#Book Review #Something in the Heir by Suzanne Enoch #Comedy #Regency Romance @St.Martin's Griffin15/9/2022
From the blurb: Smart, capable heiress Emmeline Pershing will do anything to keep her beloved home; and all it takes is an arranged marriage and a teeny white lie to fulfill her family’s silly inheritance rules! But now her little fib means that she and her completely unsuspecting husband are going to inherit big — and very messy! —trouble in this spicy, sexy delight from bestseller, Suzanne Enoch. Emmeline and William Pershing have enjoyed a perfectly convenient marriage for eight years. Their relationship is a seamless blend of their talents and goals. They’ve settled into separate, well-ordered lives beneath the same roof, and are content to stay that way—or so Emmeline thinks. And if William has secretly longed for a bit more from the woman he adores, he’s managed to be content with her supreme skills as a hostess and planner, which has helped him advance his career. Then when Emmeline’s grandfather, the reclusive Duke of Welshire, summons them both for his birthday celebration and demands they bring their two little angelic children, William is stunned to discover that his very proper wife invented not one, but two heirs to fulfill the agreement for living at Winnover. But surely if Emmeline and William team up and borrow two cherubs to call their own, what could go wrong? Enter George, age 8, and Rose, 5—the two most unruly orphans in Britain. As the insanity unfolds, their careful, professional arrangement takes some surprisingly intimate turns as well. Perhaps it takes a bit of madness to create the perfect happily ever after. Publisher: St.Martin's Griffin Publication Date: September 20th, 2022 Purchase Link My thoughts: Positively delightful!My first book by Suzanne Enoch and, now that I've discovered her witty and entertaining writing style, it won't be the last. The premise was hilarious- Emmeline has to get married as soon as possible in order to secure her place in her own house. The house is 'on the lease' from her grandfather the Duke of Welshire. Once it gets vacated, the first girl in her generation to get married secures the use it for five years and should she have a child in the following five years, she and her spouse can stay there for all their life. Emmie's horrible cousin just got engaged, so the news of her own parents leaving the house and moving to Bath comes as a bit of shock and a call to action. On the spur of the moment, Emmie proposes a marriage (of convenience) to her childhood friend Will Pershing, who (unbeknowst to her) has been harbouring tender feelings for her. Match, set, marriage! Winnover House is hers…for the time being. Fast forward eight years and our fabulous protagonist finds herself in a new predicament. While her marriage to Will may be considered an exemplary partnership, the couple are childless, so Emmie might have been less than completely truthful when she informed her family that she has two sweet, but unfortunately very sickly children. Now the Duke is summoning all his close and distant relations to celebrate his birthday and would love to see Emmie and her family. Including the non-existent children. It turns out it isn't that easy to borrow two children for a few weeks and pass them as your own offspring...Still our enterprising protagonists succeed in finding two orphaned siblings George and Rose Fletcher. Now the destiny of Winnover House and the couple's reputation will depend on the feisty orphans' ability to pass for Flora and Malcolm Pershing. No pressure! It is quite hard to classify this book- there's a lot of comedy for sure, but just a tiny bit of romance as Emmie and Will re-discover the joy of attraction to each other. The romance in this book is absolutely secondary to …everything else that is happening, above all, the children's shenanigans and Pershings gradually developing a better understanding of what being a parent or a guardian involves. I did want more romance or failing that more friendship/that elusive understanding that good couples have. At the beginning Emmie Pershing is totally oblivious to anything but her own socialite role. As the plot develops, this changes and she finally sees the light and her own very attractive and incredibly patient husband. To be fair to Emmie, she had a very cold and emotionless role-model of her own mother, so discovering that she herself might even want to be a parent is going to take some time…and some pages. George and Rose are adorable: strong-willed, resourceful, independent and completely right for their age. Again there's a bit of repetition as both the children (especially George) and Pershings go through a change of heart and build up some kind of trust. Perhaps the book could have been shorter, especially had another character, important to the children, not been introduced, but boy, did he ratchet up some drama! Of course, there's only one way in which this romcom could end, but this predictability comes from the internal plot logic and character development and I never say no to a HEA in my romance books. Overall: more on the comedy side than romance, but also sweet (don't let that king-size bed on the cover mislead you), entertaining, and fun. Recommended. Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin's Griffin for the review coopy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. About the author:
