New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan book review

 

 

New York, Actually written by Sarah Morgan, publisher HQ is available NOW in ebook, paperback and audio download format.

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Meet Molly

New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.

Meet Daniel

A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…

Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

Photo image from Pinterest

 

I’ve just finished reading this irresistible novel and had to put down my thoughts straight away.  Sarah Morgan’s novels are a guaranteed page-turner and a delight and this latest one of hers; New York, Actually, is just simply wonderful.  You will fall in love with the characters, fall in love with Valentine and Brutus and best of all you will fall in love with the story.

New York, Actually is book 4 in The Manhattan with Love series.  You don’t have to read the other stories in the series as New York, Actually can be thoroughly enjoyed as a stand alone but to fully gorge yourself in the wonderfulness of this series I would recommend reading all the books in the series, which are:

• Sleepless in Manhattan
• Sunset in Central Park
• Miracle on 5th Avenue

Molly has a secret persona, she is New York’s famous agony aunt and is owner of the relationship blog Ask a Girl.  Molly moved to New York three years ago following a relationship break-up that was publicly slammed on social media sending repercussions to her professional and personal life.  She never received any support from her so called friends back then and has continually blamed herself for what happened and believes she is a disaster in relationships.  However, her professional expertise in relationships is flourishing.  The only man in her life now is her dog Valentine.  Valentine is a Dalmatian breed dog with a sweet heart shaped nose he loves nothing more than to go jogging with Molly in Central Park.

Daniel is one of the top divorce lawyers in New York, he’s brilliant at his job and has a ‘love them and leave them’ attitude with women.  He doesn’t want everlasting love as he doesn’t agree in love.  Events in the past have hurt Daniel and his twin sisters badly and love is not on his agenda at all.  However, Daniel can’t stop thinking about the girl in the park running with her Dalmatian dog.  He normally has no problem with female attention but this girl seems to have ‘Daniel shaped blinkers’ against her eyes.  Daniel seeks the help of his sisters to try and attract the girl’s attention.  He decides to borrow one of the dogs from The Bark Rangers, the pet walking and fostering business, his twin sisters run.  Daniel claims to not be a dog person but the Alsatian dog he has taken for a walk soon takes a shine to Daniel but when the unlikely pair do meet up with the girl and her dog in the park the Alsatian and the Dalmatian become an instant hit.  Will this attraction spread to their unsuspecting humans?  Will Molly and Daniel learn to let down the barriers they’ve built from past experiences and give love a chance?

This story had it all!  It was full of sexual chemistry, romance, emotion and warmth.  Scenes to grip you and leave you fighting the pages to find out what happens next.  A gorgeous story that I just didn’t want to end … 5/5*

To find out more about Sarah Morgan and her books please do visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.sarahmorgan.com/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/SarahMorgan_

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorSarahMorgan

 

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Chasing Shadows by T A Williams book review/blogtour

Chasing Shadows written by T. A. Williams, publisher Canelo, is available in ebook format NOW.

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Amy had it all – money, brains and beauty. And then the accident happened.

The Present Day: Left blind and without her family, Amy feels she needs to get away. On a trip along the Camino, she is accompanied by the mysterious and troubled Luke. Having been set up to help Amy by a mutual friend, Luke finds he is also running from his past…

1314: A Templar Knight, Luc, is also running. He meets the wife of a former comrade, now blinded in a terrifying attack: Aimee. Taking her under his wing, they must journey together through a dangerous world.

As they travel through the stunning scenery of Northern Spain, this couple, so very like Luke and Amy, emerge from the shadows of time carrying a treasure of inestimable value.

Chasing Shadows is an enchanting novel about the search for happiness, fulfilment… and love.

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of T. A. Williams latest novel.

This is the second time slip romance I’ve read in the last couple of weeks and it’s a genre I’m loving more and more. T A Williams has written many romcoms but this is his first time slip romance, with his love of history I was really excited about this release and I wasn’t disappointed.

The story starts back in 1314 in the Pyrenees were a terrible crime has been committed. Back in the present day we meet Amy who was involved in a tragic accident 5 years ago which has left her blind. Amy has been trying to rebuild her life since the accident and as a Medieval History graduate she decides to take on a journey reminiscent to the pilgrims back in medieval time. The sacred journey is historical and many millions of people, pilgrims in the past and now tourists take on the challenge across tough terrains and countries to get to their goal, Santiago do Compostela and especially to pay respects to the shrine of Saint James the Great. Due to Amy’s disability she has to hire a guide, her guide is another Medieval History graduate who was recommended to her by a mutual friend.

