 Release date - 8th November 2023 Book length - 298 pages Publisher - Boldwood Books BUY LINKS UK - www.amazon.co.uk 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 via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK Click: buy… a French chateau. Condition: ‘may require improvement’… It seemed like a good idea. Selling everything we own. Just Mark and I, swapping our tiny little terraced London home – and the heartbreak of not being able to start a family – for an entire chateau in the middle of France… This has always been our dream. And now it’s coming true. As I use the rusty key to open the big, creaking wooden door of the tumbledown fairytale chateau that’s officially our new home, I wonder: what could possibly go wrong? Turns out my grasp of the language isn’t brilliant – and I’ve realised too late that I should really have got fluent before emigrating. But it turns out that the answer is ‘le tout’. In other words, ‘everything’ than can go wrong, will… Will our marriage survive this adventure? With all the tumbling masonry, will we? As the French sun blazes overhead, one thing’s for sure: it’s going to be a year to remember… MY REVIEW An emotional and heartwarming story of love, loss, and taking charge of your life, THE FRENCH CHATEAU ESCAPE by Gillian Harvey is a wonderful story that hooked me from beginning to end with rich characters that found their way into my heart. Life isn't exactly plain sailing for Emma at the moment. She hates her job and her nightmare boss, she cannot get pregnant, and it's breaking her heart watching her grief-stricken father fade away in front of her eyes. When her older partner, Mark, decides that they should sell their home, quit their jobs, and buy a chateau in France, Emma thinks that he has lost his mind. But maybe a change of pace and a relaxing lifestyle could fix it all, and when they find the perfect place for such a bargain, what could go wrong? Well, the answer is everything. It soon becomes apparent that Emma's hospitality background is not going to be enough when it comes to a total renovation, and although their age gap never factored into their relationship before, it is factoring into the workload that Mark is now trying to undertake all by himself. With money running out, no ability to speak the language, and still no sign of the baby that they want, Emma is worried that they have made a huge mistake. And when an unexpected accident occurs, who knows what will happen to their French chateau dream life?! And will Emma and Mark's relationship even survive the challenge? THE FRENCH CHATEAU ESCAPE by Gillian Harvey is a rich and interesting story filled with adventure and beautiful imagery, as well as sensitive topics such as grief and infertility. The characters are fleshed out and engaging, and I teared up a few times while reading it which always shows the author's talent to connect with readers. Emma has gone through a lot of things in her life which left her unsure of herself in the beginning so it was a delight to watch her realise her own strengths and how determined she could actually be all by herself. THE FRENCH CHATEAU ESCAPE by Gillian Harvey was more than I expected and I look forward to more from this author. AUTHOR INFO Gillian Harvey is a freelance writer and bestselling author who lives in Haute Vienne France. Since moving to Boldwood from Orion in 2022, she has released three novels set in France: The bestselling A Year at the French Farmhouse, One French Summer, and A Month in Provence. You can follow the author here for updates: Website - www.gillianharvey.com X - twitter.com/GillPlusFive Instagram - www.instagram.com/gillplusfive/ Don't forget to check out all of the other blog spots along the way!!!   Release date - July 2023
Book length - 160 pages Publisher - Zaffre Books (Bonnier) BUY LINKS Ireland & Worldwide - www.kennys.ie UK - www.uk.bookshop.org US - www.amazon.com I voluntarily reviewed this book via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK When twenty-five-year-old Takako's boyfriend reveals he's marrying someone else, she reluctantly accepts her eccentric uncle Satoru's offer to live rent-free in the tiny room above his shop. Hidden in Jimbocho, Tokyo, the Morisaki Bookshop is a booklover's paradise. On a quiet corner in an old wooden building, the shop is filled with hundreds of second-hand books. It is Satoru's pride and joy, and he has devoted his life to the bookshop since his wife left him five years earlier. Hoping to nurse her broken heart in peace, Takako is surprised to encounter new worlds within the stacks of books lining the shop. And as summer fades to autumn, Satoru and Takako discover they have more