#Blog TourĀ #Death on the Lake (DCI Satterthwaite 5) by Jo Allen #Police Procedural @rararesources21/6/2021
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Death on the Lake, the fifth book in Jo Allen's DCI Satterthwaithe series of police procedurals. Death on the Lake Three youngsters, out for a good time. Vodka and the wrong sort of Coke. What could possibly go wrong? When a young woman, Summer Raine, is found drowned, apparently accidentally, after an afternoon spent drinking on a boat on Ullswater, DCI Jude Satterthwaite is deeply concerned — more so when his boss refuses to let him investigate the matter any further to avoid compromising a fraud case. But a sinister shadow lingers over the dale and one accidental death is followed by another and then by a violent murder. Jude’s life is complicated enough but the latest series of murders are personal to him as they involve his former partner, Becca Reid, who has family connections in the area. His determination to uncover the killer brings him into direct conflict with his boss — and ultimately places both him and his colleague and girlfriend, Ashleigh O’Halloran, in danger… Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: Death on the Lake is the fifth book in Jo Allen's series of police procedurals set in Cumbria. I started from Book 4 Death at the Rainbow Cottage and quickly became a fan of this author's engaging writing style, interesting characters and clever plots. The books can be read as standalones, although as with any good series of police procedurals, there is a balance of professional and private, the ongoing murder investigation and developments in the life of our recurring characters- the police team led by DCI Jude Satterthwaite. A young woman called Summer Raine is reported missing by her boyfirend who has a history of violence towards his previous partner. DCI Satterthwaite who makes it his business toknoweverything about his area is already on alert. Then his boss asks him to pay extra attention to the case as the woman was seen near a rich man's property. The man in question is in the centre of a large fraud and money laundering investigation, so Jude's is sworn to extra secrecy. The reader already knows that the man's twin sons are involved and their stepmother is also hiding a few secrets of her own, sowe are hooked on the story from the first page. When Summer's body is found, her death appears to be a tragic accident, so why are Jude and his partner Ashleigh feeling something is off? More and more bodies keep piling up and it's clear the case isn't straightforward at all. Add more complications related to Jude's and Ashleigh's past relationships and you get a real rollercoaster of intense emotions, unexpected twists and some extremely dangerous people who won't stop at anything in order to get what they want. Death on the Lake is a real page-turner, it is well-written and easy to read. Jude is a flawed character, but his intelligence and his compassion make him a very likeable one. I would definitely like to continue with the series and find out how the current circumstances in which the members of the police team find themselves are going to play out in future. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random resources and the author for the gifted review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio Jo Allen is the author of the successful DCI Satterthwaite series of detective novels set in and around the English Lake District, where she lives. After a career in economic consultancy she took up writing and was first published under the name Jennifer Young in genres of short stories, romance and romantic suspense. In 2017 she took the plunge and began writing the genre she most likes to read – crime. In common with all her favourite characters, she loves football (she's a season ticket holder with her beloved Wolverhampton Wanderers) and cats. Social Media Links Twitter @JoAllenAuthor Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoAllenAuthor Instagram @JoAllenAuthor Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Monday! If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of the book, here is the full tour schedule:
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for A Racing Murder, a new cozy mystery by Frances Evesham. A Racing Murder The next thrilling Ham-Hill Murder Mystery from bestselling cosy crime author Frances Evesham. A winning horse. A fierce rivalry. A sudden death. Belinda Sandford thrills to the cheers of the crowd as her beautiful grey racehorse, ‘Butterfly Charm’, thunders past the finishing post first at Wincanton Racecourse. She feels like the luckiest girl in the world. But joy soon turns to despair as a stewards’ enquiry overturns the result and awards the race to her long-time rival, Alexandra Deacon. When Alex is found dead in suspicious circumstances, a host of accusing eyes turn to Belinda and her distraught mother begs Adam Hennessy, her neighbour, retired police