The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club

   ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Never miss out on future posts by following Seaside Book Nook.

What the Book is About:  NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club for women in this spectacular novel inspired by true events, from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls.

“A dreamy beach book that also sizzles with tension . . . another winner by one of the best historical fiction writers around.”—Fiona Davis, author of The Stolen Queen

2016: Thirty-four-year-old Mari Starwood is still grieving after her mother’s death as she travels to the storied island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the coast of Massachusetts. She’s come all the way from California with nothing but a name on a piece of paper: Elizabeth Devereaux, the famous but reclusive Vineyard painter. When Mari makes it to Mrs. Devereaux’s stunning waterfront farm under the guise of taking a painting class with her, Mrs. Devereaux begins to tell her the story of the Smith sisters, who once lived there. As the tale unfolds, Mari is shocked to learn that her relationship to this island runs deeper than she ever thought possible.

1942: The Smith girls—nineteen-year-old aspiring writer Cadence and sixteen-year-old war-obsessed Briar—are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together during World War II as the U.S. Army arrives on Martha’s Vineyard. When Briar spots German U-boats lurking off the island’s shores, and Cadence falls into an unlikely romance with a sworn enemy, their quiet lives are officially upended. In an attempt at normalcy, Cadence and her best friend, Bess, start a book club, which grows both in members and influence as they connect with a fabulous New York publisher who could make all of Cadence’s dreams come true. But all that is put at risk by a mysterious man who washes ashore—and whispers of a spy in their midst. Who in their tight-knit island community can they trust? Could this little book club change the course of the war . . . before it’s too late?

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  What an amazing story.  I loved absolutely everything about it. I was transported by to 1942 on Martha's Vineyard and pulled in the story from page one.  The back story of the troops on the beach, the mysterious man who washes up on the beach, the women in publishing from New York really brought the story of Cadence and Briar come full circle. 

Visiting Martha's Vineyard is a bucket list summer vacation of mine.  Reading The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club, makes me want to book a trip today.  Someday, I will make it there!

I can't wait to read Lilac Girls and I am not sure how I missed it when it was published.  Martha has 3 other books that I have added to my "to read list"; Lost Roses, Sunflower Sisters and The Golden Doves.  

The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club is a must read book! 

Martha's debut novel LILAC GIRLS, about socialite Caroline Ferriday and her fight to help a group of concentration camp survivors, became an Instant NY Times bestseller in 2016 and went on to sell over two million copies. Once the paperback stayed on the NYT list for fifty-four weeks, and became published in fifty countries she wrote two more novels: LOST ROSES about Caroline's mother, and SUNFLOWER SISTERS about her great grandmother, which also became Instant NY Times best sellers. Her latest novel, THE GOLDEN DOVES, which returns to WWII, arrives in bookstores April 18th, 2023. 

Martha grew up in Massachusetts and now splits her time between Connecticut and New York City. 

You'll find more info about the incredible, true stories behind all of her books at her website: http://www.marthahallkelly.com, on Instagram: @marthahallkelly, Facebook.com/marthahallkelly, Twitter: @marthahallkelly and on her ever-changing Pinterest page.

Amazon 

Get new posts by email:

The Glass Eel

  ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Never miss out on future posts by following Seaside Book Nook.

What the Book is About:  In this gripping debut thriller, struggling divorcée Jeanette King becomes embroiled in a criminal ring when she discovers her ex-husband’s cache of baby eels.

Caterpillar Island is off the central coast of Maine―beloved vacationland of lobster bakes and quaint fried clam shacks, kayaking and country houses. At night, though, by the light of a headlamp, the island is alive with cash, guns, and poachers. Oxy addicts, struggling retirees, and unemployable deadbeats dip their nets in the creeks to catch elvers―two-inch-long baby eels that fetch $2000 a pound on the international black market.

Into this dark and dangerous world falls Jeanette King, who has, up to this moment, been earning her meager living mainly by picking and packaging peekytoe crab meat for shipment to New York and Boston. As Jeanette gets drawn into a fast-moving story of risk and violent consequences, she enlists the aid of a local policeman and an Indigenous activist. Together they try to set things right for the people and the planet. But the deeper they dig, the more dangerous things get. An ensuing procession of colorful locals, corrupt state politicians, and treacherous outsiders weaves a tale that reveals the underbelly of a deadly business.

Advance Praise for THE GLASS EEL: 

"The Glass Eel meets all my standards for fiction: an engrossing and highly imaginative plot; vivid characters; the revelation of a world completely unknown to me; and a narrative style that pulled me right along. Two bonuses: stunning nature writing and hilarious lines that lighten the plot at absolutely critical moments."