A native and current resident of Southern California, SUZANNE ENOCH loves movies almost as much as she loves books, with a special place in her heart for anything Star Wars. She has written more than forty Regency novels and historical romances, which are regularly found on the New York Times bestseller list. When she is not busily working on her next book, Suzanne likes to contemplate interesting phenomena, like how the three guppies in her aquarium became 161 guppies in five months. From the blurb: A feel-good story of new beginnings set in a gorgeous country village, perfect for fans of Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson. After losing her job in New York, Amber Green isn’t looking forward to visiting her godmother in the sleepy village of Cranbridge. With its empty lanes and rundown shops, it’s hardly a place to mend her lonely heart. But when Amber discovers that Cranbridge Stores, owned by her godmother Cathy and son Josh, is under threat of financial ruin, she realises that her skills as a window dresser might just be able to help save the struggling shop. When disaster strikes, Amber and Josh must unite to save both the shop and the village from flooding. Can Cranbridge Stores become the heart of the village once more? And as the village begins to come back to life, perhaps Amber will discover a reason to stay… Oh be still my DIY loving heart...Who doesn't like a good makeover story? Fascinated and mesmerised we watch these programs and think we could do as well- just a lick of paint here and there, a few cushions, a fireplace, and a gingham table cloth...Nah, better leave it to experts :) Seriously, I love this series. It is sweet, relaxing, and heartwarming, like a cuppa on a cold and windy November day. It's all about community spirit and lovely friendships, finding a place where we belong and people we belong with. en's parents decided to move to New Zealand, so when she is made redundant by her New York employer, Amber doesn't feel she has a place she'd call a home. Her parents are more than happy to welcome her on their brandnew farm, but would like Amber to visit her godmother Cathy in England. cathy has had a few very tough years. First, her husband Todd passed away, then she had cancer treatment. Cathy's son Josh feels their family shop could do with some serious modernising, but his mum, stuck in her grief, stubbornly refuses to change things. Enter Amber..and what an entrance it is! Some books start with a bang, this one starts with a tumble into the local river...Amber is a lovely, kind-hearted girl and it's impossible not to wish her all the happiness in the world. But is she really just passing through this picturesque village or is there a chance that Amber can help this lovely, peaceful place get a push towards revival? The Village Shop for Lonely Hearts is the first book in Alson Sherlock's Riverside Lane series which focuses on four friends (Amber, Lucy, Belle and Molly) who live in a little village called Cranbridge. The protagonists are very likeable (although Josh could have been a teeny-tiny bit less grumpy and more proactive) and there's a large cast of secondary characters, including Grandma Tilly (she will steal your heart), Dodgy Del, Stanley and many others- don't worry, somehow it doesn't get overwhelming, you just get a nice glimpse of this supportive community. It was nice to come back to this series and re-read the first book. And now I'm off to the second book! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the review copy. 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. 'Sweet, funny, heartbreaking but uplifting at the same time. I absolutely LOVED this book.' Alice Fletcher doesn’t like to take chances and she certainly doesn’t believe in fate. Three years after the end of her last long-term relationship, she’s in no hurry to risk another heartbreak. But fate has other plans. One day, on her drive home, Alice comes across a man, dazed and lost, by the side of a wrecked car. And with no one else around, Alice goes to help. TV star Jimmy Mack is riding the crest of the career wave one minute, and the next he’s staring at his crashed car. But when Alice comes to rescue him, things start to look up. What Alice and Jimmy discover next changes everything. Fate might have marked them out for each other, but somehow their destinies have got tangled. Will they get their happily-ever-after, or might their time together be shorter than either of them would hope… Join Jill Steeples for this truly ‘out of this world’ romance and a love story to remember. Perfect for fans of Jessica