Tag Archives: Barb’s Review

The Night Ends With Fire by K.X Song – a Review

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The Night Ends With Fire by K.X Song – a Review

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Description:
Infused with magic and romance, this sweeping fantasy adventure inspired by the legend of Mulan follows a young woman determined to choose her own destiny—even if that means going against everyone she loves.

The Three Kingdoms are at war, but Meilin’s father refuses to answer the imperial draft. Trapped by his opium addiction, he plans to sell Meilin for her dowry. But when Meilin discovers her husband-to-be is another violent, ill-tempered man, she realizes that nothing will change for her unless she takes matters into her own hands.

The very next day, she disguises herself as a boy and enlists in her father’s place.

In the army, Meilin’s relentless hard work brings her recognition, friendship—and a growing closeness with Sky, a prince turned training partner. But has she simply exchanged one prison for another? As her kingdom barrels toward destruction, Meilin begins to have visions of a sea dragon spirit that offers her true power and freedom, but with a deadly price.

With the future of the Three Kingdoms hanging in the balance, Meilin will need to decide whom to trust—Sky, who inspires her loyalty and love; the sea dragon spirit, who has his own murky agenda; or an infuriating enemy prince who makes her question everything she once knew—about her kingdom and about her own heart.

 

 

Review:

The Night Ends with Fire by K.X. Song is a fantasy built around Chinese mythology.  Three Kingdoms are at war, and Meilan’s (our heroine) father, who has an addiction, refuses to enter the draft. He decides that he will sell his daughter, who is 18 years old, for a dowry, with her husband-to-be being a violent and evil man.  Meilan leaves home and enlists in the war, disguising herself as a young boy, named Ren. Meilan/Ren has trained over time to be excellent in martial arts, as well able to fight better than most men. She is assigned to the Seventh Company, and is surprised that the leader is Liu Sky, the prince of Anlai. Meilan knows she must conceal her identity, as women are not permitted to fight or practice black magic (she is a spirit medium); revealing her secret could mean death.

In the army, Meilin/Ren earns respect from fellow soldiers, as she is a workaholic; bringing recognition and friendship along the way.  Slowly, her commander, Sky admits that Ren is better than any of the other men in the group; until when he discovers that she is a woman.  At first, Sky ignores her, but keeps her secret; and in time he begins to have feelings for Meilin; as she also slowly falls for him. I did like the chemistry between Meilan and Sky, as they were very good together. When Meilan is captured by Prince Cao Ming Lei and his army, he knew from the start that she was a woman; and in time he also was attracted to the beautiful Meilan. 

As the war escalates, Meilan beings to have visions of a dragon spirit that offers her magical powers, which could come as a price. Meilan needs to know who to trust; Sky, whom she is loyal to; The Dragon Spirit, Qinglong, who may not be telling the truths or Lei, attractive possible enemy, who could be revealing the real truths. 

The Night Ends with Fire was an exciting intriguing, fast packed adventure of magic, war, feminism, romance and betrayal.   I thought the first third of the book was a bit slow, though that last half was very exciting. To say too much more, would ruin things along the way.  This was an enthralling epic fantasy, with an ending that was wild and climatic.  The Night Ends with Fire was very well written by K.X. Song, and I look forward to the next book in this dulology/series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

K. X. Songis a diaspora writer with roots in Hong Kong and Shanghai. Raised between
cultures and languages, she enjoys telling stories that explore the shifting nature of
memory, translation, and history. She is the author of An Echo in the City and the
forthcoming The Night Ends with Fire, her adult fantasy debut. You can learn
more at kxsong.com.

 

 

 

 

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Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland – a Review

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Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland – a Review

 

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Description:
After the Jacobson siblings win a life-changing fortune in the lottery, they assume their messy lives will transform into sleek, storybook perfection—but they couldn’t be more wrong in the new laugh-out-loud novel from beloved author Elyssa Friedland.

The four Jacobson children were raised to respect the value of a dollar. Their mother reused tea bags and refused to pay retail; their father taught them to budget before he taught them to ride a bike. And yet, as adults, their financial lives—as well as their personal lives—are in complete disarray.