― Daniel Okrent, prize-winning author of The Guarded Gate

"Now here’s a world I knew nothing about, but thanks to this wonderful novel I’m completely engrossed in the lives of the characters who inhabit the fisheries of Maine. The Viertels bring them brilliantly to life―I can still taste the saltwater. What a triumph!"

― Lawrence Wright, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Plague Year

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Glass Eel peeked my interest given the setting was the coast of Maine.  Having gotten my MBA at the University of Maine (Orono), I really enjoy stories set in Maine (especially the coast). 

The Glass Eel was a crazy story with so many twists, it ended up being a "can't put it down and I just need to read one more chapter" kind of book.  Loved the characters Jeanette, Jesse and Toland.  They got themselves right in the middle of an illegal glass eel ring and were trying to figure out who the really bad guys behind it were.  Turned out there were several.  Jeanette's ex-husband was a pawn in the scheme, which is how she stumbled into it all. 

The book had so pretty gruesome details, but not over the top and nothing that kept me awake at night. There were a lot of back stories, characters and twists in the book.  There were easy to keep track of and follow along as it was really well written. 

I also really liked the chapters sprinkled in about the crab and the eel.  They weave themselves through the story and it was a perfect fit. 

I can't believe this is J.J. Viertel's (father and son) book but they need to write a lot of more them. 

J.J. Viertel is the pseudonym used by the father-son writing team of Jack and Josh Viertel who live in Maine and New York. Prior to writing this novel, Jack Viertel has been instrumental in bringing many Tony winning new plays, musicals and revivals to theaters, including ANGELS IN AMERICA, Jerry Zaks’s legendary production of GUYS AND DOLLS, GRAND HOTEL, CITY OF ANGELS, JELLY'S LAST JAM, the Brian Dennehy production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN, PROOF, DOUBT, THE PRODUCERS, BOOK OF MORMON, LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! And TAKE ME OUT. He produced the revival of GYPSY and the critically acclaimed revival of FINIAN’S RAINBOW. He was a co-producer and conceiver of the longest running musical revue in Broadway history, SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, the conceiver of the critically acclaimed AFTER MIDNIGHT, and served as the dramaturg for HAIRSPRAY, DEAR EVAN HANSEN, A CHRISTMAS STORY and THE OUTSIDERS. The musical and movie THE PROM were developed from his original concept. Josh Viertel is listed as one of the seven most powerful voices in the food movement by Forbes and Michael Pollan, has been named a Hunt Prime Mover, selected as a Rockwood Leadership Fellow, named President of Slow Food USA, and is co-founder and director of the Yale Sustainable Food Project.

When they aren’t writing crime thrillers together, they each have their own careers: Jack creates Broadway plays and musicals, and Josh creates organic farms. Josh is a fly fisherman and bow hunter and Jack is a scuba diver and barbecue chef. In addition to writing, they play the blues together.

Connect with Jack Viertel: 

Jack’s Website: jackviertel.com

Jack’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jack.viertel/

Jack’s Bluesky: @jackviertel.bsky.social

Connect with Josh Viertel: 

Josh’s Instagram: @joshviertel

Josh’s X/Twitter: @JoshViertel

Josh’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joshviertel/

Amazon 

Get new posts by email:

Checking Mr. Wrong

    ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Never miss out on future posts by following Seaside Book Nook.

About:  I’m sarcasm with a messy bun. He’s a sweetheart with a slapshot. Sparks were one thing—those fireworks, though? Yeah…no one warned me about those.

Mabel
Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment. (Yes, that one. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)

When my editor sends me to cover the NHL’s shiny new team, the Ice Breakers, I’m all in—until I meet Asher Tremblay. He’s their too-charming defenseman with a knack for wrecking my focus and my sanity. Equal parts infuriating and irresistible, but falling for him? Not on my agenda. Nope.

Asher
I’ve worked my whole life to make it in the NHL. A new team means a fresh start, and I won’t let anything distract me—least of all a snarky reporter who seems determined to hate me on sight.

But the more I see Mabel, the more I want to know what’s behind her walls. She’s fire and chaos, and I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe she’s exactly what I need. I came to Maple Falls to chase my dream, but now all I want is her.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  LOVED IT!  Checking Mr. Wrong is part of the Love in Maple Falls series.  I would say it is part 2 of the Love on Thin Ice series.  Seven different authors (most of my favorites) each write a different book in the both series.  It is so much fun. Of course given that the main themes romcom, hockey, cute town, wonderful people and fall.....what more could one ask for?

