The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn is available to purchase now as an ebook, paperback or audio download.

amazon uk link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Secrets-Sir-Richard-Kenworthy-Smythe-Smith-ebook/dp/B00LM9S93S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1422346817&sr=1-1&keywords=the+secrets+of+sir+richard+kenworthy

Book details (as detailed on the amazon page)

Sir Richard Kenworthy has less than a month to find a bride. . . He knows he can’t be too picky, but when he sees Iris Smythe-Smith hiding behind her cello at her family’s infamous musicale, he thinks he might have struck gold. She’s the type of girl you don’t notice until the second-or third-look, but there’s something about her, something simmering under the surface, and he knows she’s the one.
Iris Smythe-Smith is used to being underestimated. With her pale hair and quiet, sly wit she tends to blend into the background, and she likes it that way. So when Richard Kenworthy demands an introduction, she is suspicious. He flirts, he charms, he gives every impression of a man falling in love, but she can’t quite believe it’s all true. And when his proposal of marriage turns into a compromising position that forces the issue, she can’t help thinking that he’s hiding something…even as her heart tells her to say yes.

I’d like to thank the publishers, Piatkus, for a copy of this novel for an honest review.

This is the fourth instalment in the Smythe-Smith Quartet series however, I haven’t read any of the others and I treated this book as a stand alone and felt no detriment to not reading the previous three.  Although, now I have read and enjoyed The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy I will look into Julia Quinn’s back catalogue and catch up with her other novels.

The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy is a period romantic story set in the 1800’s.  Were young ladies were courted and gentleman were charming.  This was a beautiful novel.  I did find it a little slow to start, but once I got to know Iris a little more her character and personality shone.  There is a section in the story that was very funny and I could picture the scene in front of me and couldn’t help laughing out loud.  The main characters, Iris and Sir Richard, definitely grew on me and I was gripped with the storyline.  I wanted to know, as much as Iris, what Sir Richard’s secrets were.  When the secrets were revealed they weren’t what I was expecting and the storyline grew from this.

The author, Julia Quinn, took you on a journey of discovery for Iris and Sir Richard.  A journey filled with charm, chivalry, heritage, longing, desire, warmth and love.  A lovely period romantic 4.5/5* read.

To find out more about Julia Quinn you can catch up with her via the following links.

amazon author page:  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Julia-Quinn/e/B000AQ50N6/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1

website:  http://juliaquinn.com/

Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJuliaQuinn

Advertisement

Audible Book review – The Secret of You by Victoria Connelly

I’ve read many books by Victoria Connelly and love her style of writing. When Victoria was asking for help with reviews on Audible for the audio version of her latest book, The Secret of You, I was happy to help out as I was intrigued to try audio books.

So here I am listening to my first audio book. I’ve learn’t that you can multi-task while listening to an audio book, how cool is that? While doing mundane cleaning around the house my mind is taken to the delights of Fox Hill Manor and the stories it holds within its walls.

Product Details from Audible –
Journalist Anna McCall has never understood people who collect things. So, when she’s asked to interview local collector and eccentric, William Kitson, she isn’t exactly looking forward to the experience.

But she soon falls under the charm of Fox Hill Manor as well as its owner, even though she thinks there’s something very strange about the collection there. What exactly is William hiding in the unused wing of the manor house? And is it a story Anna could sell?

Set in the beautiful Cotswolds, The Secret of You is a novel about love, trust and antiques from the best-selling author of A Weekend with Mr Darcy and Wish You Were Here.

This was a lovely story filled with warmth and humour. It had a sort of magical, ethereal quality to it. I loved hearing about all the antiques and collectables. It was also interesting finding out about Meg’s background. Meg is now one of my favourite characters from Victoria’s books. It was a wonderful story with moments of joy and sadness, fun times and inspiring words. Victoria’s description of the location was perfect, I felt like I was transported to the idyllic countryside of the Cotswolds and I could picture the culture and history of the streets of London. A great 5/5* story.

