Meet Me at the Lighthouse by Mary Jayne Baker book review

Meet Me at the Lighthouse written by Mary Jayne Baker, publisher HarperImpulse, is available NOW in ebook format.

To buy link:

Product Details (as per amazon page)

’The day I turned 28, I bought a lighthouse and met the love of my life’

Bobbie Hannigan’s life in a cottage by the sea with her dog and her twin sister is perfectly fine … until she decides the logical thing is to buy a lighthouse and open a music venue with Ross Mason, the first boy she ever kissed.

Bobbie tries to be professional with Ross, but the happily-ever-after they’re working toward is too good to resist. That is until someone from his past crawls back to cause trouble. Can Bobbie look past the secrets Ross has been keeping from her? Or will the boy, the lighthouse, and the dream all slip away?

When you fall in love with a story in a book it seems to make your whole world glow that little bit brighter and this is just how I feel about this story by Mary Jayne Baker.

Set in a little village on the Yorkshire coast a story to make your heart swell with love and pride for a couple that not only let love into their hearts but they gave up their spare time, cash and much more to turn a derelict building into an inspirational place to nurture music for all in the local community.

Bobbie Hannigan and her twin sister have lived in the small coastal village all their life.  During a night out when Bobbie catches the eye of the singer from the band playing at the local pub and then realising he is non other than Ross Mason, the first boy she ever kissed back in school.  Ten years gone and Ross has matured very nicely and reminiscing over the past the pair decide to buy a lighthouse and bring it back to it’s former glory and more turning it into a place of creativity encouraging new music talent; a dream that Ross has held for a while.

We follow the couple on their journey jumping through hoops with the restoration project.  We also follow Bobbie and Ross’ personal journey of moving on from traumas and broken hearts in the past.

The lighthouse proves to be a beacon of light of love, hope and inspiration.

A wonderful story filled with Yorkshire charm, wit and warmth.  Characters to fall in love with and to champion.  A story that is deliciously sexy and so romantic.  A story you want to shine brightly for a long time 5/5*

To find out more about Mary Jayne Baker and her books please do visit the following pages:

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

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

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

 

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Escape to the Cotswolds blogtour – Q & A with author Natalie Kleinman

 

Escape to the Cotswolds written by Natalie Kleinman, publisher HQ digital is available NOW in ebook format.

To buy link:  http://amzn.to/2tFbywN

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Can love blossom in the countryside?

Artist Holly Hunter is turning her life upside-down! She’s leaving the bright lights of London (and a cheating husband) behind her and hoping for a fresh start as she escapes to the peaceful Cotswolds countryside.

Men are off the cards for Holly. Instead, she’s focusing on her little gallery and adopting an adorable Border Collie puppy named Tubs. Or so she thought…

Because no matter how hard she tries to resist him, local vet Adam Whitney is utterly gorgeous. And in a village as small as this one, Holly can only avoid Adam for so long!

 

 

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of Natalie Kleinman’s new novel, Escape to the Cotswolds.  I’d like to welcome Natalie to my blog today:

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Adele

When did you decide to become a writer?

It had never been my ambition to become a writer. I didn’t actually decide at all. It decided for me. At a loose end and with far too much spare time I enrolled in a ten week council run course in creative writing. It could just as well have been painting, craftwork, French or dressmaking. Actually it never would have been dressmaking. After weeks of being told to unpick something at school I was turned off for life. But writing was the one I opted for and it grabbed from day one. Something that was intended as a hobby almost immediately became an obsession. Spare time has eluded me ever since.

Your new book is set in the Cotswolds, why did you choose the Cotswolds?

Warm honey-coloured buildings. Quaint villages and quintessentially English country market towns. A feeling of peace every time I visit the area. A wonderful romantic setting. That isn’t to say there isn’t plenty going on. And with access to major towns and cities such as Oxford and Bath, Cirencester and Stratford-upon-Avon, and too many castles to mention, there’s never a shortage of things to do. For me, though, it’s the countryside that generates such a pull. I’ve been visiting the Cotswolds for many years and I have to say it draws me back like a magnet. A Londoner all my life, if I could live in the country that’s where it would be.

I love stories with animals in, I feel they bring charm and warmth to the storyline.  Did you know from the start that a puppy would be included in the story?

