Choclit UK/Ruby Fiction Reviews
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe by Morton S. Gray | #Review #ChristmasAtTheLittleBeachCafe | @MortonSGray @ChocLituk
Hello, Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of the wonderfully festive; Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe by Morton S. Gray. I can’t wait to share my review of this book with you all, firstly I want to say thank you to Liz at Choc Lit/Ruby Fiction for the complimentary copy. Now, lets have a look at this book.
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe by Morton S. Gray
Series: Borteen Bay #5
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Seasonal
Publisher: Choc Lit UK
Format: Ebook
Release Date: 17th November 2020
Run away to the little beach café this Christmas
Five years ago at Christmas, solicitor Justin Sadler made the decision to leave his comfortable existence behind and move to the coast. Since then, he’s tried his best to ignore the festive season and, as he sits in the little beach café and reflects on that fateful night when his life was turned upside down, he expects his fifth Christmas alone to be no different to any of the others since he made his escape.
But when he encounters a mystery woman on the beach, he soon realises he may have found a fellow runaway and kindred spirit.
Could Justin finally be ready to move on and let Christmas into his life again?
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Review
Here we are again, back in the charming little village of; Borteen Bay, I can’t wait!! Grab your hot chocolate, put on your snuggly socks and enjoy the latest festive trip to one of the most enchanting villages!
This is the fifth book in the series, but don’t worry you don’t have to read them in order, you can do exactly what I did and jump straight in wherever you feel like it, I actually started this series with the previous Christmas novella; Christmas at Borteen Bay and since I have been hooked.
This time we have a mystery with festive cheer, don’t you love it when you pick up a book which you think is going to be a cutesy little Christmas escape and it turns into something else, something which is far better then what you were expecting? Well that is exactly what happened to me with Christmas at the Little Beach Café, I thought; Oooh, this sounds a wonderful second chances festive love story, and by the last page I was; well that was unexpected and yet completely satisfying, I love the turn of events and the story concerning the mystery woman who just happened to appear as if by magic into our lonely Justin’s life just at the moment when he needed it.
Justin hate’s Christmas, he tries his hardest to ignore the very presence of the festive season, if he could hibernate until spring then I think he would, unfortunately for him, he now lives in a village that loves the joys of Christmas, it’s like being constantly caught in a Holly bush for him, (for those like myself, who have been stuck in a Holly bush while trying to collect sprigs for Christmas, you will know it’s not pleasant). But, we learn very early on, literally within the first few pages why this festive season is so hard for him….poor Justin, no wonder he wants to hide away from every bauble and Christmas tree he sees. It’s while he is trying to hide, that he comes across a mysterious woman on the beach. An encounter that not only changes his life but changes his thoughts on Christmas.
Yes, that all sounds very sweet doesn’t it? Well, that is just the tip of the iceberg, because this mystery woman not only brings fun, love and the joy of Christmas back into Justin’s heart again, she also brings a whole load of baggage. She brings with her intrigue, threats, danger and even though Justin has been dragged into this little web of intrigue she has spun around him and the readers, he can’t help himself but want to care and look after her and in doing so his heart open’s he allows the past to settle back where it belongs into the past.
Christmas at the Little Beach Cafe is a fabulously feel-good, enjoyable and very Christmassy story, which has edges of mystery, it keeps you guessing and turning the pages. I thoroughly enjoyed my latest visit to Borteen Bay and can’t wait to return again very soon.
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Holly’s Christmas Secret (Cornish Secret’s) by Kirsty Ferry | #Review #HollysChristmasSecret #CornishSecrets |@kirsty_ferry @ChocLituk
Hello, Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of the utterly charming; Holly’s Christmas Secret by Kirsty Ferry. I did have this review scheduled for…well, quite a few weeks ago, but life go in the way as it does and I am late – as per usual. Honestly, this year I have been such a bad blogger! Anyway, here it is, better late then never, I suppose. Before, I start babbling, I want to say a huge thank you to Liz at Choc Lit for the complimentary copy. Now, let’s have a look at this book…
Holly’s Christmas Secret by Kirsty Ferry.
