Summer at Shell Cottage by Lucy Diamond

**** 4 stars
WOW! This book had it all. It had great characters, each with a little something going on with them. The house and town of Devon were described so well, I wish I could take my summer vacation there...maybe without all the drama ;)
This was a wonderful read with lots happening. You will find it ends too quickly and wish you could spend more time with the characters.

Book Jacket Summary:
A seaside holiday at Shell Cottage in Devon has always been the perfect escape for the Tarrant family. Beach fun, barbecues and warm summer evenings with a cocktail or two - who could ask for more?
But this year, everything has changed. Following her husband's recent death, Olivia is struggling to pick up the pieces. Then she makes a shocking discovery that turns her world upside down.
As a busy mum and GP, Freya's used to having her hands full, but a bad day at work has put her career in jeopardy and now she's really feeling the pressure.
Harriet's looking forward to a break with her lovely husband Robert and teenage daughter Molly. But unknown to Harriet, Robert is hiding a secret - and so, for that matter, is Molly . . .

The Hotel on Mulberry Bay by Melissa Hill

***** 5 stars
If you have ever read any of my reviews, you know that I am a huge Melissa Hill fan. If you haven't and have read anything written by Hill, you know that her books are terrific. I was eager as I had pre-ordered this book and couldn't wait to get a start on it and I wasn't disappointed. It was a wonderful escape. I look forward to her next book :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Mulberry Hotel, perched on a clifftop above a sweeping bay, was once the heart and soul of pretty seaside town Mulberry Bay. Run by the Harte family for years, the place itself is almost as beloved as cheery landlady Anna.
The hotel was also once home to thirty-something sisters Eleanor and Penny, and while youngest sister Penny still lives close by, it's been some time since Elle has visited. But following a family tragedy, Elle is forced to return from her busy London life and reassess her past.
When it becomes apparent that the hotel is in dire straits, Elle and Penny are unprepared for the reaction of their father, Ned, He steadfastly refuses to give up the family legacy, revealing that he's given up something equally precious once before. Startled by their father's surprising revelation, the sisters unite, with the local community behind them, in their efforts to save the hotel - and, in the process, heal the fractures in the Harte family.

First Time in Forever by Sarah Morgan (Puffin Island #1)

***** 5 stars
This is the first book in a trilogy about Puffin Island. I was engrossed in this book and spent an entire afternoon reading it. I was happy to find that the sequel would be coming out soon and look forward to reading more by this author. What a great find!!!!

Book Jacket Summary:
Windswept, isolated and ruggedly beautiful, Puffin Island is a haven for day-trippers and daydreamers alike. But this charming community has a way of bringing people together in the most unexpected ways…
It's been a summer of firsts for Emily Donovan. From becoming a stand-in mom to her niece Lizzie to arriving on Puffin Island, her life has become virtually unrecognizable. Between desperately safeguarding Lizzie and her overwhelming fear of the ocean—which surrounds her everywhere she goes!—Emily has lost count of the number of "just breathe" pep talks she's given herself. And that's before charismatic local yacht club owner Ryan Cooper kisses her…
Ryan knows all about secrets. And it's clear that newcomer Emily—with her haunted eyes and the little girl she won't let out of her sight—is hiding from something besides the crazy chemistry between them. So Ryan decides he's going to make it his personal mission to help her unwind and enjoy the sparks! But can Puffin Island work its magic on Emily and get her to take the biggest leap of trust of all—putting her heart in someone else's hands?

A Passionate Love affair with a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson

**** 4 stars
I was a bit skeptical at the beginning of this book whether it would be good. I had a hard time relating to the main character Charley, but I found the more that I read the more I really began to like her. I also think that this was the way Robinson wanted us to view her. I loved all the characters and their stories in this book as well, I feel it really kept the book going at a great pace

Book Jacket Summary:
A Passionate Love Affair with a Total Stranger by Lucy Robinson, author of The Greatest Love Story of All Time, is a hilariously funny and gorgeously romantic story about falling in love when you least expect it. Charley Lambert has put considerable effort into achieving a perfect life. She has The Job. The Wardrobe. And The Flat. Her womanising, junk food-loving housemate Sam lowers the tone a bit but that aside, things are peachy. Then she breaks her leg in three places, watches her unrequited love propose to someone else and - worst of all - is forced to hand over her job to her nasty deputy while she recovers. Workaholic Charley fears that she will soon go mad. Desperate for something to do, she discovers her talent for helping the lovelorn online. And then William arrives in her inbox. Within hours of his first email, her world starts to change. Helpless, she watches herself fall in love with this man and begins to realise that she's not who she thought she was. But will she be brave enough to turn her back on her old life - all for a total stranger?

To Die Series by Lisa Jackson

It seems like every summer, I decide I want to read a bit of something different and when I look around I always find myself reading a Lisa Jackson series. I adore her writting, along with the characters and suspense. SO, this year I decided to start on the To Die Series. I am gonna go ahead and review each all in the one post. I haven't read the entire series but as I finish them off I will update you ;)

Left To Die **** 4 stars
Great Suspense. I loved the intensity of this book.

