-
Special Feature: Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay
Bring on all the summer books! I spent Mother’s Day at the beach where it was over 90 degrees (highly unusual for Oregon!) and I sat there reading a book set in the French Revolution and all I could think about was—-where are all my good beach reads at??? As soon as that sun comes out and we start spending more time at the coast, I start really looking for books that are going to be light and relaxing plus set on the beach is a bonus! One of the first authors I thought of was Jenn McKinlay! I read her book Wait for It last year that was set…
-
Special Feature: The Seaside Library by Brenda Novak
There are a few ‘beach read’ authors that I love featuring and reading as the sunshine starts peaking out in the spring and one of them is Brenda Novak! I have enjoyed her books and while she also write holiday themed books, I have a special place in my heart for her summer beach reads. Novak is a prolific writer and has many many many novels under her belt most of which are women’s fiction/romance but some have elements of mystery as well. I am super excited to share this one with you guys today, as it sounds like it’s going to have her trademark women’s fiction/romance blend but also…
-
Special Feature: Dog Friendly by Victoria Schade
I have been a huge fan of Victoria Schade over the years! I love the adorable dogs on the covers of her books plus, the stories feature strong women who are maybe struggling with something in their personal or professional lives (hello this could be ANY of us ladies!) and then she throws in a touch of romance and cute dogs and I just can’t say no to one of her books! This book is no different! I am reading it a little later this summer and I cannot wait to meet more cute dogs plus a hunky surfer if the summary is to be trusted! Schade’s books are just…
-
Review: The Beach Trap by Ali Brady
I love beach reads season! I love the carefree, relaxed, fluffy appraoch to beach reading every year and as the summer approaches I usually have a list of books that I can’t wait to read on vacation over the summer. This book was right up there for me. It sounded like a blend of The Parent Trap and an HGTV show that I could absolutely get behind. Plus a friend of mine recently went to Destin, Florida and the photos looked amazing so I could completely visualize what this beach house might look like! But as I got into this one I found that it was NOT in fact a…
-
Special Feature: Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins
You all should know by now that I am a sucker for book covers with adorable dogs on them! And this book—-that sweet dog lounging on the beach living his best life just GOT ME! I am definitely taking this one on my trip to Cabo this summer but since today is the release day I just couldn’t resist sharing this book with you guys! I mean don’t we all need more cute pets in our lives?? I know I do! But beyond the adorable dog on the cover lies a story that promises to satisfy your beach read craving! Author Kristan Higgins has penned over 20 books and many…
-
Special Feature and Excerpt: Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery
If you haven’t figured out by now, I am a HUGE Susan Mallery fan! She has written so many books though and I haven’t been able to read every single one but man does she write some fun books! Her books are always uplifting but full of heart, drama, and romance which makes for wonderful beach reading. But here’s the thing with Mallery—I never feel like I am reading ‘fluff’. Her books have well written characters with lots to relate to and enjoy. I always feel a solid connection with her characters and the stories have enough to keep me interested and invested in the plot. She is clearly a…
-
Special Feature: The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner
I have only read one of Jennifer Weiner’s books but I thought it was absolutely wonderful and such a fun little summer read! Her books are usually about family drama with some humor—I love the balanced blend of humor and seriousness. It really makes for a fun, quick, and refreshing read! When I saw that she had this one coming out, naturally I was interested in it! What drew my eye is that it gave a nod to the pandemic which I think will make the book relevant and relatable for readers. I know a lot of authors have shied away from writing the pandemic into their stories for a…
-
Special Feature and Excerpt: Summer at the Cape by RaeAnne Thayne
RaeAnne Thayne has been a long time favorite author of mine. Admittedly I do like her holiday books the best but I have also read and enjoyed her non-Christmas books and found them heartwarming and always what I need to get me through those long rainy April days that we have here in Oregon. Thayne has written a number of books and also has a large fan base, whenever I see one of her books I instantly know I am getting a quality feel good read. I haven’t read a Thayne book I didn’t like so I feel fully confident saying I am sure this one is going to be…
-
Special Feature/Excerpt: The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery
The second I saw this blue green water, I knew I needed this book in my beach bag! It’s that time of year when it’s cold and rainy still in the Pac NW and I find myself longing for some where warm and sunny with white sandy beaches. My husband and I traveled to Aruba during spring break a few years ago when it was pouring rain here in Oregon and we spent a week in paradise. When we came back I had never been so depressed! After that I decided to stick with reading about warm sunny places during the long cold wet months of February and March in…
-
Review: The Summer Getaway by Susan Mallery
It’s that time of year when we have had the ‘false spring’ week in Oregon and have then settled into 6 more weeks of winter. We had this absolutely beautiful week where it was sunny and 60-65 degrees—spring was in the air—until it wasn’t. Suddenly we were back to 40 degree temps with constant rain (like torrential down pour) and like many Oregonians we are all left longing for sunshine and warmer temps! So what is a surefire way to cure the longing in our hearts? A book set in a sunny location that offers a little bit of escapism and a whole lot of sunshine! Enter this lovely new…