Genre: Romance, Seasonal
Publisher: Choc Lit
Series: Cornish Secret’s
Once upon a Cornish Christmas …
It’s almost Christmas at the Pencradoc estate in Cornwall which means that, as usual, tea room owner Sorcha Davies is baking up a festive storm. And this year Sorcha is hoping her mince pies will be going down a treat at ‘The Spirit of Christmas Past’ exhibition being organised at the house by new local antiques dealer, Locryn Dyer.
But as Locryn and Sorcha spend more time together, they begin to uncover a very special story of Christmas past that played out at Pencradoc more than a century before, involving a certain ‘Lady’ Holly Sawyer, a festive dinner party and a magical secret encounter with a handsome author …
Gorgeous, happy, festive, charming little book!!
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Review
Gorgeous, happy, festive, charming little book!!
It’s like having everything you love all rolled into one and makes you incredibly happy, I know I will probably use the word ‘Happy’ a lot during the review, but once you read this book you will understand what I mean and that there is no other word for how you feel when reading this book, it makes all your stresses fade away and you feel happy. Which in these incredibly weird times, we all things to make us happy and this is the perfect book for it, it’s like a big hug from a loved one.
I am a huge lover of Christmas books, I may not be a fan of the festive season (it’s doesn’t feel as full of magic as it used to when I was little, it’s become way too commercialized – or maybe, I’m just a Scrooge 😉 ) but Christmas books are something I really look forward to, especially when they are wrote by one of my favourite authors and Kirsty Ferry is easily one of the best, I absolutely love her writing, her books are always so cheerful and they put you into the festive spirit (even a Scrooge like me lol).
We are once again whisked away to the gorgeous village of; Pencradoc, for those who haven’t read the previous books in the Cornish Secret’s don’t worry these are definitely stand-alones, yes they all share the setting and some familiar faces pop up but you will never become tangled up by not knowing the previous stories, believe me I came into this series late (which is not surprising with me) and I fell in love the Cornish Secret’s. But, if have read ‘Lily’s Secret‘ earlier in the year, then you will have met our lovely tea room owner; Sorcha and I am so pleased that she has got her own story and this one is so fitting for her, plus beautiful and magical.
Sorcha as always is baking, baking, baking and making her little tea room all festive for Christmas and especially for ‘The Spirt of Christmas Past’ exhibition which will be the main evet of the season this year. It’s being organized by gorgeous….deep throat guttural groan….so handsome, way too handsome; Locryn…sigh!!!
Sorcha and Locryn start working closely together as they do the magic starts, the air crackles with festive joy and romance. Through their own blossoming romance another story emerges, one of secret parties and magical liaison’s between a Lady Holly and a visiting author…oooh, I’m getting tingles!
I adore this sweet little novella, it’s full of cheerful festive fun, romance and magic, as always Kirsty Ferry spirits you away on a delightful trip that is full of twinkling stars, festive lights and the most enchanting characters. Honestly, I cannot recommend this book and this author enough.
Holly’s Christmas Secret is just what we all need at the moment, it’s uplifting and makes you feel incredible happy, it’s like opening your favourite box of chocolates and finding a second layer so you have double the joy.
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A Wedding on the Riviera by Evonne Wareham | #Review #AWeddingOnTheRiviera | @evonnewareham @ChocLituk @RubyFiction
Hello, Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review for; A Wedding on the Riviera by Evonne Wareham. I can’t wait to share this fabulous book with you all, I hope you all love the sound of it as much as I do. Firstly I want to say thank you to Liz at Choc Lit/Ruby Fiction for my complimentary copy.
A Wedding on the Riviera by Evonne Wareham
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance / Publisher: Ruby Fiction / Format: ebook
A return to the Riviera on the trail of a runaway groom …
When out-of-work actor Ryan Calder attends a wedding as the plus-one of successful businesswoman, Nadine Wells, he doesn’t expect to get in a scuffle with the groom.
