Just Friends at the Doggy Spa by Elsie Woods

 Life is grand when you are a dog groomer.  Rita organizes most everything at the elite dog spa attached to the Chateau Rose where the filthy rich and not so humble vacation while dropping off their fury and loveable companions for spa days in England. 

Rita happily accepts the position of maid-of-honor in her best friend's wedding. Whenever I hear that, I know something will go wrong.  Maybe it will go right this time.

Joey, the groom's brother and best man, calls her Buddy.  That'll be a platonic evening, for sure.

Although, when chaos strikes things may work out much better.

And it begins.  A driver drops a boxer off at the entrance of the dog spa and speeds away.  Rita needs Joey to find the dog's owner and take care of the boxer while searching.  The next tragedy sets the stage.  The wedding is in two weeks.  The bride and groom have not made any plans as they claim they're busy.  No flowers, no cake, no invitations, no hall rented, and none of the rest.  

Bride and groom beg Rita and Joey to cover for them.  In other words, plan a wedding in two weeks.  

"Buddy" Rita and Joey are now inseparable.  This is when you really get to know just about everything about each other.  Take the odd with the great and figure out how well all the details fit together like a complete puzzle or one missing pieces.  

I bet all the pieces of the puzzle can somehow squeeze together an create a beautiful picture.

Happy reading,

Dawn Kunda

Beside the Long River by Louella Bryant

 A fictional view of the war between the English settlers and the Pequot Indians in 1636.  Thinking of wars is mostly about the fighting, death, and attainment of property.  Love does exist during war.

Sarah Lyman, a teenager, and her family is led by her father from England to the promise of Puritan freedom in America.  The land is rough and untamed.  Their dream of a productive farm isn't exactly as simple as portrayed.  Hard, physical work is a new life.  The family lands by boat at the Massachusetts Bay.  In short time, they travel on foot to a more promising and fertile property in Hartford, Connecticut.  

The Pequot Indians live on the land just outside the property Sarah's family chooses to farm.  Many settlers, out of fear, deem the Indians a threat.  With an open mind, Sarah befriends a young Pequot girl along with Ayaks, a Pequot who steals her heart.

Sarah continues her secret friendships until the pressure in the village turns into a plan to massacre the Pequot.  She does the only thing she can think of and joins the English Militia with the intent to save the Pequot Indians, specifically those she loves.

True to history, the war is a massacre, horrible to many and a victory for others.  

Sarah and her family survive, but she keeps her heart hidden as she watches for any indication that her girlfriend and the man who has her heart are still alive.  If or when Ayaks finds Sarah, she will stand up for herself to follow the one she fought for.  Love is stronger than war.

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

A Very Irish Christmas by Debbie Johnson

 Cassie O' Hara is in a rut.  Keep lamenting the lost groom-to-be, as she is doing, or move on.  So far, this Christmas season she's chosen to keep reminding herself of her loss by watching her almost wedding video.  Right up to when her fiancé, at the altar of course, said he couldn't finish the nuptials.  

Worthless, that's how she feels.  Her sister and her mom aren't any help with their constant reminders of her uselessness.  Cassie comes up with a great idea, egged on by her BFF, and decides to skip the Manhattan Christmas.

With a small inheritance from her grandmother, Nora, she books a trip to England for a month with hopes of a vintage and magical Christmas.  Her reservation at Whimsy Cottage should do it.

Whimsy cottage is cold, dusty, and with sheets over the sparse furniture.  Now what?

The nearest pub should be warm and offer food.  If the dog stalking her on her trek down the street signifies the coming month in England, she might be in trouble.

A tall, gregarious, and handsome Irish man, Ryan, takes Cassie under his wing, advising her to contact Charles, Lord Bancroft, about a suitable room until the Whimsy Cottage is prepped.

Ryan is the local handyman, and Charles is the local lord.  They both have Cassie's well-being in hand.  She helps Ryan clean the cottage along with deep discussions over a pint or two of Guiness.  Charles offers his mansion during cleanup time including deep discussions and plentiful warmth and food.

Cassie hasn't had a legitimate date in three years, and now two eligible and fine men want her attention.  Who wins her heart and how does he triumph over the other?  Not to mention the country she must choose!  

