📖 Featured Book of the Month ~ Divorced (Not Dead) by Harper Ford

 

Avon Books Uk
2023

We’re going to need a bigger drink…

Meet Frankie - fifty, divorced and getting back on the horse.

After leaving Twatface – her husband of twenty years – she's starting again from scratch. And when her son also flees the nest for university, Frankie decides it’s time to throw herself back into the dating game with a vengeance.

On best friend Bel's recommendation, Frankie signs up to two dating one for love, another for casual hook-ups (because why the f**k not?!). However, as she navigates this new frontier of catfishing, kittenfishing, ghosts, GILFs and everything in between, she realises the whole dating thing has changed quite a bit – and it really is a bloody jungle out there…

Will Frankie find love on the apps? Or the perfect shag? Or – if there’s any justice in the world – both?

📖My Review.

I am delighted to have ended what has been a difficult year with a book which has really made me laugh out loud and Divorced (Not Dead) ticked all the right boxes. It’s sassy, irreverent, gloriously funny, but also wise and absolutely wonderful.

Fifty year old Frankie Brumby is newly divorced from her coercive husband of two decades when, on the advice of her best friend, she enters the tricky waters of on-line dating. With her dating profile established and her confidence hovering around zero, Frankie soon discovers that there is a lot more to learn about this online dating malarkey. With a whole new online language to learn, and some pretty disastrous dates, Frankie eventually starts to have more fun than she could ever have imagined.

Whilst I laughed out loud at the online dating references, and learned things I had no idea about, the crafter in me thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with the wonderful characters who join Frankie at her weekly quilting group which shows the versatility of this talented author who can deliver two aspects of the same story, one filled with warmth and empathy and the other with a more ribald look at the vagaries of life. And then there’s Stephan, who adds a whole different dimension to the story, and who had me on his team from his first appearance.

Divorced (not dead) is absolutely fabulous, from start to finish, with a minor caveat that if you’re offended by the frequent use of the F-word or mild references to the sexual shenanigans of a newly divorced fifty-something then maybe this isn’t the story for you …however, if you love a rom com with a fair amount of sass, with a brave and bold heroine who fills your heart with delight and a cast of quirky characters who make turning the pages such a joy then, I am sure, this story will entertain you as much as it did me.

For making me laugh till I cried, I have no hesitation in making Divorced (not dead) my Book of the Month for December.

About the Author

Harper Ford is an author, much of the time. She started out as a writer of historical novels, then found she was funny during lockdown so decided to write contemporary romcoms too. She also a fellow of the Royal Literary Fund, based at the University of Lincoln. Divorced (not dead) is her debut in the women’s fiction space.

Twitter @AvonBooksUK

#HarperFord #DivorcedNotDead

Website

🎄Festive Read ~New Beginnings at Christmas Tree Cottage by Georgia Hill

Bloodhound Books
29 September 2023

My thanks to the author for my copy of this book

Christmas is the perfect time to fall in love. . .

The little English town of Lullbury Bay is a magical place to spend Christmas, and for Honor Martin it is the high point of her year.

However, newcomer Jago, doesn’t share her merry mood. After the devastating loss of his father he’d be happy to never hear another Christmas carol again.

But to help his little sister replace bad memories with good ones, he reluctantly joins in the festivities. As he gets to know her teacher, Honor, could she be the one to restore his love of Christmas?

🎄 My Review 

I’ve just spent a magical couple of afternoons in the beautiful Lullbury Bay getting to know Honor Martin and Jago Pengethley, two lovely characters, who really make this story into something quite special.  Christmas magic is definitely sprinkled between the pages as not only do we get to spend time at Christmas in this imagined West Dorset seaside resort but we also get to know two lovely people who are perfect for each other and yet the path of true love isn’t going to run smoothly for either Honor or Jago.

Whilst the story is unashamedly romantic the author also covers the difficult topic of grief and the different ways people come to terms with the loss of a loved one. This is done especially well and because the writing is so wonderful you really start to feel immersed in the story and connect with all of the characters. I especially loved Jago’s little sister Merryn who has a wise head on her young shoulders, and Jago’s mother, Avril who is having to cope with the loss of her husband whilst making new beginnings with her family at Christmas Tree Cottage. What is really lovely is the way in which all the community of Lullbury Bay pull together in order to make this family feel so welcome..

