Happy Publication Day to Sophie Ranald's Thank you, Next!

We all need an uplifting romantic comedy from time to time and when it comes from Sophie Ranald, you know it is going to be entertaining. But what is it all about?

Synopsis:

Seriously, why do guys on dating apps think I want a picture of what’s in their pants? I could open an art gallery with the collection I’ve got.

Zoe really doesn’t want to die alone and surrounded by cats. But it’s not looking good: she’s had sex precisely twice in the last year, and her feline friend isn’t the kind of male company she wants in bed…

Her top dating disasters include:

1) The guy who kissed her hand, took out a violin and serenaded her in public.
2) The guy who force-fed her oysters (she can confirm that they’re not an aphrodisiac).
3) The guy who was so hungover he turned up with his t-shirt on inside out, sweating sambuca.
4) The guy who brought his actual kid on a dinner date.

And don’t even get her started on the dick pics, or how on earth you’re supposed to know whether a total stranger is an axe murderer or not.

Zoe's ready to give up on the search for love, until her friend has an idea. Robbie lives by his horoscope, and he’s sure she’s got this dating stuff all wrong. He dares her to work her way through the zodiac until she finds The One.

Usually Zoe would laugh at such a suggestion, but desperate times call for desperate measures. Could love be written in the stars? Or is she destined to end up alone, eating take-out in bed and watching endless re-runs of Friends?


My thoughts:
This is my sixth book by Sophie Ranald, so you can call me a fan. There is something about her characters that makes me relate to their problems, love life disasters, and their choices.
Chances are that if you read Sophie's previous book Just Saying, you hated Zoe. She was the infamous ex who appeared out of blue in Joe And Alice's life and tried to win Joe back, while Alice was dealing with her unexpected unemployment. Zoe, beautiful, exotic, fun loving, sexy, always ready to listen (to Joe) and empathise, Zoe who couldn't get over the fact that Joe did move on and was now building something new with Alice.
Well, now we get Zoe's story. I don't mean what happened while she was sharing Alice and Joe's flat, but what happened afterwards. Because at some point you do have to let your old love and heartbreak go and start living...
I would have never guessed that I was going to be on Zoe's team.  And yet... Zoe's desire to find somebody to share her life, despite her dating disasters, her feeling slightly misplaced because she spent her early twenties travelling, while other people were building their support systems and friend networks, above all, Zoe's courage to put herself out into the world and risk being ridiculed, misunderstood, or even taken advantage of- all of them made me root for her and sigh with satisfaction when she does meet her own Mr Right.
If you like getting the other people's perspective, or enjoy reading about dating disasters, while secretly knowing that the happy-end is guaranteed, or are a fan of British romcoms and think that nobody does them better, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Book & Author Details:

O Night Divine: A Holiday Collection of Spirited Christmas Tales
Publication date: December 17th 2020
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance, Romance

Synopsis:

A MASTERPIECE OF HOLIDAY STORYTELLING…

Enjoy this stunning holiday collection from some of your favorite Dragonblade Publishing authors in this collection of never-before published seasonal tales!

Imagine, if you will, that it is Christmas Eve.

The candles are guttered, one by one, and a hush falls over the parlor. The children have gone to bed, and a tall, gloriously decorated Christmas tree looms in the shadows of the hearth’s dying embers. A tattered copy of Charles Dickens’ masterwork, “A Christmas Carol” sits, cold and lonely, upon a table nearby.

A small gust of wind, hurling from the seam of an ill-fitting window, blows the cover open. The first chapter appears… “Marley’s Ghost”…

The clock on the wall chimes midnight.

Now, the magic happens.

From the gaily bedecked halls of Regency England to the cold and crisp air of the Scottish Highlands, and everything in between, enjoy the magic of a holiday collection that has drawn inspiration from Charles Dickens’ most beloved literary works. Where the ghosts of Christmas, the incandescent spirit of a tiny disabled boy, and the joy that is the very heart of the Christmas season come alive.

USA Today and Internationally bestselling authors bring you their version of a Dickens’-inspired holiday in O NIGHT DIVINE.

Goodreads

Pre-order
Amazon  / B&N  / iBooks  / Kobo

This collection includes:
Kathryn Le Veque
Caroline Lee
Chasity Bowlin
Collette Cameron
Hildie McQueen
Maggi Andersen
Mary Lancaster
Meara Platt
Violetta Rand
Alexa Aston
Anna Markland
Anna St. Claire
Aubrey Wynne
Charlotte Wren
Elizabeth Ellen Carter
Elizabeth Johns
Elizabeth Keysian
Emily E K Murdoch
Emily Royal
Gabrielle Carr
Lynne Connolly
Maeve Greyson
Whitney Blake

From Dragonblade to you, we wish you a very happy holiday season!