This first step into audio books was very enlightening. I thought it would be difficult to pick the story up but the narrator did a good job and I found myself dipping into the story during lots of quiet times in a day. It was nice to transport my mind to a different world and was quite relaxing at times. I will definitely listen to another audio book and would use Audible again. I must admit I was a little confused when first downloading my audio book onto my iPod nano but I soon worked out how to do it with a little help from Audible online chat. Within 30 minutes I had the book downloaded ready to listen to.

The Secret of You by Victoria Connelly is available to listen to free on a 30 day trial of Audible. To apply for this offer click on the link below, and then click on ‘free on 30 day trial’ box.

http://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Fiction/The-Secret-of-You-Audiobook/B00RREFOLW

Fudge Berries and Frogs’ Knickers by Lynda Renham

The fabulously funny author Lynda Renham has a new book out this Thursday 22nd January 2015 with the unique title Fudge Berries and Frogs’ Knickers.  The ebook can be pre-ordered here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fudge-Berries-Knickers-Romantic-Comedy-ebook/dp/B00SERPICQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1421654474&sr=1-6&keywords=lynda+renham

I’d like to thank Lynda and her publisher for an advanced copy of the ebook for an honest review.

Book details (as per amazon page)

Poppy Wellesley is rich. In fact Poppy Wellesley is very rich, so when her fortunes change from riches to rags Poppy has to start a whole new life. Put yourself in her Guccis as she swaps her penthouse apartment for a run-down houseboat on Regent’s Canal. Meet her dippy friend Chelsea, the infamous Jack Diamond (see The Dog’s Bollocks) and her hunky boat neighbour, Taylor. Will Poppy hold on to her millionaire fiancé or will Pug-face Pandora steal him from her? Can she avoid the advances from Balls (Lord Balthazar Wyndham-Price) or does she find true love on the canal? Fudge Berries and Frogs’ Knickers is a romantic comedy roller coaster ride that will put a smile on your face and a cheer in your heart.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely adored this book, this was a story to bring some cheer on a very cold winter’s day.  Lynda Renham has such a wicked sense of humour.  I love a book that makes you laugh out loud but also keeps you enthralled with the story.  This is a rags to riches reversal story.  Poppy has it all: wealth, big house, high society friends and she thought happiness with her forthcoming nuptials with Lord Roddy.  When her wealth is suddenly ‘frozen’ her life takes an unexpected turn. An adventure, she wishes she could wake up and realise it was only a dream, begins.  Poppy literally has to start again; new home, new friends, find a job!!! She and her society friends experience lots of firsts in this very funny novel.  I loved how the barriers of working class and higher class were broken and friendships and alliances were made. Lynda has created some wonderful characters in this novel, all very unique with great comical moments that will have me giggling for a long time, her mum is a scream and Chelsea is loveable. This novel is a witty, romantic, heart warming 5/5* read.

Here is a little snippet of one of my favourite scenes in the book …

Best kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine

An extra snippet of the novel added for your info and enjoyment …

kraftireader

Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine is available in paperback and ebook format now.
amazon uk link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Kind-Broken-Finding-Fate/dp/0349404348/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1421166567&sr=1-1

Book details (as seen on amazon page)
Pixie Marshall’s freshman year of college ended two weeks ago, as did her residence in the school dorms. Which means she’s in need of a new place to live and, subsequently, a job. She started working at Willow Inn because one of the job perks-and she’d use that term loosely-is free room and board. But what she hadn’t realized is that her free room shares a hallway and a bathroom with the only person she was hoping to avoid for the rest of her life: Levi Andrews. As in: Hot guy. Handyman. Keeper of all her painful memories.

Once upon a time, they were best friends on the brink of being something more, but that was before everything went to hell. All Pixie wants…

View original post 367 more words

Best kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine

Best Kind of Broken by Chelsea Fine is available in paperback and ebook format now.
amazon uk link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Best-Kind-Broken-Finding-Fate/dp/0349404348/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1421166567&sr=1-1

Book details (as seen on amazon page)
Pixie Marshall’s freshman year of college ended two weeks ago, as did her residence in the school dorms. Which means she’s in need of a new place to live and, subsequently, a job. She started working at Willow Inn because one of the job perks-and she’d use that term loosely-is free room and board. But what she hadn’t realized is that her free room shares a hallway and a bathroom with the only person she was hoping to avoid for the rest of her life: Levi Andrews. As in: Hot guy. Handyman. Keeper of all her painful memories.