officer and publican, to help clear her daughter’s name. As Adam, and local hotelier Imogen Bishop, dig deep into the murky and powerful undercurrents of the horse racing world, they lay bare the lives and loves of local jockeys, grooms, trainers and owners. They soon uncover a web of secrets hidden within the spectacular Somerset countryside as they strive to find the killer in time to prevent more murders. A brand new cosy mystery series from the bestselling author of A Village Murder, perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Betty Rowlands and M.C. Beaton. Purchase Link My thoughts: A Racing murder is the second book in Frances Evesham's new series called the Ham-Hill Murder Mysteries. If you are a fan of her Exham-on-Sea series or just like books set in small English towns, this is a book for you. The protagonists/amateur sleuths in Agatha Christie Miss Marple style are Imogen Bishop, the owner of the Streamside Hotel, and her friend Adam Hennessey, a former police officer, who runs the local pub in the village of Low Hembrow in South Somerset. We join the villagers as they watch a horse race, which is unexpectedly won by a new horse Butterfly Charm. Then, there is a controversy, as the Steward Committee looks into what happened on the last stretch of the race and decides that the winning jockey Belinda Sandford obstructed the progress of the more experienced jockey Alex Deacon who had to pull back. Belinda isn't fined, but Alex, who isn't exactly a likeable character, is given the first place by the Committee. While Belinda is trying to forget what happened, learn from her mistake and move on, Alex is found dead, and, naturally, the police and a lot of other people suspect Belinda, who had a motive. The mystery was really absorbing and it was fascinating to get this glimpse into the worldI had known very little about: stables, trainers, grooms, horse syndicates and, of course, jockey rivalry. I didn't guess the identity of the murderer (actually, it came as a complete surprise, as it was the person you would least suspect of murder), but I really enjoyed Adam and Imogen's investigation. Both sleuths have likeable personalities and complement each other with their different life experiences. Adam's police background and connections also come in handy. Imogen and Adam are helped by Steph, a local journalist, and Daniel, a painter, both of whom are Imogen's old school friends. There is a bit of romance on the horizon, but, first and foremost, this is a cozy mystery. There's a whole range of secondary characters, as you would expect in a small town setting where everyone knows everyone and gossip is a national sport. The village of Low HemBrow has a lovely community and is a great setting for this series. The book is well-written with several unexected twists and a lot of attention to details. I was thoroughly entertained and I would like to continue with the series. Thankyou to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio: Frances Evesham is the bestelling author of the hugely successful Exham-on-Sea murder mysteries set in her home county of Somerset, and the Ham-Hill cosy crime series set in South Somerset. Social Media Links Facebook/ Twitter /Instagram / Newsletter /Bookbub Thank you for reading the post ! Have a great Sunday!
#Blog Tour #Search for the House of Dreams by Alison Burke #Qand A with the author @rararesources18/6/2021
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Search for the House of Dreamsby by Alison Burke and thank you to Alison for today's Meet The Author: Q and A session! About the book: Search for the House of Dreams It is the year 1847 in the elegant city of Bath where 18yr old Genevre Stratton is treated more as a servant than a daughter in the elegant house where bills are not paid, and the rent is in arrears. Appalled by the dishonesty and overriding social ambition beneath her parents’ veneer of respectability, only her love for her younger brother and sisters keeps her there. Left to cope alone when their false world falls apart, she fights to keep her siblings together, until poverty forces her to yield them to the care of their half-brother, George Coleman. Handsome, wealthy and charismatic, he is the enemy who becomes her lover. To surrender all to her passionate desire for him, or to keep the independence of a new-found musical career on the London stage? This is her is her choice to make, until an unexpected call of duty takes her to Paris. Must the old, dark secrets she discovers there alter the course of her life forever? Purchase Links UK/ US Meet The Author: Alison Burke I was born in Lancashire and started my career by training as a State Registered general nurse. Later, I joined the army and became an officer in the Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps. On a posting to Malaya, now Malaysia, I found my true love. This was an ideal setting for a marriage with young children, and now my memories are a wonderfully rich