The Lost and Found Bookshop

The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs

Just when Natalie Harper thinks she's on her way
to a secure financial future, tragic news sends her home to
deal with staggering grief, and a myriad of unexpected
problems.

She's inherited the quirky bookshop her late mother so
dearly loved, along with overdue taxes, unpaid bills, and
her beloved, but stubborn, grandfather, Andrew, who suffers from
dementia. She gladly accepts the role of caretaker for the one
man she adores.

The daunting task of trying to save and restore the crumbling,
historic building, soon overshadows the bittersweet childhood
memories of the place she once called home. With a limited
budget, and enormous obstacles popping up every day,
an overwhelmed Natalie enlists the help of a good-looking
contractor, Peach Gallagher, whose young, precocious daughter
brightens the shop with lively conversation and a burgeoning
appreciation of books.

As the walls of the ancient building begin to come down, Peach and
Natalie discover hidden treasures; artifacts that may or may not
be of value, yet hold historical significance about the fascinating
past that Andrew speaks of with passion. The elusive truth about Natalie's
family is closer than they think, waiting to be revealed at just the right
moment in time.

This lovely, mellow romance, filled with rich characters and family drama,
is written by an author who exudes warmth in every book she writes. It's ideal for
those readers who browse endlessly in independent bookstores, finding joy
and satisfaction in the sheer pleasure of believing "there's something
magical about a book".

As Natalie's mother often said, " Sometimes you have to let the right book
find you". In these unprecedented times, where our lives are challenging and
chaotic, I'm hoping this book does indeed, find you.

The Last Flight

The Last Flight by Julie Clark

Claire Cook and Eva James are virtual strangers,
but they have one thing in common. Both women are
tormented souls, desperate to escape their lives that
are spiraling out of control.

When they randomly meet in a crowded airport, bound for
different destinations, a casual conversation turns into talk
of a wild and dangerous scheme to swap identities. They
have only one goal in mind, and that is to vanish into
thin air without a trace.

Claire is the polished and competent wife of charming
Rory Cook, heir to a political dynasty, who's preparing to
announce his candidacy for Senator. The lovely couple graces
magazine covers, but the ugly truth about the sordid
side of their relationship, remains hidden behind closed doors.

What the public doesn't see are the bruises and scars Claire
meticulously hides, a result of her husband's volatile temper
that erupts with the slightest provocation. She suspects confidants
in Rory's inner circle conveniently look away. Her intricate
plan to disappear is finally ready, and with luck on her side,
the agony of the last few years will be a distant memory.

Eva's once bright future disintegrated when her poor judgement
and misguided faith in another, robbed her of a promising future.
She longs to create a life so different from her dismal upbringing,
and when an opportunity presents itself to change her destiny,
Eva grabs onto it, without thinking of the dire consequences
of her actions. There's only one way out, and Claire Cook
is the answer to her prayers. But even the best-laid plans can
go terribly wrong when fate intervenes.

This psychological thriller is one of those savvy reads that's
almost impossible to put down. The author navigates
the past and present with ease, yet the reader must pay
close attention to details from the very beginning. Do that,
and you'll be rewarded with an intensely, satisfying story.

The novel speaks of the power of women, and their innate ability to
listen to one another, empathize, and savor true and lasting friendships.

Current and relevant in today's world, the message comes across loud and clear.