Once upon a time, they were best friends on the brink of being something more, but that was before everything went to hell. All Pixie wants to do now is avoid him completely, which might be more harder than she thought. Because despite everything that happened before, Levi hasn’t let go of his feelings for her either.

I’d like to thank the publishers for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Firstly, I’d like to say that this is the first book I’ve read by Chelsea Fine. I love finding new authors and then realising part way through the novel that they will be added to your favourite author list. My favourite author list is expanding each day but there is always room for more …

While reading the book this phrase went through my mind:

‘She was his sister … She was her best friend … She brought them together and she’s now tearing them apart. Will the love they shared for her break their heartache?’

I adored this book, from start to finish the author kept me engaged. It’s about two teenage friends that had a strong bond and a growing chemistry however, tragedy struck and Pixie and Levi went their separate ways. After a year of being apart they are thrown back together and thus starts a love, hate relationship. The novel’s chapters are split between both characters and its great to read from both Pixie and Levi’s points of views. The chapters are quite short at times which is great as it kept me turning the pages to find out what the next instalment was going to be. We find out a lot about their history, how they became friends and a lot about them individually. When their lives took a tragic turn it was very heartbreaking to learn of their pain, the author wrote this section very well and I loved the mood created with the storm. It’s a very emotive storyline that is filled with angst and heartbreak, it is tragic and touching, lovely and romantic. It’s filled with a lot of sexual tension. I just wanted them both to give in to their emotions and hug each other and say to each other “I understand your pain.” However, you need to read the book to find out what happens …

A great, emotive 5/5* read.

I’d like to share a section of the book I particularly enjoyed …

I spent that weekend at Levi’s house, crying to his mom about how kids at school were going to tease me and how no boys would ever like me.  Linda did her best to style my hair in the most feminine way possible, but it was a lost cause.

Monday morning came around and I cried all the way to school.  Junior high is hell on girls – especially in a small town – so with my head hung in shame, I braved the front doors and steeled myself for the endless teasing and whispering that was sure to ensue.

But it never came.

It seemed everyone in school was too preoccupied with a certain eighth grader’s hair to care about mine.  I travelled though the halls, listening to giggles and following wide eyes to the source of the school’s entertainment.

Levi.

His hair was longer back then and he had dyed it purple – neon purple – and spiked it up all over his head.  The school’s star football player dying his hair a silly colour wasn’t jaw dropping or mind blowing, but it was outrageous enough to keep any attention off of me.

Levi and I didn’t speak that day, but once, as we passed in the hall, he gave me a crooked smile and that’s when I knew.

I was his completely.

Falling Away by Penelope Douglas

It’s time for Jax’s story …

Falling Away (Fall Away book 3) is available to download now on kindle.
amazon uk link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Falling-Away-Fall-Book-ebook/dp/B00OPZ0IHG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1420748602&sr=1-1&keywords=penelope+douglas

This is a stand alone story but is part of the Fall Away series which follows the lives of 3 different but great book boyfriends … Jared, Madoc and Jaxon.

Book and product description (as detailed on amazon)

Jaxon is the guy she’s supposed to avoid . . .

K. C. Carter has always followed the rules – until this year, when a mistake leaves her the talk of her college campus and her carefully arranged life comes crashing to a halt. Now she’s stuck in her small hometown for the summer to complete her court-ordered community service, and to make matters worse, trouble is living right next door.

K.C. is the girl he won’t let get away . . .

Jaxon Trent is the worst kind of temptation and exactly what K.C. was supposed to stay away from in high school. But he never forgot her. She was the one girl who wouldn’t give him the time of day and the only one to ever say no. Fate has brought K.C. back into his life – except what he thought was a great twist of luck turns out to be too close for comfort. As they grow closer, he discovers that convincing K.C. to get out from her mother’s shadow is hard, but revealing the darkest parts of his soul is nearly impossible.

I’d like to thank the publishers for a copy of this book for an honest review.

