Blogtour Review for T A Williams' What Happens at the Beach!!  Five ** 

Blurb

A deliciously sunny, uplifting romance to curl up with on your holiday – or any day!

For the perfect summer romance…

It’s finally time for Natalie Dryden to decide what she really wants! After ditching her sparkling engagement ring, and her ghastly fiancé, she jets off for the sun-kissed shores of Southern France – the only place that has ever truly felt like home. For the first time ever, Natalie is determined to forget all about men and follow her dreams!

…head to the French coast!

Only, avoiding the male population isn’t quite so easy, especially when she meets smooth-talking Philippe and gorgeous fisherman, Remy! But then Natalie, quite literally, bumps into brooding millionaire Mark whilst swimming in the glittering azure-blue bay – and her life is turned upside-down.

Love might be off the cards for Natalie, yet suddenly she finds herself in her dream job and working with her dream man! But is it all too good to be true…?

Review:

Definitely the best so far in this series. I absolutely loved it!

The setting in the south of France (but not the glam part), the characters, the history and Barney all work together to make this a romance to remember. Natalie is a wonderful character - intelligent, confident in her work, but so nervous and unsure where men are concerned. Mark, a successful engineer, is so very similar and the dance between them on a daily basis makes for fantastic reading.

And then there is Colette, Natalie's grandmother - 90 years old, as sharp as a knife and with a love of French wine! 

It's a perfect summer read and I await Trevor's next book with bated breath! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon UK: £2.99

Blogtour review of We'll Always Have Paris by Sue Watson - A HUGE Five **!


Blurb:

Does first love deserve a second chance?

When she was almost seventeen, Rosie Draper locked eyes with a charismatic student called Peter during their first week at art college, changing the course of her life forever. Now, on the cusp of sixty-five and recently widowed, Rosie is slowly coming to terms with a new future. And after a chance encounter with Peter, forty-seven years later, they both begin to wonder 'what if' . . .

Told with warmth, wit and humour, We'll Always Have Paris is a charming, moving and uplifting novel about two people; the choices they make, the lives they lead and the love they share.

Review:

I cannot put into words how much I loved this book! Thank you Sue - for an older couple, for lost love refound, for mothers and daughters.....

I am of an age with Rosie and had a love of my life as a student so I was at one with Rosie and her emotions. The depth of character in Rosie and Peter was simply stunning and so, so believable! Anna & Isobel added the conflict wonderfully and I could hear my mother in the late Margaret's words.

People now think of the 60s and 70s as a time of liberation for youth and yes, it was. But we had all been brought up by parents who were young in the far more repressed 40s & 50s. And they were children of people born in the Victorian era! So whilst we were experimenting with sex, drugs and rock. & roll, we also carried the guilt and repression around with us. And in the 60s, certainly, the average girl was far more innocent and well-behaved than history implies.

Thus Rosie's early conflicts really are true of the times - and her conflicts of today are very true as well.

I loved the ending. I learned to scuba dive and did a tandem sky dive in my 50s - we are now far more liberated than ever - and Sue describes this perfectly!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. And I thought the book was nigh on perfect!

Amazon UK: £2.99

Amazon US: $3.26

Review of Breakfast Under a Cornish Sun by Samantha Tonge - Five **


Blurb:

Kate Golightly needs to move forward and what better way to do that then with a trip to the Cornish coast with best friend and boss, Izzy.

The sea wind is just what Kate needs to finally relax and begin to let go of her past. Except she’s suddenly got one big reason to panic! She RSVP’d ‘yes’ to the Queen Bee of her high school’s wedding saying she’s bringing her boyfriend (she doesn’t have one) who looks just like Ross Poldark!

With only two weeks to find the Poldark look-alike of her dreams Kate is under a lot of pressure for the Cornish coast to deliver…

A hilarious and moving romantic novel from bestselling author, Samantha Tonge. A must-read this summer!

