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A Reader's Opinion Charming western romance! I love E.E. Burke's books. They are always well written, refreshing, and romantic. Ms. Burke delighted me again with Tempting Prudence , her third installment in the Bride Train series. It's the story of two charming characters, Arch and Prudence. Let yourself be swept away to Kansas, 1870, where brides-to-be arrive by train to be chosen by rugged cowboys. The story starts as Prudence, a mail-order bride, rides aboard the Bride Train west to meet her future husband. Arch is so busy with his family's business that he doesn't have time to look for a bride. However, his brothers offer him a special gift. What happens when a cute scoundrel meets a stubborn spinster for the first time? Prudence realizes that this may be her last chance to marry a respectable husband. They do meet during an awkward situation, but with time, and lots of patience and trust, a new relationship will bloom! Is love in the country air? Enjoy following their journey filled with romance and adventure, and an unexpected chance at love for a future bride and groom. You’ll love Arch—he was the perfect gentleman for Prudence! Tempting Prudence was fun to read, and has everything to please lovers of western romances! Tempting Prudence A spinster. A bootlegger. An unexpected chance at love. Leaving the safety of her old life, Prudence Walker rides the Bride Train west to the end of the line...her last chance at matrimony. She's too plain to inspire desire. Nor does she expect to find love. However, she does have her standards. Arch Childers longs to put down roots, only he's too busy managing his family's illegal whiskey business to pursue his dreams. Deciding he needs help, his troublemaking brothers kidnap a spinster lady and present her, bound and gagged, as his bride. Knowing her reputation will be ruined, he does the only honorable thing and offers marriage. Prudence isn't immune to the scoundrel's charm, but a conniving bootlegger is the last man on earth she would marry. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Western Romance Release: August 11, 2016 Type: Novel Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

We're thrilled to have Wendy Rich Stetson, author of HOMETOWN, with us. She not only has a great new book out, she's also giving us a glimpse of a romantic Pennsylvania treasure. “What a charming page turner. Wendy Rich Stetson's writing is vivid, sharp, and alive with the beauty of rural Pennsylvania and the love blossoming in Tessa's heart. I loved it. Please tell me it's a series...” — Ellyn Oaksmith , bestselling author of the Blue Hills Series “A Gazebo in a Town that Time Forgot” Wendy Rich Stetson Looking for a magical spot to get engaged? Might I suggest a gazebo. More specifically, a whimsical, Victorian gazebo ringed by wild tiger lilies in a tiny mountain town that time forgot. Nestled in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, Eagles Mere is a gem of a village. If you didn’t grow up in PA, you’ve likely never heard of it. Even if you did, the odds are slim. At the turn of the 20th century, Eagles Mere was a booming resort town, hugely popular among the residents of Philadelphia’s Main Line. The magnificent, Queen Anne style “cottages” lining the leafy streets are a testament to the wealth that once congregated in this summer community. And crystalline Eagles Mere Lake, dotted on sunny summer afternoons by striped sails and colorful kayaks, is a haven. The Eagles Mere Playhouse was legendary in its day, attracting well-known actors such as Charlton Heston and Patricia Neal to tread the boards. I grew up in farm country not far away as the crow files, though the wide-open fields and rolling ridges of my hometown are nothing like the forests surrounding Eagles Mere Lake. In my early twenties, I found my way to the storied Players Cottage on Pennsylvania Avenue as a teacher and performer at the Ensemble Theatre Community School. That summer, I fell in love with the quaint historic town and its Sweet Shop ice cream parlor and quaint sandy beach, and of course, with its gazebo. On a summer night in 1993, my then boyfriend and I lingered on the steps of that Victorian folly, gazing into the heavens and whispering plans for the future. Overhead, the sky was impossibly starry, and a lifetime unspooled before us like the sparkling, silver path of the Milky Way. Sitting at his side in the dark, I had a sudden inkling he might, out of the blue, ask me to marry him. With a heart-fluttering thrill, I realized if he did, I would say yes. But he is a New Hampshire boy and impulsive as a hunk of granite. A spur of the moment marriage proposal was not the way this particular future doctor chose to make major life decisions. But he considered it, that night under the stars. And somehow, I knew he considered it. A year later, in that very same gazebo, he got down on one knee, and with a ring that I helped pick out, he proposed. What surprises me, as I write this post twenty-seven summers later, is that until now, I never drew the connection between that mountaintop gazebo and the gazebo that brings together the hero and