Add Debbie Macomber's A Walk Along the Beach to Your Summer Reading List

...from the publisher...
The Lakey sisters are perfect opposites. After their mother died and their father was lost in grief, Willa had no choice but to raise her sister, Harper, and their brother, Lucas. Then, as an adult, she put her own life on hold to nurse Harper through a terrifying illness. Now that Harper is better and the sisters are living as roommates, Willa has realized her dream of running her own bakery and coffee shop, bringing her special brand of caretaking to the whole Oceanside community.
Harper, on the other hand, is always on the go. Overcoming a terrible illness has given her a new lease on life, and she does not intend to waste it. When Harper announces her plan to summit Mount Rainier, Willa fears she may be pushing herself too far. Harper, for her part, urges Willa to stop worrying and do something outside of her comfort zone—like taking a chance on love with a handsome new customer.

Sean O’Malley is as charming as he is intriguing—a freelance photographer whose assignments take him to the ends of the earth. Soon Willa’s falling for him in a way that is both exciting and terrifying. But life has taught Willa to hedge her bets, and she wonders whether the potential heartache is worth the risk. 

Life has more challenges in store for them all. But both sisters will discover that even in the darkest moments, family is everything.

...my thoughts...
Gorgeous cover, delightful scenery and Debbie Macomber...three things to entice a reader to check out the story between the covers.  I enjoyed this book for many reasons, not the least of which is how family dynamics come into play.  This could be any family who has had grief come uninvited to the table.  Willa quickly cast off the role of big sister to Harper when their mother died.  Their father was unavailable and their brother left home to join the service.  Willa quickly stepped up to fill the gaps to be everyone and everything to her sister.  Harper, having survived a devastating illness, took charge of her health and broke some hearts along the way.  Now, she feels, it is time for Willa to take a look at relaxing enough to find love. After all, her sister gave up so much to take care of her and it was past time for Willa to really live.

Sean O'Malley caught Harper's eye as being a perfect match for Willa.  Unable to think of herself beyond running her business, Willa has no designs on Sean.  Harper is an incorrigible matchmaker, and the rest, as they say, is history.  Except, life has a way of tossing a curve ball and the story has a few balls that are tossed in the air to make things interesting. 

There are many ways this story could have gone.  The characters are in no way one dimensional.  I laughed and I cried when I read this book.  When it gets down to it, if a book has just part of a character the reader can identify with, it is a good study of human nature.  This is a love story, yet not just romantic love, although it is definitely a romance, but the love of family is central to the theme and it is very refreshing. A Walk Along The Beach will fill your heart as it entertains you.  I heartily recommend this book.  I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review, but all opinions are mine.

A Bride of Convenience A Wonderful Story by Jody Hedlund About The Bride Ships from England

...from the publisher...
Unemployed mill worker Zoe Hart jumps at the opportunity to emigrate to British Columbia in 1863 to find a better life and be reunited with her brother, who fled from home after being accused of a crime.

Pastor to miners in the mountains, Abe Merivale discovers an abandoned baby during a routine visit to Victoria and joins efforts with Zoe, one of the newly arrived bride-ship women, to care for the infant. While there, he's devastated by the news from his fiancee in England that she's marrying another man.

With mounting pressure to find the baby a home, Zoe accepts a proposal from a miner of questionable character after he promises to help her locate her brother. Intent on protecting Zoe and frustrated by his failed engagement, Abe offers his own hand as groom. After a hasty wedding, they soon realize their marriage of convenience is not so convenient after all.

...my thoughts...
After 114 days the Robert Lowe arrived in Victoria Britsh Columbia on January 12, 1863. Thirty-eight brides were on board, all unemployed cotton mill workers. A sharp contrast from the Tynemouth, the first Columbia Mission Society brideship, which combined an equal number of wealthy middle-class gentlewomen and poor laborers.  The miners who were anxious for the brides to arrive wouldn't mind a bit to marry any one of the women on board.

