Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for No Ex Before Marriage by one of my favourite authors Portia Macintosh. No Ex Before Marriage It's not over until someone says 'I do'... While her friends join the "Wife Club" one by one, Poppy feels like that part of her life is done and dusted. Already married and divorced she's not desperate to go through all that again. But what if her divorce never actually went through...? After a shock revelation Poppy not only discovers she is still married, but that Zac is about to have his second wedding! Coming face to face with her (almost) ex-husband after six years apart is never going to be easy. And when Zac panics and tells his new wife-to-be that Poppy is family, things can't get much worse as she is welcomed with open arms as part of the wedding party! As the memories flood back, can Poppy really leave the past where it is? And can she watch the first love of her life walk down the aisle to say 'I do' once again? Purchase Link My thoughts: Portia MacIntosh is one of my favourite authors as my local bookshop and my library card can attest. Her books are such a treat-lighthearted but with some serious issues explored on the way, with sweet and loyal protagonists, and incredibly entertaining plotlines. No Ex Before Marriage was no exception- once again five stars, Portia does it again! The book opens with a wedding scene. The last of Poppy Walker's childhood friends Rachael has joined the Wives' Club. She might have gone a bit over top with relegating Poppy to a sad singles' table, but Poppy is a good sport, she won't spoil her friend's wedding by complaining. Well, Poppy does have some things to be unhappy about. Her best friends have been excluding her from their social life. While Poppy was the first to get married, at the tender age of twenty four, she was also the first one to get divorced. Add her mum dying in a freaky car accident and her dad barely coping with his grief...What Poppy needs is love and support of her friends, but all she is getting is judgy comments. The single table would be an utter disaster, were it not for Kat, a fun-loving fellow pariah who reminds her to take every opportunity to live her life and have a good time. Then out of blue, Poppy's Dad informs her that her divorce was never finalised and she has very little time to correct the situation before her ex gets married in a private ceremony in a remote part of Scottish Highlands and Poppy doesn't think twice- she needs to save Zac, 'the nerdy love of her life', from becoming a bigamist. The pace was great. Portia hits the ground running with the opening scenes and the road trip and then lets us absorb what actually happened to Poppy and Zac's relationship through a series of flashbacks entertwined with the scenes at the Scottish castle where Zac and his influencer/ daughter of a movies star fiancee are getting ready for their wedding. It isn't difficult to guess what caused Zac and Poppy's breakup and when we finally got to discussing this heavy topic, I was very happy to see it was dealt with in an extremely sensitive way. It did add a touch of real life sadness to this very well-balanced book. Poppy is a very likeable protagonist, although, unlike Portia's other protagonists, she does come across as a bit weak- defeated by life? in need of a good hug and a fun night out with her friends? She's serious and honest, and takes responsibility for her own actions. She doesn't give up on her friendships, because sometimes life happens and you can drift apart, the important thing is to talk and make time for your lifelong friends. You're probably going to hate Poppy's friends at the beginning of the book and might not find it easy to forgive, but I bet it will make even more appreciative of Kat. Well, the more, the merrier, and there's place in life for all kinds of friend, old and new. I often see books described as heartwarming and uplifting and I don't always agree with the blurb, but that's exactly how this one felt. The message is great: live your life and do things, even though it might mean you making mistakes, because no one is perfect, live your life so that you don't have regrets later, have fun and take care of your loved ones. Highly recommended to anyone who appeciates a good British romcom. Thank you to Rachel, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio –
Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of over 15 novels, including Stuck On You and The Plus One Pact. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real life experiences. Social Media Links Facebook https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia/ Twitter https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh Instagram https://www.instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up Link http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh Synopsis: Can Kerra's Cornish hometown offer the fresh start she needs?When Kerra left the quiet Cornish town of Penvennan Cove for the bright lights of London she didn't look back. But after the death of her mother, she's decided it's time to face her past and return to the place she called home. Her father needs her, and perhaps she needs him more than she's willing to admit? Tackling town gossip, home renovations and a flame from her past, it's not quite smooth sailing for Kerra. Ross is the bad boy she was meant to forget, not a man who still sets her heart aflutter. As he helps bring her dream home to life, they begin to break down the barriers that have been holding them back and in the process learn things about themselves they never thought possible. As friends old and new come together, the future in Penvennan looks bright. Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Phillipa Ashley and Julie Houston. Publisher: Aria Publication Date: January 14, 2021 ISBN 9781800245938, 1800245939 Purchase Amazon UK / Amazon US Coming Home to Penvennan Cove is the first book in Linn B.Halton's new series featuring a picturesque village in Cornwall, a thirty year old who decides to come back home after having built up a successful company, an unforgettable first crush, a kind and understanding neighbour, a proud and independent Bengal cat with a very cute name (Ripley) and lots of other memorable characters.
