📖 Blog Tour ~ Thank you, Next by Kathryn Freeman (Giveaway)

 

One More Chapter
30 June 2024

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

In this game of hearts, the stakes have never been higher…Molly Harris is used to being left. Parents, boyfriends – she’s the queen of rejection. Her latest boyfriend, gym-fanatic Duncan, dumps her to go on reality dating show The One which sets up hot singletons to date for four weeks before meeting at the altar to say, ‘I do’.

But Duncan was the one who picked Molly up and put her back together the last time her heart got broken, so, determined not to let ‘The One’ get away, she follows Duncan onto the show. If she can prove that they’re meant to be, she might just get the happily ever after of her dreams…

But on the first day of filming, another reminder of her painful history walks into Happily Ever After Ben Knight, her it’s-not-you-it’s-me heartbreaker. The one she loved before Duncan.

In four weeks’ time, who will she meet at the altar? Duncan, the first person who ever made her feel loved, or Ben, the first person who made her feel?

📖 My Review..

I have to own up and say that I don’t watch any of the current TV reality dating programmes and so Thank you, Next has introduced to me to the world of quick fix weddings, which seems a strange concept but the author brings this bizarre idea to life in an entertaining and sizzling rom-com.

Molly Harris is a sweet character who seems to have made some bad life choices, hooking up with the wrong men, so when the opportunity arises for her to go on a reality dating programme, she takes the chance to meet her future marriage partner. Her reasons for doing so are a big part of the story so I won’t spoil it by revealing who she meets there but it’s all done quite tongue in cheek which I rather enjoyed. 

Thank you, Next is an entertaining read which I devoured in the space of one afternoon. It made me laugh out loud in places especially about the intricacies of being filmed whilst building a relationship on television, I can’t imagine why couples would open themselves up to so much public scrutiny. The author brings the characters to life in such a good way that you can well imagine them, some are definitely more likeable than others, of course, I had my favourites and hoped that every thing would work out for them and that, just like the focus of the dating programme, they would also get their happy ever after ending.

Thank you, Next is fun and flirty, with more than a hint of sizzling sexual tension, it’s perfect summer escapism.

About the Author

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is 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.

X @kathrynfreeman1 #ThankYouNext

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Giveaway – Win a Paperback copy of Thank You, Next (Open Internationally).

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. 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 dispatch or delivery of the prize.

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🎄Festive Read ~ A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor by Christie Barlow

🎄Time for some lovely festive reads 🎄

Harper Collins UK
One More Chapter

28 September 2023

Love Heart Lane #12

My thanks to the publisher for my copy of this book

Fashion designer Libby Carter has always loved weddings, so when her brother finds himself in a bind and asks her to step in and plan the perfect winter wonderland wedding for guests at his hotel, Starcross Manor, she happily takes on the challenge. But this is no ordinary Christmas wedding and when everything starts to go awry Libby asks gorgeous videographer Guy Hart for help.

This isn’t single dad Guy’s usual gig – and he is not a fan of weddings – but saying no to vivacious Libby isn’t an option … especially when saying yes leads to one very unforgettable kiss under the mistletoe!

🎄My Review...

Fashion designer Libby Carter has just landed her dream job in New York when her brother asks her, at the last minute, to step in to help to organise an important wedding at Starcross Manor.  With her flair for design Libby faces the challenges of organising this wedding only to meet the most belligerent couple imaginable whose ideas for their wedding are rather unusual. Libby finds an ally in videographer Guy Hart and as the wedding plans get underway so does the attraction between Libby and Guy.

What then follows is a story filled with warmth and friendship and with a generous sprinkling of Christmas magic A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor is a delight to read from start to finish.  The wonderful community around Starcross Manor really pull together to make this wedding a success but there are pitfalls along the way and all does not go smoothly. I love how the author weaves all the magic together and with a delightful twist this really is a story filled with the warmth of Christmas magic.

Set in the idyllic Heartcross this unashamedly romantic story is now the twelfth book in the successful Love Heart Lane series of rom-com novels and whilst some of the characters may overlap it is entirely possible to read A Winter Wedding at Starcross Manor without having read any of the previous stories however, this is such a wonderful series that it really is a delight to read the each of the books in order.