I loved this story of Jax and K.C. surviving their turmulous past and finding their innermost fears and desires by facing them head on. It was filled with angst, lust and longing. It was gripping and heart wrenching. It was super sexy but beautiful and romantic. Both Jax and K.C. had experienced unspeakable terrors and upset in their past. They were hurting and felt betrayed by those that should have cared for them the most. Can the pair overcome their constant nightmares? Can they reach out to each other and make each other feel safe? Can they learn to control the heated passion between them? Can they learn to love?

A gorgeous, gripping, sexy 5/5* read.

Trust No One by Jayne Ann Krentz

This is the first book I’ve read by Jayne Ann Krentz but when I read the synopsis I was intrigued. I’d like to thank the publishers for a copy of this book for an honest review. The book is available to buy as hardcover and to download from tomorrow, 6th January 2015.

amazon uk link: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trust-One-Jayne-Ann-Krentz-ebook/dp/B00OLP7WIS/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1420447492

Book and Product Description (as detailed on amazon page)

Following up on the incredible success of River Road, New York Times – bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz delivers another masterpiece of romantic suspense.

It’s no coincidence when Grace Elland finds a vodka bottle next to the lifeless body of her boss, motivational speaker Sprague Witherspoon. The bottle is a terrifying-and deliberate-reminder of the horrors of her past.

Grace retreats to her hometown to regroup and tries to put everything she’s learned about positive thinking into practice-a process that is seriously challenged on the world’s worst blind date.

Awkward doesn’t begin to describe her evening with venture-capitalist Julius Arkwright. She has nothing in common with a man who lives to make money, but the intense ex-Marine does have some skills that Grace can use-and he’s the perfect man to help her when it becomes clear she is being stalked.

As Witherspoon’s financial empire continues to crumble around them, taking a deadly toll, Julius will help Grace step into her past to uncover a devious plan to destroy not only Grace, but everyone around her…

An interesting romantic, suspense story filled with intrigue, suspense, fear, desire, betrayal and love. Grace has witnessed two murders in her life. The most recent one was her boss. This new event has brought back shocking images from her past that she wishes she could forget. Grace returns back to her mother’s home to reassess her life and to try and ascertain who the murderer was. A new friendship with a successful businessman provides Grace with much needed support at a worrying and terrifying time for her.

I enjoyed this book, to me it had it all and the author kept you intrigued and filled you with anticipation as to what will happen next. A great 4/5* read.

Three Amazing Things About You by Jill Mansell

This is the 26th full length novel by the best selling author Jill Mansell. It is available to pre-order from amazon link:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Amazing-Things-About-You-ebook/dp/B00MNGZXNI/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
It will also be available to purchase in hardcover from all good book shops from the 15th January 2015.

Details of the book
From the No. 1 bestselling author of THE ONE YOU REALLY WANT comes a poignant romantic novel about a young woman whose time is running out. Not to be missed by readers of Jojo Moyes and Erica James.

Jill Mansell’s enchanting new novel will drive readers to seize life with both hands and make the most of every minute…

Hallie has a secret. She’s in love. He’s perfect for her in every way, but he’s seriously out of bounds. And her friends aren’t going to help her because what they do know is that Hallie doesn’t have long to live. Time is running out…

Flo has a dilemma. She really likes Zander. But his scary sister won’t be even faintly amused if she thinks Zander and Flo are becoming friends – let alone anything more.

Tasha has a problem. Her new boyfriend is the adventurous type. And she’s afraid one of his adventures will go badly wrong.

THREE AMAZING THINGS ABOUT YOU begins as Hallie goes on a journey. A donor has been found and she’s about to be given new lungs. But whose?

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
As soon as I read the first page of this book I knew it was going to be a good story.

The novel is based around 3 female characters: Hallie, Tasha and Flo. Along the way their stories become intertwined with each other. The book is filled with wonderful characters that experience life changing emotional events. I laughed and cried with the girls and also felt like I had become their friend. It was heartwarming, inspiring, romantic, heartbreaking and beautiful. It’s been a week since I finished reading this novel and I can still feel the emotions this story evoked in me. I believe it is Jill Mansell’s best book to date.

A thoroughly, enjoyable 5/5* read.