No Way Back by Kelly Florentia blogtour book review

No Way Back written by Kelly Florentia, publisher Urbane Publications, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.  The ebook is also included in the kindleunlimited scheme.

To buy link: http://amzn.to/2xvnR2q

Product Details (as per amazon page)

When two eligible and attractive men are vying for your heart, it should be the perfect dilemma…

Audrey Fox has been dumped by her unreliable fiancé Nick Byrne just days before the wedding. Heartbroken and confused, the last thing she expects when she jumps on a plane to convalesce in Cyprus is romance. But a chance meeting with handsome entrepreneur and father-of-one Daniel Taylor weaves her into a dating game she’s not sure she’s ready for. Audrey’s life is thrown into further turmoil when she discovers on her return to London that Nick has been involved in a serious motorcycle accident that’s left him in intensive care. Distraught yet determined to look to the future, Audrey must make a decision – follow her heart or listen to well-meaning advice from family and friends? Because sometimes, no matter what, it’s the people that we love who can hurt us the most…

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of Kelly Florentia’s latest novel, No Way Back.

I really enjoyed this novel by Kelly Florentia.  No Way Back is her second full length novel.  It follows the life of Audrey Fox who is heartbroken following the break-up of her relationship mere days before their wedding.  Audrey and Nick have been together for eight years and Audrey was so excited and ready for her forthcoming nuptials.  However, Nick has had a fairly unreliable past and calling off the wedding just proves to Audrey how unreliable he is.  Audrey flees the country and stays in Cyprus with her parents to recuperate and reflect on her future.

Audrey’s heart and mind is very unsettled and Cyprus is not proving much of a distraction especially when she literally falls in the lap of wealthy and handsome businessman Daniel Taylor.  Daniel turns out to be Audrey’s very own Prince Charming but is she ready to be swooned so soon?

Back home in London reality hits her hard after learning that her ex Nick is seriously ill in hospital following a motorcycle accident.  Audrey is faced with a dilemma on whether to visit Nick in hospital.  Her friends are set against her visiting Nick and unbeknown to Audrey they have their reasons for this and when this reason reveals a whole lot more anguish for Audrey she is confused and heartbroken even more.

The handsome businessman Daniel is also back in London and has set his sights on winning Audrey’s heart?

Daniel Taylor is a very complicated character and Audrey’s first impressions are way off the mark.  But the more Audrey lets Daniel into her life the more tangled her new relationship becomes as Daniel has many secrets and until he reveals all to Audrey she cannot clear her mind of her feelings for him.

Audrey has a lovely support group of friends and family which hold many keys to this story .  The sub-characters themselves experience many trials and tribulations in their own lives.  Some of these moments in her friends lives were quite emotive, dealing with serious issues and the author dealt with these concerns in a sensitive manner.

For the weeks and months following the cancellation of her wedding Audrey has experienced extreme highs and lows and her heart was in turmoil.  Should she go back to her ex Nick or have the charming Daniel capture her heart?

There were many twists in this tale I didn’t see coming, one minute I was hopeful and thought ‘yes, Audrey should choose him’ and then the author throws us in a completely different direction and you are left with a right quandary.

I was pleased to learn after reading this novel that Kelly Florentia will write a sequel to No Way Back.  There is so much potential for a sequel and I’m excited to see which way the author will take all the main and sub-characters.   No Way Back has many tears of despair, drama, intrigue, fun, frolics and warm tender moments.  Great story that has left me wanting more.

To learn more about Kelly Florentia and her books please visit the following links:

Website:  https://kellyflorentia.com/

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

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

 

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Guest Post: Extract from Zenka by Alison Brodie

Zenka written and self-published by Alison Brodie is available to pre-order in ebook format.  Date of publication is 6th November 2017.

To pre-order links:

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07534Y6QZ

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07534Y6QZ

Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07534Y6QZ

Australia: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07534Y6QZ

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Devious, ruthless, and loyal.

Zenka is a capricious Hungarian with a dark past.

When cranky London mob boss, Jack Murray, saves her life she vows to become his guardian angel – whether he likes it or not. Happily, she now has easy access to pistols, knives and shotguns.

Jack discovers he has a son, Nicholas, a male nurse with a heart of gold. Problem is, Nicholas is a wimp.