Redland, Cathy Bramley and Miranda Dickinson. Publication Date: May 12th, 2022 Publisher: Boldwood Books Purchase Link My thoughts: A sweet story which is also very difficult one to review without giving spoilers! I really liked Alice Fletcher, the protagonist- she is a hard-working, super-organised PA, someone I would imagine has to be quite down-to earth. At the same time she is kind and romantic. Alice is driving home on Friday the 13th, happily thinking about her weekend, when she sees a car which has clearly been mangled by a horrific accident and a shell-shocked man next to it. Alice doesn't think twice before offering her assistance to Jimmy. Even when she realises he is a TV celebrity, all she sees is someone who needs comfort and help in his admittedly more than unusual predicament. Gradually they get to know each other. There's a special kind of trust, respect, and even tenderness that is growing between them, even when a scandal threatens to tarnish Jimmy's reputation and only Alice is willing to do everything possible to clear his name. Jimmy is sweet, caring, and thoughtful- I dare any reader to try and not fall in love with him, but he has a unique kind of problem that sooner or later will force them to go their separate ways. Or won't it? A very quick, easy read, surprisingly uplifting, despite the sad circumstances in which the protagonists meet. A simple message of living your life to the full and taking care of people around you might be a bit predictable, but it is still true and it still helps to hear it again to make us look around and appreciate what we have. Looking forward to reading Jill's next book! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Author Bio
Jill Steeples is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles – most recently the Dog and Duck series - all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages. She lives in Bedfordshire. Social Media Links – Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jillsteepleswriter Twitter https://twitter.com/jillesteeples From the blurb: Art dealer Ruby Lambert is on a mission to lose her baby weight ahead of her sister’s Olivia’s wedding in 6 months’ time. To add fuel the fire, Ruby has also been ‘honoured’ with the unenviable task of being Head Bridesmaid. So determined not to let Olivia down, she signs up to a swanky new diet & fitness club, The Bluebell Booty Busters. Uncertain of what to expect Ruby meets Harry Small, a wealthy local businessman who ‘joins’ Booty Busters, after pressure from his wife, who’s worried about his health and growing waistline. Ruby and Harry soon team up as diet buddies, supporting each other through their dieting crisis’s. But something seems amiss at Booty Busters when they both discover that if it looks too good to be true; it probably is…. Will Ruby and Harry ever reach their targets? And will Ruby do her sister proud and be the Belle of the Ball? Publisher: Boldwood Books Publication Date: 2 March 2022 Purchase link This is the second book in a series, but it can be read as a standalone as the author provides brief recaps of the story so far. The cover is just gorgeous, isn't it? You can see it's a time for reflection and taking a breath in a beautiful seaside setting. Can there be a better setting for a romantic book than lovely Dorset? There are two main storylines- Ruby Lambert's who is trying to lose baby weight to look good for her sister Olivia's wedding and Harry Small's who has also joined the same weight losing program to save his marriage. A quick and easy read, although the topic isn't something I'd usually go for. I guess more than anything else Ruby wants to take control of a part of her life. She's generally confident and decisive, but having to raise her newborn son on her own obviously brought a lot of changes in her life. I adored her tender moments with Simon and her constant realisation of the love she is feeling for him. Harry's story was also very curious, although, compared to Ruby with her healthy family support network, he seemed more isolated and even lonely. Personally, I wasn't very invested in Mr B's tricks and practical jokes side. Perhaps, there was more about him in the first book and this is just a catch-up? In case you're wondering there is a happily-ever-after and things work out wonderfully for all the main characters. If you are looking for a bit of positivity and an escape from reality, this is a book for you. Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the review copy provided in exchange for an honest opinion. 3.5 Author Bio
Della Galton is the author of 15 books, including Ice and a Slice. She writes short stories, teaches writing groups and is Agony Aunt for Writers Forum Magazine. She lives in Dorset. Della's new fiction series launched with Sunshine Over Bluebell Cliff in May 2020. Social Media Links Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter 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. #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!
