Thursday 29 October 2015

Guest review  of Christmas Ever After by Sarah Morgan


I would like to say a huge thank you to Julie Williams, who is a big fan of Sarah Morgan's books, for agreeing to guest review Christmas Ever After for the blog.


Skylar Tempest has never understood Alec Hunter’s appeal. So what if he’s a world-renowned historian? He’s also cynical, aloof and determined to think the worst of her. So when a twist of fate finds her spending the lead-up to Christmas with Alec and his family, she’s not expecting the season to be either merry or bright.
Alec has learned the hard way not to trust beautiful women―and Skylar is the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. But as he watches her throw herself into his family’s festive chaos, Alec realises there is far more to this blonde bombshell than meets the eye.
With Christmas around the corner, Alec and Skylar return to Puffin Island, a tentative bond forged between them. Neither intends to fall in love but as the nights become darker, and the fire between them grows hotter, could this be the chance for Alec and Skylar to find their own happy ending?
Fall in love with the all new Puffin Island series from Sarah Morgan, the bestselling author who brought you Sleigh Bells in the Snow:
Book 1 - First Time in Forever - Out Now!
Book 2 - Some Kind of Wonderful - July 2015
Book 3 - Christmas Ever After - October 2015


Guest Review

Christmas Ever After is the final instalment of the puffin Series trilogy, although it can also be read as a stand alone.

This gorgeous story centres on Skylar Tempest and Alec Hunter who met at Puffin Island the previous summer but are far from being friends. They meet up again but this time in London where Alec finds himself in expectantly rescuing Sky from her controlling boyfriend Richard. As Alec is still emotionally scarred from his divorce with high maintenance Selina, romance is unthinkable.

This wonderful book explores friendships, relationships, dreams and love with warm characters featured in the previous two books of the series as well as some extraordinary new ones.

This Puffin Series has been a delight to read and leaves you with a warm ‘cosiness’ feeling.

Well done Sarah you’ve done it again!

I am a great fan of Sarah’s books and was more than happy to guest review when Julie gave me the book before publication day.



I would like to thank Cara at Mira Books UK for sending me a copy of this books for review.

Tuesday 27 October 2015

And Baby Makes Four
 by Tilly Tennant
 Blog Tour
 (Final part in Mishaps in Millrise series)




Could Phoebe and Jack finally have put their troubles behind them? All is calm at Hendry’s toy store, and Jack’s mother has even developed a grudging respect for Phoebe. If Archie is serious about addressing his issues, then things are really starting to look rosy for the couple again. But when did Phoebe’s life ever go to plan? 

As they prepare for what should be the happiest day of their lives, fate decides to throw them yet another curve ball. What they face will test them to the limit, but Phoebe might just believe in miracles before it’s through. 







Review

I think you can guess by the title what happens in the final part of this lovely series! I have thoroughly enjoyed reading how Phoebe and Jack’s relationship has grown and the obstacles they have had to face from the beginning, mainly Jack having to bring up his daughter Maria alone after her Mum dies and how they both cope with that.  Phoebe being introduced to Jack’s family (in particular his domineering mother!) who finds great satisfaction in giving Phoebe a hard time.

This final part seems to tie things up, which is great, because who doesn’t love a happy ending!

Jack’s brother Archie finally sees the error of his ways and sets out to become a better person and once Phoebe and Jack come to terms with the pregnancy, things go from strength to strength, to the point where Jack asks Phoebe to marry him!

So, not only does Phoebe have her pregnancy to deal with, she has her job to secure, planning a wedding, moving in with Jack……what could possibly go wrong!!!

Well done Tilly Tennant for a lovely series. I have loved reading about the characters and am quite sad it is ending now!




Thank you to JB Johnston at Brook Cottage Books for sending me the series to review.

Sunday 25 October 2015

Cover reveal for FOLLOW ME by Angela Clarke


LIKE. SHARE. FOLLOW . . . DIE
The ‘Hashtag Murderer’ posts chilling cryptic clues online, pointing to their next target. Taunting the police. Enthralling the press. Capturing the public’s imagination.

But this is no virtual threat.

As the number of his followers rises, so does the body count.