But Ryan has a good reason. He recognises the groom from another wedding where the same man made a quick getaway, taking the wedding money and leaving a heartbroken bride in his wake. It seems he’s struck again, and Nadine’s poor friend is the target.
Ryan and Nadine decide they can’t let it happen to another woman, so with a group of friends they hatch a plan that will take them to the French Riviera, hot on the heels of the crooked groom. But could their scheme to bring him to justice also succeed in bringing them closer together?
How come I have never read this author before now?
It’s another case of me living in a bubble and not taking notice of the world around me, but now I have discovered Evonne Wareham I am definitely on the hunt for more of her books. I loved her cheerful, light-hearted and magical writing, I was certainly hooked with the story the moment I met luscious Ryan…and off course the other character’s, but you know me, I do tend to become somewhat possessive over the heroes, and when they are as drop-dead gorgeous and sexy as this man is, well who can blame me? 😉
The story starts with a bang, where gorgeous, sultry, enigmatic, sexy as hell….I need to take a moment he just to gaze wistfully off into the distance…sigh!!
Right, where was I?… So, out of work actor; Ryan Calder is ‘on duty’ escorting vivacious widow Nadine to a friends wedding. It’s while sitting there daydreaming about the beautiful woman beside him and what he would like them to do together, that he spots something a little odd, something he has seen before and before anyone knows it he is in hot pursuit of the groom something that leads him to throw a few punches and nearly getting himself run over.
After all, he knows about the groom is revealed, he and Nadine take it upon themselves to track down this villain and makes sure that he doesn’t do the same to another poor, unsuspecting woman and this is where the fun and high jinx begin. I loved following Ryan and Nadine as they not only try to find and stop this dastardly villain but the more they spend time with each and they more than soon see that there is a connection that won’t fizzle out once their job is completed. We know from the first chapter that our Ryan is really smitten with her, and I really enjoyed her discovering that and realising that; yes there can be goodness and love in her life again.
I really, really enjoyed this book, it’s cheerful, romantic, sexy – yup, it does make you a little hot under the collar in particular scenes…oh, Ryan!! …I liked that this wasn’t predictable, it keeps you guessing and doesn’t follow any well laid plan to happily ever after, it’s clever and original.
A Wedding in the Riviera is a cheerful romantic comedy with a hint of crime and danger, the relationship between Ryan and Nadine starts as very professional but you just know that these two are so made for each other, the chemistry is sizzling but due to something which is revealed as you read they don’t plough headfirst into bed and I really liked that, I liked watching as they really got to know each other.
Overall, this is a great read, perfect for those cosy evenings sitting at home with a cuppa, or escaping for a few hours into the garden to be whisked away.
Her Sister’s Secret: The Summer of ’66 by Jan Baynham | #Review #HerSistersSecret #TheSummerof66 | @JanBaynham @RubyFiction
Hello Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of the gorgeous; Her Sister’s Secret by Jan Baynham. I was going to post this review yesterday, but I got a little distracted with the new pup running around (as we do :-)) So here it is, I hope you love the sound of it as much as I loved reading it. Firstly, thank you to Liz at Ruby Fiction/Choc Lit for the complimentary copy.
Her Sister’s Secret by Jan Baynham
Publisher: Ruby Fiction
Format: Kindle, ebook
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Another wonderful sixties saga from the author of Her Mother’s Secret.
How far would you travel to find the truth?
It’s the 1960s and Jennifer Howells is a young woman with the world at her feet, just on the cusp of leaving her Welsh village for an exciting life in the city.
Then the contents of an inconspicuous brown envelope turn Jennifer’s world upside down. The discovery leaves her spiralling, unsure who she is. Overnight, Miss Goody Two Shoes is replaced by a mini-skirted wild child who lives for parties and rock’n’roll.