heroine in my debut romance, “Hometown.” In a little town (not unlike my hometown), a tall red-haired young woman (not unlike me) finds the courage to ask a strong and silent Amish carpenter (not unlike my husband) to build a very special gazebo in her yard. He agrees, and in many ways, that gazebo brings them together. Though the gazebo in my story bears little resemblance to the one in Eagles Mere, the two structures are of one family. Call them summer houses, follies, or belvederes, gazebos exist for no other reason than to bring joy. Their mission is to beautify, delight, and inspire. I can’t imagine a better place to begin a life together. “With the lyricism of old-fashioned romance and the simple joy of a well told story, Hometown is filled with whimsy and longing. A perfect escape into an older world made new again, and the journey of a young woman trying to find where she belongs.” — Gabra Zackman , award-winning audiobook narrator and author of The Bod Squad Series Hometown When Tessa's big-city plans take the A Train to disaster, she lands in her sleepy hometown, smack in the middle of the most unlikely love triangle ever to hit Pennsylvania's Amish Country. Hot-shot Dr. Richard Bruce is bound to Green Ridge by loyalty that runs deep. Deeper still is Jonas Rishel's tie to the land and his family's Amish community. Behind the wheel of a 1979 camper van, Tessa idles at a fork in the road. Will she cruise the superhighway to the future? Or take a slow trot to the past and a mysterious society she never dreamed she'd glimpse from the inside? AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKSHOP | TARGET | WILD ROSE PRESS “As a regular narrator of romance audiobooks, Wendy’s ranks among the best. Her wit and intelligence don’t ask us to check our brains at the door, making the journey that much more satisfying and fun. Escapist romance at its very best!” — Kirsten Potter, award-winning audiobook narrator The Author Wendy Rich Stetson is a New York City girl who still considers the Central Pennsylvania countryside to be her home. She grew up road tripping in a 1979 VW camper van, and she keeps a running list of favorite roadside attractions from coast to coast. Now an author of sweet, small-town romance, Wendy is no stranger to storytelling. She’s a Broadway and television actress, an audiobook narrator, and a mom who likes nothing more than collaborating on children’s books with her teenage artist daughter. Wendy lives in Upper Manhattan with her family of three and rambunctious Maine Coon kitty. Follow Wendy’s journey at www.wendyrichstetson.com . Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Genre: Contemporary Romance Type: Novel Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Publication Date: August 11, 2021 Content Rating: 2 Hearts View our rating system Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Pioneers of Whitcomb Springs Discover the stories from a small Montana mountain town where in the post-Civil War years its residents begin to rebuild their lives. This collection of short fiction introduces its pioneers - war widows, wounded heroes, and drifters, those in search of a peaceful community in which to raise families and establish their legacy. Some stories will amuse you, while others will tug at your heart strings. All deliver a powerful message of the pioneering courage and resilience that is our American heritage. Find inspiration and hope. Visit Whitcomb Springs and those that live and love there. "...read it and share it with someone you love." - The Constant Reader on "Tracking Amy" Meet the Author Samantha St. Claire is the pen name of an author passionate about American history and the people whose legacies are woven into the fabric of a nation. She writes these characters to life in her novels of the western frontier, their trials and triumphs. Coming from a family of pioneers, she honestly claims her roots as a Daughter of the American Revolution and descendant of a Scottish Laird. The road from college graduation led due west where teaching in a small Arizona town fulfilled childhood fantasies on multiple levels. Hiking and backpacking the canyons and desert fed her imagination with the landscapes she would use later in life as an author. Moving to California opened new vistas, but Idaho sparked her interest in the history of the magnificent central mountain ranges. Never faint of heart, her signature protagonists face the hazards of the frontier with courage, wit, and a healthy pinch of humor. Visit www.samanthastclaire.com to read more about the research that has helped develop the characters, towns and stories of the Sawtooth Range Series. Genre: Historical Western Romance/Western Type: Collection of Short Fiction Series: Whitcomb Springs Series Publication date: August 6, 2021 Content Rating: 1 Heart View rating system

