 Release date - 31st July 2018
Book length - 336 pages Publisher - St. Martin's Press Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I voluntarily reviewed this book via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK Cottonbloom is the perfect place for starting over, finding your way back home--and falling head over heels. . . Ella Boudreaux has a lot to prove to her family, friends, and foes--and to herself. So when her marriage ends she decides to invest her energy and money into a place that brings back some of Ella's happiest memories: the Abbott brothers' garage. Maybe, if she puts her mind to it, she can teach skeptical, stubborn Mack Abbott how to make the business a true success. Which would be a lot easier if the hunky mechanic didn't make her motor run quite so fast...and hot. Mack was furious when his brother, Ford, sold his share of the business. He's in no rush to team up with a wealthy divorcee who shows up to the garage in stilettos--and the longest, sexiest legs he's seen in forever. But Ella's grit and determination won't quit...and soon Mack can see that she's been down a few rough roads herself. Neither Mack nor Ella can deny the fierce attraction that's revving up between them. Could it be that true love has been in the backseat all along...and they've finally found the key? MY REVIEW I love Laura Trentham and her Cottonbloom series so as soon as I got this book I jumped straight in and as always, it did not disappoint. Mack Abbott is furious when his brother sells his share of the business that they all worked so hard to establish. He cannot understand why a wealthy divorcee would even want to be a part owner of a garage but he is determined not to make things easy for her. But as he gets to know Ella Boudreaux, he soon realises that there is so much more to this woman than meets the eye ... Ella is determined to make this new venture a success. After all that has happened, she needs to prove that this can work for herself more than anybody else. But she didn't bet on Mack Abbott and the sparks that fly between them and it's nothing to do with their work in the garage! With love, understanding, and plenty of butting heads SET THE NIGHT ON FIRE by Laura Trentham is everything you want in a contemporary romance. The characters are feisty, strong, and very likeable, and the backdrop of Cottonbloom adds a magic all of its own which will take you there and make you feel like one of the gang. This is a wonderful story and perfect for fans of small-town romances with that extra special something. AUTHOR BIO I was born and raised in a small town in Northwest Tennessee. Although, I loved English and reading in high school, I was convinced an English degree equated to starvation! So, I chose the next most logical major - Chemical Engineering- and worked in a hard hat and steel toed boots for several years. Now I live in South Carolina with my husband and two children. In between school and homework and soccer practices, I love to get lost in another world, whether its Regency England or small town Alabama. For more information: Website - www.lauratrentham.com Twitter - twitter.com/LauraTrentham Facebook - www.facebook.com/AuthorLauraTrentham/
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#Review: Eleanor's Secret by Caroline Beecham @CarolineBeecham @EburyPublishing #EleanorsSecret30/7/2018  Available Now
Book length - 432 pages Publisher - Ebury Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank the author, Caroline, for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Can Eleanor follow her heart in troubled times? Eleanor Roy is determined to do her bit for the war effort after being recruited by the War Artist Advisory Committee. When she meets handsome artist Jack Valante, her dreams seem to be finally coming true when Jack promises to help her pursue her ambition of becoming an artist. But after a whirlwind romance, Eleanor is devastated when Jack is posted overseas. When Eleanor receives some unexpected news she desperately tries to find Jack. But with the young couple torn apart by war, will they be reunited and find happiness at last? MY REVIEW ELEANOR'S SECRET by Caroline Beecham is a historical novel with a difference and opened up a whole new world to me as a reader when it came to art in World War II. Eleanor is working for the War Artist Advisory Committee while also keeping an eye on her family as much as she can. While she feels lucky with regards to her job, her dream is to be a war artist herself and bring the reality of what is happening on the ground to those at home but as she is a woman this isn't a possibility. When her work brings her into contact with Jack Valante, an artist, Eleanor's life soon becomes brighter and full of promise but when he is posted abroad, things change for Eleanor and will affect her and those she loves for years to come ... A dual timeline story, ELEANOR'S SECRET by Caroline Beecham has something for everyone but it was the part of the story set during the war that really captured by heart and imagination. Discovering about art and its importance really gave this story a different perspective and Caroline Beecham's descriptions and engaging characters easily swept me along its pages. Definitely a novel that will charm historical fiction and World War II fiction fans everywhere. AUTHOR BIO Caroline