Publication Day Push and Giveaway ~ Happy Dreams at Mermaid Cove by Marie Laval

 

Delighted to host a stop on this Publication Day Push today

Choc Lit Publishing
22 June 2021

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and to Rachel's Random Resources for my invitation to the blog tour

When Jenna Palmer agrees to the new position of mobile librarian on the tiny Arrandale peninsular of the Isle of Skye, she knows she’s signing up for difficult working conditions and mediocre wages. But Jenna needs to get away, and a little yellow mobile library called Buttercup could be her escape to happier dreams ...

However, whilst Jenna can get to grips with foggy island roads, local mermaid legends and even big purple monsters, she never expected to have to contend with a boss as grumpy as Daniel McGregor, or a young book lover as enthusiastic as his niece, Katrina.

Arrandale might represent Jenna’s safe port in a storm, but could she and Buttercup also become a beacon of hope to Daniel, Katrina and the entire island community?

My Thoughts..

After escaping from a difficult situation in Manchester, Jenna Palmer relocates to Scotland and the beautiful Isle of Skye. In the fictitious town of Arrandale, Jenna takes up residence in the remote, but beautiful, Mermaid Cottage and she can be seen scurrying around the island in the newly renovated mobile library, aptly named Buttercup in honour of its sunshine yellow colour.  That there are secrets in Jenna's past is obvious and it is her natural reticence, and warm personality, which endears her to the islanders, especially her boss, Daniel McGregor, who, it must be said, has his own particular share of angst.

The story which runs throughout doesn't shy away from some tough topics but it's all done with compassionate detail and a wonderful sense of time and place. The characters who make up the main cast of the story are a lovely bunch, with, maybe, a couple of exceptions, but then every story needs a good villain and there are three characters who definitely made my blood boil. However making up for them is Daniel McGregor, a wonderful tender-hearted man who on the surface is a little bit grumpy but his natural good nature makes him a worthy hero. I absolutely loved Jenna, tootling around in Buttercup she soon becomes part of the community and watching her develop her self esteem and grow in confidence was an enjoyable part of the story.

Happy Dreams at Mermaid Cove is a lovely warm-hearted story which brings to life the very essence of a small community and shows just how people in remote areas rely on community services. The mobile library is so much more than just providing reading material, it's a natural hub for local activity, encouraging children to love books and reading, offering the lonely a place to meet friends, and a chance for everyone to pull together when the going gets tough.

Happy Dreams at Mermaid Cove is also a beautifully written romance story which has everything I wanted to take me away from the mundane world of social distancing. Thanks to this talented author I have be able to escape to the beautiful Isle of Skye and, let's be honest, what's not to love about a vulnerable but determined to succeed heroine, a handsome but damaged hero, a tantalising mystery involving mermaids and hidden treasure, a yellow mobile library called Buttercup all wrapped up in story about Happy Dreams at Mermaid Cove. 

About the Author

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie has lived in the Rossendale Valley in Lancashire for the past few years. She writes both contemporary and historical romance. Her novels include best selling contemporary romantic suspense novels LITTLE PINK TAXI and ESCAPE TO THE LITTLE CHATEAU, which was shortlisted for the 2021 RNA Jackie Collins Romantic Suspense Awards, as well as A PARIS FAIRY TALE and BLUEBELL'S CHRISTMAS MAGIC. Her latest novel, ANGEL OF THE LOST TREASURE, was released in February 2021. Marie also contributes to the best selling Miss Moonshine's Emporium anthologies together with eight author friends from Authors on the Edge.

Twitter @marielaval1

@ChocLituk

@Rararesources

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📖 Publication Day Push ~ A Thousand Goodbyes by Ruth Graham

 

📖 Delighted to be part of this Publication Day Push today 📖 

for

A Thousand Goodbyes

The Surprising Life of a Funeral Celebrant

Independently Published
10 May 2021

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book
and to Rachel's Random Resources for my invitation to be part of this one day push

If you liked Adam Kay’s book, ‘This Is Going To Hurt’, you’ll love the joyously life affirming memoir, ‘A Thousand Goodbyes’.

When Ruth Graham left the world of stand up comedy to become a funeral celebrant, she’d imagined a less combative career.Over a thousand services later ... she knows better.

