The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

 It doesn't matter who you are, reading is a sanctuary and everyone has a need and purpose to read.  

In the Kentucky Appalachians, Cussy Mary Carter is the Book Woman.  She travels by donkey with books, magazines, pamphlets, and any other reading material the local library can scrounge up and send to the hill people.  

Cussy Mary lives with her dear father.  Working in the coal mines, her father is fearful of an early death while he attempts to get a mate for Cussy.  Mating season in the hills is noted by placing a burning candle in the window.  A lit candle means an available bride.  

With little faith in the candle, she knows her unique blue skin places her status on the lowest rung of humanity.  Cussy's job as Book Woman gives her all the freedom she can hope for.  She teaches the mountain people to read and surprises them with materials of interest, when available, to keep them excited about knowledge.

On Cussy's route, Jackson Lovett settled himself in a cabin after traveling the country.  He appears to have an eye for Cussy, which she refuses to acknowledge.  No man of such wondrous standing would want anything to do with a blue woman.  

The local doctor repeatedly requests testing on Cussy's color.  Maybe there's hope to change from blue to white.  Or is the color of a person a vanity issue while the person remains the same?  Another problem for Cussy to encounter.

Jackson is held back from approaching Cussy, but he does show interest in simple ways when she approaches his home with her reading materials.  A bouquet of wildflowers confuses her.  Yet, does she sense his interest? 

Tragedy's are exchanged for hope.  Hope in life, reading, and love.  With each show of anger, jealousy, and prejudice, a page turns with strengthened friendship and love.  

Richardson's story is an intelligent, hopeful, and heartwarming tale.   It's easy to get involved with Cussy's life and wish her the best.

Happy reading,

Dawn

An Unexpected Find (Silver Falls, book 1) by Hayleigh Sol

 I couldn't help but chuckle as the story began.

Sophie Grimaldi's Friday night adventure starts after work as she hustles to the library before closing to retrieve her reserved romance novel.  Her dates consist of pages of someone else's love story.  The funny part is when she discovers a handwritten love scene tucked in between the pages.

It's horrible.  It's written by a man.

She cringes as she reads the scribble.  Unable to stop herself, she edits the scene and tucks it back in the book and later returns it that way.

Jax Rowland is a bestselling mystery writer.  When his publisher wants him to add a triste to his stories, he finds himself at a loss on how to write a readable sex scene.  The best way to figure that out is to borrow a few romance novels and study their composition.  

Accidently leaving his notes in the returned book, he desperately wants to retrieve them.

He reclaims his notes along with the edits.  Maybe, just maybe he can hire this  "editor" to do the love scenes for him.  Worth a try.

This begins an online love scene swap.  The scenes are hot and encourage Sophie and Jax to consider meeting each other in real life.  

The introduction doesn't start so well.  As with the writing, the meeting has room for improvement.  With a little effort, will Sophie and Jax become friends or more?  Relationships can begin with a text!

Happy reading,

Dawn

  

The Paris Librarian by Mark Pryor

 Many times mystery mixes with romance and that's certain in Hugo Marston's life.  Living in Paris is a romance of it's own, and the Paris library has stacks of it.  

Hugo visits the library frequently, knows many of the regular staff, so is distraught at the death of his friend, Paul.  He's found in a locked room in the library basement.  Hugo can't believe Paul died of natural causes, and hurriedly begins to investigate.

The vacation Hugo had planned for his girlfriend, Claudia, is put on hold.  She's very patient, or at least she needs to be if they can endure his work without a schedule.

Hugo also meets with two women who are researching a former actress, Isabelle Severin.  In addition to a lot of flirting, Hugo is intrigued with their research which may be tied to Paul's death.  

I was a little nervous reading Hugo's investigation tactics.  Many intelligent and beautiful women came his way along with danger creeping around hallways and streets. I worried about Hugo keeping the love alive or even returning to Claudia's doorstep.

An intriguing read, yet I wish Claudia had a bigger say in the action.  It is a series, so it's always possible!

Happy reading,

Dawn