The French Mis-Connection by Vicki Hilton

 Iris Hawthorne decides on a grand adventure for an un-grand reason.  She and her best friend, Chloe, decide to leave London to backpack Europe.  Iris broke up with her no-good boyfriend and needed to get away.   

Running out of money, they find a vineyard that needs temporary help.  This will also help Iris save money as she has found out that her ex is holding her cat ransom.  Time will mend her heart and money will get her cat back.  At least, that's the plan.

The sun is so hot, Iris figures a small dip in the off-limits pool will be worth the clandestine effort.  After the cool water covers her shoulders, not only did a big splashy dog find her, but also its owner, Luc Du Comtois.

Luc acted quite perturbed until he came up with a plan.  Beneficial to all involved.  

He will lose everything, which affects the whole family, if he's not married by his thirtieth birthday.  A few months is not long enough to find a wife unless it's a setup.  Perfect idea if Iris agrees.

Luc offers a payment for her to act as a fake fiancé and get married for a short time.   Iris agrees to the amount she needs to get her cat back.  A pet is like a kid.

Spending excessive time together at fancy functions, Iris and Luc get to know more about each other, and it's not all bad.  They can be civil and somewhat friends. 

It's always hard to say goodbye to friends, so if a man and woman become more than friends, will they say goodbye?  Is it inevitable, or can things change?  Can Iris accumulate enough to get her cat back, and will that be enough?  

In the vineyards under the French sun, find out if two hearts will melt together or burn apart.

Happy reading,

Dawn

   

The Splendour Falls by Susanna Kearsley

 A decent vacation is exactly what Emily Braden needs.  We may consider living in England vacation enough, but anywhere away from the norm is a better description of a vacation.

Emily is encouraged by her cousin, Harry, to meet him in Chinon, France.  A beautiful and historic site where Queen Isabelle once spent her days.  

With a small amount of family prodding, Emily set out for the luxury accommodations near a crumbling castle.  True to nature, Harry didn't show up on time while Emily met a charming local who gave her a ride.  Carrying on with the "new-friend-making" day, she stepped into the attached pub and garden terrace.  A few young men her age immediately took up with her.

In addition to friend Simon, a classical musician, a vineyard owner, and a friendly staff kept Emily busy with sightseeing and exploring.  

During an excursion, a death happened at the hotel.  Possibly a murder.  

Several men in her new surroundings had an affection for Emily, yet can she trust any of them?  

The handsome man who'd given her a ride, owned the vineyard and offered her a tour and dinner.  The musician is quiet and reserved, although he makes time for her.  The college man repeatedly tours the castle and finds historical stories with her.  

The men are all charming, but there's been a murder, and it can be one of the men she spends time with.  In addition, where has her cousin been?  The romantic atmosphere of Chinon, France and the close contact with the inhabitants is quite the mystery of love and murder.

It's a perilous vacation unless Emily chooses the right path and the right man to hold hands with.

Happy reading,

Dawn

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

 Author Carrie McClelland finds a humble cottage to rent in Scotland where she plans to write an historical fiction novel of the nearby Slains Castle.  

The owner of the cottage has two sons, one kind and helpful, the other both kind and helpful and a university history professor.  Not to mention, the second, Graham, the mutual attraction building through walks around the castle and horse rides.

In the 1700's, Carrie's focus for her novel, the French and Scottish attempted to reclaim the exiled James Stewart crown.  She created in her mind the setting of the castle and the people involved.  Yet, it became apparent that her memory matched the history and she may be dealing with ancestral memory.  

As Graham shows up at her cottage frequently, her connection to her character begins to cause problems in the current day.  She knows what really happened between the invasion and mysteries surrounding Slains Castle and the relation to her character and Graham's family.

The atmosphere of The Winter Sea is richly produced giving the reader a feeling of being in the present and the past along with Carrie.  The intensity between Carrie and Graham is spine tingling while you read to find out if the past will remain a problem with the present. 

Happy reading,

Dawn Kunda