Not from the word go but fairly quickly. After all, my hero Adam is a vet so animals were bound to be part of the mix. But as a pet for Holly, no, it wasn’t until her encounter with Old Meg that I thought she might have a puppy of her own. Having in my time met many new litters with their wonderful rounded tummies, I didn’t even have to look for a name for Tubs. I could see her in my mind’s eye as soon as the thought occurred to me. She is just as real to me as any of my other characters.

Do you have a work in process?  If so, can you give us any brief clues?

Not so much a work in progress as an outline for my next book and yes, there is a dog involved that has a critical role. It’s also set in the Cotswolds but this time in one of the many amazing historical (fictional) country houses that the area is dotted with. And there’s a bit of a mystery as well!

There’s been some amazing books out in recent years, what has been one of your favourite books from the last couple of years?

That’s always a difficult question, isn’t it? Jojo Moyes’ Me Before You had a profound effect on me when I read it a few months ago. Most recently I read a book my daughter gave me to take on holiday. It’s her childhood much read and cherished copy of Robinsheugh by Eileen Dunlop, set in Scotland in a semi-isolated house shrouded in mystery. I loved it! It was the outline of my next book that prompted her to lend it to me.

If you were given an all expenses paid budget for your book launch what would be on your shopping list?

Dinner with Eddie Redmayne on the set of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, complete with suitcase from which he would pull copy after copy of my book clutched in the paws of Holly’s dog, Tubs.

About the author:

Natalie, a born and bred Londoner, has a not-so-secret wish to live in the area she so enjoys writing about. While this isn’t practical at the moment she stills allows herself to dream of honey-coloured stone cottages, quaint villages and rippling brooks. Maybe one day.

A late-comer to writing, she has two published novels prior to Escape to the Cotswolds and many short stories to her name. She attributes her success to a determination to improving her craft, attending any and every writing event she can. All that and a weekly attendance at The Write Place Creative School in Dartford where cream cakes are frequently on the agenda.

Natalie lives with her husband, Louis, in Blackheath, south-east London – except when she’s tripping off to The Cotswolds in the name of research. Somebody has to do it!

To find out more about Natalie Kleinman and her work please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://nataliekleinman.blogspot.co.uk/

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

 

The Second Chance Café in Carlton Square by Lilly Bartett book review

The Second Chance Café in Carlton Square written by Lilly Bartlett, publisher HarperImpulse is available in ebook format NOW.

To buy link:

Product Details (as per amazon page)

One chance isn’t always enough…

Everyone expects great things from Emma Billings, but when her future gets derailed by an unexpected turn of events, she realizes that getting back on track means traveling in a different direction.

She finds that new path in the closed-down pub on Carlton Square. Summoning every ounce of ingenuity, and with the help of her friends and family, she opens the Second Chance Café. The charity training business is meant to keep vulnerable kids off the streets and (hopefully) away from the Metropolitan Police, and her new employees are full of ideas, enthusiasm … and trouble. They’ll need as much TLC as the customers they’re serving.

This ragtag group of chancers have to make a go of a business they know nothing about, and they do get some expert help from an Italian who’s in love with the espresso machine and a professional sandwich whisperer who reads auras, but not everyone is happy to see the café open. Their milk keeps disappearing and someone is canceling the cake orders, but it’s when someone commits bloomicide on all their window boxes that Emma realizes things are serious. Can the café survive when NIMBY neighbors and the rival café owner join forces to close them down? Or will Emma’s dreams fall as flat as the cakes they’re serving?

This was such a delight to read.  The Second Chance Café in Carlton Square is book 2 in the Carlton Square series but can easily be read as a standalone, as proven by myself as of yet book 1, The Big Little Wedding on Carlton Square, is still waiting patiently on my kindle.

Emma has had an awful lot of big events happen to her over the last two years; marriage, giving birth to twins and now she is planning to open up her own café.  Emma is one ambitious lady but when she saw the empty pub on the square she just knew what to do with it.  She also wanted the opportunity to open up doors for young, vulnerable people, give them a helping hand in life.  A chance to show them a trade and teach them new skills to help them move on in life in the right direction.  Interviewing candidates for her first two trainees was to prove an eye opening experience for Emma but she looked further from the first impressions and hoped her gut instincts were accurate.