But Jennifer’s experience with the excesses of sixties’ culture leaves her no closer to her true identity. She soon realises she’ll have to travel further – first to Cardiff, then across the ocean to Sicily – if she wants to find out who she really is …
Firstly, can I just take a moment to share to serious cover love?
Isn’t it gorgeous? I love it, it’s so pretty you can just imagine yourself in the women’s shoes on the cover, can’t you? Is it just me, or are the covers at Ruby Fiction and Choc Lit getting prettier with every book?
I loved Jan Baynham’s previous book; ‘Her Mother’s Secret’ and was looking forward to seeing what she had in store for us all next, I am happy to say Jan does not disappoint, Her Sister’s Secret is another intriguing, surprising and emotional story which is steeped in family drama and hidden secret’s, it’s easy to say that this is my favourite of the two books, it’s not at all what I thought it would be like, as the description is misleading, the back blurb doesn’t really do this book the justice it deserves but it certainly hooks you and then from reading those first few pages you sit back and think; ‘Yup, this is going to be a good one.‘
If you are expecting to be thrown head first into the ‘swinging sixties’ then be prepared for a wee bit of a wait, because first we are whisked a little further back in time to post war Wales, where we meet Rose, who is an integral part of Jennifer’s overall story, the more we learning about Rose and seeing what she went through during 1946 and 1947 it does start those little grey cell’s turning, you begin putting the jigsaw pieces into place only for Rose’s part of the book to end and Jennifer’s to start, when all of a sudden you have an inkling of where the jigsaw pieces fit in but you then have pieces that don’t fit anywhere until you reach the precipices of the story and everything slot’s into place but not exactly how I originally thought it would, I absolutely loved the suspense as Jennifer slowly finds the answers of who she is.
If you’ve read ‘Her Mother’s Secret‘ you may think that this book follows on, as the titles and the cover’s are pretty similar, but you would be very wrong. This is a complete stand-alone, we have an whole new family to meet, a whole new host of secrets and drama to unearth but with the same raw emotion and twist’s which keep you guessing and turning the pages.
I really liked the timeslip aspect, even though it’s not a traditional ‘timeslip story’ I thought it had a feel to it. I liked how it starts in the 40’s, reveals just enough which makes certain you will keep reading and then we jump forward into the 60’s where all is revealed. Plus on top of all the family drama, there is the setting’s, unlike ‘Her Mother’s Secret‘ we aren’t transported to a beautiful place in the sun straight away, but once we do dip our toes into the aquatic blue Sicilian sea there is no going back.
I loved seeing Wales through the eyes of these two different women, each one brings their home to life, it’s a very visual and thoughtful story that span’s twenty years and it’s a joy to join both Rose and Jennifer on their individual journey’s.
Jan Baynham has once again stolen your heart and whisked you away with her beautiful and atmospheric words, this is one of those book which just get’s better and better with every reading, like a fine wine which matures’ into something delicious.
New Beginnings at the Little House in the Sun (Portuguese Paradise #2) by Chris Penhall | #Review #NewBeginningsAtTheLittleHouseInTheSun #PortugueseParadise |@ChrisPenhall @RubyFiction @ChocLituk
Hello, sunshines, Thank you for stopping by. Today, I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of; New Beginnings at the Little House by the Sea by Chris Penhall, firstly I wish to say thank you to Liz at Ruby Fiction, Choc Lit Publishers for my complimentary copy.
New Beginning’s At The Little House In The Sun by Chris Penhall
Series: Portuguese Paradise #2 / Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction / Publisher: Ruby Fiction / Release Date: 25th August 2020
Follow your yellow brick road ….
Alice Dorothy Matthews is on the road to paradise! She’s sold her house in London, got rid of her nasty ex and arranged her move to Portugal where friendship and romance awaits. All that’s left to do is find a place to call home.
But Alice’s dreams are called into question when complications with friends, work and new relationships make her Portuguese paradise feel far too much like reality.
