Melanie Cantor's happy beginning...plus a book giveaway

Photo by Karla Gowlett

Today we welcome Melanie Cantor to CLC. Her debut novel, Death and Other Happy Endings, published last week in the US and last month in the UK. Thanks to Viking, we have two copies to give away!

Melanie Cantor worked for many years in PR and as a celebrity talent agent, and has dabbled in interior renovations, which led to her hosting a UK TV series where she tidied up people’s messy houses. She has since concentrated on writing; Death and Other Happy Endings is her first published novel. She has two grown up sons, a dog and lives in London.

Visit Melanie on Twitter and Instagram.

Synopsis:
Given three months to live, what would you do?

Jennifer Cole has just been told that she has a terminal blood disorder and has only three months to live—ninety-ninety days to say goodbye to friends and family, and to put her affairs in order. Ninety days to come to terms with a diagnosis that is unfair, unexpected, and completely unpronounceable. Focusing on the positives (she won’t have to go on in a world without Bowie or Maya Angelou; she won’t get Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s like her parents, or have teeth that flop out at the mere mention of the word apple), Jennifer realizes she only has one real regret: not standing up for herself to the three most significant people in her life.

Rather than rushing off to complete a frantic bucket list, Jennifer tackles this regret through letters (handwritten notes on nice stationery) to the three people who hurt her the most, to say the things she’d wished she’d said, but never dared. Before she can overthink it, Jennifer posts the letters to her overbearing, selfish sister, her jelly-spined, cheating ex-husband, and her charming, unreliable ex-boyfriend.

At first, Jennifer feels cleansed by her catharsis. Liberated, even. Her ex-boyfriend rushes to her side and she even starts to build bridges with her sister Isabelle (that is, once Isabelle’s confirmed that Jennifer’s condition isn’t genetic). Once Jennifer starts telling the truth, though, she realizes it’s hard to stop. And as she soon discovers, the truth isn’t always as straightforward as it seems, and death has a way of surprising you. . .

In one sentence, what was your journey to publishing like? 
Tough and now all the more appreciated because of the failures that led to the eventual success.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges from writing Death and Other Happy Endings? 
The biggest reward was the initial excitement that this was not going to be published just in the UK but in the US too. What a thrill. And then it grew to nine other territories including Russia and China! Extraordinary. Now there is the reward and thrill of the reviews coming in and the engagement with readers.

The challenge includes making people who don’t normally read commercial fiction, appreciate that this is not just a quick pacy story (which it is) but one that will make you really examine your own life and get you thinking. If you like, it’s an intelligent easy read! Is that a thing? Well it should be!

If Death and Other Happy Endings were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles? 
There is genuine talk that this could be made into a movie so I’ve been playing the casting game in my head, even though I probably won’t have any say in the matter. I’d love Kate Winslet to play Jennifer. She’s the quintessential English woman who would be perfect in the role. Gwyneth Paltrow to play Isabelle (let’s get her acting again,) Rachel Weisz as Olivia, and Helena Bonham Carter as Anna Maria. As to the male leads, Jon Hamm as Harry (can he do a British accent?) and Rufus Sewell as Leo (in fact I visualised him when I was describing Leo). If you don’t know him, check him out as Lord Melbourne in the TV series Victoria. The most gorgeous kind of sexy!

What is the funniest thing that happened to you recently? 
 I was on a blind date in a local Italian trattoria. As I was focusing on the man sitting opposite me (trying not to be disappointed) and listening to his chat, he suddenly stopped mid-flow to tell me my menu was on fire “and it’s flickering right near your hair.” I had inadvertently leant the paper menu against the tea light candle and it really was flaming up. All hell broke loose. The waiter started flapping wildly at the smoke alarm, the waitress was having to open and shut the door to let in air. Fortunately, as paper does, it stopped burning fairly quickly. Happily, without incident. I thought the whole thing hilarious. Sadly my date did not which as far as I’m concerned, summed him up.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend? 
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez. It ticked two boxes for me. Firstly it was about a dog (I have a cute dog called Mabel who is effectively my third child). And secondly about the publishing world. It was a beautifully written book dealing in an original way with loss and friendship - obviously themes that interest me. It totally summed how dogs find their way into your heart when you least expect it as well as throwing an interesting look at perspective; how we can all remember the same event very differently.