Probably her most demanding role to date, Ruth has needed every ounce of diplomacy, courage,humour and her wits about her to juggle the daily challenges. From grief stricken families to amorous widowers through to plate smashing, warring siblings and even a flock of stoned doves at a Rasta funeral.

As the story unfolds we witness her new career developing into a 24/7 commitment. Will it break her?

Or will it be the spur she needs to get her own life in order?

Jaw dropping, informative, moving and hilarious in turn, ‘A Thousand Goodbyes’ is a reminder that nobody is guaranteed a tomorrow; whilst encouraging everyone to seize their day.

My thoughts..

I've been to many funerals over the years. All of them unique, some more poignant than others but all with a distinct sense of completing the circle of life. Mostly the funerals have taken place in church with a religious celebrant, but I have also been to services were religion was not the main focus and through thoughtful meditations,often chosen before death, the funerals were as special as the person who had died had wanted it to be.

In A Thousand Goodbyes, the author tells of her varied experiences as a Funeral Celebrant, from the funny and downright bizarre, to the incredibly sad and deadly serious, but one thing is certain, there is never a dull moment when participating in a funeral. Throughout the book I was struck once again by the vagaries of human nature, and I think that anyone who has spent time at the end of someone's life, or with grieving families, know that nothing is ever straightforward.

I've never considered the work of a funeral celebrant before, they are, quite simply, the people who you see calmly standing before a weeping congregation of people, bringing the deceased back to life for a moment with wise words and compassionate readings and eulogies. The author takes us through some interesting anecdotal stories, sharing her experiences in a thoughtful way neither making light of the work she does nor of making everything seem overly complicated. The book is written with warmth, and wit, and a much need sense of humour, and yet the author also oozes compassion, and a passionate belief in the unique service she offers to grieving families.

Despite everything we have been subjected to in this global pandemic when so many people have lost their lives, we still see death as something mysterious and to be avoided at all costs, but death is inevitable, and thank goodness we have people like Ruth Graham, and all those special people who offer a unique service to help saying goodbye to our loved ones a less painful process. 

A Thousand Goodbyes is a fascinating insight into the work of someone who, quite often, blends into the background but who is always there we need them most.

About the Author

Ruth Graham has written for many publications over the years on a variety of subjects. Initially working for Emap Elan on Period Living and Traditional Homes magazine, she then moved onto freelance for titles as varied as The Evening Standard and The Daily Mail.

A move back to the Midlands in 2000 brought her first big break with her own weekly gossip/opinioncolumn in The Sunday Mercury (Trinity Mirror), where she was billed as ‘Ruth Graham: More Balls Than Your Average Bloke’!

She then went on to launch her own magazine ‘Midlands Homes & Interiors’.Two years later (2007), came her first series of short comedy books, ‘The Bible Series’ (Know TheScore Publishing). One of these ‘The Break Up Bible’ was cunningly launched on Valentine’s day,gaining great publicity, and a spot on GMTV and Channel 5 news!

Since then Ruth has written and performed her own one woman show (Just Sayin’); become a celebrant; and subsequently collaborated with writer/performer Cat Weatherill on the British Arts Council funded show ‘Unforgettable’celebrating the lives of those we’ve loved and lost.

And then came the book ‘A Thousand Goodbyes’all about Ruth’s work as a celebrant, the people she meets and the bizarre, touching and hilarious circumstances that constitute the average day, and life, ofa celebrant.

Twitter @CelebrantRuthG

@rararesources

Celebrant Website

Amazon

📖 Publication Day Push ~ A Mother Forever by Elaine Everest

 

Pan Macmillan
4 March 2021

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

1905: Ruby Caselton may only be twenty-five years old but she already has the weight of the world on her shoulders. Heavily pregnant with her second child, penniless and exhausted, she is moving her family into a new home. The Caseltons left their last place when they couldn’t pay the rent, but Ruby’s husband Eddie has promised this will be a fresh start for them all. And Ruby desperately hopes that this time he will keep his word. With five-year-old George at her feet and her mother having a cross word for everyone and everything, life is never dull at number thirteen Alexandra Road. It doesn’t take long before Eddie loses another job and once again hits the bottle. It’s up to Ruby to hold them all together, through thick and thin. She remembers the kind, caring man Eddie once was and just can’t give up on him entirely. What she doesn’t know is that Eddie has a secret, one so dark that he can’t bear to tell even Ruby . . . 

