Summer in a Cornish Cove

Set against the stunning backdrop of the glorious Cornish Rivieria, this summer will change their lives for ever! The book to fall in love with this summer - perfect for fans of Fern Britton, Liz Fenwick and Veronica Henry.

Oliver Foxley is an acclaimed movie star, global heartthrob and one half of Hollywood's golden couple. But under the glare of the spotlight his 'perfect' life is slowly starting to crumble.

Cara Penhaligon is a struggling young Cornish artist, and widowed mother of two children. Life has been unbearably harsh to Cara, but meeting Oliver might just give her a second chance at the happiness she deserves. As each begins to heal the other, the pieces of Oliver's frustrating jigsaw puzzle effortlessly fall into place. But as the Cornish summer draws to a close, Oliver faces the toughest of choices, and no one emerges quite as they were at the start.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Summer in a Cornish Cove by Kate Ryder is a novel of escape and new beginnings. The main characters, Cara and Oliver, each have an invisible weight on their shoulders that keeps them struggling to find happiness. Maybe one summer together can change that... 

Cara Penhaligon is a beautiful woman, wonderful mother, exemplary artist, and devastated widow. Though she finds fleeting moments of happiness with her children and her painting, Cara is still severely impacted by her husband's sudden death. Readers will connect with her through this horrible experience and feel respect for her as she moves on, feeling as if her late husband is with her, almost as a guide to finding happiness again. 

Oliver Foxley is a famous actor that suffers from deep depression. He's managed to keep this aspect of his personality a secret, but it demands constant attention, often leaving Oliver alone for days as he struggles to find his way out of the 'grey mist.' His wife tries, but she doesn't exactly understand how much it effects him. Readers will understand his suffering as they witness the depression seep in and dictate his emotions and actions. 

When Cara and Oliver meet, the attraction is instantaneous. Oliver immediately feels like he can be himself around Cara and Cara feels like she can find happiness again with him. While Oliver takes top billing in a play circling Cornwall area theaters, they spend the summer rediscovering what it feels like to be free from invisible weights. And though Ryder writes the story like a tale of happily ever after, there are a few dark moments in the book and negative aspects that caught me off guard. 

First, I didn't exactly like that Oliver was cheating on his wife who had previously supported him and his career, putting hers on hold so she could be there for him. One experience even leads Oliver to have a stalker (an overly obsessed fan) which ends in tragedy. I felt like this took away from the story of Oliver finding relief from his depression. And I know that the way the book ended was probably more realistic, I just didn't feel satisfied with how it all played out. I also am not sure (spoiler alert) that I believe Cara was okay with how Oliver left her after the summer was over. Finding happiness again equals happiness in my book while finding happiness for a few months and then losing it again does not. 

Because of these negative aspects of the book, I felt unsatisfied when it was all said and done. I thought the story was going to be about a summer of finding love and happiness, with a few trials, but nothing as serious as suicide and cheating on a spouse. Like I previously pointed out, maybe the way it's written is more realistic, but I wasn't exactly happy with it. I just had different expectations. 

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

What's Next, Wednesday (105)

•  To play along share a book you've been looking forward to reading, whether it's new or has been on your reading list for a while.

I'm looking forward to... 

Summer in a Cornish Cove by Kate Ryder. I got my copy for review and I'm ready to start it today! I have a three day weekend and reading and relaxing are at the top of my to-do list. I can't wait to start this later and read all about a famous movie star falling for a widow with two children. Though the falling in love part is just what I'm hoping, it has yet to be confirmed. What is everyone reading for their long weekend? 

What's Next, Wednesday (104)

•  To play along share a book you've been looking forward to reading, whether it's new or has been on your reading list for a while.

I'm looking forward to... 

Summer in a Cornish Cove by Kate Ryder. Hopefully, I'll be putting this on my reading list soon! After a couple of serious reads, I'm ready to switch back to something easy and fun. Obviously, I like to keep my reading list guessing! haha. Seriously though, love stories and summer adventures are a great switch up after murder mysteries and dramas. In this book, a popular film star meets a widowed mother of two and it may just end up changing his, and her, life. 