What is the strangest thing residing in your purse or handbag? 
Probably the roll of dog poo bags. A dog owner should never be without them.

Thanks to Melanie for making us laugh and to Viking for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends July 21st at midnight EST.

Down by the bay with Nicola May....plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have Nicola May back at CLC today to talk about her latest novel, Meet Me in Cockleberry Bay and share some other fun information about herself. Rachel's Random Resources has one copy of her novel to give away, as part of her blog tour. 

Award winning author Nicola May lives in Ascot in Berkshire with her rescue cat Stanley. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks and enjoying a flutter on the horses. Inspired by her favorite authors Milly Johnson and Carole Matthews, Nicola writes what she describes as chick lit with a kick.

Visit Nicola online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram 

Synopsis (may contain spoilers for The Corner Shop):
The cast of the runaway bestseller, The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay (reviewed here), are back – including Rosa, Josh, Mary, Jacob, Sheila, new mum Titch and, last but by no means least, Hot, the adorable dachshund.

Newly wed, and with her inherited corner shop successfully up and running, Rosa Smith seems to have all that anyone could wish for. But the course of true love never did run smooth and Rosa’s suspicions that her husband is having an affair have dire consequences.

Reaching rock bottom before she can climb back up to the top, fragile Rosa is forced to face her fears, addiction and jealousy head on.

With a selection of meddling locals still at large, a mystery fire and Titch’s frantic search for the real father of her sick baby, the second book in this enchanting series will take you on a further unpredictable journey of self-discovery.

Purchase links:
Amazon UK
Amazon US

What is a favorite compliment you have received for your writing?
A new reader said that The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay had reignited his passion for reading. That was nice.

Which character do you identify with most in the Cockleberry Bay series?
It has to be Rosa, my heroine. I wasn’t fostered like she is; but I did lose my mum at a very young age; which caused me to grow up very quickly and caused me to experience heartache and grief along life’s windy path. She also has a naughty sense of humour!

If the Cockleberry Bay series were made into a TV series, who would play the lead characters?
I think Bel Powley is exactly how I imagine Rosa to look. Douglas Booth would make a delicious Josh.

What is something that you find to be extremely funny?
Everybody Loves Raymond is my favourite TV comedy. Has me laughing out loud a lot. So brilliantly written.

What is the last thing you purchased?
A pair of gorgeous Anne Klein sandals for my best friend’s birthday.

What movie would people be shocked to find out that you haven't seen before?
I have never watched any of the Star Wars films. If something is not set in real-time then I’m just not interested.

Thanks to Nicola for visiting with us and to Rachel's Random Resources for sharing Nicola's book with our readers.

Enter to win a signed copy of The Corner Shop on Cockleberry Bay (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within seven days, then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winner's information. This will passed to the giveaway organizer and used only for fulfillment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. We are not responsible for dispatch or delivery of the prize.

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Visit the other stops on Nicola's blog tour:

Book Review: Have You Seen Luis Velez?

By Sara Steven

Raymond Jaffe feels like he doesn’t belong. Not with his mother’s new family. Not as a weekend guest with his father and his father’s wife. Not at school, where he’s an outcast. After his best friend moves away, Raymond has only two real connections: to the feral cat he’s tamed and to a blind ninety-two-year-old woman in his building who’s introduced herself with a curious question: Have you seen Luis Velez?

Mildred Gutermann, a German Jew who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, has been alone since her caretaker disappeared. She turns to Raymond for help, and as he tries to track Luis down, a deep and unexpected friendship blossoms between the two.

Despondent at the loss of Luis, Mildred isolates herself further from a neighborhood devolving into bigotry and fear. Determined not to let her give up, Raymond helps her see that for every terrible act the world delivers, there is a mirror image of deep kindness, and Mildred helps Raymond see that there’s hope if you have someone to hold on to. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

As is the case with so many of Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novels, we get to see two people who are so vastly different from one another, form an unlikely bond. It’s something I admire so much about Hyde’s stories, because it unfolds in such a sweet and organic way. Both Raymond and Mildred feel like outcasts, and feel misunderstood. They have found common ground in each other, even when others don’t understand and even judge the friendship.