Through Ruby’s grit and determination, she keeps food on the table and finds herself a community of neighbours on Alexandra Road. Stella, the matriarch from across the way, soon becomes a friend and confidante. She even dreams that Ruby will ditch the useless Eddie and take up with her eldest son, Frank. But when war breaks out in 1914, the heartbreaks and losses that follow will fracture their community, driving both Stella and Ruby to breaking point. Will their men ever return to them?

📖 My thoughts..

Ruby Caselton moves into a new house in Erith in Kent, but it's not long before her ne'er do well husband, Eddie, and his wastrel ways make life really difficult for Ruby, her son George and Ruby's mother who lives with them. Times are unbearably difficult for Ruby but her friendship with the motherly neighbour, Stella Green, makes life just a little bit more bearable for Ruby and her family.

The years just before the outbreak of WW1 are brought to life with a stark reminder of just how hard it was to make ends meet when jobs were scarce and it was all to easy to get drawn in with the wrong sort of people. Ruby is a feisty and likable heroine, filled with grit and determination she pulls her her family through all manner of tragedies.

Those who have read this author's series of books about The Woolworth Girls will undoubtedly recognise a few of the characters, albeit their younger selves, in A Mother Forever and it was lovely to see them at the start of their lives, particularly, Ruby and her family.

A Mother Forever is a beautifully written historical saga which has all the trademarks of this talented author's fine writing, a strong story line, interesting characters and an authentic sense of time and place.

About the Author

Elaine Everest, author of bestselling novels The Woolworths Girls, The Butlins Girls, Christmas at Woolworths and Wartime at Woolworths, was born and brought up in noth-west Kent, where many of her books are set. She has been a freelance writer for twenty years and has written widely for women’s magazines and national newspapers, both short stories and features. Her non-fiction books for dog owners have been very popular and led to her broadcasting on radio about our four-legged friends. Elaine has been heard discussing many topics on radio, from canine subjects to living with a husband under her feet when redundancy looms. When she isn’t writing, Elaine runs The Write Place creative writing school in Hextable, Kent, and has a long list of published students. Elaine lives with her husband, Michael, and their Polish Lowland Sheepdog, Henry, in Swanley, Kent, and is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Crime Writers’ Association, the Society of Women Writers and Journalists, and the Society of Authors.

You can find out more about Elaine on Twitter @ElaineEverest or Facebook @ElaineEverestAuthor

Twitter @panmacmillan  #AMotherForever

Publication Day Push ~ A Bachelor's Pledge by Penny Hampson

Pleased to host today's blog tour stop

7 October 2020

My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources
for my ecopy of this book and the invitation to be part of the blog tour

The woman who haunts his dreams

Secret agent Phil Cullen is upset when he discovers that the young woman he rescued from Mrs Newbody’s establishment has absconded from his housekeeper’s care without a word. Thinking he has been deceived, he resolves to forget about her… something easier said than done.

The man she wants to forget.

Sophia Turner is horrified when she is duped into entering a notorious house of ill-repute. Then a handsome stranger comes to her aid. Desperate that no one learns of this scandalous episode, Sophia flees to the one friend she knows she can trust. With luck, she will never see her mysterious rescuer again.

But fate has other plans…

Months later, Phil is on the trail of an elusive French agent and Sophia is a respectable lady’s companion when fate again intervenes, taking their lives on a collision course.

Traitors, spies, and shameful family secrets - will these bring Sophia and Phil together… or drive them apart?

What did I think about it...

When secret agent Phil Cullen rescues a beautiful young woman from the clutches of a local brothel is is ill prepared for the effect that Sophia Turner will have on his peace of mind. Far from being a damsel in distress, Sophia turns out to be a young lady who certainly knows her own mind and yet her forthright spirit will lead her, and Phil, into a whole heap of trouble.

There's a real adventurous spirit to this Regency novel which is filled with several people who all seem to want to lure Sophia away from those who genuinely care about her. As Sophia's early life was devoid of any love or attention she now finds it difficult to trust people, and it is this distrust, and her charming naivety, which will lead her into grave danger. The author explores these feelings beautifully, especially the will they, won't they aspect of the relationship between Sophia and the handsome secret agent which is filled with thrills and spills and more than a hint of danger.