The French Adventure

Suddenly unemployed and single, Anna escapes to her parents' beautiful house in France for a much-needed recharge – and to work out what she wants to do next with her life now her carefully mapped out plan has gone out the window.

Anna gives herself 6 months to recuperate, all the while helping renovate her parents' adjoining gites into picturesque B&Bs. But working alongside the ruggedly handsome Sam on the renovation project, she didn't expect for life to take an unexpected, if not unwelcome, twist...

*May Contain Spoilers*

The French Adventure is certainly a perfect springtime getaway! Lucy Coleman gives readers a strong female character who decides to completely rebuild her life after she realizes that the path she's on isn't right for her. 

Anna is a very intelligent webpage designer who realizes that her current relationship isn't going in the direction she'd like. Because her beau is a co-worker, that means her job is out too. With nothing else to lose, Anna decides to join her parents in France for the summer on a working holiday. Though it turns into much, much more. Anna's decision to rewrite her life is one that requires courage and bravery. It's hard to let go of something you worked so hard for when you realize it's not what you thought it would be. Anna's struggle between what she feels her life should look like and what she wants it to look like is an experience that readers will relate to. Her determination, focus, and diligence will also have readers feeling connected to her character.

This book has a few simultaneous plot lines that weave in and out making this novel a fun, realistic, and romantic read. The first storyline that seems to underline the entire summer adventure for Anna is that her ex-boyfriend wants her back after she leaves London. It's almost harassment how badly he wants her back and Anna struggles to balance her feelings and actions while she's in another country. The second storyline that added a layer of depth to the novel was the mysterious box Anna finds while working at her parents' B&B. As she goes into search mode to find the owner, she connects with the town's people as well as adventures across France to uncover more and more details. The final plot line and perhaps the most intriguing to readers is the love story between Anna and Sam. It's a bit unconventional, as Sam is unconventional with a haunted heart, but it's surprising, interesting, and connects two people who challenge each other in a positive way. 

With three different plot lines intersecting, there's something in this novel for multiple types of readers. Though I think this book would be best recommended for those who enjoy a love story, the mystery aspect of the lost box also intrigued me as a reader. Thus, the connection of the two genres turned into an enjoyable read and The French Adventure become a provider of both escape and entertainment. 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups

Years in an Instant

When we last left our heroine at the end of the critically acclaimed novel "Like a Closed Fist", Phoebe was floundering. Left with a broken heart and shattered pride, she turns to the much older Mitch to pick up the pieces. This time, her father’s best friend doesn’t resist her.

Bruce, everyone’s favorite tough-love dad, finally takes a stand and tries to break the mismatched pair up. Phoebe, hurt and humiliated once again, runs away from home. Out on her own for the first time, she learns life’s greatest lesson: how to grow up.

Phoebe 2.0, mature and enjoying her independence, is determined to take a break from romance. But, as often happens, her best-laid plans go awry. Is it just a rebound, or will Phoebe fall in love?

With Bruce, Mitch, Annie, Mark, Frankie, Mason, Leo, and another trip to beautiful North Carolina, this California girl has another adventure in store for her!

*May Contain Spoilers*

Years in an Instant by E.H. Nolan is the sequel to Like a Closed Fist, which I reviewed a little over a year ago. With the ending of that book leaving Pheobe's life in complete chaos, the second part of the story was bound to come out. Though highly immature in the first book, this sequel shows Pheobe attempting to grow up and be her own person -- but relationships, love, and heartbreak get in the way once again. 

In this installment of her story, Pheobe tries to be a mature adult, but the way she begins is anything but. Involved with a married man since her wedding-that-never-happened, Pheobe thinks Mitch will leave his wife for her. But he won't. Though she doesn't realize this -- her dad does and puts a stop to Mitch's interest in his daughter. Thank goodness! Pheobe's dad was my favorite character in the first book and he is sadly absent for most of this novel. Though he does do the right thing for his daughter before he steps aside from the cast list. Pheobe's reaction to her father's actions are a bit ridiculous. She moves out of their family home without so much as a text message and into an apartment listed on Craigslist. Then Frankie comes back in the picture and she's completely over Mitch and moving on to fall in love with the Merchant Marine who lives across the country. 