🍵Best read with ...a delicious cup of spicy hot chocolate

About the Author

Christie Barlow is the number one international bestselling author of seventeen romantic comedies including the iconic Love Heart Lane Series, A Home at Honeysuckle Farm and Kitty's Countryside Dream. She lives in a ramshackle cottage in a quaint village in the heart of Staffordshire with her four children and two dogs.

Her writing career has come as a lovely surprise when Christie decided to write a book to teach her children a valuable life lesson and show them that they are capable of achieving their dreams. 

Christie writes about love, life. friendships and the importance of community spirit.

Twitter @ChristieJBarlow #AWinterWeddingAtStarcrossManor

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📖 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

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📖 Blog Tour ~ A Wedding at Sandy Cove by Bella Osborne

Avon
21 July 2022

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

Escape to Sandy Cove, where the scent of summer and the sound of wedding bells are in the air!

Ella makes brides’ dreams come true - there’s no dress she can’t make perfect with her sewing skills and some sparkle. But Ella’s own love life is no fairy tale. Recently dumped, surrounded by fussy brides and with the prospect of wearing a hideous brown bridesmaids dress to her friend’s wedding, Ella feels more alone than ever so agrees to go on a blind date.

A mix up on the night introduces her to Kit.

Kit is definitely not the man she was supposed to meet, but he could end up changing her life in ways she never thought possible…

A perfectly funny, feel-good summer romance that will whisk you away to sandy beaches and a seaside wedding. Fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson will adore Bella Osborne.

📖 My Review..

Ella is an absolute magician on a sewing machine and it is her job to alter wedding dresses at the bridal shop, imaginatively named Frills, Frocks and Fairy Tales. Mostly it's Ella dream job and she loves making brides look special for their big day however, her boss, Wanda, is something of a tyrant and takes advantage of Ella's kind nature and skillful workmanship. 

Ella's calm and steady manner endears her to everyone but to be honest she is a little bit of a doormat, that is, until she finds the courage take back control of both her personal and professional life. After a devastating mix up on a blind date, Ella meets Kit and together they embark on a quest to make important changes to a worrying situation which, inadvertently, leads them both on an entirely unexpected journey of discovery.

On one of the hottest days of the year, I flew through this lovely story. It had me laughing out loud at the antics of some of the bridezillas Ella has to deal with and there is much to enjoy about Ella's personal journey, both in reinventing herself and also in finding the courage to reach for her dreams. I enjoyed watching Ella grow in confidence, her trusting relationship with her best friends is really special, and the added bonus of the handsome Kit, especially when life gets a little bit perilous for them, make this charming story such a joy to read.

Filled with life, love, laughter and friendship A Wedding at Sandy Cove is a lovely feel-good summer read. 

🍷Best read with.. Cromer crab sandwiches and a glass of Prosecco

About the Author

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written a number of best-selling romantic comedies and book club reads and won the RNA Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year Award 2022.

Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She likes to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weaves these into her stories. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website or follow her on social media:

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📖 Blog Tour ~ The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove by Jaimie Admans

 

HQ Digital
15 July 2022

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

Her new start is about to bee-gin!

Having moved into her mum’s spare room after a disastrous break-up, Kayleigh Harwood is desperate for a fresh start. When she sees an opening for a new beekeeper at the old manor house at Elderflower Grove she jumps at the chance – despite not knowing a thing about bees…

The abandoned house holds a mystery of its own – the previous owner vanished years ago – and locals have been inventing stories about the manor ever since. Unable to resist the urge to look around, Kayleigh is shocked to find drop-dead-gorgeous gardener Carey living inside!

Carey explains that the house and surrounding land is at risk of being demolished, endangering the bees, and he has been staying there to protect it.

Convinced the secret of the house holds the key to saving Elderflower Grove’s bees, Kayleigh is prepared to do everything she can to help. But is she ready to find her own happy-ever-after too…?

📖 My Review ..

