Genre: Disability Fiction Release Date: May 24, 2024
INTRODUCTION:
This is not a review but it is a Spotlight of a book I want to read. Life has gotten in the way this year and I haven’t had the time to read like I usually do. I’ve missed it. I wanted to post this Spotlight to bring to your attention a book that I think a lot of my fellow readers would love to read. I hope it catches your interest and is something you’ll enjoy!
SYNOPSIS:
The rain pours down, plastering his hair to his head and his shirt to his body. He takes my hand and puts it over his heart.
“See? Still beating.”
Pounding is more like it…
How do you let go of your first love when his memory still owns your heart?
Ten years ago, Robin’s world was cracked open by Jed—a brilliant, complicated young man who told her not to fall for him. But she did. She gave him everything, only to lose him to a chronic illness that was always waiting in the wings.
Now, Robin is finally rebuilding. She has a new career, a small but solid circle of support, and Nick—a funny, passionate, infuriatingly earnest guy who sees her for who she is. He doesn’t know about Jed. Or the play Jed wrote for her. Or that Robin has agreed to star in its long-overdue debut.
As opening night nears, Robin is haunted by what could have been—and by what still might be. She’s caught between honoring the past and claiming her future, between the person she was and the person she wants to become. And the more she tries to move forward, the more she wonders: is letting go an act of betrayal… or the bravest kind of love?
A deeply moving novel about grief, second chances, and the stories that shape us, The Next Breath will resonate with anyone who has ever tried to love again without forgetting where they started.
Winner of the 2024 Kindle Book Award (Romance)
What They’re Saying on Bookstagram & BookTok: “I cried real tears and my heart still hurts… It was raw and emotional and deep. Will I forever recommend it? Yes.” -at Tonilynette
“Wanna a romance book that’s going to destroy you at 3 a.m?…The Next Breath will break your heat and leave you hopeful all at once.” -at andreabookster
“Warning! You’ll need tissues! This book touches love, loss, and finding the courage to move on, and it’s beautifully written!” -at sams_shelvess
“Deeply moving novel about grief, second chances, and the stories that shape us, The Next Breath will resonate with anyone who has ever tried to love again without forgetting where they started.” -at meganxmariex88
“Guys, at laurel_osterkamp destroys me in these books. This book is raw, emotional and a definite page turner.” -at joannasbookshelf
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Laurel Osterkamp writes smart, emotionally rich fiction about messy relationships, creative reinvention, and the kind of love that leaves a mark. She’s the award-winning author of nearly a dozen novels, including Favorite Daughters and the #1 Amazon bestseller Beautiful Little Furies. Her newest novel, The Side Project, blends second-chance romance with literary flair—perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Annabel Monaghan, and anyone who loves bookish love stories with bite.
In addition to her novels, Laurel’s short fiction has appeared in literary journals across the web. When she’s not writing (which is rare), she teaches adult ESL and middle school enrichment classes, goes running with twisty audiobooks in her ears, and educates her daughter on the cultural importance of Beverly Hills, 90210.
She lives in Minneapolis with a family that loves to argue and cats that love to hiss. Ramona Quimby is her spirit animal.
Follow her on Instagram @laurel_osterkamp or subscribe to her newsletter at laurellit dot com for behind-the-scenes stories, book news, and reader extras.
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction Release Date: March 17, 2026
REVIEW:
If you ask me Jill Hannah Anderson does not write enough books. She is such a good author and knows how to tell a story that will grab your heart and not let go. After We Break is one of those books you will never forget. My heart was torn in two and mended back together so many times in her new book.
This book is about a woman named Eden Everson who has worked her way up in the corporate world and it is sucking her life out of her. It is ruining her health and her relationship with her son. She is from a small town and desperately wants to move out of the big city, but is worried she will lose her son. She is divorced and has half custody.
This book is about finding what is right for you and having the courage to go after what you want and making your life your own. Ms. Anderson writes about strong women. We sometimes think that being strong is not worrying and not having doubts about where your life is going. Jill shows us the other side of the story.
We meet some wonderful characters in this book. One in particular will stick with me a long time. He is a Viet Nam veteran whose name is David. While Eden was going through some boxes her mother left with her, she found a POW bracelet that her mother wore back in the 70’s. He is a wonderful man that left a big impression on my soul.
After We Break by Jill Hannah Anderson has so much going for it. I could go on forever with all the good points in the story. I won’t because I hope you will get your own copy of this book for your nightstand It truly is a wonderful book. Until next time…Happy Reading!
Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
SYNOPSIS:
Single mom Eden Everson reaches a breaking point in her high-pressure career when her soul-sucking job affects her health and her relationship with her son, Ryan. Ready to jump from the corporate ladder but needing a safety net, she takes some time off to regroup.