BOOK DETAILS:

 Title: Imprisoned Heir (Atlantis Institute For Dangerous Criminals, #1)
 Author: River Starr
Publication date: July 1st 2020
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis:

We’re the most dangerous criminals…

They call me Nyx. Under the cover of night, I used to steal from the rich to give to the supernaturals at the bottom of the chain, and to earn enough money to find a cure for my sister’s death curse.

After an… accident we’ll call it, I ended up with a one-way ticket to the sea fae’s top prison: Atlantis. Not the lost city, but the inescapable penitentiary beneath the sea fae court. The Atlantis Institute For Dangerous Criminals is where the vilest supernatural prisoners are kept. Assassins. Murderers. Treasonists. And the three supernaturals sentenced with me are the most ruthless of the worst. Dax, the dark, enticing vampire whose gaze is too intimate for a total stranger; Titus, the fiery dragon shifter with an anger problem; and Frost, the winter fae with a chilly personality to match her ice-blue eyes.

But to escape and survive, we’ll have to work together despite our differences…

We may not get along, but we’re all we have to survive and escape Atlantis Prison. It won’t be easy. Someone thinks I’m a criminal—but I have no memory of committing the murder, and it wasn’t amnesia…

It was the other soul inside of me.

Imprisoned Heir is the first of a paranormal romance trilogy full danger, action, heart, and an enemies to lovers fated mate romance.


My thoughts:

Imprisoned Heir is a fast-moving  New Adult / Paranormal fantasy set in the world inhabited by various kinds of fae, vampires, shifters, and humans living in the kingdom of Cornwall!

The protagonist of the book, Nyx, is a sea-fae. Well. half-sea-fae, as her mother escaped the sea court and ended up living on land. Nyx doesn't really have any magic. What she does have is loyalty to her younger sister who may soon die from a lethal curse unless Nyx finds a cure. Nyx earns her living by petty thievery, but almost everything she manages to get is spent on magic potions and counter spells to make sure Cara lives to see another day. One of these attempts to free Cara from her death curse goes horribly wrong and a long dead sea fae Eos gets access to her body. Their souls become entwined and now Nyx can't liberate herself from her unwanted guest who possesses her body on a regular basis. the worst thing is that Nyx doesn't remember anything that happens while her body is under Eos's control. This is how she finds herself caught red-handed with two dead bodies of sea fae nobles. Nyx desperately pleads her innocence, but gets sent to the worst prison imaginable, the Atlantis Institute for Dangerous Criminals, which is buried deep in the ocean. Can she survive it and hope for a reduced sentence? Nyx knows every day she spends there  is another day that brings Cara closer to her death. She doesn't know who she can turn to and she definitely has no idea why she is so attracted to the prison guard who caught and arrested her at the crime scene. It defies all her the logic. She knows all he can feel for her is hate and yet, whenever she feels his magic, all her being seems to respond in a way only a life mate would.

What I liked the most about this book is the magic sea fae world created by River Starr. The criminals Nyx is stuck with are all a feisty bunch of creatures and are all endowed with their own distinct personalities and, of course, magic powers. They also have their own agenda which you have to learn step by step as you 'immerse' yourself in this adventure. At first, I was a bit peeved by Nyx describing everyone as good-looking, attractive, hot...you get it, but then again, this is a New Adult book and hot and steamy scenes go with the territory. The enemies-to-lovers trope is one of my favourite ones. You know what is going to happen, and yet, it is the journey that counts.

I also liked the shared body/dual soul theme. once you start getting Eos's chapters, you're hooked on the story and can't wait for her next re-appearance. Nyx and Eos' personalities, life experiences and motivations couldn't be more different, and this contrast makes the story even more gripping.

Add the setting of a supernatural prison, the excitement of of competitions /trials that decide the fate of the inmates, and the terrifying figure of the Deep One (even the cruel sea fae guards fear the Deep One)- all these elements make up a fast-moving and imaginative story. The dialogue is probably not the best feature of this book, but I was ready to overlook it in my eagerness to follow the story to the end.

Of course, this is Book 1, so there is a cliffhanger. Luckily, the second book is already out. Can't wait to read it to find out what adventures River Starr has in store for Nyx and the other characters.

Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours, the author and the publisher for the free digital copy and this opportunity to review the book. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Thank you to Rachel for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for this fabulous RRL-com (romantic/real-life). This a sequel to This Time Next Year, although both of these wonderfully entertaining books can be read as standalones.

