Bitsy’s Bait & BBQ by Pamela Morsi

I really enjoyed this romantic chick-lit story. Call it a guilty pleasure, but it was the perfect sit in the sun on a Saturday read. Interesting, well-developed quirky characters and an interesting plot line. Even though I could see how certain things would be resolved it was just a pleasure to read.

Emma Collins accompanies her sister Katy, and five year old nephew to the Ozarks to help Katy set up the B&B she purchased on ebay with her divorce settlement. However, when they arrive they discover B&B means Bait & BBQ. However, Katy decides to stay and make a go of creating a life and community for her and her son in Warbler Lake, Missouri. So Emma stays as well and together they get the place going. But Katy’s ex mother-in-law wants her son to renegotiate the custody agreement, so when they breeze into town, everyone learns about family, faith and friendship.

Doggie Day Care Murder by Lauren Berenson

Another entry into the Melanie Travis Mystery Series.

I enjoy this light mystery series which features Melanie Travis as an amateur sleuth, usually solving something to do with dogs, as she shows Standard Poodles and her aunt is a champion breeder and dog show judge.

This novel didn’t disappoint with its breezy, easy story. Melanie investigates the death of the owner of a doggie day care facility. Not much character development, except for Aunt Peg teaching Melanie’s son Davey how to show dogs (and enter the Junior Showmanship category). But this was a quick read and an ok entry into the series.

Just a Taste by Deirdre Martin

The latest from this author (see my post on Chasing Stanley for why I like these books). And the last of the vacation books.

This features Anthony Dante and new the the neighborhood French chef Vivi. When Vivi begins plans to open a cozy French bistro across the street from Dante’s she tries to be friendly and introduce herself to the Dante family. But sparks fly between her and Anthony as they bicker about who’s the better chef and what ingredients are actually in a dish. What will happen when they get spicy outside the kitchen?

The Gift of a Year by Mira Kirshenbaum

Subtitled: How to achieve the most meaningful, satisfying, and pleasureable year of your life.

I read a book by this author awhile ago and liked her style, so I decided to pick up some others by her. This is written in her same practical style, full of specific and doable things to create this “gift of a year.” Which is really just about woman making time for themselves and reconnecting with their sense of self. An intersting premise and I can see how it would be helpful to women who feel they’ve lost a piece of themselves but it didn’t really apply to me.

More Than This by Margo Candela

Learned about this new book via a review and since it was a romance, threw it in for the vacation reading.

It’s an interesting premise. Rich socialite Evelyn Sinclair, and laywer Alexander Velazquez live and work in San Francisco and have several close encounters but don’t actually meet. Instead they can see each other through their office windows, and occasionally on the street or the bus. The novel alternates their voices, and the ending really brings it all together.

Quite an enjoyable read.

Chasing Stanley by Deidre Martin

I discovered this author on another vacation and was drawn to the romances because the first one featured a hockey player and a public relations exec. Two of my favorite careers. In a romance. What a fun read. Anyway, the author has produced a few more of these and the stories center around either a New York Blades hockey player or a member of the Dante family. So the other thing I like about these is that the characters from other stories usually make appearances so you can kinda keep up on how they’re doing. Love that.

This story didn’t disappoint – a quick, easy to read, fun, love story.

Dog trainer Delilah Gould spots a rambunctious Newfoundland disobeying his master and steps in to help. There she meets pro hockey player Jason Mitchell, who’s just moved to New York. As Delilah begins to train his dog, she also finds a way into his heart.

Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand

Another author I like, and since her stuff is all set on Nantucket I thought it’d be the perfect vacation read.

This is her second book (for some reason I forgot to pack the first one – doesn’t matter the setting is the only commonality) and tells the story of three friends who meet once a year to share secrets and swim under the stars. On this night Antoinette disappears and suddenly Kayla discovers more secrets than she’s prepared for. It’s a novel of friendships, secrets, and betrayl.

This is a quick read for me, and I’d classify it as just ok. The story line stretches its credibility a little bit, but I did like the characters and I think the author’s real strength is in describing the Nantucket islands.

The Five Languages of Love by Gary Chapman

Subtitle: How to express heartfelt commitment to your mate.

I’ve heard about this book for awhile now, and it was first published in 1992. It’s a quick interesting look at what it means to love and be loved. I did the personal assessment and once I found out what love langage I speak I could totally see why certain things mean so much to me.

At only 191 pages this is an interesting way to look at relating to your signicant other. Also, the author dispels the myths surrounding that in-love feeling. I would recommend it to any couple.

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

As stated before I love ya author Sarah Dessen. I was looking forward to it kicking off my vacation reading. And while the premise was different and similar elements were there, I just didn’t love it the way I wanted to, I think it lacked depth.

Ruby is 17, just a few months away from turning 18, when her mother disappears. After trying to live on her own she’s turned in to child services and reunited with the sister she hasn’t seen in 10 years. Her sister, now married and a lawyer has made a success of herself. Ruby is sent to the local private school and makes friends with her neighbor, who’s hiding a secret of his own.

Time is a River by Mary Alice Monroe

wow. I love the satisfied, sated feeling I get after finishing a great book. This book gave me that feeling. It’s such a perfect blend of romance, intrigue and woman finding her self. That’s the kind of story I really like.

Mia flees to a remote cabin in the North Carolina mountains when her marriage fails. She’s recovering from breast cancer, learning how to fly-fish and discovering herself. And investigating the life of Kate Watkins, the woman who lived in the cabin, and according to town legend murdered her lover. But Kate, a pioneer of female fly-fishing (in the 1920s) was more complicated than that and as Mia digs she finds more of herself.

Just a lovely summer read, rich with historical detail and descriptions of fly-fishing.