While going through boxes from her childhood, she finds the Vietnam POW bracelet her mom wore decades ago. After checking online, she discovers the veteran, David, is alive and lives only two hours away. When Eden travels to the quaint Minnesota town of Crimson Creek to return the bracelet, she feels an immediate connection with the town, which reminds her of her youth and the lifestyle she craves.
During their marriage, Eden’s ex-husband chose their city life, pushing her up the corporate ladder to support that. Now, Eden wants to pursue her own dreams, but leaving the Twin Cities means possibly losing her son. Eden must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to reclaim the life she was meant to live.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jill Hannah Anderson writes about women determined to reclaim their lives. Stories of family, friendship, forgiveness, and fortitude. She lives on a lake in Minnesota with her husband. Jill’s new book, “After We Break”, released March 17, 2026. She is also the author of “Closer to Home”, “A Life Unraveled”, “Crazy Little Town Called Love”, and “The To Hell And Back Club”.
Dark Current by Ashley Farley was one of the best books I’ve read by her in the Crime Fiction category. If you have followed me for very long, you know I am a big fan of Crime and Mystery stories. I am also a big fan of Ashley Farley! She is one of those authors I don’t bother reading the synopsis. I know she is going to deliver a great story to me every time I pick up one of her books. She writes in a few different genres and I enjoy them all.
Dark Current is the second book in the Sutherlin Files. Book one was great but this one was spellbinding. I couldn’t put it down. I read most of it yesterday and finished up this morning. My mama had this saying: A day late and a dollar short. I’m a day late and I’m sorry I didn’t get it read sooner. It was a treat. I can’t wait for book three. It is Dark Current Reckoning. It promises to be better than the first two books.
These books are about Lane Sutherlin. She is a detective and is recently divorced. She has returned to her hometown of Tidewell, Virginia because her best friend has gone missing. She finds her hometown is corrupt and her Father who was a sitting judge has retired and has dementia. I don’t want to tell you a lot about the story because you know I want you to have as much fun as I had reading these books. I can’t wait to read the rest of the story. I promise you, it won’t be long.
Oh! Do you know what? This series also takes place in a small town and you know how much I love small towns! The stories deal with corruption, trafficking and so much more. I think there will be a little love story going on too.
If you like a story that will keep your interest and keep that mind of yours rolling trying to figure it all out, this is a series meant just for you. The Sutherlin Files is supposed to be only 3 books. You have plenty of time to read the first two so you can be ready for the explosive 3rd book. It just has to be explosive with all that is going on that needs to be fixed for that town of Tidewell.
I highly recommend Dark Current and the other two books that go with it. You definitely want to read these books in order. I took this book to bed with me because I simply couldn’t put it down. I sadly had to finish it this morning. Do yourself a favor and get the first two books of the Sutherlin Files to go on your nightstand for your reading pleasure.
Until next time…Happy Reading!
Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!
SYNOPSIS:
Lane Sutherlin thought bringing her best friend’s killer to justice would finally give her peace. Instead, she’s left with a chilling acquittal, whispers of jury tampering, and a part-time role with the sheriff’s office that ends the moment she starts asking the wrong questions.
When a renowned fertility specialist is murdered and harvested eggs vanish from her clinic, a terrified young woman turns to Lane—the only person she dares trust. Her story cracks open a crime far more calculated than a random break-in, pointing straight to a deeper conspiracy.
The Old Guard—Tidewell’s old-monied power players—aren’t just behind the trafficking. They’re determined to reshape the town itself. They’ve corrupted its leaders, bent its law enforcement, and turned its people into pawns. And now they’ve marked Lane as the one woman who can stop them.
With Briggs, the town’s sharp-eyed commonwealth’s attorney, at her side and Tidewell’s future hanging in the balance, Lane must decide how far she’ll go to protect the place she still calls home—before the darkness closing in finally swallows her whole.
Because the storm gathering over Tidewell isn’t just political—it’s personal.
And Lane Sutherlin is done running.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Amazon Charts and USA Today bestselling author
Ashley Farley writes Southern women’s fiction about love, loss, and the quiet courage it takes to start over. Her stories follow everyday women—mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends—as they navigate life’s hardest moments and find their way back to hope.
A South Carolina native, Ashley’s heart still belongs to the Lowcountry, where moss-draped oaks meet salty air and Southern charm runs deep. She now writes from her waterfront home on Virginia’s Northern Neck, where she shares her days with family and two strong-willed Labradors, Emmie and Willa.
Genre: Small Town Fiction Release Date: March 12, 2026
REVIEW:
I have not been a long time reader of Barbara Hinske, but Pies & Plans is the prime reason I have fallen in love with her writing. She has wonderful characters, great settings and such warmth in her stories. I have a book hangover every time I finish one of her books.
I came into this series late. Don’t let that bother you, do what I did and jump right in. Ms. Hinske has a way of bringing you right into the story so you never miss a beat. I know her books are almost all part of a series, but the ones I have read are a breeze. I never feel like I am lost. I’m so glad I found her books. Books like these bring me such a feeling of peace. It is an escape for me and all the problems of the world.