source of material for my writing. facebook / instagram / website .What is your personality type? I am an introvert who trained myself to be out going as a survival tactic, but being fond of my own company is useful as a writer. Why do you write? I like telling stories, to myself as well as other people. What book first inspired me? When I was eight and could still barely read, I struggled through The Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton and realised that writers can make other worlds exist. What are your harmless indulgences? Chocolate (the darker the better), planting seeds and watching them grow (especially foxgloves) and black and white films from the 1930s and 40s. (Casablanca is a favourite). Why did you decide to self-publish? I tried the traditional routes into print with no success. Time was passing, better books than mine never got further than the agents slush pile and I really wanted someone to read what I’d written. It worked. If you get a poor review, how do you feel? Chastened, but you can’t please everybody and if a reader thinks their time and money has been wasted, they have a right to complain. ( as with any other purchase ) What inspired you to write ‘Search for the House of dreams’? Family secrets never be told, and an interest in the lives of women on the margins of society in 19th century England, plus a love of historical romance. What does literary success look like to you? It looks like people reading and enjoying the stories I have to tell. I also value the respect of my fellow writers. At least breaking even financially is important because this is the real world we’re living in. Thank you to Alison Burke for her fascinating answers! If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of Search for the House of Dreams, here is the full blog tour schedule:
Thankyou to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Blue Hawaiian by CarlaLuna and to Carla Luna for her wonderful guest post today! Guest post by Carla Luna, the author of Blue Hawaiian For me, reading is not only a delightful tonic, but a way to escape my surroundings. Not that I don’t enjoy my quiet hometown in Wisconsin, but I’ve always loved visiting new places via books. When I was younger, I imagined myself traveling through the wardrobe to visit Narnia or having adventures in Oz with Dorothy and Toto. As my reading choices matured, I still loved reading books that transported me to different countries, like twisty mysteries set in Morocco, historical dramas set in Paris, or gothic romances set in crumbling British castles. My love of exotic settings also influenced my decision to work in archaeology, which allowed me to travel a great deal. Even after I settled down and had children, I still loved traveling, and I tried to squeeze in a few trips every year to places in the U.S. and Canada. But in 2020, planning any kind of trip became impossible. Like so many people, I found myself housebound, frustrated, and anxious, with my “trips” limited to the occasional grocery store outing. So, what did I do? In the words of the musical Hamilton, “I wrote my way out.” Since I’d been temporarily laid off, I devoted most of my free time to writing a series of contemporary romantic comedies, all set at destination weddings. The first of these, Blue Hawaiian, was set at a wedding in Maui—a place I’d visited many years ago, on my honeymoon. While working on this book, I visited Maui “virtually” any way I could—via YouTube videos, travel guides and DVDs, movies, blogs, and photos. Even if I couldn’t fly to Maui to conduct research first-hand, I could give myself a temporary respite from everyday life by making it the setting of my story. After I finished writing Blue Hawaiian, I wrote two more books—one set at an October wedding in Door County, Wisconsin (an area known for its fall foliage), and one set in California wine country at Christmas. Even though our family’s holidays in 2020 were very low-key, I was able to enjoy a Winter Wonderland-themed wedding extravaganza through my third book. It’s my fondest hope that when people read my books, they will feel transported, even if just for an evening, away from the cares and concerns of their homelife, and enjoy a virtual vacation. Blue Hawaiian The first rule of serving as the maid of honor at your perfect sister’s destination wedding? No mistakes. The second rule? No drama. For Jess Chavez, a week in Maui is hardly a dream vacation—not when her sister expects her to be the perfect maid of honor. Not only does Jess have to fake perfection, but she can’t let anyone know she’s unemployed and barely scraping by. Above all, she needs to steer clear of Connor Blackwood, the sexy groomsman who broke her heart five years ago. A family wedding offers Connor the ideal opportunity to convince everyone he’s no longer an irresponsible playboy. If they see he’s changed, they might support his decision to leave the family winery and strike out on his own. With so much at stake, the last thing he needs is an alluring distraction like Jess. When Jess and Connor end up together, exploring the island’s lush, tropical beauty, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, they decide to make their own rules. Five days of passion. No strings. No tears. No promises. What could possibly go wrong? Purchase Links UK/ US Author Bio Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her spoiled Siberian cat. Social Media Links – Website: www.carlalunabooks.