![]() Rumpled Rhett
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: Rhett “Ah, the nomad returns!” Duggan raised a half-filled beer mug to take a swig. A rotund man, the reeve’s belly sagged over his belt as he got to his feet. The few other patrons warily quaffed the last of their drinks and made their way to the door. All of them avoided even glancing my way. I didn’t care. I had business with the man before me, not them. “My house burned down.” Crossing my arms over my chest, I narrowed my gaze on Duggan’s flushed features. “It went up in flames one night.” Duggan huffed out a dramatic sigh before draining the last of his beer. “We tried to stop the blaze, but—” He shrugged one of his plump shoulders beneath his fur-lined robe. “We had an agreement. I protect the village, and in exchange, I get land and its tending while I am away.” I let the facts and my glowering silence sink through his thick skull. He owed me. The village owed me. My reputation as the Huntsman kept most thieves and bandits from targeting the community. Only the foolish and foolhardy occasionally attempted to harass me, but I swiftly enlightened them. In return, I had requested only two things. I wished to live at peace for a few months every winter, and I needed someone to guard my shelter when I was gone the rest of the year. “We tried to save it,” he protested mildly. “And didn’t bother to rebuild it,” I pointed out. Frost-tipped grass had peeked through the ash heaps. Months had passed since the fire by the looks of things. “We considered it.” His voice was even and calm, but he continued to avoid looking at me. “But we needed the wood to expand the mill and—” “The tavern.” “We had none left to rebuild your house as well. So, we decided to work out a better situation.” I let my silence speak for me. I had been content with my situation. It suited me well. True, I hadn’t been particularly fond of the hovel I had been allotted, but it had been enough. I valued its attributes: warmth, isolation on the edge of the village, and comfort enough for my winterly retreat from my reputation. “Come, let me show you.” He motioned toward the square outside. “No.” He had planned this for all I knew, and the village’s enforcers awaited me beyond the expensive new tavern windows. “First, you explain.” Duggan pursed his mouth like a spoiled child who had just been reprimanded by his mother. “Explain.” “We all discussed it…asked ourselves what a man needs…decided there were a few ways to improve things…” I cleared my throat. “So, we took it upon ourselves to—” “The point?” My voice lowered and warned of my waning patience. “We have chosen to give you land, a house, and a wife.” Duggan turned and banged his mug on the bar top. “Another!” he bellowed. “A wife?” I stared at him in complete confusion. “How did you come to the conclusion that I needed a wife?” “A house without a wife is empty.” Exactly how I like it, I thought. But Duggan continued. “She can cook for you, clean for you, and fill the house with comforts that make it a home. There is nothing like coming home to a warm meal on the table, hot mulled wine in one’s cup, and the pleasures of a woman’s company to keep one content.” The image in my head was much less appealing—chatter, demands for expensive accouterments, expectations of me being home on time, and…children. My mind caught on the last thought. I did need children to carry on my family name and the traditions of the huntsman. Distant memories of my mother’s stories impressing upon me the importance of my father’s lineage and the bloodline I carried pressed in on me. Shaking free from their hold, I grimaced. That didn’t mean I had to do it now or even ever. “Don’t discount it until you have tried it, Huntsman. A woman’s touch is what you need.” “No. I need a secure place to rest.” Duggan shouted his approval. “A house, a wife, some land, it is about time you settled down.” “I have no intention of…” Duggan was already out the tavern door and yelling to someone across the village square. “Master Billier! The Huntsman has returned. Bring your daughter to the meeting house.” My lip curled of its own accord. Billier was the town miller, and fat, thanks to his position running the only mill for miles around. That didn’t stop the man from being despicable. I avoided him when I could and wrestled my temper and conscience every time I couldn’t. I wanted nothing to do with any scheme in which he was involved. Last year he had claimed that his daughter could spin straw into gold in an effort to sell her off to a traveling nobleman. I wouldn’t entrust any living thing into his care, not even a cat, and I cherished no love for the furry creatures, thanks to their effect on my eyes and nose. Duggan beckoned from outside. “Come, Huntsman. Billier fetches his daughter to the meeting house. She’s as fair and biddable a lass as any other.” A woman was far less deserving of Billier’s care than a cat. I decided to allow the farce to continue a bit longer, the better to understand their intentions. Surreptitiously checking my access to my weapons, I followed the reeve in the direction of the dark meeting hall. As Duggan rushed about lighting a fire in the hearth and a few of the lanterns against