Renovating the property sounded like a lot of hard work especially with the young toddlers but her family were wonderful support to Emma.  The big opening day of the café arrives and you can feel the nerves of anticipation from Emma.  Will she have any customers, can they fathom out how to work the posh coffee machine?  Of all the obstacles that have come Emma’s way in making the café a success she didn’t expect to be sabotaged by a rival café.  Gathering evidence to prove this was difficult and the café looks doomed before it even gets properly started.

Lilly Bartlett has created wonderful sub characters in this story with a wide array of colourful individuals which all work harmoniously, albeit with a few bumps, together.  I’d love to read more on some of these characters and hope in future stories they may take centre stage.

With her busy life as new mum, new business owner her own relationship was surely going to face a few challenges with Emma and her husband Daniel having to adjust to new routines.

I loved the sound of this café and could imagine it with my own eyes with the author’s description.  A wonderful community of old and young coming together over tea and cake.  Sounds rather perfect to me!  Delightful and entertaining radiating warmth and hopefulness.

About the Author

Lilly Bartlett’s cosy romcoms are full of warmth, quirky characters and guaranteed happily-ever-afters. Lilly is the pen-name of Sunday Times and USA Today best-selling author, Michele Gorman, who writes best friend-girl power comedies under her own name.

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

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

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

*ReleaseDayBlitz* The Bronte Club for Hopeless Romantics by Laura Briggs

The Bronte Book Club for Hopeless Romantics written and self-published by Laura Briggs is available in ebook format from today 21st June 2017.

To buy link:

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Quaint Lewis Cove is home to the charming three-story Victorian manor known as the Alice Wilshire Lending Library and its plucky librarian Peg Turner: the current hostess of the weekly Bronte Book Club, better known as the ‘Hopeless Romantics’ of all ages. Nurse Annette has been too busy working for love; mechanic Tim has missed the boat somewhere in his past; art student Sophie comes off as too unique, while tech geek C.J. has fallen—hopelessly—for the too-cool-to-care Llourdes.

With her vacation plans indefinitely on hold for the summer, Peg has decided to transform the ‘Hopeless Romantics’ into hopeful ones. But while she’s trying to help her fellow readers find romance, she’s avoiding her matchmaker friend Caroline’s latest blind date—only to see her best friend Cam, the ruggedly-cute-but-sometimes-curmudgeonly coffee shop owner fixed up instead. And that’s something Peg isn’t sure she likes.

Questions about love and last chances on her mind, and way too many books piled on her desk, will Peg succeed in finding romantic hope for anyone, including herself?

I am so pleased to be involved in the Release Day Blitz celebrating the release of The Bronte Book Club for Hopeless Romantics.  The novella is the first in a new series by Laura Briggs.

About the author:

Laura Briggs is the author of several women’s fiction and chick lit novels, with themes that range from wedding planning to modern Jane Austen. Even though she tends to write stories with a romance theme, as a reader she has a soft spot for mysteries, including those by Agatha Christie and Mary Roberts Rinehart. She also enjoys books by Jane Austen, Anne Tyler, Amy Tan, and too many others to name. In her free time, she likes to experiment with new recipes and tries to landscape her yard (a never-ending project).

Website:  http://paperdollwrites.blogspot.com/

Twitter:  http://bit.ly/1ME9ivJ

Facebook:  http://on.fb.me/1JjeMoI

I’m delighted to share a short extract:

“Evening everybody!” Caroline breezed into the coffee shop in her usual manner. She pulled off her summer scarf and dropped her shopping bags on the floor as she sat down at our table. “Did you see the repair work they’re doing on the highway? I had to cut across Ocean Lane in Valencia to get here from the city.”

 Next to Stacy — and Cam — Caroline was my oldest friend in Lewis Cove. We had known each other in college; now she worked as a realtor with an office closer to the metropolis than town, and believed firmly that one’s social life should never slow down, no matter the time of day or the fatigue one might be feeling.

“Just a cup of black coffee for me, and a low-cal snack,” she said to Cam. “What’s with the book?” Her gaze fell on the copy of Jane Eyre.

 “It’s mine,” I said. “I’m trying to recruit new members for the book club.”

 “Was that tonight?” said Caroline. “Is that why you said ‘no’ to going out with Greg’s friend tonight?” Greg was Caroline’s current boyfriend — his friend was a blind date setup I had been stealthily avoiding for two weeks.

 “A date?” said Cam. “You’re dating again?” He looked at me.