A READER'S OPINION Brilliant, brooding, and beautiful! THE SHADOWY HORSES by Susanna Kearsley is a well-written journey with a fascinating and endearing cast of characters. This atmospheric book had me back in Scotland, walking the hills and interacting with villagers. Perhaps it's the Scottish in me, or my former desire to become an anthropologist, but I easily found myself transfixed by the blend of archaeology, ghosts, special powers, and a sprinkling of romance. One might wonder at first how the author will manage to take all of these elements and fuse them into a cohesive story . . . Well, she does it, in first-person narrative no less. I say that simply because I'm not usually a fan, except in this case, the author's writing style is so smooth and flawless, and had me turning pages well into the night. THE SHADOWY HORSES brings Verity Grey together with a mix of colorful village people, interesting colleagues, a charming young boy with a special gift, and a wealthy eccentric who isn't as daft as some people believe. I found myself enthralled with the history and paranormal, and I certainly enjoyed the dry humor scattered throughout. The romance is subtle, clean, and woven in like a delicate thread that vibrates through the story without overpowering other elements. Susanna Kearsley now ranks on my list of must-read authors. Read the book with an open mind and let the story take you where it will. The Shadowy Horses The invincible ninth Roman Legion marches from York to fight the Northern tribes, and then vanishes from the pages of history. When Verity Grey goes looking for them, she may find more than she bargained for. Archaeologist Verity Grey has been drawn to the dark legends of the Scottish Borderlands in search of the truth buried in a rocky field by the sea. Her eccentric boss has spent his whole life searching for the resting place of the lost Ninth Roman Legion and is convinced he's finally found it-not because of any scientific evidence, but because a local boy has "seen" a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel who guards the bodies of his long-dead comrades. Here on the windswept shores, Verity may find the answer to one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time. Or she may uncover secrets someone buried for a reason. A modern gothic historical fiction with elements of mystery, ghosts, and romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Susanna Kearsley. BOOK INFO Genre: Fiction/Gothic/Mystery Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Format Read: Paperback Source: From the reviewer's personal library Reviewed by: MK Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches blog in 2017, and has been reposted for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book.

We're pleased to welcome Renee Ryan, author of The Widows of Champagne , a story of "danger, secrets, and love" set against the backdrop of WWII. The Widows of Champagne For readers of Lilac Girls and The Lost Girls of Paris comes a captivating novel of resilience, as three generations of women battle to save their family’s vineyard during WWII. Champagne, 1939 Gabrielle Leblanc Dupree is taking her family’s future into her hands. While she should be preparing for a lavish party to celebrate two centuries of champagne making, she secretly hides Chateau Fouché-Leblanc’s most precious vintages behind a fake wall in the cellar in preparation for the looming war. But when she joins the resistance, the coveted champagne isn’t the most dangerous secret her cellar must conceal… A former Parisian socialite, Gabrielle’s mother, Hélène, lost her husband to another war. Now her home has been requisitioned by the Germans, who pillage vineyards to satisfy the Third Reich’s thirst for the finest champagne. There’s even more at stake than Hélène dares admit. She has kept her heritage a secret…and no one is safe in Nazi-occupied France. Josephine, the family matriarch, watches as her beloved vineyard faces its most difficult harvest yet. As her daughter-in-law and granddaughters contend with the enemies and unexpected allies in their midst, Josephine’s deep faith leads to her own path of resistance. Across years and continents, the Leblanc women will draw on their courage and wits, determined against all odds to preserve their lives, their freedom and their legacy… Available in paperback at Walmart, or online from your favorite audio or e-book retailer! AMAZON | LOVE INSPIRED Enjoy an excerpt from . . . The Widows of Champagne Beneath the creaking bones of the ancient château, clocks chimed from room to room, speaking to one another in a secret language all their own. Gabrielle LeBlanc-Dupree moved quickly through the darkened corridors, counting off each peal as she went. Twelve in total. Not enough time. It had to be enough. Evil lurked on the horizon, prowling like a hungry lion. Tonight, Gabrielle would prepare for the unthinkable. That she had to act alone only heightened her sense of urgency. And pushed her feet faster. Faster. Wrapped inside the thick folds of her cloak, she exited the house as soundless as a wraith. She’d taken this path hundreds of times, thousands, down the twenty-one stone steps, through the vineyard, past the champagne house, and into the miles of limestone caves cut beneath the chalky earth. The frigid wind blew over her face, carrying the scent of rain and decay, a stark reminder that the Lord had taken His hand off her family long ago. History haunted the LeBlanc vineyard like an uninvited ghost at a