Zenka takes charges. Using her feminine wiles and gangland contacts, she will make Nicholas into the sort of son any self-respecting crime boss would be proud of. And she succeeds!

Nicholas transforms from pussycat to mad dog, falls in love with Zenka, and finds out where the bodies are buried – because he buries them. He’s learning fast that sometimes you have to kill, or be killed.

As his life becomes more terrifying, questions have to be asked:

How do you tell a mob boss you don’t want to be his son?

And is Zenka really who she says

About the Author

Alison Brodie is a Scot, with French Huguenot ancestors on her mother’s side.

Alison Brodie is an international best-selling author. Her books having been published in hardback and paperback by Hodder & Stoughton (UK), Heyne (Germany) and Unieboek (Holland).  Alison has now gone “indie”.

Here are some editorial reviews for her recent books:

BRAKE FAILURE: “Masterpiece of humor” –Midwest Book Review

THE DOUBLE: “Proof of her genius in writing fiction” -San Francisco Book Review.

To learn more about Alison Brodie visit the following links:

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

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

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

EARLY PRAISE FOR ZENKA:

“A riveting read. Powerful. Spicy” -Midwest Book Review

5* “To say I loved this story would be a massive understatement” –Bloggers from Down Under

5* “Will warm your heart and chill your bones” –Tome Tender Blogspot

5* “Top of my list for best fiction this year” – Lauren Sapala, WriteCity

5* “You won’t be able to put this book down” –Laura Reading

5* “Brodie nails it again. Intelligent wit and outstanding writing” –Charlie Elliott, author of Life Unbothered.



I’m delighted to be able to share an extract from Zenka.  Alison Brodie has chosen a brilliant scene to share with you all.

At ten o’clock, the doorbell buzzed. Nicholas padded down the stairs, smiling grimly as he imagined the battle-axe standing on the doorstep, a battle-axe who would storm into Jason’s room and order him to get his lazy butt out of bed and tidy up his mess.

Nicholas opened the door to see the top of a dripping blue umbrella. He saw it lift slowly to reveal a face. The small pointed chin and full lips belonged to a little girl, but the slanted green eyes belonged to a porno queen.

It took a moment for him to find his voice. ‘Can I help you?’

‘I am Zenka.’ Her accent was Eastern European, her voice husky. She smiled and held up a pair of yellow Marigold gloves.

Her smile was blinding. It took him a moment to drag his eyes from her to the Marigold gloves. He looked at them. He looked at her. Somehow, it seemed, they were connected.

A cloud of anxiety moved over her face. ‘You not vant me cleaning?’

‘Cleaning?’ He felt a jolt. She was the cleaning lady!

He quickly collected himself. ‘Come in, come in.’ He snatched the umbrella from her. ‘I’m upstairs. It’s not very big. It shouldn’t take you long. You might need a hand … you know … with-’

Stop babbling! he screamed inwardly.

As she threw off her hood, long red hair cascaded down over her shoulders, alive and bouncing, and screaming to be touched.

He clapped his hands vigorously. It made him think of a scout master summoning his troop. ‘O-kay! Let’s get to it!

He led the way, his nerve-ends alive to her presence, every male testosterone and mating instinct flashing on red alert. At the door of the flat, he stood back to let her enter. The shy look she gave him from under her black lashes made him catch his breath, and for the first time in his life, he was aware of his heart.

‘Your home is so pretty,’ she exclaimed, looking around. She handed him a leaflet. ‘I saw this on door mat. Thai boxing. That for you?’

He barely glanced at it. Everything about her was sensual; her little nose, the way she moved her lips to speak, and her eyes, oh God, her eyes, sliding to look at him from under thick black lashes, seeming to say: “I want to be friends with you, if you want to be friends with me.”

Nicholas, mesmerised, watched his beautiful visitor inspect the ornaments on the mantelpiece. Suddenly, she looked back at him and smiled. His reaction was instantaneous. It was the quickest, widest smile he had ever given.

‘Ver do you want me to start vith you, Mr Jaffrey?’

‘Nicholas.’ He couldn’t get the word out fast enough. ‘Call me Nicholas.’

She tried his name, speaking delicately, as if caressing the air with her breath, the “o” sound puckering those beautiful lips: ‘N-i-c-h-o-l-a-s.’