I love a good homecoming story, although usually they start with a series of disasters that force the protagonist to run to their small town where the community spirit is strong and everybody knows what you looked like in pimary school. This time there is a twist: Kerra Shaw is a successful entrepreneur who wants to come back to stay with and support her grieving father. She might feel a bit lost about what she would like to do with her life now that she sold her company, but there are neighbours and old friends and her tiny cottage. When Kerra's neighbour Drew designs an extension to both parts of their semi and hires a local contractor, Kerra is in for a huge surprise-it's Ross -her first crush and first heartbreak. Penvennan Cove is an archetypal small town with lots of gossip and people making assumptions based on very little evidence (well, Kerra herself does it!). It can be stifling and it might feel next to impossible to change what other people think of you, but it can also be very caring and supportive with neighbours turning up on your step with Welcome Home baked goods. You have to think twice about staying over at your friend's, because the whole village will know your car wasn't parked in its usual place, but you can also depend on your neighbours to check on you simply because they are worried about your safety. A huge part of the book is about friendships and relationships- building things over time and taking a leap of faith. It captures well the particular problems of having a relationship when you are both serious, decent people, but you've been hurt before or you've made mistakes and would like to avoid making them again or lost the love of your life. Do you take a chance when you feel things are right or do you stall because you don't want to move too quickly, impose, come across as needy? what about other people in your life and how your relationship might affect them? I will admit that this wasn't a super fast read- I needed time to get used to the author's writing style and ...the minutiae of Penvennan Cove life. On one hand, it seems like nothing much is happening, on the other hand, there's so much rich detail, which made me oddly fascinated and hooked on the story. Pick this book if you love British women's fiction, small town settings, and second chance romance. I will definitely be picking up the second book in the series.
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Rosie Dean's new gorgeous romance- Toni's Blind Date.
Toni’s Blind Date
Toni Spielman and Will Thomas have no plans to date -- anyone -- but when fate throws them together on a TV dating show, they have to smile, pretend, and rethink their plans. Purchase Link - mybook.to/Tonis_Blind_Date
My thoughts:
Toni's Blind Date is my first book by Rosie Dean and it was as much fun as its way too brief blurb suggests. If you're a fan of British chick-lit, you'll love this one. Toni Spielman goes through some serious personal drama at the beginning of the book and she could really do with a few weeks back home. Home isn't easy to define with Toni who has an American mother and a Briitsh father, both of whom are celebrities. Toni's Dad Ricky is only happy to have her work as an assistant in his TV show productions company. His dating show has plenty of colourful participants and a presenter great at coming up with quick innuendo one-liners, but could this blatant lack of romance be the reason the show's been losing audience figures?. Could Will Thomas's idea for a new series work better? when Ricky suggests Will go on the show, Will reluctantly agrees. The fate finally smiles at him when the lovely assistant who fixed his mike before the airtime turns out to be the contestant the audience voted to be his love match. Off they go on a romantic skiing holiday, keeping their secrets, safe in the knowledge that nothing truly romantic can happen on a blind date like this. Both protagonists were really sweet. Toni gives an impression of being a quiet and steady girl who values honesty and family above anything else. Will also seems to be a person who might have been too accomodating, but he is a good man who does wear his heart on the sleeve. They are indeed a well-matched couple. There are some great secondary characters- Toni's cousin, her father, Will's sister to mention just a few. They are quirky and witty and do serve the purpose of underling the message of the importance of family relations. In case you were wondering, the romance is of a slow-burn nature (so slow I began wondering if they were ever going to get together, no spoilers, but they do), and looking at the overall plot development, it worked for me. You need time to work through some things in your life before you can be sure a new relationship can be anything more than a rebound or something to spur on a new life stage. Overall, it was a lovely holiday romcom, with more romance than comedy- sweet and upbeat. I'm really glad to have discovered this new to me author and I can't wait to read her next book! Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources, the author and the publisher for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
Author Bio