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/casacullen FB Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/CarlaLunaAuthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlalunacullen/ Thank you for reading the post and thank you to Carla Luna for her guest post! Have a wonderful Wednesday! Thank you to Rachel fromRachel's Random Resources for inviting toparticipate in theblog tour for Daisy's Dilemma, a new romcom by Debbie Viggiano. Daisy’s Dilemma Florist Daisy is loved-up and blossoming. Boyfriend Dominic has proposed marriage! However, Dominic isn’t in any rush to buy a ring, and meeting the parents is looong overdue. What is the problem? After all, Daisy’s mum has already bought her big hat and wants to know the wedding date! Then careless words plant seeds of doubt and, like weed, Daisy’s concerns begin to multiply. Is Dominic hiding something? Meanwhile, sexy ex Harry is back on the scene and begging Daisy for a reconciliation. He thought the grass was greener with HER but now says he made a mistake. Is Harry – for once – being genuine, or simply leading Daisy up the garden path? New neighbour Seth seems like a fun guy, but a single throwaway comment has Daisy mimicking a species of Calla Lily – Red Alert! It’s time to do some digging. But even she never anticipated a mad car chase across London or unearthing a shocking secret that changes everything. Sparks are set to fly in this gorgeous romantic comedy about love, trust, and new beginnings. Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: This was my first book by Debbie Viggiano and it definitely won't be the last - it was light, entertaining and I rooted for Daisy all way through! Daisy is a thirty five year old florist living in a tiny village of Little Waterlow. Daisy owns her home, has a successful business, and a fiance. Things are looking rosy for Daisy who went through a mother of all heartbreaks when her brand-new husband Harry cheated on her with his best man's sister. Now Dominic is nothing like that. He is dependable and hard-working, although he seems to be a bit on a reserved side when it comes to Daisy meeting his family and his friends. He also hasn't got Daisy her ring (oh, but he will sooner or later) and he hasn't been contributing to the bills or any other living expenses (he is saving money for the wedding). Well, there's just one more thing: Dominic has to travel a lot for work, including weekends and Christmas (his hotel didn't have telephonereception-what a disater!). Warning bells are ringing in your head, dear reader? right so...Then two more things happen in Daisy's life- her ex-husband Harry woud like her to forgive him and take him back, and a gorgeous new neighbour Seth moves into a cottage next door (the chemistry between these two is so strong, you can almost see sparks flying). And we have Daisy's dilemma complete: who will she choose? Daisy was such a lovely and sweet character. Life hasn't exactly treated her well in the romantic department, but her heart is definitely in the right place and she just needs a little nudge to lose those pink glasses and see what is really going on, and who she should or shouldn't trust. Some of her escapades were hilarious and I just loved her inner monologue. Her bestie Becky was also there to provide necessary support, teasing and banter. There weren't any real surprises (well, it was clear from the beginning where things are going), but I didn't need any to enjoy this fun escape from my daily life. Debbie Viggiano has a great sense of humour and comic timing, and I can see why she is one of the most popular romcom writers. Lovely, easy summer read with fun characters, recommended to anyone who enjoys a self-discovery story with a bit of romance. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources andthe author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio: Prior to turning her attention to writing, Debbie Viggiano was, for more years than she cares to remember, a legal secretary. She lives with her Italian husband, a rescued pooch from Crete, and a very disgruntled cat. Occasionally her adult children return home bringing her much joy... apart from when they want to raid the fridge or eat her secret stash of chocolate. Tweet @DebbieViggiano or follow her on Facebook! Social Media Links TWITTER: @DebbieViggiano FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/debbie.viggiano.5/ INSTAGRAM: debbieviggiano WEBSITE: www.debbieviggiano.co.uk Thank you for reading the post!