He sat down to hide his erection, thankful that she had gone into the kitchen. He felt the grin spread across his face. Oh, Jason, Jason, you stupid twat. Look what you’re missing. Nicholas was not prepared to share Zenka with that Neanderthal. Thankfully, Jason held his Saturday morning lie-ins sacred, and would never meet her.

‘Itt Vagyok!’

Zenka stood in the doorway of the kitchen. She had removed her raincoat and now wore a little French maid’s. She held up the bucket and mop. ‘I begin,’ she announced. As she pivoted into the kitchen, he glimpsed frilly white knickers. He got to his feet and followed.

‘Let me help you,’ he offered.

–

‘Frankly, Nicholas, I’m not impressed.’ It was twelve-thirty and Jason had just woken up, bleary-eyed and cantankerous. He inspected the kitchen sink. ‘Bloody hell, it’s filthy! Look at the crud. And the cooker!’ He ran a finger over it and held up a greasy fingertip in evidence.

Nicholas smothered a laugh. Jason was behaving like Lady Davenport-Tewksbury. ‘When did you get so house-proud?’ Nicholas asked, putting away the cleaning products.

Jason stiffened, outraged by the slur. ‘I’m not house-proud for your sodding information, but I know when some tit has been ripped off. And you, mate, have been royally ripped off.’

‘I’m happy with what she’s done.’

‘What?’ Jason swung wildly. ‘What has she done?’ He pointed to the window. ‘Look!’ Squinting, he inspected the glass, ducking from side to side as if dodging bullets. ‘Look at those smears. They weren’t even there before!’

Nicholas sighed contentedly. He had spent two glorious fun-filled hours with Zenka; his only regret was that – because of the agency’s strict rules – she couldn’t give him her phone number. They’d giggled when she hoovered up the duster. He had physically melted when she tapped a puff of Fairy Liquid foam on his nose. He had blown up the Marigold gloves until they looked like udders and proudly displayed them on his chest. He had shoved two chopsticks up under his top lip and hopped about the kitchen like a rabbit, making her buckle up against the fridge in helpless laughter.

They had talked … well …. he had bombarded her with questions. She was Hungarian. No, she didn’t have a boyfriend. She told him she was attracted to men who were brave and strong. ‘I want someone who can protect me,’ she’d kept insisting. ‘A man who is not scared to use his fists.’

He knew, at that moment, he would become that man … whatever it took.

A Bed of Brambles by Sam Russell book review

A Bed of Brambles written and self-published by Sam Russell is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.  The ebook is also included in the kindleunlimited scheme.

To buy link:  http://amzn.to/2wPDGxF

Product Details (as per amazon page)

This was never going to be a conventional love story. No bed of roses. Proud, passionate and wilful, Hettie and Alexander are alike in so many ways. That has to be a good thing, doesn’t it? Or it could be a disaster…both carry scars, and old wounds have a habit of causing new hurt.
Physical attraction draws them together. Hearts and minds can be thorny, less easy to satisfy. One thing is certain, together or apart their lives will move on. Alexander and Hettie’s clashes of spirit will only be part of the story.
Second chances. New beginnings. The opportunity to make things right. Or to make the same mistakes all over again. Unless fate takes the future out of your hands…

My Review

This was such an addictive read filled with passion, angst, heartache and uncertainty. I loved how the author had developed two characters both with a past they wished to hide, both passionate about their beliefs but also passionate about their loves. Hettie and Alexander had spent months apart whilst she was working overseas but now back home in the Cotswolds it wasn’t plain sailing for the young couple but their sexual chemistry drew them together like magnets.

Hettie needed to find work preferably working with horses as that’s all she’s ever known and loved. The chance to start her own livery business brings back so many dark memories and her life soon becomes in danger from this past she wishes she could scrape up and throw away like the manure in the stables. A gripping romance filled with passion, new beginnings, second chances and opening your heart and soul to let go of the demons inside you.

A Bed of Brambles is book two in the Draymere Hall series however, I hadn’t had the pleasure of reading  A Bed of Barley Straw (book one) so treated A Bed of Brambles as a standalone and I was soon transported into Hettie and Alexander’s world.  To fully appreciate the history surrounding the characters I would recommend reading both books in the series in chronological order.

To learn more about the author Sam Russell please visit the following links:

Website:  https://russellromance.com/

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

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

The Red Thread by Dawn Farnham blogtour book review

The Red Thread written by Dawn Farnham, publisher Monsoon Books, is available NOW in ebook and paperback format.  The ebook is on special promotion on amazon and is FREE until 25th September 2017.