Amy and Luke decide to make their journey more interesting and to also break the ice with each other and create a story between themselves of a man and woman thrown together in unprecedented circumstances. A parallel storyline of this man and this woman taking the same journey that Amy and Luke are enduring but the major difference in the mirrored story is that this couple take their steps over 700 years in the past.

It was clever of T A Williams to talk of this parallel story, I could imagine the huge difference this same journey undertaken were quite extreme. Back in 1314 the terrain was hard going, the paths were through mountains and woods only passable on foot and if you were lucky by cart through the more habitable towns and villages. In the present day this journey can be easily done via a motor vehicle with plenty of well equipped hostels and hotels en route.

It was a voyage of discovery for both stories. A discovery of hope and strength through terrible heart breaking events. A discover of strangers pulling together, working as a team, to achieve their goals and ultimately survive. Amy and Luke have both suffered and witnessed traumatic events in the past and this journey seems to put some of these torments behind them, giving them encouragement to let go of the past and learn to listen to their heart again.

Chasing Shadows has it all. We are transported to a forgotten time which the author brings to life. It was gripping, dramatic, awe inspiring at times and heart warming. I felt quite emotional and awestruck at the end. I look forward to more time slip romances from T A Williams.

To find out more about T. A. Williams and his books please do visit the following pages:

Website:   http://www.tawilliamsbooks.com/

Twitter:   http://www.twitter.com/TAWilliamsbooks

Facebook:   http://www.facebook.com/TrevorWilliamsBooks

The Serial Dater’s Shopping List by Morgen Bailey book review

 

The Serial Dater’s Shopping List written and self-published by Morgen Bailey is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.  It is also included in the kindleunlimited scheme.

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Product Details (as per amazon page)

31 dates in 31 days – what could possibly go wrong?

Isobel MacFarlane is a recently-turned-40 journalist who usually writes a technology column for a newspaper based in Northampton, England, but her somewhat-intimidating boss, William, has set her the task of meeting 31 men, via a local internet dating site, all within a month.

Having an active, though fruitless, social life with her friend and ‘Health & Beauty’ colleague Donna, she knows what she wants in a man, so creates a shopping list of dos and don’ts, and starts ticking them off as she meets Mr Could Be Right Except For, Mr Not Bad, Mr Oh My Goodness and Mr Oh So Very Wrong.

Follow the ups (there are a few) and downs (there are many) of the dating process and intertwined with her experiences, get to know her colleague and family, including her niece Lola who, apart from being an amazing storyteller, can eat ambidextrously whilst wearing a Princess glove puppet on her right hand, and Baby, William’s non-too-healthy African Grey parrot.

I loved the premise of this story … 31 dates in 31 days what could go wrong?!  Izzy works for the local newspaper as a Technology Reviewer however, her latest assignment is completely out of her comfort zone.  She’s to register on the local dating agency and go on 31 different dates in 31 days and do a daily feedback article for the paper.  For single woman Izzy she is looking forward to this new challenge, to be paid to go out and have an expense budget too all sounds very exciting.

However, after some dates proving disastrous the end of the month can’t come quick enough for Izzy.  At the beginning of the month Izzy compiled her own ‘shopping list’ of what her ideal date would be like.  After each date though she referred back to her ‘shopping list’ and changes and additions were needed.

The author, Morgen Bailey, must have had such fun writing this novel.  It was witty and charming and very entertaining.  I loved the ‘shopping list’ and very often in life we need reminding not to judge a ‘book by the cover’ and sometimes ‘the one’ has been right in front of your face all the time, we just need to open our eyes and view things in a different light.  A great fun-filled romantic comedy 4/5*

To find out more about Morgen Bailey and her work please do visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.morgenbailey.wordpress.com

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/morgenwriteruk

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this novel.  All opinions are my own and no content may be copied. However, authors and publishers may use elements of my reviews for quotes.

The Phantom Tree by Nicola Cornick book review and giveaway

The Phantom Tree written by Nicola Cornick, publisher HQ is available NOW in ebook, paperback and audio download format.

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Product Details (as per amazon page)

“My name is Mary Seymour and I am the daughter of one queen and the niece of another.”

Browsing antiques shops in Wiltshire, Alison Bannister stumbles across a delicate old portrait – supposedly of Anne Boleyn. Except Alison knows better… The woman is Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr who was taken to Wolf Hall in 1557 as an unwanted orphan and presumed dead after going missing as a child.

