen not only believes in her ghost--she also thinks he can help...


An elderly lady of leisure has been found dead on posh Larchmont Avenue, her will recently, and suspiciously, revised to name Seymour as heir to her mansion. Just as eyes turn to him as the murderer--and Seymour gets busy settling into his ritzy digs--the mansion's ghosts begin plaguing him. So he hires a team of parapsychologists to exorcise all the spirits from the town of Quindicott--and that includes Jack Shepard. Now Pen must act fast--because losing Jack scares Pen more than rattling chains and cold spots...

My Thoughts:

In this book Pen is off to visit Ms. Todd a recluse who never goes anywhere if she can  On the way there she nearly hits the Postman Seymour Tarnish whose running away from the Todd Mansion when Pen arrives the door is open and the old lady is found dead.  Who killed Ms. Todd and why?

Jack is also working another missing persons case in 1948 where he is hired by a kid to find his mother.  The two cases are connected but Pen has to really work at this to figure out what happened to the mother and Ms. Todd. 

The only thing like Pen I worried about was whether the ghost busters would bust Jack and take him away from Pen.  Alas that didn't happen which is good to see that Pen and Jack are still together.  I was drawn into this book I couldn't put it down and I was so glad I picked it up to read.  I love the characters and the news ones you meet in everyone of their books.  Can't wait to see what is next for Pen and Jack!
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Thursday, July 19, 2018

Review: The Ghost and The Dead Man's Library by: Alice Kimberly

Title: The Ghost and The Dead Man's Library
Author: Alice Kimberly
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Series: Haunted Bookshop Mystery #3
Pages: 254
Format: e-book
Source: Personal Purchase

Description:

Bookshop owner Penelope Thornton-McClure has just received a rare collection of Poe's complete works. Rumor has it a secret code, trapped within the pages, leads to buried treasure. But it seems everyone who buys...dies. Now Pen will need resident ghost P.I. Jack Shepard to help crack the case.

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Penelope and her aunt Sadie who are called out to an old friend of Sadie's whose interested in selling a collection of books written by Edgar Allan Poe.  What could possibly go wrong?

In this book everything.  We are first brought to Jack Sheppard's world and a case he was working on. Which led him to a missing person's case.  When Peter who gave the collection to Pen and her aunt winds up dead it's up to Pen to figure out what is going on and how it's connected to Poe.  As more bodies turn up

This book leads to a whole world of people who are desperate for Edgar Allan Poe's works and then those who are interested in the Poe Code.  This code leads to some sort of treasure now keep in mind not all treasures of the monetary value.  This one led them everywhere. 

I love Jack and Pen they have such a unique relationship being that Jack is dead and Pen is quite alive and well.  I love the lingo Jack uses which are pretty accurate to his time frame.  Where trouble is Jack tends to help Pen out when he can.  She is like a mini-Jack which is cute.  This book we learn more about the private dick then we knew before.  Can't wait to see where it leads to next!
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Sunday, July 15, 2018

Review: Garden Spells by: Sarah Addison Allen

Title: Garden Spells
Author: Sarah Addison Allen
Publisher: Bantam
Series: Waverley Family #1
Pages: 304
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:


The women of the Waverley family -- whether they like it or not -- are heirs to an unusual legacy, one that grows in a fenced plot behind their Queen Anne home on Pendland Street in Bascom, North Carolina. There, an apple tree bearing fruit of magical properties looms over a garden filled with herbs and edible flowers that possess the power to affect in curious ways anyone who eats them. 

For nearly a decade, 34-year-old Claire Waverley, at peace with her family inheritance, has lived in the house alone, embracing the spirit of the grandmother who raised her, ruing her mother's unfortunate destiny and seemingly unconcerned about the fate of her rebellious sister, Sydney, who freed herself long ago from their small town's constraints. Using her grandmother's mystical culinary traditions, Claire has built a successful catering business -- and a carefully controlled, utterly predictable life -- upon the family's peculiar gift for making life-altering delicacies: lilac jelly to engender humility, for instance, or rose geranium wine to call up fond memories. 

Garden Spells reveals what happens when Sydney returns to Bascom with her young daughter, turning Claire's routine existence upside down. With Sydney's homecoming, the magic that the quiet caterer has measured into recipes to shape the thoughts and moods of others begins to influence Claire's own emotions in terrifying and delightful ways. 


As the sisters reconnect and learn to support one another, each finds romance where she least expects it, while Sydney's child, Bay, discovers both the safe home she has longed for and her own surprising gifts. With the help of their elderly cousin Evanelle, endowed with her own uncanny skills, the Waverley women redeem the past, embrace the present, and take a joyful leap into the future.

My Thoughts:  

This book follows sisters Claire and Sydney who are reunited after Sydney has spent along time away from Bascom.  Sydney arrives with her daughter Bay after leaving a horrible relationship in the hopes of finding happiness.  Claire is so used to people leaving she isn't sure what to make of the arrival of her sister and her niece.  Then there is Taylor the young man from the nearby college who is working and living right next door and feels a deep connection to Claire even though Claire fights it.