The siblings reunite when their newly widowed father puts their Jersey Shore home on the market. Packing up their childhood isn’t easy, especially when they’ve all got drama brewing back home. Matthew is miserable at his corporate law job and wishes he had more time with his son; Laura’s marriage is imploding in spectacular fashion; Sophie’s art career is stalled while her boyfriend’s is on the rise; and Noah’s total failure to launch has him doing tech repair for pennies.

So when Noah sees an ad for a Powerball drawing, he and his sisters go in on a ticket. Matthew passes but the ticket is a winner and all hell breaks loose as the infusion of cash causes sibling rivalries and family secrets to resurface. Without their mother, and with their father busy playing pickleball in a Florida retirement village, the once close-knit siblings search for comfort in shiny new toys instead of each other.

It’s not long before the Jacobson’s start to realize that they’ll never feel rich unless they can pull their family back together.

 

 

Review:

Jackpot Summer by Elyssa Friedland is a fun story about a family of four Jacobson siblings, who spend the summers in LBI (Long Beach Island) on the Jersey Shore.  The story begins when their widowed father tells the family that he has put his home on the market, much to their chagrin. Everyone is spending the July 4th weekend together, not too happy about the sale; but their dad is determined to move to Florida. We meet the four siblings, Matthew, who is a wealthy lawyer; Laura, who thought all was well in her marriage; Sophie, is an artist, as well as a teacher; and Noah, the youngest, makes little money doing tech work. During their time of helping to pack up the place for the sale, we get a see each of the them in their own environment, which gave us a view of their lives.

Noah says he wants to buy a lottery ticket, as it is currently in the millions; Laura and Sophie want to join in, with only Matthew not interested. To their shock, they win part of the lottery (a couple of others share the prize), making them instant billionaires. Laura, Sophie and Noah are all thrilled at their winnings, anticipating that their lives will change for even better. The three of them learn quickly that winning all the money is not always the answer to their own problems, especially with each of them doing extravagant purchases, taking trips, buying a new expensive house, making donations, etc. They also began to feel guilty of leaving Matthew out of the group, even though he and his wife were very wealthy on their own.

Each of the characters were so enjoyable, entertaining and fun; I loved how close they all were, as they were always committed to each other.  Laura and her husband became closer once they won the money, though they bought a huge house, but over time, she missed her friends.  Sophie loved doing her art, but she did miss her teaching days.  Noah, who truly was lonely, managed to spend too much of his winnings. Matthew and Beth were not worried about money, but in time Matthew will quit his job, looking for something more filling. The Jacobson’s were a close-knit family and knew they needed to resume a normal life with their family.

Jackpot Summer was a fun, sweet engaging story, filled with family, love and laughter. I loved all the mentions of places in LBI (I am a Jersey Girl), which was so much fun to catch. Jackpot Summer was a different kind of story, which was so very well written by Elyssa Friedland.  I loved every minute of this book, and suggest you read Jackpot Summer.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Only the Brave by Danielle Steel – a Review

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Only the Brave by Danielle Steel – a Review

 

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Description:
Sophia Alexander, the beautiful daughter of a famous surgeon in Berlin, has had to grow up faster than most young women. When her mother falls ill, Sophia must take charge of her younger sister, Theresa, and look after her father and the household, while also volunteering at his hospital after school. Meanwhile, Hitler’s rise to power and the violence in her very own town have Sophia concerned, but only her mother is willing to share her fears openly.

After tragedy strikes and her mother dies, Sophia becomes increasingly involved in the resistance, attending meetings of dissidents and helping however she can. Circumstances become increasingly dangerous and personal when Sophia assists her sister’s daring escape from Germany, fleeing Germany with her young husband and his family. Her father also begins to resist the regime, secretly healing those hiding from persecution, only to have his hospital burned to the ground. When he is arrested and sent to a concentration camp, Sophia is truly on her own, but more determined than ever to help.