christening. We are people marked by war, her grandmother said. The soil is drenched in blood and death. More was coming. Gabrielle kept moving, never faltering, never stopping to wail against the unfairness of two enemies bearing down on her. The rain let loose, waging its relentless war on the vines her family had tended for two hundred years. The weather was proving a more immediate threat than the evil lurking on the other side of the Maginot Line. One bad harvest would not ruin them. The other enemy very well could. Hitler and his ravenous henchmen showed no mercy. They conquered. They invaded. And then, they looted. If France fell into Nazi hands, they would not get the best of the LeBlanc treasures. Not if Gabrielle succeeded tonight. All but running now, she unlocked the heavy door and plunged into the wine cellar cut into the stone beneath the vineyard. She hurried past the racks of upturned bottles maturing under the 24-volt lights. This young wine, not yet champagne, was her family’s legacy. Their future. The bottles at the back of the cellar represented their past. Gabrielle had personally selected the most valuable blends from the last two decades. She’d also chosen from the previous century. Most notably the single-vintage 1867, and the infamous 1811, rumored to be of remarkable quality because a comet had crossed over Champagne that year. Finally, and not without much internal debate, she’d added five hundred bottles of the celebrated 1928. When she’d first come up with her plan, she’d considered confiding in her grandmother and perhaps, in that moment, she would have, if the rain hadn’t started up again and pulled her attention to the vines. Now, she was glad for the interruption. What her grandmother didn’t know, she couldn’t worry over. Gabrielle alone would carry this secret, this burden. End of Excerpt Excerpt © Renee Ryan. Shared with permission. The Author Renee Ryan grew up in a Florida beach town where she learned how to surf and skateboard very poorly. As a teenager, she gave up on both pursuits and began entertaining herself during countless hours of “laying-out” by reading all the classics. After graduating college, with a degree in Economics and Religion, she explored various career opportunities at a Florida theme park and a modeling agency. She moved on to teach high school Economics, American Government and Latin while coaching award-winning cheerleading teams. For further information about Renee, check out www.ReneeRyan.com . Genre: Historical Fiction/WWII Type: Novel Publisher: Love Inspired Trade Publication Date: July 27, 2021 Content Rating: PG View our rating system Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

A Reader's Opinion Lovers of western romance will love Kat’s Law . If you're looking for a fast read and clean romance with an independent and very determined heroine, then Kat's Law will be perfect for you! It's a real page turner. This story is mainly about Dr. Kat Meriwether, a young doctor who goes back to her hometown in Idaho Territory, 1888. Her new life will be filled with danger, intrigue, and a dash of romance. Kat's Law story tells the journey of a strong-minded, smart, and very determined young woman. As a female doctor, she has to prove her new skills to the residents of Snowberry— especially to the men. But, with the help of her entourage, she will find respect and friendship. Kat is glad to be back with her father, Nathaniel, but is disappointed about the violence that is occurring in her town, and is quite determined to do something about it. Meanwhile, a newcomer, ex-Texas Ranger Jonathan Winthrop, enters her life. He would gladly help, but he is a broken man and still haunted by a nightmare, so he doesn't feel ready to help the residents. Since Kat and Jonathan are both out for justice, together they will embark on a mission to re-establish peace and harmony in Snowberry. Will he be able to protect Kat and Nathaniel when they are threatened by danger? Will their new friendship bloom and create a beautiful chemistry between the two that will unite them forever? I recommend Kat's Law , especially if you love western romance! A real page turner! I loved Kat for her independence and determination! Kat's Law The Sawtooth Range series, Book 1 Two Irresistible Callings and One Undeniable Destiny Kat’s never backed down from a fight, not from schoolyard bullies nor medical school classmates biased against her gender. So, when the local lawman fails to protect her hometown from escalating violence, she’ll need to take up her Browning rifle to meet the threat alone unless the ex-Texas ranger can shake off his haunted past and stand with her. DREAMS OF AN EDUCATED WOMAN Kat Meriwether left her hometown of Snowberry in Idaho Territory as a tomboy with a saucy reputation as a fighter of bullies, but she returns as an educated woman polished by four years in Boston. Throughout those years she's kept her mind focused on her studies, avoiding romantic entanglements that might hinder her from achieving her goals. NIGHTMARES OF AN EX-TEXAS RANGER Jonathan Winthrop is a haunted man, running from his personal demons. Idaho Territory offers him a chance to start over, but lawless men are transforming the once peaceful town, and innocents will die without a defender. Together, they will find not only their unmistakable callings, but an undeniable love. If you like western historical fiction led by strong women and the men attracted to them, then ride out with KAT’S LAW. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Western Romance Release: June 21, 2016 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: 1 Heart—Aww! This is a clean read appropriate for all audiences. May have sweet, clean kisses. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site in 2016, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