Rosie writes romantic fiction with a sense of humour and, sometimes, a sense of the ridiculous; because we all know life and love aren't exactly how we'd like them to be. She has won a Readers' Choice Award from Ancient City Romance Authors (part of Romance Writers of America) and been a finalist in the 2017 Maggie Awards for Excellence. Before writing novels, Rosie wrote training courses and marketing copy for the corporate world - a far cry from teaching Art and Pottery, where her career began. She lives on the Isle of Wight, within sight and sound of the sea, with her partner and her dog. Social Media Links Website/blog www.rosie-dean.com Facebook www.facebook.com/RosieDeanWriter Twitter http://twitter.com/RosieDeanAuthor Goodreads www.goodreads.com/RosieDean Amazon (Author Page) http://www.amazon.com/Rosie-Dean/e/B00GML9CU0 BookBub http://www.bookbub.com/authors/rosie-dean Pinterest https://www.pinterest.co.uk/RosieDeanAuthor/isle-of-wight/
Giveaway to Win a PB copy of Toni’s Blind Date and a 200ML Coco Mademoiselle Body Lotion by Chanel (UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize. Christmas Wishes At The Chocolate Shop Sometimes you just need a little Christmas magic to make your wishes come true... When master chocolatier, Charlee, takes the leap to move to the picturesque seaside town of Whitsborough Bay, she is determined to follow in her grandfather's footsteps and set up a chocolate shop. Luckily, she finds the perfect location for Charlee's Chocolates on beautiful Castle Street... Now she just has to refurbish it in time for Christmas! With a useless boyfriend and countless DIY disasters, Charlee doesn't know if she'll make it in time. With no 'traditional' family to support her, she feels lost in her new surroundings and the secrets of the past are weighing her down. But the warmth and festive spirit of the Whitsborough Bay community will surprise her, and when plumber, Matt, comes to the rescue, it might be that all of Charlee's dreams could come true this Christmas, and she could learn what family really means... Escape to Castle Street for the perfect uplifting, festive read from top 10 bestseller Jessica Redland. Christmas Wishes at the Chocolate Shop was originally released as Charlee and the Chocolate Shop. Now re-released with a new title and new cover, this version has been freshly edited and features several new chapters. Purchase Link My thoughts: It's always a pleasure to pick up one of Jessica Redland's lovely, magical, full of emotion and drama stories! Especially when it is set in Whitsborough Bay, a small seaside town with a great community. Let's just admire this gorgeous cover for a moment...It really doesn't get more festive and romantic than this! My heart went straightaway to Charlee, a master chocolatier (what a fabulous jobit is- making people happy with your creations, a bit like writing Christmas stories ), who has just relocated to Whitsborough Bay with her boyfriend. There's a lot of pressure on her and Ricky couldn't have been more useless, even if he tried! Luckily, Charlee is about to find out what a wonderfully caring community her new town is. Sometimes you really need a bit of help and friendly support to make you see the big picture and change the way you feel about some pretty important things in life. As usual, the characters are well-developed and have their own challenges to overcome. Charlee becomes stronger and more determined throughout the story and it's impossible not to wish her love and happiness she deserves. Thank you to NetGalley, BoldwoodBooks, Rachel from Rachel’s Random Resources and Jessica Redland for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio –
Jessica Redland writes uplifting stories of love, friendship, family and community set in Yorkshire where she lives. Her Whitsborough Bay books transport readers to the stunning North Yorkshire Coast and her Hedgehog Hollow series takes them into beautiful countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds. Social Media Links – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JessicaRedlandAuthor Twitter https://twitter.com/JessicaRedland Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jessicaredlandauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up Link http://bit.ly/JessicaRedlandNewsletter Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-redland Retribution An ex-soldier is mown down in a brutal hit and run. Was it an accident, or an act of murder? DCI Jane Birchfield isn’t sure. She is struggling to stay focussed after a surprise marriage proposal, and is still waiting for news about a promotion. But she has to push it all to one side as the investigation swiftly escalates into the biggest challenge she has ever faced, bringing her into conflict with her superiors, her partner, and the British Army. She’s tested to the absolute limit, and for the very first time, finds herself asking whether it’s worth the sacrifice. Can she survive the pressure as the harsh reality of military conflict hits the streets of Ashbridge? Purchase Links UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Retribution-Heaton-Wilson-ebook/dp/B098B9J9JN/ US - https://www.amazon.com/Retribution-Heaton-Wilson-ebook/dp/B098B9J9JN/ My thoughts: This is my second book by Heaton Wilson and the third one in his excellent series of police procedurals featuring DCI Jane Birchfield and her team. It is better to read them in order as the team talk about and deal with the aftermath of the previous cases, but you can start from later books as well. As it was the case with the previous book Whatever It Takes we are thrown into action straightawayby witnessing a car deliberately hit a man. The perpetrator then checks that the victim is dead and leaves the crime scene. We know that this hit and run is a murder, but, of course, it isn't obvious to the police. Then a second similar case occurs and there is aclear connection between the two victims. The race to stop further murders by figuring out the motive and the identity of the killer begins... The best part of this book for me is the team and its likeable and realistic members. Starting from Jane herself who is honest and considerate. Her relationship troubles are far from being over and the position of Superintendent that was all but promised to her goes to somebody less competent. Her team all have their own fascinating storylines. The pace was excellent and the whole book is written in an extremely engaging way. The case isn't staightforward and we get to learn what it was all about together with the team, as they painstakingly and meticulously do their job. Great addition to a fantastic series which I cannot recommend high enough. Can't wait to read the next book! Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources, the publsher and the author for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio
I have been a newspaper journalist, a postman, a public relations officer, a consultant, an actor, a director, a playwright. And I have always kept writing. I always felt I could write a novel. And I did! The first book in my crime fiction series featuring DCI Jane Birchfield, Every Reason, came out in 2016. Whatever It Takes was published in 2021; and the third book (which follows on where Whatever It Takes ends) is nearing completion. I'm from Manchester but now live on the Isle of Wight, where the sea is never far away. It's the perfect place to be creative, and to walk the dogs. Social Media Links – @kkevvin http://facebook.com/heatonwilson #Blog Tour #The Village Inn of Secret Dreams by Alison Sherlock @Boldwood Books @rararesources5/10/2021
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for The Village Inn of Secret Dreams by Alison Sherlock. The Village Inn of Secret Dreams Brand NEW from the bestselling author of The Village Shop For Lonely Hearts. After escaping her parents’ unhappy marriage to sleepy Cranbridge a long time ago, Belle Clarke dreams of staying at The Black Swan Inn forever.But with the rundown Inn threatened with closure, Belle may be forced to leave, unless a buyer can be found … quickly. So, when her oldest friend Pete Kennedy returns from working abroad with a plan to save the Inn, Belle should be overjoyed. The trouble is, Pete has some rather radical ideas for the renovation which Belle disagrees with. But when a snow storm hits, Belle and Pete are forced to put aside their differences and work together to help the village. Can Belle realise her dreams to stay in Cranbridge and can Pete ever stop running from his past? As they try to save The Black Swan Inn, secrets are revealed and just maybe they’ll finally find out how they really feel about each other. Purchase My thoughts: A sweet and relaxing clean romance with a focus on community spirit and friendships! First of all, I adore the title and the cover-lovely and atmospheric, they do set you in the right mood for reading this book. The Vilage Inn of Secret Dreams is the third book in the Riverside Lane series which focuses on four friends (Amber, Lucy, Belle and Molly) who live in a picturesque village of Cranbridge. If you have read the previous stories, you will be delighted to see the familiar faces. If not,don't worry, it can be easily read as a standalone. This time it's Belle Clarke's turn to find her own happily-ever-after in her beloved Cranbridge. Belle has a propensity for wearing dark colours as if she doesn't want to draw any attention to herself and once you get to know her family story, it's easy to understand. She was sent away by her parents to live with her uncle and aunt, the owners of the only pub in the village. The Black Swan is in a desperate need of renovation and, to be honest, a new chef, as Belle's aunt can't cook to save her own life. The financial situation is so desperate that it looks like the pub will have to be sold. What will Belle do then and where will she live? Pete Kennedy, Amber's future brother-in-law and Belle's childhood friend, comes back home from Singapore and offers to buy the inn out, but he and Belle may have slightly different ideas about the inn's future... I really enjoyed the setting and the heart-warming focus on the community this book has. Alison Sherlock touches upon some heavy topics-e.g. loneliness in the old age, youth unemployment, marital strife- but she does it with a light hand and sensitivity. The protagonists were sweet and it was very easy to root for them. Belle, perhaps, was a bit quick to jump to conclusions, but otherwise, their romance developed naturally and realistically. I really sympathised with the main characters-Belle for her desire to live in a safe, friendly place she calls her home and give her best to the community, and Pete for his courage to try something new and then being able to learn from his mistakes (he is really a very likeable character!). You can't write a book about a village without a large cast of secondary characters, but it didn't feel overwhelming or confusing at any point- quite the opposite. Grandma Tilly and Amber are probably my favourite, but it was a hard choice to name just a few. Can't wait to come back to Cranbridge for the next story! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio – Alison Sherlock is the author of the bestselling Willow Tree Hall books. Alison enjoyed reading and writing stories from an early age and gave up office life to follow her dream. Her new series for Boldwood is set in a fictional Cotswold village and the first title was published in July 2020. Social Media Links Facebook / Twitter/ Newletter / Bookbub Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Tuesday!