While working as a nurse with the convent nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, Sophia continues her harrowing efforts to transport Jewish children to safety and finds herself under surveillance. As the political tensions rise and the brutal oppression continues, Sophia is undeterred, risking it all, even her own freedom, as she rises to the challenge of helping those in need—no matter the cost.

In Only the Brave, Danielle Steel vividly captures the devastating effects of war alongside beautiful moments of compassion and courage.

 

 

Review:

Only the Brave by Danielle Steel is a powerful, historical novel about a courageous woman in World War II Germany. The story follows, Sophia Alexander, our heroine and eldest daughter, who at a young age, was faced with her mother’s illness, watching over her younger sister, and a war looming. Sophia learns to become a surgical nurse, helping her father, who runs a hospital, where he is the lead surgeon. Though they are not Jewish, both of them secretly try to help runaways. When her mother dies, Sophia steps in and helps her pregnant sister, Theresa and her husband escape to Switzerland.

Sophia works as a nurse with the convent nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, and becomes increasingly involved in the resistance, attending meetings of dissidents and finding ways to help others escape. Her father was asked twice by Hitler’s people to euthanize Jews in camps, and after his last denial, they arrested him and was taken to Dachau, a concentration camp for criminals.  At the convent, Sophia finds an American officer disabled, and treats him back to health; with both of them beginning to have feelings for each other.  She is still determined to do her final vows and remain a nun; the officer leaves after he is recovered.  Sophia will receive a contact from him, notifying her that her father died.

Due to her family’s guilty association with the father and her missing sister, the Nazi’s arrest her, and she is taken to Ravensbrück. While in the concentration camp, she helps perform surgical procedures, and befriends a Nazi officer, who shares food with her, as well as the camp friends. Sophia, and her 4 friends, plan a successful escape from the concentration camp, fleeing to a convent.

Only the Brave is an emotional story filled with heartache, courage, bravery, hope and tragedy. I also really like some of the secondary supporting characters.  As the war comes close to an end, Sophia will have to choose to be a nun or choose love. The story captures the devastating effect of war, and Sophia rising to the challenge of risking everything, to save others. Once again, Only the Brave is very well written by Danielle Steel; in a fantastic historical novel.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade – a Review

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Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade – a Review

 

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Description:
When an old rival reappears right before the holidays, a professional dog trainer must decide if the melting frost between them can make up for their ruff past, from the USA Today bestselling author of Dog Friendly .

Chelsea Higgins is doing just fine. She’s heading into the holidays at the helm of a thriving dog training business, and she’s got a mellow senior dog at home to keep her warm at the end of the day. What more could she need? Enter certified gym bro Andrew Chelsea’s former nemesis, and now the newest neighbor in her business complex, who also wants to expand into the vacant space Chelsea’s been eyeing for months. Who cares if it’s the season of joy? Let the turf war begin.

When an unfortunate (and literal) run-in with Andrew’s lawless dog leaves Chelsea with a bum wrist, the two strike a Andrew will help Chelsea rehab the injury if she’ll work with him to train his adorably uncivilized boxer.

Their typical bickering soon turns to bantering, and Chelsea finds herself inexplicably drawn to the man she thought she had nothing in common with. As she gets to know Andrew and his parents, she realizes she needs to refocus on her own family, especially with a milestone Christmas speeding toward them. But Chelsea can’t help wondering if she and Andrew are training for keeps, or if this unexpected Christmas gift is just too good to be true.

 

 

 

Review:

Unleashed Holiday by Victoria Schade is a sweet romantic novel with wonderful dogs adding to the fun.  We meet Chelsea (Chels) Higgins from the start, as she runs School of Frolic, a successful dog training business; she also has an older dog, Birdie to give her companionship.  When one of her clients has to give up his dog, Edith, Chels offers to take her; so now she has two cute dogs, a young puppy and a senior dog.

To her surprise, Chels learns that the vacant building next store to her shop, has been rented by her old nemesis, Andrew Gibson; which he plans to turn into a gym for fitness training. Though they both share best friends, they have never really gotten along. 