is a British-born Australian-based author, with 20 years experience as a writer and producer in film and television. She has worked on a documentary about Princess Diana lookalikes, a series about journeys to the ends of the earth, as well as a feature film about finding the end of the rainbow. While she has done none of these things herself, she has discovered that she loves to write and to share lesser-known histories; and in particular those of pioneering women whose lives she reimagines through fiction. Caroline studied the craft of novel writing at the Faber Academy in 2012 and has a MA in Film & Television and a MA in Creative Writing. For more information: Website - carolinebeecham.com Twitter - twitter.com/CarolineBeecham Facebook - www.facebook.com/Caroline.J.Beecham/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/carolinebeecham/  Release date - 28th June 2018 Book length - 352 pages Publisher - Avon Books UK Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Sabah from Avon Books 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 Her name was Rose. You watched her die. And her death has created a vacancy. When Emily lets a stranger step out in front of her, she never imagines that split second will change her life. But after Emily watches a car plough into the young mother – killing her instantly – she finds herself unable to move on. And then she makes a decision she can never take back. Because Rose had everything Emily had ever dreamed of. A beautiful, loving family, a great job and a stunning home. And now Rose’s husband misses his wife, and their son needs a mother. Why couldn’t Emily fill that space? But as Emily is about to discover, no one’s life is perfect … and not everything is as it seems. MY REVIEW I was always a fan of Claire Allan's contemporary fiction and romance novels so when I heard that she was penning a thriller I have to say I was intrigued and a little scared - what if an author that I loved jumped into another genre that I love and I didn't like it? But from the very first page of HER NAME WAS ROSE I knew that Claire Allan had written an absolute corker and as I stayed up most of the night to find out how this gripping story would end, I can say with 100% certainty that this is her best book yet. Emily lives a complicated and anxious life ever since her relationship with her abusive ex-partner broke down and she lost herself in so many ways. While travelling home, Emily allows a beautiful woman and her little boy to walk in front of her and she witnesses a horrific accident as this woman is mowed down by a car that races away from the scene. Like so many things in her life, Emily cannot help but wonder if it should have been her and becomes a little obsessed with the dead woman, Rose, as she stalks her and her bereaved family online. Emily wishes that someone, anyone, loved her the way Rose was obviously loved. And when Rose's job becomes available, Emily doesn't see anything wrong with applying, and when she meets Rose's husband and their little boy who was thankfully spared that day, Emily cannot help but dream about what could happen one day. But what if Rose's death wasn't an accident? What if someone wanted her dead? What if the perfect life that Emily dreams of isn't exactly what it seems? Or what if Emily was the intended victim all along? Compelling, brimming with tension, and bursting with freshness, HER NAME WAS ROSE by Claire Allan is a psychological thriller that will blow your socks off. Emily is not always a reliable character and while you feel sorry for her and all that she has gone through, you also feel a little wary of trusting her too much, and the other characters in this story all come alive and engage with the reader perfectly. There is never a dull moment in this story which is honestly why I sat up into the wee hours to finish it - I needed to know how it would end and what an absolute blinder for an ending! Claire Allan has a wonderful talent of instantly connecting with her readers through her settings, characters, descriptions, and drama and I cannot wait to read more thrillers from one of the most talented authors that Ireland has to offer. AUTHOR BIO Claire Allan is an Irish author who has previously written women’s fiction. A former journalist, this is her first psychological thriller. For more information: Website - www.claireallan.com Twitter - twitter.com/ClaireAllan Facebook - www.facebook.com/ClaireAllanAuthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/claireallan_author/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!   Release date - 31st July 2018