The Recency period is captured beautifully especially the distrust of all things French, as the British are still heavily involved in the Napoleonic wars, and this comes across in the realistic descriptions of the naval comings and goings, at the port, in Falmouth where much of the story is set.

A Bachelor's Pledge is a charming historical novel which is filled with the perfect balance of dangerous intrigue and delicious romance. Just to add that whilst this is also the third book in the Gentlemen series it sits comfortably as a standalone read. 

About the Author

Some time ago Penny Hampson decided to follow her passion for history by studying with the Open University. She graduated withhonours and went on to complete a postgraduate degree.

Penny then landed her dream role, working in an environment where she was surrounded by rare books and historical manuscripts. Flash forward nineteen years, and the opportunity came along to indulge her other main passion writing. Penny joined the New Writers’ Scheme of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and three years later published her debut novel,A Gentleman’s Promise,a historical mystery/romance and the first in The Gentlemen Series.An Officer’s Vow soon followed and the latest in the series is A Bachelor’s Pledge. 

But never happy in a rut, Penny also writes contemporary suspense with paranormal and romantic elements. Her first book in this genre is The Unquiet Spirit,published by Darkstroke.

Penny lives with her family in Oxfordshire, and when she is not writing, she enjoys reading, walking,swimming, and the odd gin and tonic (not all at the same time)

Author Blog

Facebook

Twitter @penny_hampson

@rachelsrandomresources

Amazon UK

Publication Day Push ~ Christmas at Ladywell by Nicola Slade (Giveaway)

🎄🎄 Delighted to host this Christmassy Publication Day Push 🎄🎄

Crooked Cat Books
4 November 2019

97 page Novella

My thanks to the author, publisher and Rachel's Random Resources
for my ecopy of this novella and the invitation to this Publication Day Push

A time for spilling secrets...

Having refurbished her inherited house and upcycled her whole life in the process, Freya–now happily married to Patrick, and with a small child–hasto transform her tiny stone barn into a romantic hideaway for a mystery guest who is also looking for change. With Christmas only a weekaway, things don’t go according to plan...In the past old uncertainties are resolved when an elderly woman seeks the truth of a legend on Christmas Eve and confesses to a deception; a Tudor wife listens to a story that must never be repeated and is given a precious relic that must never be displayed; and in the early nineteenth century an old woman tells a younger one the story of the hares at Ladywell.Past and present are only a whisper apart when Freya learns of an astonishing discovery that will make Ladywell famous, but meanwhile her house is full of unexpected visitors, she has a turkey to cook–and a very special secret of her own that must be told.

What did I think about it..

There is such a lovely feel to this Christmassy novella that I was quite enchanted by the story about Freya, Patrick and their daughter, Violet, who all live at the house at Ladywell, which is a lovely family home steeped in the traditions and legends of the past.

The author cleverly blends past with present and takes the reader on a delightful blended journey into the deep connections which Ladywell has with all the occupants of the house over the centuries, linking the myths of days gone by with what’s happening to Freya and Patrick in the here and now.

For those who are familiar with the story from the author’s previous novel, The House at Ladywell, this novella continues the theme of interlinking past and present, and adds even more detail, sharing once again the connection with the old ones who have made this area their home for hundreds of years. I especially loved the magical significance of the rather special hares who live in the landscape around Ladywell, and who give the story a special mystical quality which really is quite magical.

Christmas at Ladywell is a beautifully written novella, with a lovely blend of past and present and is the perfect antidote to all the stresses of Christmas.

About the Author

Nicola Slade is an award-winning, bestselling author of historical and contemporary mysteries and romantic fiction, all set in and around Winchester and Romsey in Hampshire–which is where she lives.The House at Ladywell–a contemporary romantic novel with historical echoes–won the Chatelaine Grand Prize for Romantic Fiction at the CIBA awards in April 2019.She is the author of the mid-Victorian Charlotte Richmond mysteries and the contemporary Harriet Quigley mysteries and The Convalescent Corpse, published November 2018, is the first in a new series, The Fyttleton Mysteries, set in 1918.

Website

Facebook

Blog

Twitter @nicolasladeuk

Pinterest

Amazon UK

Giveaway to Win a .mobi or PDF of The Convalescent Corpse by Nicola Slade (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions – Worldwide entries welcome.Please enter using the Rafflecopter boxbelow.The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email.If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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