A Reader's Opinion It was such a pleasure to read this family-loving, romantic, food-for-your-soul book. I found the story and plot to be very caring and refreshing to read, and I was impressed with the amount of entertainment and pure romance in the story. The soul-searching moments that Sam and Cheyenne come to forge for themselves were so enjoyable. All the characters have a strong sense of independence, which I really like. I enjoyed reading about the strong bond and comradeship shared by most of the characters. This book is an easy read and a page-turning experience that was amazing. This is a wonderful book filled with meaningful conversations and wonderful dialogue, and the writer did a great job with capturing the western drawl language and terminology. This helped to make the characters really engaging. I love the dry humor! The witty banter between Cap and Sam is awesome throughout the whole book. Sam and Cheyenne's love and passion were beautiful, and I will never forget their story. The drama and suspense were fantastic. The author wrote the scenes in a way that captivated me all the way through and beyond the moment Aaron appeared at the end of the book. The book reads with so much hopefulness for a peaceful and happy life. This story impressed me with its realism, and even the smallest of things were described in detail. These are all factors that bring out the brilliant writing in this book. A Cowboy Christmas Legend This stunning, emotional, and redemptive historical Western romance by bestselling author Linda Broday will leave you cozy and warm this Christmas season, with: A cowboy learning how to start over A fiery young woman with the heart to save him A past neither can escape, and A future worthy of any Christmas miracle . Devastated by the loss of his young wife―and the life he'd always thought would be his―Sam Legend II has done everything he can to make a fresh start. As a bladesmith, all he needs is a bed, a hot fire, and enough distance from his famous family to finally indulge in a little peace and quiet. So what if it's almost Christmas? This year, he's happy just keeping to himself. But then fiery Cheyenne Ronan comes blasting into his home, and any notion of peace goes flying out the door. Cheyenne's like no one Sam has ever met―and from the moment he first catches her eye, his quiet life is anything but. Now he's hunting wanted men with the Texas Rangers, decking every hall, and sharing passionate embraces with the woman who's set his world alight. For the first time in what feels like forever, Sam's facing Christmas feeling like his life is full of meaning again―and that with Cheyenne by his side, love can be the stuff of Legend. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Western Romance Release: September 28, 2021 Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley Reviewed by: Rainelle Barrett Content Rating: 4 Hearts—We're getting hot in here! These characters know how to have a good time. Lucky for us, they don't go into too much detail. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A Reader's Opinion Another delightful book from Carla Kelly! I must say that after three books in a row, all I want to do is read more of this author's Regency Romances. The book is well-written, the characters are wonderful, the setting just right, and there's enough folly throughout to make the story seem real. Ellen has gumption. Certainly she's surrounded by inept family members, but she's not blind to their faults and somehow loves them anyway. She's also determined to fulfill her own dreams, even if it means going against the odds and bucking societal norms. Her time in the ladies "academy" is humorous at times, sweet at others. Her brother Gordon, oh what to say about him . . . you really must read it to understand that there are moments when Ellen should be applauded for her patience. Of course, she has her own motives—remember her dream? James Gatewood is an odd sort of fellow, but I couldn't help but adore him. Perhaps it was his matter-of-fact ways, or the slow understanding the reader gains about his love for Ellen. It's not a bolt of lightning (one of the things I enjoy about this author's Regencies), and we don't have any graphic scenes to help the reader along (trust me, you won't miss them). He's persistent, intelligent, kind, and incredibly generous. As in true romance fashion he is handsome, but in a careless and charming way. The last chapters of the book may seem odd to some readers, but considering the oddities