 “For the record, I was never not dating,” I clarified. “I just haven’t met anybody with whom the interest is mutual. Not in awhile, anyway.”

 “To qualify as ‘dating,’ you have to go out with them,” said Caroline. “Not just say you’re going to do it sometime, then keep giving them excuses for why you’re not available.”

 “Those aren’t excuses, Caroline, those are reasons,” I said. “Friday nights, I’m always at the book club. I’m the librarian, I have to be there to unlock the door and let them in.”

 “So? Get them to meet somewhere else. They can meet in Cam’s coffee shop. Lots of atmosphere and great beverages.”

 “The music will drive them out,” said Cam, placing a low-fat granola bar in front of her. “I’m instituting an ‘all rock and roll, all the time’ policy come Monday.”

 I hid my smile for this answer. “Besides, I like the club,” I continued. “I like being part of their meetings.”

 “The Hopeless Romantics?” said Caroline. “There’s a reason why it has that nickname, Paige. They’re people who can’t find the right person because they’re too picky, or because they’re too blind to see the right person when it’s right in front of them. You are not hopeless — and you’re definitely not a fully-fledged romantic.”

“I have a romantic streak,” I said. “And it’s mean to call them hopeless just because they have a lot of free time and no romantic ties. They’re just trying to spend an evening with people they have something in common with. That’s the whole point of the club — an exchange of mutual ideas on literature.”

 “Will you exchange mutual ideas with Greg’s friend next week?” she asked me.

 “Maybe,” I said. “I’ll call him. We’ll find an evening we’re both free.” From behind the counter, Cam coughed noisily. I wondered if he had tried a bite of the low-fat granola bars he kept on hand for calorie-conscious customers.

 Caroline leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Speaking of dating,” she said, “I have the perfect person for Cam.” She glanced to the side, making sure he was busy with a new customer.

 Did I mention Caroline is an obsessive matchmaker, too?

I look forward to sharing my review soon …

 

 

The Thousand Tiny Miracles of Living Twice by Katarina West book review/blogtour

The Thousand Tiny Miracles of Living Twice, written and self-published by Katarina West is available NOW in ebook format.  The book is also included in the kindleunlimited scheme.

To buy link:

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Meet Irene Nylander, a frumpy housewife from Finland … and a yo-yo dieter. She feels trapped in an unhappy marriage, looking after her domineering mother-in-law and living vicariously through romantic movies.

Meanwhile, in Florence, Mimi Kavanough’s star is rising. She has the body of a Barbie princess, the iron will of an army sergeant – and Hollywood in her sights.

On her fiftieth birthday, Irene discovers her husband is having an affair. Devastated, she prays for a way out: she wants to die.

In heaven, a mischievous angel called Aaron hears her prayers. He decides to make Irene and Mimi swap bodies.

How will the two women cope with their unexpected, and very different, second lives? And will Aaron’s meddling get him evicted from heaven? What will happen if he has to transform into a human being and live on Earth?

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of Katarina West’s new book series Angel Aid with book 1 in the series out now titled; The Thousand Tiny Miracles of Living Twice.

This was such an extraordinary read that has left me feeling quite inspired and hopeful.  The story is unlike any other I’ve read, it’s about real life emotions mixed with fantasy, make believe, or is it?

We meet Irene Nylander in Helsinki about to celebrate her 50th birthday.  She is fed up with her existence, fed up of being ignored by her husband, fed up of having to forego her dreams.  After being stood up in the restaurant by her best friend she makes a startling discovery that shocks her to her core.  She dashes heartbroken and crushed from the restaurant and driving through a blur of tears she crashes her car.  When she next awakes she is in surroundings unbeknown to her, the room exudes wealth and she soon realises she is on water and in a cabin of a wealthy yacht.  She also realises to her alarm that her body is not the same.  Many miles away we meet actress Mimi Kavanagh waking up in strange surroundings, a hospital none the less in a strange country due to the accents she is hearing.  To her dismay her body has aged and doubled in weight.  The two women from totally different backgrounds and lifestyles have woken from a trauma to find they have switched bodies.  Millions of miles away in another world a mischievous Angel called Aaron is in shock, of all the pranks he’s done in his life this one of transferring human bodies is the most extreme.  The Angel community and hierarchy are in uproar and Aaron is immediately shunned for his actions.  His thought process behind was purely good and he only wanted to help.