Zoe Hart was beyond ready to land.  She was glad to be shut of the oppressive life she left behind in Manchester and eager to begin her search for her long lost twin brother Zeke. Zeke left a few years before under a cloud that no longer existed. The opportunity was tremendous to have a fresh start.  I liked Zoe's character from the start.

 "Heard Captain Verney saying there's hundreds of fellas on the shore"...
"All I need is one," Zoe Chimed in. The right one."
"Handsome?"
"Aye a handsome fella and a good kisser."

Her personality was entertaining and all the time caring for others.  My heart went out to her several times in the book but she is one woman who is true to herself and those she meets.  If she could take care of every child on their own or others in need she would have.  If her husband viewed her as just a convenience, so be it. Her goodness was a breath of fresh air in her new home town of Yale and she fast became a favorite.

Abe Merivale wasn't looking for a bride and with nearly two more years left for his position as a missionary with the Church of England, it wasn't feasible.  He would go home, marry Lizzy and one day become a bishop.  It was all laid out for him.  Until, he met Zoe.  Zoe, who wanted to rock the boat and keep Violet, an orphaned native baby.  Nothing would stand in her way, and Abe, in an absent minded misunderstanding moment, married her.

Jody Hedlund, in her wonderful style, has created a story that has a few bends in the road to this marriage.  Zoe was so unexpected in her role as the wife of a clergyman.  It shows that life is so unexpected and often the best laid plans are best set aside so that one can hear God's own plans, which are often the best of what could be imagined.  I recommend A Bride of Convenience for all who love historical Christian fiction.  Once again, the research is impeccable and this era of settling the west is very intriguing.  The brave women who traveled from England down around South America and  up the Pacific truly have a place in our history.

To check out my reviews of Jody's Bride Ships Series check out my blog posts:

A Reluctant Bride 

The Runaway Bride

Storing Up Trouble Not a Problem for Beatrix in Turano's Latest Novel

...from the publisher...
When Miss Beatrix Waterbury's Chicago-bound train ride is interrupted by a heist, Mr. Norman Nesbit, a man of science who believes his research was the target of the heist, comes to her aid. Despite the fact that they immediately butt heads, they join forces to make a quick escape.
Upon her arrival in Chicago, Beatrix is surprised to discover her supposedly querulous Aunt Gladys shares her own suffragette passions. Encouraged by Gladys to leave her sheltered world, Beatrix begins working as a salesclerk at the Marshall Field and Company department store. When she again encounters Norman on a shopping expedition, he is quickly swept up in the havoc she always seems to attract.

But when another attempt is made to part Norman from his research papers, and it becomes clear Beatrix's safety is also at risk, they soon discover the curious way feelings can grow between two very different people in the midst of chaos.

...my thoughts...
From start to finish this book was entertaining.  Beatrix and Norman were destined to meet and meet they did in many uncanny ways.  Invited to leave New York by her own mother, Beatrix headed to Chicago to stay with an aunt whom she knows nothing about.  Aunt Gladys, unconventional and happy to be so, is rumored to be such a bad sort that Norman, who got saddled with Beatrix in a foiled robbery attempt can't bear to abandon Beatrix on that woman's doorstep alone.  Little did anyone know  that this is where the rest of their madcap adventure would begin.

Enticed by the thought of being unknown in Chicago, Beatrix enjoys the thought of having a job as a shop girl to gain the pulse of societal norms.  As a rich young heiress with a lot of time on her hands, she is challenged by her aunt to not just embrace the idea of being a suffragette but learn why she would want to be a suffragette.  Little did she know how much she had to learn about the inner workings of the society she lived in, both on and off the clock.

I enjoyed seeing how many aha moments Beatrix and Norman had as they navigated the world outside of their comfort zones.  I couldn't help but root for them both, although the story was a bit predictable, but fun nevertheless!  If you are looking for some entertainment, I recommend adding Storing Up Trouble, by Jen Turano to your reading list.