Synopsis:

This Year Maybe

Alison and David have been engaged for so long that even Alison’s mother has given up asking when, but it’s second time around for both of them and they’re not in any particular hurry.
That said, Alison is beginning to wonder if living with her has put David off the idea of marriage so when he suggests they set a date she is delighted. But that date is six months’ away and a lot can happen in six months – especially if you’re Alison!

‘My son’s been arrested, Great-aunt Millie’s fallen in love, my best friend suspects her husband of having an affair, and I still need to lose weight. How on earth can I think about getting married?’

Purchase Links

US / UK

My thoughts:

This was so much fun! I absolutely adored Alison, her family (both immediate and extended), and, of course, her besties Bev and Pippa. Thank you to Liz Hinds for giving me these wonderful laugh-out-loud moments.

Alison and David have been engaged for quite a long time. When they finally decide to tie the knot and Alison goes round telling people the great news, everybody is delighted for them and Alison can't help herself but invite more and more guests to the wedding. It is supposed to take place in six months' time, on Midsummer's Day- that's plenty of time, isn't it? especially since Alison's best friends super organised and ever so practical Pippa and unusually creative Bev help her out. Actually, everybody does and that includes Alison's slightly overbearing mother, her vicar Pete, and even the woman her ex-husband left her for!

There's never a dull moment with Alison, whether she is trying to buy a replacement for her kettle or book a wedding date for her ninety-year-old great aunt. Life throws her a few curveballs, which I don't want to give away for fear of spoiling your enjoyment of the book, but her loyal and patient fiance David is always there by her side and, if this is not romantic, then I don't know what is.  Alison's heart is in the right place and this is how she goes through life: thinking (and perhaps overthinking it) about doing the right thing, forgiving and overlooking other people's faults (who doesn't have them?), and being grateful for the good things she has in life. The book has a wonderful cast of characters, and all of them, are well-written and memorable.

If I could sum this book up in three adjectives they would be: hilarious, optimistic, and uplifting. This is one of those books that puts a smile on your face and we all need a bit of sunshine in these uncertain times.

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and the author for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Author Bio

I’m a golden-retriever-loving granny, who enjoys walking by the sea or in the woods, who eats too much chocolate, and who gets over-excited when the Welsh team plays rugby.
I have self-published two novels, This Time Last Year, and The Dog-walking Club, but I'm also an experienced freelance writer and author of several non-fiction books published by Hodder & Stoughton, Scripture Union and Kevin Mayhew.

Facebook – LizHindsAuthor
Twitter – https://twitter.com/LizHindsAuthor
Website - http://lizhinds.online

​Today we have the release day blitz of Jennifer Bernard’s Head Over Heels for the Holidays! Check out this gorgeous new romance and be sure to get your copy today!  
 
​
 Title:  Head Over Heels for the Holidays
Author:  Jennifer Bernard
Genre:  Holiday Romance
 
 

About Head Over Heels for the Holidays:
  
  Is he the cure for her holiday heartbreak?

Ever since her ex-boyfriend dumped her on Christmas Eve, the holiday season has been tough for Maya Badger—especially since Lost Harbor, Alaska, pulls out all the stops for the holidays. Sure, she could focus on her police work and her father’s recovery from heart surgery. But when her dad’s home healthcare nurse turns out to be her childhood buddy—all grown up and the stuff of her naughtiest fantasies—she may have a solution to her holiday blues. After all, Jay-Jay always was the perfect playmate!

Rune Larsen hasn’t been skinny little Jay-Jay in a long time…not since he and his teen sister were forced to change their names to avoid Cara’s stalker. Taking a job in tiny, remote Lost Harbor seems like the perfect way to stay one step ahead of danger. The fact that his childhood friend is the town police chief is a bonus. Not to mention the fact that Maya has grown into a beautiful bronze goddess. Hell, even her serious cop side is a turn-on…though he’s up for the challenge of bringing some fun back into her life.

In fact, if they can navigate a stalker, a runaway yak, eleventy-billion holiday parties and a criminal investigation into the dark side of Lost Souls Wilderness, Rune just may convince Maya to fall head over heels for the holidays…and beyond.

 
Get Your Copy:  

Amazon | AppleBooks | Kobo | Nook | Google Play | Goodreads | Amazon Canada | Amazon UK | Amazon Australia


My thoughts:
I am probably on my fortieth book in this year's Christmas Readathon, but this book did stand out. First of all, the location is amazing. I fell in love with the little town of Lost Harbor, Alaska, the place where people put aside their differences and genuinely care for each other. This is Book 7 in the series, but if you are a newcomer, like me, you're not going to feel lost or confused, you'll just have a great time getting to know the town inhabitants who sure seem to like their holidays and their parties.