If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of Debbie's book, here is the full blog tour schedule: Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour and present a book spotlight for Body on The Rocks , the beginning of a new series of mysteries by Rachel Green. Body on the Rocks Mourning the death of her police inspector husband, Margot Renard moves to a small seaside town in the south of France. But when the body of a small boy washes up on a beach, Margot is drawn into a dangerous world of drug smugglers and people trafficking, and forced to cross paths with two feuding gangsters. Purchase Links UK /US Author Bio
Rachel Green is the pen name of a writer from the UK. Rachel has twice been longlisted for both the Bath Novel Award and the BPA First Novel Award, as well as being on the shortlist for the Capital Crime New Voices Award. Rachel lives in a tiny village in England, but travels frequently to the south of France where the stories from the Madame Renard Investigates series are set. Social Media Links – Twitter: @AuthorRachelG Facebook: AuthorRachelG #Blog Tour #Book review of Spring Siren (The Boardwalk By the Sea 4) by Georgina Troy @rararesources24/5/2021
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Spring Siren, the fourth book in Georgina Troy's The Boardwalk by the Sea series. Spring Siren Pull on your sunglasses, spring is here! When Finn Gallichan, the new man in artist, Jools Jones’ life leaves the boardwalk to go travelling for several months, she’s not too worried. She has her paintings to work on as well as keeping busy helping her grandmother run the only second-hand bookshop in the village. She’s happy to wait for Finn’s return to pick up where they left off their relationship. That is, until she decides to secretly help a new customer trace a copy of a book he wrote years before and meets his grandson, Marius Arnesen, a glass artist who, fascinated by her paintings, asks her to take part in an art exhibition. When she begins to suspect that Finn isn’t quite the person she had hoped and Marius steps up to save someone close to her, she wonders if maybe she’s made the wrong decision… Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: This is the fourth and final instalment in Georgina Troy's The Boardwalk By the Sea series of booksseton on the island of Jersey. I started from Book 3 Winter Whimsy and couldn't wait to come back to this wonderful community where people take care of each other and welcome newcomers. The previous books Summer Sundaes, Autumn Antics, and Winter Whimsy told the life stories of three close friends - Sacha, Bella, and Lexi. Now it's the turn of their fourth friend, lovely, artistic Jools. Jools has been out on a couple dates with Finn Gallichan and their relationship is still very new and undecided when Finn goes away from the island. The two month holiday with a friend was planned long time in advance and Jools would hate it if she was forced to choose between her girlfriendsands and a new romantic interest. Still, she isn't feeling happy about Finn's long absence,expecially since they don't know each other that well yet and Finn hasn't been that diligent with texting or sending photos. A new customer comes to Jools' grandmother's bookshop. He has recently movedbacktothe island where his grandson Marius lives. When Jools has her meet-cute with Marius, who is also an artist and has a lot in common with Jools, there is definite chemistry and... a dilemma of trying to figure out whether Finn is the right man for her. It was great to see the familiar faces and find out what has been happening in our friends' lives and let me tell you, Georgina Troy has a lot of news, twists and turns in store for you. There's also a demonstration of what glassblowing artists do to produce the amazing colours and forms they use in their creations, and a little bit of history of the island from the Second World War. Fabulous conclusion to an entertaining series with lovely, thoughtful characters who love their island with its fantastic community. Some of them might have their peculiarities and eccentricities, but who doesn't and isn't it nice to be accepted and cared for just the way you are? Recommended to anyone who loves clean romance and reading about supportive groups of friends. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and the author for the gifted review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio Georgina Troy is a pseudonym of author Deborah Carr, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Poppy Field, Broken Faces and the Mrs Boots series. She was a finalist in the Contemporary Romance Category of the Romantic Novel of the Year Awards 2016 (RoNAs) with A Jersey Kiss, book 1 in her Jersey Scene series. Georgina lives on the island of Jersey with her husband and three rescue dogs and is 1/3 of The Blonde Plotters. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeorginaTroy Instagram: @AJerseyWriter Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/georginatroy/ Website: https://deborahcarr.org/ Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Monday!
