Monthly Archives: August 2023

Happy Publication Day – 25 August 2023

Snow Angels On The Boardwalk By Georgina Troy

Portia Fortescue has traded in the hustle and bustle of London to help renovate a magnificent French manor house on the beautiful island of Jersey with her boyfriend Charlie.

But what they hoped would be a blissful escape to the chateau, turns out to be more of a DIY SOS. As the winter snow sets in, the stress of restoring the derelict building begins to take its toll on their relationship. Portia has known heartbreak before, but thought she’d found her happy-ever-after with Charlie…

Then, just as all seems lost, Portia and Charlie discover the warmth of the Boardwalk community – the best friends anyone could ever ask for. This new life could be everything they want it to be… if only they can finish the chateau in time for its grand reopening!

Book Review – The Man I Met On Holiday By Fiona Gibson

How Lauren thought her summer holiday would go:Priceless mother-son memories made before Charlie leaves for university.

How things actually are, now they’re here: Charlie refusing to speak to her and a creeping sense of dread contemplating the rest of her life alone.

Although Charlie has decided that holidays with Mum are now deeply uncool, Lauren is determined not to waste this trip. Then she meets James, who was supposed to be holidaying with his daughter but is now, like her, unexpectedly flying solo.

Lauren is soon sneaking away for romantic dinners under the stars and the pair start planning for a future.

But what happens when Lauren and James pick up their emotional baggage back home? And what will their kids make of their mid-life rom com in the making?

Published Date: 2 March 2023

My Review

In Corsica, Lauren, a woman enjoying her vacation with her teenage son, crosses paths with James, a divorced veterinarian from London. They quickly develop a strong bond and rediscover the true meaning of love. Their connection continues even after their holiday, as they bring their families together. This book narrates their story of finding a second chance at love, while also exploring the conflicts and challenges they face along the way. The perspectives of both Lauren and James’ children, Esther and Charlie, are included, adding depth to the narrative. I appreciate how both Lauren and James handle the issues involving their children in a practical manner. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read.

My Rating

Review Card – The Man I Met On Holiday By Fiona Gibson

How Lauren thought her summer holiday would go:Priceless mother-son memories made before Charlie leaves for university.

How things actually are, now they’re here: Charlie refusing to speak to her and a creeping sense of dread contemplating the rest of her life alone.

Although Charlie has decided that holidays with Mum are now deeply uncool, Lauren is determined not to waste this trip. Then she meets James, who was supposed to be holidaying with his daughter but is now, like her, unexpectedly flying solo.

Lauren is soon sneaking away for romantic dinners under the stars and the pair start planning for a future.

But what happens when Lauren and James pick up their emotional baggage back home? And what will their kids make of their mid-life rom com in the making?

About The Author

Fiona Gibson is the author of 16 romantic comedy novels, including Kindle Number One best seller The Mum Who Got Her Life Back (Avon). As Ellen Berry, she also writes the heartwarming Rosemary Lane series.

Her newest novel, The Woman Who Took a Chance, explores the delights and perils of mid-life dating.

Fiona grew up in West Yorkshire, before working on Jackie and Just Seventeen magazines – in those heady pre-internet days when it was thrilling to get a free plastic mirror taped to the front of your magazine. She went on to edit More! magazine, where she introduced the infamous Position of the Fortnight. After having twin sons and a daughter, Fiona started to write novels, usually at night with the house full of toddlers and builders. She was sleep deprived anyway so it really didn’t make any difference.

Apart from writing she also loves to draw, paint and run – and dream up ideas for more books!

Link To Purchase

Book Review – Something New At The Borrow A Bookshop By Kiley Dunbar

A fairytale ending isn’t just for fiction…

The Borrow-a-Bookshop is recovering, seven months on from the winter flood that destroyed all its stock, and the latest temporary bookseller, Joy Foley, arrives in Clove Lore with her daughter, five-year-old Radia Pearl. As a tech expert, she’ll be working on dragging the Bookshop into the twenty-first century.

But what no one knows is that Joy is running from Radia Pearl’s father. She can’t settle down here or anywhere … moving on is how she stays safe. So when Radia befriends Monty Bickleigh, ex-fisherman and the new cook at The Siren’s Tail pub, despite herself, Joy finds herself growing closer to him, and the quirky community of Clove Lore.

While Joy settles in to the bookshop, Araminta Clove-Congreve, local lady of the Manor, is finding running her new wedding business harder than anticipated. She needs to hire a chief wedding planner, and fast – and Joy’s family may have the answer.

As Joy finds her heart softening by the magic of Clove Lore, can her new friends – and Monty – be enough to convince Joy to stop running and find a new life?