Love is a wonderful experience surrounded by snow, lights, and decorations of an English Christmas.

Happy reading,

Dawn    

  

The Hallmarked Man by Robert Galbraith

 I could not wait to flip the pages of Galbraith's (J.K. Rowling) eighth story in the Strike and Ellacott mystery/romance encounter.

It did not disappoint.

Taking on a controversial case attached to a dismembered body found in the vault of a silver shop, Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott are investigating if the body belongs to the boyfriend of a rich client.  They don't necessarily need to know who it is, just whether it's the boyfriend or not.  

This narrow inquiry keeps them from overstepping the police's investigation.  That's the intention, anyway.

Strike's and Robin's probe leads off in many tangents, which includes their suppressed feelings.  Every time Strike or Robin considers revealing how they feel about one another, a roadblock appears.  Whether it's because they can't get together, their cases pull them in different directions, or more subtly they misread each other, their thoughts and feelings don't get expressed.  

More obviously, Robin's boyfriend appears to be a keeper and Strike's reputation doesn't help.

Strike tries to work closer with Robin to give him an advantage, which typically backfires.  He plans to lay his heart at her feet when he gets the chance, and he's incredibly frustrated that the chance hasn't happened yet.

Robin insists to herself that her boyfriend, Ryan, should be the one for her because he's a good guy.  She tries not to admit that might not be enough when thoughts of Strike bombard her.

The last chapter left me stunned.  A grand ending and a grand beginning for the next saga of Strike and Robin's story.  I can't wait.

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandannna

 Mika Moon.  You'd think her name gives her away as a witch.  

In the current day of England, there are a lot of rules to being a witch such as don't let anyone know, don't live with another witch, and don't breed.  How can it be any fun to have extraordinary powers if you can't use them?

Mika thinks she's outsmarting the system by starting a blog and giving hints online under an alias.  Her blog reveals tiny witchy secrets.  This helps her still feel like a witch without anyone knowing.  So she thinks.

A couple hours across the country exists a mansion, the Nowhere House, with a few caretakers, an archeologist, a protective librarian, and three young, orphaned witch sisters.  Jamie, the librarian, senses what Mika is hiding, so he sends her a message requesting her assistance in educating the girls.  

Moving frequently, Mika figures this is
an opportunity to do something useful.  Granted, this breaks a huge witch rule, yet she wants to do it.

Jamie, handsome as can be, has no intentions of getting along with Mika.  She's an intrusion to the "family's" carefully contained life.  

Mika's move-in comes with transitions to everyone's life.  Most of it smooth until the fact that now four witches, maybe more, are living together.  It gets worse when an evil source discovers the magic in the house.  

Then all evil breaks loose, and Mika needs to decide if she can risk the witch rules in order to save the family and home that she is very comfortable with.  An increasing and unexpected fondness, bordering on a romantic dalliance with Jaime gives her strength and courage to go all the way.  

As long as no one gets burned, melted, or vaporized, love and happiness will survive. 

Happy Halloween,

Dawn

  

Watermelon by Marian Keyes

 Doesn't matter what hospital you're in but as Claire Walsh gives birth to her new little angel in London, she is exhilarated.  For a few minutes until her husband, James, sits next to her bed with little interest in the swaddled baby.

He tells her he is leaving her for the woman downstairs from their apartment.

Now what?

On maternity leave, Claire packs up and ventures to her parents and sisters in Ireland.  

Claire doesn't have a problem voicing her opinion, and you certainly will get pagefuls of her contempt toward her husband along with her doubts of marriage, men, and what the hell will she do now.

On another page, she meets a gorgeous man, Adam, and has a night with him.  Loaded with his own baggage, Claire doesn't take the romance too seriously.

Besides, James flies over the pond to discuss how they can remain married.  According to him, it's all her fault and if she changes everything can be perfect.

Push the knife in, twist and pull.  

With a lot of mind-probing and heckling from her family, Claire tries all avenues until she finds the clear path to love and happiness.

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Firemaster's Mistress by Christie Dickason

 Months after King James I is coronated in 1605 to lead anti-Catholicism in England, Kate Peach has survived the Plague.  

Her life is dramatically different from having a family and home.  Now, she has a gentleman who pays her to get information and to be his alone.