To buy link:  http://amzn.to/2xA882C

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Set against the backdrop of 1830s Singapore where piracy, crime, triads and tigers are commonplace, this cultural romance follows the struggle of two lovers: Zhen, once the lowliest of Chinese coolies and triad member, later chosen to marry into a Peranakan family of Baba Chinese merchants; and Charlotte, an 18yearold Scots girl and sister of Singapore’s Chief of Police.

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour promoting and celebrating The Red Thread, which is volume 1 in The Straits Quartet.

I’m not afraid to say that it took me a little time to get into this story but a novel filled with so much culture, history and diversity cannot be rushed.  From the vivid descriptions of the scenes set on the pages I was transported to a Singapore filled with heady scents and could visualise the changing colourful and sometimes dark landscape.  From the first moment that Zhen laid eyes on Charlotte the intensity of the gaze was bewitching and as a reader you were willing for them to make an acquaintance.  But this wasn’t the time to be foolhardy and life for both the Chinaman and the English woman moved in different directions for a while.  However, the gods of luck were in their court and chances were brought their way to make this acquaintance happen.

Singapore in the 1830’s was becoming multicultural but not all were welcoming the newcomers to their lands.  Political and social unrest was heightened and fear was felt for the lives of many.  The author has woven this love story filled with angst, fear, drama, love and lust at a time were traditions and culture were so evident in many lives.  It was fascinating reading about the varying traditions for life, love and death.  The author was very honest with her writing and we saw life in Singapore in all its glory through the wonderful celebratory events and to times of terrible, horrific acts.  These highs and lows were part of history and come as a package.

The Red Thread was a dangerous, passionate love story that was so touchingly tragic.  In another world and another time there would be no barriers and love would win.

I’d like to share a quote I particularly enjoyed from the novel:

It was dangerous, but for some things it was right to dare danger.

About the Author

Dawn Farnham is the author of The Straits Quartet

(The Red Thread, The Shallow Seas, The Hills of

Singapore and The English Concubine), as well as

numerous short stories, plays and children’s books. A

former long-term resident of Singapore, Dawn now

calls Perth, Australia, home. Her new book, Finding

Maria is published in October 2017.

Learn more about Dawn Farnham at:

Website:  http://www.dawnfarnham.com

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

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

Mills & Boon Book Club overview

Mills & Boon have been publishing romance fiction for well over a century.  However, they were not always known for their romance as back when the company launched in 1908 they were general fiction publishers.  The company has also launched hundreds, if not thousands, of authors careers.  Mills & Boon have grown considerably since then and they still maintain the title of the world’s leading publisher of romantic fiction.  What I find pleasing is the variety of series of books published with Modern, Medical, Historical and Cherish to name a few.

The Mills & Boon website is a wonderful, bright site filled with information regarding upcoming new releases, author bios, books, sales & offers, blog, book club and there is even a section for free online reads.

To discover lots more at Mills & Boon please click on the link below:

https://www.millsandboon.co.uk/

I have recently taken out a subscription for the book club and I chose the Historical series.  I have received two months of books now and it’s such a treat to receive a wonderful new choice of books in the post.  With the Historical series you receive four books each month delivered free to your door.  The book club offers choices on how to pay for your subscription either monthly or by three fantastic cost effective pre-paid methods with 3 monthly, 6 monthly and 12 monthly options.  The book club would make an excellent gift idea for a friend, family member or loved one … or even as a treat for yourself.  If you opted for the 3 month pre-paid option it would work out at £50.91 for 12 full length paperback novels, working out at £4.24 per book (not much more than a posh coffee and biscuit from a high street coffee house).  The book club is also a brilliant opportunity to try a new genre of romance and discover new authors.

With my first delivery I received the following books:

My second delivery had the following books:

I was excited to see Virginia Heath’s new novel in this second delivery and had to dive straight in.  You can find my review for His Mistletoe Wager here.