The story follows the journeys of Irene and Mimi confronting their new lives and of Aaron’s desperate attempt to make amends.

I have to admit I loved the idea of this story but I did get slightly lost and confused with the hierarchy in the Angel Kingdom and all the different rules but saying this at the end of the story I felt inspired and eager to continue the story with part 2 of Angel Aid.

The storyline is full of relatable characters with a Cinderella-esque tale; from rags to riches, from beauty to beast.  The ladies facing the body switch were given a wonderful opportunity to reassess their lives and pick out the best from their body switch personas.  It had gorgeous idyllic sunny settings and also awe inspiring Icelandic panorama.  The author Katarina West interwoven the storyline with wonderful wit and humour spreading lots of warmth throughout.  Romance blossomed and grew and hearts were once again filled with compassion.

A wonderful fantasy fuelled romance leaving you exhilarated and optimistic 4/5*

I’d like to share one of my favourite quotes from the novel:

Yes this is an educational dream with a message.  And the message is, it’s never too late to live again.  To make your dreams come true.

Katarina West has kindly offered to give away a kindle copy of the book.  To enter please click on the rafflecopter link below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

To find out more about Katarina West and her books please visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.katarinawest.com/

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

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

 

Englishwoman in Scotland by Jenny O’Brien book review

Englishwoman in Scotland written and self-published by Jenny O’Brien is available from Thursday 22nd June 2017 in ebook format.

To pre-order/buy link:

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Talented artisan baker Lady Titania (Tansy) Nettlebridge is betrothed to be married to Lord Brayely no less. She should be ecstatic. She should be delighted at such a match. She would be if she’d actually met him…

Viscount Hector Brayely, or Tor for short isn’t interested in women. He isn’t interested in men. As a renowned mycologist all he’s interested in is fungi, and one particular fungi at that. So when his mother arranges a bride he’s not really interested. He’s more interested in the new cook at the castle, Miss Tansy Smith…

Set in Oban and The Slate Islands Tansy quickly falls in love with the Inner Hebrides but she wouldn’t marry Tor if he was the last man on Belnahua…

Englishwoman in Scotland is another stand-alone novel in Jenny O’Brien’s ‘Englishwoman in’ series, although a few familiar names will crop up in the storyline.  To enjoy the full ‘Englishwoman in’ book series I would recommend reading all the books in the series in chronological order:

• Englishwoman in Paris (you can find my review here)
• Englishwoman in Scotland
• Englishwoman in Manhattan (you can find my review here)

A boxset of all three novels will be available to purchase on the 22nd June 2017 follow the link: http://amzn.to/2tj9pqd

I absolutely adored Englishwoman in Scotland and I didn’t want it to end.  I’ve previously enjoyed Jenny O’Brien’s previous ‘Englishwoman in’ stories but to me this is my favourite.  I loved how both leading characters were born into wealth and aristocracy but they were both wanting to find their own ways in life;have an interest, have a career, make their own decisions.  I particularly loved how the author set this storyline in a wonderful rugged location in Scotland and included some history to the tale with the leading man’s work taking him to the island of Belnahua.  An island off the west coast of Scotland that once had a population of nearly 200 but has been left inhabited and desolate since WWI. This brought a different dimension to the story and you could feel a change in atmosphere when visiting the isle.  I felt the hidden history around the island brought some clarity to the characters.

We first meet Tansy (Lady Titania Nettlebridge) in her family home in London arguing with her parents who have apparently arranged a marriage for her, a fellow aristocrat whom she has only met the once years ago when she was a young girl.  This arranged marriage has come to light due to recent media coverage of Tansy during one of her night outs with her fellow aristocratic friends.  What Tansy thought was going to be a good night with friends turned into a disaster and she has been left shame faced and feeling betrayed by her ‘so called friends.’  Tansy decides to take matters in her own hands and applies for a job as a cook in a stately home in Scotland, which so happens to be the home of Viscount Hector (Tor) Brayely. She wants to find out what this groom-to-be is really like so going in disguise feels the best way to achieve this. Tansy is a highly skilled baker so she is qualified to do the job in hand but can she cope with the personality of the Viscount?

Tor Brayely has had his fair share of heartache and since the death of his father he is willing to please his mother with this union.  However, when he makes the journey to London to see this Lady he returns home to Scotland in a foul mood and finds a stranger in his kitchen.

