Trapped in a terrifying marriage with two young daughters, and a baby on the way, Ciara knows that she and her are no longer safe in their home. Her husband is cruel, and although he has not become physical, he is emotionally torturing her. While she has been thinking about it for a while, she impetuously leaves when one evening things become impossible. From here on, the book describes her attempt to leave, navigating the impossible bureaucracy, the challenging housing market, being penniless, with children, being unable to work, and being tormented by her husband, as she tries to navigate the situation and keep her children safe, and regain control of their lives. Along the way she encounters the good, the bad and the ugly. Friendships blossom; professionals try to help. The mean stay mean. An emotional rollercoaster, an insider’s look into the difficulty of “leaving”.

Elizabeth Hoyt, the very prolific author of more than 20 Recency Romance novels has written another one. Her latest, NO ORDINARY DUCHESS, is rich with characters, charm, and social settings that existed in the early part of the 1800's in Great Britain. To this is added the unique story for whatever novel. All of Hoyt's Recency Romance novels have a hero (handsome and brooding), a heroine(charming and headstrong) and , of course, a villain (ruthless and cruel). Frequently a kidnapping or blackmail is involved. So far, so good. However, this latest offering goes into great detail about the hero's problem. Rather than his problem being about money, the life of a second son, or a forced marriage - Julian Greycourt's problems are sexual. And, in a twist of roles, Lady Elspeth comes along to save him, rather than visa versa.... I'm all for gender bending stereotypes in literature (and life?) but a found this book to be more graphic than I like in Regency England.

Vera Wong lives above her teashop in San Francisco's Chinatown. One morning she wakes up to find a dead body in the shop. She decides to figure out who did it. It's cute and funny, especially listening to the audiobook.

Amazing book

This is an amazing book. I love her as a writer, but her books keep getting better and better. I can't wait to read her next one!

A cute romance - nice beach read

The lies of four teenagers 15 years ago haunts them, and must be revisited as a body is found.

July 7,2025 completing the Color our World Rainbow Connection This book was so terrific... While dealing with emotional family issues, Rowley intertwines tenderness, warmth, humor and teenage raising brilliance! I just loved the connections between all of his characters and rode along with Patrick's ride through life. The descriptions of the scenery and adventures that Patrick, Maisie and Grant were on as they traveled through Europe were so real that I felt I was with them on their journey. The writer actually captures the Sound of Music tour in Austria perfectly and I found myself singing along with them. I also found myself truly laughing out loud and tearing up a lot... Great writing!!! Great book!!!

Very much the Golden Girls we we all know and love. However, it was very difficult to get through this one. It would have made a good episode for the show but not a book.

This retelling of the Iliad from the point of view of a female Trojan captive has an interesting concept but I felt it went on way too long.