New Beginnings at Christmas Tree Cottage is a wise and wonderful festive read which I found utterly charming from start to finish.

About the Author

Georgia Hill writes warm-hearted and up-lifting contemporary and timeslip romances about love and romance.

Twitter @georgiawrites

@Bloodhoundbook

📖 Blog Tour ~ The Beach Reads Book Club by Kathryn Freeman

 

Delighted to be hosting a stop on this blog tour today

One More Chapter
30 June 2021

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

Welcome to the Beach Reads Book Club...where love is just a page away...When Lottie Watt is unceremoniously booted out of her uptight book club for not following the rules, she decides to throw the rulebook out the window and start her own club–one where conversation, gin and cake take precedent over actually having read the book!The Beach Reads Book Club soon finds a home for its meetings at Books by the Bay, a charming bookshop and café owned by gorgeous, brooding Matthew Steele, and as the book club picks heat up, so too does the attraction between Matt and Lottie.If there’s anything Lottie has learned from the romances she’s been reading, it’s that the greatest loves are the ones hardest earned.

A love letter to chick lit, romance, rom coms, whatever you want to call them!

📖 My thoughts..

Lottie Watt decides that she's had enough of the stuffy book club which reminds her of being back at school and with a couple of friends who enjoy some of the more raunchy variety of chick lit, Lottie persuades the owner of the local book shop to let them use Books by the Bay as the venue for their Beach Reads Book Club. The book shop is charming and Matthew Steele, the handsome shop owner, although a little reserved, soon finds that Lottie's considerable charm and vibrant personality starts to melt his frosty exterior. What then follows is a story which is just a delight to read as not only do we follow Lottie's endeavours as she sets to work to make her book club welcoming and friendly, but we also see how she starts to work her special magic on Matthew. 

The book club is a fabulous idea, as all the members have their own reasons for attending  but what brings them together, initially, is their need for companionship and their shared love of books. I love stories about books within books and each of the chapters are clevely headed with the book group choice for that particular month, some titles I was familiar with, whilst others had me scurrying to find out more, but what made me laugh out loud was the reaction of the club members to their book club choices, especially octogenarian, Audrey, who has her own special way of bringing the book club to life. The Beach Reads Book Club is lively and warm, funny and sometimes a little bit sad, but throughout it all the author brings everything life so that you can't help but fall in love with the characters and hope that things turn out well for them and especially for Lottie and Matthew.

As always Kathryn Freeman has given us a light, entertaining read which is both wise and compassionate, and yet there is also a hint of passionate romance to get the pulses racing. The Beach Reads Book Club is both a perfect beach read and a perfect book club read.

About the Author

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero. I’ve two sons and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), so any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers-and heroes come in many disguise.

Twitter @KathrynFreeman1 #TheBeachReadsBookClub

Facebook Website Amazon UK

@0neMoreChapter_

@Raraesources

Amazon UK

📖 Blog tour ~ The Wife Who Got A Life by Tracy Bloom

 

📖 Excited to host today's stop on this blog tour 📖 

Harper Fiction
 15 April 2021

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and to Random T Tours for the invitation to be part of the blog tour

THE WIFE WHO GOT A LIFE perfectly captures the joyous chaos of family life and is the story of Cathy Collins, who’s come up with a list to help her nail the business of getting older.

After initially feeling annoyed by her sister’s gift of a ‘Motivational Journal’, she develops a list of monthly goals she believes will set her up for tackling the coming of middle age.

JANUARY - Write the list!

FEBRUARY - Ditch Periods

MARCH - Ditch Cooking

APRIL- Get a Life Outside the Family, preferably with ‘Young’ People

MAY - Secure My Son’s Future – i.e. Put a Rocket Up His Arse

JUNE - Teach My Daughter How to Not Get Screwed Over by Relationships

JULY - Reduce My Carbohydrate Footprint

AUGUST - Agree Who Will Clean Mum and Dad’s Toilet

SEPTEMBER - Make the Necessary Announcements about the Menopause

OCTOBER - Have the Really, Really Important Chat with My Husband

NOVEMBER - Fall in Love Again

DECEMBER- Dance with Hugh Jackman

But Cathy isn’t the only one in her family with a midlife bombshell to drop and when her husband throws his grenade into the mix, bossing the list doesn’t look quite so easy… and as everyone knows, a year can seem like a VERY long time...