This book is about a Clara who owns the bakery in town and it is thriving so well she doesn’t have time to plan her wedding to her fiance Kurt. They decide to have a small intimate wedding at Bloom Cottage. I could see every detail in her descriptions of the wedding gown and the cottage. I so enjoyed this book and I think all of my romance readers will too.
Wouldn’t you know this takes place in a small town. All the people are so loving and caring. Well, at least the ones who made it into Pies & Plans were! I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about this book except I was reading along in bed last night when I turned the page and there was “The End”. I was so sad. It was a wonderful way to go to sleep last night and there were pleasant dreams too!
I highly recommend Pies & Plans by Barbara Hinske. It definitely belongs on your nightstand for a night of your own pleasant dreams. Until next time…Happy Reading!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!
SYNOPSIS:
Sweets & Treats is thriving, and Clara Conway has no time to catch her breath, much less plan a big wedding. She and Kurt marry in an intimate ceremony at Bloom Cottage, where sparks fly between best man Brad and matron of honor Laura.
The newlyweds are buying a historic home near the downtown square and, in a stroke of luck, Kurt’s house sells before it hits the market. The romance between Brad and Laura is blossoming. Everything is working out well.
Until it’s not. Tabitha Trent is defrauded out of her life savings, forcing unthinkable changes on her family. The ripple effects of this catastrophe even reach Kurt and Clara. Promises are tested and new opportunities arise as everyone seeks a place to call home.
Return to Pinewood for another irresistible helping of small-town charm, courage, and connection.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
USA Today Bestselling Author
Barbara Hinske is an attorney who left the practice of law to pursue her career as a full-time novelist. She inherited the fiction gene from her father, who wrote mysteries when he retired and told her a story every night of her childhood. Barbara is the author of the beloved Rosemont Series, the Guiding Emily Series, the Paws & Pastries Series, her sweet Christmas stories, the mystery, thriller, and suspense novels in her “Who’s There?” collection, and three novellas in The Wishing Tree Series.
She and her husband share their own Rosemont with two adorable and spoiled dogs. She is besotted with decorating, entertaining, cooking, and gardening. Her novels The Christmas Club (2019) and Guiding Emily (2023) have been made into Hallmark Channel movies.
Praise for Coming to Rosemont:
“In a category that doesn’t often feature felonious crimes as a main plot point, it’s somewhat surprising to see this title — with corruption, fraud, and arson coursing through the story — in a list of top performers. But with enough twists and turns to hook any reader’s attention, an adorable dog on the cover, and some classic women’s fiction tropes, Coming To Rosemont delivered more than enough firepower to win over our readers!” BookBub’s Best: Women’s Fiction (#4)
“In this series opener, Hinske immerses readers in a delightful small town….The joys of the tale come from the warm relationships and the story of a woman getting a second chance at life and love.” Publishers Weekly (BookLife)
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Genre: Small Town Romance Release Date: March 12, 2026
REVIEW:
Second Bloom by Tess Thompson is book three of The Parent App. When I first read the premise for her new series, I knew I had to read it. I wasn’t wrong. I am so glad that I am reading this series. It is fun, heartwarming, romantic and takes place in a small beach town named Willet Cove. You know how I love small towns. What could be better than that? Nothing!
This one is about Esme Taylor. She is one of the five friends whose kids have signed them up for a dating app. She is the one who has two children and owns the flower shop in town and lives upstairs. She is divorced and has a best friend named Grady Nash. They’ve been friends for 5 years. I thought I knew where this book was going. Not so. It takes some sharp left turns and a few gradual right turns until we find out what is going to happen. As usual, I am not going to ruin the book for you. You’re going to have to read it and get all the pleasure yourself.
I think these are the perfect books to curl up with and just enjoy going along for the ride. I love a book that just lets me enjoy the story without having to figure anything out. These books are perfect for that. They bring me so much enjoyment, peace from the world around me and the fun of living another romance.
If you are like me and love small town romance or small town anything, you will love this book and series. If you haven’t started it yet, I don’t know what you are waiting for. Go pick up this series and this book and start giving yourself some relaxation. Make sure you put them on your nightstand. They are the perfect way to end your day. Until next time…Happy Reading!
Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!
SYNOPSIS:
She’s been looking for the right man her entire life. Everyone knows who it is—except her.
Single mom Esme Taylor doesn’t do risk. Not anymore. She runs her flower shop in the small coastal town of Willet Cove, raises two kids, and never again depends on a man who might leave when things get hard.
But there’s one man she lets close.
Grady Nash has been her best friend for five years. He fixes what breaks, shows up when she calls, and loves her kids unconditionally. He feels like everything she needs.
Which is exactly the problem.
Because Grady runs a surf shop, lives simply, and seems content with very little. To Esme—who needs security, stability, a man with a future—he looks like everything she can’t afford to risk.