Eight years ago two young girls did something unforgivable. Now ambitious police officer Nasreen and investigative journalist Freddie are thrown together again in a desperate struggle to catch this cunning, fame-crazed killer. But can they stay one step ahead of him? And can they escape their own past?

Time's running out. Everyone is following the #Murderer. But what if he is following you?


ONLINE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM …

Ebook: 3rd December, Paperback 31st December.

Tuesday 20 October 2015

Today, I am thrilled to host my first "Author Post" on my Blog. Cameron Bane is the author of Pitfall and he tells us a bit about himself and his writing space.

I have read some of the reviews on Amazon and Pitfall is certainly one to read! and also there is a chance to win a Kindle Fire if you leave a review on Amazon!





Cameron Bane’s Writing Space

From a young age the necessity of travel has always been a large part of my life. Therefore I’ve spent a lot of time on the road, in hotel lobbies, airport terminals, train stations, restaurants, and clubs. I’ve always enjoyed meeting people from different cultures and all walks of life. To quote Will Rogers, “I’ve never met a man I didn’t like.” Everything I’ve learned about them has become fodder for my writing. I’ve found inspiration from the South Seas to South America to Saudi Arabia, around the Caribbean, and in whistle stops large and small while driving across America. Mountains, oceans, lakes, waterfalls, forests, and wide open spaces have become equally conducive to creativity and true clarity of thought, but in the end, there’s always home sweet home.

I always keep several number two mechanical pencils—with good erasers—with me, as well as a smallish wire bound notebook and/or a thin, hardback, three-ring black binder filled with wide-ruled notebook paper. That way I can always jot down thoughts, notes, characters, their development, and plot lines as they come to me.

My maple-paneled office contains a U-shaped desk topped with a hutch that my wife gave me years ago as an anniversary gift. I’ll keep it forever. Decorating the walls are a crossed Army officer’s sword and scabbard mounted on a shield-shaped cherry wood plaque, and a large walnut framed original painting of two small fishing boats floating serenely in a calm harbor at sunset. My bookcases are filled with books, and many framed photos of my family of different colors, shapes, and sizes. One of my favorite things besides the family photos is an over six-foot-tall hand-carved Hawaiian monkey pod tri-fold screen. Memorabilia include a large green jade hand-carved mulga wood aboriginal adze, a hexagonal black marble paperweight, and many rocks, minerals, and seashells.

Against the wall is a Hobart M. Cable spinet piano, which I’ve had for many years. When I play it, it centers me. 





Author Bio
Cameron Bane is the nom de plume of a thriller novelist who has been writing professionally for more than a decade, with six novels commercially published. A business executive with a large company, he’s frequently circled the globe working with American military forces. He was born to a military family in the southern United States, and is an army veteran himself. Bane currently resides in the Midwest with his wife and family. He’s a member of the Authors Guild, and is a much-in-demand speaker and teacher, having taught fiction tracks for three years at a nationally ranked writers conference near Santa Fe, New Mexico.




PITFALL - First In The Suspense Thriller Series By Cameron Bane Featuring Former Army Ranger And Cop John Brenner
WildBlue Press is offering a free 8Gb, 7" Kindle Fire when you write the most helpful review on the Amazon sales page at http://wbp.bz/pitfallreviews or the review with the most likes on a Goodreads review at http://wbp.bz/pitfallgoodreads, whichever has the most before November 22nd.

After your review is posted please email the date, site and a link to it to info@wildbluepress.com.



Thank you to Lori at TNBBC Publicity for sending me a copy of the book and author post.




Sunday 18 October 2015

The Years of Loving you by Ella Harper Blog Tour


I am delighted to be a part of this blog tour and although I haven't had a chance to read the book yet, it is way up on my TBR pile! As a taster to keep you going I have an extract for you.