📖 My Thoughts..

Anyone who has ever started a new year with a list of motivational goals to achieve will have huge sympathy for Cathy Collins who seems to be at a bit of an emotional crossroads in her life. She has two teenage children who seem hellbent on being as awkward as possible, and Cathy's lacklustre husband, Mike, is determined to 'find himself' by contemplating a dramatic career change. Add all these ingredients into the mix and what pops out is a fun and, at times, quite poignant look at the minutiae of family life. 

The story takes us through each month of the year as Cathy sets off on her own set of personal motivational challenges, and as everything is told from her particularly zany perspective, there's never a dull moment. Cathy is a breath of fresh air, she is filled with angst one minute, particularly about growing older, she's forty-eight, and is then gloriously funny as she attempts to make sense of her, somewhat, complicated life as a wife, mother, daughter and sister.

The author writes with warmth and wit about Cathy and her family, who, it must be said, are not always a very likeable bunch, and there were definitely times when I wanted to give them all a bit of a talking too, especially the teenagers who could have been a bit more helpful towards their mother. I did feel quite sorry for Mike, Cathy's husband who seemed to be floundering around on the edge of family life, but overall, I enjoyed watching how the year unfolded for all of the Collins family.

The Wife Who Got A Life makes you smile but it also alludes to some quite serious family issues which although presented in a light hearted manner are no less pertinent. It's a nice, easy read, perfect for a relaxing afternoon spent reading in the garden. 

About the Author

Tracy started writing when her cruel, heartless husband ripped her away from her dream job shopping for rollercoasters for the UK's leading theme parks, to live in America with a brand-new baby and no mates. In a cunning plan to avoid domestic duties and people who didn't understand her Derbyshire accent, she wrote her romantic comedy, NO ONE EVER HAS SEX ON A TUESDAY, which has sold three quarters of a million copies to date.

Twitter @TracyBBloom #TheWifeWhoGotALife

@fictionpubteam @HarperFiction

@RandomTTours

Book Review - A Springtime Affair by Katie Fforde

Arrow Publishing 
Century
20 February 2020

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book

It’s the season of new beginnings for Helena and Gilly.

Gilly runs her own B&B business from her much-loved family home, which she doesn’t want to part with – at any price.

But that's before she meets handsome estate agent Leo, and soon she begins to wonder whether selling up might not be such a bad idea after all.

Meanwhile Gilly's daughter Helena has a budding romance of her own. A talented weaver, she's becoming very close to her new landlord, Jago, who's offered to help her at an upcoming craft fair.

It’s what friends do, and they are just friends. Aren’t they?

With spring in full bloom, Helena and Gilly begin to ask themselves the same question:

Might their new loves lead to happily ever after..

What did I think about it..

This is a lovely story which looks at the lives of mother and daughter, Gilly and Helena. Gilly runs a successful B and B from Fairacres, her much loved family home. All seems to be going well and the business is going from strength to strength, that is until she comes into contact with Leo, a charismatic and handsome older man, who seems intent on sweeping Gilly off her feet. At the same time, Gilly's daughter, Helena, a talented artisan weaver, finds that she is looking upon her landlord, Jago, with more than a friendly eye, that is, until long buried secrets threaten to upset their burgeoning relationship.

What then follows is the ups and downs of life in general and of the interesting dynamics between families when some family members seem to want things to go in a different direction, but more especially, the story is filled with all the warmth and wit and the canny observations on life and love which we have come to expect from this author's lovely series of romantic novels.

Light and easy to read with an abundance of lovely characters who have such delightful appeal and who collectively make A Springtime Affair such a pleasure to read. It has a little bit of everything, family upsets, problems around doing the right thing when some people expect more than you can give, and a lovely smattering of romance as both mother and daughter start to trust in the idea of being in love.