At Love's Command A Wonderful Story of the Old West

...from the publisher...

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

...my thoughts...
At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer is a satisfying story of adventure and romance.  Dr. Jo was not at all who Matt Hanger expected when he brought gravely injured Mark Wallace to her door.  He expected a man.  He wasn't sure she was up to saving Wallace but she was his only hope.  And hope he did because he met his match in this fiery woman doctor.

Josephine Burkett worked hard to get the town to accept her as their physician.  She didn't need a member of the famed Hanger's Horsemen to come in and upset her practice.  What a surprise for both of them when they discovered a bond that would unite them through the gravest conflict of their lives.

I enjoyed this book because it is entertaining, witty and portrays a woman who stepped out in courage as a doctor in the old west.  It is also carries a serious side with characters who show their courage and committment as they battle for their lives and the life of Jo's reckless brother. Spoiled and out of money, he got more than he bargained for when his latest scheme for money endangered all he held dear. This is one of those books that is a perfect addition for that summer reading list.  I received an advance reader copy of this book for review but my opinions and recommendations are my own.  Pick up a copy at your favorite bookseller.

Reviewing Pretending to Wed by Melissa Jagears

...from the publisher...
It’s a match made in heaven…as long as they don’t fall in love! The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress.

Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow.

When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn't as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren't quite as compatible as they thought?

Pretending to Wed is the second book in the Frontier Vows Series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like marriage of convenience stories that deal with the nitty-gritty of making a relationship work, you’ll love this authentic romance set in a time gone by that tackles issues still relevant for today.


...my thoughts...
Melissa Jagears is a pro when it comes to writing about marriages of convenenience on the old frontier.  Pretending to Wed, book two in her Frontier Vows series is no exception.  Her style is entertaining and her characters are steadfast in their convictions.  Nolan and Corinne Key both have reasons for not marrying so their arrangement is suitable to them both.

Nolan had a mere three months to wed or lose the ranch to his dandyfied cousin Matt.  Corinne suffered with constant pain from doing the only job available for a woman alone to subsist on. Pain slowed her down and she was behind on the rent for her laundry business. She was in danger of losing everything.  It seemed natural that the two join forces and wed from a business standpoint.  No need for romance. No entanglements. A visit from greedy Mat and his finacee Lilith  was all it took to push Matt to a proposal.

Corinne had been thwarted in her past relationships and after warding off several proposals from the single men in town she gained the reputation of being against marriage.  She met her match in Nolan, a man who supported her uncanny ability to create marvelous inventions.  She kept pace with him on the ranch, working side by side while keeping up with the house and her tinkering projects.  It would be hard to keep a partnership like this purely business.

I enjoyed this book. Instead of a lonely man and a wilting female, we have Matt and Corinne.  Following their journey, with its twists and turns was as entertaining as it was in showing what determination and faith can lead to for a good marriage.  This is the stuff that settled the west.  This is the type of story that our great grandparents might have told if we turned back time.  

Reviewing: Before I Called You Mine

...from the publisher...
Lauren Bailey may be a romantic at heart, but after a decade of matchmaking schemes gone wrong, there's only one match she's committed to now--the one that will make her a mother. Lauren is a dedicated first-grade teacher in Idaho, and her love for children has led her to the path of international adoption. To satisfy her adoption agency's requirements, she gladly agreed to remain single for the foreseeable future; however, just as her long wait comes to an end, Lauren is blindsided by a complication she never saw coming: Joshua Avery.

Joshua may be a substitute teacher by day, but Lauren finds his passion for creating educational technology as fascinating as his antics in the classroom. Though she does her best to downplay the undeniable connection between them, his relentless pursuit of her heart puts her commitment to stay unattached to the test and causes her once-firm conviction to waver.

With an impossible decision looming, Lauren might very well find herself choosing between the two deepest desires of her heart . . . even if saying yes to one means letting go of the other.