in common than they first thought. The Morisaki bookshop has something to teach them both about life, love, and the healing power of books. MY REVIEW A gentle, slow-paced story of family, tradition, and the magnificence of the written word, DAYS AT THE MORISAKI BOOKSHOP by Satoshi Yagasawa is a simply lovely read. When Takako gets brutally dumped by her boyfriend who she also works with, she immediately quits her job and finds herself a little lost and alone. So when her eccentric Uncle Satoru offers her free room and board for helping out in their family bookshop, Takako feels like this is probably her best option, even if it isn't the most appealing. As Takako settles into the routine of the bookshop and its customers, it isn't long before she begins to feel revitalised, and as new friendships are formed, Takako regains her confidence and a newfound interest in life again. And it turns out that she may have more in common with her Uncle than she could ever imagine possible. From family ties and expectations to finding the perfect path for you, DAYS AT THE MORISAKI BOOKSHOP has it all. Blending beautiful traditions with the modern world is wonderfully described and the characters, while a little cold at times, really connect well together and push the story forward at a gentle pace. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more Japanese translations. ABOUT THIS AUTHOR Satoshi Yagasawa was born in Chiba, Japan in 1977. Days at the Morisaki Bookshop is his debut novel, and it won Chiyoda Literature Prize. It was first published in Japan in 2010, the sequel the following year.  Release date - 26th October 2023
Book length - 313 pages Publisher - Moonflower Books BUY LINKS Ireland & UK - www.bookshop.org www.amazon.co.uk US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Amanda from www.moonflowerbooks.co.uk for providing me with a proof copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK After a terrible tragedy, governess Julia Pearlie finds herself with no job, home, or references. When she’s offered a position as companion to Miss Olivia Richmond, her luck appears to be turning. But Mistcoate House is full of secrets. Olivia has a sinister reputation. The locals call her the Mistcoate Witch, thanks to her tarot readings, and her insistence that she can speak to the dead. Her father, Dr Richmond, believes this to be girlish fantasy and is looking to Julia to put a stop to it. Determined to prove herself and shake off her own murky history, Julia sets to work trying to help Olivia become a proper young lady. However, as she becomes a fixture at Mistcoate, it is soon clear that there may be more to Olivia’s stories than Dr Richmond would have Julia believe – not least because somehow, Olivia seems to know something of the darkness that Julia desperately hoped she had left behind. As the danger grows, and the winter chill wraps around the dark woods surrounding Mistcoate, Julia will have to fight to uncover the truth, escape her past – and save herself. MY REVIEW Enthralling from beginning to end, THE FORTUNES OF OLIVIA RICHMOND by Louise Davidson is everything I hoped it would be and more. Julia Pearle is in a predicament. After a harrowing ordeal, she finds herself at the mercy of her brother and sister-in-law who no longer wish to have her underfoot. So when she gets offered the position as a companion to a young lady in the countryside, Julia doesn't have much choice. Ready to make a fresh start for herself, Julia is determined to make her new life a success, but as soon as she arrives at the desolate Mistcoate House she realises that this may be more difficult than she could ever imagine. Not only are money and staff scarce at the manor but her charge, Olivia, has a reputation that precedes her. Nicknamed the Mistcoate Witch, Olivia is both ridiculed and feared by the locals when she reads her cards and speaks of the dead. Julia sees only a young lady who needs kindness and compassion, as well as a proper education befitting her station. Add in a scandalous Aunt, a forgetful old captain, and a bitter housekeeper, and Julia must keep her wits about her at all times. But as Julia begins to settle in and make friends with some of the locals, it soon becomes clear that maybe there is more to Olivia's visions and ramblings than she first thought. When enemies from the present and the past come back to haunt them, will Julia be able to uncover the truth and save those that she has come to care deeply about? This debut is described as a paranormal period drama and that is the perfect description. The detail, the setting, the characters, and the plot are fresh and engaging, while a thread of unease is