Recommended : ✅Absolutely. Beautifully written, nicely observed A Springtime Affair is the perfect antidote for a cold, wet and windy afternoon.

A Springtime Affair is published in ebook and hardcover by Century on the 20th September 2020

About the Author 

Katie Fforde lives in the beautiful Cotswold countryside with her family and is a true country girl at heart. Each of her books explores a different profession or background and her research has helped to bring these to life.

Website

Twitter @KatieFforde #ASpringtimeAffair

@ArrowPublishing

Facebook

AmazonUK

Blog Tour ~ A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley

🎄🎄 Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be part of this festive Blog Tour 🎄🎄

Avon
31 October 2019

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of this festive blog tour

Christmas in Cornwall is just around the corner…

But after last Christmas revealed a shocking family secret, Scarlett’s hardly feeling merry and bright. All she wants this Christmas is to know who her real father is.

So Scarlett heads to the little Cornish town of Porthmellow, where she believes the truth of her birth is hidden. She just didn’t bargain on being drawn into the Christmas festival preparations – or meeting Jude Penberth, whose charm threatens to complicate life further.

Everything will come to a head at Porthmellow’s Christmas Festival … But can Scarlett have the perfect Christmas this year, or are there more surprises on the way?

Curl up with this gorgeous novel and savour the world of Porthmellow Harbour.

What did I think about it..

Scarlett and her sister Ellie think they have found the perfect family Christmas present but what they don't bargain for is the way it tears their family apart. Whilst Scarlett is sure that the answer to this devastating family secret lie in the Cornish town of Porthmellow she is apprehensive of delving too deep for fear of what she might discover.

Those who have read this author's previous book The Perfect Cornish Summer will see a welcome return of some of the characters who featured in this first book in the series, however, this novel is more about Scarlett, and Ellie, who each need to find some sort of way forward. Each of them have been hurt in previous romantic relationships so neither of them are looking to find love again, but then Porthmellow starts to work its magic and both Ellie and Scarlett discover that, if they let it, life can offer some wonderful opportunities.

The family mystery at the heart of the novel is handled well and there are a few surprising twists and turns which show that in the aftermath of a shocking family secret there can be a hopeful resolution. I particularly liked the gentle Christmassy feel to the story which isn't overtly festive but which shines a light on the little town of Porthmellow, particularly their Winter Solstice festival, in wonderful heart-warming sort of way.

A Perfect Christmas Christmas is a lovely entertaining Christmas read about the power of family, and friendship, and of the distress and misunderstanding of keeping too many dangerous secrets.

About the Author

Phillipa Ashley writes warm, funny romantic fiction for a variety of international publishers. The first two books in her best-selling Cornish Café series made the Amazon Top 20 and Top 10 chart in 2016.

Phillipa lives in a Staffordshire village with her husband and has a grown-up daughter.

Website

Twitter @PhillipaAshley #APerfectCornishChristmas

@AvonBooksUK

Amazon UK

Blog Tour ~ Coming Home to Winter Island by Jo Thomas

Headline Review
ebook 31 October 2019
paperback original 12 December 2019

My thanks to the author, publishers and Random Things Tours for my copy of this book
and the opportunity to take part in this blog tour

Do you need to find out where you've come from before you can know what the future holds? 

Ruby's singing career is on the verge of hitting the big time, when her voice breaks. Fearing her career is over, she signs up for a retreat in Tenerife to recover. But an unexpected call from a stranger on a remote Scottish island takes her on a short trip to sort out some family business. It's time to go and see the grandfather she's never met. City girl Ruby knows she will be happy to leave the windswept beaches behind as quickly as she can, especially as a years-old family rift means she knows she won't be welcome at Teach Mhor. But as she arrives at the big house overlooking the bay, she finds things are not as straightforward as she might have thought. There's an unexpected guest in the house and he's not planning on going anywhere any time soon ... 

What did I think about it..

The big house at Teach Mhor, on the Isle of Geamhradh, known locally as Winter Island, is as remote as its occupants and yet it has long been the home of Hector Macquarrie and his carer Lachlan, two men who are about to change Ruby Mac's life forever. Ruby has a promising singing career but she has a difficult choice to make because even though she knows that going to a remote Scottish island to help a grandfather she has never met is the right choice, she really should try harder to look after her singing voice and head to a healing retreat on Tenerife.

