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American Hometown Renewal: Policy Tools and Techniques for Small Town Officials

Gary A. Mattson

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Before the interstates, Main Street America was the small town's commercial spine and served as the...

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Sunshine & Secrets (The Paradise Cookery School #1) in Books

Jan 12, 2021

This review and more can be found at my blog
https://aromancereadersreviews.blogspot.com
A Romance Reader's Reviews

This was a bargain £1 book from my favourite sells-pretty-much-everything store, The Works. I'd been eyeing the book online for a while in the stores 3 for £5 promotion they do but wasn't sure if it was something I'd enjoy as I can be really picky with my chick-lit.

Sunshine & Secrets starts with Amelia (Millie) at the airport, ready to go spend some time with her mum but instead gets a phone call from her sister with a great opportunity in St Lucia where she can help a successful chef open a Paradise Cookery School. The lady wanting to open the school has had an accident and broken her leg and can't fly out yet so Millie is left arranging the inputting of the top notch kitchen and checking the recipes the chef want to do with her clients are as good as they can be.

While on the island she meets some of the locals and people from the UK who stayed there after falling in love with the serene life. The Purple Parrot - a local bar - becomes her favourite place away from the Villa and she makes friends with its clientele, including the Villa's estate manager, Zach.

The secrets part of the title only really comes into play towards the end when it turns out some people have been using the cocoa husks of the Villa's trees for illegal deeds.

This book focused more on the food and island portion of things, whereas I would have preferred more of the romance aspect between Millie and Zach, although I understand that both characters are going to be in the next book, too. However, I don't think I will bother reading it.

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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody in Books

Jun 27, 2019

Jane Will Charm You in This New Series Debut

A year ago, Jane Darrowfield took an early retirement, and she’s already beginning to look for things to do. She’s started helping her friends with problems, but she is surprised when she is approached by Paul Peavy, and manager of Walden Spring, a nearby 55-and-over community. It seems their community has devolved into high school, and the popular clique and the biker clique are at open war with each other through a series of nasty, escalating pranks. But before Jane’s suggestions can be put into practice, a dead body is found out on the community’s golf course. Have the pranks escalated to murder? Can Jane figure out what happened, or is she in over her head?

I love Barbara Ross’s books, so I was looking forward to starting this new series. I wasn’t disappointed. While the book does need a little time to set up these new characters, it does so without slowing down the mystery. Things only pick up when the murder takes place, and we follow Jane on some twists and turns that lead to the climax. We get glimpses of Jane’s past, but there is plenty more to explore in future installments; likewise, I suspect we’ll get to know the supporting players better as the series progresses. The suspects are a diverse and complex group, growing deeper as the book progresses. There are some funny scenes, especially at the beginning of the book. It does grow more serious as the book progresses, but we do still get some great moments that lighten the story. I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know Jane better as the series progresses.

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Erika (17789 KP) created a post in Dear Smashbomb....

Aug 31, 2019

So, I'm having an issue at work, and I don't know if I'm blowing it out of proportion or what. Any advice would be helpful.

My team lead left at the beginning of August, leaving his position open. I've been with the state for a year and eight months. We never get raises because it all depends on funding from the legislature. This position would be a hefty raise, and I would definitely excel at the job. I've been a mentor and in management type positions since for over 14 years now (starting at age 18). I know I'm perfect for it, because I have the skills and knowledge asked for with the application.
It's an internal position, so my current boss is doing the interview. Here's the problem: the other chick I'm going against, who's been with the state for 13 years, not in leadership roles the whole time. This woman is kind of a b, and plays the office politics. She happens to be a favorite of my boss.
So, I'm afraid this interview is just a formality, and my boss is going to give it to this other lady. My job's a little different, and she's said before that she hates it, because of the research portion. Yet, this lady would be my boss. I've gotten to the point where I think I may be slightly deluded into thinking I have a chance, and I don't expect to get it anymore,
Am I being too fatalistic? I don't want to get my hopes up, only to get passed over. This same situation was one of the many reasons why I left my old job, when I was passed over for the management position in favor of someone who was buddies with the hiring manager, then was asked to train the person.

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Andy K (10823 KP) Sep 14, 2019

So sorry to hear Erika. I hope you are not too disappointed...

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American Hometown Renewal: Policy Tools and Techniques for Small Town Officials

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Sunshine & Secrets (The Paradise Cookery School #1) in Books

Jan 12, 2021

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2353 KP) rated Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody in Books

Jun 27, 2019

Erika (17789 KP) created a post in Dear Smashbomb....

Aug 31, 2019

Andy K (10823 KP) Sep 14, 2019

Sarah (7800 KP) Sep 14, 2019

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