Will Alice’s dream of a new home in the sun come true?
When I read the first book in this little – what do I call it, a series? A continuation? – anyway, I read the first book; The House that Alice Built, I was hoping that there would be more from Alice, I had this feeling that there was more to tell in her story and I am so pleased that we have a sequel to that hugely popular first book.
Here we see Alice starting her whole new life in sunny Portugal – or trying to, her original plan was to have the perfect sunshine and peaceful life away from the hustle and bustle of London and stresses that constantly plagued her. But, as we all know life doesn’t always play out as we planned, and soon enough Alice’s life is again full of complications with finding a home, building a business, unexpected friends and then there is the sparkling romance which as soon as you think; right, our girl has finally found her feet, boom another spanner in the works. Honestly, it’s one thing after another but there is some great fun to be had along the way, there are moments I was giggling with the various goings-on.
Even though you can read this as a stand-alone, I would recommend that you read the previous book first, as there is certain aspects of the story that do carry on, you really don’t want to miss out on anything. I loved the first book and this has the same heart-warming second chance feel to it that I really enjoy reading.
Alice is such a likeable and relatable woman, she is the kind of woman that your instantly like she is everyone’s best friend, she has the same self-doubt and those niggling thoughts that keep telling you that everything you are doing is wrong and it’s all going to fall apart – come on, you know what I mean, we all get them! There is still a lot of the Alice we knew from the first book, she is still the girl next door and in a way, she is still that work-a-holic she was trying to run away from, but it’s a good job she has a great work ethic as there is a lot to do.
I really enjoyed my brief escape to Portugal and following Alice as she starts a whole new journey, I was rooting for her right from the start I so wanted to see her make it and find that happy peaceful life balance she so deserves. For me, the star attraction of the whole story has got to be the setting, which is so beautiful. I loved the sparkling scenes which really showed off Portugal in all its glory. It does exactly what it says on the tin, it will transport you to a Portuguese paradise! Chris Penhall has once again stolen my imagination and my heart with her richly vivid, immersive and sunny writing.
My only niggle is that as much as I thoroughly enjoyed this story and being reacquainted with much-loved characters and meeting new I did feel that this was a lot slower in pace, especially at the start, then the previous book, not so much to be a bore but a little slower then I expected, but other than that a very enjoyable, heart-warming and highly recommended!
Sunny Days at the Beach (Borteen Secrets) by Morton S. Gray | #Review #SunnyDaysAtTheBeach #BorteenSecrets | @MortonSGray @ChocLituk
Hello, Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of the gorgeous; Sunny days at the beach by Morton S. Gray. Firstly thank you to Liz at Choc Lit for my complimentary copy, now on to the book.
Sunny Days at the Beach by Morton S. Gray
Series: Borteen Secrets / Genre: Contemporary, women’s fiction, romance / Publisher: Choc Lit Publishers / Release Date: 18th August 2020
From party nights at the pub to sunny days at the beach …
Craft shop owner Mandy Vanes has always enjoyed a commitment-free singleton lifestyle — in fact, she’s well-known for her wild ways in her small seaside town on the coast.
But when local teenager, Nick Crossten, turns to her for help, Mandy has the opportunity to prove she can be a responsible adult. Although things get tricky when gin distillery owner Graham Frankley comes to town with some unexpected news.
Could this mean that Mandy the party girl is finally ready to grow up?
Full disclosure first, this is actually the first book I have read by Morton Gray, even though I have a couple of her books on my kindle, I just haven’t had the time to read them. All book lovers will know exactly what I mean, there are only so many hours in a day, but I will read them.
This is apart of the Borteen Secrets series, now as I said previously I haven’t read any of Morton Gray’s book before this, so I have missed out on the previous instalments to the series, but to be honest, the story is so well developed and beautifully written that I wouldn’t have thought it was apart of series, it’s very much a stand-alone.