I was entirely captivated by this story, not just because of the beautiful remoteness of Winter Island, but also because of the strength of the characters who call this stunning place their home. It has a real island feel to it, with everyone knowing each other's business, and what they don't know for certain they make up, so there is much speculation about Ruby's mysterious visit to the island, and as the real reason for her time on the aptly named Winter Island becomes apparent so the story starts to capture your heart ♡

The author really knows how to hold the reader's attention and gives us a story which looks at some difficult topics, love, loss, and family responsibilities all vie for our attention and yet there is also hope in abundance and throughout the story there is a real sense of 'coming home'.

I loved reading Coming Home to Winter Island it made me laugh, smile and even shed a few tears. It's a really lovely warmhearted story about finding love and a sense of belonging in the most unexpected of places.

About the Author

Jo Thomas worked for many years as a reporter and producer, first for BBC Radio 5, before moving on to Radio 2’s The Steve Wright Show. In 2013 Jo won the RNA Katie Fforde Bursary. Her debut novel, The Oyster Catcher, was a runaway bestseller in ebook and was awarded the 2014 RNA Joan Hessayon Award and the 2014 Festival of Romance Best Ebook Award. Jo lives in the Vale of Glamorgan with her husband and three children.

Website

Twitter @Jo_Thomas01

@headlinepg

#RandomThingsTours

Blog Tour ~ Reach for a Star by Kathryn Freeman (Giveaway)

 🌠🌠 Delighted to be hosting today's stop on this lovely blog tour 🌠🌠

Choc Lit
24 September 2019

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

What if your dreams were so close you could reach out and touch them? 

How could anyone resist Michael Tennant, with his hypnotic blue eyes and voice like molten chocolate? Jessie Simmons certainly can’t. But Jessie’s a single mum who can’t sing to save her life there’s no way she’ll ever cross paths with the star tenor.

At least that’s what she thinks until she’s unexpectedly invited to take part in a new reality TV show. 

The premise? Professional singers teach hopeless amateurs how to sing. The surprise? Jessie’s partner is none other than Michael Tennant!

As she becomes better acquainted with the man behind the voice, will Jessie find out the hard way that you should never meet your idols? Or will she get more than she bargained for?

What did I think about it..

They do say that you should be careful about meeting your idols as they can so often be disappointing 'in the flesh'. However, for Jessie Simmons meeting best selling singer Michael Tennant is everything she hoped it would be, he's exceptionally good looking and deliciously sexy, the only 'fly in the ointment' is that Michael is mentoring Jessie in a reality singing competition and unlike the dulcet tones of Michael, Jessie can't sing. What then follows is a real feel-good story in which Jessie discovers that, occasionally, dreams really can come true.

What this author does so well is make you feel involved with both the story and the characters from the very beginning. Jessie is every woman you've ever known. She's a single mum with two boys who love football, she stresses about her job, her lack of love life and her one aim is to make everyone happy, but somewhere along the line she has lost the idea that she's an attractive woman, that is until she meets Michael Tennant.

I devoured this story in one sitting as I really couldn't put the book down and whilst not everything goes smoothly for Jessie, I loved her journey, and laughed with her and, yes sometimes shouted in frustration when the complications in her life seemed to get too much but throughout it all there was a really lighthearted feel to the story which just made me smile.

If you like warmhearted love stories with two wonderful central characters who have more than enough angst to cause trouble between them then I am sure that you will love Reach for a Star as much as I did.

About the Author

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero. With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers and heroes come in many disguise.

Website

Twitter @KathrynFreeman1

Facebook

Amazon

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Blog Tour ~ Three Little Truths by Eithne Shortall

✨✨ Delighted to be hosting today's Blog Tour stop ✨✨ 

Corvus
3 October 2019

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
 and to Random Things Tours for my invitation to take part in this blog tour

One happy street. Three pretty houses. So many lies...