This book was great with some interesting characters and the girls learn alot about each other and their family as they bond together and see how their mother's lifestyle impacted both of them so drastically.  Sydney always on the run and Claire afraid to let anyone near her because everyone leaves.

Will the girls find their happiness or will someone come to destroy it.  So much happens in this book it's like visiting practical magic all over again with the concoctions and relationships.  Definitely a fabulous read and one you won't want to give up at all!
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Saturday, July 14, 2018

Review: Last Chance Beauty Queen by: Hope Ramsay

Title: Last Chance Beauty Queen
Author: Hope Ramsay
Publisher: Forever
Series: Last Chance #3
Pages:
Format: e-book ePub
Source: Personal Purchase

Description:

"Last Chance captures the essence of Southern charm and quirkiness. I'm totally captivated!" --- Sherryl Woods, New York Times bestselling author

Dear Reader,

Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty? 
Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same. 

Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and remember: the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon, 
Ruby Rhodes

My Thoughts:

This book follows Ruby Rhodes's daughter Rocky aka Caroline whose coming home in time for the Watermelon Festival of course she is coming to try to help Hugh find land to build his factory but in Hugh's eyes the only option is Golfing for God, Caroline's daddy's property.  Will she help Hugh come up with a solution?

Also in this book we watch the heat get turned up between Caroline and Hugh.  When it heats up it really heats up will they be a match or will they part after the project?

I really enjoyed reading Caroline and Hugh's story as they learn about each other and stop living up to impossible expectations.  They are truly a match made in heaven and was incredible to watch the journey!
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Thursday, July 12, 2018

Review: Home At Last Chance by: Hope Ramsay

Title: Home At Last Chance
Author: Hope Ramsay
Publisher: Forever
Series: Last Chance #2
Pages: 352
Format: Nook ePub

Description:

Dear Reader,

You won't believe what's happened. My son Tulane has come back home! You remember Tulane? He'd set out to find fame and fortune in the big, wide world outside of Last Chance, and I'm mighty proud. But that's not the half of it-Tulane isn't only back, he's brought a young lady with him. 

Now Sarah-she does PR for Tulane's stock-car team-she's from Boston, but she's just about the sweetest girl you could meet. I think she's meant to keep Tulane out of trouble after that story in the papers, but he doesn't want to talk about it. Anyhow, the Ladies Auxiliary can't wait to start matchmaking and introduce Sarah to our Reverend Ellis. But mark my words, Sarah is tired of being a good girl. And no one is better at breaking the rules and raising Cain than my son . . . 

Listen to me going on and keeping customers waiting. I best get back to work, but you come round again. The Cut 'n' Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon, 

Ruby Rhodes

My Thoughts:

This book follows Tulane Rhodes whose a race car driver hoping to go far if he can keep his trouble in check.  He's gotten into his share of trouble in life.  Will he ever grow up or be stuck like a kid forever?

Sarah is Tulane's PR work and finds keeping him in his pink race car.  What all started as a revenge memo has led Tulane into a pink car, and diaper changing races.  Can Sarah keep Tulane in line or will he get worse?

This book was cute and innocent kind of like Sarah who being a minister's daughter from Boston has alot to learn in the pr world.  She has to learn to be more cutthroat and not back down from things.  She also has to learn to own what she does even when she'd rather run the other way.

The relationship between the two is definitely like a car running hot and cold.  When Uncle Pete dies Sarah is there for Tulane as much as she can be.  Even if the two take a long time to figure out the love aspect they definitely have to cut out the bullies and lies.

Such a fabulous ride to go in which pulls you in and won't let go until the story ends.  Can't wait to see what is next for Last Chance!
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Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Review: The Lost Mata Hari Ring by: Elyse Douglas & Giveaway

Title: The Lost Mata Hari Ring
Author: Elyse Douglas
Publisher: Broadback
Pages: 370
Format: e-book
Source: Virtual Author Book Tours

Description:

Up-and-coming actress, Trace Rutland, has had nightmares about a tragic past ever since she was a little girl.  She struggles with her everyday life, finally seeking help from a hypnotherapist.

While under hypnosis, she inadvertently experiences a past life in Paris, in 1916, during the First World War.

Later, while visiting a wealthy man’s private Mata Hari collection, Trace is drawn to a glittering ring, once worn by the convicted spy.

Trace is enthralled.  When she’s alone, she slips the ring on and is swiftly hurled into the past.  There, she must face herself as she was in the past, while struggling to change the course of her destiny.

When she meets the handsome Edward Kenyon Bishop, a World War I British flying ace, she falls in love.  She is soon swept away into a journey of suspicion and treachery, and must fight for her life.

Can she survive the past?  Can she return to the present?  Can true love endure for all time?

Giveaway: 

I have one copy of this book to giveaway this contest is for USA residents only!  All you have to do in the comments is include you email address I will pick a winner at random!

My Thoughts: 

This book follows Trace Peyton Rutland whose been having nightmares having to do with a firing squad.  When she visits a hypnotist she learns that  in and previous life she was Mata Hari.  She finds herself searching out the spy's artifacts to try to make sense of this past life.  When she finds Mata Hari's ring and puts it on she is transported back to France 1916.  There the first world war is raging on.  

