Release date - 1st March 2019
Book length - 285 pages Publisher - HQ Digital Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Rachel from www.rachelsrandomresources.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK Can she unlock the mysteries of the past? A country at war It’s the summer of 1919 and Ellen O’Brien has her whole life ahead of her. Young, in love and leaving home for her first job, the future seems full of shining possibility. But war is brewing and before long, Ellen and everyone around her are swept up by it. As Ireland is torn apart by the turmoil, Ellen finds herself facing the ultimate test of love and loyalty. A long-buried secret A hundred years later and Clare Farrell has inherited a dilapidated old farmhouse in County Meath. Seizing the chance to escape her unhappy marriage she strikes out on her own for the first time, hoping the old building might also provide clues to her family’s shadowy history. As she sets out to put the place – and herself – back to rights, she stumbles across a long-forgotten hiding place, with a clue to a secret that has lain buried for decades. MY REVIEW THE FORGOTTEN SECRET by Kathleen McGurl is an absorbing, dual-timeline story that packs an emotional punch which I was not expecting. In 1919, Ellen O'Brien has gotten a job up at the big house and the boy who claims her heart returns home from school where they can finally be together. Life is hard work but she is happy. But things are about to change drastically for Ellen and she will experience hardships and heartbreaks like no other. Will she have the strength to keep on living against the odds? In the present day, Clare Farrell has inherited her uncle's farm in Ireland and her controlling husband is determined to sell it regardless of her feelings. But this farm may just be the perfect place to escape to - a place where Clare can leave her sham of a marriage and find herself again. But life is never quite straight-forward and when she finds an old heirloom hidden in a chair, will uncovering the past help Clare face her future? THE FORGOTTEN SECRET by Kathleen McGurl is excellently written and Ireland's harsh and raw past is well-depicted without being too graphic. I had a very emotional reaction to this book, especially Ellen's story, because I'm Irish and this is my history, my ancestor's history, and I felt anger and sadness at times but I also felt pride and hope too. For Ellen is a character that echoes in our history - a proud, strong, Irish woman who suffers abominably but continues to forge a new life against the odds, a woman who never gives up. Clare's story is equally important and I enjoyed watching her character find her inner strength too. THE FORGOTTEN SECRET by Kathleen McGurl is a compelling and gripping story that will hook you from the very first page and I highly recommend it. AUTHOR BIO Kathleen McGurl lives in Bournemouth with her husband and cat. She has two grown-up sons who have now left home. She always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines and written three books for writers. These days she is concentrating on longer fiction and has published several dual timeline novels with CarinaUK and HQ. She works full time in the IT industry and when she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly. For more information: Website - kathleenmcgurl.com Twitter - twitter.com/KathMcGurl Facebook - www.facebook.com/KathleenMcGurl/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/kathleenmcgurl/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!!
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Release date - 1st March 2019
Book length - 241 pages Publisher - HQ Digital Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Rachel from www.rachelsrandomresources.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK Will she find the truth? England, 1940 After a sudden unexplained disappearance, Thomas Charles comes back into Cat Carlisle’s life with the suggestion she leave London – and the threat of bombs – to move to back her childhood village in Cumberland. Back in her hometown Cat discovers her childhood friend, Beth Hargreaves, is suspected of murder. As Cat tries to prove Beth’s innocence, she discovers a scheme of deception that affects the whole village. Can she uncover the family truths behind the murder and expose the enemy hiding in plain sight? MY REVIEW A compelling story with engaging characters, THE FAMILY SECRET by Terry Lynn Thomas is sure to please historical fiction and WWII fiction fans everywhere. On the brink of war, Thomas Charles has been given another assignment by Sir Reginald which appeals to Thomas for one reason - he gets to whisk Cat away from the dangers of London to the country village of Rivenby where she grew up. He loves Cat and will do whatever it takes to be near her. But this quaint little place is not as quiet as he had hoped when murder rears its ugly head again and again. Cat is delighted to see Thomas again and jumps at the chance to spend more time with him and return to her childhood home. But as she becomes embroiled in a murder investigation, can she uncover the truth before it is too late? The setting, plot, and pace of this story are excellently handled but it is the characters that really make THE FAMILY SECRET shine. While this is the second book in this series, you can easily read this book independently as their backstory is deftly woven throughout. All of the characters have their own