When Kayleigh Harwood takes on the job of beekeeper at Elderflower Grove she is determined to make a success of it even though she knows absolutely nothing about looking after bees. Armed with her Idiots guide to Beekeeping Kayleigh does her best to keep the bees comfortable and even though she is a beekeeping novice she quickly develops a real love for the bees  and her natural connection to them will be her saving grace.

There is an air of mystery at the abandoned manor house at Elderflower Grove and people have told of mysterious goings on and ghostly noises coming from the old house. Having a good old nosey around Kayleigh soon discovers that she's not the only one with a love for Elderflower Grove when she bumps into a rather good looking gardener called Carey, who has more than enough secrets of his own.

This fun story flows really well. I enjoyed getting to know Kayleigh, and learned a little bit about looking after bees, and their hives, in the process. The delapidated manor house quickly becomes another character in the story and I enjoyed how Kayleigh and Carey starting to get involved in caring for the old place whilst at the same time being sympathetic to its secrets.

There is much to enjoy in this light and easy romantic comedy. Kayleigh and Carey are both lovely characters and I enjoyed seeing their relationship flourish as the story develops. The addition of some quirky villagers who go by the name of Nectar Inspectors add a really fun element but there is also a serious side about conservation and cherishing the nature and heritage we have in our local communities.

The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove is a lovely summer read, just perfect for relaxing in the garden with the scent of summer and the buzz of bees around you.

🍷Best read with...Bagels with honey and refreshing drink of elderflower cordial

About the Author

Jaimie is a 36-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots. She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.

She is the author of several romantic comedies for Harper Collins - The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters, The Little Wedding Island, It's a Wonderful Night, The Little Vintage Carousel by the Sea, Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm, The Little Bookshop of Love Stories, The Wishing Tree Beside the Shore, The Little Christmas Shop on Nutcracker Lane, The Post Box at the North Pole, and The Beekeeper at Elderflower Grove.

Twitter @be_the_spark #TheBeekeeperAt ElderflowerCove

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📖 Blog Tour ~ Home on Folly Farm by Jane Lovering

  

 📖 Delighted to host today's blog tour stop  📖

Boldwood Books
16 March 2016

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

Escape the rat race by heading to the Yorkshire Moors in Jane Lovering’s funny, warm and magical new novel.

Needing an escape, Dora swapped city living for life as a shepherdess on her grandad’s Yorkshire farm. More than a decade later Dora is still there, now farming the fifty acres and caring for the one hundred rare sheep by herself. She never hears the call of the city, but instead relishes the peace and simplicity of life on the Moors.

When Dora’s glamorous but quarrelsome sister Cass, her teenage nephew Thor and his handsome tutor Nat, turn up for an unexpected and unreasonably long stay, life on the farm is thrown into chaos. Cass brings with her unwelcome memories from the past, and of someone who once stole Dora's heart.

Dora takes refuge in the comforting routine of the farm, the sheep never allowing her too much time to dwell. But, as the seasons change, the snow starts to melt, and as lambs begin to fill the fields, Dora can’t keep hiding in the hills. Because even though she’s trying, Dora can’t run away from a love that never really let her go...

 📖 My thoughts,,

When unexpected guests arrive at Folly Farm right in the middle of lambing season, farmer, Dora isn't very impressed, especially as these guests aren't entirely welcome. Dora and her sister Cass are totally different in character, neither one complimenting the other, and the addition of Cass's pre-teenage son, Thor, and his handsome tutor, Nat, doesn't exactly make life any easier for Dora.

What then follows is an interesting, and funny, family story about how this unusual quartet learn to tolerate each other, and even though Dora is still not sure about sharing her home space with them, she does start to mellow, and I think that's what makes this such a lovely story to read. I thought it would be all about angst and arguments but the author cleverly allows each of the characters to have their own space so that we come to appreciate them as individuals.

Home on Folly Farm has a lovely pastoral setting in Yorkshire and I came to love those sections which had Dora tending to her flock of rare breed sheep and all the trials and tribulations of running a farm when finances are threatened, and the horror of sheep rustlers who are targeting lonely, rural farms. Equally, I enjoyed getting to know more about Cass and Thor, who start off as proper townies only to succumb to the magic of Folly Farm. My favourite, and perhaps the most enigmatic character, is Nat whose past is about to catch up with him in the most unexpected of circumstances.