To find out more about the book club please visit Mills & Boon at the link below:

https://www.millsandboon.co.uk/subscriptions/paperback-subscription/

To connect with Mills & Boon online please visit the following links:

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

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

Instagram:  http://www.instagram.com/millsandboonuk/

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.co.uk/millsandboonuk/

Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/millsandboonuk/

 

The Summer of Impossible Things by Rowan Coleman book review

The Summer of Impossible Things written by Rowan Coleman, publisher Ebury Press, is available NOW in ebook, hardcover, audio CD and audiobook format.  The hardcover is still available at an incredible price of £6.00 on amazon UK!

To buy link:  http://amzn.to/2xrI6yC

Product Details (as amazon page)

If you could change the past, would you?

How far would you go to save the person you love?
Luna is about to do everything she can to save her mother’s life.
Even if it means sacrificing her own.

When you finish reading a story that completely overwhelms you and you are left shaken with emotion and feeling almost hungover this is the sign of an excellent novel.  Rowan Coleman’s latest novel, The Summer of Impossible Things, got me from the start to the finish.  I was captivated by this almost other worldly love story.  A story of a love between a mother and a daughter; a story of a love that seemed almost impossible to believe but the consequence of never feeling the strength of this love is almost too  heart breaking to think about.

We follow Luna on her quest, along with her sister Pia, to find out about her mother’s pre-wed life in Brooklyn, NYC.  To 1977 when the streets were filled with a buzz surrounding the making of the movie Saturday Night Fever which brought certain fame to parts of the city.  To a time when the city was filled with a darkness that brought a fear.  To a time that was such a pivotal moment in her mother’s life that it weighed her down.

Such a moving, poignant story that left me spellbound, with my emotions heightened and the anticipation of what was to come was almost too hard to bear.  A book I was desperate to find out what happens next but as each chapter drew on I was fearful to how the author would finish my emotive journey with the characters … I wasn’t disappointed.  Truly outstanding storytelling.

To find out more about Rowan Coleman and her books please do visit the following pages:

Website:  http://rowancoleman.co.uk/

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

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

His Mistletoe Wager by Virginia Heath book review

His Mistletoe Wager written by Virginia Heath, publisher Mills & Boons Historical, is available in ebook and paperback format from the 1st October 2017.

To pre-order/buy link:  http://amzn.to/2wWNGXi

Product Details (as per amazon page)

Notorious rake Henry Stuart, Earl of Redbridge, is certain he’ll win his Christmas bet–until he learns he’ll be stealing Lady Elizabeth Wilding’s kisses. A woman who refuses to be charmed!
Once jilted, Lizzie must guard her heart, because the ton is unaware of her scandalous secret–her son! Despite their increasing attraction, she can’t risk the persistent Hal bringing down her defenses. But when her former fiancé returns, Lizzie realizes that perhaps Hal’s the one man she can trust–with her heart and her son…

My first festive read for the upcoming season and what a feast for your eyes it is.  His Mistletoe Wager is a sequel to Virginia Heath’s Her Enemy at the Altar, you can find my review for this novel here.  His Mistletoe Wager can be read as a standalone but to fully appreciate and enjoy the full reading experience I would whole-heartedly recommend reading Her Enemy at the Altar first.

This story focuses on Hal, Henry Stuart, Earl of Redbridge, brother of Connie who we fell in love with in the previous story.  Hal is a notorious rake and has enjoyed many scandalous moments in his past however, he’s feeling a little out of sorts and now with the responsibility of the title bequeathed to him following his father’s death Hal has become more of a target to the ladies of society.  Even the attention of the hordes of females cannot change his current mood but his brother-in-law, Aaron Wincanton, places a wager with him and challenges Hal to steal five kisses from a fair maiden between now and the Twelfth Night.  The maiden Aaron has in mind is Lady Elizabeth Wilding.

Lizzie Wilding has been hiding from society after being jilted at the altar five years ago.  Her father wants her to return to the society scene but Lizzie would rather stay at home with her son she has so far kept hidden from the world.  If her secret son was to be revealed she would be shamed and her son would be shunned.  Life for a single mother was very tough in Regency time and was frowned upon.  Yet Lizzie has more to fear than her secret son being revealed when a would be suitor starts blackmailing her.  What hold does this unscrupulous man have on her?

With Hal game on winning his wager and gaining five kisses from Lizzie he starts the challenge with his full charm offensive.  However, Lizzie wasn’t to be easily won having sworn off men after being broken hearted.  But the unlikely pair found they had more things in common than they first realised and a mutual understanding is sought.

