Review: Things Left Unsaid by Courtney Walsh

Wow. Just wow. This is such a powerfully written story that I don't even know where to begin describing it to you, friends! A story of working through hard things and coming out on the other side having more than survived. From first page until the last, I was hooked into the lives of each of the characters. Not one of them has made easy or always right choices. And they struggle. But oh, watching as they push through anyway... As per my usual, it's the characters who make the story for me! :)

Harsh emotions are never fun to deal with and all the characters in this one have lots of those to work through. Guilt and forgiveness are hard. And forgiving oneself? Even more so! Why are we always the hardest on ourselves? That's what truly struck me about these characters. They are real and genuine. The reader has the privilege of walking through some dark places with them and as I did that, so many times I just wanted to reach into the pages and hand out bear hugs! My emotions were caught from the first chapter and I couldn't stop until I knew how things would get fixed. Yet even "fixed" doesn't mean everything is all hunky dory. Unfortunately, that's not real life. But that's the beauty that's here! It's the real that I connected to and it's why I stayed glued to every chapter.

Still, it's not just hard things happening, the story is also filled with lots of hope. It infuses every paragraph. I think that's one of my favorite things about Ms. Walsh's skill with the pen. She just has a way of sinking deep within her characters and her storyline and instilling lots of hope and grace within the words. It permeates everything and it's exactly why the story truly works. Because without those bits of hope and grace, how does any one of us keep going? That's a marvelous aspect to this crazy life we all get to be a part of! :)

Ms. Walsh is an author you need to read, my friends. And this story? Is the perfect place to begin! Read it now! And then go back and read all her backlist if you haven't yet. Then come back here and thank me. Don't worry. I'll wait. It'll be worth it. ;D

**I received a copy from the author via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble

Review: Royally in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones

How is it I forget just how much fun it is to read a Jenny B. Jones book until I read another one? The lady has such talent for making me laugh! I admit I was a bit concerned that having not read the first book of the series I wouldn't get as caught up into the story right away. I should never have doubted! Ms. Jones is amazing, y'all. :)

From the crazy-awesome chemistry between our main couple to every unforgettable side character, there is pretty much something for everyone here. At least for those who love a good laugh! And a good mystery. Kudos to Ms. Jones for keeping me hooked on trying to figure out whodunnit! I am becoming a bigger fan of these cozy mysteries that are getting more popular these days and this is an excellent addition to the genre.

Oh, and the ex-CIA grandmother? And the book club? And witty banter everyone's got going on? Seriously. How does Ms. Jones do it? Every time I stopped giggling and got serious, there I'd go all over again! Have I mentioned this book is just a lot of fun? I loved Paisley! I loved getting inside her head and completely understood all the crazy going on in there. She's a woman after my own heart! I just got all the worry and doubt she had to push through. But what's so amazing about her is that she pushes through no matter how hard it is! She's determined to keep moving forward and figure out this life she's been given. And the Renaissance Faire she's heading up is just the icing on the cake!

Okay, so all I've done is gush a bunch of exclamation points. Sorry folks, but that's pretty much all I've got today. I just really loved this little story! Even if mystery or romance isn't really your thing, I feel very confident that Ms. Jones is able to change your mind. Trust me. It's a ride worth taking, my friends! :)

**I received a copy via the author. All opinions expressed are my own.

Goodreads :: Amazon :: Barnes & Noble