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's RandomResources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Raven Fire, the final instalment in Emma Miles' breathtaking Fire-Walker epic fantasy series. Raven Fire Is prophecy real; can Arridia and Joss defeat a god? Evil never sleeps, and neither can the fire spirits who have guarded Kesta and her family so faithfully for more than fourteen years. United in a desire for peace, the four lands beneath the sky have enjoyed relative stability, but under the surface stirs unrest. Greed, ambition, disquiet, rebellion; and the ever-present threat of Geladan’s crazed god discovering she has been fooled. Quiet Arridia is a Raven Scout, dedicated to the principles and hopes of her parents. When an opportunity presents itself to come home, she grasps it, longing to settle and find the love she has patiently waited for. Fun-loving Joss is drawn to the court of Elden with all its colour, noise, and intrigue; but has he taken on more than a young man can survive? Raven Fire is the final part of the breath-taking Fire-Walker saga. If you could, would you dare to change the world? Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: Raven Fire is the perfect conclusion to Emma Miles'wonderful Fire-Waker series.The previousbook are Raven Tower, Raven Coven and Raven Storm. I'm very lucky to have been invited to participate in this blog tour, as, unbelievably, I had never heard of this series and it was one of the most fascinating surprises this year. You can read Raven Fire without reading the previous books, but trust me, the world building is so good and the character building is so solid that you'd better start from the beginning and get immersed in this epic journey. The world building is incredibly detailed and all pains have been taken to help the reader understand the geography and culture of the four distinct lands that are dealt with in the series. The blurb for Dark Tower describes them in this way: 'Four lands beneath the sky. A haven of peace, a kingdom of plenty, ravaged islands, and a nation of cruel, dark magic.' Obviously, things have changed quite a lot since the first book (no spoilers!), but the narrative includes storylines from various places and I was really grateful to the author for clearly naming each chapter with its protagonist and the place they're in. The characters are well-differentiated. This is an epic fantasy book, so a large cast of characters is almost a must. Still, they all had unique voices and distinct personalities. The events takeplace fourteen years after the previous book, so here we have the old generation and their children who are also fighting their battles, fighting for peace and freedom (women slavery is one of the most prominent topics in the series). I was glad to see Kesta and Jorrun's children grow into brave and responsible leaders. King Bractius's children Lucien, Scarlett and Eleanor are also among the key players in this final book. There is a prophecy and an epic battle against Evil ( a large part of the story is the prparations forthe battle). You might be surprised about how the things play out in the end. Personally, I found the way EmmaMiles ties all the loose ends very satisfying, although there is a potential for more stories and future spin-offs. The whole series is extremely well-written and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Hope Emma decides to re-visit this marvellous fantasy world in future.... Thankyou to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio
I often get asked when I knew I was a writer; the answer is always. A writer is what I am, it’s in my soul. There have been times in my life when I couldn’t write, and times when my writing has been the only thing that kept me going. I think I always longed for something deeper from life, something more meaningful, and I found it in my imagination and in the music of words. It was poetry which first caught my attention, and whilst my younger cousins called for ghost stories it was animals I first wrote of. I think I gravitated toward fantasy because of the freedom it gives, I could create my own worlds and decide my own rules. My Wind’s Children trilogy was born from an image that came to me whilst daydreaming, of a young man sitting alone below a bridge. I didn’t know who he was; it turns out neither did he, but we found out together. I’m now working on my eleventh book and love writing more than ever, it’s an addiction, an obsession, but one I now share with my wonderful writing family. My beta readers, my editor, and you, my readers, having you with me on my journey means the world to me. I write as much as I can around work, but I also try to squeeze in a ridiculous amount of hobbies! I’m a wildlife photographer and do a little archery. I paint, sculpt with clay, withies and driftwood, preferring to be outdoors if I can. I still have a love for the theatre, having started out in life studying backstage crafts, and a great love for language. I speak a little French, Romanian and Italian, ma non molto bene! Thanks for reading this. If you read any of my books and love them, please come say hello and tell me, you’d be surprised at how much that means to an author. Take care of yourself. Em x Social Media Links – https://www.facebook.com/EmmaMilesShadow https://mobile.twitter.com/EmmaMilesShadow #Blog Tour #Competing with the Star by Krysten Lindsay Hager#Book Spotlight #Extract @rararesources8/5/2021