Ed headed straight for the window as the girl called Molly slipped outside. He followed her, knowing he had the perfect excuse in his hand should he need it; a sneaky fag was useful in so many ways. As a result, he was taken aback when Molly turned and eyed him suspiciously.
‘Are you following me?’
Ed lit his cigarette suavely but spoilt it by almost burning his fingers when he snapped his Zippo shut. ‘Shit. Er, might be. Molly, isn’t it?’
‘You know my name.’ She raised her eyebrows in a ladylike fashion. He was handsome. And he knew it. She wasn’t sure if she liked that. Obviously Molly under­stood that everyone had a mirror – it was more that she preferred confidence that came from achievement, not looks. ‘You’re following me and you know my name. There are laws against that, you know.’
‘I’m having an innocent cigarette and a friend told me your name just now. Hardly grounds for arrest, surely? I’m Ed, by the way.’
‘Hi. I’d tell you my name but clearly you already know me.’
Close up, Ed found himself drawn to Molly’s eyes. They were cat-like, shrewd. Brown. No, dark blue – an unusual shade that no doubt earned her compliments aplenty. From lesser mortals. Ed would need to come up with something more original. This was a smart, eloquent girl who looked as though she might, with impeccable manners, coolly dismiss boys who bored her.
Ed sucked on his cigarette, feeling something spark inside him. He was tired of easy girls; Molly was already challenging him.
Out of the blue, Molly smiled. Was she mocking him? Ed felt unnerved, wrong-footed. He really needed to get a grip.
‘I’m not planning to get you arrested, no.’ God, but he was sexy. Molly checked out his mouth. Kissable, definitely. Hmm. How annoying. She hadn’t felt this attracted to someone at first glance before. Was this what everyone called ‘chemistry’?
Molly pulled herself together and gestured to his singed fingers. ‘But I do think you need to learn how to use a lighter properly. Otherwise everyone will think you’re a right nobber.’
Ed let out a shout of laughter. He’d never met anyone else who used his favourite insult before. He stared at Molly. She was on the short side but perfectly propor­tioned. She had that irresistible blend of slender, with tantalising curves in all the right places. Ed was willing to bet Molly worried about the size of her bum constantly. Molly might be a challenge, but he was confident he knew how her mind worked. To a degree. Because Ed could modestly acknowledge that he knew a fair amount about girls. He caught sight of her bum as she began to walk away from him and almost dropped his cigarette. Delectable. Rounded. Ripe. Bloody hell. Better than he’d imagined. Hang on; where was she going?
‘I’m off to do some stargazing,’ Molly said, as though she had heard his thoughts. She sincerely hoped he wasn’t looking at her bum. She always worried about it, stressed that it was a little on the large side. ‘I think if you carry on walking in that direction, you get to the beach, right?’ She began strolling but threw a glance over her shoulder. ‘Aren’t you coming, shadow?’

The Years of Loving You is published on 19th November.


Friday 16 October 2015

Tonight I have a gorgeous cover reveal for........... 
Monty & Me
 by
 Louisa Bennet


How sweet is this cover!



Introducing loveable dog detective Monty – the must-have book this Christmas! 
You might think that dogs can’t understand us…but you’d be wrong.

Apart from an obsession with cheese, Monty is a perfectly rational animal. So when his beloved master is stabbed to death, Monty decides to use his formidable nose to track the killer down.

Luckily he manages to find a home with Rose Sidebottom, the young policewoman who’s investigating the case. But with her colleagues turning against her, and the wrong man collared, she’s going to need a little help…

Wednesday 14 October 2015


24 by Claire Seeber


My best friend, Emily, is dead – killed last night in a hotel fire. 
But it was meant to be me. 
Now I have 24 hours to find my daughter. 
Before he finds out I’m still alive. 
24 Hours is a fast-paced, intelligent psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.

Review

Wow! What a fast paced, action packed psychological thriller 24 is! It starts with Laurie and her best friend Emily involved in a hotel fire in Devon and Laurie is mistakenly pronounced dead, when it is in fact Emily who has died in the fire. Laurie then believes that someone is trying to kill her so she makes a desperate attempt to get back to London to find her daughter Polly (who is on her way back from Disneyland with her Grandmother) but Laurie thinks her estranged husband Sid will take her.


This is a fast paced story and the chapters flip backwards and forwards and we find out about the relationship between Laurie and Sid, which was sometimes very abusive and the build up to the events of the fire in which her best friend dies and why it happened.

I must admit, I sometimes held my breath reading what was happening as you feel quite frustrated that Laurie is having such difficulty in getting back to London and the obstacles put in her way, as if someone is trying to stop her getting her daughter! She befriends a young lad called Saul, who has troubles himself, but although the friendship is formed very quickly, you can tell they have a deep understanding and respect for one another.