Andrew has a boxer dog, Dude, who is totally untrained, and Chels becomes annoyed at some of Andrew’s bad habits, parking in her space and not training his untrainable dog.  One night, Dude, the wild dog (though very cute), accidentally injures her, and Andrew and Chels make deal; Chels will train Dude, and Andrew will give her strength training rehabbing her wrist injury. Slowly, the bickering between them changes to sort of a friendship, leading to lots of bantering; and both begin to have feelings for each other. 

Chels gets to know Andrew’s parents, and sees that he and his father have their own issues; but in time she will get Andrews to try and find a way to reach out to his father.  But Andrew’s mother is thrilled to have Chels available to train her goats.  This was fun and I really like the mother. Chels also learns from being with his family, that she needs to spend more time with her own family, including her pregnant sister and mother.

When Chels and Andrew learn that the landlord is planning to sell the building, both are concerned.   Chels’s family tries to convince her to use the money her deceased father left, but she refuses to touch the money.  Now will the building possibly being sold; she will need to reconsider. How will Andrew react to this possibility?

Unleashed Holiday was a fun story, with a great couple, nice secondary characters, and all three of the cute adorable dogs. I have to admit, I loved all of the dogs, especially with Birdie’s surprise in falling for Edith, and her dominant ways.  I loved Dude too. Unleashed Holiday was a sweet enemies to lovers romance, and so very well written by Victoria Schade.  If you enjoy a second chance romance and fun dogs, you need to read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

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Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt – a Review

 

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Description:
He ticks every one of her “never again” boxes…

Jo Weaver loves her job as a boat mechanic for her family’s marina in River’s Edge, Indiana. But when she’s pulled away from her high school reunion with her sisters to fix a stranded yacht, she can’t restrain her irritation. Jo doesn’t like wealthy men who think they can have whatever they want, and she has no intention of falling for rich and charming again.

Born into the international Briggs Hotels empire, Alex Briggs has never felt comfortable with his life of privilege. Abandoning his family’s business to pursue medical research, he’s far more at home in his lab. When the yacht he restored himself breaks down on the way to an important conference, Alex begrudgingly goes in search of a boat mechanic and falls, literally, into Jo Weaver’s arms. The fireworks he feels are impossible to ignore.

Jo does her best to keep Alex in the business zone, but he keeps slipping into something more. Can she trust her fragile heart, especially when Alex and his life-altering research are so far from River’s Edge?

 

 

Review:

Meet Me in River’s Edge by Nan Reinhardt is the 2nd book in her The Weaver Sisters series. Meet Me in River’s Edge, revolves around the second Weaver sister, Jo (they are triplets). River’s Edge is a small town that has a wonderful community. It was great to see the Weaver sisters again, as they are such a wonderful close-knit family.   Jo Weaver, our heroine, loves working at her family’s marina as a boat mechanic.  

All three sisters are attending their high school reunion, when a young man accidently bumps into Jo, which turns out that the man’s yacht is stranded, and he was told to look for the Weaver sisters.  Jo agrees to leave the reunion (changing her dressy outfit to her overalls) to help him, though she looks at him like a wealthy “river rat”, men who cruise on fancy boats; she had a bad past experience on one of those men. 

Alex Briggs, our hero, comes from a wealthy family, and owns the fancy yacht. Alex has always stayed away from the family business, not comfortable with his privileged life; pursuing medical research (he is a diabetic) and his lab with a friend to develop equipment for diabetics. Alex finds himself totally attracted to Jo, though she early on is antagonistic with him, but in a short time, she will begin to see Alex in another light. Despite her keeping her heart safe, especially from someone who hurt her in  the past, Jo is finding herself falling for Alex, as he already has fallen for her.

The repair of the boat will take longer to fix, as Jo will need to get her father to work on it.  Alex and his mentor Rich, make arrangements for the guests to move forward to the next stop, and they both stay in River’s Edge. Jo and Alex each begin to tell some of their past events that hurt them; Alex lost his twin sister, which still haunts him, despite not being his fault; Jo became pregnant when she was young, with the man having treated her badly, and she eventually had a miscarriage. 