Thank you to Rachel fromRachel's Random Resources for inviting me to partcipate in the blog tour for Will They Won't They? by Portia Macintosh, one of my favourite authors. Will They, Won't They? When life goes off track sometimes the only thing you can do is go back to where it all began... Emmy Palmer is the star of Bragadon Forest, the biggest fantasy series on TV; adored by the public, living the life of glamour and luxury in London. But when scandal strikes, Emmy must escape the city and return to her seaside hometown to lie low and wait for the storm to pass. Emmy's agent decides it would be a good look to star in the community Christmas pantomime, but who else could be playing her leading man but her ex-boyfriend who she may or may not have ditched to move to London a decade ago... As the show approaches, love and friendships blossom and the real question is - Will they? Won't they? Purchase Link My thoughts: Portia Macintosh is one of my favourite authors and I always look forward to reading her newest book, knowing I can always expect an entertaining storyline, unique characters and lots of funny observations. When Emma Watson moved from a small town in Yorkshire to London and became an actress, she had to take a stage name of Emmy Palmer. She did make it big, landing a role in a fantasy TV show. Unfortunately, her character has just been axed off and there are some vicious rumours in tabloids. All ofthis is nothing compared to the sad news she gets from her. Emma's wonderful grandfather passed away and her mother needs her more than ever. Emma's aunts would like to sell their late father's house straightaway, but Emma knows how much her mum would appreciate more time to say goodbye to it, so she offers to buy and renovate it with the help of a gorgeous neighbour. Then somehow she ends up taking up a role in the local Christmas pantomime with her ex-love interest (the one who got away) playing the Prince Charming... and the old game of Will They, Won't they begins.... I know all of this has the makings of a Christmas Hallmark movie, but this is Portia Macintosh, so the book there is much more comedy than romance. Emma's family is complicated and the only way to survive it and remain sane is to use your sense of humour. Emma suspects she might be the only 'normal' person in her family. Wait till you meet her indomitable aunt Vee, you might just agree with Emma! There is a very large cast of characters - family members, colleagues, old friendships, new acquaintances, aunt's dates etc. Portia Macintosh has a gift for creating unique ('One of a kind!') characters, although I would have prefered fewer and more streamlined storylines/subplots. Emma herself isn't a cold, self-obsessed celebrity (although one of the characters says she can be a bit oblivious to what is going on with other people), she is very likeable and it's impossible not to wish her happiness and true love. The way I see it, the book is less about romance than about figuring what matters the most -family, siblings, kindness, small and large gestures that show that you care (and some of them were really impressive!). Recommended to anyone who enjoys a well-written, funny, and uplifting story. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 16 novels, including The Plus One Pact and My Great Ex-Scape. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real life experiences. Social Media Links Facebook https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia/ Twitter https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh Instagram https://www.instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up Link http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh Thank you for reading the post!