Once again Virginia Heath has had me swooning over the dashing hero Hal in this story.  I loved the banter between Hal and Lizzie and Hal’s cheeky charm had me smiling on many occasion.  The author was very clever though and gave Hal a sensitive, loyal side which had me sighing with contentment.

A delectable regency romance story that had it all; swooning and charm, hero’s and villains, family saga, drama, love and longing.  I adored it and I’m feeling bereft to be leaving my regency hero behind.

To find out more about Virginia Heath and her work please do visit the following pages:

Website:  http://www.virginiaheathromance.com/

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

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

The Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club: Part One by Katie May blogtour/book review

The Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club: Part One Diving In written by Katie May, publisher Trapeze Books is available NOW in ebook format.

To buy link:  http://amzn.to/2x6NS9u

Product Details (as per amazon page)

In the gorgeous seaside town of Whitstable, brokenhearted Deb begins to swim each day and gathers a new group of friends around her. But can the magic of sea heal the hurt of the past? Or will family ties drag her underwater again?

A heart-warming, funny and poignant story of romance, friendship and second chances. It’s also a song to the author’s home town of Whitstable, where the sea is smooth, the shingle is painful on bare feet, and the air is full of possibilities.

I am so pleased to be involved in the blogtour celebrating and promoting the launch of this new three part mini series; The Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club.

I absolutely adored this story and so pleased it’s the start of a book series by Katie May.  The Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club is Katie May’s debut novel and what a cracking start to her published career.

In Part One: Diving In we follow Deb’s new journey in her life after leaving her husband.  For nearly 30 years Deb had felt down trodden in her marriage to Derek after having her three children she soon became a placater hoping to keep the peace in the family unit.  Now after so long she’d had enough and was happy to be on her own living in a small bedsit in her beloved coastal town of Whitstable.  The beach, especially the sea, is Deb’s escape and she loves nothing more than to immerse herself in the cold sea water to help forget her personal problems.

Deb isn’t the only one using the power of the sea and the beach to escape her past, Maisie recently divorced has relocated to Whitstable and is also drawn to this natural beauty.  Swimming in and around the tides of Whitstable was soon becoming a routine for the two women and a friendship developed.

However, the beach is under threat of future new development and the swimming buddies have built up a following from others in the town and a strong community spirit is felt.  The new swimming and beach loving community have a fight on their hands to save their beloved beach.

Such brilliant dialogue from Katie May with wonderful wit and humour.  There are some great scenes that will literally have you laughing out loud.  There is also a serious side to the characters we are learning to love, both Deb and Maisie have suffered heartbreak and are starting a fresh and have many painful memories from their past.  Whilst reading this story I could easily picture the scenes in my head and I feel it would make a fabulous Sunday night drama.  I’m eager to read the next instalments in this new book series and will start a campaign to get The Whitstable High Tide Swimming Club on our TV screens!

To find out more about Katie May please do visit the following pages:

Website:  http://whitstable-high-tide-swimming-club.org/

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

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/katherinemay_/

Pieces of my Life by Rachel Dann book review

Pieces of My Life written by Rachel Dann, publisher HQ Digital, is available NOW in ebook format.

To buy link:  http://amzn.to/2j0JjqW

Product Details (as per amazon page)

A journey she never expected…

Kirsty is happy. Really, she is. After five years with her boyfriend, Harry, she’s ready to take things to the next step and turn that spare room into a little nursery. And she thought Harry was too.

Only, it turns out that Harry’s ‘big news’ is actually not that he wants to try for a baby, but that he wants to travel to South America – with Kirsty! She’ll just have to trust that after their trip of a lifetime, Harry will be ready to settle down for good.

Arriving in hot, steamy Ecuador it soon becomes clear that Harry is hiding something. Something that he’s been hiding for years. And as Kirsty’s dreams are at risk of shattering, she begins to pick up the pieces of the life that she’s put off for so long…

I was completely enthralled with this story right from the start.  Pieces of My Life is Rachel Dann’s debut novel and it completely ticked all the boxes for me.  Characters that were written with such warmth and relatable, exotic location that the author transported you to with the words on the page, intrigue and curiosity of the world and people around you and also about the person you have lived with for five years.  A journey dredging up memories from the past that at the time were very emotive but now you have time to re-evaluate them and see them in a different life. Thought provoking issues that made you think that first impressions are not the whole picture.  Political changes that could inevitably make the difference in someone’s life to give them hope and belief of a better tomorrow.