Home on Folly Farm is a beautifully written, and totally engaging read, and although it covers some quite dark issues, it has, at its core, a lovely heartwarming story about the quirkiness of family, the love of the countryside, and the possibility of a second chance at love.

About the Author

Jane Lovering is the bestselling and award-winning romantic comedy writer who won the RNA Novel of the Year Award in 2012 with Please Don’t Stop the Music. She lives in Yorkshire and has a cat and a bonkers terrier, as well as five children who have now left home.

​

Twitter @JaneLovering #HomeOnFollyFarm

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Blog Tour ~ Strictly Come Dating by Kathryn Freeman☼

 

☼Absolutely delighted to host today's Blog Tour stop☼

One More Chapter
August 2020

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

Strictly Come Dating Saturday nights are strictly for dancing...As the glitter ball shimmers and sequins flash, forty-year-old Maggie remembers the pull of the dance floor. But now, as a newly divorced mum of two, Maggie’s certain her dancing days are over.Or are they...?

Encouraged by her friends, Maggie dusts off her silver stilettoes and enrols for dancing classes, all she needs now is the perfect partner. Enter Seb Young, carefree and hot as hell, Seb is definitely a perfect 10!Even though everything about him is outrageously inappropriate! But as Seb sweeps her across the dance floor every week,Maggie begins to see a new side to him; kind, caring, funny, strong.And Maggie realises that he’s the only one she’d like to foxtrot with...perhaps even forever.

What did I think about it..

What a treat this turned out to be ! Not only a rom-com from one of my favourite authors but also with a theme of dancing running throughout the story. 

On Saturday evenings, newly divorced, Maggie, her daughters, Penny and Tabby, her best friends, Alice and Sarah, and nanny, Hannah, all look forward to sharing pizza and watching Strictly Come Dancing on the television. This all female gathering is rudely interrupted by the arrival of Seb, the younger brother of Maggie's best friends. He is blonde, gorgeous and far too free and easy with his charm, but he also has a warm and caring side to his personality which I had great fun watching develop as the story moves along.

The author writes about friendship, romance and the uncertainty of finding love again with all the charm and light-hearted good humour we have come to expect from her writing. I loved the will they, won't they aspect of the exciting relationship between Seb and Maggie. I especially enjoyed Maggie's tentative return to ballroom dancing, a skill she once loved but put aside to concentrate on her work and family. Maggie's weekly dance lessons provided such fun and brought a smile especially when she bags the only good looking partner.

It's not all hearts and flowers as there are some serious issues, especially around Maggie's reluctance to enter into a relationship with a younger man, and of course, there’s her maternal consideration for her daughter’s feelings too, always putting them first, and herself second. With her usual attention to detail, the author breaks down these understandable barriers and gives a realistic look at life, and love, all wrapped up in a lovely romantic, and rather passionate story, which warmed my heart and made me smile.

Strictly Come Dating is a lovely heart-warming story about finding love again in the most unlikely of places.

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 #StrictlyComeDating

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Blog Tour ~ Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay by Katie Ginger ☼

☼ Delighted to host today's stop on this summery Blog Tour ☼

HQ Digital
24 June 2020

Swallowtail Bay #2

My thanks to the publishers for my ecopy of this book
and to Rachel's Random Resources for my invitation to the Blog Tour

Grab your strawberries and cream and get ready to return to the beautiful Swallowtail Bay!

Summer is in full swing and the locals are getting excited for the launch of the Swallowtail Bay strawberry food festival. But will all run smoothly when festival organiser Hetty’s heart is torn between lord of the manor John Thornhill and successful bakery owner Ben?

What did I think about it..

Over this latest heat wave, I curled myself into my favourite reading chair, and with a deliciously cold drink at my side I became quite lost in the magic of Swallowtail Bay. It doesn't matter if you haven't read the previous story in this series as both books can be read as standalones stories and Summer Strawberries is a wonderful continuation about the townsfolk of Swallowtail Bay.