Sunny Days at the Beach is all about starting afresh, learning from mistakes, getting those second chances and finally realising your own self-worth and finding your feet again. I thoroughly enjoyed following Mandy on her journey, hers is a pretty relatable tale of a woman who has more or less everything only to find there is something missing, she is a woman who has never quite grown up and is still living her life as though she is that selfless, free teenager again. Only to find that the late-night drinking and partying, the constant stream of unknown faceless men are now taking its toll on her. She is realising that she can’t really go on as she is unless she has a gallon of concealer and enough dry shampoo to put a hole in the ozone layer. Come on ladies who haven’t woken up to a rats nest for hair and panda eyes? I know, I do most days…LOL!
Mandy, the local craft shop owner is well and truly the ‘wild-child’ of her quaint little village, she is the sort of woman who no-one really takes seriously she is like an adult child, she hasn’t quite grown up yet even though all the signs are there for her to see it really is time she did. Then when young teenager; Nick is in need of a little help, you can instantly see that Mandy really wants to do right by the young artist, she wants to prove that she isn’t just an empty-headed young woman out for a good time and now is the chance to prove that.
I do like Mandy, she is very likeable and relatable, you are either like her or you know someone like her, her journey of self-discovery is so heart-warming, I love how she re-discovers just what is truly important as the story progresses. Her young artist Nick just wants this party girl needs to really put her life into focus and make her grow up that much faster and rather surprisingly she does an excellent job at stepping up and temporarily being his foster mum.
This is such a feel-good, heart-warming story which is all about second chances and proving your worth. I loved the simple message of everyone has the chance to make amends for whatever has happened in their lives, the plot steadily takes the reader on a gentle journey which is all about love and friendship. I thoroughly enjoyed my first trip to Borteen Bay and I am looking forward to returning again very soon.
#Review | Summer at Serenity Bay by Helen Bridgett #SummerAtSerenityBay @Helen_Bridgett @RubyFiction
Hello, Sunshines, I am super excited to be sharing my review of; Summer at Serenity Bay by Helen Bridgett. I can’t wait to share this gorgeous book with you all, I do hope you love it as much as I do.
Summer at Serenity Bay by Helen Bridgett
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Women’s Fiction / Publisher: Ruby Fiction / Format: Ebook
What happens when you send a group of celebrities to a tiny seaside village?
Advertising executive Chloe Walsh thought she was visiting her friend Roisin to get away from it all, but little does she know her kooky friend has a master plan to breathe some life into her sleepy seaside village through a new wellness retreat – and she needs Chloe’s skills.
So starts a community effort to put the retreat, Serenity Bay, on the map. Everyone from Andy at the Surf Shack to Tony at the chocolate shop is involved – even Roisin’s Gran has a few ideas!
But Chloe strikes gold almost too soon, attracting the attention of a major production company. Now a colourful group of celebrities are preparing to descend on Serenity Bay to film a reality TV show. Is the village ready for the fun and scandal that are bound to follow?
How on earth have Helen Bridgett’s books passed me by for so long? This is definetly another time where I have been walking around with my eyes shut, now I have discovered this amazing authors book I fully intend to read as many as possible.
After fleeing London in heartbreak, Chloe heads to Northumberland to stay with her good friend; Roisin, where she fully intends to have a breather, take a break as she evaluates what she is to do next, and what better place to do this then in a quiet little village by the sea? But, what she doesn’t know – yet, is that her eccentric friend has been working hard to turn her grandmother little farm into a wellness retreat, which is where her savvy advertising executive friend comes in if there is one person who can make their new retreat a success and put them on the map then it is Chloe. Ah, well Chloe you will have to take your breather from the fast life another time and things are going to become very busy.
But this is exactly what Chloe needs and she throws herself into this new and exciting venture, after gaining full support of the local’s which include some interesting personalities and with that it’s all go as Chloe secures secures a contact with a TV company who want to make reality show and Serenity bay could be just the location they are looking for. But what Chloe and the residents don’t expect is just how topsy-turvy life turns out to be once the celebrities have landed.