Rune Larsen has a good reason for changing his name and moving to Lost Harbor. He is trying to keep his younger sister Cara (Torrey) safe from a dangerous stalker. His childhood friend Maya Badger lives there and Rune never forgot their carefree time together in Hawaii. Only Maya is all grown up now and has turned into a gorgeous woman who does a very serious job of the youngest police chief in the history of her town . Her father, a retire coast guard, is recovering from a serious operation and is in need of medical assistance, so Maya is relieved when Rune, a trained travel health care worker, arrives at Lost harbor and helps her out. Five years ago, Maya's boyfriend Jerome broke up with her during the Christmas Holidays, so ever since Maya has been very careful not to get attached to anyone. Unfortunately, the holiday season is also a party season in Lost Harbor and Maya is tired of attending all these social events alone. Her friends are all in relationships, and, while Maya is happy for them, she can't help it, but feel a bit embarrassed by her own single status. A brilliant idea forms in her mind- Rune, her old childhood friend, who she always feels so safe around, can be her fake boyfriend, just for holidays. This isn't exactly what Rune himslef would have liked- deep in his heart he knows he would do anything for Maya, so perhaps spending some time together and enjoying every minute of being together with this special woman can be his chance for happiness.

If you are a fan of the fake relationship trope or the friends-to-lovers one, you are going to enjoy this sweet, entertaining, and romantic story. Rune is just perfect and swoon-worthy. All he says and does is full of respect and admiration for Maya. I loved the way they took their time to build their relationship and how their feelings grew naturally. There are some hot and steamy scenes- Jennifer Bernard really knows how to write them! Maya is a hard-working and independent woman, a woman after my own heart. She doesn't say much, but when she does, people listen to her. She knows that her feelings are changing, and she also recognises Rune's worth (although her impromptu 'superstar' speech does create quite a stir in their little town). I hope I'm not going to spoil for anyone by saying that their feelings remain strong and honest, and all the drama comes from the police investigations, including the case of a runaway yak who is believed by his owner to be a reincarnation of her late husband.

Grab your copy, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy this sweet, romantic, steamy holiday read!

Thank you to the author and InkSlingerPr for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

 
​
About Jennifer Bernard:  
 Jennifer Bernard is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. Her books have been called “an irresistible reading experience” full of “quick wit and sizzling love scenes.” A graduate of Harvard and former news promo producer, she left big city life for true love in Alaska, where she now lives with her husband and stepdaughters.  She still hasn’t adjusted to the cold, so most often she can be found cuddling with her laptop and a cup of tea. Sign up for her newsletter for book news and fun exclusives.
 
Connect with Jennifer:  
Website | Newsletter | Facebook | Reader Group | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon | Bookbub |  Goodreads