While Raymond goes on his search for Luis Velez, I was right there with him, hoping against hope that he’d been found. The voice of Raymond is so fitting of his age, the perspective realistic and honest as he ventures outside of his comfort zone in order to do something good for someone he cares about. An uplifting experience that reminded me that there is still goodness in people. Because, even though the characters created aren’t real-life people, the actions they take and the goals they have are all actions and goals so many of us can do and make in our own lives.

In searching for Luis, Raymond discovers that he has created a chain reaction within the people he’s reached out to, an outcome that changes him and the people within his world, Mildred included. It’s all told so simply, but the simplicity speaks volumes. I always feel like I’ve learned an important lesson when I read something from Hyde, and Have You Seen Luis Velez? is no exception. That, sometimes, it’s okay to stop and help someone, even when it feels like it might be an imposition to the walls we’ve put up around ourselves, or that we don’t have enough time or have the resources to do it. That sometimes, just a smile or being there can at times, feel like it’s more than enough, to not feel so alone in this world.

Thanks to Little Bird Publicity for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Catherine Ryan Hyde:

Spotlight and Giveaway: Evening in the Yellow Wood

A few weeks ago, we featured a novel by an author named Laura Kemp. At the time, we accidentally tagged a different Laura Kemp. The two met on our Facebook page and we had a good laugh over the confusion. This time around, we're featuring the debut novel of the Laura Kemp we accidentally tagged last time. It's called Evening in the Yellow Wood and it sounds intriguing! It also sounds like there's an identity confusion involved. Laura has one signed copy to give away!

Abandoned by an eccentric father on the eve of her twelfth birthday, Justine Cook has lived with her fair share of unanswered questions. Now, ten years later, she leaves her life in southern Michigan and heads north to the mysterious town of Lantern Creek after seeing his picture in a local newspaper. Once there, she discovers her father has been living a double life and meets the autistic half-brother she never knew- a young man who is mute but able to read her mind. 

When a local girl who looks like Justine is murdered, she joins forces with sheriff's deputy Dylan Locke to capture the killer. But the more they dig for clues to the past, the closer they come to discovering a secret someone will kill to protect. Justine begins to show signs of supernatural power and faces her greatest challenge when she confronts an immortal enemy that has hunted her family for generations.

Laura Kemp is a teacher who loves to write about her home state of Michigan. Her debut novel Evening in the Yellow Wood was released in December of 2018 by Pandamoon Publishing. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University where she studied under Stuart Dybek, and has had her short fiction and poetry published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Word Riot, Tonopalah Review, SaLit and SLAB-Sound and Literary Art Book. Her short story The Pursuit of Happiness was a finalist in WMU's Trial Balloon Fiction Contest.. When not writing, Laura likes to hike, swim, read, and perform with her Celtic band, Si Bhaeg Si Mohr. She also likes spending time with her husband and four children.

Visit Laura online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram


How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends July 16th at midnight EST.

Book Review: The Starter Wife

By Jami Deise

The domestic thriller space is getting more and more crowded, and it seems that authors offering stories of the “Do I really know my husband after all” type must constantly up the ante to keep readers engaged. Playing around with structure, point-of-view, and timelines are all tricks that writers use to keep readers a step or two behind them. In this genre, authors and readers are engaged in a subtle game: Authors need to provide readers with enough clues so that readers can figure out “who done it,” but too many clues make the ending predictable. But when the twists are opaque rather than subtle, readers finish the book feeling frustrated and cheated rather than surprised and satisfied.

Canadian author Nina Laurin’s latest thriller, The Starter Wife, works hard to distinguish itself from other novels with similar plots. She’s got a lot of competition, swimming in the same pool as such notables as Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. In Laurin’s telling, trophy wife Claire Westcott is the woman who suspects there’s something fishy about the suicide of her husband Byron’s first wife, painter Colleen May. Is Byron guilty, or is Claire losing her mind?