In her former life, Francis Quoynt was her lover.  He's a Firemaster who produces bullets and other explosives.  Hired by the secretary of James I, his job is to deliver 40,000 pounds of explosives to a group of rebels wanting to blow up Westminster and the king along with his loyalists.  

When Kate and Francis meet again, the passion is undeniable, yet they are now enemies.  Enemies that get forced to work together in order to survive the revolt.  

Francis would rather make his explosives for honest trade and take Kate home to be his bride.  Until his commitment to the secretary is finalized, he must keep his wits and watch for spies.

When Kate gets tangled up in the protest of King James I, Francis takes her away to his father's home.   The safety net is a test for their love.

The medieval age brings a great surprise to the ending of the treachery and love with fireworks and happiness for some.  

Happy reading,

Dawn  

The Interview by Donna Alam

 What every woman wants is a great interview.

Mimi got a lot more than she could possibly imagine.  

Showing up at the bank owned by her brother's best friend, Whit, whom she hadn't seen in years, her resume' states a perfect reason for her to be hired.  

This is where normalcy flips us the finger, and spice is added to our bland January.  

Whit must be expecting someone else because in the darkened office he doesn't ask for her resume' but rather takes physical control of her body.  

She loves it!  With the decades old and nearly forgotten crush, Mimi encourages his examination of her talents.

 After the hour of lust, begins the embarrassment, denial, anger, bargaining, and any other form of handling the situation.  

Whit would like to turn off his attraction, not employ her, and pretend nothing ever happened.  Although, he can't stop thinking about her and imagining another interview scene.

Mimi deserves the job and intends on getting it.  Life is too short not to take chances and not to enjoy life every day.  

The characters are well developed along with many heartwarming scenes.  The black moment in the story is a unique and difficult scene to envision, yet the characters pull us to a bright day. With a few typos but many great scenes, the romance is something you don't want to miss.

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Christmas Breakup Club by Luci Beach

 Anyone with the name of "Holly" cannot have a bad holiday.  I just made up that rule.  That's the only rule I have to make up because the story takes care of itself from here.

Newly dumped by her boyfriend, Holly agrees to cat-sit for her boss over Christmas.  Holly's mom is in Scotland and her father in Tasmania, which are both too far from England.  She'd be an inconvenience in their style.  A cozy apartment above a department store all rigged up for an English Christmas with a fury friend will do her just fine.  

The posh apartment is under remodeling, but at least there's a microwave for her Christmas TV dinner.  The one thing Holly needs to look into is the drip from the ceiling otherwise she'd not leave the couch.

Upstairs is another apartment with Joe as the tenant.  He's also the handyman for the whole building and seems to be slacking on his duties.  Holly will make sure he changes his work commitment.

Fixing the leak leads to many strange adventures, riding a sleigh in the department store underneath them, strolling the Christmas lit streets, and microwaving dinner together.  

Until Eleanor invades.  She's Joe's (ex?) girlfriend.  Handling a perfect cat, a leaky ceiling, and mischief in a closed department store is one thing, but dealing with a possible girlfriend leaves Holly wondering if she's wrong about liking the man upstairs too much.  

If only she knew what Joe was thinking.  Maybe he can change Holly's rules for the Christmas Breakup Club.

Happy reading,

Dawn 

Confessions of a Christmasholic by Joss Wood

What's the best way to find your holiday romance??  

Sutton hates Christmas and shows it by falling down drunk after tripping the electric to the hundreds of lighted decorations on Gus Langston's, AKA Mr. Christmas's, lawn and breaking the reindeer, snowmen, and elves.  This all happens in concert while Gus beats the "effing shite" out of the blow-up Santa with shouts of hatred for Christmas.  

The charming Lake District of England is covered in glistening snow, holiday decorations, and mostly good cheer.

The morning after Sutton and Gus had equally vented their frustrations of the season on his lawn, a massive, out-of-character hangover and embarrassment are partially explained.  

Sutton is out of money and needs a place to stay for a few weeks until she moves on with her OT carrier in London.  Gus is strapped with being the number one "Mr. Christmas" as a widower with four-year old twins and a dog named Pig.  He also owns two businesses, one being the year-round Christmas store.  