What she doesn’t know is that Grady is hiding a past so toxic, he’ll do anything to keep it from touching her life.
A past that comes with a fortune he’s never claimed. A scandal that destroyed everything he was. And a truth that—if it ever surfaces—could bring danger and scrutiny crashing down on the family he’s sworn to protect.
When buried feelings force them past the safety of friendship, Esme must decide if she can trust the man who’s been lying to her for years.
And Grady must choose between the life he’s built in the shadows—or risking everything, including her safety, for the love he’s never stopped wanting.
Because some secrets are kept to protect the people we love. And some will test whether love is strong enough to survive the truth.
A clean and wholesome friends-to-lovers romance set in a small coastal town from USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tess Thompson is the USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author of contemporary and historical Romantic Women’s Fiction with over 50 published titles. Her books are emotional and heartwarming with themes of second chances, redemption and the power love has to change lives and create community.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest in a house on a small lake with her husband and kitties. Her four children are now young adults exploring their own paths and adventures, leaving an empty nest and a lot more time to write. She and her husband enjoy a quiet life, obsessed with birds and the other wildlife on their property, which makes them officially old. On any given day their yard could be visited by deer, bears, coyotes and squirrels.
Most days, she can be found curled up in her favorite chair reading or in her office writing while keeping an eye out for hummingbirds in the feeder outside of her office.
Genre: Later in Life Romance Release Date: March 4, 2026
REVIEW:
Whispers Of Home is book 11 of the Hometown Harbor series by Tammy L. Grace. I can’t tell you how much I loved this book. I have had a lot going on and have not been able to concentrate enough to read. I thought I had lost my love of reading. When I finished Whispers of Home, I knew I found it again. I couldn’t wait to start another book.
Thank you, Tammy L. Grace, for helping me remember why I love to read a good story.
I am always excited to read a new addition to the Hometown Harbor series. I love a good series. Don’t you? A new book is like going home to visit all of your old friends and having a good time catching up. It reminds me of trips home catching up with all my girlfriends from high school. Nothing like some good ole girl time!
The town of Friday Harbor is probably one of a kind. It is a busy town filled with tourists during the summer and when the tourists clear out it is time for the locals to come together again. They help each other out with anything and are there for them if there is a problem they need help working out. What more could you ask for? They give their time and resources to help their group of friends out. The group has grown over the years.
If you know me at all, you know that I love a small town. I love to live in them and small towns are my favorite setting for a good book. The setting is not mandatory, but it makes a big difference in how a book feels. I’m also one who can’t pass up a good love story. Tammy’s stories are clean and still makes you feel all the little tingles of love.
If you’re looking for a good series to get lost in that takes place in a small town with a new love story in every edition, then this book is for you. I’m so happy I remembered that life is so much easier with a good book to get lost in. This series definitely needs to be on your nightstand or the top spot in your tbr. Until next time…Happy Reading!
Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
To follow my blog, click on the heading of any blog post. This will bring up just that blog and you will see a follow button on the bottom right hand corner. Thank you!
SYNOPSIS:
Loss lingers softly. Salt heals slowly. Home whispers back.
At fifty-two, Camille Ashwood loses Theo—her fiancé, her future, the love they planned to bring to the islands someday. Heartbroken and unable to stay in Seattle where every corner holds a memory, she does the bravest thing she’s ever done. She moves alone to Friday Harbor, a dream they used to share, to open a little shop. Harbor Glow, where she hand-pours sea salt soaps and candles, becomes her sanctuary, her therapy, her new beginning.
The island welcomes her the way it always does, complete with familiar faces and one quietly kind handyman named Neal… but some memories follow no matter how far you run.
Whispers of Home, the eleventh installment in the Hometown Harbor Series, is love letter to every reader who has picked herself up after loss and kept a shared dream alive. If you cherish stories of second chances, resilient women, and small-town communities that feel like family, Tammy L. Grace delivers another unforgettable story, where healing begins with a single step.