They both become very close, and when he needs to continue his trip to New Orleans, giving a speech on his new developments; she knows he will return.  But while on the phone with Jo, in New Orleans, he passes out due to an insulin pump malfunction, and is taken to the hospital.  Jo flies to be with him, but Alex decides to send her away, as he feels she deserves better than always worrying about his condition.

Meet Me in River’s Edge was a wonderful, fun, sweet romance and heartwarming story. Nan Reinhardt gives us a wonderful couple, as well great secondary characters that were so likable, with a terrific atmosphere in this small town.

Meet Me in River’s Edge was so very well written by Nan Reinhardt, which is no surprise, as I loved her last book, as well as her previous series.  If you enjoy a sweet romance, wonderful couple, great secondary characters, and pure fun, I suggest you read this book. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

 

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The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston – a Review

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The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston – a Review

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Description:
Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

 

 

Review:

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston is a unique standalone novel. We meet Clementine, our heroine, who is still grieving her aunt’s death, as she was extremely close to her aunt, who travelled a lot, and took Clementine on many trips.  She spent a lot of times at her aunt’s apartment, which Clementine learned that the stories her aunt told her were magical, but as she grew up, Clementine stopped believing the stories.  Now with her aunt’s passing, Clementine inherited the apartment, and after she moved into the apartment, she wakes up with a handsome stranger in her kitchen. Clementine remembers the stories that her aunt told her about the apartment moving in time on occasion, either seven years ahead or backwards.

Iwan, our hero, was the stranger, who was told that he could stay at her apartment, and Clementine realizes that the time frame is now 7 years ago.  Iwan was a great cook, and hoped to one day be a chef. In a short time, they both enjoyed each-others company, as Iwan was sweet, caring, understanding and great to be around; and Clementine knew she was falling in love with him. When Clementine went to work, she was in her own time, being a successful publicist, who was on track to replace the publisher for Strauss & Adder Publishers; she is good at her job, and has some good friends who work there.   She looks forward to going home and to see Iwan, as he cooks her fajitas, lemon cake, dances with her, gives her a kiss, and then one day when she rushes home, he is no longer there.

With her working hard at her job in the present time (only in the apartment magic did she see Iwan seven years previous); to her surprise, she discovers that her publishing house in trying to bid for the famous new chef’s book, which happens to be Iwan (now seven years later in the present time). To say too much more would spoil the book, and I suggest you read this from start to finish, in order to understand the story line.

The Seven Year Slip was an interesting and different story, with a bit of paranormal, as well as complex.  The Seven Year Slip was very well written by Ashley Poston. It was very heartwarming, witty second chance romance.  I suggest you read this book.

 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

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A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn – a Review

 

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Description:
Veronica’s natural-historian beau, Stoker, has been away in Bavaria for months and their relationship is at an impasse. But when Veronica shows up before him with his brother, Tiberius, Lord Templeton-Vane, he is lured back home by an intriguing job offer: preparing an iguanodon for a very special dinner party.
 
Tiberius has received a cryptic message—along with the obituaries of two recently deceased members of his old group of friends, the Seven Sinners—that he too should get his affairs in order. Realizing he is in grave danger but not knowing why, he plans a reunion party for the remaining Sinners at his family estate to lure the killer out while Veronica and Stoker investigate.
 
As the guests arrive and settle in, the evening’s events turn deadly. More clues come to light, leading Veronica, Stoker, and Tiberius to uncover a shared past among the Sinners that has led to the fatal present. But the truth might be far more sinister than what they were prepared for.

 

 

 

Review:

A Sinister Revenge by Deanna Raybourn is the 8th book in her Veronica Speedwell Mystery series.  I have not read this series, though it does read well as a standalone; but would have probably been better to have read some of the more previous books.

Veronica Speedwell, our heroine, is a very good amateur sleuth, in historian times.  In the last book, she and her lover, Stoker broke up, and she has been helping his brother, Tiberius on an assignment.  Now, Tiberius wants her help, and also Stoker’s; seems someone is sending threatening cryptic messages regarding a death from twenty years ago.   On that day, twenty years ago, Tiberious hosted friends at his family estate, they called themselves the Seven Sinners; and one member of their party died due to an accident. In present time, Tiberius decides to bring back members of their group to his estate for a reunion party; especially after reading the obituaries of two members of the Seven Sinners.  Tiberius knows someone is out to kill him, and together with Veronica, Stoker, and a younger brother, they welcome the group, with their wives.