Both needing some good cheer, they make a deal to help each other out for the few weeks prior to Christmas.  

With an ear to listen and sort out misgivings, Sutton and Gus do their best to remain solely friends.  The more time they spend together, the closer they become.  A quick fling with no strings attached might just release more tension, so why not try it?

Some unintentional flings turn into love.  Can Sutton and Gus allow this or even admit it?  Can they mesh their lives, or should they simply enjoy the couple of weeks?  I have a vote for this one and hope you enjoy the read to find out the answer!

Happy reading,

Dawn 

 

Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson

 Yes, this is my salute to Halloween! 

I love the characters; they are quirky, fun, and have such real emotions and habits.  The atmosphere, or setting as you may call it, is divine.  A village called Goodwinter in Essex oozes funny, witchy, creepiness.  

It all starts with Essie Winterscale and her love of doing magic and living however she wants.  She shares her house with a goofy group of other witches, all having their own specialties in magic.

The coven of witches has an enemy- no surprise, I'm sure.  Essie is the one who keeps the enemy at bay because she can freeze him at every start to winter.  Granted this story is in the autumn coming up on Halloween.  Winter is right around the corner and Essie needs to practice her talent.

In comes Josh, the new owner of her Victorian and ever changing and growing house.  Apparently, he inherited nearly the whole village and needs to collect back rent from the last couple hundred years.  

Essie's home is impossible to find without help.  Maybe because Josh is so sweet and handsome, she allows him a visit.  She does not trust herself to have a boyfriend.  Had to state that fact.  But she really likes him.

Josh could easily spend many hours with Essie, if she allows him.  

When the coven enemy rallies to take over the house and the land, Essie confides in Josh.  As long as he can handle that her and her coven are witches for real, he has an in.  He also has to help destroy the enemy to open the door to her heart.

The amount of trust and magic used to free the heart is grander than a magic carpet ride, and I hope you're all aboard for a fantastic trip!

Happy reading,

Dawn

THe Running Grave by Robert Galbraith

 Cormoran Strike and Robin Ellacott are back at it.  As partners in a private detective agency, they manage to do superior investigating while hiding the heart.

Strike and Robin have extreme feelings for one another, but there are always too many barriers.  One or another is dating someone else, work, timing, work, admittance, work, and anything else that can keep them from admitting their feelings at the same time.

The current case involves parents of Will who hire Strike and Robin to get him out of what they consider a religious cult.  Robin demands she go undercover to infiltrate the religious camp.  

More dangerous than expected, Strike keeps his promise to Robin, no matter how much it aggravates him, to update her boyfriend on her wellbeing.  Strike insists to himself that he'd be better at keeping Robin happy, but he hasn't found the right moment to reveal to Robin his thoughts.  He shouldn't, but he might.

Robin likes her boyfriend, but in times of danger and being exhausted on the low rations at the camp and scared at the same time, she first thinks of Strike.  

They have no idea of the deeply guarded romantic feelings they share.

The investigation keeps them from diving into their true feelings, but rather urgent on saving Will from his certain demise at the hands of the cult.

Strike and Robin both admit to themselves who they want in their life, but can they find a way to express their growing love?  Or is the case the only thing they solve?

 Each installment of the series brings love a touch closer, yet when will love be the final mystery solved?  

Happy reading,

Dawn

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot

 A memoir with romantic elements will touch all your hearts for animals and love between people.  

James Herriot, newly graduated from veterinary school in the early 1900's, finds a local Yorkshire veterinarian to work with.  School is nothing like real life and most of his experiences can only be taught by doing.

Working in the English countryside, enduring the rain, winds, and snow, the farm animals are loved and in need of care.  This leaves James little time for a young woman he has his eye on when her father's stock needs attention.  

James doesn't enjoy a cow or sheep needing his care, but he feels a different type of adrenalin when visiting Helen's farm.  Pushing himself to get the nerve to ask her for a date, it doesn't end well.  Neither does his next attempt on another lass.  

Maybe he's only comfortable around the animals whose heart he knows how to mend.

Yet, he doesn't give up.  Slow but steadfast, he finds a way to interest Helen in another outing.  And then another.  Love blooms in the spring!