The painting is more than just a beautiful object from Alison’s past – it holds the key to her future, unlocking the mystery surrounding Mary’s disappearance, and the enigma of Alison’s son.

But Alison’s quest soon takes a dark and foreboding turn, as a meeting place called the Phantom Tree harbours secrets in its shadows…

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of Nicola Cornick’s latest novel, The Phantom Tree.  Nicola’s stories take you on a journey through time, she opens your eyes to an era long forgotten but with her words history becomes alive in your head entrancing you in another world.

The Phantom Tree is a captivating historical time slip mystery romance that was utterly spellbinding, mystifying, tragic but equally beautiful.  I didn’t want the story to end, I was feeling quite bereft and emotional once I had finished reading … signs of a good story!

The story starts in the present day with Alison walking through the crowded pre-Christmas streets of Marlborough.  By chance Alison sees a portrait of a young woman in an art gallery, the painting takes her by surprise, she is drawn to the image and can’t quite believe what she sees before her eyes.  The painting is listed as Anne Boleyn but Alison knows otherwise.  The image stirs memories of a past that Alison thought she’d never see again, the image is Mary Seymour, daughter of Katherine Parr, who was taken to Wolf Hall in 1557.  Alison knows this fact as she too lived at Wolf Hall in 1557.  Somehow Alison has managed to escape the life she had in the past and has transported over 400 years in the future.  For the last 10 years she has tried desperately to return or to find information about something very dear to her that was cruelly taken from her, her son Arthur.  This portrait has been the breakthrough Alison has been looking for her.

The book continues with the story about two quite different women that were flung together in unusual circumstances.  We follow Mary Seymour’s story back in 1557 with her quest to fit in and escape the visions and words in her head.  We then follow the story of Alison Bannister who had fled time and is desperate to get back as a mother’s love is a bond that is not easily broken.  Clues from the past start catching up with Alison and she starts to question herself whether the risk is too great to go back to the 16th century.

This story was so enthralling I loved the images of the past evoked from the words on the pages.  The rawness of the times with greed and betrayal.  It was so heart breaking for a blossoming love to be cut so cruelly short but time felt like it stood still for this couple till they could be reunited again.

Once again a brilliant historical romance brought to life by Nicola Cornick.  5/5*

The publishers have kindly offered a paperback copy of this brilliant book for one of my readers.  Please click on the rafflecopter link below to enter the giveaway.

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To find out more about Nicola Cornick and her books please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/NicolaCornick

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/nicola.cornick/

Love Connection by Camilla Isley book review

Love Connection written by Camilla Isley, publisher Pink Bloom Press, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.

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Product Details (as per amazon page)

Have you ever wondered what might have been?
Gemma’s at the airport, staring at two plane tickets to two different cities. Two different weddings. Two different futures. She’s at a crossroads.
Be maid of honor at her best friend’s wedding or crash her ex’s?
Gemma’s decision, unknown to her, hinges on a delayed flight and a chance meeting. Now her life is about to go down two parallel tracks–will Gemma fly toward a life with her first love or a future with a man she’s not even met yet?

In concurrent storylines, Gemma lives out the consequences of each journey. Different stories unravel with unpredictable outcomes for Gemma and her loved ones. As the alternative realities run their course, humor and romance intertwine raising questions about fate and chance. Will these parallel universes converge? Is true love meant to be? Is everyone destined to have a soul mate? Or are one’s cards just a choice away from reshuffling?

Love Connection is a romantic comedy about one woman, life’s infinite possibilities, and the destiny that lies beyond two different choices. First Comes Love is a series of interconnected romantic novels. However, each book in the series can be read as a standalone novel.

I adored this romance from Camilla Isley.  It was very clever story telling; one woman with two options, which would you choose?

Gemma is at the airport waiting to board one of two flights.  She has two tickets: one to San Francisco and one to Chicago.  Two weddings on the same day; one Gemma has been invited to, the other she hasn’t!  If Gemma chose San Francisco she’d be gate crashing her ex’s wedding and declaring her love for Jake.  Gemma hasn’t stopped loving Jake since they split up 3 years ago.  He was her childhood sweetheart and first love and they have a special bond that with lack of communication went wrong.  If Gemma chose Chicago she’d be Maid of Honour for her best friend Amelia’s wedding.  Gemma can’t decide on the two options; does she follow her heart or her head?

