Tips for Tuesday - Books: The Second Chance Cafe in Carlton Square and A Beast's Belle

We may have been given some of the books mentioned below for review purposes. This post may also contain affiliate links, if you click on a link and make a purchase we may be compensated. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Mom - Today I am recommending The Second Chance Cafe in Carlton Square by Lily Bartlett. This book is a sequel to The Biggest Little Wedding in Carlton Square and is equally enchanting. In this book, Emma is now married and the mother of twins. Since motherhood came much quicker than she expected her career plans got derailed, and she decides to open a cafe. Although her ruthless competition will stop at nothing to try to put her out of business, Emma and her crazy collection of friend, neighbors, and family are equally determined to keep the cafe open. Most of the characters from the first book return here although some of them do not play as big of role in this story. There are also a bunch of quirky new characters including the tough as nails Lou and the over confident Joseph a couple of troubled kids whose lives Emma tries to turn around by hiring them at the cafe. There is not as much romance in this book as there was in the first book so if you are looking for that you may be disappointed. However, if you let that keep you from reading the book, you will be missing a great fun story. Like the first book, this book is a lot about family. The first book is more about the family that you are born with and/or marry into. This book is more about the family that you make through friendship and shared experiences. All in all, the story is charming and the book is a delight.

If you are into erotic fiction and you like novels that put a new spin on an old fairy tale, you may enjoy A Beast's Belle by J. Gambardella. In this book, the first in a series, Isabel is not only into reading she wants to fantasize that she is a part of the story.  She voluntarily goes to work for the Beast where servants are routinely stripped and beaten for minor infractions and naked parties are the norm. Despite this, the beast is not really portrayed as that beastly. In fact, he can be quite warm and tender as he shows when Isabel is attacked. There seem to be an attraction between Isabel and the Beast, but there is not really much romance in this book. Perhaps, that will come in the second book.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.