I thought the characters were described by the author very well. Laurie seemed a bit of a walkover earlier on in her relationship with Sid (blinded by love some would say!) but once she thought he might snatch their daughter, a mist comes over her and she gets this inner strength from somewhere and fights with all her might to get home before he does! I didn’t like the character of Sid one bit, but that’s what a great author does, makes good guys and bad guys!

I must admit, I didn’t expect the “twist” at the end and thought it was very good and I think it brought everything together .

A brilliant, fast paced, action packed thriller, which I could certainly see turned into a film!


Thank you to Kim at Bookouture for sending me a copy of the book to review.

Monday 12 October 2015

A Kiss from France by Susan Hughes Blog Tour



Dangerous munitions work links two very different women in WWI Britain. Ambitious Lizzie Fenwick puts a note in a box of ammunition shells which triggers an exciting wartime romance. In the face of increasing casualty figures, patriotic Eunice Wilson is overcome with regret for shunning her conscripted husband. Events soon mean Lizzie must make hard choices and accept that a less romantic future beckons. Meanwhile, Eunice attempts to cope with personal tragedy. Peace returns, but with it comes the discovery of a betrayal which sets the two women on a potential collision course where they must confront everything they thought they knew about love and loyalty. And let go of what they want to hold on to most.


Review

I do love a wartime saga and as I come from London I love to read anything about my hometown and what life was like during World War I and II, so when I was asked if I would like to review this book I jumped at the chance!

The story is set during and after WWI and focuses on three women's lives during the war and how they copied with life while the men were away fighting for their country and then when the soldiers returned home and how they coped with "normal life".

Lizzie Fenwick works in a munitions factory along with Peggy. When Lizzie puts a note in a box full of ammunition to wish a soldier good luck she doesn't realise the consequences her actions will cause when the note is found by Harry Slater.

Meanwhile Eunice is married to Jack who is sent to the trenches in France after initially not enlisting quick enough for Eunice. She feels he is a bit of a coward at first and the story of their lives is just heart breaking and tragic and the author tells this beautifully.

The events in this book were obviously researched thoroughly and were very well described. How the different characters lives turned out and intertwined throughout their lives was just great.

The only negative thing I would say about this book was that I personally didn't want the ending to turn out as it did, but that is just a personal thing. 

I would love to read more from this author and would like to thank JB Johnson at Brook Cottage Books for sending me a copy for review. 




Sunday 11 October 2015

Today I have a gorgeous cover reveal for 

MEET ME IN MANHATTAN

BY

CLAUDIA CARROLL


In a New York minute, everything can change …

You don’t mess with aspiring journalist Holly Johnson! The man she fell for is not all that he seems – because sometimes dating online doesn’t quite go to plan. She’s decided to fly to the Big Apple to surprise him and to get some answers. And if her plan works she’ll also get the scoop of her career …

But as she steps out of her yellow taxi and the first snowflakes start to fall, it’s Holly who has the surprise of her life.


What should be a dream come true is looking a little like a nightmare. But Holly is determined to get her New York happy ending!


Friday 9 October 2015

Today I have a super Christmassy cover reveal for..........


MISTLETOE AND MAYHEM

BY

CATHERINE FERGUSON


The new novel from ebook bestseller, Catherine Ferguson. A warm and cosy festive tale you won’t be able to put down.

Lola Plumpton can’t believe her luck.


Christmas is coming and her gorgeous boyfriend, Nathan, has offered up his swanky apartment to host the Plumpton family’s festive celebrations. It looks set to be a Christmas to remember. And it is – but for all the wrong reasons.

As the 25th December draws closer, Lola unexpectedly finds herself missing some key components:

1. A job (but who needs one of those anyway, when you’ve got the ultimate family Christmas to prepare for?)

2. Money (no job equals no money, it turns out.)

3. A boyfriend (yup, Nathan the hunk has said adios to Lola – and in the *most* embarrassing way possible…)

4. Somewhere to host her fabulous family Christmas (because of course, no Nathan means no des res apartment.)

Lola’s at a loss about what to do. But one way or another, she’s going to make this the best Christmas her family’s ever had…


Thursday 8 October 2015

Pretending to Dance
 by
 Diane Chamberlain
 Blog Tour


When the pretending ends, the lying begins . . . Molly Arnette is good at keeping secrets. As she and her husband try to adopt a baby, she worries that the truth she's kept hidden about her North Carolina childhood will rise to the surface and destroy not only her chance at adoption, but her marriage as well. Molly ran away from her family twenty years ago after a shocking event left her devastated and distrustful of those she loved. Now, as she tries to find a way to make peace with her past and embrace a healthy future, she discovers that even she doesn't know the truth of what happened in her family of pretenders.
Pretending to Dance by Diane Chamberlain, the bestselling author of The Silent Sister, is a fascinating and deftly-woven novel, that reveals the devastating power of secrets.


