Dreamland by Nicholas Sparks

Colby Mills dreamed of a life as a musician ever since his uncle first placed his old guitar in his hands and taught him to play. But fate has a way of changing things and Colby was forced to take over the family farm after his uncle's death. Farm life doesn't leave much free time, but he jumps at the chance when his friend offers him a three week gig in St. Pete's beach, Florida to play and sing, leaving the farm in his aunt's and manager's capable hands. He never expected to meet Morgan Lee and she has a way of making him believe his dreams are still possible.

Beverly is on the run from an abusive husband along with her six-year-old son Tommie. With very little money, no car, no phone, and afraid to trust anyone, she's hoping that this time they'll finally escape, finally be safe. But when Tommie goes missing, she'll make a choice that changes things forever. 

I love Nicholas Sparks writing style. He has a way of writing the character's emotions that makes the story so real. Both story lines were so totally different, leaving me wondering until the very end how everything tied together. As always the love story was sweet and inspiring, the two just so perfect together. I loved the parts where they collaborate together to create the perfect music. And Beverly's story was truly heartbreaking, the desperation of a young mother trying to keep her child safe. And when you find out the truth... grab the tissues. 

Daughter of Darkness by Terry Brooks

I had never read Terry Brooks before when I received a copy of Child of Light, the first book in this wonderful new series. I was immediately captured by the magical storytelling, descriptive world-building, and the exciting conclusion and instantly became a fan. Now, I'm honored to be able to review this second book, Daughter of Darkness. It's even more exciting, picking up two years after Auris learns the truth about her heritage and finds a home and partnership with Harrow. She is slowly taking her true form as a fae and becoming more familiar with her innish powers. But someone in her past life refuses to let her go she still has no memories of her life before the goblin prison. In trying to solve this mystery, she finds a new formidable enemy that threatens everything she lives for. She must rely on her friends, both old and new and DRAGONS!!! (Excuse my little dance of joy over here... just a girl that loves stories with dragons, lol) if she ever wants to see Harrow alive again. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen

Zoey arrives on Mallow Island, South Carolina ready to take over her late mother's condo at the Dellawisp. Named after the tiny turquoise birds that inhabit and guard the garden, the building is built in a u-shape with 5 separate condos. The residents are all quirky in their own way, each holding on to the secrets of their past. Lizbeth Lime was the strangest of them all, hoarding boxes on boxes of papers, yelling at the neighbors for the slightest noise. But when she dies in a freak accident, the property manager hires Zoey to sort through all the boxes. But when she contacts the woman's son to collect what's left, he doesn't want anything to do with it and neither does her sister Lucy, who also lives in the Dellawisp, living like a recluse with no contact with anyone. But with Lizbeth gone, the rest of the neighbors become closer and start to heal from their pasts. 

I absolutely love this author's writing. The aura of magic and mystery, the development of relationships between the characters, the way she reveals their secrets a little bit at a time, even the "ghost story" chapters just fit seamlessly into a beautiful story. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Gallows Hill by Darcy Coates

I'm a third shifter with a night off, so I decided to delve into this book. Right from the start, there's an ominous feel to the book what with the closed casket funeral of both Margot's parents and subsequent inheritance of her family's winery. She was sent away as a young child to live with grandparents and still has bitter feelings and no memory of the house. The winery, built on the hill where the town would hang their criminals, has the infamous old hanging oak as their logo and the land is believed to be cursed. Left alone for her first night, she's nervous of the creaks and groans of an old house. And then the bells start to ring and you're just flat out terrified, not knowing what's going on... just like poor Margot! As more information was explained and the threats kept increasing, I found myself sneaking over to close my doors and windows left open to the summer night and jumping at the creaking in my own house! Just so deliciously scared! I can't believe I raced through this book in one night! This is only my second book by this author and I'm excited to see how many more she's written... bring on the terror, lol!

Together Under a Snowy Skye by Lisa Hobman

Lisa Hobman is becoming one of my favorite authors. There's just something about her characters that's so unapologetically real. In this book we return to Glentorrin for Jules and Reid's wedding. Millie, Jules best friend, heavily pregnant and heartbroken after her fiancée Harry broke up with her. She stays in Jules' brother Dexter's cabin in the weeks leading up to the wedding and he's just as attentive, caring, and such a good friend as she's remembers. But as much as she's wishes it were different, they'll only ever be good friends. Then Harry calls wanting a second chance and she has to choose between stability for her child and her own happiness. 

Harry is such a horrible character and in comparison Dexter just seems even better. I loved revisiting this small town and the characters from the other books in the series. I was so hoping for a happy ending for Dexter since he appeared in Jules book. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Overkill by Sandra Brown

I've been a big fan of Sandra Brown since I was a lonely introverted teenager discovering romance novels for the first time.  And since she made the switch to romantic suspense, her writing has gotten even better.  I was so excited to receive an ARC of her newest book,  Overkill, to review before publication! 

Zach Bridger, former NFL superstar quarterback, first hears of the violent assault on the news,  then he gets a call.  He is still listed as his ex- wife's  medical power of attorney and has to make the decision to take her off life support. Faced with accusations and speculation from the media,  Zach leaves the decision up to her parents.  Now four years later, he's being dragged back in.  Rebecca's attacker has been released early and the only way for Rebecca to get true justice is for her to die so Eban can be charged with murder. Now the media spotlight is on him again,  putting his own life in danger. 

This story left my emotions all wrung out. I can't even imagine facing that kind of decision,  especially with pressure from Rebecca's family and the media.  I was a little disappointed in Kate's character.  Although she originally brought Zach back into the case,  she didn't really feature much in the story,  just seemed more of a side character.  Zach was the true hero of the story.  The romance was just enough and didn't overpower the suspense. Overall I really liked this book and will recommend it to my friends.

 I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Where the Sky Begins by Rhys Bowen

In 1940 London, Josie Banks has been left a victim of the bombs falling all across the city. Her beloved tea room where she took a job after her overbearing husband Stan left for service has now been reduced to rubble, killing her elderly employer. Then her own home is bombed leaving her homeless and injured. She is evacuated to the country, forced to fall on the mercy of strangers. Mrs. Harcourt is a cranky old woman living alone in a mansion with only one servant remaining, Irish maid Kathleen. Neither one of the women are welcoming, counting down the time until Josie heals and moves on. After having several pilots from the nearby RAF base stop by for tea and scones, Josie asks permission to open a tea shop just to give the men a little comfort of home. One of the frequent visitors is Mike Johnson, a squadron leader whose intentions might be more than a little friendly. And although she's fallen out of love with her husband, she IS still married. Has she found a new future as the rest of the world is falling apart?

I just loved the friendly, flirty relationship between Josie and Mike. A pilot, and squadron leader at that...<swoon>! I despised Stan and how he treated her so horribly, and was secretly hoping Josie would find something better. Then we find out a shocking surprise about Mike and my heart just sank. I'm glad in the end Josie was able to find her own happiness. 

I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily