THE GARDENER’S SECRET by S. Hansberger

Fiction, Suspense, 266 pages

4****

Blurb: Believing she’ll get to report gritty news, Callie accepts a job at her hometown newspaper. Instead, she’s assigned the gardening column—a subject she knows nothing about. She begs advice from a tight-lipped neighbor when he admits he’s a retired gardener, even though his mannerisms and speech suggest he’s anything but. Not knowing the full truth doesn’t matter—she needs his help. The townsfolk think him strange and warn Callie to keep her distance, but she regards him and his family as friends. Learning their horrifying secret doesn’t deter her, even though loyalty will draw her into danger.

Thoughts: This was a good suspense novel. Callie is a young, avid reporter who wants to be a big-time investigative reporter — but she’s stuck doing a gardening column for her small town newspaper. Unfortunately, she knows absolutely nothing about gardening. But a new friend does and he agrees to help her. She becomes intrigued by him. He lives with his daughter and grandson and is very reclusive. Over the next few months, they become friends, and she learns why they are secretive. Their problem becomes her danger. Note trigger: this is a story about abuse though nothing happens in the book, there is talk about escaping bad situations.

I enjoyed the story—though I knew what was going on from the beginning—which is the only reason this was a four and not a five. The characters are believable and the settings well-done. Even the situation with the brother coming back sick and forcing the secret out is an interesting part of the story. 

Recommendation: I would definitely read more from this author and do recommend this if you’re looking for suspense that is on the lighter side (no murder, very little romance). 

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

THE DUKE’S COWBOY by Andrew Grey

Fiction, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+, 211 pages

4****

Blurb: George Lester, the Duke of Northumberland, flees familial expectations in Britain for the promise of freedom of San Francisco, looking for the chance to be himself. But before he even gets close, a blizzard forces him off the road, and he finds himself freezing half to death in a small town with no motel… with a litter of puppies to look after. Luckily for George, he also finds Alan. As the heir to his family’s ranch, Alan Justice knows the burden of being the oldest son. He doesn’t have time to show George, the stranger his brother dragged home, what it takes to be a cowboy. But that very night, George surprises him by helping a mare in distress through a difficult birth. Maybe the duke is made of sterner stuff than Alan thought. George and Alan keep surprising each other, and every day they grow a little closer. But when George’s responsibilities call him home, Alan finds he’s the one who has something to prove—that he can handle what it means to be the duke’s cowboy. 

Thoughts: The first thing I thought of when reading this was how desolate (and beautiful) it is driving across Wyoming/Montana/Dakotas/etc. I’ve done it and you can drive for miles and see nothing but landscape. Add in a blizzard and someone not used to this kind of country and you have a disaster waiting to happen. And that is what happens to George. Fortunately for him, he finds a place and a family to hunker down until the storms pass. Alan isn’t quite sure what to make of the British aristocrat, but at least the man joins in and helps out on the ranch instead of just sitting around expecting to be waited on.

Both men have issues that need to be addressed before they can commit to each other—and they do. This is a romance after all so there’s a HEA that satisfies. There’s a good bit of heat in the story, but it works. 

Recommended. 

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

COOKIES AND GHOSTS by Tiny Sparks

Fiction, Paranormal Romance, 5 Heat Level, 211 pages

4****

Blurb: Ellen didn’t know she has a great-aunt until she receives an invitation to meet her. With her great-aunt’s house in shambles, Ellen must shack up with a sexy Scot named Kerr. No matter how much she throws herself at him, he resists, insisting on something more she’s not ready for. Still, as deliciously handsome as he is, he might break down her walls and persuade her to try a relationship one last time. In her great-aunt, she finds a kindred soul who understands the struggles of being bipolar. However, when she’s introduced to her great-aunt’s young boyfriend, Ellen questions her sanity. Ghosts aren’t real, or so she thought.

Thoughts: This is a steamy paranormal romance full of ghosts and handsome Scot’s with delicious accents. It’s also about a woman who has bipolar issues. I love that the author showed the struggles she goes through with her emotions and medications—all part of the process. Ellen gets to know her great-aunt and how she also struggled with being bipolar. Then Ellen finds out the other issue shared with her great-aunt—she can see and talk to ghosts. 

Almost from the beginning, we know Ellen is going to get it on with Kerr (the handsome Scot), even with the issues that keep coming between them. The heat level in this book is high. But in the end, Kerr accepts Ellen and everything that entails and we have a HEA ending that satisfies. The setting is well-done and the characters quirky and fun. There were a few editorial glitches, but the story overall was interesting and kept me reading. And I just wish I knew more about Claire. I got the feeling this was the first book in a series, maybe.

Recommended.

Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”