Book Jacket Summary:
Nothing's More Terrifying. . .
One by one, the victims are carefully captured, toyed with, then subjected to a slow and agonizing death. Piece by piece, his exquisite plan takes shape. The police can't yet see the beauty in his work--but soon, very soon, they will. . .
Than Being Left Alone. . .
In the lonely woods around Grizzly Point, Montana, four bodies have been discovered. Detectives Selena Alvarez and Regan Pescoli have been hoping for a career-making case, but this is a nightmare. Even with the FBI involved, Selena and Regan have nothing to go on but a killer's cryptic notes, and the unsettling knowledge that there is much worse to come. . .
To Die. . .
When Jillian Rivers opens her eyes, she's trapped in a mangled car. Then a stranger, claiming to be a trail guide named Zane McGregor, pries her free. Though she's grateful, something about him sets Jillian on edge. And if she knew what lay out there in the woods of Montana, she'd be truly terrified. Because someone is waiting... watching... poised to strike and make Jillian the next victim...

Chosen To Die **** 4 stars
Great follow up book. I really liked the strength of Regan Pescoli and her relationship with Nate.

Book Jacket Summary:
HE'LL CHOOSE THEM...
Detective Regan Pescoli has worked the "Star Crossed Killer" case for months, never imagining she'd be captured by the madman she's been hunting. Regan knows exactly what he's capable of - and avoiding the same fate will take every drop of her courage and cunning.
ABDUCT THEM...
Regan Pescoli is unlike any woman Nate Santana has met before. But now she's missing, and Nate knows something is dangerously wrong. The only person who can help him find her is Detective Selena Alvarez, Regan's partner. As Nate and Selena dig deeper into the Star-Crossed Killer case and the body count rises, the truth about Regan's disappearance becomes chillingly clear.
AND KILL THEM...
In the desolate Montana woods, evil is lurking. And with time running out, the only way to save Regan will be to get inside a killer's twisted mind and unravel a shocking message that is being revealed, one body at a time...

Born To Die **** 4 stars
I was hoping that this book would tell more about Selena Alvarez, but instead we are introduced to Dr. Kacey Lambert which is a doctor and has had a previous run in with the killer. Once again I love the intensity and how the story was revealed. I look forward to the next book which hopefully will be Selena's story :)

Book Jacket Summary:
Appearances. . .
A sad, strange coincidence. . .that's Dr. Kacey Lambert's initial response to the deaths of two women who bear an uncanny resemblance to herself. It's not like there was any real connection between Kacey and the B-movie actress or the elementary school teacher. But Detective Selena Alvarez suspects otherwise.
Can Be. . .
One of the bodies contained traces of poison at the time of death. Selena and her partner, Detective Regan Pescoli, can find no motive for murder. But Kacey has started to notice ties between the dead women's lives and her own--all close in age, born within miles of each other. And all have links to Trace O'Halleran, the man Kacey just started dating.
Deadly. . .
The deeper Kacey digs, the more reason she has to fear. More look-alikes are dying, and the killer is getting bolder and more brutal. And Kacey knows it's only a matter of time before hers is the next name on a list of those who were born to die. . .

Some Kind of Wonderful by Sarah Morgan (Puffin Island #2)

***** 5 stars
I stumbled upon the first book of this series "First time in Forever" and immediately downloaded it and read it. I gave it a solid 5 stars and loved every bit of it. When this follow up book in the series came out, I was anxious to see Brittany's story as all the series are based on three great friends that went to college together and have remained family for one another. Morgan's second book in the sequel was just as solid of a good read as the first. I am anxiously awaiting her third book in this series. In the meantime I went and stocked up on her other books as well, so i look forward to reading those and keeping you updated. ;)

Book Jacket Summary:
Her whole life, Puffin Islander Brittany Forrest has dreamed of adventure. And at the age of eighteen, she thought she'd found it in bad boy Zachary Flynn. But after just ten tempestuous, smoldering days, their whirlwind marriage went up in smoke, and Brittany resolved to put him out of her mind forever.

Zach knows he let Brittany down, but being back on Puffin Island and seeing Brittany again stirs up long-buried emotions. This daredevil pilot has never felt worthy of her, yet he can't stay away—even when he knows the chemistry between them will only complicate his life.

As long, hot summer days on the beach dissolve into sultry, starry nights, Brittany and Zach find that the sparks between them are more powerful than ever. Could it be that the second time around, their dreams of a happy-ever-after will finally come true?

Fairytale Beginnings by Holly Martin

****4 stars
Ok, this has got to be one of the hardest reviews I have written. When I first started this book it felt a bit like a Disney Chick lit. I hate the word Chick Lit, because it has grown so much as a genre and the authors that write these books deserve so much more respect. Anyway, as I kept reading I was very surprised at how much depth were in the characters and although a bit disney, not in a bad way. This book was a great, fun read. I thoroughly enjoyed every bit. This is my second or third book by Holly Martin and the moment I finished this book, I went and ordered everything I could get my hands on by her. Another great read and now one of the authors I have on my watch list.