Review:

Am loving all the Cornish books this summer! And this is a wonderful book! If you like Cornwall, cocktails, doughnuts, and hunky men (one of whom bears a strong resemblance to a certain tv character!) then this is the book for you. Its got it all, romance, beating the odds, moving on and a host of great characters - and some dubious clothing choices! And some seriously yummy food :) It moves quickly, it is funny and a great summer read. I smiled the whole way through - even at the skulduggery! Definitely up there in the top summer reads for 2016. I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Amazon UK: £2.99 Amazon US: Paperback out August 25 - £8.22

Exclusive reveal of the gorgeous new cover for Alison May's Christmas Anthology:

Christmas Kisses

And here it is:

Three girls, three kisses, three gorgeous Christmas stories ...

Holly hates Christmas with a passion and can't wait to escape it - but then the flight to her once-in-a-lifetime holiday destination is cancelled ...

Cora has had the year from hell, and faces a bleak Christmas working in Golding's department store - in the most unflattering reindeer costume imaginable ...

Jessica is in denial after her husband's betrayal, and can't help but think back to when her life still seemed so full of hope and promise ...

Three years from hell, three sets of broken dreams, three girls in desperate need of Christmas spirit.

Is the perfect Christmas kiss all it takes?

Includes Holly's Christmas Kiss, Cora's Christmas Kiss and Jessica's Christmas Kiss.

About the author:

Alison was born and raised in North Yorkshire, but now lives in Worcester. She is a History graduate from the University of York and has a Creative Writing degree from the University of Birmingham. Alison has worked as a waitress, a shop assistant, a learning adviser, an advice centre manager, and is now a creative writing tutor and freelance trainer for charities and voluntary organisations.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and won their Elizabeth Goudge trophy in 2012 for her short story, Feel the Fear, which was released in the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s 2014 anthology.

Alison writes contemporary romantic comedies. Her Choc Lit books include Sweet Nothing, Midsummer Dreams and the Christmas Kisses trilogy.

Follow Alison on Twitter: @MsAlisonMay

Visit her website: www.alison-may.co.uk

Christmas Kisses is published by Choc Lit and is now available to pre-order!The paperback will be out on 4^th November 2016.

Amazon UK/Amazon US/Amazon CA

Review of One Last Summer at Hideaway Bay by Zoe Cook - Five **


Blurb:

Secrets lie waiting beneath the Cornish waves in this moving and unforgettable love story. Perfect for fans of Nicholas Sparks, Kelly Rimmer and Jojo Moyes.

Lucy, hi. It’s Tom. How are you? It’s been a while. I’ve been meaning to get in touch but it’s hard to know how to after so much time. I hear you’re doing really well up there. I knew you would be.

You should come here, you know, back to Hideaway bay. Come and see everyone, see how little it’s all changed. Feel the sand between your toes, the Cornish sea breeze on your face. When the sun hits the surf in that way it does, it’s as magical as ever.

That’s why I’m writing to you, actually. I want to get the gang back together again, one last time before…well…just one last time. You should come too. The four of us, a summer on the beach, like old times. We all want you here for it. I want you here for it. It’s been so long since I saw you.

I still think about you.

Tom

Review:

Lucy is working in TV in London. Working too much, drinking too much and snorting too much. Her first love, Tom, asks her to return to Hideaway Bay in Cornwall for a few weeks, so that all the childhood and teenage friends can be together.

Unexpectedly she finds herself in a position to that and she catches the train to the South West.

She doesn't know what she will find. As the story develops, she finds her old friends, new friends, sad memories, happy memories. But most of all, she finds herself...and Tom.

This is a story of friendships, family, choices, first love and loyalty. And it is wonderful! It is incredibly emotional and fits the mantra, "Enjoy what you have" beautifully.

The twist in the tale was totally unexpected and all the more effective because of that.

I really look forward to Zoe's next book. The depth of character, emotion and maturity in this one is quite remarkable!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Amazon UK - £0.99

Review of House of Secrets by Lynda Stacey - Five **


Blurb:

A woman on the run, a broken man and a house with a shocking secret … 
Madeleine Frost has to get away. Her partner Liam has become increasingly controlling to the point that Maddie fears for her safety, and that of her young daughter Poppy. . 
Desperation leads Maddie to the hotel owned by her estranged father – the extraordinarily beautiful Wrea Head Hall in Yorkshire. There, she meets Christopher ‘Bandit’ Lawless, an ex-marine and the gamekeeper of the hall, whose brusque manner conceals a painful past. 
After discovering a diary belonging to a previous owner, Maddie and Bandit find themselves immersed in the history of the old house, uncovering its secrets, scandals, tragedies – and, all the while, becoming closer. 
But Liam still won’t let go, he wants Maddie back, and when Liam wants something he gets it, no matter who he hurts … 
Winner of Choc Lit & Whole Story Audiobooks 2015 Search for a Star competition.

