Book Review: When We Met by Susan Mallery

Synopsis: Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can’t be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool’s Gold, California, he’s cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he’s not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe. Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe to toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses. Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.

Teaser Tuesday: When We Met by Susan Mallery

When We Met by Susan Mallery

You’re being nice. Am I dying and don’t know it?

There’s no point saving the world if you can’t save the people you love.

“There’ll be cookies. Cookies help.”

“I’m not five. You can’t change my mood with a cookie.”

Book Review: Love is a Thief by Claire Garber

Synopsis: The story of one girl’s journey to take back what love stole. What did you miss out on because you fell in love? I might just be that girl. You know the one. The girl who, for no particular reason, doesn’t get the guy, doesn’t have children, doesn’t get the romantic happy ever after. So I needed to come up with a plan. What did I like doing? What didn’t I get to do because I fell in love? What would I be happy spending the rest of my life doing if love never showed up again? Kate Winters is going on a journey to do all the things that love has snatched from her and her friends, to reclaim her dreams and theirs in the hope of finding her future. But there’s a chance that new dreams are better than the old…

Teaser Tuesday: Love is a Thief by Claire Garber

Love is a Thief by Claire Garber

If you tell the universe you really want something and every day you show up for it… drag yourself out of bed and you yell “universe I want this”, you will be surprised how often the universe delivers.

When you start making choices with someone else in mind, second-guessing them and their wants and needs, you will probably end up losing the one thing you were trying to keep hold of. I think if I had just gotten into the habit of making good choices for myself I would not have missed out on anything at all.

The boundaries and limits in our lives are always self-imposed. You can only live the life you can imagine.

Book Review: Awakening by Elene Sallinger

Synopsis: Claire Ryan is finally coming out of her shell after a devastating breakup. What better way to rejoin the world than through a romance book club. But she never expects to find love for herself… Bookshop owner Evan Lang still harbours deep grief for the death of his wife. He’d introduced her to a world of domination she’d never before known. He thinks he’ll never be able to find someone that open, that responsive again. Until Claire walks through his door…

Teaser Tuesday: Awakening by Elene Sallinger

Awakening by Elene Sallinger

Tears are for things you can’t change, not for things you can.

Or is it you’re afraid you’re going to like everything I do to you, no matter what it is? No matter how depraved your mind tells you it is?

Book Review: Find the Girl by Lucy and Lydia Connell

Synopsis: Falling for your best friend’s love interest is bad…Falling for your twin’s is catastrophic. As kids, Nina and Nancy were inseparable. As teenagers, not so much. Nancy is popular, an Instagram star, and obsessed with boy band heartthrob Chase. Nina is shy, a talented classical musician, and shuns the spotlight that her sister thrives in. But when the wrong twin unwittingly ends up at the centre of a romantic social media storm, the bonds of twin-ship will be tested like never before…

My Bookish Life: Intentions for 2021

“Fight through the dark to find the spark…shine together, bright forever.”
— Madison Reyes

For the past three years, now going on four, I have used a journaling workbook called Unravel Your Year by Susannah Conway. It has each person reflect on the year past, your accomplishments and your disappointments and how things have changed over the previous twelve months. Once you have examined the past, you can then decide your path going forward into the new year.

One of my favourite things to do is choose my word for the year. This single phrase sets the tone for what you want to focus on and is a reminder of all you wish to accomplish. In order to integrate my word into my daily life, to give me a boost when I am feeling discouraged, I look for a song. In the past I have used Possibilities by Freddie Stroma (open to opportunities), Determinate by Lemonade Mouth (defined plan and setting limits), and Me by Taylor Swift (self-care). This year my word comes from the soundtrack of the new show Julie and the Phantoms.

After the darkness of last year, I need a light to help guide me through the coming year. Not only do I want my future to shine, but I also want to be luminous with hope and happiness myself. The word I chose is…