Martha used to be a force of nature: calm, collected, and in charge. But since moving her husband and two daughters to Dublin under sudden and mysterious circumstances, she can't seem to find her footing.

Robin was the "it" girl in school, destined for success. Now she's back at her parents' with her four-year-old son, vowing that her ne'er-do-well ex is out of the picture for good.

Edie has everything she could want, apart from a baby, and the acceptance of her new neighbours. She longs to be one of the girls, and to figure out why her perfect husband seems to be avoiding their perfect future.

Three women looking for a fresh start on idyllic Pine Road. Their friendship will change their lives, and reveal secrets they never imagined. Liane Moriarty meets Lisa Jewell in this story of the love affairs, rivalries and scandals that hide behind every door...

What did I think about it..

Behind the closed doors of the small community who make up the residents of Pine Road in Dublin there are a whole array of secrets and lies, and this fascinating story puts the lives of three of its residents under close scrutiny.

Edie Rice lives with her husband Daniel, she’s desperate to start a family but things don’t seem to be going as planned.

Robin Dwyer has recently returned to her childhood home with her 4 year old son, Jack, but living back with her parents isn’t the answer to her marital problems.

Martha Rigby has just moved into number 8 Pine Road with her husband and daughters and is the subject of much speculation amongst the nosy neighbours.

The nosy neighbours are a force to be reckoned with and this rather claustrophobic community comes alive in their combined dialogue via a WhatsApp group which really helps to move the story along in a relevant and contemporary way. The story is both funny and sad, with some quite dark secrets, and a couple of twists which I didn’t see coming, and all credit to the author for keeping the humour alive in, what is , after all, quite a serious story. 

Three Little Truths is another great story from an author who knows how to get right into the heart of her characters so that you connect with them on an emotional level. And whilst I didn’t like all of the inhabitants of Pine Road, I have thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them and thanks to this talented author I have loved peering through their respective keyholes into the minutiae of their, rather complicated, personal lives.

About the Author

EITHNE SHORTALL studied jouralism at Dublin City University and has lived in London, France and America. Now based in Dublin, she is chief arts writer for the Sunday Times Ireland. She enjoys sea swimming, cycling and eating scones.

Grace After Henry is her second novel. Shorthall’s bestselling debut novel, Love in Row 27, has been optioned for a TV series by NBC Universal Studios International, the production company behind Downton Abbey.

Twitter @eithneshortall #ThreeLittleTruths

@CorvusBooks

#RandomThingsTours

Blog Tour ~ A Cornish Affair by Jo Lambert

☀ It's great to be involved in this summer blog tour ☀

Choc Lit
18 June 2019

My thanks to the author, publisher, and Rachel's Random Resources for my e-copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of this summer blog tour

In the close-knit community of Carrenporth in Cornwall everyone knows everyone else’s business. Luke Carrack is only too aware of this. He’s been away for two years but nothing has changed – from the town gossips who can’t see past the scandal of his childhood, to the cold way he is treated by some of his so-called family.

The only person who seems to understand is local hotelier’s daughter Cat Trevelyan, although even Luke’s new friendship with her could set tongues wagging.

But Carrenporth is about to experience far bigger scandals than the return of Luke Carrack – and the secrets unearthed in the process will shake the sleepy seaside town to its core.

What did I think about it..

I've spent an enjoyable couple of afternoons in the beautiful Cornish town of Carrenporth, getting to know Cat Trevelyan, whose family owns one of the local hotels, and the blissfully handsome, Luke Carrack, whose return to the town, after an absence, is causing something of a  consternation amongst the ladies.

Throughout A Cornish Affair there's a real sense of community, and the little Cornish town comes alive with all of its quirky characters. I especially enjoyed getting to know Cat and her family, and of the role they play in the local community, and in particular, the antics of Aunt 'Em' and her friends made me smile, and yet, it is in Cat's burgeoning relationship with the enigmatic, Luke Carrack where the story starts to get a more complicated romantic edge.

Whilst the story is undoubtedly about love and relationships, and believe me, Cat and Luke don't make things easy for themselves, it's also about family, friendship, and the ties of  loyalty and of the deep and, sometimes, complicated secrets which can so often linger if left unchallenged for far too long.