effortlessly being spun in the background as you read, ready to pounce and make you shiver at the perfect moments throughout. Julia's character is strong, independent, and extremely intelligent which I enjoyed, and I loved how it worked perfectly with Olivia who seemed quite the opposite in so many ways, yet was just as engaging and compelling in her own way. THE FORTUNES OF OLIVIA RICHMOND is an excellent story and I cannot wait to read more from Louise Davidson. AUTHOR BIO Louise Davidson was born in Belfast and has always worked in the creative arts in some capacity - from assistant to theatre directors to teaching scriptwriting classes in prisons to teaching English and drama to A-Level students. Growing up in Northern Ireland backgrounded by the Troubles led to a fascination with history, and this combined with her love of all things gothic inspired her to write her first book, a dark Victorian thriller set in a neglected and isolated mansion. Louise lives in London with her husband and step-son, and in her spare time is working on fulfilling her ambition to visit every museum in the city. The Fortunes of Olivia Richmond is her debut novel. You can keep up-to-date with Louise Davidson's writing here: X  Release date - 11th May
Book length - 364 pages Publisher - Quercus BUY LINKS Ireland & Worldwide - www.kennys.ie UK - www.amazon.co.uk US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Elaine from Hachette Ireland for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK For one week, everything in Luke Miller's life is perfect. Surprised with a belated honeymoon by his wife, Rose, he's had seven days with her in a Caribbean paradise. It's more than he ever thought he'd deserve. But as they pack their bags, Rose breaks down, confessing that on the day they left London, a violent man from her past tracked her down and broke into their home. He wasn't expecting her to fight back. And, in her terror, Rose killed him. Now there's a dead body in Luke's apartment, and only one person he can think to turn to. Mickey Sheils never expected to hear from Luke again, not after he disappeared the first time. Luke knows Mickey can't deny a woman who needs help, so she promises she'll deal with things - she'll make sure Rose doesn't have to keep running. But it turns out, some lies are too big to run from. MY REVIEW It's the last day of his surprise honeymoon when Luke Miller's perfect life falls apart. The love of his life, Rose, has just told him that she cannot go back home to their apartment and their new married life together because there is a dead body on their bedroom floor. Rose wants him to go home and report it all and she will simply disappear and Luke won't get into trouble. For Rose has disappeared before - from the abusive man who tracked her down after all these years and is now dead in their home. But Luke has another plan but he will need help from someone from his past whom he hurt deeply. Mickey Sheils has dedicated her life to helping women escape abusive situations and she even has the scars to prove it. So when Luke phones her asking for her help, she cannot refuse. There's also the fact that he disappeared from her life without explanation all those years ago and she still wonders why if she is honest. But when Mickey arrives at their apartment in London to see what she is dealing with, the situation becomes a lot more complicated, because Rose's dead ex-boyfriend isn't anywhere to be found. With plenty of twists, turns, lies, and tragedy, DON'T LOOK BACK by Jo Spain hooked me from the very first page and I was gripped to the end. The characters of Luke and Rose really drew me in as they were likeable even though it was obvious that they were keeping secrets from their past. Mickey was my favourite character - a no-nonsense, intelligent woman who truly knows and accepts herself - and I enjoyed watching her piece the truth together with the help of her friends. The story moves from the Caribbean to London to Ireland, and from past to present which all worked really well in keeping the tension and pace in the story, as well as fleshing out all of the character's pasts. I don't want to give any spoilers so I can't say too much about the plot itself but there are plenty of surprises and just when I thought I had some of it figured out, I was thrown off with something new, which I love! DON'T LOOK BACK by Jo Spain is an excellent psychological thriller and I cannot wait for more from one of my favourite authors. AUTHOR BIO Jo Spain is a full-time writer and screenwriter. Her first novel, With Our Blessing, was one of seven books shortlisted in the Richard and Judy Search for a Bestseller competition and her first