unique history that pulls you in but I really loved the two young girls, Edythe and Carmona, and their friendship which is so genuine and heartfelt. There is plenty of mystery, subterfuge, and lies to keep readers on their toes and there is never a dull moment in this gripping read. THE FAMILY SECRET by Terry Lynn Thomas is an excellent example of how captivating and absorbing historical fiction can truly be and I highly recommend it! AUTHOR BIO Terry Lynn Thomas grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, which explains her love of foggy beaches, windy dunes, and Gothic mysteries. When her husband promised to buy Terry a horse and the time to write if she moved to Mississippi with him, she jumped at the chance. Although she had written several novels and screenplays prior to 2006, after she relocated to the South she set out to write in earnest and has never looked back. Now Terry Lynn writes the Sarah Bennett Mysteries, set on the California coast during the 1940s, which feature a misunderstood medium in love with a spy. Neptune’ Daughter is a recipient of the IndieBRAG Medallion. She also writes the Cat Carlisle Mysteries, set in Britain during World War II. The first book in this series, The Silent Woman, is slated to release in April 2018. When she’s not writing, you can find Terry Lynn riding her horse, walking in the woods with her dogs, or visiting old cemeteries in search of story ideas. For more information: Website - terrylynnthomas.com Twitter - twitter.com/tlthomasbooks DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!! Release date - 12th March 2019
Book length - 297 pages Publisher - Bookouture Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Noelle from www.bookouture.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK After yet another failed romance, twenty-six-year-old Callie Fulbright is giving up on love. She’s determined to throw all her efforts into her very own, brand-new café: The Cosy Kettle. Serving hot tea, cherry tarts and a welcoming smile to the friendly locals proves to be the perfect distraction, and Callie feels a flush of pride at the fledging business she’s built. But her new-found confidence is soon put to the test when her gorgeous ex reappears in the quaint little village. She’ll never forget the heartache Noah caused her years ago, but when they bump into each other on the cobbled streets of Honeyford she can’t help but feel a flutter in her chest… As Callie and Noah share laughter and memories, she starts to wonder if this could be her second chance at happiness. But when Callie discovers that someone is mysteriously trying to ruin the café’s reputation… she has an awful suspicion that Noah knows who’s involved. Was she wrong to ever trust him again? And can she find out who’s behind the lies and rumours, before it’s too late for the Cosy Kettle? MY REVIEW As I have come to expect with Liz Eeles books, NEW STARTS AND CHERRY TARTS AT THE COSY KETTLE enveloped me from the very beginning and finishing this wonderful story was like saying goodbye to family when I turned the final page. In the lovely community of Honeyford, Callie has the love of her family and a new career as she sets up the Cosy Kettle - a fabulous cafè with desserts that will make your mouth water. She is happy with everything except her non-existent love life. But when the boy who broke her heart all those years ago returns home, Callie cannot help but feel that familiar pull in her heart. But can she and Noah ever be more than friends again? And when someone tries to destroy the business that she has poured her heart and soul into, is it just paranoia that Noah seems to know more than he is letting on? I loved absolutely everything about this story. The characters are warm and engaging, especially Callie's grandad, and the setting comes alive in such a way that you can picture every place and smell the cakes as they bake. There is friendship, strength, determination, romance, and some misunderstandings along the way, and it all combines to create a spellbinding story that is sure to impress cosy fiction and romance fans alike. NEW STARTS AND CHERRY TARTS AT THE COSY KETTLE by Liz Eeles is an excellent story that will warm your heart and make you smile and I highly recommend it to everyone! AUTHOR BIO I live on the South Coast with my husband. It's just the two of us now because our grown-up children have moved out. I do miss them, but it is nice to have more time for writing - sorry, kids! I write funny, feel-good novels set in gorgeous Cornwall, which gives me a great excuse to go there on research trips (though my husband refers to them as 'holidays'). And, having worked as a journalist and press officer over the years, I'm fortunate enough now to write novels full-time. When I've notched up the required daily word count, I enjoy reading, walking by the sea with friends, singing in a local choir, and watching TV. I love sci-fi programmes and still harbour a childhood crush on Captain Kirk. For more information: Website - lizeeles.com Twitter - twitter.com/lizeelesauthor Facebook - www.facebook.com/pg/lizeelesauthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/lizeelesauthor/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!! Release date - 7th March 2019
Book length - 194 pages Publisher - Corvus Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Anne from randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Sometimes friendship can be murder... It's the weekend of Clarisse's bridal party, a trip the girls have all been looking forward to. Then, on the day of their flight, Tamsyn, the maid of honour, suddenly backs out. Upset and confused, they try to make the most of the stunning, isolated seaside house they find themselves in. But, there is a surprise in store - Tamsyn has organised a murder mystery, a sinister game in which they must discover a killer in their midst. As tensions quickly boil over, it becomes clear to them all that there are some secrets that won't stay buried... MY REVIEW THE BRIDAL PARTY by JG Murray is an emotional and tense story brimming with secrets, lies, and obsession which makes for an entertaining read. Everyone wants to make Clarisse's hen weekend in the countryside a huge success. After all that she has been through in the past, Clarisse deserves her current happiness. But when Tamsyn, Clarisse's best friend doesn't show up at the stunning and slightly creepy lodge in the middle of nowhere, things start to take a very strange turn for everyone in the group. For someone has been through their belongings, knows their secrets, and seems to be one step ahead of them at every turn. And when the trip takes a very dark and sinister turn, it won't be long before they each begin to find out who their friends really are ... I enjoyed the premise of this story and felt the tension and strange atmosphere on every page which kept me interested throughout. I have to admit that I really didn't like most of the characters, with the exception of Gaia, but that didn't take away from the story. Told in a past and present narrative, we get to see the backstory to this unusual group of friends and this really worked well for me. THE BRIDAL PARTY by JG Murray is a devious tale that could be easily read in one evening and will make you question whether you can ever truly know someone inside and out. AUTHOR BIO J G Murray is the winner of the 2018 Deviant Minds Prize and the author of the upcoming psychological thriller The Bridal Party. He studied Creative Writing at Warwick University and has lived in Brussels, Bangkok and London. He has won numerous prizes for his short fiction and published stories in a number of publications. Most recently, Julian contributed to the 24 Stories Anthology, a book raising money for the victims of Grenfell featuring authors such as Irvine Welsh, Chris Brookmyre and AL Kennedy. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/juliangylmurray DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!! Release date - 1st March 2019
Book length - 400 pages Publisher - Avon Books UK Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Sabah from www.avonbooks.co.uk for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK When her 18-year-old twins leave for university, single mum Nadia’s life changes in ways she never expected: her Glasgow flat feels suddenly huge, laundry doesn’t take up half her week, and she no longer has to buy ‘the Big Milk’. After almost two decades of putting everyone else first, Nadia is finally taking care of herself. And with a budding romance with new boyfriend Jack, She’s never felt more alive. That is, until her son Alfie drops out of university, and Nadia finds her empty nest is empty no more. With a heartbroken teenager to contend with, Nadia has to ask herself: is it ever possible for a mother to get her own life back? And can Jack and Nadia’s relationship survive having a sulky teenager around? MY REVIEW Witty, entertaining, and thought-provoking, THE MUM WHO GOT HER LIFE BACK by Fiona Gibson is a fantastic story that kept my eyes glued to the page from start to finish. Nadia isn't sure what she is going to do with the extra free time she has now that her children have left for University, but she has work and her friends and that should be enough to fill the void. But Nadia didn't expect to meet a handsome and charismatic stranger in the Lush bath bomb department, and soon she finds herself in the throes of lust with a man that seems to be perfect for her in every way. Nadia realises that her life can still be passionate and it is ok for her to feel a little bit happy that her kids no longer need her like they used to. Until they do. Alfie, Nadia's son, has dropped out of Uni and has resumed his role as her baby boy and suddenly Nadia doesn't have the freedom that she once had and feels guilty for even thinking like that. Her new relationship begins to feel the pressure as Nadia and Jack begin to merge their families, and when a misunderstanding takes on a deeper meaning, could their new found love falter before it has really begun? With ex-partners, embarrassing first meetings, and miscommunication THE WOMAN WHO GOT HER LIFE BACK by Fiona Gibson made me laugh and made me think about how I would feel if I was in Nadia's position. I really enjoyed the characters but I have to say that while I didn't always agree with Nadia and her actions, I could always understand them. THE MUM WHO GOT HER LIFE BACK by Fiona Gibson is a wonderful story about discovering you are when the role that has been the most important part of your life has taken a bit of a back seat, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book! AUTHOR BIO Fiona is an author and journalist who has written for many UK publications including The Observer, The Guardian, Marie Claire, Red, New Woman, Top Sante and Elle. She writes a monthly column for Sainsbury’s magazine and is a Contributing Editor at Red magazine. Fiona lives in Scotland with her husband, their twin sons and daughter. She likes to draw, run 10k races, play her saxophone and lie in the bath with a big glass of wine, although not all at once. For more information: Website - www.fionagibson.com Twitter - twitter.com/FionaGibson Facebook - www.facebook.com/fionagibsonauthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/fiona_gib/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!! Release date - 21st February 2019