The story then cleverly continues with the two scenarios running parallel in time with each other.  We follow Gemma and her heart going to San Francisco, then on the flipside we head to Chicago with a broken hearted Gemma knowing she has lost Jake forever.  Each parallel storyline doesn’t go without a hitch and obstacles a plenty crop up with fun consequences.  Gemma also has some lovely tender moments rekindling romance with the love of her life after a 3 year gap and also has moments learning to love again following her heartache.

This was a cute, clever, fun, sexy, romantic read with these two parallel stories and I couldn’t work out how the story was going to end.  Such a gorgeous, quirky, flirty story that left me guessing till the end.  Heart warming in abundance romance with a twist to fully entertain you.  5/5*

To find out more about Camilla Isley and her writing please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.camillaisley.com/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/camillaisley

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/camillaisley/

The Bear and The Nightingale by Katherine Arden book review

The Bear and The Nightingale written by Katherine Arden, publisher Ebury Digital and Del Rey, is available in ebook, hardcover and audio download format from 12th January 2017.

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‘Frost-demons have no interest in mortal girls wed to mortal men. In the stories, they only come for the wild maiden.’

In a village at the edge of the wilderness of northern Russia, where the winds blow cold and the snow falls many months of the year, an elderly servant tells stories of sorcery, folklore and the Winter King to the children of the family, tales of old magic frowned upon by the church.

But for the young, wild Vasya these are far more than just stories. She alone can see the house spirits that guard her home, and sense the growing forces of dark magic in the woods…

It’s a long, long time since I’ve read a fairytale but when I saw this book and read the synopsis I felt intrigued and wanted to learn more.

The Bear and The Nightingale is a grown up version of a fairytale set in Russia dealing with loss, grief, family struggles, forbidden love with a wonderful mystery of mythology and unknown magical creatures.

I have to admit it did take me a little while to get into the story but once I reminded myself of the particular genre I was reading my mindset saw the words differently.  Once I got my head into the characters and the raw struggle of survival in a very cold Russian countryside I was spellbound.  The magical creatures, that only few can see, fascinated me and I was eager for more.  I felt like the creatures were there for moralistic reasons and were the villager’s guardians.  The dark scenes were dramatic and traumatic and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the pages.  I could almost picture the scenes played out in a big blockbuster movie!  There is a forbidden love that someone is fighting desperately with their conscious and with a higher power.  I adored this novel, its good to step out of your comfort zone and read something a little out of the ordinary.  This book and it’s story would look impressive with a big movie budget bringing all the characters and creatures to life, a blockbuster in the making.  5/5*

To find out more about Katherine Arden and her work please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.katherinearden.com/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/arden_Katherine

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/katherineardenauthor

The Vets at Hope Green: Escape to the Country by Sheila Norton book review

The Vets at Hope Green: Escape to the Country written by Sheila Norton, publisher Ebury Digital is available in ebook format from the 19th January 2017.

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Product Details (as per amazon page)

PART ONE of a heartwarming and inspiring story about living the simple life and the joy of animals. Perfect for fans of Appleby Farm, Ivy Lane and Alfie the Doorstep Cat

Working as a receptionist in a London vets, Sam is living far from her idea of a simple life. She’s always broke, rents a tiny flat and is constantly arguing with her boyfriend. But the worst part is that her career is going nowhere. She wants to be a vet, but the most contact time with the animals she has is a quick hello when she books in their next appointment.

Something’s got to give, so when her parents suggest visiting her Nana Peggy in a small quiet picturesque village, she agrees, thinking a bit of R&R could do her good.

But rest and relaxation may not be the order of the day. Poor Nana Peggy’s lovely dog Rufus is unwell, and Sam can’t help but grow fond of him. With the help of Joe the local vet, a charming yet strangely distant man, Sam sets out on looking after him, despite her London life trying to call her back…

I’m really not sure why I haven’t read a Sheila Norton novel before but after reading this novella I feel like I’ve found a new favourite author.  I devoured this part one of the new series by Sheila Norton, The Vets at Hope Green: Escape to the Country it’s a wonderful start to a blossoming new series.

I love animals and to work with them seems like one of my ideal jobs so this series looked perfect for me.  We are introduced to Sam who is a receptionist at a city centre vets in London.  Sam is in a relationship with Adam but feels like something is missing; for starters their dream lifestyles don’t seem to match.  Sam also feels she wants more out of work.