psychological thriller, The Confession, was a number one bestseller in Ireland. Jo co-writes the internationally acclaimed Harry Wild TV series and is currently working on several TV productions, including the adaptation of her own Detective Tom Reynolds series. Jo lives in Dublin with her husband and their four children. Facebook - www.facebook.com/JoSpainAuthor Instagram - www.instagram.com/jospainscreenwriter/ TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@jospainauthor  Release date - 4th May Book length - 322 pages Publisher - Bookouture BUY LINKS UK - www.amazon.co.uk US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Jessica from bookouture.com for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with an e-copy of this book via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK Thirty-two-year-old Imogen Kelly is meant to be living her best life in Dublin but the bright lights of the city aren’t making her truly happy. So she leaps at the chance to take on an interior design job at the big country manor at the edge of Emerald Bay. It also gives Imogen an excuse to return to the place where she spent an unforgettable summer with her first love, Lachlan Leslie, the heir to Benmore House. Imogen’s heart is full of hope at the thought of seeing her childhood sweetheart but on the way there she nearly has an accident on the winding, muddy country road. She arrives at Benmore House late and flustered, only to discover the builder working with her on the renovation project is none other than Ryan O’Malley – the class prankster who was forever pinging her bra strap at school. Within seconds it’s clear he’s still a cheeky charmer, even if he’s transformed into a gorgeous guy who unexpectedly sets her pulse racing. Forced into close proximity with relentlessly cheerful Ryan, who’s forever (badly) singing rock ballads at the top of his voice, Imogen at first finds him an annoying distraction. With St Patrick’s Day celebrations in full swing, Imogen has her work cut out to keep the job on track. Spending more time with Ryan, she discovers that, behind his warm smile and generous ways, he’s nursing heartache. But when she finally sees blue-eyed Lachlan again, Imogen has to face up to the truth about the secret summer romance they shared. Will she leave Emerald Bay broken-hearted? Or will Imogen realise that home really is where the heart is? MY REVIEW A sweet and easy read, NEW BEGINNINGS IN THE LITTLE IRISH VILLAGE by Michelle Vernal is a light-hearted romance set in a picturesque, small Irish village where some of the characters felt a little familiar! Imogen isn't happy and at thirty-two, her life is definitely not turning out as she had planned. So when she gets the opportunity to work in a big old country manor in Emerald Bay, she jumps at the chance. After all, this place holds so many memories for her, including when she dallied with love and heartbreak for the first time with Lachlan Leslie all those years ago. Could first love be rekindled? Well, Imogen wouldn't mind finding out. But like everything else in her life, her plans never seem to go quite to order. Instead of looking glamorous on arrival and stunning Lachlan with her beaming smile, she arrives flustered and out of sorts to see the class prankster, Ryan O'Malley, ready to work with her on this project. However, she soon finds out that Ryan has grown and changed in many ways and is surprised when she begins to have feelings for him. But will the arrival of Lachlan scupper their chances? Or is Lachlan the man of her dreams? Cute characters in a pretty setting, NEW BEGINNINGS IN THE LITTLE IRISH VILLAGE is the kind of romance that will make you smile and warm your heart to the very end. A well-paced story with a laidback vibe, this book should find its way into your suitcase for your next holiday. AUTHOR INFO Michelle Vernal is the award-winning author of The Letter (previously titled, The Dancer). She writes the popular, The Guesthouse on the Green series and bestselling timeslip, saga series, Liverpool Brides as well as numerous other stories all with a common denominator...a happy ending. Twitter - twitter.com/MichelleVernal Facebook - www.facebook.com/michellevernalnovelist Instagram - www.instagram.com/michellevernalnovelist/ TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@michellevauthor   Release date - 25th April 2023 Book length - 207 pages Publisher - Harlequin (Mills & Boon) BUY LINKS UK - www.amazon.co.uk US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Rachel from www.rachelsrandomresources.com for the opportunity to take part in this release day and for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK When their