It’s difficult to be original with a plot that’s so familiar, so Laurin employs twists to keep readers guessing. For me, though, there were times I just ended up confused, wondering if the “I” was always Claire, or someone completely different.

The bigger problem is that Claire is unlikable, which makes it difficult to care if her life is in danger. In this genre, the unlikeable female protagonist isn’t necessarily a problem (think Amy in Gone Girl or Rachel in The Girl on the Train) if they are clever or funny or tragic, but Claire comes across as whiny and useless, preoccupied with a failed novel and making dinner.

Overall, the book didn’t work for me, but it did keep me reading until the last page. And I would recommend it to fans of the book (now a TV series) You by Caroline Kepnes; they might appreciate it a lot more than I did.

Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Nina Laurin:

Spending the summer with Kerry Lonsdale...plus a book giveaway

Today we welcome back Kerry Lonsdale to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Last Summer. Melissa A enjoyed this book and knows you will too. (See her review.) It's a stand-alone, so we're not spoiling anything by sharing the synopsis this time. Kerry has one copy for a lucky reader!

Amazon Charts, Wall Street Journal, and #1 Amazon Kindle bestselling author Kerry Lonsdale writes standalone and series based emotionally charged domestic drama, family suspense, and women’s fiction. Her books are sold worldwide in more than 28 countries and are being translated into 24 languages (and counting). Co-founder of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, an international organization that boasts over 1,000 writers, Kerry resides in Northern California with her husband, two children, two naughty kitties, and an aging Golden Retriever convinced she’s still a puppy. (Bio courtesy of Kerry's website.)

Visit Kerry online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest

Synopsis:
Lifestyle journalist Ella Skye remembers every celebrity she interviewed, every politician she charmed between the sheets, and every socialite who eyed her with envy. The chance meeting with her husband, Damien; their rapid free fall into love; and their low-key, intimate wedding are all locked in her memory. But what she can’t remember is the tragic car accident that ripped her unborn child from her. Ella can’t even recall being pregnant.

Hoping to find the memories of a lost pregnancy that’s left her husband devastated and their home empty, Ella begins delving into her past when she’s assigned an exclusive story about Nathan Donovan, a retired celebrity adventurer who seems to know more about her than she does him. To unravel the mystery of her selective memory loss, Ella follows Nathan from the snowcapped Sierra Nevada to the frozen slopes of southeast Alaska. There she discovers the people she trusts most aren’t the only ones keeping secrets from her—she’s hiding them from herself. Ella quickly learns that some truths are best left forgotten. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received for your writing?
One word: unputdownable. To hear from a reader that they couldn’t put your book down, that they were so engrossed in the story that they read the book in one sitting? It’s the best feeling ever. I’ve been fortunate to receive such a compliment many times over for each one of my books, including Last Summer.

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Last Summer?
The biggest reward from writing Last Summer is the feedback I’ve received so far on the book. The early reader reviews have blown me away. I’m so pleased with how well the book has been received by readers.

The biggest challenge though was finishing the manuscript. The plot is complex and it took additional rewrites and a deep edit that emotionally took it’s toll. I was exhausted by the time the book reached my level of expectations. The blood, sweat, and tears were worth it. I’m tremendously pleased with the story’s execution.

If Last Summer were made into a movie, what are some songs that would be on the soundtrack?
Last Summer would be amazing on the big screen, and I envision a soundtrack that’s as much of a rollercoaster as the story is itself. As you know, I crowdsourced input on tracks. I have to give a big shout-out to the Tikis in the Lounge, my top reader group, for their suggestions. In the end, I put together a playlist that includes songs from Eminem and Massive Attack (perfect for Damien, for reasons that’ll be obvious when the book is read) to Steppenwolf and Van Morrison (some of Nathan’s favorites).

Fun fact: Eminem’s "Lose Yourself" is a top track played by corporate executives to psyche themselves up, and "Family and Genus" by Shakey Graves (also on the Last Summer playlist) is a top track played by downhill skiers and extreme sport enthusiasts. Nathan Donovan, one of the main characters, is a celebrity adventurer. Oh! Readers can find my Last Summer playlist here.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
The last book I read was The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth, a page-turning women’s fiction suspense. I also enjoyed Victoria Helen Stone’s False Step, the first thriller of hers that I’ve read. And the most recent romance I read was Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game. That was a fun read, and I recommend them all.