Mabel is a great character that comes back home to Maple Falls to an overachiever for a mother. She is working through some pretty big issues that were aired on national television. I really love how she is able to sort through everything, including her relationship with her mother.  I really do love strong female characters and Mabel is one for sure.

Asher is not what I would call your typically hockey player.  He is also suffering from OCD, which was triggered by an accident when he was a child.  I really appreciated learning more about OCD and how it affects a person.  Throughout the book Asher has different things he does to help with it and I love the team has a support group and other players notice little hints and do not judge him.  Well done, Anne! 

Of course (since it is a romcom), Mabel and Asher are able to get through it all and fall in love.  Great story and perfect for this fall (or anytime)!  I can't wait to read the rest of the series.  Checking Mr. Wrong is a 5 stars, must read kind of book!

PS - you don't have to read the books in order, but you can!!!

August 13: Fake-Off with Fate - Whitney Dineen

August 20: Offside and Off-Limits - Kate O'Keeffe

August 27: Checking Mr. Wrong - Anne Kemp

September 3: Skating and Fake Dating - Ellie Hall

September 10: Goalie and the Girl Next Door - Elsie Woods

September 17: Soulmates and Slapshots- Melissa Baldwin

September 24: The Icing on the Cake - Grace Worthington

Anne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she does it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.

Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.

You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com

On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp

On TikTok: @annekempauthor

Fake-Off with Fate-Whitney: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHBWRN4M

Offside and Off-limits - Kate: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHMQ1KJS

Soulmates and Slapshots- Melissa: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHRFXJQB

Skating & Fake Dating - Ellie: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHNFW617

Goalie and the Girl Next Door - Elsie: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHQV2VC9

Checking Mr. Wrong - Anne: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHTGDWHZ

The Icing on the Cake - Grace: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR7L3F4R

Get new posts by email:

Risky Assets

    ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Never miss out on future posts by following Seaside Book Nook.

What's It About:  Risky Assets, the sequel to Trading Secrets in Eckles’s series featuring financier Celeste Donovan, is brimming with mystery and failed alliances. Celeste appears to have everything a modern woman dreams of—a doting fiancé, a penthouse apartment, and a supermodel’s physique with a mathematician’s mind. But all that glitters is not gold.

A high-powered finance executive with a dark past, she has experienced unspeakable loss at the hand of her abusive ex, Omar. She has healed from the trauma now and is ready to move on as one of the world’s richest women and settle back into her glamorous jet-setting lifestyle.

As Celeste sets out to plan her future, she realizes she cannot live the rest of her life in fear that Omar will strike again. She vows to get rid of him and anyone else who stands in the way of the happy ending she’s fighting for. Her plans become complicated after discovering that Omar has become an agent of the US government. When her friends approach her to finally join forces with them and rogue federal agents, she’s boxed into a corner.

Now Celeste is living with secrets so tortured that if discovered, they could destroy what she’s so carefully built. Will she be successful in making the world a safer place? Or will her appetite for vengeance jeopardize it all?

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  I loved the first book in the series, Trading Secrets.  So much so, that I have a list of "look for sequel" and was excited when I learned Risky Assets was available. 

Risky Assets picks up where Trading Secrets left us all on cliff....dangling and wanting more.  It is divided into two parts.  I did find Part I to be a tad slow, however, it is needed to set us up for Part II.  It is especially needed if you haven't read Trading Secrets (I highly recommend you read them in order). Once I hit Part II it was extremely hard to put down. I needed to find out who was behind the sabotage and questioning all the characters in my own mind had me turning page after page.  

Very engaging, keeps you on your toes, great characters, lots of different travel scenes, tons of sex, and some revenge! Celeste is my favorite character as she is a strong, smart and driven female. I like how she brings back characters from Trading Secrets and keeps the story going.  I can't wait for book 3, Blind Trust.  I have a feeling it will be a page turner.

Rachel Eckles is an amazing author (love that she is from the midwest) with talent that grabs you, pulls you in to the book and you can't (don't want to) escape.  She is a "must read one more chapter" type of author.  

An Indiana native, Rachael Eckles moved to New York City after law school. There, she worked in the finance industry, where she found inspiration for the elusive Trading Secrets world. She currently lives in Manhattan, where she is working on her next novel.

Rachael donates a portion of her proceeds to local and global programs that empower women and girls through her foundation, Aphrodite Gives.

rachaeleckles.com

instagram.com/rachaeleckles

TikTok - @rachaeleckles 

Facebook - @rachaelecklesauthor 

Amazon 

Get new posts by email:

Someone to Have

   ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Never miss out on future posts by following Seaside Book Nook.