I enjoyed the way the author immerses the reader and makes everything feel so believable, so that the pages almost turn themselves. I was really sorry to say goodbye to all of the characters, especially Cat and Luke, but I guess that's the sign of a good story which has been well told.

A Cornish Affair is a lovely summer story which is such a joy to read on a lazy afternoon. So tuck yourself away in your favourite shady spot, with a glass of something ice cold to hand, and escape to the Cornwall of this talented author's imagination.

About the Author

Jo Lambert lives on the eastern edge of Bath with her husband, one small grey feline called Mollie and a green MGB GT. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors. She has been writing since 2008. Her first five books, a set of linked romantic sagas following the lives of several families in West Somerset, was followed in 2015 by Summer Moved On, a contemporary romance set in South Devon. A sequel, Watercolours in the Rain followed in 2017, 

In June 2018 Jo signed to Choc Lit and her debut A Cornish Affair, set in North Cornwall, has just been published. Jo is currently working on another coastal romance, this time set in South Cornwall.

When she isn't writing she reads and reviews. She also has an active blog. Jo loves travel, red wine and rock music and she often takes the odd photograph or two.

 Blog

Facebook 

Twitter @jolambertwriter

@rararesources

@choclituk

Purchase Link

Blog Tour ~ A Walk in Wildflower Park by Bella Osborne

✨ I'm delighted to host today's blog tour stop for this wonderful summery novel ✨

Avon
27 June 2019

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of this blog tour

A Walk in Wildflower Park was originally

 published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.

Life’s not always a walk in the park..

Anna thought she’d found The One – until he broke off their engagement exactly a year before their wedding day. Hoping new surroundings will do her the world of good, she moves in to a place of her own on the edge of gorgeous Wildflower Park.

With the help and friendship of her neighbour Sophie, Anna quickly settles in and pledges to focus on her career, but a handsome new colleague seems determined to thwart her attempts at every turn. And when she receives a text from a mystery man, it looks as though an unlikely romance is on the horizon…

Is Anna about to be swept off her feet by someone she really shouldn’t be falling for? Or could this be the new start she needs and deserves?

What did I think about it..

Anna was expecting to marry her boyfriend, that is, until he broke off their engagement just a year before the wedding. Anna does her best to move on, she has a new home near Wildflower Park, a cat called Maurice, and a best friend and work colleague in Sophie. However, Sophie has her own set of problems with an inattentive husband, two unruly children, and another baby on the way.

Life for both women definitely has its share of ups and downs and over the course of the story we get to know both of them really well with most of the action taking place, both at home and in and around their workplace, where a handsome addition to the office dynamic adds a special sort of attraction for one of them.

The author has a lovely light touch and brings her characters to life in such a believable way that I felt like I was in the story with them. I especially love Maurice who is such a quirky character and brings some feline charm into the story.The several twists and turns help to keep the interest alive and a few extra subplots make the whole package into a really entertaining read.

A Walk in Wildflower Park  is a light and easy summer story, with some quirky characters who had me laughing out loud at some of their antics, and with a slight air of mystery which carries the story forward. I enjoyed watching how Anna's and Sophie's lives played out in the wider scheme of the story.

About the Author

I've been jotting down my stories as far back as I can remember. Somehow life took over, I got a sensible job in project management and the writing has remained a passion. I live in The Midlands with my lovely husband and our wonderful daughter, who thankfully, both accept me as I am (with my mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping)

A Walk in Wildflower Park is available in ebook and paperback and is published by Avon

Website

Twitter @osborne_bella #WildflowerPark

@AvonBooksUK

Blog Tour ~ A Cornish Summer by Catherine Alliott

Delighted to be hosting today's stop on A Cornish Summer Blog Tour

Penguin Random House
13 June 2019

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of this book 
and the invitation to take part in this blog tour

Flora’s been in love with her husband for twenty years. The only trouble is, he’s been married to someone else for the past fifteen. When she’s invited to spend the summer in the shady lanes and sandy coves of Cornwall, it should be perfect – except she’ll be staying with her former mother-in-law, Belinda.

And when she gets there, she discovers that she’s not the only one who’s been invited.