Book Jacket Summary:
Love is an open door…except when it keeps slamming in your face.
Hopeless romantic Milly Rose has had her fair share of heartbreak. Obsessed with all things Disney, she refuses to give up on finding her Prince Charming – he’s out there somewhere, isn’t he?
When Milly is given a job to investigate the origins of an historical building in the village of Clovers Rest, she’s not sure what to expect. What she discovers takes her breath away - a beautiful real life Cinderella castle, complete with turrets, a magnificent drawbridge AND a very handsome owner…Cameron Heartstone.
As Milly and Cameron begin to unearth the secrets of Clover Castle, they can’t ignore the intense chemistry building between them. But they’ve both been hurt badly before. Can they take a big leap of faith and find their own happily-ever-after?

The Sun in Her Eyes by Paige Toon

****4 stars
Loved Loved Loved this book. Paige Toon is on my author watch list and I am always eagerly awaiting anything she churns out. This was no exception. The moment my kindle updated with the book, I read like a maniac to finish my previous read (I can't ever not finish a book and for some reason can't seem to want to read two books as once). I then dived straight in to The Sun in Her Eyes. What a wonderful book, with a great underlying question...Does making bad choices at times, make you a bad person?

Book Jacket Summary:
"Before your mother died, she asked me to tell you something …'
When Amber Church was three, her mother was killed in a car accident. A stranger was at the scene and now, nearly thirty years later, she's desperate to talk to Amber.
Living in London and not-so-happily married to Ned, Amber is greeted one morning by two pieces of news: she's to be made redundant from her City job and her beloved father, across the world in Australia where she grew up, has been felled by a stroke. She takes the first plane out to be by his side, leaving Ned uncertain as to when she will return. Reunited with her old friends, Amber is forced to confront her feelings for Ethan Lockwood, the gorgeous, green-eyed man she fell for as a young girl.
And then Amber receives a letter that changes everything …

Truly Madly Greekly by Mandy Baggot

**** 4 stars
I saw this book on Amazon and the reviews seemed good, so I decided to take a chance...it also had a cute book jacket :)
I was so not disappointed. This was a wonderful escape. You really will adore the characters, and the way Mandy Baggot worked the language so that you felt the language barriers, was incredible. I will definitely add this author to my watch list. Can't wait to see what she comes up with next.

Book Jacket Summary:
Sun, sea and a sexy stranger - a whole lot of fun just got a lot more complicated.
Capable, confident and career-driven, Ellen had her dream job and a marriage proposal from boyfriend Ross. Life was good, her future set. Until it wasn’t and everything fell apart…

Whisked off to the beautiful island of Corfu to plan her sister Lacey’s big, fat, Greek wedding, Ellen is hoping some time out will help clear her head and heal her heart. But letting go of her past is not going to be easy.

With Lacey in full on Bridezilla mode, Ellen is soon distracted from her own problems. And when the all-inclusive treats on offer at hotel Blue Vue include one gorgeous, brooding Adonis – Yan – Ellen finds him difficult to resist.

But Ellen isn’t looking for love or lust, or anything involving too much ouzo…or is she?

Coming Up Roses by Rachael Lucas

***** 5 stars
I adored this book. I absolutely loved Daisy and the friendship she forges with Elaine and Jo. I always laugh that I have a black thumb when I attempt to garden or keep a plant alive, but after reading this book, I wish I had a bit better luck as Lucas makes the setting so vivid you want to reach out and touch it.

Book Jacket Summary:
Would-be gardener Daisy can’t believe her luck when her parents announce they’re off on a midlife crisis gap year, leaving her in charge of their gorgeous garden. After a turbulent few months, a spot of quiet in the countryside is just what she needs.

A shoulder to cry on wouldn't go amiss either - so when Daisy comes across Elaine and Jo, she breathes a sigh of relief. But her new friends are dealing with dramas of their own…

As Daisy wrestles the garden into something resembling order, her feelings for handsome Irishman George begin to take root. Daisy’s heart’s desire − her parent’s garden − is under threat, and Daisy's forced to confront nosey neighbours and fight greedy developers. Village life is turning out to be far from peaceful.

The Little Flower Shop by the Sea by Ali McNamara

*****5 stars
I became a huge fan of McNamara after I read "From Notting Hill with Love...Actually". Since then every book I have picked up by her has been a solid good read. I always adore her characters and how dimensional they are. I look forward to this book being released and started on it the first chance I had. I was not disappointed. Make sure you don't miss this author or her books. You will find time slips by too easily :)
Book Jacket Summary:
But Poppy Carmichael's spirits aren't lifted by the pretty West Country spring. Inheriting her grandmother's flower shop has forced her to return to Cornwall, a place that holds too many memories.

Poppy is determined to do her best for the sake of her adored grandmother, but she struggles with the responsibility of the more-shabby-than-chic shop. And with the added complication of Jake, the gruff but gorgeous local flower grower, Poppy is very tempted to run away...

The pretty little town has a few surprises in store for Poppy. With new friends to help her and romance blooming, it's time for Poppy to open her heart to St Felix and to the special magic of a little flower shop by the sea!