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Competing with the Star by Krysten Lindsay Hager. Today I'm delighted to present an extract from the book. Competing with the Star The perfect guy, the perfect location. What could go wrong? Hadley Daniels’s life seems perfect. Before the beginning of sophomore year of high school, Hadley and her family move to a beautiful beach town, where she makes amazing new friends and lands the boyfriend of her dreams. She and Nick form a deep bond, but insecurity sets in when Hadley discovers her boyfriend once had a huge crush on her friend—who just happens to be the beautiful teen TV star, Simone Hendrickson. Nick claims to be over Simone, but then Hadley is blindsided with the news that Nick and Simone kissed after school. Now Hadley must determine who is telling the truth. Love, betrayal, friendship…who needs TV drama when you’re busy competing with a star? Purchase Links US / UK Extract: In this scene, Hadley is dealing with dating a guy who had a beautiful and popular ex-girlfriend that Hadley finds herself comparing herself to. Hadley thinks about how her favorite celebrity, Valeria Joseph, has to deal with that and wonders how Valeria handles it. It shows how a lot of people struggle with the dating past of the people they go out with. The next morning, I woke up and grabbed my phone to see if I had any messages. There was only one from Asia asking if I was okay and wishing me luck on my date today. Yeah, assuming he didn’t cancel last minute because a make out session with his ex sounded more exciting than hanging out with boring little me at the nursing home. I went downstairs and my mom was making waffles with Aunt Faith. “Blueberry or buttermilk?” Mom asked. “Buttermilk. Thanks,” I said, pouring myself a glass of juice. “Ew, you didn’t strain this? It’s so thick I could chew it. Gross.” Mom laughed. “I thought you’d be on cloud nine today what with your date and all.” “Yeah, I’m excited.” Aunt Faith looked at me and tilted her head. “Everything okay?” I shrugged. “Do we have that berry syrup?” Mom went into the pantry to check and Aunt Faith leaned forward. “What’s up?” “Nick’s ex was at the movies with us and she kind of implied they used to be a bit…physical.” Her eyebrows shot up. “She told you that?” “She said something like that in front of me.” “Did he hear?” “She was saying it to him.” Aunt Faith cleared her throat. “How did he react?” I told her he poured half a pitcher of soda into my lap. She burst out laughing and then covered her mouth with her hand embarrassed. “I fail to see the humor myself,” I said rolling my eyes as she winced and patted my hand. “What’s so funny?” Mom asked, walking up with the syrup. “Nothing,” Aunt Faith said. “Hadley just told me a funny story.” “Yeah, hilarious.” I ate quickly and then went upstairs to get ready. My excited, fluttering feeling over the idea of a sweet date with Nick was gone. Instead, I had this anxious, sick feeling over the Reagan thing. It sucked to have to deal with some guy’s past when I didn’t have one myself. How did famous people do it? My favorite actress, Valeria Joseph, dated celebrity guys and not only did she know about their exes, but she could just go online and find tons of pics of her boyfriends with their exes. Plus, she’d run into the girls on sets and stuff. How did she handle it? It was bad enough for me having to go to school with Reagan. However, no one was there watching my facial expressions to see if I looked upset when she was around and taking pictures. Not so for Valeria—there were tons of gossip blogs that would say stuff like, “Valeria Joseph throwing shade at Laura Hewson.” So annoying. I stared at myself in the mirror. I looked so much younger than Reagan. Did Nick have any idea he was the only guy I had ever kissed? I heard my phone getting a text and saw Nick was on his way over to pick me up. I unplugged my curling iron, mad I got so caught up with my anxiety that I didn’t get to fix my hair. Although it wasn’t as if doing my hair was going to suddenly make me look more sophisticated. I put on some lip gloss and mascara and went downstairs to wait for him. I didn’t want him to have to deal with my parents, so I walked outside when I saw him pull up and got into the car. Thank you to Krysten Lindsay Hager for providing an extract from Competing with the Star! Hope you enjoyed reading it and are ready to pick the book. If you wouldlike ro read more extracts, Q and As, or other bloggers' reviews of the book, here is the full blog tour schedule:
