#BookReview: The View From Prince Street by Mary Ellen Taylor
Reviewer: Samantha I received a review copy Summary: Rae McDonald was fifteen when a car accident took her sister’s life and threw her own into…
#BookReview: At the Corner of King Street by Mary Ellen …
Reviewer: Leah I received a review copy Summary: The author of The Union Street Bakery presents a new novel about a woman searching for a fresh…
Book Review: Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Summary:
Daisy McCrae knows that change can be sudden—and devastating. And while it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, change has the power to turn your whole world upside down….
Running the family bakery and living in the store’s attic might not be Daisy’s dream life, but she’s beginning to understand what being content feels like. And then she gets some unexpected news. In one moment, Daisy’s calm existence turns into chaos. Now she’s struggling to keep it together, especially with renovations at the bakery spiraling out of control.
But when a box of recipes and mementos is found hidden behind a wall in the bakery, Daisy suddenly has something to cling to—a mystery that echoes her own troubles and gives her the opportunity to figure out what she really wants out of life….
Review:
I read the first book in this series, Union Street Bakery, and thought it was marvelous! There was a good storyline and a bit of ghost aspect as well, and I read it quickly. Finally getting my hands on Sweet Expectations, I was looking forward to seeing how Daisy’s story continued to play out. Let me tell you – there is a quite a twist right at the beginning to really throw you for a loop! Once again we are introduced to a mystery that is hidden in the walls of the bakery, found when the sisters start to do renovations. I loved the sub-plot of that took Daisy on a search and find mission, and both sisters got a little more limelight in this one as well. The only thing I didn’t like as much was constantly being reminded that Daisy was abandoned by her mom and the fact that she really can’t seem to move past it. But other than that, really good book and I recommend the first one as well!
4.5 stars
Book Giveaway: Sweet Expectations by Mary Ellen Taylor
Daisy McCrae knows that change can be sudden—and devastating. And while it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, change has the power to turn…
In My Mailbox: Week of December 8
Title: The Lies That Save Us
Author: JL Redington
Received: CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: Alexa is beautiful, smart and alone in the world, a result of devastating losses in her life. She purchased a diner in the quiet out of the way town of Startup, Washington and hired employees to help run it. She’s just beginning to feel secure in her loneliness.
Suddenly her world is jolted awake by Cayman, a handsome young stranger that enters her diner seemingly from nowhere. Event’s happen quickly, and soon Alexa is deep into secret lives, deception and desire.
Will she figure out the riddle of her father’s death? Will she be able to resist the temptation to fall in love with Cayman in spite of her suspicions? Will she live to tell the tale?
Title: Sweet Expectations
Author: Mary Ellen Taylor
Received: Joan Schulhafer Publishing
Synopsis: Daisy McCrae knows that change can be sudden—and devastating. And while it doesn’t have to be a bad thing, change has the power to turn your whole world upside down….
Running the family bakery and living in the store’s attic might not be Daisy’s dream life, but she’s beginning to understand what being content feels like. And then she gets some unexpected news. In one moment, Daisy’s calm existence turns into chaos. Now she’s struggling to keep it together, especially with renovations at the bakery spiraling out of control.
But when a box of recipes and mementos is found hidden behind a wall in the bakery, Daisy suddenly has something to cling to—a mystery that echoes her own troubles and gives her the opportunity to figure out what she really wants out of life….
Title: Love on a Budget
Author: Norma L Jarrett
Received: Norma L Jarrett
Synopsis: Jake Jiles was always handy with tools. Despite his love for all things do-it-yourself, he went to college and majored in business to fulfill his parents’ dream. He finally got the courage to leave his corporate job and start his “Honey-Do-4-Hire” business. Less than a year in, he’s already exhausted his savings and still living at home with his mother, but he’s determined to birth his franchise. Consumed with his business and fresh off a breakup, he wasn’t in the market for Mrs. Right. But after completing a job on Valentine’s Day, his potential dream girl, Sky showed up. After a brief chat over her car dilemma, he ignored the chemistry and left without her number. But cupid and God had other plans. After a divine connection, the only thing that stood between Jake and Sky, were funds. Will Jake pursue “Love on a Budget” or miss out because the price is too high?
Title: Shy Town Girls – Ivy
Author: Kate Leimkuehler
Received: Kate Leimkuehler
Synopsis: Jake Jiles was always handy with tools. Despite his love for all things do-it-yourself, he went to college and majored in business to fulfill his parents’ dream. He finally got the courage to leave his corporate job and start his “Honey-Do-4-Hire” business. Less than a year in, he’s already exhausted his savings and still living at home with his mother, but he’s determined to birth his franchise. Consumed with his business and fresh off a breakup, he wasn’t in the market for Mrs. Right. But after completing a job on Valentine’s Day, his potential dream girl, Sky showed up. After a brief chat over her car dilemma, he ignored the chemistry and left without her number. But cupid and God had other plans. After a divine connection, the only thing that stood between Jake and Sky, were funds. Will Jake pursue “Love on a Budget” or miss out because the price is too high?
Title: A Cinderella Christmas
Author: Holly Kingston
Received: Novelicious Books
Synopsis: This laugh out loud romantic comedy is a Christmas cracker of a read!
This year’s Cinderella pantomime is the hottest production in town. What’s more, Lucy is starring alongside Ryan Aspall: famous TV actor, sex symbol and potential love of her entire life. One teeny problem – Lucy is tripping the light fantastic as … the back end of the comedy cow. Surely nothing kills a flirty moment quite like wearing a massive set of udders?
At least she has the support of glamorous (if potentially flammable) Charmaine; a reality star diva of a Cinderella, who Lucy is completely fascinated by. But behind the fame and beauty, Charmaine is not all she seems.
With more drama off the stage than on it, and everyone wanting to be star of the show, will Lucy find the confidence to make it out of the cow suit and into the spotlight this Christmas?
Book Review: The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor
I received a copy of The Union Street Bakery by Mary Ellen Taylor in exchange for an honest review. I was immediately intrigued from the synopsis because I love a good mystery, have a thing for ghosts, and can’t resist history. This book has it all – and then a sweet family story, a bit of romance, and a heroine that doesn’t give up when the chips fall around her. Daisy McCrae is out of a job and back living at home and working in the bakery that has been in the McCrae family for generations. The same bakery where Daisy was abandoned by her birth mother when she was three, only to be adopted by the McCrae’s and given a chance at life. Just days back at home, Daisy is bequeathed a journal from the 1850’s from an elderly resident who passes away. Daisy – and both her sisters – are confused why Daisy got the journal. But as Daisy starts reading the story of a young slave girl named Susie, more than history is being brought to light.
I thought The Union Street Bakery was a marvelous read! If you like ghost stories and history, don’t pass this one up. I was so intrigued about Susie and her life, and fitting all the puzzle pieces together throughout the course of the book was enthralling. Daisy is a sweet character who has lost her way after getting the pink slip, and I liked that she wasn’t quick to just start anew. She struggled with her new role in the bakery, she struggled with her sisters, and she struggled in the romance department after her ex-fiancé shows up in town. The adoption story of hers really tugged at my heart, especially the rejection she feels. I loved the ending and how everything was revealed to the reader, and this is a book I highly recommend!
4 stars