What is a favorite memory of yours from last summer?
Sunny, my Golden Retriever, only retrieves two things, driftwood and seaweed, and she’ll only retrieve when we toss those items into water. I know, she’s weird.

Last Summer we camped at Lake Almanor in northern California. Sunny could see the water from our RV site. When we took her for walks, she knew she’d get the chance to play in the water. On the way to the shore, she’d pick up a random stick and carry it the entire walk, something she never does. We’d reach the shore and she’d drop the stick at my husband’s feet. She’d then bound into the water, do an about face, and wait, tail wagging. My husband would overhand the stick and Sunny retrieve it. And like a kid who wouldn’t get out of the pool, we’d have to drag Sunny from the lake. She’d stay there all day if we let her.

She’s twelve now, and slowing down. I’ll never forget her playfulness with water.

What is the strangest thing currently residing in your purse/handbag?
I’m embarrassed to admit that it’s an empty lip balm cannister. Why? I have no clue. Maybe I left it there as a reminder that I need a new stick. It’s not working. I think it’s been in there for months (discreetly tosses old lip balm).

Thanks to Kerry for visiting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 


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Giveaway ends July 14th at midnight EST.

Spotlight: Oceanic Dreams

Oceanic Dreams is an eight-novella series, each novella written by a different Chick Lit/Romantic Comedy author. They are all in Kindle Unlimited. Each novella can be read on its own and there is no need to read in order. We hope you will check them out for some summer fun and entertainment!

Book 1:
I Saw Him Standing There by Holly Kerr
Release Date: May 20, 2019
Visit Holly on Facebook

This stowaway sets sail for love!

Small-time con artist Siggy needs to get out of town fast. When she’s offered tickets on the legendary Oceanic Aphrodite, Siggy jumps at the chance to get away. A week on a luxury cruise ship, with a suitcase full of clothes and all expenses paid? Yes, please! The only catch is that she has to pretend to be someone else.

No problem. Siggy has no intention of getting close enough anyone to discover her secrets.

But this is the Oceanic Aphrodite and love is in the air. When Siggy sees assistant cruise director Will taking tickets, Cupid’s arrow hits the target. Luckily, Will’s too busy smiling at her to check out her fake passport because he’ll toss Siggy off the ship if he finds out about the scam.

Onboard, dolphins and cameras and runaway ferrets bring Siggy and Will together. The more time they spend together, the more Siggy wants to tell him the truth.

Cupid’s arrow has struck deep but can Siggy stop running?

Book 2:
Time of My Life by Laura Heffernan:
Release Date: June 3, 2019
Visit Laura on Facebook

Janey's never felt this way before, but passengers are off limits. It's only one dirty dance...What could go wrong?

Legend says everyone who boards the Oceanic Aphrodite finds love. Janey's on the ship to teach pole fitness, not for romance. Then she meets Frank. He's everything Janey isn't--refined, classy, rich--but his good looks and charm make him undeniably appealing. Unfortunately, he's also a passenger.

When Janey's partner can't perform in the end-of-cruise talent show, Frank offers to fill in. He's never done pole, but she's got time to teach him. As they grow closer, Janey finds herself hoping the legend is real--but if she gives in to temptation, she could be out of a job.

Book 3:
Circle in the Sand by Tracy Krimmer
Release Date: June 17, 2019
Visit Tracy on Facebook

Follow the rules. Be reliable. Don’t wear your heart on your sleeve.

Living by these words didn’t put librarian Isla Hunter any closer to the life she imagined at thirty. With her birthday in only a few days, she can’t wait to sail away on a week in the sun with her friends Asher and Charlotte. It may be just what she needs.

When an attractive woman takes a liking to Asher, Isla’s heart feels threatened in an unfamiliar way. She’s used to Asher flipping through women like a playbook without a second thought, but this time it’s different. As she tries to sort out her emotions, she struggles with Asher’s connection with this woman. Is it time for Isla to finally break the rules or will that only lead her into hot water?