Book length - 354 pages Publisher - Avon Books UK Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Sabah from www.avonbooks.co.uk for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK 55-year-old Georgie Turner doesn’t need a new man. Her daughter, aunt and sister are the most important people in her life (and the most infuriating). But it seems the older they get, the further apart they drift. Georgie’s never been a fan of her sister Bonnie’s husband, so when she learns her brother-in-law has been up to no good, Georgie sees an opportunity to bring the women of her family back together. Along with her 21-year-old daughter and 80-year-old aunt, she packs Bonnie into the back of her car and they leave Liverpool to hide out on the coast of Sussex. With the help of some sun, sea and bottle or two of prosecco, this will be an adventure they’ll never forget. But could the right man find Georgie while she’s stopping the wrong man finding her sister? MY REVIEW THE AGE OF MISADVENTURE by Judy Leigh is a madcap adventure that made me laugh, made me tear up, and infuriated me at one point, but most of all it entertained me from start to finish. Georgie Turner has managed well on her own ever since her divorce and she doesn't need romance in her life. She has her own home, a successful business, and she adores the women in her life - her daughter Jade, her sister Bonnie, and her old Aunt Nan. But Jade is getting older and has fallen in love and wants Georgie to stop smothering her, Bonnie is a trophy wife to a crook, and Nan seems to be fading away before her eyes. When Bonnie's husband gets himself into trouble with a gangster and cheats on Bonnie again, Georgie sees the chance to whisk all of the people who matter the most to her away until the dust settles and Bonnie is no longer in danger, but things certainly do not always go to plan. But maybe these women will find their inner strength and forge a closer bond somewhere along the way. This book worked well for me and the characters were all unique and engaging although I have to say that Nan was by far my favourite - she made me laugh and she made me sad and there was never a dull moment with old Nan. Georgie is a more complicated character and there were times where I was completely on Jade's side and could see how overprotective Georgie could be, but I'm also a mum who would do anything to protect her kids so I could understand it a little too. Bonnie drove me nuts! There is plenty of ups and downs, twists and turns, which makes this story flow well from start to finish and I fully enjoyed THE AGE OF MISADVENTURE by Judy Leigh. AUTHOR BIO Judy Leigh completed an MA in Professional Writing at Falmouth University in 2015, leaving her career of 20 years as an Advanced Skills teacher of Theatre Studies. She has had several stories published in magazines, including The Feminist Wire, The Purple Breakfast Review and You is for University. She has also trained as a Reiki healer, written a vegan recipe blog and set up a series of Shakespeare Festivals to enable young people to perform the Bard's work on stage. For more information: Website - judyleigh.com Twitter - twitter.com/JudyLeighWriter Facebook - www.facebook.com/judyleighuk/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/judyrleigh/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!! Available Now
Book length - 373 pages Publisher - Bombshell Books Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Sarah from bytheletterbookreviews.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK 31 dates in 31 days – what could possibly go wrong? Izzy is a journalist who usually writes a technology column for a local newspaper. Her somewhat-intimidating boss William sets her the task of dating thirty-one men, via an internet dating site, all within a month, and writing about it for the paper. Having an active, though fruitless, social life with her friend Donna, Izzy knows what she wants in a man, so creates a shopping list of dos and don’ts and starts ticking them off as she meets the men. Follow the ups and downs of the dating process including Tim ‘the Weeble’, whose date leads Izzy to see banoffee pie in a whole new light, Lawrence the super-skinny social worker, Felix with his bizarre penchant for Persian Piranhas, and ‘the music maestro but don’t talk about dead pets’ Jake. By the end of the month, will Izzy have met Mr Right? MY REVIEW I'm with my husband almost fourteen years so it is fair to say it has been a long time since I had to think about the dating scene so when I saw this book, the title sounded like it might be a story with plenty of laughs and I was definitely right! When Izzy is given an assignment to join an online dating site and set up thirty-one dates over thirty-one days and report on each one for their readers, she feels that she is up for the challenge. But Izzy soon realises that there aren't that many eligible men where she lives and as she scrambles from one meal to another, Izzy's