Though the book was entertaining, it was really difficult to take Pheobe seriously. She falls in and out of love a lot. And I know that your 20s are all for figuring stuff out, but I was judging her decision-making skills from the start. A few times throughout the book I almost didn't want to continue, but it never got that bad. 

However, let me emphasize it wasn't the writing style. It wasn't the storyline. It was the main character. I felt like I couldn't connect with her. She's described as the woman who every man wants because she's so beautiful, but she's so trusting and naive that those men end up using her or trying to abuse her. To say it's bothersome is an understatement. Overall, I didn't feel like she was realistic enough to connect with. I want her to grow into a stronger character and a stronger woman who doesn't need to fall in love with every man who shows interest in her. And I want her to decide for herself who she wants to be with, not jump at every opportunity. I also want her to put her life goals ahead of her constantly shifting love life. I mean, she loses her job in this book because she's chasing after a man who told her he did not want to be with her. 

I'm starting to ramble, which is something I do a lot. My own character flaw. As a novel full of drama and entertainment, I would recommend this book. However, as a book that readers can connect to, I think that's a struggle... And even though there was a cliffhanger ending (again) I don't know if I'll read the next book. It doesn't seem like my cup of coffee. 

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

Read the review of book one, Like a Closed Fist. 

Brewing Up Murder (Coffee Cup Mysteries #1)

As the owner of Mystery Cup Café in Wilton, Missouri, a town made famous by a string of long-ago murders, Blake Harper is used to the mysterious. When her barista is found strangled in a mound of coffee beans, Blake vows to find the killer, even though her sister, the town’s lead police detective, tells her to stay out of it.

Blake finds plenty of suspects, like the owners of a rival coffee shop and the handsome new bookstore owner. But when new threats are made, she soon realizes the danger is centered around Mystery Cup and someone is targeting her personally.

Will Blake be able to solve the murder, find a new barista, and perfect her recipe for espresso brownies before she becomes the next victim?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Neila Young introduces a new series with her first installment, Brewing Up Murder, combining the perk of being a coffee addict with the dangerous nature of murder. The main character, Blake, is a coffee shop owner on a street in which all shops boast a name associated with murder or death. When murder does return to this small town, Blake's curious nature threatens to get her into a grave of trouble. 

Blake Harper is one of the hubs of the small town this story takes place in. As a coffee shop owner, she sees many of the townspeople every day while also serving tourists who visit the small town with a murderous history. As a fellow coffee lover, I really liked Blake's character. She's nice, loyal, curious, but she definitely struggles to stay out of situations that could result in a mortal injury. Even though she has an insatiable need to know what's going on, I think if a killer warned me personally to stay out of it -- I would. I also found it very interesting, and entertaining, that Young would open up a love triangle in the middle of the murder mystery. It definitely seems to break some rules about murder mysteries, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The two men that appear with a deep interest in Blake are a bookstore owner and a doctor. While one is dark and brooding, the other seems to have a southern accent and loves to use the pet name, 'Sugar.' This line of romantic interest may just be the link connecting all of the Coffee Cup Mystery books because both men are set up with dates by the end. Even though Blake makes some silly decisions when it comes to her personal safety, I think readers will connect with her mainly through her personality. She's fun and interesting and can't help but poke the hornet's nest. 

The main plotline follows the murder of one of Blake's employees. With hardly any evidence but a long list of suspects, Blake decides to try to solve the crime even though her detective sister directly tells her not to. Of course, this gets Blake into a couple of very sticky situations. Most of the novel is Blake trying to put the seemingly disjointed pieces together, getting hurt, while the side plot love stories slowly build. I do admit that I wasn't able to identify the murderer before the novel ended, which is always nice. I like being wrong every once in a while, but in my defense, I was on the right track with the clues. I would definitely recommend this book to readers of romance and mysteries as this book combines them pretty well. 

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Breaking the Ice

When routine driven box office assistant Samantha Smith meets the stars of 'Skating on Broadway' her life is turned upside down. Immediately attracted to the infamous lead skater Jimmy Lloyd, Samantha does her best to deny her feelings. But when all you can do is burst out laughing and hyperventilate every time you're under pressure, keeping things under wraps is a hard task. When the future of her beloved Civic Hall is threatened Samantha must rise to the challenge to ensure its survival. Constantly scrutinised and criticised by her zany sister Cleo and her brogue wearing boyfriend Jeremy, can Samantha save her job, save the Civic Hall and stop her panic attacks just long enough to give her away her heart?

*May Contain Spoilers*

Mandy Baggot shares the story of an unexpected romance between a previously reckless celebrity and an increasingly careful young woman in her novel, Breaking the Ice. As both main characters falter over their personal struggles, they find a sense of peace and hope for the future in each other resulting in a book where opposites do much more than just attract. 

Samantha was a difficult character to like at first. She's very routine and sometimes that can come across as boring. Samantha likes everything in order -- emphasis on the everything. She has a job which she enjoys, shares a flat with her sister, and does not date on account of her very picky nature. Yet, as the book continues, readers will get a better sense of who she is when she isn't comparing herself to her wild sister, Cleo. Samantha evolves into a more assertive version of herself who is willing to fight for what she wants, even though her panic attacks threaten to send her to the hospital every time something doesn't go her way. Her cautious nature and high anxiety help make Samantha a more down to earth person, giving her faults and hurdles that she must overcome if she wants to make it to 'happily ever after.' I think readers will find her growth entertaining as well as heartfelt, as Jimmy helps her come out of her shell. 

Jimmy Lloyd is a famous ice skater who has had previous trouble with alcoholism. After his time in rehab, he was given a second chance in the show premiering at Samantha's theater in England. Jimmy, though troublesome in the past, has become a very patient, kind, and caring man. He is very polite and accommodating with Samantha, as he helps her overcome her fears. As a celebrity, Samantha believes that there is no way he could be interested in her romantically, yet finds herself falling for him. When Jimmy admits to his own feelings, sparks start to shine as their relationship unfolds. Readers will admire Jimmy's struggle to overcome his alcohol addiction and respect his honesty and perseverance.  Plus, he plays the hero to shy Samantha, and that's endearing all on its own. 

The plot of the novel revolves around Samantha's career as she learns that the theater in which she works may be shut down. This pushes Samantha to fight for what she wants and really overcome her fears. With Jimmy by her side, and her sister adding humor and hilarity to the book, Samantha tries to achieve her goals. Though her predicament isn't the only interesting story line as Jimmy also finds himself in a bit of trouble regarding his reputation and alcoholism. Yet, as Mandy Baggot's books always finish with a happy ending, it wasn't hard to figure out what was going to happen. However, it's always a nice feeling to get exactly what you want as a reader, even if the path is twisted and, sometimes, gloomy. For readers who enjoy love stories and character growth, as well as detailed relationship development and a slightly slower pace, I would happily suggest this book. 

Rating: 2.5/5 Cups

Storm of Attraction (Willowdale #1)

Alexa Wolving has just one rule: never give a guy a second chance. That works just fine in the safe life she’s built. In the charming town of Willowdale, her day job as a librarian balances perfectly with her evening job as a black belt instructor. But when she attracts the attention of a stalker, Alexa’s carefully built world begins to crumble.

Drew Cosimo knows he broke Alexa’s heart five years ago when he took his first Ranger assignment and disappeared from her life. Now that he’s out of the army, he’s moving back home to Willowdale. He’s not looking for a fight, but making peace would be easier if Alexa hadn’t told the entire town he was a money-grubbing jerk. Despite the tension between them, Drew is quick to offer his protection when a stalker forces Alexa from her home.