Book length - 576 pages Publisher - William Morrow Paperbacks Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Harper Collins for providing me with an e-copy of this book for review via Edelweiss. ABOUT THIS BOOK In Queen Elizabeth's England, where no one can be trusted and secrets are currency, one woman stands without fear. Mallory Bright is the only daughter of London's most ingenious locksmith. She has apprenticed with her father since childhood, and there is no lock too elaborate for her to crack. After scandal destroys her reputation, Mallory has returned to her father's home and lives almost as a recluse, ignoring the whispers and gossip of their neighbors. But Sir Francis Walsingham, Queen Elizabeth's spymaster and a frequent client of Mallory's father, draws her into his world of danger and deception. For the locksmith's daughter is not only good at cracking locks, she also has a talent for codes, spycraft, and intrigue. With Mallory by Sir Francis’s side, no scheme in England or abroad is safe from discovery. But Mallory's loyalty wavers when she witnesses the brutal and bloody public execution of three Jesuit priests and realizes the human cost of her espionage. And later, when she discovers the identity of a Catholic spy and a conspiracy that threatens the kingdom, she is forced to choose between her country and her heart. Once Sir Francis's greatest asset, Mallory is fast becoming his worst threat—and there is only one way the Queen’s master spy deals with his enemies… MY REVIEW THE LOCKSMITH'S DAUGHTER by Karen Brooks is a richly detailed, historical drama with a main character that will suck you into the story from the very beginning. Mallory Bright is very different from other young ladies of her time. When scandal destroys her good name, this intelligent, quick, and skillful young woman returns to her father and soon finds herself drawn into a world of subterfuge, intrigue, and danger at the side of Sir Francis Walsingham who works for the Queen. Set during a time of religious upheaval, Mallory soon witnesses the aftermath of her actions as a spy and struggles with the blood on her hands, and when she uncovers a conspiracy that threatens the realm, Mallory will be thrust into danger like never before. The settings and life of Elizabethan England bursts to life in this excellently detailed historical fiction novel that has action and drama around every corner. While the story starts off a little slow, it was not long before I was completely caught up in this fascinating world and could not put this book down. I loved learning about the intricate art of being a locksmith, and Mallory really is a strong, capable character that is worth reading about. THE LOCKSMITH'S DAUGHTER by Karen Brooks is an excellent historical novel that has something for everyone and I look forward to reading more from this talented author. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Website - karenrbrooks.com Twitter - twitter.com/KarenBrooksAU Facebook - www.facebook.com/KarenBrooksAuthor/  Release date - 10th July 2018
Book length - 340 pages Publisher - Aardvark Bureau (Gallic Books) Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Jimena from Gallic Books for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THIS BOOK Iris’s family – her ex-husband with his new wife and baby; her son, and her best friend’s daughter – gather to pack up their holiday house. They are there for one last time, one last weekend, and one last party – but in the course of this weekend, their connections will be affirmed, and their frailties and secrets revealed – to the reader at least, if not to each other. The Hope Fault is a novel about extended family: about steps and exes and fairy godmothers; about parents and partners who are missing, and the people who replace them. MY REVIEW THE HOPE FAULT by Tracy Farr is a beautiful novel centred wholeheartedly on family and family dynamics, with prose that will lull you gently into this engaging story. Iris has sold their holiday home and must now, over the course of a weekend, pack up all of its belongings and say goodbye. Along to help is her son, her ex-husband and his new wife and their new baby, her best friend (who is also her ex-husband's twin sister) and her best friend's daughter. And then there is the spectre of Rosa - Iris's mother who is 100 years old, living in a nursing home, and who no longer talks or remembers them at all. As everyone converges on the house which has a special place in all of their hearts for different reasons, old hurts, anxieties, and emotions will slowly simmer to the surface as the characters try to find their footing with what is happening in their lives. This is not a fast-paced, energetic drama with plot twists around every corner, but rather a slow unwrapping of a story that is very much character centred and which unfurls this complicated family structure one piece at a time in an almost melodic fashion. The poetic language comes alive in this deep and thought-provoking novel and I fell under its spell each time I picked it up. While Rosa isn't physically at the house she is such a central character and I loved getting to know her through letters and memories as the story developed. There is depth, love, and complicated feelings throughout THE HOPE FAULT by Tracy Farr and a beauty all of its own among the descriptive prose that will transport you to the home that makes it all possible. Definitely a book worth reading! AUTHOR BIO Tracy Farr is a novelist and short story writer who used to be a scientist. Originally from Australia, she’s lived in New Zealand for more than twenty years; she calls both countries home. Tracy's debut novel The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt (Fremantle Press 2013; Aardvark Bureau 2016) is about love, loss, electronic music and the sea. Her second novel, The Hope Fault (Fremantle Press 2017, Aardvark Bureau 2018), is about family, anxiety and geology. For more information: Website - tracyfarrauthor.com Twitter - twitter.com/hissingswan Facebook - www.facebook.com/tracyfarrauthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/hissingswan/  Release date - 12th July 2018 Book length - 331 pages Publisher - Michael Joseph (Penguin) Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com Amazon UK - www.amazon.co.uk Amazon US - www.amazon.com I want to thank Katie from Michael Joseph Books for the opportunity to take part in this blog tour and for providing me with a copy of this book for review. ABOUT THE BOOK Lost letters have only one hope for survival... Inside the Dead Letters Depot in East London, William Woolf is one of thirty letter detectives who spend their days solving mysteries: Missing postcodes, illegible handwriting, rain-smudged ink, lost address labels, torn packages, forgotten street names - they are all the culprits of missed birthdays, broken hearts, unheard confessions, pointless accusations, unpaid bills and unanswered prayers. When William discovers letters addressed simply to 'My Great Love' his work takes on new meaning. Written by a woman to a soulmate she hasn't met yet, the missives stir William in ways he didn't know were possible. Soon he begins to wonder: Could William be her great love? William must follow the clues in Winter's letters to solve his most important mystery yet: the human heart. MY REVIEW THE LOST LETTERS OF WILLIAM WOOLF by Helen Cullen is the reason readers read. Beautifully descriptive with engaging characters and a narrative that captures a reader's heart and soul, this story moved me in ways that I had long forgotten were possible by mere words. In East London, William Woolf has long since lost his inspiration and bravery in writing his own words and now works to reconnect those whose letters have been lost in the cosmos for many different reasons. William takes pride in his solving mysteries abilities but lately, even that is waning, along with his marriage to Clare, the woman he always felt was his soulmate. Unsatisfied and afraid to face what is happening in his life, William soon becomes obsessed with the letters written by a mystery woman named Winter which is dedicated to her 'Great Love' which she believes is out there waiting for her. As he yearns to know more about this woman whose words touch a chord in his soul, his own marriage reaches a breaking point. But what path will William choose? I completely fell under this books spell and cannot stress enough how exquisite the writing is in this story - you really have to read it to feel the masterful ebb and flow of words that Helen Cullen effortlessly employs. William, a sensitive soul, found an eternal place in my heart as we journeyed together to find the type of love that truly makes one happy and self-fulfilled. Clare was less likeable but relatable and as we learn more about who she is and where she came from, we recognise her coldness for the defence mechanisms that they are. The plot is fresh and unique and I loved the Dead Letters Depot (if such a place really exists please sign me up!) and some of the letters brought a tear to my eye. Saying I love THE LOST LETTERS OF WILLIAM WOOLF by Helen Cullen is an understatement. It is everything a thought-provoking, emotional, and heartfelt book should be and I am a fan of Helen Cullen for life after reading it, so don't waste any time and buy this book now! AUTHOR BIO Helen Cullen is an Irish writer living in London. She worked at RTE (Ireland’s national broadcaster) for seven years before moving to London in 2010. In the UK, Helen established a career as an events and engagement specialist before joining the Google UK marketing team in 2015. The first draft of her debut novel THE LOST LETTERS OF WILLIAM WOOLF was written while completing the Guardian/UEA novel writing programme under the mentorship of Michèle Roberts. Helen holds an M.A. Theatre Studies from UCD and is currently completing an M.A. English Literature at Brunel University. ‘The Lost Letters of William Woolf’ will be published in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Italy, Greece and Israel. Helen is now writing full-time and working on her second novel. For more information: Website - helencullen.ie Twitter - twitter.com/wordsofhelen Facebook - www.facebook.com/wordsofhelen Instagram - www.instagram.com/wordsofhelen/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!!   Available Now Book length - 400 pages Publisher - Harper Impulse Book Depository - www.bookdepository.com 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 Some places stay with you forever… When Ellie Maddison is sent on a business trip to Southern Italy, she's reminded why she loves her job – set amongst rolling vineyards and rich olive groves, the beautiful Villa Rosso is the perfect escape from her life back home. But what Ellie isn't prepared for is the instant connection she feels to the estate's director Max Johnson, or the secrets they share that are as intertwined as the rambling vines that cover Villa Rosso. It's not long before Ellie finds herself entangled in the history of the place, trying to understand the undeniable effect Max is having on her. As their relationship grows, what will Ellie discover about this idyllic villa and those who have walked through its doors? What started as a simple work trip will change Ellie's life forever. MY REVIEW THE SECRETS OF VILLA ROSSO by Linn B. Halton will transport you to the beautiful countryside of Southern