long list of do's and don'ts seems to be getting a lot more complicated. But what started off as work soon takes on a life of its own and is it possible that Izzy may just find her perfect match somewhere along the line? Hilarious doesn't do this book justice as I laughed out loud so many times throughout THE SERIAL DATER'S SHOPPING LIST and I have to say banoffee pie has changed forever in my view. The characters are colourful, quirky, and entertaining, and there is never a dull moment from start to finish, and some of the dates are sure to make your jaw drop (and not in a good way!). THE SERIAL DATER'S SHOPPING LIST by Morgen Bailey is a wonderful, vibrant, and witty take on the modern dating scene and I highly recommend it to humour and contemporary fiction fans alike. AUTHOR BIO Morgen Bailey – Morgen with an E – is a freelance editor (for publishers and indie authors, and offers a free 1,000-word sample), writing tutor (in person and online), blogger (helping other authors, sharing tips etc.), Writers’ Forum magazine ‘Competitive Edge’ columnist, speaker, author of several novels (at various stages), 400+ short stories, a series of writer’s block workbooks, an editing guide, articles, and has dabbled with poetry. She is also a co-founder of Northants Authors and an avid supporter of all things creative writing. Former Chair of three writing groups, she has judged the H.E. Bates Short Story Competition, RONE, as well as the Althorp Literary Festival children’s short story, BBC Radio 2, and BeaconLit 500-word flash fiction competitions. She also runs her own monthly 100-word competition and is a forthcoming Flash 500 judge. Morgen can regularly be found on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, and LinkedIn. When not online, she edits other authors’ books, reads, loves walking her dog, and somewhere in between all that she writes. For more information: Website - morgenbailey.wordpress.com Twitter - twitter.com/morgenwriteruk Facebook - www.facebook.com/MorgenBaileyAuthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/morgenwriteruk/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!! Release date - 7th March 2019
Book length - 354 pages Publisher - Harvill Secker Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Anna from www.penguin.co.uk/vintage for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Surviving the plane crash is only the beginning for Allison. The life that she’s built for herself – her perfect fiancé, their world of luxury – has disappeared in the blink of an eye. Now she must run, not only to escape the dark secrets in her past, but to outwit the man who is stalking her every move. On the other side of the country, Allison’s mother is desperate for news of her daughter, who is missing, presumed dead. Maggie refuses to accept that she could have lost her only child and sets out to discover the truth. Mother and daughter must fight – for survival and to find their way through a dark web of lies and back to one another, before it’s too late… Heart-stopping and addictive, FREEFALL is a stunning thriller that explores the deep and complex bond between mothers and daughters. MY REVIEW FREEFALL by Jessica Barry is an energetic, gripping tale of survival and I cannot think of a book that suits it's title as much as this compelling novel. Allison has lost contact with her mother ever since the day that her beloved father died and she knows that she is barely recognisable as the daughter she used to be and is ashamed to get back in touch. But when she finds herself in serious trouble and her life crashes down around her, literally, Allison needs to make a plan and she needs to move quickly. For the man that is hunting her will stop at nothing to kill her, and they will hurt anyone who gets in the way including her mother. Maggie is devastated when she hears the news that her daughter has died in a plane crash especially since they were estranged. Now she knows she will never get the chance to see her baby girl again and rebuild their relationship. But when Maggie starts digging into her daughter's new life, something seems off and as she gets closer to unlocking the truth, her own life will be placed in danger. This book will take you on a thrilling ride from start to finish and barely give you a chance to breathe. The chapters are short and snappy (which I love) and told from both Allison and Maggie's point of view, with memories of the past filling in the story in between the present. The action, the drama, the suspense are all perfectly executed in FREEFALL and I can definitely imagine seeing this on our screens. FREEFALL by Jessica Barry is simply superb and I highly recommend it to all thriller and suspense fans everywhere. AUTHOR BIO Jessica Barry is a pseudonym for an American author who grew up in a small town in Massachusetts and was raised on a steady diet of library books and PBS. She attended Boston University, where she majored in English and Art History, before moving to London in 2004 to pursue an MA from University College London. She lives with her husband, Simon, and their two cats, Roger Livesey and BoJack Horseman. For more information: Twitter - twitter.com/jessbarryauthor Facebook - www.facebook.com/JessicaBarryFreefall/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/jessicabarry9/ |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! Currently ReadingUPCOMING BLOG TOURS
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