worlds collided… They became tied forever! Flora Bick once strayed from her carefully scripted life and lost herself in the uninhibited kisses of a stranger. Overwhelmed, she fled his bed and returned to her risk-free existence. Now, he’s found her and together they discover the unimaginable—she’s pregnant! Demanding Flora accompany him to Sicily, Raffaele Russo finally reveals his vast wealth—and his determination to give their child the stable upbringing he never had. But for the time being, their secret remains theirs alone, and it will bind them even closer than their ever-present desire… MY REVIEW If you're looking to escape in a whirlwind of romance and sizzling chemistry, then BOUND BY A SICILIAN SECRET by Lela May Wight is the book for you. On the day when Flora Bick discovers the truth about where she came from, she decides to throw caution to the wind and be someone else for once. Someone who wears a beautiful ball gown and stays in a luxury hotel, and someone who shares a moment of passion with a brooding stranger. But when that brooding stranger shows up at her dairy farm in the countryside demanding to know if she is pregnant, Flora must face her new future head-on, even if it means falling in love with someone who may not be able to love her back. Raffaele Russo doesn't know what love feels like but he believes that it destroys, just like it destroyed his mother. So when he discovers that his mysterious lover may be pregnant, he is determined to provide for her and their baby. His child will never know the hardships or uncertainty that he grew up with. But when Flora demands his love as well as his protection, will he be able to move on from his tragic past to find a new future together? Well-paced with plenty of sweet and sexy moments, BOUND BY A SICILIAN SECRET is the perfect read to escape into when you need a break from the real world. Flora is a strong, kind, and likeable character who is learning about herself as well as Raffaele throughout the story. My heart broke for Raffaele and all that he endured becoming the success that he is, and I was rooting for him to open his heart to Flora and allow her to love him. All in all, a lovely story and I look forward to reading more from Lela May Wight. ABOUT THIS AUTHOR Lela May Wight grew up with seven brother and sisters. Yes, it was noisy, and she often found escape in romance books. She still does, but now she gets to write them too! She hopes to offer readers the same escapism when the world is a little too loud. Lela May lives in the UK with her sons and her very own hero, who never complains about her book addiction - he buys her more books! Website - lelamaywight.com Twitter - twitter.com/lelamaywight Facebook - www.facebook.com/LelaMayWight Instagram - www.instagram.com/lelamaywight   Release date - 30th March Book length - 400 pages Publisher - Hera Books BUY LINKS Worldwide - www.bookdepository.com UK - www.amazon.co.uk US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Caroline for providing me with an e-book for review and allowing me to take part in this blog tour. ABOUT THIS BOOK The perfect life. The perfect home. But at what price? Introspective Ruth Parker is desperate for love and attention. Overlooked as a child by her cold and critical mother, her pain manifests in loneliness and a crippling lack of self-esteem. When glamorous actress ‘Aunt’ Vanessa, her mother’s childhood friend, shows an interest in her, Ruth basks in the blinding light of her attention. Once Ruth escapes to university in London, Aunt Vanessa invites her to Wilton Place, her stunning Belgravia residence. As she blossoms under Vanessa’s guidance, Ruth finds herself torn between student life and the hypnotic, luxurious confines of Wilton Place. Belgravia wins out, but when Ruth explores the gloomy attic of her new home and finds a hidden, locked door, she discovers that Vanessa is hiding the darkest of secrets from her childhood, secrets that threaten everything Ruth knew about her own mother. How far will Ruth go to find the truth - and how much does she really want to know? MY REVIEW A darkly atmospheric mystery, THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE by C.E. Rose drew me in from the very beginning and held me captive until the end. My heart broke for Ruth's character as she struggled deeply with her relationship with her mother, Joy, who is always critical and unloving towards Ruth, bestowing all of her kindness on Ruth's brother. This deeply affects Ruth who is desperate to belong and to be loved. So when her mother's childhood friend, Aunt Vanessa, showers Ruth with positive energy and caring, Ruth basks in her attention. And when Ruth has the