of the characters, it shouldn't come as a surprise. Kelly stays true to her characters and I believe that's one of the things that makes her Regencies such great reads. Do you enjoy Shakespeare? They do! Carla Kelly did everything right in this book and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great read. Miss Grimsley's Oxford Career Beautiful and brilliant Miss Ellen Grimsley considers it a scandal that she—a female—cannot attend Oxford while her dunderhead brother can. That's why she dons his robes to do his work for him. But when a handsome lord learns Ellen's secret, he decides to teach her a lesson of his own. This delightful period romance will earn high marks from readers everywhere! BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Regency Romance Release: November 11, 2013 Publisher: Sweetwater Books (Cedar Fort) Format Read: Paperback Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: MK Content Rating: 1 Heart—Aww! This is a clean read appropriate for all audiences. May have sweet, clean kisses. Suitable for all audiences. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

A Reader's Opinion Another great novel by Jo-Ann Carson! I love Jo-Ann Carson's heroine Maggy Malone, in the Vancouver Blues Suspense series! Her combination of smarts, feistiness, stubbornness, and courage make her a terrific character. Black Cat Blues sequel Ain't Misbehavin' is fantastic! Maggy, a blues singer at the Black Cat Blues Bar, witnesses the murder of a politician, which will take her on an emotional and suspenseful ride. We met the two men she loves dearly in the first story, Logan and Hunter, though she loves them for different reasons. Her relationship with Logan is complicated, while with Hunter it's a touch-and-go attachment. Even now, her heart is still torn between the two men, especially when one of them, with his virile chemistry, becomes a devil in disguise. Which one will she choose? A dilemma indeed! Maggy needs protection after tragedy strikes, but will her friends be able to protect her? Maggy is stubborn and will do what she wants. Will she realize she can't do it alone before it's too late? Meanwhile, a murderer is still on the prowl and looking for his next victim. Will he target Maggy? You won't be disappointed if you follow her wild adventures! Jo-Ann Carson has become my favorite writer of mystery-suspense novels. Her stories are thrilling, fast-paced, and romantic while also including humorous and sad moments. She nicely intertwined her main characters, Maggy, Logan, Hunter, into a tale of captivating suspense. Beware, you won't be able to put it down! Ain't Misbehavin' A naked alderman, a haunted trattoria and a love that can not be denied. When the manager of the Black Cat Blues Bar, singer Maggy Malone, witnesses a murder in her favorite trattoria, her life is upended. Known as the Naked Alderman, the victim is a controversial politician who wants Vancouver to be known as the greenest city in the world. He’s also the lover of Maggy’s best friend. Despite his noble ideals, his head ends up in the pasta. The last thing Maggy wants to do is chase another murderer. She’s worked hard to keep the Black Cat afloat and sort out her life, which is complicated by two, hot men, and acts of sabotage at her dock community on Granville Island. But when the body count rises, Maggy decides to catch the killer. BOOK INFO Genre: Romantic Suspense Release: April 18, 2016 Series: Vancouver Blues Series, Book 2 Format Read: E-Book Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A Reader's Opinion Cat lovers are sure to enjoy this suspenseful read! Ruth J. Hartman's second Kitty Beret Cafe novel, Felines and Fatalities , is suspenseful and fun from beginning to end. This book came along at a time when I wanted a light and entertaining read. The Kitty Beret Cafe series is a must if you want to relax, be kept in suspense, and laugh out loud. If you haven't read the first story, Hairballs and Homicide , then I suggest that you read it, too, but both books can be read as a standalone. You'll feel great after reading this delightful book. Ellie Warren, the owner of the Kitty Beret Café opened her business to rescue unwanted cats, which she likes to dress up and show to her customers in the hope they will be adopted. One morning, a strange woman with her cat, Dempsey, enters her shop to offer her a proposition that she won't be able to refuse. However, what started out as a fun adventure turns out to be an investigation when someone is murdered. With the help of her friend Simon Dare, a detective, Ellie and Simon embark on an adventure filled with funny situations and many twists and turns. Will she and Simon find out who is the murderer? Find out in Felines and Fatalities . Felines and Fatalities When Ellie Warren, owner of the Kitty Beret Café, gets a request to host a cat show, she’s reluctant. That is, until she discovers it’s for rescued cats only. What starts out as a fun adventure turns south when one of the judges is murdered. Can Ellie, with the help of Detective Dare, and her clever cat Templeton, run the show, crown a Best in Rescue Winner of the competition, while at the same time find the killer? BOOK INFO Genre: Cozy Mystery Release: March 18, 2021 Series: Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery, Book 2 Format Read: E-Book Source: Reader's personal library Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: No Sex; No Violence; 1 Heart—Aww! We love those sweet, clean kisses. This is a clean read appropriate for all audiences. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