Mata Hari, Edward Bishop a pilot with the British Military and Mata Hari's lover is also there when Trace arrives.  Edward is taken by Trace and helps in her deception with Mata Hari who is skeptical of the wayward American.

Trace is desperate to find the ring and return to her own time, but she can't help falling for the dashing pilot Edward.  Can she go back to her time or should she make the best of France in this time frame?

I really enjoyed this series.  It was a captivating adventure to see how it would play out and would Trace ever go back home?  I really enjoyed traveling along with Mata Hari and Trace and Edward and seeing she will do in this era.  Especially with the war raging on!
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Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Review: Welcome To Last Chance by: Hope Ramsay

Title: Welcome to Last Chance
Author: Hope Ramsay
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Series: Last Chance #1
Pages: 332
Format: Nook e-book
Source: Purchase

Description:

Dear Reader,

Yes, our town is way off the beaten path, but strange, wonderful miracles happen a lot around here.

I've owned the Cut 'n' Curl beauty shop for years, and I've seen folks come for a visit, then stay for a lifetime. Take Jane-that pretty firecracker of a girl who just arrived in town. I would swear she's running from something. She came with only five dollars in her pocket but she's worked real hard to make a fresh start. She's turned my son Clay's life upside down without even realizing it. 

And thank goodness for that! Ever since Clay left his country western band, he's played everything too safe. He needs to take a chance on Jane. Besides, the more he tries to keep his distance, the more he'll realize that he and Jane are singing the same tune.

But I should quit ramblin' and go check on Millie's permanent wave. Next time you're in Last Chance, be sure to swing by. We've got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.

See you real soon,

Ruby Rhodes

My Thoughts:

This is part of the Last Chance series.  In this one we meet Wanda Jane who goes by Jane and has been running since she was a teenager.  She ends up in Last Chance with 5.00 to her name and a love of singing in her heart.  The last thing she is looking for is love.  When she winds up at a shady hotel with a mysterious guy she is hoping to move on from there.  Will Last Chance help her or is she beyond help?

Clay Rhodes left Last Chance for Nashville but when relationships with Nashville fall apart he goes back home to find out where his life will lead.  The last thing he counted on was this girl who makes him feel like a teenager again.  Of course he never counted on two of his ex's showing up in Last Chance hoping to be rescued by Clay.

As this book moves on you can see the problems both Clay and Jane need to get passed in order to move forward in life.  In Jane's case she has a lot more to over come trouble seems to follow her everywhere.  In Clay's case he needs to move past being the dumped guy or the guy who remains their friend. 

This book was great with the small town appeal added to the relationships formed and bonded and watching as Clay and Jane figure out what they want in life.  I felt so drawn to this couple and couldn't put it down until the end came.  I really love everyone Ruby included she does such a great job of rallying people together.  

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Monday, July 2, 2018

Review: The Life She Wants by: Robyn Carr

Title: The Life She Wants
Author: Robyn Carr
Publisher: Mira Books
Pages: 352
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library

Description:


#1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr creates an emotional and uplifting ensemble of characters in this rags-to-riches-to-rags novel about women, friendship and the complex path to happiness.


In the aftermath of her financier husband's suicide, Emma Shay Compton's dream life is shattered. Richard Compton stole his clients' life savings to fund a lavish life in New York City and, although she was never involved in the business, Emma bears the burden of her husband's crimes. She is left with nothing. 



Only one friend stands by her, a friend she's known since high school, who encourages her to come home to Sonoma County. But starting over isn't easy, and Sonoma is full of unhappy memories, too. And people she'd rather not face, especially Riley Kerrigan. 



Riley and Emma were like sisters—until Riley betrayed Emma, ending their friendship. Emma left town, planning to never look back. Now, trying to stand on her own two feet, Emma can't escape her husband's reputation and is forced to turn to the last person she thought she'd ever ask for help—her former best friend. It's an uneasy reunion as both women face the mistakes they've made over the years. Only if they find a way to forgive each other—and themselves—can each of them find the life she wants.

My Thoughts: 

When we meet Emma Shay Compton she has lost everything because of her husband a man she begins to wonder if she ever knew.  Richard Compton has committed serious crimes against clients.  A ponzi scheme that is coming back to haunt him.  After Richard committs suicide by gun Emma packs up what little she owns and heads home to start over.  Unfortuntaly going home also includes dealing with two bad break ups.  One with Emma's ex-boyfriend Jock.  Then there is Riley Emma's best friend who cheated on her friend with Emma's boyfriend.  Will the three ever repair what they had.

Of course not everyone believes Emma knows nothing about Richard and where the money is.  Even though as far as Emma is concerned everything has been returned.  Emma finds herself trying to find her way with little support!

I really love Robyn Carr's stand alone novels they pull you in and won't let go until the story is told.  This one pulled you in wanting to see how the characters will over come there issues.  There is a realness to Robyn's books that make the characters realer and more believable with their problems.  She has a golden touch with the stories.  I can't wait to see what is next!
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