To try and recharge her batteries Sam set’s off to the Dorset countryside to visit her Nan in the gorgeous coastal village of Hope Green.  Sam is hoping the sea air, taking her nan’s dog Rufus for walks and enjoying her nan’s company is just what she needs to take stock of her life.  Sam didn’t expect a life changing event in her personal life to cause her some more heartache and decisions need to be made personally and possibly professionally.  Whilst in the village Sam makes an acquaintance with the new village Vet Joe Bradley who ruffles feathers with his animal owners but has the most wonderful charm and patience with their animals.  This man seems an enigma to Sam, one minute she is so alarmed with his rudeness and the next she is swooning over his kindness to the animals.

Escape to the Country has left me wanting more and I can’t wait to read the next (and all) in the series.  We are left with questions unanswered and situations need to be resolved.  This start to the series which sets to be a wonderful feel good romance is full of charm, gorgeous countryside coastal settings, life’s struggles in a more serene setting away from the hustle and bustle of the city, characters to learn and love and animals to fill your heart.  Perfect read to start the New Year with.  5/5*

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this novel.

To find out more about Sheila Norton and her books please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.sheilanorton.com/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/NortonSheilaann

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/SheilaNortonAuthor/

Brake Failure by Alison Brodie book review

Brake Failure written by Alison Brodie, publisher Clipboard Press, is available in ebook format from 9th January 2017.

To pre-order/buy link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brake-Failure-Alison-Brodie-ebook/dp/B01MRQVFGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1483439452&sr=1-1&keywords=brake+failure

Product Details (as per amazon page)

“Is it too late to tell him you love him when you are looking down the barrel of his gun?”

An English debutante transforms from Miss-Perfectly-Correct to criminally insane as she breaks the bonds of her rigid upbringing. Sheriff Hank Gephart tries to reel her in – but she’s out of control and she’s not hitting the brakes.

What happened to the genteel lady in twin-set and pearls? And why did she shoot Mr Right?

Brake Failure is set in 1999 in the months leading up to Y2K “meltdown” when the US government was spending $150 billion preparing for Armageddon As Lionel Shriver says in her novel, We Have To Talk About Kevin: “1999, a year widely mooted beforehand as the end of the world.”

This is the first book written by Alison Brodie that I’ve read and Alison took me on a rip raucous journey with her story of Ruby escaping from her past and her present and breaking free from the mould that others had created for her.

Brake Failure is Alison’s 5th novel and Alison’s skill in weaving you a wonderful, funny, romantic story is evident from early on.  The story is set in 1999 with the world anxious about the new millennium and the ‘so called’ millennium bug.

The story is in two parts we start off just before midnight ready to celebrate the new millennium when a crime has been discovered at a retirement home in Kansas City, a second crime is also underway at the bank a few blocks down the road.  The townsfolk are in shock but also excited with the media attention.  One of the main suspects/hostages is missing … Ruby.

The story then looks back 5 months earlier to London and to Ruby’s nuptials with the equally shy Edward.  Ruby and Edward were quite similar they were both shy and had a difficult and unconventional upbringing.  Ruby was so excited for the wedding as she believed the newlyweds would be relocating to Paris but alas last minute plans saw them packed up and shipped off to Kansas City.  We follow this journey of Ruby and her new friends to the present day crime scenes.

Ruby has been preened and moulded to be the perfect lady and wife since moving in with her stepmum when she was just a little girl.  When Ruby first moved to Kansas City it was quite alien for her and her very British ways, the locals adored her accent.  The locals soon became friends and Ruby started feeling more at home and she made an effort to fit in with the lifestyle in this new country.

I loved Ruby’s character from the start her naivity was sweet and facing married life in a new country must have been very frightening for her.  I did love her transformation and some of the antics she got up to were so funny and unexpected!  I loved the discussions she had with her new friends and they liked to gossip about the Royal family, very amusing.  Ruby’s life started going crazy when she upsets local sheriff, Hank Gephart.  Sheriff Gephart was so different to her mild and meek husband Edward.  Gephart was rugged and strong and very handsome.  A chemistry sparked between Ruby and Hank and for some reason Ruby became quite irritated with him and did her best to prove she wasn’t any normal English girl.

A story full of colourful characters with wonderful wit, warmth, love and lust.  New friendships and new beginnings for Ruby in her crazytastic world.

To find out more about Alison Brodie and her books please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.alisonbrodiebooks.com/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/AlisonBrodieAuthor/

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/alisonbrodie2