Review:

As you all know, I am a great fan of Choc Lit and was very excited when I received this from a new author. I am a Choc Lit Panel Taster and had already read it pre editing and acceptance - and loved it then! My first Taster Panel publication!  It has evolved into an infinitely readable book and it has it all!

Maddie escapes from her controlling partner and flees to her father's hotel with small daughter Poppy and puppy Buddy. She has a lot of work to do in rebuilding her relationship with her father and there she also meets Bandit - an ex marine - and their developing relationship is part of the story as well.

So far so good. But then you have to add in the tension created by Liam, Maddie's ex, who will stop at nothing to get her back. And then, on top of it all there are the trips into the past and the mystery of Emily Ennis to resolve! Trying to resolve the mystery brings Maddie & Bandit closer and in the background Liam is always lurking.

There is something for everyone in this remarkable book. Poppy & Buddy bring light relief and Poppy in the kitchen is wonderful!

I laughed, I cried, I gasped, I shouted - all out loud - which, to me, is the sign of a brilliant book. When I become so immersed that I lose the real world completely. And that is what this book did.

A lovely book - real people, feeling real things and acting in a believable way. Next one please!

I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Amazon UK - £1.98

Amazon US - $2.51

Review of Sunset in Central Park by Sarah Morgan - Five **

My turn for the Blog tour today :)


Blurb:

True love can be hard to find. Even when it’s been right under your nose all along…

After witnessing the fallout of her parent’s divorce, love has never been a priority for garden designer Frankie Cole. The only man in her life is her friend Matt–but that’s strictly platonic. If only she found it easier to ignore the way he makes her heart race…

Matt Walker has loved Frankie for years but, has always played it cool. Until he uncovers new depths to the girl he’s known forever, and doesn’t want to wait a moment longer.

Matt knows Frankie has secrets and has buried them deep, but can he persuade her to kiss him under the Manhattan sunset?

Review:

Oh how I love this series!! I've never read a bad Sarah Morgan book and this is right up there with the rest.

I loved Frankie so much! She has been damaged by her father deserting her mother when she was young and her mother's subsequent behaviour. (She was such a funny character - loved her!)

Matt has always been a close friend but he wants more and Frankie finds herself responding - and getting very frightened! Matt's patience was phenomenal and I especially loved the chat he had with Jake on the rooftop.

Sarah truly brings alive the magic of Central Park - the perfect setting for plant-loving Frankie. It was also lovely to catch up with the other women running Urban Genie, which is now going from strength to strength. Paige's relationship with Jake is going well so there is now only Eva left to get sorted in the next book!

Thank you Sarah - it was a real treat to read this one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon UK - £4.99 (out 14/7/16)

Amazon US - Paperback $7.99 (Out 8/30/16)

Review of Revenge is Sweet by Berni Stevens - Five **


Blurb:

Hell hath no fury like a vampire seeking revenge … 

Life hasn’t been exactly normal for Ellie since she became a vampire. Although joining the legion of the undead was always going to take some getting used to, even if you are the partner of Will Austen, the Elder of London.

But when Daniel, a fifteen-year-old fledgling vampire, unexpectedly turns up at Ellie’s and Will’s Highgate home, things start getting very strange – and more than a little scary.

Events take a devastating turn as a mystery troublemaker leaves behind a trail of carnage – and it soon becomes clear they will stop at nothing to get the Elder’s attention, even if it involves hurting the person he cherishes the most …

But when it comes to Ellie, Will Austen is the wrong vampire to mess with.

Review:

Wish I could give more than 5*! This was wonderful!

I hadn't read the first book in this series, so I read Dance Until Dawn first and then went straight into Revenge is Sweet. This book can be read as a stand alone, but it helps to read the first one to get a stronger sense of character. And, since that's a 5* read too, it's no great task!