...my thoughts...
Before I Called You Mine is a heartwarming story of one woman's determination to adopt a child from China. On her own.  A single woman.  The process was rigorous and it would be quite an experience for  a married couple united in love and support for each other.  I admired  her determination but she didn't even have the support of her family, which would have lightened her burden somewhat.

Joshua was my favorite character.  His personality and sincerity was the right balance for Lauren.  I cheered him on as Lauren strived to remain true to the guidelines of the adoption requirements.  His patience was incredible and his love stronger enough to let her be. 

Before I Called You Mine is a book of firsts for me.  My first Nicole Deese book and the first book I have read with such an up close and personal experience with adoption.  It is an engaging story of resilience, courage and love.  Lauen and Joshusa's faith is intertwined in this book, and it is part of the determination both have as their love grows.  It is a funny, serious book and will have you laughing and crying on the same page.  I received my copy from #BethanyHouse to review but my opinions are most definitely mine.

On A Coastal Breeze by Suzanne Woods Fisher

...from the publisher...
For Madison Grayson, life is good. Newly licensed as a marriage and family therapist, she can't wait to start her practice. Despite the unfortunate shortage of eligible bachelors on the island--they're all too young, too old, or too weird--Maddie feels like she's finally found her sweet spot. Not even one panic attack in the last year. Not one.
And then Ricky O'Shea drops in. Literally. Floating down from the pure blue sky, the one man in the world she hoped never to see again--the one who'd been her archnemesis from kindergarten through her senior dance--parachutes into town, landing on Boon Dock, canopy draping behind him like a superhero. Ricky O'Shea. Now Pastor Rick, the new minister on Three Sisters Island.

Time to panic.

With wit and a bit of whimsy, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Three Sisters Island where family, forgiveness, and a second chance at love await.

...my thoughts...
On a Coastal Breeze, book two in Suzanne  Woods Fisher's Three Sisters Island series is a destination for your upcoming summer reading list.  All the elements for a coastal vacation are within the covers of this wonderful story.  A small island off the coast of Maine with just enough charm to have you pull up a chaise lounge and read on a sandy beach.

This series is about the Grayson family, who are in the process of finding new life after the patriarch, Paul sold the family home and bought Three Sisters Island.  This book, which can stand alone or alongside the introductory book, On A Summer Tide. The characters are well developed and could easily be one's neighbor or family member.  Memories are visited as life unfolds and we learn that what we have experienced in our  youth can shape who we are as adults.  Madison is no exception as she explores so many of her encounters with Ricky O'Shea.  He is such an engaging character and adds a lot of humor into the story.  From his grand entrance to his serious side, he is important to the story.  Yet he is still Ricky O'Shea, and she isn't sure she can move past that.

Madison, the middle Grayson daughter, has quietly made a big impact on her family. Random comments they share on occasion since moving to the island give her valuable insight on her place in the family dynamics. She never thought of herself as confident as her sisters, often feeling as though she is in the background.  It is interesting the way one touches others lives until it is shared in those odd moments, out of context, many years later.  As her family begins their second year on the island and a new camp season, the changes bring them that much closer to each other.

I enjoyed this book and the new developments in the Grayson family.  A well written story with wonderful characters, it is easy to recommend.  Thank you to Revell and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy for review.  All opinions are mine.

Reviewing: The Trustworthy One by Shelley Shepard Gray

...from the publisher...
Kendra Troyer always knew she would leave Walnut Creek the first chance she got. When she was accepted into design school, she tried her best not to look back at the four siblings she was abandoning, but ahead to Columbus, where she was determined to stay—far away from her abusive home and far away from Nate Miller, the boy she vowed to despise for the rest of her life.

Though she suffered through dark times in Columbus, Kendra found her faith in the Lord again, and years later, when she learned one of her good friends had died, she realized it was time to go home to those she left behind.

Back in Walnut Creek, Kendra has a life she never could have imagined: her own design shop, a pretty little house, and a tight-knit group of friends. After she settles down, though, unexpected visitors come knocking and dark memories begin to resurface. Complicating things even further is the ever-present Nate Miller, who now owns the hardware store two doors down and whose very presence stirs in Kendra a fierce need to turn away and hide from her past. But Nate is persistent in setting things right between them.

