Donna Gartshore

From the beginning it’s clear that John has a chip on his shoulder. He’s only in town because of a promise to a friend and he is doing everything he can to get out of Living Skies until he injures his ankle and has to add physical therapy to his short stay.

It's clear that Grace cares a great deal about her physical therapy patients and her foster son, Toby. Besides her job, taking care of him, and trying to get him to open up, is her only priority, and I found that so admirable. I too have always thought about being a foster parent and it is such a tough job that can also be the most rewarding, so I enjoyed watching Grace’s journey to reach young Toby.

I adored the photography aspect of this sweet story the most as I am an amateur photographer. Right now, I am currently working on documenting my old family photos and it has been fascinating. There is something so powerful about capturing a moment in time that I think we all take for granted, so seeing photography through fresh, young eyes was refreshing. The bond between John and Toby was the sweetest, and honestly one of my favorite parts of this novel. I love when I see characters that are struggling yet are able to make a positive impact in someone else’s life.

A Secret Between Them is a shorter story with flawed characters that have real very real struggles that I’m sure many can identify with. It touches your heart with good writing and authenticity and it’s one I loved having the opportunity to read.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.… (más)

This is the perfect holiday season read, full of charm and holiday magic! There is something magnetizing about this story, to the point that I devoured it as quickly as a scrumptious Christmas cookie.

Finding Their Christmas Home is a sweet second chance romance featuring David and Jenny. Growing up together, David and Jenny went from friends to something more, but a painful breakup has had them out of one another’s lives for fifteen years. By chance, they are together again for the holiday season while each are struggling at a personal crossroads. David’s wife abandoned him and their twin daughters and all he wants is to give them the best Christmas ever while Jenny’s professional life is in limbo. Who would’ve thought that could be possible with his ex?

Jenny is a natural nurturer, doing a phenomenal job with these twin girls that she is meeting for the fist time. Jenny and Reba share the bond of dealing with an unfortunate illness, but she also extends grace to the defiant twin, Rowe who is taking her frustrations and aggressions out on everyone. Jenny is also great with her grandmother, who is starting to show medical issues of her own. It’s clear she wants to make everyone happy while also trying to work through her own issues.

David is a strong male lead that lets all the women in his life shine. He has a quiet strength, even as he’s personally struggling to keep it all together. It’s clear from the beginning that David and Jenny have a connection, and when they’re together they bring the best out in one another. I loved being able to witness them get this second chance and to see them go from two individuals that are struggling to all four of them becoming a family and thriving. It’s truly touching to see forgiveness, personal growth, and the importance of focusing on faith and family to heal being fleshed out.

I thought the characters for well developed, grounded, and true to life. I wish Christmas House really existed because it sounds like a magical place that I wouldn’t mind visiting! This novel has all the warm, fuzzy holiday feels and is the perfect holiday season read.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.… (más)

If I could sum up Finding Her Voice in one word it would be healing. When I first started to read this novel I felt depressed by some of the subject matter that is touched on in the first few chapters. There are some hard backstories that had me questioning if this was going to be a heavy read or not, but once I got more into the story it was hard not to be intrigued.

Bridget is a very driven woman who is focused on not letting the darkness of her past define her future, and I am here for that! I liked how she focused on her own self care and didn’t jump into another relationship without first dealing with the issues from her past.

Some of my favorite parts of the book were seeing the bond between sweet little Sophie and Delilah, the distressed dog, develop. It shows how important animals can be in therapy, something I believe many of us already know, and shows how one bond can help heal more than one wound. I have dealt with a lot of illness and issues in my own life, and I cannot imagine what I would’ve done without my Yorkie by my side. There truly is something so wonderful about animal companions that makes the hard stuff more bearable.

There are a lot of truly heartbreaking things that each character is facing, so it’s no surprise that faith is being tested, and witnessing these doubts and fears really helps the characters be more fleshed out, as well as helped me feel that personal bond between myself and these flawed characters.

Though the subject matter can be daunting, it is all handled with realism and the utmost respect, and seeing the bonds that were created amid the ashes were truly endearing. I would have liked a little more lightheartedness to break up the heaviness of the subject matter, but overall it was still a great read.

Warmth exudes from these bonds, and this community as a whole, and you know I am a sucker for a small town romance. I enjoyed this quick read that has such wonderful heart and emotional depth.

*I have voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I received from the author/publisher through JustRead Tours. All views and opinions expressed are completely honest, and my own.… (más)