This one is slightly darker (forgive the comment about a book about vampires!) and although, it features all the same vampires (and Stevie)' it is a completely new story. And a scary one!

Ellie is a very sympathetic vampire and retains a lot of her humanity. This is what makes the darker scenes so effective. We see them from the vampire AND human points of view. What is totally acceptable to the vampires would be abhorrent to a human.

There are lighter moments and sparring between Will and Ellie can be very funny at times. Luke is a wonderfully patient character and I love Roxy - she reminds me of Alice Cullen!

The ending is perfect and I so look forward to the next book in the series. Thank you, Berni, for a book about "real" vampires in a real setting. Loved it!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Amazon UK - £1.99

Amazon US - $2.99

Bear with me - this is my first ever cover reveal!!  And I'm very excited about it!

As you know, I am a Choc Lit Star and it is my absolute pleasure to reveal the cover for Christina Courtenay's new book, The Velvet Cloak of Midnight (gorgeous title!). The book is sue out on Amazon on 7th October 2016.

And with no more ado.......

And for your further edification - here is the blurb:

“As the velvet cloak of moonlight settled over the ruined towers of Raglan Castle, the shadows beneath them stirred …”

When newly widowed Tess visits Raglan Castle, an extraordinary hallucination transports her to a past that existed long before her own – to seventeenth-century Wales and to a castle on the brink of a siege.

Even when Tess leaves Raglan to return to Merrick Court, her husband’s home, the strangeness continues as her life becomes increasingly intertwined with her dreams and visions. And when the new owner of the estate arrives - New Zealander Josh Owens - the parallels become even more obvious. It's time to confront the past head-on.

But perhaps the voices from the past aren’t just trying to tell their own story, maybe they’re also giving a warning …

And last, but definitely not least, a short biography of Christina:

Christina lives in Hereford and is married with two children. Although born in England she has a Swedish mother and was brought up in Sweden. In her teens, the family moved to Japan where she had the opportunity to travel extensively in the Far East.

Christina’s debut Trade Winds was shortlisted for the 2011 Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Pure Passion Award for Best Historical Fiction. The Scarlet Kimono won the 2011 Big Red Reads Best Historical Fiction Award. Highland Storms (in 2012) and The Gilded Fan (in 2014) won the Best Historical Romantic Novel of the year award and The Silent Touch of Shadows won the 2012 Best Historical Read Award from the Festival of Romance. The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight is Christina’s eleventh full-length novel with Choc Lit.

Follow Christina on Twitter: @PiaCCourtenay

Visit her website: www.christinacourtenay.com

The Velvet Cloak of Moonlight is published by Choc Lit and is now available to pre-order! The paperback will be out on 7th October 2016.

Amazon UK/Amazon US/ Amazon CA

Review of Sunshine and Secrets (Willow Cottage, #1) by Bella Osborne - Five **


Blurb:

**Part one of a new cosy and heartwarming seasonal series, perfect for fans of Cathy Bramley.**

Beth is running away. With her young son Leo to protect, Willow Cottage is the lifeline she so desperately needs. Overlooking the village green in a beautiful Cotswolds idyll, Beth sees a safe place for little Leo.

When she finally uncovers the cottage from underneath the boughs of a weeping willow tree, Beth realises this is far more of a project than she bargained for and the locals are more than a little eccentric! A chance encounter with gruff Jack, who appears to be the only male in the village under thirty, leaves the two of them at odds but it’s not long before Beth realises that Jack has hidden talents that could help her repair more than just Willow Cottage.

Over the course of four seasons, Beth realises that broken hearts can be mended, and sometimes love can be right under your nose…

Review: 

Oh what a little treasure this novella is! A cast of great characters, lovely Cotswold village and Beth trying to cope with the disaster she has bought. Leo is a typical little boy - helpful and whiny in equal measure!

I laughed and laughed while I read it - in one go I might add, couldn't put it down! Beth's friend Carly has some extremely funny moments. The times in London and the tree house spring to mind - just hilarious :)

The locals are a brilliant mixture of sane and crazy and spring up when least expected. Jack seems to be the only normal one, but even he has his moments. 

Another winner Bella! Cannot wait for the next one......

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon UK - 99p