Happy reading,

Dawn

Make Me Shiver by Heather Slade

 There are still dukes and duchesses, spies, and assassins in the current world.

The Duke of Wells, nicknamed Shiver, is in line to move up when his ailing father dies.  Intelligent and iconically good looking, he has a problem that keeps him on his toes other than running a county in the near future.  His problem comes in the female form with a lot of metaphorical fires to put out.  

Losha is her name.  The rest about her is unimaginable such as she is a former Russian assassin on the run with her baby.  Once the property of Russia, it's impossible to divorce yourself from the government's grip.  She has a bounty on her head and only a few people she can trust to help her escape.  

With a large team to help him find Losha, Shiver will not stop his search and believes he can save her and the baby, no matter who the father is.  

Their past, filled with intensity and lust and love, does not allow Losha to give in to Shiver.  It's a path of deception, killing, and hiding until a romance may have a chance if the heart wins on both sides of the game.

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Accidental Inheritance by Cate Woods

 Sacramento to Dithercott, England is quite the lifetime move.  Cassidy Beeswhistle's family lineage started here in a grand castle along with the Beeswhistle Inn, and her decision is made rather quickly after her father's passing. 

Cassidy's profession as a Cordon blue chef had puddled out.  Her eleven-year-old daughter didn't fit in at school, so nothing stopped Cassidy from wasting no time in purchasing the Inn unseen to start a happier and more productive life for both.

The Inn held a lot of unimaginable surprises upon arrival.  Heart sinking, Cassidy mentally tallied the time and money to fix the Inn.  A glimpse of the family's former castle didn't help her mind ease because the castle had been lost two hundred years ago in a hasty gambling bet.  

The majority of the English community didn't welcome the American taking over the Inn, yet she found a friend in Angeline and her daughter, Jim, the vicarage, and possibly Ned, the current owner of the castle.

Cassidy rarely made time for relationships with men, but now she had interest in two men.  Jim's personality exuded friendship and delight from day one, and it was a chore to get to know Ned.  

Take the easy mark or make it another task?  Only the heart can figure this riddle out.  

With little spare time while opening the Inn, battling a local sabotage on her profession, assuring happiness for her daughter, and figuring men out, it's a pot filled road to the end of Cassidy's to-do list.  Romance and love will find its own way to the heart! 

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Duchess and the Highwayman by Beverley Oakley

 The early eighteen hundreds in Norfolk, England is rough on the young ladies.

Phoebe may be known as Lady Drummond, but she isn't treated like a lady.  Her ailing husband, Ulrick, has abused her and left her for his cousin, Wentworth, to create an heir before Ulrick dies.

Ulrick's death is surprisingly fast and gruesome leaving Pheobe to run from an upcoming accusation.  She acts as a maid and runs without money, direction, or any hope of survival.

An alleged highway man, Hugh Redding, saves her from Wentworth who is pounding down on his horse within a stone's throw.

No one can know she's really Lady Drummond.  Not even the man with crystal blues eyes who takes her to his rented cabin.

Hugh and Phoebe are honest about their ambitions in taking Wentworth down, each for strong reasons.  Their true identities are kept deep in their pockets even as their hands begin to roam over each other.

A few details may make it hard for Hugh and Phoebe to keep their idyllic dreams a part of the future.  Let's see if they can make their way past the hidden truths and the law chasing Phoebe and make the rest of their lives a happily-ever-after.

Happy reading,

Dawn 

Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg

 Orphaned as a little girl, Elsie Camden now does her best to survive the 1880's Victorian London, England as an assistant to a stonemason, Ogden.  

I've always felt London such a magical location.  Now I have my chance to experience a London truly full of magic!  In Elsie's world, there are spellmakers and spellbreakers, and it's well known that magic is used especially among the rich males. 

Elsie keeps her spellbreaking ability undercover and only uses it when called on by the team that can hopefully give her a license to be legit.

At this time, London has a bunch of murders to Masters of magic.  Bacchus, a knight near his Master title, requests Elsie to help him break spells.  Not only does she astound him with her ability, they both secretly have love building a connection.  Under the unwritten rules, a romance is out of the question.  

That's until the mystery of the murders is connected to Elsie's spellbreaking and Bacchus wants to protect her, whether he should or not.  