From the start I absolutely loved Hetty, she's an entirely capable woman who organises everything superbly well. She's also one of those gifted events organisers who you would really like to have on speed dial, as she can magic up a party at the drop of a hat. And yet, good though she is at her job, Hetty now needs something more challenging than creating superhero themed wrestling parties, and that's when she decides to resurrect the annual Strawberry Festival at Swallowtail Bay which has been lingering in the doldrums for far too many years. However, for it to go ahead properly, she really needs to enlist the help of John Thornhill, a local landowner, whose belligerent family also own the local stately home.

What then follows is a delightful rom-com which has all the right ingredients for a scrumptious summer read. The author brings such warmth and wit to her characters that you really want to spend time with them. I especially enjoyed reading of Hetty's preparations as she goes about organising such a huge summer event, which she does, of course, with great good humour. Her relationship with John Thornhill is beautifully explored and their shared differences only heightens their burgeoning relationship. Whilst there is a bit of will they, won't they romance, it's not all hearts, flowers and roses round the door, as both Hetty and John have other significant worries going on in the background, I thought that John's concerns about his family were particularly well handled.

Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay is a beautifully written rom-com about the joy of living in a small community where loyalty, love and friendship are so very important. I devoured the story in one sitting, stopping just for brief moments to top up my refreshments....and maybe a bowl of summer strawberries was also consumed as I spent a happy afternoon in Swallowtail Bay. 😉

About the Author 

Katie Ginger lives in the South East of England, by the sea, and she really wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Summer Strawberries at Swallowtail Bay is her fifth novel. The first, Spring Tides at Swallowtail Bay is available now. Her debut novel The Little Theatre on the Seafront was shortlisted for the Katie Fforde Debut Novel of the Year award, and her stand-alone Christmas novel Snowflakes at Mistletoe Cottage was a US Amazon bestseller.When she's not writing, Katie spends her time drinking gin, or with her husband, trying to keep alive their two children, Ellie and Sam. And there's also their adorable King Charles Spaniel, Wotsit (yes,he is named after the crisps!)

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Book Review ~ The Marseille Millionaire by Kaya Quinsey Holt

Coco Rose Books
January 2020

My thanks to the author for my ecopy of this book

While selling a million-dollar home in Marseille, will Elise Laird cash in at her chance at love?

From Ashfield, USA, to Marseille in the South of France – this is a romance not to be forgotten! The first in a new series following ambitious Elise Laird in her struggle to achieve more than she ever imagined for herself… all in the heart of the South of France!

Elise Laird has just sold the most expensive home in the history of Ashfield, USA, at $4.2 million dollars. The French multimillionaire whose home she sold is thrilled – so much so that he recommends her to a fellow French friend. And when Luc Dubonier steps off of his private jet with the intention of investing in some of Ashfield’s best properties, Elise is shocked to find that the successful tycoon is single.

At least, until she gets to know him. In a series of blunders, Elise learns that Luc may be tough in business, but couldn’t imagine anyone’s personal life being more of a mess. After she impresses him with her sales pitches, Luc asks her to do one more sale for him – his $88 million home in Marseille, France. 

When Elise arrives in France, she learns that there is more to the house, and Luc, than meets the eye. If she sells the house, the commission check will be more than her lifetime salaries combined. But after learning why he is selling it, Elise finds herself conflicted, wanting to convince Luc to keep it. 

Will Elise choose between her bank account or her heart? And while selling million-dollar homes, will Elise cash in her chance at love?

What did I think about it..

What a lovely time I have had escaping into the sunshine of this story which moves effortlessly from its lovely beginning in the USA, to the beautiful French resort of Marseille.

Elise Laird is in real estate and enjoys selling high end properties to the rich, so when she is recommended by a wealthy French client to help out with a property search for a friend of his, Elise is only too pleased to try and help out and is especially intrigued when she learns that her handsome new client, Luc Dubonier, is deliciously single. Elise is intrigued when Luc asks her not only to find him an exclusive property in the US, but also to sell a fabulous property, which is worth millions of dollars. The only complication is that Luc's property is situated in far away, Marseilles, France.