Can Flora spend the summer playing happy families with her oblivious ex-husband, the woman who stole his heart, and the mother-in-law who might have had a hand in it? As the weeks go by, she soon discovers that there may be even more at stake than she thought…

My thoughts..

When single mother Flora gets an invitation to spend the summer in Cornwall she is apprehensive about staying with her ex-in laws, however, the thought of beautiful beaches and a stay in an idyllic cottage helps to overcome her fears, that is, until certain unexpected guests alter Flora's peace of mind.

It's a bit slow to start, but once the story started to take off, I really enjoyed reading about this lovely Cornish summer. Flora's interaction with the other characters, particularly her ex-father in-law Roger, made me laugh, however, it is her fractured relationship with her domineering ex-mother-in-law, Belinda, where some of the real problems lie. There's such a lot going on in the story and whilst I can't say much without giving too much away there's a lovely authentic feel to the story and the author has infused all her characters, and there's quite a lot of them, with some quirky personality traits which makes them all such fun to get to know.

This is a complex family drama about all those angst ridden problems which seem to beset a modern family, we have, ex in-laws, second wives, mistresses, half siblings, old friends, new friends, lost love and new love and all with Flora firmly entrenched in the heart of all the action.

A Cornish Summer is a lovely warmhearted story and whilst its a bit of a slow burner, and overall it's quite a long story, I do think that this lends itself to being a good summer read and ideal for those lazy afternoons in the garden or on the beach.

About the Author

Catherine Alliott is the author of fifteen bestselling novels including About Last Night, My Husband Next Door, A Rural Affair, One Day in May, The Secret Life of Evie Hamilton, and Wish You Were Here. She lives with her family in Hertfordshire.

Blog Tour ~ Crikey A Bodyguard by Kathryn Freeman

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be hosting today's stop on the Crikey A Bodyguard Blog Tour

Choc Lit
23 April 2019

My thanks to the author, publishers and Rachel's Random Resurces for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of the blog tour

She’s got the brains, he’s got the muscle …

When Kelly Bridge’s parents insist on employing a bodyguard for her protection, she’s not happy. Okay, so maybe not every woman is on the cusp of developing a vaccine against a potential biological terrorist attack – but crikey, it’s not like she’s a celebrity! 

Ben Jacobs flunked spectacularly out of school, so he knows his new client Dr Kelly Bridge spells trouble for him. But on a conference trip to Rome he finds things are worse than he thought. Not only is he falling for the brilliant scientist, he’s also become horribly aware she’s in grave danger. As they go on the run, dodging bullets and kidnappers, can he resist his feelings and keep her safe?

My thoughts..

Kelly Bridge knows stuff about viruses that no-one else does and the complex research she is working on has the potential to save many lives, however, the trouble is, this information is extremely sensitive and very dangerous if it gets in the wrong hands.. Against her better judgement, Kelly reluctantly agrees to her parents request to employ a bodyguard but constantly insists that she isn't in any danger. Her bodyguard turns out to be, Ben Jacobs, ex-special forces, tough, uncompromising and, with a glorious physique, which is extremely easy on the eye, however, for Kelly he's nothing more than an encumbrance. That is until the threat of danger becomes very, very real.

What then follows is an exciting, suspenseful story which has all the elements of a fast action thriller and yet, it also keeps intact this author's trademark of a lovely romantic story. There are some lovely light moments which made me smile but also there's a real darker element which is done extremely well and I must admit that my heart was in my mouth on more than one occasion, hoping that everything would work out for this feisty and determined scientist and her handsome bodyguard.

I've now read several of this author's novels and I am consistently impressed with the way she gets the balance of the story exactly right. The characters are always brimful of personality, the thrills and spills keep you guessing, and the passion fairly sizzles on the page.

There's so much to enjoy in Crikey A Bodyguard, from the edge of the seat situations that Kelly and Ben get drawn into, to the passionate 'will they, won't they' aspect of their burgeoning relationship. I loved it 😊

About the Author

A former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s the reaction to a hunky hero. 

With two teenage boys and a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

Social Media Links 

Website

Facebook

Twitter @KathrynFreeman1

@ChocLituk @rararesources

Amazon UK

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