Read more from USA Today bestselling author Tammy L. Grace:
HOMETOWN HARBOR SERIES Hometown Harbor: The Beginning (Prequel Novella) Finding Home Home Blooms Promise of Home Pieces of Home Finally Home Forever Home Follow Me Home Long Way Home Come Home for Christmas Feels Like Home Whispers of Home
STILLWATER INN SERIES Harbor Dreams
COOPER HARRINGTON DETECTIVE NOVELS Killer Music Deadly Connection Dead Wrong Cold Killer Deadly Deception Deadly Pursuit
GLASS BEACH COTTAGE SERIES Beach Haven Moonlight Beach Beach Dreams SISTERS OF THE HEART SERIES Greetings from Lavender Valley Pathway to Lavender Valley Sanctuary at Lavender Valley Blossoms at Lavender Valley Comfort in Lavender Valley Reunion in Lavender Valley
CHRISTMAS BOOKS A Season for Hope (Christmas in Silver Falls) The Magic of the Season (Christmas in Silver Falls) Christmas in Snow Valley (Hometown Christmas Series) One Unforgettable Christmas (Hometown Christmas Series) Christmas Sisters (FREE PREQUEL to Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge) Christmas Wishes (Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge) Christmas Surprises (Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge) Christmas Shelter (Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge) Christmas Hearts (Soul Sisters at Cedar Mountain Lodge)
OTHER TITLES The Wishing Tree Wish Again Overdue Wishes One More Wish Pick of the Litter Hearts Unleashed Welcome Aboard Uncharted Waters
WRITING AS CASEY WILSON A Dog’s Hope A Dog’s Chance
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Tammy L. Grace is a USA Today bestselling author of women’s fictions, family sagas, mysteries, and Christmas stories. She’s known for writing perfect escapes, unforgettable characters, and binge-worthy stories. Readers often say her characters feel like old friends and love the dogs she weaves into all her books. She brings readers entertaining stories that take them on an emotional journey, filled with complex relationships of friendship and family in her women’s fiction novels. Mystery readers delight in her fast-paced whodunits and fans of Christmas love her small town holiday stories filled with family, friendship, and furry characters.
Tammy also writes under the pen name Casey Wilson and has released two emotional and heartwarming stories about the bond we have with our beloved canine companions.
When Tammy isn’t working on ideas for a novel, she’s spending time with family and friends or supporting her addiction to books, tea, and chocolate. She and her husband make their home in Nevada and have one grown son and a spoiled golden retriever.
Tammy invites you to subscribe to her newsletter at http://www.tammylgrace.com/newsletter and she’ll send you a free interview with all the dogs in her Hometown Harbor Series as a thank you gift. Find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tammylgrace.books and be sure and click the follow button here on Amazon.
Genre: Psychological Thriller Release Date: January 6, 2026
REVIEW:
Audrey J. Cole has brought us another Psychological Thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you have followed me for a while you know that this is one of my favorite genres and Ms. Cole is on my list of favorite authors. I can’t seem to pick just one. There are so many authors and genres to choose from.
If you like Psychological Thrillers this one should be on your to be read list if you haven’t read it already. It takes place in two different time periods with the same friends. These girls have been friends for many years. The most recent time period is recent time and the older one is when they were in high school. They all have different lifestyles now and aren’t necessarily close. Now they are going on a trip. The Trip. It takes place on a sailboat so you know they are going to be in close proximity. Then the fun begins…
You will like some of the characters and suspect all of them at one time or another. My mind was rolling in circles trying to figure out who was behind everything that was going on. There are those that you will suspect all the way until the end.
If you like Psychological Thrillers and if you haven’t read Audrey J. Cole, what are you waiting for? You must put this on your nightstand. Take caution, it might cause you a couple of sleepless nights! Until next time…Happy Reading.
Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
SYNOPSIS:
From USA Today bestselling author Audrey J. Cole comes a locked-room thriller at sea about image and influence, guilty secrets that won’t sink, and the lies we cling to in the storm.
A luxury sailing trip is the perfect escape from Palmer’s shattered marriage. Until the Pacific Coast cruise—a chance for old friends to mend old wounds—descends into a harrowing fight for their lives.
Twenty years ago, the five of them were inseparable. But after a rafting accident their senior year, only four of them returned. Volleyball captain Courtney’s body was never found. And their lives were never the same.
Now Palmer, her ride-or-die Beth, and home renovator Emma are on an all-expenses-paid trip with mega-influencer Gigi. But a mysterious note and a violent storm soon push them dangerously off course. The radio’s down, the captain’s missing, and the first officer’s woefully inexperienced. And in a chilling echo of the past, Gigi gets swept away. Perhaps on purpose.
Someone doesn’t want them to make it back. Palmer’s not sure who to trust, but she knows the truth lies in the murky depths of what really happened that day on the river.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Audrey J. Cole is a USA TODAY bestselling thriller author. She resides in the Pacific Northwest with her two children. Before writing full time, she worked as a neonatal intensive care nurse for eleven years. She’s also a pilot’s daughter.
Sign up for her mailing list at https://www.audreyjcole.com/sign-up to receive free bonus content, promotions, and new release updates. Audrey can also be found on
Set against a story shaped by loss, longing, and unexpected possibility, One Alpen Day by Michele Davenport-Dutton centers on two people whose lives intersect at a moment when both are quietly hoping for something more than what they have known so far.
Angela Sutton has returned to the place she once called home after a series of personal losses leaves her rethinking everything she imagined for her future. Newly divorced and grieving multiple pregnancy losses, she begins helping her aunt run the family bakery, settling into a slower life shaped by routine and reflection. Her days take an unexpected turn when Mason Glade, a well-known Hollywood actor, walks into the bakery.