What then follows is a delightful story which is both sweetly romantic and unashamedly feel good and the author does a great job of keeping the story alive with some great characterisation along with a story which brings the delightful allure of Marseilles into the narrative. The author writes well and keeps the momentum of the story intriguing so that I enjoyed spending time with both Elise and Luc as they discover more about themselves, life and ultimately, love.

I found the The Marseille Millionaire to be the perfect antidote for the troubled times which we are currently experiencing.

About the Author

Kaya Quinsey Holt writes romantic comedies. She holds her undergraduate and masters degree in psychology. Her first novel, Paris Mends Broken Hearts, was released in April 2018. Since then, her books have sold in seven countries. They have been translated into multiple languages and been formatted into audiobooks. Kaya's passion for culture, travel, and psychology intertwine for books that are romantic and full of surprises.

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Blog Tour ~ How to Build a Boyfriend from Scratch by Sarah Archer

Thrilled to be hosting a stop on this blog tour

Harper Collins
19 March 2020

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

Meet Kelly. A brilliant but socially awkward robotics engineer desperately seeking a wedding date. Meet Ethan. Intelligent, gorgeous, brings out the confidence Kelly didn’t know she had and … not technically human. (But no one needs to know that.) With her sister’s wedding looming and everyone in the world on her case about being perpetually single, Kelly decides to take her love life into her own hands – and use her genius skills to create Ethan. But when she can’t resist keeping her new boy toy around even after the ‘I do’s’, Kelly knows she needs to hit the off switch on this romance, fast. Only, when you’ve found (well, made) your perfect man, how do you kiss him goodbye?

What did I think about it..

Kelly is under enormous pressure from her family to find herself a  boyfriend so that he can be her plus one at her sisters wedding.  However, there's a slight problem in that Kelly doesn't do the dating thing very well and is scared of the idea of using dating websites. Working in the robotics industry Kelly decides that rather than leaving it to the fickle finger of fate to meet Mr Right she will build her own perfect boyfriend from scratch.

What then follows is a delightfully entertaining rom-com in which the technical stuff of actually building a robot doesn't take away from what is, in fact, a rather lovely love story. I'm not altogether sure that I go with the idea of making a robot that has sense, feelings and good looks, but the author gives credence to this idea, and as I read on and became more involved in the story, I began to see the possibilities. It was interesting to observe Kelly's interaction with her family, who are an odd lot, and it was also good to see how she grew in confidence as the story progressed.

There's much to enjoy in How to Build a Boyfriend from Scratch, it was a really fun read and perfect for the troubled times in which we live, when to escape for a few hours in a good story is so vital. I found myself smiling throughout, and I especially liked the ending which, I thought, was entirely appropriate.

About the Author

Sarah Archer is a Black List Screenwriting Mini-Lab fellow who has had material produced for Comedy Central and published short stories and poetry in numerous literary magazines. After living in Los Angeles, where she worked in literary management and development on projects including House, Concussion, Roots, and Girls Trip, she currently lives in Brooklyn. 

Twitter @SarahArcherM #HowToBuildABoyfriend

@fictionpubteam

Blog Tour ~ The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman

On Publication Day I am delighted to be hosting one of today's Blog Tour stops 

One More Chapter
13 March 2020

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

 Sam Huxton doesn’t do one-night stands, especially not with men she’s just met! But the hot guy at the bar was hard to resist and their one night together is one she’ll never forget.But one night is all they share–no names, no numbers, just some much needed fun...Until the same guy walks into Sam’s life the next day as her new employee.Sam never mixes business with pleasure and makes it clear an office fling with Ryan is off-limits.But after-hours...one thing can lead to another. Can Sam trust her heart and her business with the new guy.

What did I think about it..

Sam Huxton meets an attractive guy in a bar and decides on the spur of the moment to have some fun. A one-night stand is not something she has done before, but the undeniable attraction she feels for this handsome stranger overrides her hesitation. However, fate has a fickle way of interfering and so imagine Sam’s horror when it turns out that the new guy she has just employed to help turn her technology business around, turns out to be, none other than the hot  guy from her one-night stand.