Exclusive Excerpt:  
​
 Without thinking too hard about it, Maya rose to her feet and grabbed Rune by the collar of his jacket, pulling him close. “How about a fake kiss?” she asked quickly. “Just make it look good from a distance.”
He flashed her a pirate grin and cupped her face with his free hand. “My pleasure. I’m an excellent fake kisser.”
“Come on, hurry.”
He bent his head over hers, but he still didn’t go for the kiss. “You can’t hurry a fake kiss, or it will look fake. We’re flirting, we’re completely caught up in each other, we don’t even care that we’re drifting on the open ocean. Keep looking at me, just like that except without the ‘what the hell are you talking about’ expression.”
She smothered a laugh and relaxed her face into a dazzled smile. As if Rune was the most wonderful thing in the world, better than chocolate and bubble baths combined.
He blinked, as if she’d momentarily thrown him off his game with her smile. A personal triumph, she figured.
“That’s…good,” he said, a little more strained than before.
For a fake kiss, he sure was overthinking it. They needed to get this thing done.
She took command and wrapped her hand around the back of his neck. Tugging him down, she offered him her mouth. “Let’s do this,” she hissed. “Tick-tock.”
Honestly, why did she always have to be the one with any common sense? If those men onshore had binoculars, they were already watching. To throw them off, she only had a few moments. If the men thought they’d been busted, they might rework their entire comms system. The lead would be worthless. The source would be burned. The case back to square one.
And then all thoughts of logic flew from her mind as Rune claimed her lips with a kiss that sent shock waves through her system. Warmth…sizzle…sunshine…all of it swirled together in a rush of brilliant pleasure. His lips were firm and generous at the same time, as if they were inviting her into his world. A world where she would be queen and he would be whatever she needed.
A kind of exhilaration swept through her and she parted her lips for more. He gave it to her, sweeping his tongue inside the cave of her mouth, where every surface tingled and warmed at his touch.
Fake kiss, my ass.
This was the real thing and she couldn’t get enough of it. She drank him in as if she’d been starving for this, pining for it. Her mind—always working, always on guard—let go like an anchor releasing her to drift on the current. She lost herself in the flood of pure physical joy.
She staggered as the boat got slammed with a supersized wave. Rune held her tight so she didn’t lose her balance. “I need to steer this thing,” he murmured against her lips before turning back to the helm.
“Yes. Yeah. Of course.” She ran her tongue across her lips, tasting salt from the spray and sweet from Rune. She plopped down onto the bench as he wrestled with the wheel. Picking up her binoculars, she focused on the spot where the two men had been.
They were gone—or maybe her angle had changed and she couldn’t see them anymore.
She dropped her glasses and sighed. Hopefully she hadn’t messed anything up by making them suspicious. “Go ahead and pick up speed. Let’s keep going toward Mount Sage for a bit.”
“Roger that.”
Was his voice a little gruffer than usual? Was it the effect of the salt in the air?
He put the boat in gear and they cruised farther into the bay. She watched the little cove as it receded into the distance, swallowed up by the greater landscape of forests and rugged outcroppings.
What now? How to handle this? She and Rune had kissed, and there was no way she could forget about it the way she had when she was a kid.
Maybe never mention it again?
Or maybe do it again?
The tempting thought hovered out there like the promise of an ice cream sundae after a long week. Treat yo-self, she could imagine her cousin Reecie in Anchorage saying. Go for it, Kate would urge. I knew it, Jessica would say.
“Tell me when you’re ready to head back,” Rune said. “It’s your call.” His voice had returned to normal. She wondered what he was thinking about this situation. Then again, he didn’t overthink things like she did. He probably wasn’t worried about it at all. He probably kissed people all the time—all those non-girlfriend “girls” he’d talked about.
“I will,” she told him. “Give it a few more minutes.”
“The other thing is your call too,” Rune said softly, his attention still on the choppy water ahead.
“What are you talking about?”
“I know you’re trying to decide what to do about that kiss. I can see your wheels spinning from here.”
“I’m not—okay, I am. I didn’t intend for it to be like that.”
“It’s my fault.” His voice shifted to a jaunty cheerfulness. “My pride was hurt that you forgot the first kiss. I was aiming for ‘best kiss.’ One that you wouldn’t forget. That’s all.”
It wasn’t all. She could hear it in his voice. It was so much more complicated than that. Friendship, attraction, sizzle…all that, lined up against her better judgment. But even so, it touched her that he was trying to make the whole thing easier for her. 
“Best kiss? Isn’t that a little arrogant?” She adopted a teasing tone to match his.
“Second best? Third? Just tell me it wasn’t the worst. Gotta start somewhere.”
“It wasn’t the worst.”
That was as far as she could go right now.
And maybe it was the best. Because right at this moment, she couldn’t think of any other specific kiss that might compete with it.
 

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for this latest instalment in the Exham-on- Sea series of mysteries.

Murder at the Gorge

A joke? A prank? Or something more sinister?

When the Exham-on-Sea residents are targeted by anonymous emails containing apparently harmless nursery rhymes, no one knows whether to laugh or shudder until an unexplained death touches the town.

Libby Forest, baker, chocolatier and Exham’s very own resident private investigator, alongside her partner Max Ramshore, set out to solve the puzzle before more people die. But when Max’s ex-wife arrives on the scene, ahead of Max and Libby's long-awaited nuptials, things go from bad to worse.

With the town and their relationship under threat, Max and Libby need the help of the Exham History Society if they're going to find the nursery rhyme killer in time.

Murder at the Gorge is the seventh in a series of Exham-on-Sea Murder Mysteries set at the small English seaside town full of quirky characters, sea air, and gossip.

If you love Agatha Christie-style mysteries, cosy crime, clever dogs and cake, then you'll love these intriguing whodunnits.
 
Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3cnJN1F

A My thoughts:

I'm really glad to have discovered this lovely series of mysteries. While it can certainly be read as a standalone ( I really admire the way Frances Evesham put all the background knowledge to make a newcomer feel completely at home in Exham-on-Sea), I am going to go back and read the first six books.
Libby Forest and Max Ramshore are preparing for their wedding, while two seemingly unconnected things happen. Max's ex-wife, a blast from the past, calls him and asks for his help. She has been getting strange e-mails. It appears somebody has been stalking her. On his way back home, Max also find a dead body of Carys Evans. it does seem that Exham-on-Sea has an unusually high murder rate, but who am I to complain, being a life-long reader of mysteries? In the meanwhile, Libby discovers that the village has been inundated with poison-pen e-mails. Since Carys was the first resident to  have received one, the villagers feel threatened and ask Libby to investigate.