Kirsty and Harry have been together for five years since meeting at University.  Kirsty was so surprised that this well-travelled, handsomely rugged young man was interested in her, the shy studious student.  Kirsty was charmed by Harry from the start and when they graduated she happily accepted that they’d live closer to his place of work and Kirsty would commute each day to hers.  Kirsty was also keen to start a family and was feeling that the time was right in their lives however, Harry had other plans for their future.  Harry wanted them to go travelling to Ecuador and take a 3 month sabbatical from work.  He was so excited about this trip that the eagerness grew on Kirsty and she was soon planning trips and sights of interest to visit.

Once the couple arrive in the heat and bustle of this new world and culture Kirsty is captivated by it’s beauty but Harry’s enthusiasm has definitely ebbed and he is displaying unusual body languages.  They soon build up a friendship with owners of a local eatery and when Kirsty hears that the wife Gabi helps out in the local women’s prison Kirsty’s interest is peaked.  Whilst Harry continues to have mood swings and display unusual behaviour Kirsty decides to seek more information regarding helping out with the charity that visit the women prisoners.  Once Kirsty gains more information a spark from her dreams in the past slowly becomes alive and she aims to help the women, especially the British women held in a foreign cell.

We follow Kirsty’s new affirmative journey gaining the courage to go into a scenario she has never been before, understanding the lives of these women and finding out what she can do to help them.  We also follow Kirsty slowly unravelling Harry’s unusual attitude.  This three month visit to Ecuador will change Kirsty’s life in more ways than one as it opens up new wounds, old heartbreak, invigorates the dream in her professional life and also her personal life.  An uplifting, life affirming story set in a stunning location.  A family saga of sorts and a beautiful tale of new beginnings.

To find out more about Rachel Dann please visit the following pages:

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

Amazon UK Author Page:  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rachel-Dann/e/B07285YW67

Secrets of the A-List: NEW 12 part mini ebook series @MillsandBoon

Secrets of the A-List is a NEW 12 part mini ebook series from Mills and Boon.  Each novella is written by a different author and a new part will be released weekly from 3rd September 2017 and concluding with the final episode on 19th November 2017.  The series has three taglines on Mills and Boon’s webpage: Super Rich, Super Sexy and Super Addictive!  After reading part one I feel sure it’s going to be an explosive series.

To pre-order/buy link:

amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/2gzdncn

Mills and Boon:  http://bit.ly/2wvGgKC

Product Details of Part One written by Joss Wood (as per amazon page)

A billionaire on the verge of death. And his family? In freefall…

The wealthy Marshall family are untouchable. Or so they thought. But when a car accident puts patriarch Harrison in a coma, cracks appear in the family facade. It seems Harrison had an awful lot of secrets, and he’s not the only one. His wife, Mariella, and children, Luc, Rafe and Elana, not to mention nephew Gabe, all have things they’d rather keep hidden.

Enter a mysterious figure called the Fixer… Who is this person and what is their connection with Harrison? And with those cracks becoming ever wider, what sins will be revealed?

My review of Part One

Enter the world of the very rich and powerful with this new 12 part mini series. Harrison Marshall was lying in a coma battered and bruised following a serious car accident. His life was hanging by a fine thread and his loved ones including his wife Mariella, two sons and daughter are shocked and distressed. Emotions are raw and tempers are at breaking point. Harrison was the head of his empire, a self-built entrepreneur and he with his wife were the cogs keeping the family turning, now one cog is broken how will the family cope? This accident, if that is what it was, has shaken the tight knit family unit. The vultures from the paparazzi are looming but the family unbeknown to them have more to fear. Harrison has been working a sideline not altogether legal and his life and business is now being controlled by an unknown, The Fixer. The Fixer has eyes and ears and is aware of every breath or flinch that Harrison takes. What will become of this family that have grown use to a lifestyle full of riches and privileges? Can they ever gain control back from The Fixer?  Who is The Fixer?

A highly addictive read that is pure escapism, its full of rich, glamorous people. It’s sexy and seductive, it’s full of intrigue and drama and now it is laced with a fear. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

To find out more about Mills and Boon and their extensive catalogue please visit the following pages:

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

Website:  https://www.millsandboon.co.uk/

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