Have a wonderful Sunday! Carrying Clover Newly single Camille Robins luck is about to change as she embarks on a new chapter of her life, moving to the city near her best friend, Lizzie. A chance meeting at Lou’s B&B, Camille meets George, a handsome man who sweeps her off her feet. Can Lizzie forgive Camille for stealing her previous boyfriend, or will she seek revenge? Camille can’t believe her luck! George can’t believe how perfect she is.... Was it a fate romance, or part of an evil plan? A fresh new twist on a psychological thriller, fast-paced, clever, and thought provoking that will make you question who is the lucky one. Luck, love, deceit, and heartbreak will keep you turning the page. And a breathtaking twist you won’t see coming, will stay with you long after you have finished reading. Purchase Link UK / US My thoughts: Carrying Clover is a psychological thriller/ suspense set in Somerset and Bristol, UK. It is steady-paced, has a limited set of interesting characters and a well-thought-through plot. The protagonist of the novel Camille has just come out of an abusive/controlling relationship. She is quite vulnerable, but her mental attitude is overwhelmingly positive-she is finally free to live her life the way she wants and this includes rebuilding her relationship with Lizzie, Camille's foster sister, and starting a new job in Bristol. While she is waiting for the keys to her perfect new flat (bought with her inheritance money), she checks into a B&B where she meets the sweet owner oftheB&B Lou and baby Sophia. At 34, Camille can't wait to start her own family. There's only one more protagonist of this suspenseful read that is missing. Meet George, a determined sales rep from Bristol, who often stays at Lou's B&B and clearly doesn't waste his time charming the socks off Camille. The story is mostly told in from Camille's POV , and I couldn't help wondering how naive and gullible she appeared...and then Bang! we get snippets from two other characters that give us an insight into their bitterness, obsession, and evil plans concerning Camille. Another thing worth mentioning is the present tense narrative. I know it isn't everyone's favourite, but here it definitely enhanced the writing and made it feel more atmospheric and more immediate. I felt anxiety building up in me and was afraid for poor Camille's life almost from the word go. Suspense with a capital letter! Overall, it was an atmospheric read ( I wish I'd read it for my R.I.P. readathon), full of suspense and dark twists (sorry, can't say they were impossible to predict, but give me logical and foreshadowed over unpredictable any time). Can't wait to read Lorey Durston's next novel! Author Bio – Lorey Durston is an author of thriller and suspense novels.
CARRYING CLOVER is her debut novel. She is currently working on her next suspense novel to be released late 2021. Social Media Links – Twitter https://twitter.com/DurstonLorey Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lorey-Durston-Author-101764481996748 Instagram: loreydurstonauthor Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for invitingme to participate in the blog tour for Life's a Beach by PortiaMacintosh. Life’s A Beach Sun, sea and inescapable exes... Peach is excited to hear that her sister, Di, is getting married. Of course, she would have preferred her little sister to be engaged to someone she's known longer than a week - and the fact that his name is Charles doesn't bode well - but who is she to judge?! Afterall, her own love life is non-existent, and who doesn't love a destination wedding...? Whisked away to the gorgeous Italian coast, Peach assumes her role as chief bridesmaid and, despite her reservations about the groom, she tries to ensure everything goes to plan. But weddings are never straightforward affairs... throw in some unexpected guests in the form of ex-boyfriends and one night stands, and soon enough there is more drama than a reality tv show. Can Peach keep the show on the road, or might she end up in a whirlwind romance of her own...? Escape to the stunning Italian coast with bestseller Portia MacIntosh. Perfect for fans of Sophie Ranald and Mhairi MacFarlane. Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3aRO92I My thoughts: Portia Macintosh is my auto-buy author. There is something special about her romcoms, something kind and uplifting. Her newest one, Life's a Beach is as good, if not better, as her previous books, so if you're a fan of Portia's writing set aside an afternoon (you know you won't be able to stop until you've devoured the book) and pick up this light and entertaining read. Peach loves her job and she is great at it. She is a mystery shopper which means she gets to check out what the service is really like at various restaurants, shops, hotels and even chemist chains, and then she has to write an honest report for the business. Sometimes she has to get into a character and even mention her fake fiance Matt once or twice. This time she is having a dinner and is staying overnight in a hotel near the airport and she is doing it with her younger sister Di who is about to fly back from her holiday in Greece. Only Di's flight gets delayed and Peach meets aman who is similarly waiting for somebody arriving with the same flight. She invites him for a dinner and has the best date/non-date of her life. One thing leads to another and... The attraction is so strong that Peach is totally justified being disappointed to find out Matt left without a word or even a note. When Di's flight finally lands, she has a bombshell of news of her own- she is getting married to someone she has known forone week. Should Peach try to stop her from making this huge mistake or is is the case of 'When it's love, it's love'and she should just be happy for Di? The