I loved both Libby and Max, and their mature relationship, based on mutual love and trust. Since this was the first time I've read a book from this series, i was also happy to meet other villagers and learn about their distinct personalities and life stories. While it was exciting  to follow the investigations, for me, the most interesting aspect of this book was immersing myself in this fictional world. The pace was just right- it never dragged, but there was enough time for the development of the story.

Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read with great protagonists. I also liked the way the old theme of poison pen letters was re-invented to fit our modern world. Some things (envy, greed, gossip, gullibility to name just a few) do not seem to have changed that much over the course of human history. On the plus side, other things, such as love, respect, friendship, desire to help the others, and, of course, human curiousity are also going strong. Hope Francis Evesham continues to add more stories to her lovely series.

Thank you to Rachel, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the free review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Author Bio

Frances Evesham is the author of the hugely successful Exham-on-Sea Murder Mysteries set in her home county of Somerset. In her spare time, she collects poison recipes and other ways of dispatching her unfortunate victims. She likes to cook with a glass of wine in one hand and a bunch of chillies in the other, her head full of murder―fictional only.
 
Social Media Links –
http://facebook.com/frances.evesham.writer 
http://twitter.com/FrancesEvesham
http://instagram.com/francesevesham
http://bookbub.com/authors/frances-evesham
Newsletter sign up: https://bit.ly/FrancesEveshamNewsletter

Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for this entertaining and thought-provoking book.

Painting Bananas

Painting Bananas is all about love, dreams and taking stock.

Two happy couples, one person from each on the verge of change. But as paths cross and plans unfold, will their spouses reveal their true colours?

Alison struggles with insomnia. She also hates her job and fantasizes about throttling her irritating oaf-of-a boss. Thankfully, her lifelong plan to return to university will soon be realized. After supporting her husband in his career for over twenty years, it’s now her turn. He’s rooting for her every step of the way. Or so she thinks.

Meanwhile, Christopher has a wake-up call with his health. Somehow, pre-diabetes has replaced his six-pack. He must take stock immediately. He realises that the perfect solution is right under his nose. He can’t wait to share his brilliant idea with his wife. The future looks good. But does she agree?
Will the spouses show their support? Or will Alison and Christopher start to wonder whether they really know their other halves?

Painting Bananas was written and formatted with British grammar, punctuation and humour. It is the second novel in Amanda Paull’s Cherry Dene series but can be read as a standalone story.

Purchase Links

Amazon Uk:   https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08GCLSKTQ           
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GCLSKTQ

My thoughts:

A friend of mine can't live without her daily fix of 'Eastenders'. She says it always cheers her up, because she can see that other people's lives are also full of problems, but they are dealing with them and so can she. It also makes her appreciate the good things she has in life: her family, her friends, the job she loves doing, and her books. I know she is going to love Painting Bananas, because this is what she is getting for Christmas!

The protagonists of this book, Alison and Christopher are in their forties, work full-time, and are happily (?) married- just not too each other!  Alison is suffering from insomnia which is not helped by having to put up with her new boss Billy, who may or may not have lied about his qualifications and whose treatment of her is totally unfair. Alison is dreaming of going back to Uni and finally getting her physiotherapy degree. She had to put her career aspirations on the back burner when her twins were born and her husband needed his precious eight hours of sleep to be well-rested so that he could focus on doing well at his job. The money was always scarce, so Alison went back to work and now, although the twins have already left the nest, Alison still continues doing all the  household chores at night, while being an exemplary employee during the daytime. At least, by now, they must have put aside enough money in their savings account to pay her university fees and let them live comfortably until she starts earning money again. If only she didn't keep getting blocked from entering the online account- must be a technical glitch!

Christopher is a bank manager who has to travel all around the country, solving problems and sorting out inifficiencies. And he is really good at his job. The only downside is that he never gets to see his own family: his wife Sandy and his now grown-up daughter Emily. When a grumpy NHS nurse suggests he should make lifestyle changes if he wants to stave off diabetes and blood pressure problems, Christopher knows he needs to find a systematic solution. He likes the latest branch he was asked to re-organise and he would like to stop living out of his suitcase for a change. But then he starts noticing that perhaps Sandy isn't as thrilled with this change as he thought she was going to be.