A Reader's Opinion Book one of Diana Cosby's Forbidden series is wonderfully written and a must read. Sir Stephan MacQuistan is a knight of the secret Order Knights of the Templar, trusted by his master Jacques de Molay with the Templars fortune, he flees France and the greedy king for Scotland and the help of Robert the Bruce king of Scotland. Stephan is a man of great honour and courage, but is haunted from a nightmarish past. Lady Katherine Calbraaith, a young woman with a secret that if revealed will be her destruction. She's a young woman of great courage and strength. When the English take over Avalon Castle, Katherine is forced to watch while they murder her parents. With the threat of marriage to the vile English lord, Katherine escapes and seeks help from Robert the Bruce. Katherine and Stephan are thrown together in a marriage by the Bruce and each have their own reasons for accepting. The attraction to each other is strong but their marriage is consumed by secrets and deceit. Can they overcome the obstacles in the way and have a future at love and happiness? Follow Katherine and Stephane as they navigate through treachary, betrayal and deceit, and an uncertain future. Forbidden Legacy The Forbidden Series, Book 1 A betrothal neither wants . . . a passion neither can resist. When the English murder Lady Katherine Calbraith’s family, she refuses their demands to wed an English noble to retain her home. Avalon Castle is her birthright, one she’s determined to keep. After Katherine’s daring escape, she’s stunned when Scotland’s king agrees to allow her to return to Avalon, but under the protection of Sir Stephan MacQuistan . . . as the knight’s wife. To reclaim her heritage, Katherine agrees. She accepts her married fate, certain that regardless of the caliber of the man, Stephan may earn her trust, but he’ll never win her love. One of the Knights Templar, Stephan desires no bride, only vengeance for a family lost and a legacy stolen. A profound twist of fate tears apart the Brotherhood he loves, but offers him an opportunity to reclaim his legacy—Avalon Castle. Except to procure his childhood home along with a place to store Templar treasures, he must wed the unsuspecting daughter of the man who killed his family. To settle old scores, Stephan agrees, aware Katherine is merely a means to an end. The passion that arises between them is as dangerous as it is unexpected. When mortal enemies find themselves locked in love’s embrace, Stephan and Katherine must reconsider their mission and everything they once thought to be true . . . Book Info Genre: Historical Highland Romance Release: August 16, 2016 Publisher: Lyrical Press Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewed by: Maria Rose Dariotis Content Rating: 3 Hearts—Chemistry is a little sweet and little spicy. A touch of detail, but the stuff that makes us blush is behind closed doors. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site in 2016, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

Mike Martin returns with Safe Harbour , the tenth installment in his Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set against the backdrop of Newfoundland. Time to unravel the mystery! Safe Harbour Welcome back to Sgt. Windflower Mysteries, where there’s always something good cooking and another seat at the table. Sgt. Windflower is on a special assignment in St. John’s and adjusting to life in the big city. He is navigating traffic, a difficult boss at work and what seems like an epidemic of missing girls. He becomes more interested when he discovers that one of the girls is from Grand Bank. Then a girl approaches his RCMP van one night and he is pulled into the underlife of the capital city. Safe Harbour is a twirling, swirling mystery in the foggy streets of one of the oldest cities in North America. There are outlaw biker gangs and overwhelmed local police officers, who need the sharp eye and keen mind of Sgt. Windflower to help them cut through the haze and find the answers to the riddle of the missing teenagers hiding in plain sight of the authorities. A story of a man and his family growing up together with plenty of good food, old and new friends. Share the joy and heartbreak of living so close to the Atlantic Ocean. AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BOOKSHOP "This is one finely written mystery, complete with all the aspects of mature writing that allow the description to be ‘a cozy mystery’. It has it all. Highly Recommended." — Amazon review Q&A with Author Mike Martin Does writing energize or exhaust you? Writing energizes me. I love to write. I feel the most human, the most alive when I write. I believe that when we can express our creativity we are at our absolute best. Tell us about your newest release! Safe Harbour is the latest book in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. It is a light mystery which means no gore or smut or bad language. It deals with hard subjects but with a lighter touch. And there’s food!! Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? I write the story as it comes to me. The only reader considerations are to make sure it is consistent with previous books and stays within the light mystery range. Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly? No. I think the writing would come across as superficial and maybe even unreal. Writing is a creative act and it comes from deep inside and is completely connected to our emotions and maybe even our spirituality. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? The big difference was that now I knew how long a book of my type should normally be. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but there are some limits when it comes to publishing. Otherwise I hope that my writing has remained true to my core beliefs. Without that I am nothing. "You’re invited right into the heart of the Sgt. Windflower, into his home and his family routines, getting a sense of what he really is. The mystery part is good and will keep you turning pages up until the end." — Amazon review Enjoy an Excerpt from Safe Harbour Windflower looked across the lake. Well, he would have if he could have seen anything through the thick blanket of fog that had been sitting on Quidi Vidi Lake for the past seven days. One whole week, he thought. Every day since they had arrived in the port city of St. John’s, it had been the same. Windflower knew the lake was out there because he remembered running around it as his daily exercise when he was temporarily stationed here a few years back. Sheila Hillier, his wife, knew the lake was out there as well. She’d spent a couple of months doing rehab at the nearby Miller Centre when she was recovering from a serious car accident. If there wasn’t any fog, she could look out her window in May and see the rowers getting their practice in as part of their training for the Royal St. John’s Regatta, an annual event that took place down there in August. But it was a long way from spring as Windflower gazed out his window at the typical scenery for a January morning. He was the first one up, except for Lady, his collie, and Molly, the cat who never seemed to sleep anyway. She would close her eyes sometimes, but Windflower had never come into a room with her in it when she wasn’t awake and watching him. Windflower liked this time of day when his two children got up. They were Amelia Louise, his soon-to-be two-year-old daughter, and his almost-daughter, Stella, who he and Sheila were fostering. He liked this house on Forest Road, too. It wasn’t similar to his and Sheila’s in Grand Bank on the southeast coast of Newfoundland, but for a rental it suited them perfectly. It had four bedrooms, two and a half baths and a large backyard for the kids to play in and, if the weather held, for Windflower to barbeque. But the likelihood of the weather staying just simply foggy and damp was not good. There was snow in the forecast and more snow coming after that. Windflower had been in snowstorms in St. John’s before. It was hard to miss one if you travelled here regularly in the fall, winter or spring. And they didn’t come with a few flakes or a few inches of accumulation. No, snowstorms here often meant feet of snow, sometimes in the double digits, and he had come out some mornings to look for his car, only to find it buried under a virtual mountain of snow. The worst storms came in double or even triple waves. That’s when a storm system would blow through and dump one load of snow and then drift out to the nearby Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately for the good people of St. John’s, it would blow back in and repeat the damage—sometimes more than once. Windflower grabbed his anorak and hat and took Lady out to the backyard. He also brought his smudging kit. Inside were small packets of his four sacred medicines: cedar, sage, sweetgrass and tobacco. There was also an abalone shell, a small box of wooden matches and an eagle feather fan that had been gifted to him by his grandfather many years ago. End of Excerpt Excerpt © Mike Martin. Shared with permission. The Author Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand. He is the author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 10 books in this light mystery series with the publication of Safe Harbour . A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. Mike has also published Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries, a Sgt. Windflower Book of Christmas past and present. Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writing Guild and Ottawa Independent Writers. Website | Facebook | Twitter Genre: Cozy Mystery Release: June 1, 2021 Pages: 264pp Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing Type: Novel Content Rating: PG (from author: " My book is definitely on the sweet side. A light mystery with lots of family, fun, and food.") View our rating system Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!