wedding party throws in a heap of surprises, including a few blasts from the past. What happens next is a real comedy of mistakes and misunderstandings to the soundtrack of 'It's the Groundhog Day...Again and again...' I really like all Portia's lead characters. Peach is strong and realistic at the same time. She is kind, caring and forgiving. When life throws her a curveball, she picks up pieces and gets on with it. Her message is really positive: everyone makes mistakes and everyone deserves a second chance. I must say I wasn't sure she was going to have her happily-ever-after at the end of this book- this is how realistic this romcom is, but then the ending just melted my heart and was so true to the characters. Reading this book was like a mini-holiday with all the sunshine, happy, warm feelings and lovely memories of being truly relaxed and entertained . Thank you so much, Portia, and I hope to read your next book very soon! Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's RandomResources, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio: Portia MacIntosh is a bestselling romantic comedy author of 16 novels, including The Plus One Pact and My Great Ex-Scape. Previously a music journalist, Portia writes hilarious stories, drawing on her real-life experiences. Social Media Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macintoshportia Twitter: https://twitter.com/PortiaMacIntosh Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/portiamacintoshauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up Link: http://bit.ly/PortiaMacIntoshNewsletter Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/portia-macintosh Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Tuesday! If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of the book, here is the full blogtour schedule:
Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting to participate in this blog tour. Target Age: YA / NA / Adult Genre: Fiction - Drama / Sci-Fi Tour Dates: 11th - 15th December 2020 Chroma When Riley watched Chroma, the latest movie by Armani Manora, he had no idea how much his life was about to change. Riley's parents, Jean and Paul, are currently getting divorced, and they have managed to keep the situation hidden from Riley, until now. They were unaware of the effects this was having on Riley's emotional and mental well-being, and as tensions rose at school and at home, he was visited by a voice in his bedroom. Before too long, he began a journey that was not only dangerous, but eye opening. Chroma explores the rapidly changing family dynamic throughout divorce, and how a child's imagination can take them to unknown places. It is emotional, insightful and a moving story which not only teaches us how to be an adult, but how to be a child. Purchase Links UK / US My thoughts: Chroma by Oscar Wenman-Hyde is one of those books that is really difficult to characterise in terms of genre or even target age category. It is an interesting mix of thriller, mystery, sci-fi, middle grade and literary fiction all blended into a very visual, cinematographic experience. The protagonist of the book, eight-year-old Riley, knows that something has changed in his parents' relationship and these changes are both scary and confusing. In fact, Jean and Paul are going through divorce, but would like to keep it secret from Riley. They need to work out how to move forward and build up a new life without sacrificing Riley's emotional well-being and sense of security. Riley is a fan of Armani Manora's sci-fi films and can't wait to see his latest release Chroma. Exhausted Jean knows some of her parental choices might be debatable, including that of allowing Riley see films intended for much older audience. She intends to supervise watching the film and cover Riley's eyes should any scenes become too scary or violent, but...she falls asleep and lets Chroma work its powers on her sensitive and imaginative child. Surprisingly few books deal with the topic of divorce from the perspective of a child. Riley is propelled into this new reality and has to find a way to understand and cope with the changes. We also get Jean and Paul's points of view, which make it even more evident that Riley (as any child in this kind of situation) has to operate with very little knowledge of what is going on and has to fill in the gaps by using his imagination. I really liked the title evocative of the purity and complexity of the protagonists' emotions, but also reminding us that every family is different and every divorce is different and there are myriads of factors to take into account. Would I go to see the film this book should definitely be made into? Of course! The topic, the characters and their feelings are all highly relatable. Even if you are one of those lucky people whose life hasn't been touched by divorce, we all have the universal experience of childhood as the time of great discoveries and intense feelings. Thank you to Rachel and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. Author Bio – Oscar Wenman-Hyde is a writer living in Gloucester, UK. Born and raised in the quiet towns of North Devon, Oscar would spend the majority of his time as a child writing and directing short films with his brother and neighbours. From here, Oscar’s passion led him to explore all aspects of his creativity, by graduating with a BA Hons in Songwriting at the British and Irish Modern Music Institute. He now finds joy in all mediums of writing and although he has worked and trained in many areas, he is always inspired by film and remains grounded in storytelling. Social Media Links –
Thank you for reading the post! If you would like to find out what other bloggers thought of Chroma, here is the full blog tour schedule:
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