The story follows Tansy in her role as cook getting to know Tor and learning how to cope with life in the Hebrides.  Personalities clash but a chemistry soon starts sparking between the pair.  Can the simple beauty of the ruggedness of Scotland bring the pair together?  Can Tansy keep her secret identity away from the Viscount?

This was a wonderful romance with just the right amount of sexual chemistry.  The story was quite topical with the glare of the paparazzi and I loved that Jenny O’Brien gave both characters skills and ambitious dreams.  I loved the sound of Tor with his education, his interests, his kindness, his rugged physique and hatred of the socialite scene.  I also fell in love with some of the sub characters Jenny O’Brien had created and hope to hear more from these in future stories.  A very enjoyable read 5/5*

To find out more about Jenny O’Brien and her books please visit the following links:

Website:  https://jennyobrienwriter.wordpress.com/

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

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

Amazon Author page:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jenny-OBrien/e/B014TN5SKK/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1497863769&sr=8-1

DOUBLE COVER REVEAL – Cornish Castle Mystery series by Vivian Conroy

The wait is over … I’m pleased to reveal the covers of Vivian Conroy’s forthcoming books in her new 2 book series titled Cornish Castle Mystery.  How gorgeous and colourful do the books look and that daschund is such a cutie 🙂  The books are published by HQ Digitial and Book 1 is out on the 7th July 2017 with Book 2 released shortly after on 30th August 2017.

Product Details (Book1) – Death Plays a Part

Welcome to Cornisea island and spend your summer holidays in a Cornish Castle.

Guinevere and her trusted dog Dolly have arrived on Cornisea island in Cornwall for the summer. But what should be weeks of cataloguing books and sunny walks on the beach turns deadly when murder strikes!

The first book in the Cornish Castle Mystery series with the second instalment RUBIES AMONG THE ROSES coming August 2017!

To pre-order:  http://amzn.to/2sSSXgl

To add to your goodreads ‘Want to Read’ list:  http://bit.ly/2r9oido

 

Product Details (Book 2) – Rubies in the Roses

Welcome to Cornisea island and spend your summer holidays in a Cornish Castle.

Guinevere and her Dachshund Dolly are happily enjoying their summer by the Cornish coast – sun, sea and delicious food. Until a long-lost treasure and a mysterious death turns her holiday into a search for justice!

The second book in the brand new Cornish Castle Mystery series, don’t miss DEATH PLAYS A PART – the first in this new cozy crime series.

To pre-order:  http://amzn.to/2r9Mhcp

To find out more about Vivian Conroy and her work please visit the following links:

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

Website:  http://www.carinauk.com/the-call-vivian-conroy

 

Holiday in the Hamptons by Sarah Morgan book review

Holiday in the Hamptons written by Sarah Morgan, publisher HQ, is available in ebook, paperback and audio download format from Thursday 15th June 2017.

To buy/pre-order link:

Product Details (as per amazon page)

She’s moved on…

Felicity Knight loves New York. But when she spots her ex-husband in the city, Fliss is desperate to escape!

He’s moved back…

Vet Set Carlyle is back from California to establish his own practice and settle down. When he learns that his ex Fliss still lives close by, that future is looking a whole lot brighter…

Will a perfect escape bring them back together?

With the help of his adorable dog Lulu, and a sprinkling of beachside magic, Seth is determined to make Fliss see he’s never stopped loving her!

Sarah Morgan’s stories never disappoint, each story wraps itself around my heart caressing it with it’s delicious storyline of love finding it’s way.  I absolutely adored this story; Holiday in the Hamptons is the perfect antidote to a wet English summer’s day.  Sarah Morgan takes us on a beautiful journey to an idyllic coastal setting of the Hamptons.  I could hear the distinct sounds of the waves and the call of the sea birds and felt the light breeze in the air.  I was there sat on the beach with Fliss, the leading lady in this story.

Fliss 10 years ago had an intense hot summer in the Hamptons with Seth Carlyle.  The chemistry shared between the couple was to remain and a decade later when Fliss finds out he is in her neighbourhood, the city of New York suddenly feels like a very small space and Fliss is afraid of bumping into him so she escapes to stay with her gran in the Hamptons.  Her escape route doesn’t go to plan when the first person she meets is non other than her ex Seth Carlyle.  She is left almost speechless and goes to extreme lengths to keep her closely guarded feelings to herself.