Today I'm delighted to host a guest post from Zoe Allison, the author of Second Chance at First Love. How many times have you said 'If only I had more time...' or 'I'd love to do this, but where can I find the time?' here is Zoe's answer: How do you find the time? In real life I’m a doctor, a wife, and a mother of two young children. When I finally came out as a writer to my friends and family the question that I was asked most frequently was ‘how do you find the time?’ I still get asked this question often, by the same friends and family, and now also from people in the writing/book communities whenever they discover that I’m a doctor and a mother, as well as a writer. My real answer to this question is the same as when people used to ask it when I began running several years ago in order to improve my wellbeing, and managed to get much fitter as a result. My female friends would notice a different in my physical form and ask me how I found the time, and I would tell them that I made the time. This is how I now approach building in time to write. The first issue is carving out a protected section of time that is yours to do whatever it is you need to do. I use the word ‘need’ deliberately, here. We all need a little bit of space that is for us alone, to partake in whatever past time or hobby brings us joy. This is immensely important for self-care and something I see neglected particularly in women, and especially in those who have families. The weight of their other responsibilities can weigh heavily on their minds and they don’t feel able to take any time for themselves. As a result, their sense of self is gradually eroded away, leading to mental health struggles. The second issue is that after deciding when this unit of time is going to be (and that’s different for everyone) you have to take that time, rather than asking permission to use it for this purpose. You make the decision and then distance yourself from your guilt. This is both internalised guilt and also the guilt that society bestows upon women whenever we try to achieve something that is just for us and not for someone else’s benefit. You do not need to feel guilty about this, everybody has to nurture their sense of self, and the activities that you feel you ‘should’ be doing instead can wait until your allocated period is up. Or, if somebody else can shoulder a little bit of the burden and perform those other activities for you during that duration, or at another moment, then so much the better. So, that’s all there is to it for me:
Second Chance at First Love Eva Mathers is a successful woman, except for when it comes to matters of the heart. When she returns home to Yorkshire as a pending divorcee, she realises her childhood friend and first love Damon Evans is also newly single. It’s a pity he’s never noticed her romantically and had no idea that she was in love with him at school. But at least they can support each other as friends again. Damon is attempting to adjust to life sharing the kids with his ex. His reconnection with Eva is strong, but she was always too good for him and made her indifference clear after they drifted apart during their younger years. In any case, she still seems to be hung up on her charismatic ex-husband. Eva is hiding things from Damon, secrets from her past. He wants to be there for her, so why can’t she let him in? Eva is dealing with trauma, but she won’t confide in her loved ones. Can Damon help her break down her walls before it’s too late and they miss their second chance at first love? Purchase Links UK / US Author Bio Zoe lives in Scotland with her husband and two children. A medic by day, she started writing in her spare time as a means to counter burn out and found that this was a balm for the soul. She is a fan of the romantic genre and its ‘happy ever after’ ethos. A sharp contrast to what she can, at times, see in her day job. Zoe is keen for the female lead in romantic fiction to disabuse stereotypes and walk on an equal footing with her male counterparts. She prefers male leads who do not display signs of toxic masculinity and believes that positive masculinity is much more attractive to women and healthier for men. Social Media Links – Twitter: zoeallisonauth1 Facebook: www.facebook.com/zoe.allison.9279 Insta: zoeallisonauthor TikTok: @dr.zoe_writes[RG1] If you would like to find out more about Zoe Allisson's book Second Chance at First Love, here is the full blog tour schedule:
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