Mason arrives carrying his own burdens: a strained marriage to his estranged wife, Camila, whose struggles with alcoholism have spilled into the public eye, and a fierce desire to protect his two young children from the fallout. With Camila entering rehab, Mason takes his children and their nanny far from familiar pressures, hoping distance will offer clarity. As Angela grows closer to Mason and his children, questions emerge about timing, trust, and whether love can take root amid unresolved ties and uncertain futures.
EXCERPT:
Angela moved back to Grainau last year after Uncle Karl died from a massive heart attack at the age of seventy-six, leaving Aunt Terese to tend to their forty-year-old bakery alone. Around the same time, Angela had gone through a bitter divorce from her husband, Nick Sutton Jr. after three years of marriage. He had carried on his father’s legacy as a business mogul in L.A. Nick Jr. was in the Garmisch/Grainau area for business and it was there he met Angela at the bakery four years ago. He had swept her off her feet and dragged her to L.A where they were married a few short months later.
The Alpen Bakery, as named by Aunt Terese and Uncle Karl, carried an assortment of breads, rolls, sheet cakes and pastries. Bread is to Germans what cheese is to the French. There are more than four hundred types of bread in Germany. And, a good bakery such as Angela’s aunt and uncle’s, stocked at least ten to twenty kinds of breads, ten kinds of rolls and an assorted variety of sheet cakes and various pastries, including Aunt Terese’s delectable Apple Strudel. Plus, it was said by locals that they made the best cappuccino in town.
Angela was cleaning and dusting all the pictures and paintings displayed in the bakery, over the empty tables when she heard Aunt Terese yell.
“Oh, dear! Somebody left their wallet on the counter!” She looked inside to see if she could find identification. She peered sideways at Angela and batted her eyelashes. “Mason Glade,” she said. Angela’s stomach turned in knots. Just hearing his name made her break out in goosebumps.
“He’ll be back soon enough,” and with that, Aunt Terese closed the wallet. “He won’t get far without his wallet,” she quipped enthusiastically.
Angela went back to spritzing glass cleaner on the glass covering the Neuschwanstein picture which had smudges all over from people, mainly kids, touching it. It’s King Ludwig’s most beautiful and prized castle. The rest of the walls displayed photos of Garmisch-Partenkirchen and the ski jump, where the 1936 Winter Olympics were held. Both Aunt Terese and Uncle Karl’s parents attended, as it was a huge event. Uncle Karl was just a baby at the time. Next to the Olympic pictures were framed news articles and interviews from that event.
After she dusted the painting of the Zugspitze, Germany’s tallest and most glorious mountain, which has her town of Grainau at its base, she went back into the kitchen and washed her hands.
Aunt Terese saw Mason walking outside the front window and quickly shouted, “There he is, Angela!”
Mason opened the door and walked up to the counter. “Hello, excuse me, but I believe I left my wallet here, or I’m really hoping it’s here.” Aunt Terese picked it up from behind the counter and handed it to him. Mason was grateful he didn’t lose it. “Oh, you don’t know how scared I was, thinking I had lost it. Thank you so much,” he said, a nervous relief in his tone. At that moment, Angela walked out from the back and Mason said, “Wait, aren’t you Angela?” He pointed over to the rear corner where he remembered seeing her choking.
Angela’s insides did a cartwheel. She couldn’t believe he remembered her name from when Aunt Terese shouted it earlier, asking if she was okay.
Angela cleared her throat. “Yes, Hi, I’m Angela.” She reached out her hand and Mason shook it.
“Hello Angela. It’s very nice to meet you. I’m Mason, by the way. You work here?”
Her hands were clammy and sweaty from her nerves. “Yes, this is my Aunt Terese and Uncle Karl’s bakery. They’ve owned it for forty years now.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Michele Davenport-Dutton has loved reading since childhood and was once the top reader at her Montessori school in Garmisch, Germany. A lifelong fan of heartfelt love stories with happy endings, she finally brought her own story to the page with this debut novel. Michele earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from CSUB before putting her career on hold to raise her family, spending nearly 30 years as a stay-at-home mom. Now fulfilling a long-held dream of becoming an author, she lives in Shafter, California, with her husband, Chris. Together they have eight adult children and seven grandchildren, with hopes for many more. Visit Michele on Instagram.
It was a cool, crisp spring morning in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, in 1974. I was a cheerful five-year-old girl, holding my Opa’s hand and skipping along the sidewalk to keep up with his quick pace. We were hurrying to the station to watch the trains come and go, one of Opa’s favorite hobbies.
The recent rain left a shiny gloss over the cobblestone road, making the stones look like individual turtles hiding in their shells. As the stores prepared to open, I looked up at the balconies where many shop owners lived. High above, I saw an elderly woman with gray hair and a red scarf. With a large green watering can in her wrinkled hand, she quenched the thirst of a window box filled with vibrant red, white, and pink geraniums.
When we arrived at the station, Opa began singing the song he taught me: “Eisenbahn, Lokomotive, wer kein Geld hat, darf net mit.” Translated, it means, “Steel train, locomotive, whoever has no money cannot come along.” While the German lyrics rhyme, I always found the sentiment a bit harsh and felt pity for those who couldn’t afford a ride.