Book Blurb (from Amazon):  From USA Today Bestseller Michelle Major comes the swoony, spicy, laugh-out-loud romance that readers are calling "unputdownable."

I’ve spent my life hiding in the quiet corners of the library. It’s safer surrounded by books where the happily-ever-afters are guaranteed. Real life romance? Not so much.

But apparently, I'm tired of my hermit life because I do something spectacularly stupid and agree to get on stage. In front of people. All to catch my longtime crush's attention.

The only problem? I’d rather hug a grizzly bear than speak in front of a crowd.

Enter Eric Anderson. Hockey legend, walking temptation, and the last person I expect to come to my rescue. His solution? Confidence lessons. His methods? Flirting. Touching. Kissing. I’m supposed to practice being bold, and Eric’s all too happy to teach me.

But somewhere between his panty-melting grin and the way he looks at me like I’m the last cupcake in the bakery, I forget that he’s not the one I’m supposed to want. He makes me feel bolder, braver and dangerously close to falling for the wrong guy.

Now I’m standing center stage in more ways than one. And when you’ve spent your whole life in the shadows, stepping into the light is the scariest thing of all.

One-click for small-town steam, opposites-attract sparks, and a grumpy hockey hero who's destined to be your new book boyfriend.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  I am in love with the Skylark Series and Michelle Major.  This is book three in the series, but all are standalone as well.  This is one of my favorites, given Eric is a hockey player (I am a big hockey fan) and the whole crazy Maxwell family, but especially Taylor.  

It is Taylor's turn to take the bucket list challenge as part of her book club. As a part of a loud and athletic family, she is the quiet librarian who prefers to be behind a book.  Public speaking is her fear and Eric volunteers to be her confidence coach to help her land a part in the local community play. I really like that Eric was helping with his nephew while his sister is away.  

Absolutely love how the story unfolds.  Michelle has the great ability to develop characters beyond the main two and interweaves them through all her books in the series.  

Everything about Someone to Have had me wanting one more page, one more chapter.  

See my review for Someone to Love and Someone to Tempt

USA Today and Top 5 Amazon Bestselling author Michelle Major writes swoon-worthy stories full of heart, heat, and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. When she’s not dreaming up romance, you’ll find her hiking the trails (or avoiding housework) in her home state of Colorado.

Connect with her at her website or come say hi on Instagram (@michellemajorauthor) and Facebook (@MichelleMajorBooks).

Goodreads

BookBub

Amazon

Get new posts by email:

Battle of the Bookstores

    ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Never miss out on future posts by following Seaside Book Nook.

The Story:

Rivalry and romance spark when two bookstore managers who are opposites in every way find themselves competing for the same promotion.

 

Despite managing bookstores on the same Boston street, Josie Klein and Ryan Lawson have never interacted much—Josie’s store focuses on serious literature, and Ryan’s sells romance only. But when the new owner of both stores decides to combine them, the two are thrust into direct competition. Only one manager will be left standing, decided by who turns the most profit over the summer.

 

Efficient and detail-oriented Josie instantly clashes with easygoing and disorganized Ryan. Their competing events and contrasting styles lead to more than just frustration—the sparks between them might just set the whole store on fire. Their only solace during this chaos is the friendship they’ve each struck up with an anonymous friend in an online book forum. Little do they know they’re actually chatting with each other.

 

As their rivalry heats up in real life, their online relationship grows, and when the walls between their stores come tumbling down, Josie and Ryan realize not all’s fair in love and war. And maybe, if they’re lucky, happily ever afters aren’t just for the books.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I am a huge fan of Ali Brady having just finished some other books (The Comeback Summer and The Beach Trap - loved them both).  Absolutely love Jose and Ryan's battle of bookstores. You can't help but fall in love with both of them and cheer for them throughout the story.

I liked how both Jose's and Ryan's families were weaved into the story and it allowed us to get them even better. It also helps the readers understand their hesitation to get to know each other. I also loved that there were online friends without knowing who they really were, it just added a wonderful depth to the book. 

Quick read, wonderful characters you will love, laugh-out-loud scenes, and a great read.

I wish I had bookstores near me like the two in the story. How fun would it be! The duo writers Ali and Brady make reading so much fun! Looking forward to their next book!

Ali Brady is the pen name of writing BFFs Alison Hammer and Bradeigh Godfrey. The Beach Trap is their first book together. Alison lives in Chicago and works as a VP and creative director at an advertising agency. She’s the author of You and Me and Us and Little Pieces of Me. Bradeigh lives with her family in Utah, where she works as a physician. She’s the author of the psychological thrillerImposter.

Amazon 

Get new posts by email: