Author: joycesmysteryandfictionbookreviews

I love to read, recommend books and open the world of reading to others. I tutor to ensure that the next generation of readers will know the joys of a good book because their reading skills have improved. I am an avid reader, especially of mysteries and fiction. I believe that two of the world's greatest inventions were the public library and eyeglasses!

A blog tour! High Tides and Summer Skies by Jennifer Bohnet

About the book:

High Tides and Summer Skies

New beginnings don’t always mean painful endings . . .

A fabulous, timeless story of friendship set in Devon from bestselling author Jennifer Bohnet.

As time ebbs and flows over the summer both Katie Teague and her godmother Mattie Cranford discover their lives are at a crossroads

Mattie shackled to the family wool shop for over 50 years, feels life has passed her by. She dreams of seeing the world and shaking off a lifetime of regrets.

When Katie is made redundant, Mattie seizes the moment and asks Katie to move back to her home town of Dartmouth and breathe new life into the rundown wool shop and to her surprise Katie agrees.

As Katie settles back into the rhythm of Devon life and renovating the shop, Mattie sets off on a luxury cruise.

But the arrival of Katie’s ex-boyfriend with an unexpected dream job offer threatens to unsettle the calm waters.

Will she sacrifice the shop and Mattie’s happiness – or her own career?

Previously published as Shadows of Conflict

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/hightidessocial

Author Bio –

Jennifer Bohnet is the bestselling author of over 12 women’s fiction titles, including Villa of Sun and Secrets and A Riviera Retreat. She is originally from the West Country but now lives in the wilds of rural Brittany, France.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jenniewriter1

Twitter https://twitter.com/jenniewriter

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jenniewriter/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JenniferBohnetnewsletter

My review:

My Recommendation-Four stars

Those who are looking for a relaxing summer read may very well enjoy this title. It is an easy read with good settings and characters, just the thing for a lazy afternoon. Readers meet Mattie and Katie. Mattie is of a certain age and looking to expand her world from Dartmouth, where she has lived her whole life. Katie is looking for a change after losing a job and no longer having faith in her boyfriend. Each will shake their life up with what readers will hope are good results. Mattie has run her family’s yarn shop for years but has had enough. She offers Katie the opportunity to make of it what she can, while Mattie plans her first trip away. Mattie goes on a luxury cruise where she meets Henri and has the beginnings of a romance. Katie, meanwhile, faces challenges in getting the store up and running; who is sabotaging her? Good thing that Leo is around to offer support. I liked the descriptions of the settings in this book. I especially enjoyed visiting the small island that Mattie and Henri went to (where they heard the chanting). In some ways, this story is predictable but, then again, predictable sometimes is just what I want. Recommended for when a reader wants a nice story.

Many thanks to Rachel, Boldwood Books and NetGalley. It was a pleasure to be part of the blog tour for this enjoyable title.

Part of the HTP Summer Blog Tour: In a Quiet Town

Do you enjoy stories that are absolutely filled with suspense? If yes, read on.

Many thanks to the team at HTP for the opportunity to be on this blog tour.

The cover:

About the book:

ABOUT THE BOOK:

In this chilling new novel, a pastor’s wife discovers that her estranged daughter is missing, but no one will believe her, until she meets a man claiming to be her daughter’s fiancé.

The book is about Tatum, a woman who secretly reconnects with her estranged adult daughter—secretly because Adrienne’s been all but disowned by Tatum’s husband, a pastor at the church in their small California town, where every move is watched and reported by his congregation. When Adrienne doesn’t show up for her shift at the bar where Tatum’s been visiting her, she knows something is wrong. Adrienne may have been a bit of wild child, but she hasn’t missed a day of work without calling in for years.

Tatum tries desperately to get the police or her husband to take her daughter’s disappearance seriously, until a mysterious man shows up claiming to be Adrienne’s fiancé. It’s a relief to finally have someone who believes her and is trying as hard as she is to find out where Adrienne is. But can she trust that this stranger is really who he says he is? And can she find her daughter before it’s too late?

On Sale Date: August 8, 2023

9780778334255

Trade Paperback

$18.99 USD

336 pages

She wrote it:

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they’re real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California.

SOCIAL LINKS:

Author website: https://ambergarza.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ambergarzaauthor/?hl=en 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ambermg1?lang=en

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ambergarzaauthor/ 

Try it:

PROLOGUE

His hands were in her hair, fingers threaded through the silky strands. I knew what it felt like. My fingers had been buried in her hair many times, including last night. When their lips met I sat up straighter, leaning forward. It didn’t feel real. I worked my jaw. It popped and clicked. My own mouth buzzed with the memory of how her lips felt on mine.

The kiss was long. Too long.

She liked it.

My shoulder muscles pulled tight, a rubber band being stretched beyond its limits. I thought they might snap.

The two of them drew back. She smiled. Smiled with the same lips that had smiled at me. Kissed me. Told me they loved me. Clearly, a lie.

She brushed back her hair, and the diamond on her finger sparkled.

Her ring. The one I’d given her. She was wearing it.

It felt like a punch to the gut. Like a big “fuck you” to me.

It wasn’t like she knew I’d followed her. But still… Shouldn’t she take her engagement ring off before she hooked up with another dude?

Throwing her head back, her neck exposed, she giggled.

Imagining my hands wrapping around that tender flesh, I squeezed the steering wheel. It gave under the pressure, and I squeezed harder. It felt good. Therapeutic. I pictured her terrified. Pleading. Mouth tight, eyes bulging. I squeezed and squeezed, my teeth grinding, the vein in my forehead throbbing. My muscles ached by the time I released my grip.

Their hands clasped. My breathing was labored as I watched them walk off together, around the side of the building, out of sight.

I’d loved her. Given her so much.

How dare she?

No one made a fool out of me.

She wouldn’t get away with this. Not by a long shot.

Excerpted from In A Quiet Town by Amber Garza, Copyright © 2023 by Amber Garza. Published by MIRA Books.  

Buy it:

BUY LINKS:

Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/then-she-disappeared-amber-garza/18816653?ean=9780778334255 

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-a-quiet-town-amber-garza/1142722524?ean=9780778334255 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Town-Novel-Amber-Garza/dp/0778334252

From the Publisher

No one believes her daughter is missing…until she meets a man claiming to be her daughter’s finance
"Garza... she's a master of twisted relationships." —Ashley Winstead
Expect the unexpected with more high-tension thrillers from Amber Garza

Get to know: The Principles of Philosophy (by Michael Moore)

This book offers a good introduction to an important and relevant subject. The author characterizes philosophy as an underpinning to how we understand ourselves and the world around us (in a continuous exploration).

The book is divided into ten sections. These include the principles of nature, knowledge, metaphysics, logic, ethics, language, mind, aesthetics, politics and religion. There is also a list of additional suggested readings.

The author writes in an approachable way. I like that each chapter begins with a section of questions to focus the reader’s attention. It is also nice that there are illustrations.

Readers can learn a lot from this title. Read in order or dip in based on your interests. Budding philosophers (and humans) take a look at this excellent introduction to the field. It is worth your time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Arcturus Publishing for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 01 August 2023