As Opa enjoyed a cigarette, I practiced flips on the nearby bars. Whenever he saw me, he would yell, “Ach Gott, Mimi! Du fällst runter!”—”Oh God, Mimi, you will fall down!” I would study him like a Monet or Van Gogh painting. He was a short, stout, yet well-dressed man who wore his grey feather hat with pride. His face was perfectly round, like a chef’s potato dumpling, and his large, steel blue-grey eyes always looked peaceful.
Opa wore Old Spice aftershave, and to this day, that scent instantly brings back his memory. Our walks to the train station were always an adventure, and they will forever be embedded in my heart.
My story takes place in the beautiful, scenic Garmisch/Grainau area of Germany and although the love story is fictitious, the setting holds fond memories for me as I lived in Garmisch as a little girl. Garmisch was my home, a special place with my loving family. I often reflect on the times walking to the train station with my Opa Max and below is a special memory from that time. I had to include Opa’s life events in my novel and share it with the world.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS:
What’s a detail, theme, or clue in your book that most readers might miss on the first read—but you secretly hope someone notices? Mason’s estranged wife always wears gold- glittered costumes for her rodeo shows. Angela, the protagonist, has Emerald green eyes. The last line of the book has Mason thinking, All that glitters isn’t gold. All that glitters is Emerald green.
When did this story or idea “click” into place for you—was there a single moment you knew you had to write it? My sons went on a weekend Boy Scout camping trip with their dad. He took our five-year-old daughter with them. I was all alone at home (a rare treat) and thought, “I want to write a book.” I grabbed my notebook and a pen and the characters just came to me. The setting unfolded and yet it took years in the making of writing this novel, having been a stay-at-home mom was my top priority. I’m happy to see my little novel finally come into fruition.
Which character or real-life person surprised you the most while writing this book, and why? Opa, my grandpa. Although he passed on many years ago, at the ripe old age of 93, every time I read the last two chapters of my book pertaining to him, I cry. No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader, right?
If your book had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it and what scenes or moments would they pair with? “Everything that Glitters is Not Gold,” (sung by Mason, while he’s strumming his guitar in the alps. That song hits me hard) “Edelweiss” and “The Sound of Music,” because of the majestic alps in the background.
What’s one belief, question, or emotional truth you hope readers carry with them long after they finish your book? Finding healing from loss. Love and connection help people grow. Love is better the second time around. If your protagonist (or the central figure in your nonfiction) could give the reader one piece of advice, what would it be? Love triumphs over fear. Love conquers all.
What real-world place, object, or memory helped shape a key element in your book? The setting in the Garmisch/Grainau is where I lived as a young girl. My Opa would hold my hand as I skipped to the train station where we’d watch the trains coming and going.
What’s something you had to research, learn, or experience to write this book that genuinely shocked you? Researching miscarriages and how it affects women deeply, the trauma they endure.
If your book were invited to join a shelf with two other titles, which ones would make you happiest—and what would that shelf say about your story? Jane Porter’s Christmas at Copper Mountain and Julie Olivia’s If it Makes You Happy. The shelf would say “Come over, stay a while. Let me take you on an armchair adventure you won’t want to miss.”
Some days unfold exactly as planned, while others take an unexpected turn. Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety by Kathleen Jeffrey, illustrated by Susan Kilmartin, explores what happens when internal pressure overwhelms a child who usually feels prepared.
Katie enjoys learning and usually approaches her day with enthusiasm, but test days stir up uncomfortable feelings she struggles to control. During a spelling test, her anxiety becomes overwhelming, making it hard to think clearly or stay focused. In a moment of panic, Katie reacts in a way that draws attention and leaves her feeling embarrassed.
With thoughtful guidance, Katie begins to learn why her body reacts the way it does under stress. She is introduced to calming strategies that help her slow down and refocus. As she practices these tools, Katie gains confidence in her ability to manage anxious moments. The story gently shows how understanding and practical techniques can transform a stressful situation into a learning experience.
MY REVIEW:
I was offered the chance to review Katie’s Really Bad Day by Kathleen Jeffrey, a children’s book. I decided I would because many of my friends and followers have young grandchildren. I kind of wished this kind of book was available when I was a young child.
Kathleen Jeffrey has written an important book for parents and children. She has a wonderful Illustrator which takes this book up another notch. She is Susan Kilmartin. I especially enjoyed her beautiful illustrations.
I highly recommend Katie’s Really Bad Day written by Kathleen Jeffrey and Illustrated by Susan Kilmartin. In my opinion, this book can be a great learning tool to teach coping skills and other children how to be concerned and help their friends.
Please remember to support the authors you read by leaving a review. Even a few words help.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Kathleen Jeffrey is an author of children’s picture books, fulfilling her mission to create stories that shine with love, light, spirit, truth, and joy—helping children navigate life’s challenges, explore big emotions, and grow with courage, kindness, and wonder.