Book 4:
I Thought it Was You by Kirsty McManus
Release Date: July 1, 2019
Visit Kirsty on Facebook

When Liv Turner takes a cruise to get away from a bad break-up, all she wants to do is hide from the world for a while—and maybe hang out with her brother, who works in the ship’s casino. But soon after boarding, three things happen in quick succession:

1.Liv meets Wells, a gorgeous charity worker on his way to Cozumel.
2.She discovers that her ex has completely drained her bank account.
3.TV celebrity Jamila Castro begs Liv to take on the role of her rehab nurse to stop a vengeful ex co-star from ruining her career.

With Liv broke, and a twenty-thousand dollar incentive to help Jamila out, she reluctantly agrees to a week of pretending to be Nina from Louisiana. The only catch? She isn’t allowed to talk to Wells again. But that becomes difficult when he keeps showing up all over the ship and proving himself to be the perfect guy.

Anything can happen on the Oceanic Aphrodite, but smooth sailing isn’t always one of them.

Book 5:
I Will Follow Him by Holly Tierney-Bedord
Release Date: July 15, 2019
Visit Holly on Facebook

A bachelor party on a cruise ship. What could go wrong?

When private detective Francie is hired to spy on a groom-to-be as he and his bachelor party set sail for the Caribbean, she thinks she's landed herself a week of paid vacation. Between lounging in the sun and sipping margaritas, she just needs to--best case scenario--report back that he's on the up and up, or--the unfortunate, more likely scenario--snap a few photos of her target in compromising positions, buy a box of sympathy chocolates for her client, and then collect her pay along with a nice golden suntan.

Blame it on the island breezes or the alcohol, but within hours of setting sail, Francie's leisurely vacation gets complicated when she starts making careless mistakes. Like accidentally becoming friends with the groom and falling for his best man.

Can she get herself and her mission back on track, or has she blown her cover and possibly even her career?

Book 6:
Take a Chance on Me by Delancey Stewart
Release Date: July 29, 2019
Visit Delancey on Facebook

He was the man of her dreams and their lives were all planned out—until he disappeared without explanation. Only to reappear on the decks of the Oceanic Aphrodite six years later.

Selena Spark has a plan for her life. It’s a new plan, one she devised after her previous plans—the ones she made with her college boyfriend and supposed future husband and business partner fell through—but it’s a good plan.

Step One: Put eyes on the resort Oceanic has built with her company on Grand Cayman, and determine if it is up to her company’s high standards.

Step Two: If it is, score the management position at that resort.

Step Three: Move to Grand Cayman for her dream job and live happily ever after in paradise.

But you know what they say about plans....and Selena may have to make some new ones.

Take a Chance on Me is a light-hearted second-chance romance set in the sun and sand of the Caribbean. The perfect beach read!

Book 7:
Shut Up and Dance With Me by Monique McDonell:
Release Date: August 12, 2019
Visit Monique on Facebook

As they set sail for madness and mayhem aboard Oceanic Aphrodite as Sandy and Danny stand up as witnesses to their friends second marriage. The maid of honor and best man can only agree on two things - this wedding is a bad idea and they can't stand each other. A week on a cruise ship is a long time and hard though they try to avoid each other, the universe has other ideas. All aboard for a fun opposites-attract romance for lovers of cocktails, second chances and happily ever afters.

Book 8:
The Best of You by Sophie-Leigh Robbins
Release Date: August 26, 2019
Visit Sophie-Leigh on Facebook

They may be faking their relationship, but they can’t fake the sparks that fly when they’re together.

Desperate to get away from her cheating ex, travel vlogger Holly books a last-minute cruise to the Caribbean, even though the only available packages left are part of a singles cruise. Of course, Holly has no intention of participating in any dating activities. The further away she can stay from love, the better.

Then she runs into Noah, who is equally appalled by the idea of dating anyone after being dumped on his wedding day. When Noah witnesses another passenger hitting on Holly and refusing to take no for an answer, he volunteers to be her fake boyfriend. But as time passes by, they start to realize they are getting more than what they bargained for.

Will Holly accept what’s right in front of her or will she keep running from her dreams?