An uplifting, gorgeously romantic read that will warm your heart; fans of Jenny Colgan and Trisha Ashley won’t be able to put this down. Bookworms everywhere, escape to the magic of Clove Lore today…

Published Date: 23 March 2023

My Review

Joy, a skilled technology expert and digital nomad, has taken up a position at the Borrow a Bookshop bookstore. Alongside being a devoted mother to her five-year-old daughter, she seeks a sense of belonging and a tranquil life. Joy and Radia Pearl, both new Borrowers and temporary booksellers, have found solace in this opportunity, as they are escaping Radia’s father. During their time there, Joy develops a close bond with Monty, a former fisherman.

This book delves into the theme of second chances in love, while shedding light on the mental abuse Joy has endured in her marriage, from which she has been trying to escape. Through the story, I can perceive the profound love of a mother in Joy and the resilience it grants her in protecting Radia. Overall, this heartwarming read resonates deeply with me.

My Rating

Happy Publication Day – 22 August 2023

Burning Justice By Tee O’Fallon

After narrowly surviving a childhood fire that killed two of his friends, ATF Special Agent Brett Tanner knows what it’s like to get too close to the flame. The trauma only spurs him and his K-9 partner to track down the arsonists targeting a Colorado town. This latest warehouse blaze looks suspicious as hell…and there’s a body. Now it’s murder. 

Fiercely independent insurance investigator Gemma Scott has been burned enough times to know she doesn’t need anyone—especially a handsome agent with an agenda. Teaming up with the hardened and determined ATF agent means not just trusting her instincts…it also means trusting him.

Now they’re racing against an arsonist with a lethal agenda—one who’s willing to burn and kill to hide the evidence. But the killer is only part of a larger mystery. And the searing attraction between Gemma and Brett adds fuel to an already dangerously lethal fire. One that will smoke out a killer…along with Brett’s darkest secret.

Bloom By Helen Hardt

Under his touch, your every desire will…Bloom

Today is the day Francesca Thomas was supposed to get married. All she wants is a stiff drink and a whole lot of distraction…which is exactly when she meets him. Tall, dark, and deliciously disguised, the man known only as Phantom awakens her every sense. All Frankie really knows about him is the raw, untamed chemistry that makes her want to relinquish herself—body and soul—to his touch…

Phantom has rules, all designed to protect his identity. No names. No personal information. But Frankie is a too-tempting ingenue who threatens all of his cautious, careful control. At the ultra-exclusive Black Rose Underground Club, he can explore each of her deepest, uncharted desires…so long as he keeps his public life—and his secrets—hidden.

Frankie’s ready to explore what lies between them. The intensity, the darkness, and the unyielding pleasure of it all. But while the mystery of Phantom is thrilling, secrets are one game she won’t play. And if she’s going to explore the forbidden, she’ll begin with finding out exactly who’s under the mask…

Love By Design By Judith Khim

Keeping a family promise can be the beginning of a whole new life for everyone in town…

Danielle “Dani” Gilford eagerly accepts her share of the gift of a cottage on the property of the Lilac Lake Inn in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Her grandmother, Gigi, has decided to sell the inn after realizing it’s too difficult to run as she ages and with rising taxes. Dani and her two sisters, Whitney and Taylor, must renovate and maintain the cottage and live there at least six months of each year, as a means of helping Gigi keep a vow to hold onto as much of the family property as possible.

The first person that Dani meets when she returns to the lake is Brad Collister, who, with his brother, has been hired to renovate the inn for the new owners. His brother, Aaron, is as attractive as Brad, but life with the brothers is complicated. Brad is still grieving for his wife, who died two years ago from cancer and Aaron’s interest lies with the business. And after working in Boston at an architectural design firm where the men in the office do everything they can to keep her from getting recognition for the work she does, the last thing Dani is looking for is a man. But the little town of Lilac Lake is full of interesting people, and surprises await Dani as she and her sisters work together to keep a promise to their grandmother, and Dani discovers new possibilities for herself about life and love.

Review Card – Something New At The Borrow A Bookshop By Kiley Dunbar

A fairytale ending isn’t just for fiction…

The Borrow-a-Bookshop is recovering, seven months on from the winter flood that destroyed all its stock, and the latest temporary bookseller, Joy Foley, arrives in Clove Lore with her daughter, five-year-old Radia Pearl. As a tech expert, she’ll be working on dragging the Bookshop into the twenty-first century.

But what no one knows is that Joy is running from Radia Pearl’s father. She can’t settle down here or anywhere … moving on is how she stays safe. So when Radia befriends Monty Bickleigh, ex-fisherman and the new cook at The Siren’s Tail pub, despite herself, Joy finds herself growing closer to him, and the quirky community of Clove Lore.

While Joy settles in to the bookshop, Araminta Clove-Congreve, local lady of the Manor, is finding running her new wedding business harder than anticipated. She needs to hire a chief wedding planner, and fast – and Joy’s family may have the answer.