As the stalker’s attacks escalate, Alexa and Drew are forced to face their painful past and the simmering attraction between them. They must fight to save each other before everything they care about goes up in flames.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Lily Black introduces her Willowdale series with it's first installment, Storm of Attraction. In this small town, everyone knows everyone and gossip spreads quickly. But there's one person hiding in plain sight, stalking main character Alexa, with hopes of teaching her a dangerous lesson. 

Alexa is a librarian by day and a martial arts instructor by night. Her two career choices demonstrate her intelligence as well as her athletic ability. Readers will enjoy Alexa's dedication to her self, as they also notice she seems to hide in her careers. Her rule of never giving a guy a second chance, keeps her on the edge of the dating pool. And her past experience with Drew Cosimo allows readers to see how she's still suffering from a broken heart that is still healing after five years. While her past will give readers an initial emotional connection, the fact that she has a stalker will also bring readers to her side as the fear continuously rises. At first, Alexa wasn't frightened of the anonymous person leaving her gifts. She chalked it up to a nice student or a friendly neighbor. But when her tire is purposely slashed, it seems the stalker's game just rose to the next level. 

This action brings Drew back into Alexa's life. Drew has just finished his career as an Army Ranger and has decided to move back to Willowdale to open up his own mixed martial arts training center. When Drew learns of Alexa's stalker, his protective feelings for her kick into overdrive as he promises to protect her. His strength, courage, and caring nature are highlighted for readers to witness. Even though he broke Alexa's heart in the past, readers learn his side of the story and are able to forgive him with hopes that Alexa can forgive him too. 

The main plot of Storm of Attraction is the blossoming relationship between Alexa and Drew while they try to figure out who her stalker could be. The situations escalate quickly from gifts to attempted murder, pushing Alexa into a constant state of fear and Drew into a worried state of protectiveness. All the while, Alexa is learning about the more mature Drew, the Drew that has grown up through his tour as an Army Ranger and the Drew that regrets how he treated Alexa five years before. Also, importantly, through this frightening situation, Alexa also learns about herself and why she's shut herself off from second chances and believing in people. Her epiphany helps her evolve into a more self aware character who understands how outside influence and misplaced feelings can cloud her judgement. Though this book does involve a bit of action and a chilling stalker, I think Storm of Attraction is mainly a romance. This puts the focus on Alexa and Drew's relationship while the stalker adds a degree of intrigue and terror. Therefore I think readers who enjoy romances with a side of danger would like this book. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Teaser Tuesday (222)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm/Books and a Beat. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers



S.I.N.G.L.E. (Still in Need of a Good Loving Equivalent) ( Kindle 20%)
     - Lindsay Marie Miller

"Nothing happened," I barked back. "We went to Dairy Queen, the washing machine exploded, and then he kissed me."

Record

One word, one glance between a long-legged girl and a musician and so begins mankind's oldest story. But will their new-found ardour survive the darkness that lurks beyond the blinding sunlight of a magical summer? Will they be able to sacrifice promises given and commitments made?

Against a backdrop of Italian cities, Moro peels away in layers the depths of passion, ruthlessness and the urgency of lovers when need and desire overrule everything.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Record. A piece of evidence of the past or saving something in a permanent form. Alessandro sets his mind to writing down what brought him to his red-headed girl. Record, by Moro, is an account of how they met, how they connected, the pain they caused, and the happiness they found. A mixture of hurt and love. An honest confession that readers will witness.

 

Alessandro is the main character and the narrator of this short novel. He's been in the same relationship with the same wrong woman for eleven years. Meeting the red-haired beauty (who is never named) shifts something within him and suddenly he wants more from life. He's tired of living with and pretending to love a woman he's never loved. Alessandro is an intelligent character, a teacher, a translator, a songwriter, a poet. He's also a worrier who likes to impress. He's a dreamer and a philosopher. Readers will admire his intelligence and his passion. Though lying to his current girlfriend was a bit snakey. Going for a married woman with children was also a check in the 'dislike' category. Now that that has been said, when unhappiness is prevalent in a relationship, ending it is an understandable option. Though I think that Alessandro and the woman could have gone about it a better way. The woman was honest with her husband, after he saw an incriminating text message. So there's that positive note. Readers may be a bit wary about the blossoming love story between the two characters because of the complicated nature.