Review

I have to hold my hands up here and say that I have never read a Diane Chamberlain book before, so when I was asked to review this one, I had to give it a go!

The story starts with Molly and Aiden, who are a married couple unable to have a child of their own, so are going down the "open adoption" route. Obviously they need to answer questions regarding their families and their past, so when a possible birth mother becomes available Molly goes into panic mode as she is hiding a secret about her family back in Morrison Ridge! Don't you just love a family with secrets!!

The book goes backwards and forwards from when Molly was 14 years old and entering puberty and lets us into the close relationship she has with her paraplegic father Graham, who is suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. He is a therapist and deals with young adults practising the art of "pretend therapy".

Molly becomes friendly with a girl called Stacey and as you can imagine with any 14 year old girls, they become interested in boys! I thought the way the author made Molly very naive and a bit immature during this time was spot on, as we have all been like this and been smitten with a boy and thought we were being very grown up, when in fact, we were not!

There were some twists and turns throughout this book and I must admit, it did keep me on the edge of my seat (without being scary or frightening). Molly's family are not all that they seem and what happens when she is 14 affects her life as an adult. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely be reading more from this author!

Thank you to Francesca at Pan Macmillan for sending me a copy of this book for review. 

Wednesday 7 October 2015

The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance by Kirsty Greenwood – Guest review by Julie Williams



I signed up to the Readathon Hospitals Fundraising Event arranged by Jennifer Marston where participants initially had to vote which book they wanted to read. The clear winner was this book , (although I have to admit it wasn't the one that I voted for!) 

The challenge was to read and review it in 24 hours on 4th October 2015. Unfortunately it took me slightly longer due to other commitments.

As I am not a Blogger, Julie (Boon's Bookcase) has kindly let me review this on her blog.

As I love Chick Lit I was more than happy to download onto my kindle and get stuck in!

This is an easy read as it is quite funny with not too many but interesting characters.

Jess Beam is the central character who is the 'party girl' of Manchester but has huge commitment issues. All that changes when her life is suddenly turned upside down and she moves in with her Grandmother and she discovers the truth about her parents lives through hidden diaries.

I am pleased that Jess does overcome her relationship issues and the ability to care for others. As I don't want to give anything away you will have to read this book yourself and discover just how she gets on!!




Thank you to Julie Williams for being a Guest Reviewer for this book.

Sunday 4 October 2015

Today I'm delighted to reveal the cover of.........

 THE YEARS OF LOVING YOU 

by Ella Harper


From the award-winning author of PIECES OF YOU comes this enthralling love story, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and dream upon a star…

What if your first love was your only love?

When Molly is diagnosed with a life changing illness, it feels like her whole world has come crashing down. She hopes the news will make her marriage to Sam stronger. But why does Molly always call best friend Ed in a crisis?

Ed. The very same Ed that Molly fell in love with at a party when they were teenagers, underneath a star-filled sky. Then life took them in very different directions. They could only ever be friends.

Suddenly Molly starts to question every decision she’s ever made. What if they could turn back the clock? Back to the very beginning. When the only certainty they shared was each other …

Ella Harper
As a shy teenager, Ella Harper found a way to escape by learning foreign languages, and imagined she might eventually get a glamorous job speaking French. After completing a BA in French and Russian Studies, she found herself following in her father’s footsteps into banking instead, seduced by the excitement and glamour of that world. But after climbing her way to Assistant Vice President, Ella started idly mapping out the beginnings of a novel on an old laptop. When she realised her characters were more real to her than dividends and corporate actions ever could be, she left her job to become a writer. Eight years later, and Ella has published four hugely popular novels under the name Sasha Wagstaff. 

I love this cover and really hope I get the chance to read it!