Adult Review: Redemption Bay

 * Haven Point Book 2*

McKenzie Shaw loves her town, she's desperately trying to make the economy. Especially after Ben Kilpatrick left years ago and destroyed the once booming town.

Now he's back. And living next door to her.

McKenzie vows to be polite (after she yells at him for his past crimes) and then she learns that he's in a position to make the town soar to new heights. Sworn to secrecy, she has the town hopping to show him a welcoming community.

The more time she spends with him, the more she understands about his past and his reasons for escaping town the first time. Can she change his mind against the town without falling into her old crush. 

My Thoughts: I loved the first book in this series and of course gravitated towards this one. After a brief disappointment (I thought this was another Christmas story because of the lights on the boats), I fell quickly for this read.

I loved learning more about the town and it's history. I liked seeing characters from the previous books. I loved learning more about Ben (especially after so many comments in the first book, I wondered how he was going to become a likable character -but he really is!)

I love that McKenzie is the town mayor. I admire her patience with everyone giving her comments. I loved watching her in action from pulling together the festivals to dealing with the crisis. 

I loved the two dogs that formed an attachment. 

Haven Point sounds like a magical place: filled with great people, a sense of community, good friends, and of course romance. I just wonder how their library is :)

I can't  wait to read more in this series.

Cover Thoughts: A little misleading, but gorgeous!
Source: BEA 2015 - signed copy!

Final Thoughts: Read this series for the small town charm, the friendships, and of course the romance. 

On My Hold List (110)

My Librarian friend Jess from I Read to Relax came up with a great idea.  It's to highlight the books on hold at the library. I usually have 20-40 items checked out at the library and another 20 items on hold. 

Middle Grade Reads:

To Catch a Cheat: Loved the Great Greene Heist - so looking forward to another adventure

Neverseen: Love this series and can't wait to see what happens next!

Eden's Wish: First in a series about a genie who wishes for freedom.

Pilfer Academy: Boarding School for Thieves!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to read in a day

This week's topic is a Freebie week - I had a hard time struggling to come up with a topic. But then I looked at the past posts and it hit me. Top Ten Books To Read In A Day. Now I read fast, but they were the last books I couldn't put down. I devoured them in one sitting. 

- meme from The Broke and the Bookish

Mini Review: Great Moments in Chocolate History

Timeline of Chocolate History starting in the early 1500s through 2014 and thoughts about the future of chocolate. 

The Good:
Full of fascinating facts including famous chocolate lovers, technology changes everything, modern chocolate, and chocolate in the kitchens
Fantastic pictures that will make your mouth water
Recipes that I can't wait to test

The Bad:
A good book is always too short.

Cover Thoughts: Looks fun and inviting
Source: Birthday Gift '

Also I dare you to read this book without eating a lick of chocolate (I couldn't do it - check out the chocolate that I ate) What's your favorite type of chocolate?

Final Thoughts: Perfect book for your favorite Chocolate Lover

Books and Treats (5)

A new blog idea inspired by Andi @ http://andiabcs.com/2014/08/01/pub-date-1/ with the Pub Date where a few bloggers share book and beer pair ups.  Andi states that the idea is the brain child of Brittany at The Book Addict’s Guide.

My mouth watered while reading this one and I gave into my cravings with these:

They were amazing and they're my new addiction! 

Spring Programs: Flowers

It sure feels like Spring now in New England, but I'm sure that will change soon. It's nice to imagine that we might just sail through winter without huge snowstorms and move right into Spring.  Or maybe it's just fun to imagine Spring programs. So I thought I'd attempt to help and toss out a few ideas for fall - all from pinterest

Also, take a look at last year's Valentine Programs or Mint programs for St. Patrick's Day ideas. Plus last year's Spring Flower program ideas.
This year's Butterfly ideas and Garden programs

Paper Hyacinth 

Duct Tape Flowers

More paper flowers

Twig Frame with Flowers

Series Love: Mediator

I'm so super excited to read the upcoming book (adult) in the series, 

that I decided to re-read the YA series again.

And boy did I love them just as much the second time around. I love Meg Cabot's writing. She always makes me laugh and sigh with happiness at the end of the book.

Here are some reasons why I loved this series:

Paranormal Romance

Ghosts

Star Wars jokes 

Lifetime movie mentions

Gina

Father D

Father D playing video games

Step-brothers (especially David)

Andy

Jesse

Suze: for her snark, her witty comebacks, and the fact that she kicks major butt while she worries about not having a boyfriend or that the boy likes has been dead for over 100 years. Sure she sometimes makes terrible choices, but her heart is in the right place. 

I'm super excited for February 2nd when the book comes out!