What then follows is a delightful ‘will they, won’t they’ rom-com which has all the angst of a powerful work based attraction, along with the undeniable sizzle of passion which seems to smoulder every time Sam and the new guy meet up. Sparks fly, jealousies fester and emotions run high in a story which entertains from start to finish. I really enjoyed reading the insightful descriptions of running a modern day technology company but it is in the developing relationship between Sam and the new guy where the story really starts to take off. I loved both characters and wanted everything to work out for them, of course, whether it does, or not, is something you must discover for yourselves.

Sometimes a story comes along at just the right time, I’m always convinced that stories find you rather than the other way round, and most definitely The New Guy had everything I needed at this moment in time. It gave me such a warm glow, and more importantly, it made me smile, which is testament to the author’s undeniable skill at weaving realistic emotion into every word.

The New Guy has everything we have come to expect from this talented author. It’s warm and witty, wise and wonderful. Sizzling with passion one minute, filled with heart wrenching emotion the next, there is no doubt that this latest story is the author writing at her absolute best.

About the Author

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

Website

Twitter @KathrynFreeman1

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Amazon UK

@rararesources

Blog Tour ~ Maybe This Time by Jill Mansell

Jaffareadstoo is delighted to be hosting one of today's stops on the Maybe This Time Blog Tour

Headline Review
22 January 2019

My thanks tot he publishers and also to Anne at Random Things Tours for my copy of this book
and the invitation to be part of the blog tour

When Mimi first visits her dad's new home in the Cotswolds, she falls in love with Goosebrook and the people who live there. (Well, maybe not snooty Henrietta, who lets Mimi walk miles in the rain rather than give her a lift.) 

There's Paddy, with his flashing eyes and seductive charm. Friendly and funny Lois makes Mimi laugh. And seriously gorgeous Cal is welcoming and charismatic. Though Mimi loves her city life and her career, she'd be very happy to return to Goosebrook if it means seeing more of him. 

Life is about to take some unexpected and shocking twists and turns. And Mimi's path and Cal'sare set to cross again and again - but will it ever be the right time for both of them?

My thoughts about it..

Sitting down with a new Jill Mansell book is like the pleasure you feel when you kick off your shoes after a hard day at work, or taking that first sip of a restorative cup of tea after a busy day shopping, or even when sitting in the window seat of your favourite coffee shop to simply watch the world go by. Those first few words of the opening chapter, the delicious glimpse of a whole new set of characters, and the promise of the story to come, is one of the most comforting of reading sensations. 

Maybe This Time moves along quickly and spans quite a few years during which time we get to see the central character Mimi develop and grow in personality, and we also meet up with the lovely characters, especially Cal, who both live and work in the idyllic Cotswold village of Goosebrook where Mimi spends time with her dad, and her dad’s partner Marcus.

It’s really difficult to reveal very much about Maybe This Time without giving the whole thing away and, as always, it’s best to read the book without any massive spoilers from me, so, all I will say is that the story has everything I have come to love about this author’s writing. There’s a whole bunch of quirky characters, some will tug away at your heartstrings, others will exasperate you and some you will actively fall in love with, but throughout the whole of the story, Mimi’s likeable personality keeps shining through.

Maybe This Time is a lovely light hearted story, beautifully written and with all the right ingredients for a deliciously good read, it has a likeable heroine, a dishy hero and whilst you sort of know where the story is heading there more than enough twists and turns before the ending to keep the whole story ticking along really nicely. 

Having read all that this author has written over the last few years, I think that Maybe This Time stands up with some of the best of her writing.

About the Author

Jill Mansell is the author of over twenty Sunday Times bestsellers including The One You Really Want and Meet Me at Beachcomber Bay. Take a Chance on Me won the RNA’s Romantic Comedy Prize, and in 2015 the RNA presented Jill with an outstanding achievement award.

Jill’s personal favourite amongst her novels is Three Amazing Things About You, which is about cystic fibrosis and organ donation; to her great delight, many people have joined the organ donor register as a direct result of reading this novel. 

Jill started writing fiction while working in the field of Clinical Neurophysiology in the NHS, but now writes full time. She lives in Bristol with her family.

Website

Twitter @JillMansell #MaybeThisTime

@HeadlineFiction @Headlinepg

Amazon UK