As Joy finds her heart softening by the magic of Clove Lore, can her new friends – and Monty – be enough to convince Joy to stop running and find a new life?

About The Author

Kiley is Scottish and lives in England with her partner, two kids and Amos the Bedlington Terrier. She writes around her work at a University in the North of England where she lectures in English literature and creative writing. She is proud to be a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and a graduate of their New Writers’ Scheme.

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 21 August 2023

The Law Of Attraction By Laura Carter

A Hotshot Manhattan Attorney.

Drew Harrington knows exactly who he is—a legal shark with a love ‘em and leave ‘em attitude that works just fine in his cutthroat world. He’s on the cusp of being named a partner in his firm, but only if he can prove to his colleagues that he has a more human side.

A Sweetheart of a British Patisserie Chef.

Becky Fletcher is running from her past, so the last thing she’s looking for is love. What she does want is a friendly face in a cold city. Her sunny outlook is the perfect opposite to Drew’s hard exterior, but can she afford to let down her guard?

One fateful meeting at a bagel cart.

They sound like a match made in heaven—or is it a car crash?

Book Review – Save The Best For Last By Jennifer Probst

Tessa Harper, makeover queen of a self-care media empire, loves a challenge. But when she’s forced to satisfy her female readership’s growing interest in sports, Tessa reluctantly seeks out Ford Maddox. The popular sportscaster, annoying friend of her bestie, and long-time sparring partner agrees to strike a deal. He’ll give Tessa his expertise if she’ll give him hers. Namely a makeover to help him get past the friend zone with the woman of his dreams.

Ford has always considered Tessa to be nothing more than a pampered elitist. But if she can turn his rough style and attitude into boyfriend material, it’s worth the aggravation. The plan is working. The problem is, Ford’s also starting to see Tessa in a new light. And there’s more to the complicated woman than meets the eye.

Ford is falling hard. But is he ready to give up his ideal love to take a chance on an opinionated, independent spitfire who’s turning his life—and his heart—upside down?

Published Date: 21 February 2023

My Review

Tessa Harper holds the position of beauty and fashion director at Quench, a successful company dedicated to women’s self-care. She manages the business alongside her three closest friends. Although Tessa and Ford frequently interact due to their shared social circle, they don’t get along well. However, Ford realizes that Tessa could assist him in pursuing the woman he’s interested in. Despite their initial discord, they develop a comfortable rapport and enjoy sharing their interests. The outcome of their relationship, however, is unexpected for both of them.

This book portrays a story of two individuals transitioning from frenemies to lovers, and I thoroughly enjoy the characters of Tessa and Ford. Tessa showcases her talent and ambition, while Ford exhibits passion in his work, though he sometimes comes across as naive. Overall, it’s an engaging read for me.

My Rating

Review Card – Save The Best For Last By Jennifer Probst

Tessa Harper, makeover queen of a self-care media empire, loves a challenge. But when she’s forced to satisfy her female readership’s growing interest in sports, Tessa reluctantly seeks out Ford Maddox. The popular sportscaster, annoying friend of her bestie, and long-time sparring partner agrees to strike a deal. He’ll give Tessa his expertise if she’ll give him hers. Namely a makeover to help him get past the friend zone with the woman of his dreams.

Ford has always considered Tessa to be nothing more than a pampered elitist. But if she can turn his rough style and attitude into boyfriend material, it’s worth the aggravation. The plan is working. The problem is, Ford’s also starting to see Tessa in a new light. And there’s more to the complicated woman than meets the eye.

Ford is falling hard. But is he ready to give up his ideal love to take a chance on an opinionated, independent spitfire who’s turning his life—and his heart—upside down?

About The Author

Jennifer lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley in upstate New York. She has traveled to many places but always seem to be drawn back to the mountains. Jennifer graduated with a business degree, worked for Mercy College, and now spend most days dedicated to her family and her characters. After pursuing many career paths such as travel agent, yoga teacher and insurance salesperson, she wanted to be an airline pilot, a dancer, an archaeologist, and a vineyard owner. She has been all of the above through romance novels, and intend to explore many more.

Link To Purchase

Happy Publication Day – 19 August 2023

Summer Hates Christmas By Rachel Dove

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…isn’t it? 

Summer Hastings HATES Christmas. She loves sunshine, the beach and running her travel agency, sending people off to their dream destinations – even if she doesn’t get to see the world for herself. For Summer, Christmas sucks!

So, when handsome and charming Noel Pritchett moves his pop-up Christmas shop in to the store next to hers, Summer sees red. Noel loves Christmas…and he quite likes Summer too, if only he could break through the anti-Christmas armour she has surrounded herself with.

Just why does Summer hate Christmas so much? And can Noel be the one to prove to her that it really is the most wonderful time of the year?