What follows is a slow burn story, with Veronica and Stoker still at odds, but together they are determined to discover who in this group is behind the threats, at the same time keeping a protective eye on Tiberius.  Three of the Sinners arrive; Count Pietro Salviati & his wife, Beatrice; James Maciver & his wife Augusta, and Doctor Timothy Gresham & his sister, Elspeth.  The story picks up half way through, when it gets very exciting.  There are a few twists and surprises, with one death that throws things for a loop.  Veronica begins to find clues, and just when she suspects one person, everything changes, as she comes face to face with the real killer; and Veronica’s life is in danger.  Will she survive?

A Sinister Revenge was a very good mystery, though it was a bit slow early on.  I really liked Veronica and how brave she was, as well as her independence.   As noted, the last half of the book was very exciting, with some twists and surprises along the way. A Sinister Revenge was very well written by Deanna Raybourn.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow – a Review

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Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year by Rochelle Bilow – a Review

 

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Description:
When a thirty-something American food writer moves to a Scottish village for one year to fulfill her dream of writing a cookbook she finds more than inspiration–she meets a handsome Scotsman she can’t resist in this charming debut romance.

Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in a small cottage in a tiny town in the Scottish Highlands for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, to drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. It’s hard to know what to expect after an impulse decision based on a map of Scotland in her Manhattan apartment–but she knows it’s high time she had an adventure.

The moment she sets foot in Thistlecross, the verdant scenery, cozy cottages, and struggling local pub steal her heart. Between designing pop-up suppers and conversing with the colorful locals, Ruby starts to see a future that stretches beyond her year of adventure. It doesn’t hurt that Brochan, the ruggedly handsome local handyman, keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage. Though Ruby swore off men, she can’t help fantasizing what a roll in the barley might be like with the bearded Scot.

As Ruby grows closer to Brochan and the tightly held traditions of the charming village, she discovers secret plans to turn her beloved pub into an American chain restaurant. Faced with an impossible choice, Ruby must decide between love, loyalty, and the Highlands way of life.

 

 

Review:

Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year by Rochelle Bilow is a stand-alone romance novel.  We meet our heroine, Ruby Spencer, at the start, when she travels to a charming village, Thislecross, Scotland.  Ruby, who is in her 30’s, decides to change her life, leaving New York, and move to Scotland for year, hoping to write and sell her cookbook. She finds herself in a cozy cottage, becoming friends with local woman who runs the pub/restaurant, as well as working with her to create wonderful dishes (to add to her cookbook).

In a short time, Ruby finds herself with a wonderful group that becomes part of her new found family, including meeting the handsome hunk, Brochan, who is also the town handyman. As they got to know each other, this turned into a slow burn romance.  The wonderful secondary characters within the town, was fun, and whiskey was the main attraction in the pub, with many tasty creations.   Ruby and Grace (pub owner) worked so well together, and designing a weekly table dinner with some colorful locals.  I did love how close Ruby and Grace became.

The romance between Ruby and Brochan sizzles with amazing chemistry, as she gives up her decision to swear off men when she arrived, to open her feelings to Brochan. Ruby gets to know many of the village people, and eventually befriends the town mayor, Anne.  Ruby will also learn about secret plans to close the pub, and bring in an American restaurant chain, which would be destructive to both Grace and Brochan. Will Ruby leave her close friendship with Grace, as well as her losing Brochan?  Can she find a way to help save them all or leave Scotland?

Ruby Spencer’s Whiskey Year was a cute, fun, lighthearted read, with fantastic characters, great local village people, and a wonderful couple we rooted hard for.  Ruby was a wonderful heroine, totally fun throughout, as well as falling in love, living her true magical life, and adding a wonderful family.  I suggest you read this book, as it was very well written by Rochelle Bilow.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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