Quite a white-knuckle story as Elsie is in constant danger, her housemates are involved, good and bad, and Bacchus is the only one left to tie up the loose strings.  And can they solve the murders, stay alive, and reveal their feelings in this era of class distinction?  I sure hope they find a way because they are perfect for each other!

Happy reading,

Dawn

 

A Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan

 Five generations of witches isn't an easy occupation to retain.  It begins in England in the early 1800's.  Five sisters live in secret of their magic.  Former witches, family or not, have been murdered in torturous ways.  The rouse of a trial amounted in supposition and circumstance.

Nannette knew to be careful, but of all the sisters she had to continue the lineage.  They lived in near recluse, except for the farm market days, and a few necessary visitors.  If nothing else, magic can bring a man to her doorstep and a babe in her womb.  There's a price to pay when using magic.

Daughter after daughter is born to relive the line of witches and use magic when no other options present themselves.  

Veronica, in the more modern twentieth century wants the same, a daughter.  She also wants love.  

Vale'ry is deep in the midst of WWII.  He is on the frontline until he's wounded.  

Veronica tends his wounds, tends his mind, tends to his emotional need. 

Will this be the first kindling out of love, not necessity?  Can love and a daughter be the simple magic Veronica finds?  And a man to love who loves her in return?

Well written and deeply emotional.  The lives of a witch is not as magical as our fantasies would like to create.  It's real life of struggles and pain.  The idea of turning everything perfect with a few magical spells is far from the life the Orchie'res' family of witches will tell you.

Happy reading,

Dawn  

The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley

 It's well-known that people put their "best" self forward for their world, community, and friends to see and know.  To discover their true selves, is another story.

Monica gave up her high-stress professional life and created a coffee house.  Right there, I knew the novel would be warm and comforting.  

Monica finds a notebook with a statement from an unknown person.  It's the type of revelation that made her sit down and think:  Who wrote this, what made him reveal his private thoughts, and how can I help this lonely person?  He signed his statement.

The notebook is entitled "The Authenticity Project."  Write you're true story and pass it on, are the instructions.  The mismatch of people who accidently encounter the notebook bring together a delightful group of people who all have something unsatisfactory in their lives of which they want to fix.  

They gather at Monica's Coffee, not known to any why they inadvertently collected.  None are alike, yet compliment each other.  An artist past his prime, a traveler experiencing life, an alcoholic finding himself,  a helper of sick, and several other people color the notebook.

Monica convinces herself that Riley is the man she was meant to find and connect their lives.  He's young, impressionable, and isn't going to stay in one place for long.  Maybe she can fit into a world like that.

As the characters encounter and learn about one another, what is simple to one is an extraordinary addition to another in their lives.  Monica learns what she can and will change in her life and what she won't.  It may be surprising who her true love and future lies with.

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Iron Earl - A Valor of Vinehill Novel- by K.J. Jackson

 Many daughters of an earl of England are happy to be placed in a marriage, but Evalyn is quite the opposite 

The man her step-father attached her to is evil, physically and mentally.  Her only chance to survive a brutal marriage is to escape.

Lachlan, with hatred for the earl of Lincolnshire, travels from Stirlingshire, Scotland to take revenge on the earl.  Lachlan will inherit his father's land, but loves the life of a soldier.

Evalyn takes the chance and convinces Lachlan to allow her to hide amongst his soldiers when they leave.  Step one-check!

Granted, the men she's traveling with have little use for an addition to their load, especially a female.

Tension prevailed during the journey, Lachlan pretending to pay little attention to his burden.  Although, he does notice she has a lot of strength and she doesn't give up over the roughest of terrain.

Evalyn trusts no men.  Lachlan has no intentions of disrespecting her.  The more he sees of her, the more he decides it's imperative to prove this to her.  

When he realizes he wants to save her, he takes some huge steps in order to keep her hidden and safe.

Evalyn wonders why Lachlan cares about her, yet knows her step-father will eventually come looking for her.  

It can't be that bad to pick an eligible upcoming earl as her savior, so Evalyn takes his lead.  Through the pages, I urged her to trust him and not make stupid choices!

Happy reading,

Dawn