As Kendra tries to come to terms with the anger she holds from her childhood, will she be able to open her heart to forgiveness and find the comfort she has always longed for in Walnut Creek?

...my thoughts...
The Trustworthy One, is the latest book in the Walnut Creek series by Shelley Shepard Gray.  This is a continuing story of how seven friends unite after the death of their good friend Andy. We are touched by many in our lives, for reasons we don't know.  Sometimes we are touched even more by their deaths.  The lessons we learn as we live on are often rewarding if we look back and notice the subtle cues found in our memories.

Kendra Troyer grew up in less than normal circumstances and fled her abusive home as soon as she could get away.  She left behind cruel parents and her younger siblings, who relied on her resilience and generous spirit to see them through their tough circumstances.  As life often does, she found herself once again in Walnut Creek.  The one person she didn't want to meet again, Nate Miller is there, in her presence at every turn. As a child, he seemed to be near at every awkward moment of her young life.  For all the troubles she left behind, she encountered more out in the English world.  It is when she is back in Walnut  Creek, and faces those she left behind that she learns the value of trust and forgiveness.  Shelley Shepard Gray is a gifted writer whose books are not just entertaining but rich in human nature.  I enjoyed this book, a story of true friendship, and recommend it without reservation to anyone who likes heartwarming stories. 

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson

...from the publisher...
Home is the place to heal, right? At least, that's what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon's old room. After a few nights sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift--her grandfather's run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store.
But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon's noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses . . . and a ring.

Full of quirky characters, family drama, and sweet romance, The Happy Camper will have you scouring Craigslist for your own diamond-in-the-rough camper to restore and haunting your local hardware store for a handy guy to help your dreams come true.

...mythoughts... 
Melody Carlson's The Happy Camper follows Dillon Michaels on a journey of self discovery.  Always responsible, she worked hard in her career and was loyal to a relationship she thought would lead to a loving marriage. As the pieces of her plans fall one by one like a juggler's balls, it dawns on her that her that she needs a big change.  Her last straw moment became the catalyst she needed to let Mr. not-so-right-after all and that empty job behind to help her lonely grandfather on his farm.

I enjoyed this book, first because it was written by Melody Carlson.  She has the gift of developing characters who may need a nudge to see just how good life can be if they are if pointed in the right direction. Dillon Michaels is a good example of a young woman who gives all to her job and boyfriend, but forgets to live the life she was designed to live. Starting over is scary but sometimes, looking back one can't help but wonder why they didn't do it sooner.

Secondly, this book is entertaining.  Restoring the vintage Oasis trailer is a metaphor of Dillon's life.  She was tired and feeling a bit neglected.  Underneath all of the dust and old paint was a beauty ready to show how much life was underneath.  Dillon found a gift she didn't expect to find in the middle of this restoration.  She had to leave her Colorado life behind to see that her life was right where she left it behind on her family's farm. 

I will admit that I did not look at Craigslist for a camper, I am a lake girl at heart.  I did, however, scour the net on the subject and the first picture I found showed the exact colors of Dillon's little Oasis, complete with burnt orange appliances. From now on, when I see the vintage trailers on the road, taking the glampers to congregate, I will have a new appreciation for their journey.  I recommend this book without hesitation to anyone who enjoys entertaining, Christian fiction.  Thank you to NetGalley.com for this book in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Reviewing: Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan

...from the publisher...
As a young girl, Lillian Walsh lost both her parents and a younger sister. Now in her twenties, after enduring the death of her adoptive mother, Lillian must find her place in the world. Just as her adoptive father is leaving for an extended trip to his native Wales, a lawyer appears at the door to inform Lillian that she has inherited a small estate from her birth parents--and that the sister she had long believed dead is likely alive.
When she discovers that her sister, Grace, is living in a city not far away, Lillian rushes to a reunion, fearful that the years of separation will make it hard to reconnect.