If you ever felt you've begun to outgrow chick-lit, but would like to read something similar, here is a perfect book for you. It was so entertaining, I really couldn't put it down. Alison's in-laws and their antics, Alison's co-workers, friends or foes, Christopher's brand-new trainers and his constant battle with his slightly expanding waistline, Sandy's token cooking attempts- Amanda Paull knows how to build up drama and make you 'see' things before the protagonists become aware of them. There is also wonderful humour that makes this all too realistic story so much fun to read!

This is indeed a story about dreams and how they fit in real life, about love and how important it is to care for and support your loved ones, about family and how it can build you up or let you down- there is something for everyone. Hope you pick your copy and love it as much as I did.

Thank you to Rachel and the author for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Author Bio

Amanda Paull is a writer of humorous romantic fiction. She lives in the North East of England with her husband and works in the public sector. The inspiration for her stories comes from real life, which she tries to show the funnier side of by embellishing to the hilt.

Social Media Links –  Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Apaullfiction/      
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Apaullfiction

Thank you for reading the post! I hope you pick up the book and like it as much as I did.
If you would like to see what other bloggers thought of 'Painting bananas', here is the full blog tour schedule:

The Mystery of Montague House

When Summer meets Wynter...

With enough rooms to fill a Cluedo board several times over, Montague House has often been the subject of rumour and gossip. Tales of strange goings on, an owner who disappeared one day and was never seen again, not to mention the treasure that rumour has it lies at its heart... But now the present owner has died and the house is to be sold. It looks as if the opportunity has come to finally settle the stories once and for all.

Clodagh Wynter doesn’t believe in ghostly goings on and tall tales of secrets. She has her feet very firmly on the ground and, tasked with the job of valuing and cataloguing the house and all its contents, she’s simply looking forward to working in such a glorious setting. And if she happens across a priceless painting, well, that’s just icing on the cake.

Andie Summer is a Finder of Things and desperately needs this job; she’s down to her last few tins of baked beans. So looking for hidden treasure sounds right up her street, even if there was something very fishy about the mysterious Mr Mayfair who hired her. Because it’s just like she said to her faithful Basset Hound, Hamish; I saw something out of the corner of my eye as I was leaving, and you know what that means. It’s never good news when I see something out of the corner of my eye...

As the unlikely pair are thrown together, it soon becomes very clear however that they are not the only ones searching for the treasure. And they’re going to need all their ingenuity, resourcefulness, not to mention chocolate biscuits, if they’re ever going to untangle the web of secrets that surrounds Montague House. One that reaches even further than they ever thought possible...

Purchase Link - https://smarturl.it/MontagueHouse

Author Bio

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: 'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty-something mother of three.' Well the job in the design studio didn't work out but she's now a fifty-something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time, and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband and three children in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life.
 
Social Media Links –
@EmDaviesAuthor
www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor
www.instagram.com/authoremmadavies

..and here comes the beautiful cover of The Mystery of the Montague House:

Book & Author Details:

The Cry of the Lake
Charlie Tyler
Publication date: July 21st 2020
Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller







Synopsis:
A gruesome discovery unravels a dark trail of murder and madness.

A six-year-old girl sneaks out of bed to capture a mermaid but instead discovers a dead body. Terrified and unable to make sense of what she sees, she locks the vision deep inside her mind.

Ten years later, Lily is introduced to the charismatic Flo and they become best friends. But Lily is guilt-ridden – she is hiding a terrible secret which has the power to destroy both their lives.

When Flo’s father is accused of killing a schoolgirl, the horrors of Lily’s past come bubbling to the surface. Lily knows that, whatever the consequences, she has to make things right. She must go back to the events of her childhood and face what happened at the boat house all those years ago.

Can Lily and Flo discover what is hiding in the murky waters of the lake before the killer strikes again?

Goodreads

Purchase

Amazon

AUTHOR BIO:

Charlie signed with Darkstroke Books in May 2020 and The Cry of the Lake is her debut novel.
Charlie lives in the UK and is very much a morning person. In fact, she likes nothing more than committing a fictional murder before her first coffee of the day. She studied Theology at Worcester College, Oxford and now lives in a Leicestershire village with her husband, three teenagers, golden retriever and tortoise.