Fliss together with her twin sister Harriet and older brother Daniel have had a difficult upbringing.  The trio have remained protective of each other and the insecurities they held as children are still felt in the background.  Seth’s upbringing was the total opposite to Fliss his family were loving and open with each other.  Can the shared love of the sea and dogs bring the couple back together?  Will the warmth from the setting melt away Fliss’ barriers?  A gorgeous, heart stopping romance that I didn’t want to end.  5/5*

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

Website:  http://sarahmorgan.com/

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

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

 

NEW Cosy Mystery series announcement by Vivian Conroy #CornishCastle

Exciting news!  Vivian Conroy has a NEW cosy mystery series due to grace your ereader very soon … I’m pleased to introduce you to the Cornish Castle Mystery series.

The first two books; Death Plays a Part (1) and Rubies in the Roses (2) are available to pre-order now on amazon and also on goodreads to add to your TBR.  See relevant links below:

• amazon UK (Book 1) – http://amzn.to/2sSSXgl
• amazon UK (Book 2) – http://amzn.to/2r9Mhcp
• goodreads (Book 1) – http://bit.ly/2r9oido

Pop back tomorrow when I will ‘open the curtains’ to reveal the covers in all their technicolour gorgeousness and I will have an exclusive fun fact!

To connect with Vivian Conroy please visit the following links:

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

Website:  http://www.carinauk.com/the-call-vivian-conroy

 

Grace & The Ghost by Estelle Maher book review

Grace & The Ghost written by Estelle Maher, publisher Team Author UK, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.  The book is also included in the kindleunlimited scheme.

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Product Details (as per amazon page)

Is our life dictated by us, fate or divine intervention? On her way home from the office, thirty-year-old Grace Hammond stumbles across a tramp named Crowley who is found dead in her village the following day. Crowley soon returns to Grace looking for her help so he can cross over.  He just needs to complete a task that will have a positive effect on her life. Unfortunately, neither knows where to start! Help comes in the form of her landlord, her elderly neighbour, her gay best friend, a good looking American and Frank Sinatra! Can Grace help Crowley be with his family? Can she get her own life back on track?

Is our life in the hands of fate or destiny?  This was such a wonderful debut novel by Estelle Maher that I feel quite privileged to have read.  The cover is strikingly simple and perfect for the storyline and is quite mesmerising with its swirls and tones of blue.  I do love a good romance and this was such an unusual storyline for a romance, a storyline filled with paranormal activities that are utterly charming in a quintessential way and I was hooked from the start.

Grace Hammond on her way home from work comes across a tramp called Crowley and has a brief conversation with him.  The next day he is sadly found dead but Crowley returns to Grace looking for assistance from her to help him carry on in his journey.  Grace is quite alarmed but seeing Crowley all cleaned up and dressed impeccably she is soon charmed by him and a friendship of trust and companionship is soon formed.

Grace and Crowley’s journey helping each other is filled with much emotion.  Estelle Maher has cleverly interwoven wit and humour with sadness and your tears  are soon dried out with a heart full of warmth.  You feel yourself falling in love with Crowley, his history is so heart breaking but he is taking this new journey in his life in his stride and is literally having a ball.  The connection he has made with Grace is beautiful and you feel that destiny has definitely pulled them together.  Along the journey we meet Grace’s friends the cantankerous Mrs Mortimer who is now in her 80’s and has lived in the village a good while.  Grace has formed a wonderful friendship with Mrs Mortimer and they share many happy times over a cup of tea.  Mrs Mortimer was to provide Grace with many positive attributes for the future including her very handsome American nephew Todd.  I adored Sean, Grace’s gay bff, he was vivacious and irresistible also I believe every village should have their own Big Mick and Patsy duo act.  The small village that Grace lives in sounds very charming and idyllic with it’s mix match of characters who all become united when one of their own is in need of help.  This soon becomes evident and it was really humbling to read about this community spirit.

This was a truly wonderful debut story and had me laughing and crying and left me swooning over a ghost called Crowley.  I look forward to more from Estelle Maher in the future.

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.

To find out more about Estelle Maher please visit the following pages:

Website:  https://estellemaher.com/

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

Facebook:  /www.facebook.com/estellemaherauthor/