Italy while also weaving a magic spell of love, friendship, and the meaning of soulmates. Ellie Madison is happily married to Josh and as I learned about how they met and their journey through married life and parenthood, I really connected with these warm characters who came alive on the page before me. But when Ellie is sent to Villa Rosso in Italy at the last minute for work, it will open her eyes and her heart to new experiences and new sights but a sense of deja vu surrounds her throughout - has she been to this place before? Why does it feel so familiar? And why does she feel a connection with the estate director, Max Johnson? As Ellie tries to help Max with his own situation, she longs to untangle the sensations that linger, even when she returns back to her family, and she must uncover why this place has burrowed into her heart like it's where she belongs? With breathtaking descriptions, the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of this exquisite country will take your breath away and make you yearn for a holiday to Italy - it will also make you hungry so be warned!! The characters are vibrant, engaging, and very likeable and it is easy for the reader to become embroiled in the mystery and beauty of the drama - which is why I sat down to read for twenty minutes and resurfaced an hour and a half later. There is love, friendship, drama, confusion, memories, and more in this wonderful story and I highly recommend THE SECRETS OF VILLA ROSSO by Linn B. Halton to anyone who enjoys a cleverly crafted, descriptive story. AUTHOR BIO From interior designer to author, Linn - who also writes under the pen name of Lucy Coleman - says ‘it’s been a fantastic journey!’ Linn is the bestselling author of more than a dozen novels and is excited to be writing for both Harper Impulse (Harper Collins) and Aria Fiction (Head of Zeus); she’s represented by Sara Keane of the Keane Kataria Literary Agency. When she’s not writing, or spending time with the family, she’s either upcycling furniture or working in the garden. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award; her novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Living in Coed Duon in the Welsh Valleys with her ‘rock’, Lawrence, and gorgeous Bengal cat Ziggy, she freely admits she’s an eternal romantic. Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and writes feel-good, uplifting novels about life, love and relationships. For more information: Website - linnbhalton.co.uk Twitter - twitter.com/linnbhalton Facebook - www.facebook.com/LinnBHaltonAuthor/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/linnbhalton/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!   Release date - 16th July 2018 Book length - 352 pages Publisher - Avon Books UK 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 an e-copy of this book for review via Netgalley. ABOUT THIS BOOK You’ve only just met. But she already knows you so well. When Rachel moves into the spare room in Mary’s flat, everyone is quick to jump to the conclusion that there’s something strange about her. Everyone apart from Mary. And when Rachel starts sleepwalking, everyone’s fears grow. But there’s something about the new girl that Mary can’t help but trust, and having recently escaped a toxic relationship, she needs the support. Rachel becomes a friend and an ally, and Mary soon discovers that they have more in common than she ever could have imagined. In fact, Rachel seems to know more about Mary than she knows about herself… MY REVIEW THE NEW GIRL by Ingrid Alexandra is a dark and harrowing tale of abuse, friendship, and denial with plenty of twists along the way to keep you interested. Mary is still getting used to making her own decisions and living her own life after finally escaping her abusive ex-boyfriend. Other than her Aunt and her best friend Caz there aren't many people that Mary can trust. But when they need a new flatmate and Rachel applies, Mary feels an instant connection with her, almost as if she knows her from somewhere, and when Mary's past is determined to catch up with her, it isn't long before everything starts to crumble around her in very unexpected ways. From the beginning, we are thrown into Mary's life or snippets of it as Mary tries to explain what has happened to her so far. But we soon recognise that she can be an unreliable narrator as there are huge chunks of her life that are blank. Domestic abuse, drug addiction, and sexual assault are just some of the serious topics that are dealt with in this story so this isn't an easy-read thriller by any means. THE NEW GIRL by Ingrid Alexandra is evenly-paced and the characters are intriguing even if they are unlikeable and distant at times. Overall, I found THE NEW GIRL to be a solid debut thriller. AUTHOR BIO Ingrid Alexandra is based in London. She was mentored by the Guardian First Novel Award shortlisted and Nestle Prize winning author Daren King and her work has previously been long-listed for The Ampersand Prize. THE NEW GIRL is her first psychological thriller novel. For more information: Website - www.ingridalexandrabooks.com Twitter - twitter.com/ingridwrites Instagram - www.instagram.com/ingridalexandrawrites/ DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT ALL OF THE OTHER STOPS ALONG THE WAY!!!  |
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