June 2019 – Writer of Sweet Small Town Stories of Love and Family

Book Talk Tuesday: THE UNLIKELY LIFE OF MAISIE MEADOWS

Published on June 25, 2019June 25, 2019 by Live Vi-Carrie-ously2 Comments

I spotted this book on NetGalley, the website that makes advance copies of books available to reviewers. The title and the description captured me and even though I was drowning in books to read for contests and reviews, I clicked to request it. My request was granted and I’m so glad. Jenni Keer’s second novel, THE UNLIKELY LIFE OF MAISIE MEADOWS is a charmer.

maisie Maisie Meadows, the youngest in her family, is a bit OCD, a bit in love with her boss, and a bit obsessed with reuniting her far-flung and feuding family.

By the end of Chapter Two, Maisie has a new job, new bosses, and no boyfriend. And she’s grateful her two new bosses are a couple so she won’t be tempted to date either of them, in spite of the fact that her pulse seems to ratchet up whenever she sees or touches one of them.

There’s a touch of magic in the story. And it aligns with Maisie’s desire to get her family–if not reunited–at least speaking to each other, and/or in the same room, at the same time.

To say any more about Maisie’s job, the magic that follows her, her relationships with all her co-workers would give away too much of the story.

Keer created fully realized characters who could be my friends. Or my daughters’ friends. 🙂 The story is well crafted, although readers will know well before Maisie figures it out, the truth about her bosses and co-workers. But that’s easily forgiven, given the fun story.

I enjoyed this book a lot and highly recommend it!

I received a free advanced review copy of this book via NetGalley.

Book Talk Tuesday: A HIGHLANDER WALKS INTO A BAR

Published on June 18, 2019June 17, 2019 by Live Vi-Carrie-ously2 Comments

I love romantic comedy. I love Scotland. So A Highlander Walks Into A Bar had me at its name. And it did not disappoint.

Highlander Isabel Buchanan is surprised at the souvenir her mother, Rose, brings home from Scotland: a tall, estate manager with a brogue. Except he’s not really the estate manager, he’s the ninth earl of Cairndow, hiding his true name and identity. Soon, his nephew, slated to become the tenth earl, though hopefully not for a long time, follows him to Highland, Georgia.

Alasdair Blackmoor is concerned about the American woman who convinced his uncle to leave Scotland and Cairndow, so he detours from his business in New York to find out what’s what. Instead of the scheming fortune-hunter ensnaring his uncle whom he expected, he meets Izzy.

Their attraction is immediate. The sparks fly off the page. Their banter is witty and fun.

Alasdair unwittingly sets in motion a complication that he knows and the reader knows will end badly for all. I loved how Trentham resolved that.

A Highlander Walks Into a Bar is a fun and perfect summer rom com and I highly recommend it!

This book will be available July 30, but I suggest you pre-order it now so you can read it ASAP!

–For my friends and readers who prefer their reads to be sweet like their desserts, there is one sex scene.

I received a free advance copy of this book through NetGalley.

Book Talk Tuesday: The Summer of Sunshine and Margot

Published on June 11, 2019June 10, 2019 by Live Vi-Carrie-ously

It’s the beginning of summer so it must be time for a Susan Mallery novel!

Which is one my happy times of the year, along with Christmas, Thanksgiving, and the day the roadside strawberry stands open.

The Summer of Sunshine and Margot, is about twin sisters Sunshine and Margot Baxter. Margot is an etiquette expert, hired to help Bianca, a famously outrageous movie star, tame her impulses and become the wife of a diplomat. Sunshine is a nanny, determined to put her impulsive and wild days behind her, to go to college, and make something of her life.

Alec, Bianca’s son, likes his quiet life in his quiet house with his quiet ancient manuscripts. Because he loves his mother, he’s prepared to accommodate her desire that her new etiquette teacher move into the house with them.

Declan is the widowed father of Sunshine’s newest charge. The one thing he doesn’t need or want is this growing attraction to his son’s nanny. They’re just beginning to heal after the loss of his wife. His feelings for Sunshine threaten to undo the lives of all three of them.

One of the things I particularly loved about this book is the way Mallery was able to present each character in so few words in the first pages, but I quickly felt that I knew them intimately. As a writer, that’s a part of the craft I’m working on and I greatly admire Mallery’s skill.

I loved this book and highly recommend it! I couldn’t put it down!

I received a free copy of this book from the author.