Happy Monday!
I had an amazing weekend at an author event on the Queen Mary, only problem was I was not able to post everything I needed to, the Wi-Fi was very spotty. So I had more of a break then I was anticipating, simply because so many things would not load for me, but I am back!

About the Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of California Girlscomes an all new original Blackberry Island novel told with Susan Malleryâs trademark humor and charm. Sisters by Choiceis a heartfelt tale of love, family and the friendships that see us through.
Cousins by chance, sisters by choiceâŚ
After her cat toy empire goes up in flames, Sophie Lane returns to Blackberry Island, determined to rebuild. Until small-town life reveals a big problem: she canât grow unless she learns to let go. If Sophie relaxes her grip even a little, she might lose everything. Or she might finally be free to reach for the happiness and love that have eluded her for so long.
Kristine has become defined by her relationship to others. Sheâs a wife, a mom. As much as she adores her husband and sons, she wants something for herselfâa sweet little bakery just off the waterfront. She knew changing the rules wouldnât be easy, but she never imagined she might have to choose between her marriage and her dreams.
Like the mainland on the horizon, Heatherâs goals seem beyond her grasp. Every time she manages to save for college, her mother has another crisis. Can she break free, or will she be trapped in this tiny life forever?

Excerpt
Chapter Two
While the Blackberry Island Inn restaurant offered breakÂŹfast and lunch, it didnât serve dinnerâŚexcept on alternate Wednesdays when the doors were opened for a traditional fried chicken supper. Sophie had been told by the nice lady at the front desk, and two women who had come by to âtake a lookâ at the warehouse, that it was a do-not-miss event.
After confirming that Amber and Heather could make it, Sophie had made reservations for three. The restaurant didnât have a liquor license, so sheâd swung by one of the local tasting rooms to pick up a bottle of chardonnay and returned to the inn in time to meet Heather and Amber in the main reception area.
Sophie saw Heather first. The twenty-year-old held the front door open for her mother. Sophie had heard about Amberâs car accident, but hadnât expected her to be using a cane or walk-ing so slowly.
Other than that, Amber looked much as she always did. A little rumpled, with a disapproving expression. Her hair was a medium brown, nearly the same shade as Kristineâs, but without the pretty highlights. Heather was taller than all of them, with hazel eyes, instead of the brown the cousins shared. Sophie alÂŹways figured Heather had inherited the color from her fatherâa rodeo cowboy who, according to Amber, had seduced her into a one-night stand that had left her pregnant and with a ruined life.
On second thought, maybe she should have only invited Heather to dinner.
The wishful thinking made her smile as she hurried forward to greet them.
âYouâre back!â Heather hugged her close. âIâm so excited to see you and hear about the business. I canât wait to see the wareÂŹhouse you rented. Itâs so exciting.â
Amberâs hug was less enthusiastic. âI canât believe how far the parking is from the front door. I should have made my doctor give me a handicapped sign so we could have parked closer.â
âMom, I let you off at the front door, then went and parked.â
âWhere I had to stand by myself, waiting for you.â Amber rolled her eyes.
âYouâre here now,â Sophie said, touching Amberâs arm, knowing the best way to handle her was to defuse the situation as quickly as possible. âThanks for joining me for dinner. Shall we go get our seats?â
Amber set a snailâs pace that made Sophie instantly antsy. She distracted herself by linking arms with Heather.
âHowâs school? Do you still have forty-seven jobs?â
âI took my last final yesterday. I should be able to see my grades anytime now. I only have three jobs.â
âYouâre such a hard worker,â Sophie said. âYouâve been workÂŹing since you were what, twelve? You must have a lot of money saved. Good for you.â
Heather looked at her mother then away. Sophie felt an inÂŹstant uptick in the tension between mother and daughter and wondered how sheâd managed to step in it during the first three minutes of the conversation.
âThe warehouse is huge,â she said, hoping to change the topic to something more neutral. Normally, she wasnât bothered by the emotions of those around her but lately she was more sen-sitive to what everyone was feeling and that was a serious drag.
âItâs nearly double the square footage of what I had before. Thereâs less office space, but thatâs okay. I donât need that many employees and if necessary I guess we could easily frame in a few offices. Iâll have to see.â
âBecause youâre too successful?â Amber asked, her tone more annoyed than playful. âPoor Sophie, overwhelmed by how gloÂŹrious it all is.â
âMom! She had to move because her business burned down,â Heather said. âWeâre glad sheâs back but itâs not as if she moved by choice.â
âIâm okay,â Sophie said brightly. âOr I will be. It is a little hard, dealing with everything. A lot of work.â
They reached the restaurant and were quickly shown to a table with a view of the water. A sailboat caught the wind as it headed toward the setting sun on the horizon. The hostess handed them a slim piece of paper.
âThe menu is fairly simple,â she said, waving at Heather. âYou can order two, three or four pieces of chicken, along with two sides each. Thereâs a choice of cobbler for dessert. Your server will be by shortly to take your order and open the wine.â She smiled. âHeather, iced tea for you?â
âJust waterâs fine, Molly.â
âA friend of yours?â Sophie asked, thinking they looked to be about the same age.
âI waitress here in the morning. Theyâre always busy and the tips are great.â
Sophie wrinkled her nose. âIâm sorry. I didnât know you worked here. I could have picked a different restaurant. You must be tired of their food.â
âI know I am,â Amber said with a sigh. âThe same thing, every morning for breakfast.â
Heather visibly stiffened. âI didnât know you felt that way, Mom. I always get the special, whatever it is. Iâll stop bringing you breakfast after my shift.â
âThereâs no need to do that,â Amber told her. âI can make do.â
Heatherâs expression was unreadable. She turned to Sophie. âBelieve me, the chicken dinner is a real treat. Iâve only had it once before and it was delicious.â
âWhen did you have dinner here?â Amber asked sharply. âI didnât know that. I never get to go anywhere.â
âYouâre here now,â Sophie said quickly as she waved the menu. âYummy. All the sides look delicious.â
âI canât believe they only have cobbler for dessert.â Amber sighed. âI wanted pie.â
They were rescued by the serverâs appearance. She opened the wine and poured two glasses, then brought water for Heather and biscuits for the table.