the walls, I staked out the corner farthest from the door. The reeve had only lit the corner nearest the door before it opened to admit the greasy-haired miller and his daughter. She was small. Petite and barely a handful of feet high, she could fit beneath one of my arms, and I could carry her off without much effort. Not that I would. However, there was a dignity, a solidness to her tiny frame that made her father keep his distance despite his evident eagerness to sell her assets. “She cooks, cleans, and keeps house well enough for a girl. Has a fair enough figure, so I am told. Come on, girl, show off your wares.” Billier shoved his daughter forward so that she stumbled. Only a brief glare in her father’s direction betrayed her anger. Still, she obeyed. Back straight and shoulders tight, she walked with confidence despite a slight limp. Perhaps she had an injured hip, knee…no. I watched for a few more steps. Something was wrong with her foot, and walking on it pained her, causing a slight hitch in her breathing. Her betrayal of the weakness was so minute that I had almost missed it. My attention swung to her father. Had he injured her? It would fit his malicious personality. What he could not bully, he humiliated. One look at his daughter’s tightly wound body, and it was easy to imagine him pressuring her to do something solely for his benefit. But what was he getting out of her marrying me? “Leave,” I demanded. “What? If she doesn’t please you—” Billier sputtered. “You two.” I jerked my chin at the two men. “Leave.” “Come.” Duggan caught Billier’s arm. “Best let him talk to her.” Billier’s glare at his daughter intensified as the reeve guided him toward the door outside. “You mess this up, girl, and—” Whatever he intended went unsaid as Duggan closed the door behind the two of them with a sharp tug. The girl relaxed infinitesimally. However, she also eyed me warily and oriented herself to duck behind a table should I become more clearly dangerous. “What is your name?” I asked. I hadn’t seen her about the village before, but then I rarely spent any time in the village. “Catherine, but everyone calls me Cat.” I laughed. It came out as a rusty sound, as though I didn’t do it often, which I didn’t. Her eyes narrowed. “My name isn’t funny.” “No, but the irony is.” Then I realized by her blank expression that I would need to explain. “Cats make me sick, the four-legged variety that is.” She didn’t smile. Instead, she simply nodded. “Then it is good I am not that kind of cat.” “It is.” Silence descended between us. Faintly through the door behind her, we could hear her father raging. My concern for Cat’s safety grew. I didn’t think Billier was capable of murder, but one never could tell by looking at a person. Also, accidental murders happened, like beating someone to death in a fit of rage. ![]()
GIVEAWAY! ![]() Aloha With Love
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My thoughts: Aloha with Love is a sweet and heartwarming story of Jenna Burke who left her hometown in Hawaii to pursue a career in architecture in California. When Jenna's project for an apartment complex she put so much hard work in designing doesn't get an approval from an arrogant potential investor, Jenna is understandably upset. Then, her self-obsessed long-term boyfriend Darren checks out of their relationship which was going nowhere anyway. But all of this pales in comparison with the sad news she gets from home- her beloved Aunt May had a heart attack and passed away. Jenna goes back home for the memorial and stays there to renovate her Aunt's home. Aunt May even stipulated the local contractor she wanted to help Jenna take care of her old house- Ben Fletcher. Ben isn't just handsome, he pays special attention to the beauty and the soul of the old buildings he restores and Jenna cannot help but appreciate it. Jenna is a sunny, optimistic person, willing to work hard and look at the bright side of things. She needs some time to reflect on her life and what makes her happy. I really liked her Aunt May's saying that sometimes taking a step back is two steps forward. The message is quite simple: open up to the love of people who love you the way you are, not for what they can get from you. The story is told from Jenna's point of view, because this is her journey of self-discovery, but there are also interesting supporting characters e.g. Sara, Jenna's sister and her teenage children. Jenna never realised that while she was a bit of jealous of how close Sara was to their mother, Sara would have loved to spend as much time getting to know their father, something that Jenna who was into DIY did a lot. There's also Jenna's wonderfully supportive boss/mentor Patti who encourages Jenna to stay true to herself. The setting is gorgeous and I loved all the local food descriptions, especially Sara's baking creations. Overall, this was a very quick read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys Hallmark movies and sweet, clean romance. Thank you to Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours, the publisher and the authors for the gifted review copy. All opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way. |
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