opportunity to live with Vanessa while attending university, she jumps at the chance. But all is not quite what it seems in Vanessa's sumptuous Belgravia home, and when Ruth starts poking around in the attic, Ruth will find a lot more than she bargained for, as secrets from the past can no longer stay buried. THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE is not a fast-paced story but rather a slower unfurling of mysterious secrets that suits the setting and the characters themselves. There is a gothic vibe to this story which I really enjoyed, and as always, I enjoyed putting on my detective hat and playing with my own theories about what was waiting in the attic, ready to change the Parker family's lives forever. THE ATTIC AT WILTON PLACE by C.E. Rose is sure to please mystery and psychological thriller fans alike, and well worth reading. I look forward to more from C.E. Rose. AUTHOR BIO CE Rose is the pen name of Caroline England, the author of psychological thrillers Beneath the Skin, My Husband’s Lies, Betray Her and Truth Games. As CE Rose, Caroline has written gothic-tinged domestic suspense novels, The House of Hidden Secrets and The House on the Water’s Edge. As Caro Land she has written the legal suspense drama series, Convictions and Confessions. Twitter - twitter.com/CazEngland Facebook - www.facebook.com/CazEngland1 Instagram - www.instagram.com/cazengland1/ Don't forget to check out all of the other amazing blogs on this blog tour!   Release date - 13th April Book length - 363 pages Publisher - Head of Zeus BUY LINKS Worldwide - www.kennys.ie UK - www.amazon.co.uk US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Poppy and headofzeus.com/home for providing with a copy of this book for review and allowing me to take part in this blog tour. ABOUT THIS BOOK You might be paranoid, but that doesn't mean they're not watching you. Adam lives a picture-perfect life: happy marriage, two young children, and a flourishing career as a doctor. But Adam also lives with a secret. Hospital CCTV, strangers' mobile phones, city traffic cameras – he is convinced that they are all watching him, recording his every move. All because of something terrible that happened at a drunken party when he was a medical student. Only two other people knew what happened that night. Two people he's long left behind. Until one of them, Clio – Adam's great unrequited love – turns up on his doorstep, and reignites a sinister pact twenty-four years in the making... MY REVIEW Compelling and fresh, NO PLACE TO HIDE by J.S Monroe is a well-paced psychological drama that will have you second-guessing the tech that many of us have become so reliant on. Adam has a wife he loves, two kids he adores, and a career as a paediatric doctor which has always been, not only his dream but that of his parents. But when an old flame from his university days bursts back into his life unexpectedly, he cannot help but feel that something isn't quite right. Add in the fact that he feels he is being watched at every turn, it isn't long before he starts to feel paranoia creep in. It's all just a coincidence, right? But as Adam's life quickly starts to unravel, he will soon discover that the past is now firmly back to destroy his present, and in ways that are beyond what anyone could imagine. A sinister pact, tragic encounters, and the pure evil side of the online world, all come crashing together to make NO PLACE TO HIDE a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. I liked the way the story is laid out, flashing from Adam's past to his present as it fleshed out all of the characters and their backstories without giving too much of the story away too soon. The plot is fresh and I have to admit terrifying, and it will make you question just how much privacy society has sacrificed for modern technology. NO PLACE TO HIDE by J.S. Monroe is a must-read for psychological thriller fans and I cannot wait to read more from this author. AUTHOR BIO J.S. Monroe worked as a foreign correspondent in Delhi and was Weekend editor of the Daily Telegraph in London before becoming a full-time writer. His psychological thriller Find Me became an international bestseller in 2017, and, under the name Jon Stock, he is also the author of five spy thrillers. He lives in Wiltshire and is currently the Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow at Mansfield College, Oxford. Twitter - twitter.com/JSThrillers Facebook - www.facebook.com/JSMonroeFindMe Instagram - www.instagram.com/jsthrillers/  |
WelcomeHi fellow bookworms. My name is Linda and I'm a reviewer & blogger, wife & mother who loves all things books! 
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