 

Record is the telling of Alessandro and the woman's love story. They met at an academic faculty get-together and both were intrigued. Alessandro plots to see her again and get her e-mail address to connect with her further. He finds out she's married, and he's in a relationship, but that doesn't stop either of them. They know they're both unhappy and believe that they can find, and create, happiness together. Even though their getting together involves lying and cheating, Alessandro isn't hiding that fact from the reader. He knows that it was wrong and I think writing it down is his way of apologizing to the people involved who may have been hurt. This interpretation increases the connection readers will feel with Alessandro and the book's ending will show that their love is real.

 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups



A New Hope (Thunder Point #8)

After losing her child, Ginger Dysart was lost in grief. But since moving to Thunder Point, a small town on the Oregon coast, and with the help of her cousin Ray Anne, Ginger is finally moving forward. Her job at the flower shop is peaceful and fulfilling, and she's excited to start her first big assignment, assisting with the Lacoumette wedding.

In spite of her lasting heartache, Ginger finds herself swept up in the pleasure of the occasion. But the beauty of the Lacoumette farm and the joy of the gregarious family are ruined by an unfortunate encounter with the bride's brother, Matt. Struggling with painful memories of his own recent divorce, Matt makes a drunken spectacle of himself and Ginger when he tries to make a pass at her, forcing Ginger to flee the scene in embarrassment.

But when Matt shows up at the flower shop determined to make amends, what started out as a humiliating first meeting blossoms into something much deeper than either of them expected. Discovering they have a lot in common, they form a solid friendship, though everyone around them worries that Ginger will end up with a broken heart yet again. But if Ginger has the courage to embrace the future, and if Matt can finally learn to let go of the past, there may still be hope for a happy ending.

*May Contain Spoilers*

 

Every once in a while, readers need a book that is just a feel good story. A story that will lighten the mood, bring a smile, maybe even spark a little inspiration. Robyn Carr delivers exactly that in her the eighth installment of the Thunder Point series, A New Hope.

 

Two main characters, two similar stories of heartache, two dreams of moving on to the future. Ginger is the nicest woman you've ever met or will ever meet. She loves helping people whatever it may entail. She made the mistake of marrying the wrong man when she was a bit younger and heartbreakingly lost a baby to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Though she's lived through the darkest of depressions, Ginger is starting to rediscover herself and her hope for the future. Readers will enjoy her honesty, her goodness, and her open-hearted nature. She's a character that is easy to connect to and easy to understand.

 

Matt is a little more difficult to understand but he's still rather relatable. He also married the wrong woman when he was younger. And it was awful. An aspiring model doesn't exactly fit in on the farm and his wife never did, but the main reason he divorced her is a secret. A secret that's eating at him. A secret that he has never told anyone. Matt is a little worse off than Ginger, as she has had a bit more time to let go of her misfortunes. But they both still struggle. They dream of a life full of love and family. A life that seems, at times, unobtainable. Readers will come to care for the brooding farmer as he attempts to sweep Ginger off her feet, but if he can't let go of his anger then there will be no happy future.

 

The story line is a nice and easy tale of falling in love and choosing that love over hate. Matt and Ginger meet at his sister's wedding and when Matt realizes that he made a complete fool out of himself to a beautiful woman, he must track her down and apologize, over dinner. Thus begins a friendship that inspires new hope for the future, together. Readers will certainly be entertained by the couple's banter, decisions to overcome their obstacles, and let go of their darkness. Oh, and a little romance. Wonderful, quick, easy read.

 

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups



Sonnets

The sonnet is the most useful and, arguably, the most-popular poetic form in English. Long-lived, brief, fashioned by rhyme, sharing private contemplation at its best. Here are thirty-three such momentary monuments.

**

Charles Gerard Timm shares an unrequited love story through sonnets in his book titled simply, Sonnets. In this collection of thirty-three poems, Timm takes a unique look at love -- one that is confined to the rules of the sonnet, a popular yet difficult poem construct. 