She is currently working on her next novel 'The Curse of the Emerald Cross'. Two dead bodies are found down a priest hole within the grounds of Collyhurst Abbey; a sixth-form boarding school for girls run by nuns. One of the bodies belongs to a local drug dealer, the other is the charred remains of Mother Agnes who went missing ten years ago and is found with an emerald cross stuffed inside her jaw. But what are they doing there? DS Ruby Simmonds is sent in, undercover, to investigate. She must puzzle her way through well-dressed scarecrows, bonfires, emerald crosses and fallen oak trees before she breaks the wall of silence and discovers exactly why both the victims were killed and by whom.

website / facebook  / twitter  / instagram  / goodreads

 

Book & Author Details:

Office Grump
by Nicole Snow
Publication date: November 12th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance





Synopsis:


Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a fierce and hilarious office romance where two sworn enemies make undeniable lovers.

My “interview” with bosshole supreme was anything but normal. He picked the worst day ever to chase me off my favorite park bench. I retaliated with a spray of cinnamon latte all over his Italian shoes.

Then—for some unholy reason—Magnus Heron offered me a job.
Even his name sounds like a piece of work. Guess what? He is.
But when you’re single, broke, and barely surviving in Chicago, you hop on the gift horse offering a six-figure salary and ride.
I picked the stallion on a one-way trip to hell.

It’s not the impossibly long hours working under Grump-zilla. It’s not the fact that he’s snarly, demanding, horribly rich, and chiseled. It’s not even the pesky way he makes me blush every flipping time we’re together.

Mag is my boss. I’m his lowly assistant. Some rules are carved in stone.

That’s my mantra until we’re sharing a sunset too beautiful for life. Alone with wandering lips, whispered secrets, and disaster in the making. The plan was simple: punch the clock, get paid, and keep hating my boss. What’s the blueprint when the office grump brings me to my knees?

Full-length enemies-to-lovers romance with the banter, intrigue, and slow-burn love worthy of a Happily Ever After. The bossman from Hades meets the hellion he totally can’t stand—until he can’t live without her.

Goodreads

Purchase

Amazon

My thoughts:

 I have to say that this is my first book by Nicole Snow, so I had no expectations when I started reading, but, boy, was it entertaining! Enemies-to-lovers is one of my favourite tropes in romance- nothing beats a fiesty female lead, no, cross it, two fiesty protagonists, and good banter.

On paper, Brina Bristol can't keep a job for the life of her. She has just lost the third one, due to restructuring and right-sizing (general cost-cutting) in her company. When a gorgeous and oh so arrogant businessman tries to order her to vacate her bench in a public park, she digs in her heels. Their not entirely amicable conversation ends in Sabrina throwing the remains of her cinnamon latte on his shoes and completely ruining them. You can imagine her surprise when the hunk's HR manager seeks her out and offers her an interview for the position of his executive assistant. The pay is more than average, but nobody has lasted in this job for more than a couple weeks- Magnus Heron is notoriously difficult to work for. Brina, who is completely broke, decides to give it a try. Thousands of emails, 16 hour working days, weekend work trips- she tackles every task and it soon becomes clear she is the best EA Magnus ever had. She is also witty, creative, honest, and impossible not to like. Magnus has very strict non-dating rules in his company,  and he is determined to keep his attraction under control. Brina will not allow anyone treat her without respect. She can and will walk away if necessary, but can he see her go? She is one of a kind, after all.

Brina was a fabulous character. Well, in real life nobody is going to give you the job after you use swearwords to describe the CEO's work ethics, even though the HR manager may agree with you. But otherwise, the girl is practically a saint. Loved what she did for her parents (won't give it away!) and she is really always there for Mag. Mag... is hot, although for the life of me I don't know when a workaholic like him would hit the gym to get the washboard abs described so vividly in the book. He is caring and loyal, and he does put up a fight to get his girl. There are other characters who are also well-written and developed- Ruby, Jordan, Armstrong, Paige....

I often say I am not a big fan of insta-anything. Be careful what you wish for, because this is slow-slow-burn romance and is definitely on a long side. Having said that, the timeframe just felt realistic and once the protagonists did get to those hot and steamy scenes, they were indeed hot and steamy. One thing I didn't feel was necessary was giving Mag his military background, but perhaps I just missed something.

Funny, entertaining, hot, with likeable characters, twists and turns, Office Grump may be my first book by Nicole Snow, but it won't be the last. Recommended for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance.

Thank you to the publisher for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

AUTHOR BIO:

Nicole Snow is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She found her love of writing by hashing out love scenes on lunch breaks and plotting her great escape from boardrooms. Her work roared onto the indie romance scene in 2014 with her Grizzlies MC series.

Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty. With over a million books sold, she lives for the joy of making two people fight with every bit of their soul for a Happily Ever After.

Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.

Goodreads / Website / Twitter

Instagram / Facebook  / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)

• $10 Amazon gift card + signed copy of Office Grump

rafflecopter