I was an anxious child in school. Eventually this anxiety developed into test anxiety that stayed with me through college. It didn’t matter if I knew the answers, the panic still set in!
Many children experience anxiety in school for various reasons. In researching for this book, it was wonderful to learn of the many resources and tools available today for teachers to help their anxious students. Some students are very good at concealing their test anxiety feelings and may suffer needlessly while also thinking they are the only ones. In addition, test anxiety can lead to a pattern of underachievement.
I hope Katie’s story will help children identify their own anxious feelings, know that they are not alone and encourage them to tell their teachers and caregivers what is going on before their anxiety leads to “A Really Bad Day!”
Who and what ultimately inspired you to become a writer?
About 23 years ago, after my dad passed away, I had a divine inspiration to write a spiritual children’s picture book. I started planning, thinking, praying on it, but the timing was never right to dig in and get it done. Life was busy, my children were young, and I worked full time.
Eventually I left my 28-year media sales career and ended up working in the bookstore at Glastonbury Abby, a benedictine monastery. Researching and buying books for the store was fun, inspirational and kept my book idea alive. Finally, I wrote a very long manuscript. Through working with critique groups, I concluded it was really two books. Out of that came Katie’s Really Bad Day. The next book is also about Katie and relates to my original inspiration for a spiritual picture book.
Between journaling for the past 23 years, joining the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) to learn how to write a picture book, and writing poetry during covid, I was finally ready to leave my twelve-year bookstore adventure and get on with writing and getting the book published!
QUESTIONS &ANSWERS:
What’s a detail, theme, or clue in your book that most readers might miss on the first read—but you secretly hope someone notices? Empathetic, concerned faces of Katie’s teacher, Mom & Dad, and her classmates when Katie is upset. No one is making fun of her.
When did this story or idea “click” into place for you—was there a single moment you knew you had to write it? During critique group sessions with a long manuscript, I discovered I actually had two books to write. The first became Katie’s Really Bad Day: A Story About Test Anxiety, to identify Katie’s character with school & test anxiety, which is based on my personal story I had to tell for authenticity. The second book will feature Katie once again and will be illustrated sometime this year.
Which character or real-life person surprised you the most while writing this book, and why? Katie’s sidekick Finn turned out to be quite the entertaining cut up as well a very concerned and empathetic friend.
If your book had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it and what scenes or moments would they pair with? “Inside Out” by Michael Giacchino, (From joyful school yard to Katie’s sudden test anxiety.) “When I Breathe” by Stephanie Leavell (Learning belly breathing with Miss Julie and later with the class.)“When I’m Nervous” (A song for kids about overcoming anxiety.) Overall story wrap up. Would play at the end of the book.
What’s one belief, question, or emotional truth you hope readers carry with them long after they finish your book? That many students are anxious in school or before tests so you are not the only one. Because you are anxious before a test does not mean you are not smart or capable.
Tell us about a moment during the writing process when the story (or message) took an unexpected turn. I was determined to have Mom take Katie into school the day she did not want to go because that was my personal experience. Through teacher critique partner advice and their experiences with children in today’s classrooms, I realized Katie would have to take the bus, work through it and tell Miss Julie what was going on.
If your protagonist (or the central figure in your nonfiction) could give the reader one piece of advice, what would it be? Lots of kids get anxious before tests! Let your teacher and caregivers know when you are anxious. There are always solutions!
What real-world place, object, or memory helped shape a key element in your book? My second grade elementary classroom and getting caught having scratched on my varnished desk was a deep rooted memory. A boy noticed it and yelled out to the teacher. She was very angry and scolded me in front of the class. I was so embarrassed I refused to go to school the next day so my mom had to bring me in and talk to the teacher.
What’s something you had to research, learn, or experience to write this book that genuinely shocked you? Through my research on childhood, school and test anxiety, I learned test anxiety can start as early as second through fourth grade and may lead to underachievement. Between this research, writing my bio, interviewing my mom, older sister, adult neighbor and childhood classmates, I was able to make connections. The seeds of my overall school anxiety started with significant separation anxiety my first three weeks of kindergarten. By fourth grade my overall school anxiety did lead to test anxiety and eventually underachievement. Anxiety triggers fear and panic which makes it hard to concentrate when learning new concepts or taking notes while trying to keep up with the teacher or actually taking a test.
If your book were invited to join a shelf with three other titles, which ones would make you happiest—and what would that shelf say about your story? Wilma Jean The Worry Machine by Julia Cooke (Classic, Funny, Popular)
The Big Feelings Book for Children: Mindfulness Moments to Manage Anger, Excitement, Anxiety, and Sadness by Sharon Selby MA (Respectable, Useful, Popular)
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst & Ray Cruz Total Classic! (Happiest)
Phyllis Jones Pisanelli Reviews 