A sonnet has one main rule: there can only be fourteen lines and each line must have exactly ten syllables. This makes word usage and description a challenge, especially when you're trying to tell a story on top of it. Timm's focus and daring endeavor impressed me, to say the least. The story was even easy to understand. 

Sonnets focus is that of a man who falls in love with a woman during a dark time in his life. "The stage boards chilled me like a winter beach/ Of pricking winds and cutting shells and foam/ till tender... And then, one day, you strolled that gritty space/ In spots of light that gave the dark a chase..." (III). Happiness duly follows until he discovers that a romantic relationship with this woman is unattainable. "She's wedded, but labels love is blind,/ And love it is extinguishing my mind..." (IV). Happiness morphs to heartbreak but there is still a light in the darkness. "I saw her flanked by husband and by child... I pray now for their happiness, all three" (XIII).

Readers will enjoy this creative story as they witness the poet falling in love and struggling to accept the unrequited nature that sometimes accompanies that fickle emotion. I thoroughly enjoyed this inventive and unexpected storytelling endeavor. With each sonnet portraying a piece of the puzzle, when all combined a moment in this poet's world is exposed. In a word, it's touching. And I feel, now that I know the main story, I can reread and reexamine the sonnets individually and gain even more of a connection with this narrator. Bravo, Timm. 

Rating: 3/5

The Family Divided

One family, divided by death – and money

Andy Batiste, at loggerheads with his degenerate cousin, seeks to discover the truth of his family history. Why was his pregnant grandmother forced to flee to France? What really happened to her husband during the German Occupation, sixty years ago? Who accused Edmund, the elder son and Batiste heir, of being an informer? Was he really a traitor – and who murdered him?

With Edmund’s brother Harold now head of the family, enjoying the wealth which ought to have come to Andy’s father, the family is forever divided. Andy yearns to clear Edmund’s name and restore his father to his rightful inheritance.

Into the conflict comes Charlotte Townsend, newly divorced, lonely and struggling with writer’s block and the consuming threat of impending loss. She returns for healing at Guernsey's natural health centre, La Folie, and becomes involved in Andy’s family affairs.

Together they embark on a hunt for the truth…

*May Contain Spoilers*

Anne Allen writes of enchanting Guernsey in her fourth installment of the Guernsey novels, The Family Divided, making readers jealous with abundant love matches and mysteries. I've enjoyed the Guernsey novels from the beginning, and am still excited for each one. Anne Allen brings the reader into the circle of islanders, making them a part of the family, while introducing new characters to join the previous.

This time the focus is the wealthy, socialite, Charlotte Townsend, publisher and aspiring author. She was introduced briefly in the previous installment and has become a dear friend of Louisa, the third Guernsey girl. Charlotte is a character in motion. She's recently divorced and is still figuring out who she wants to be and where she wants to go in life. Charlotte is a little on the snooty side with her manor house and personal chef, but she has been known to have a carefree notion and dice a few vegetables. Readers will enjoy watching her wonder about starting over, stumble, and finally decide to leap. She's a loving character who tends to over worry a bit, though only about the serious things. She struggles to keep her head up when her mother's cancer returns and buries herself in research for a man she barely knows. Though that does change quite quickly. Head over heels, I believe. The reader will connect with Charlotte through her worries, her faith, and her openness while also enjoying the plot. 

The storyline follows Charlotte to Guernsey where Andy has made a life as an architect. Andy is a friend of Paul, who is still dating Louisa from book three. Charlotte meets Andy while having lunch with Louisa and offers to be his research assistant to an intriguing mystery going back sixty years. A mystery involving his father, murder, and a rather large inheritance. Though the mystery is the main focus of the characters, the characters are the main focus of the book. Charlotte is trying to uncover the truth of Andy's family while also trying to emotionally support her mother and decide what she wants for her future. Andy falls for Charlotte almost immediately, but feels he needs to hold back as they are from different social classes. Though once the mystery is solved, their relationship is the only thing left to figure out and Anne Allen does a nice job giving readers a happy ending with the promise of more.

Rating: 3.5/5 Cups