When the two sisters meet, Grace is not at all what Lillian expected to find. Though her circumstances have been difficult, Grace has big dreams. Can Lillian set aside her own plans to join her sister in an adventure that will surely change them both?


...my thoughts...
Unyielding Hope is one of those stories that not just warms the heart but enters your thoughts about a time when the good intentions of some had unintended consequences. And sometimes, those consequences turn out just the way they should.  Two young sisters lost their parents to consumption.  Lillian was told her younger sister Grace also died of the disease that we know of today as tuberculosis.  Little did she know, Grace survived.

Grace and Lillian, through God's grace, found each other again in His own time.  To find each other after so many years and build a life together was amazing.  Each had her own story, with Grace never finding a forever home through adoption and Lillian, a young woman who was afforded many opportunities is a very loving home.  Grace, who grew up with so little was so open to possibilities while Lillian, was a little more reticent.  Yet, she brought Grace and all of the orphan children in her care back to live in the family home in Brookfield.

I have enjoyed reading Janette Oke's stories over the years and they leave me with something to think on when the story is long gone.  Unyielding Hope, written with her granddaughter Laurel Oke Logan, is a good lesson in putting things into perspective. It isn't what we have been given but what we do with what we have that matters most.  Giving love when it is needed most to those who need it is far better than all the riches of the world.  I heartily recommend this book for the hope it brings and the laughter the children provide in the midst of two sisters reconnecting.  

Starfish Pier

...from the publisher...
A year ago, ex-Delta Force operator Steven Roark left the rigors of combat behind to run fishing charters in Hope Harbor, decompress, and talk some sense into his kid brother. Business is good--but making peace with his past is more challenging than he expected.
First-grade teacher Holly Miller leads a quiet, low-profile existence--until she's recruited to advocate for a cause that's dear to her heart. When she solicits Steven's assistance, sparks fly--especially after they find themselves on opposite sides of an issue that disrupts their placid seaside community.

As these two seemingly incompatible souls search for common ground, might they discover a deeper connection--and find that love can banish darkness and light the way to a future filled with promise?

Bestselling and award-winning author Irene Hannon invites you back to Hope Harbor--where hearts heal . . . and love blooms.

...my thoughts...
I have been enjoying the Hope Harbor series by Irene Hannon since reading Hope Harbor, book one in the series. I have been watching for Starfish Pier to become available since I finished reading the previous book, Driftwood Bay.  Irene Hannon is a wonderful author, whether she is writing a series such as Hope Harbor or suspense filled novels with high intrigue.  I have become a steady fan over many years.

Hope Harbor is just the place you want to come to for relaxation, a view of the ocean and small town camaraderie at Charley's Fish Taco truck.  It is not the place you come to if you want to be removed from all human contact.  Holly Miller encounters just such a man when her new neighbor Pete moves next door. Meeting him soon after encountering an abrupt Steven Roark surprised her when everyone else in her new town were so friendly. At times I wondered how this would all tie together, but that is part of what makes Hannon's books so good to read. There seemed to be so many roadblocks for Holly and Steven, yet I couldn't help but wonder "why not?" Each had reasons they couldn't let go of that would hinder a loving relationship. 

Letting go of the past can be difficult in order to live in the present.  Sometimes that very idea of community can be stifling when we encounter the same people wherever we go.  But sometimes that is the very thing that can heal the heart.  This book touches on some of the issues many face in our society today.  They are not sugar coated but bring a message of hope where these wonderful characters are facing a challenge.  They are all fictional, of course, but each serves a purpose to bring the story together in the end.  Characters and locations from the previous stories are woven into the story and mesh with this new set of characters.

I appreciate receiving an advance copy of the book for review from NetGalley.   The opinions expressed are my own, but I do recommend this book with 5 stars.  It is like visiting one of your favorite locations and visiting with good friends.