I love this book, it’s the perfect sunny, summery feel-good read, its cheerful, and inspiring with a wonderful message of how important true friendships are as well as if you want something, work your socks off and your dreams will come true.
I would absolutely love to take a trip to Serenity Bay and relax in the wellness retreat, this place is just so happy, relaxing and full of friendship and laughs with it wide range of outdoor activities and exclusive arts and craft workshops there is something for everyone in the bay.
I loved each and every one of the character’s, they are a quirky, eclectic, eccentric, friendly, down-to-earth bunch who can be a little stuck in their ways at times but they are a good bunch who are very welcoming and open to new idea’s, I would love to be apart of their little community.
Roisin is one of the best friends that any woman can have, and I would be chuffed to bits to have her in my corner. True, she is a little kooky and she goes through life like a bull in a china shop but she has a heart of pure gold, she cares for those she loves and wants everyone to be happy, she is definitely my favourite caracter…as well as delicious Andy…ouh, la, la!!
Overall, I cannot say a single bad thing about this, I loved the simplistic yet originally delightful plot, the characters a great bunch of personalities who are great fun to get to know, and i am hoping there will be more stories coming out of the Bay featuring these wonderful characters. To me the real star of the entire boom is the place its self; Serenity bay is a beautiful, tranquil, welcoming and charming little village,
This was an Arc copy via the publisher which I voluntarily reviewed. Thank you, Liz, Choc Lit and Ruby Fiction. x
#Review | Lily’s Secret (Cornish Secrets #2) by Kirsty Ferry #LilysSecret #CornishSecrets @kirsty_ferry @Choclituk
Hello, Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of the fabulous; Lily’s Secret by Kirsty Ferry. This book is wonderful, I hope you love it as much as I do, go on take a peek!
Lily’s Secret by Kirst Ferry
Series: Cornish Secret’s #2
Publisher: ChocLit
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance, Paranormal/Timeslip
Format: ebook
‘There’s nothing logical about Pencradoc!’
Aspiring actress Cordelia Beaumont is fed up of spending summer in the city. So, when the opportunity presents itself, she jumps straight on a train to pay a visit to Pencradoc – the beautiful Cornish estate where her friend Merryn works.
But far from the relaxing break Cordy imagined, she soon finds herself immersed in the glamorous yet mysterious world of Victorian theatre sensation, Lily Valentine.
Lily was once a guest at Pencradoc and, with the help of visiting artist Matt Harker, Cordy comes to discover that the actress left far more than memories at the old house.
She also left a scandalous secret …
My, oh my! Oh, my! How much do I love this book??? I was completely spellbound, I was enthralled and charmed, I was hooked and spooked, I was whisked away to a beautiful little village where things go bump in the night and the past entwines so beautifully like Bindweed amongst the hedge with the present. I know I am waffling, but this book is just too good!
I haven’t read the first book ‘A Secret Rose‘ yet, though after reading this I have just bought a copy which I can’t wait to start reading and seeing where this fantastic series started. I didn’t have to worry about having to play catch up or getting confused over past stories and characters as this is essentially a stand-alone and I found it so easy to fall into Pencradoc, and even an easier to fall in love with this picturesque part of Cornwall and it’s a wonderful mix of characters – which by the way do span over two hundred years. I know that I have said it many times before about not going into a series without reading the first books, but where Kirsty Ferry is concerned, I will anything she writes, I do love her work and she is easily the best duel timeline author around.
Present Day, see’s aspiring, out of work actress; Cordelia who is a little fed up of her life in London, her flat has just flooded (believe me, I know how heart-wrenching that is) she is stuck temping and has lost her way slightly, she needs a little pick me up, a chance to re-charge her batteries and find perspective on where she is going. In a way, her flat flooding is the boot she needs, now is the chance to escape.
She goes to stay with her friend; Merryn at Pencradoc, hoping that a little time beside the sea and away from her mundane life…plus her ex, will clear the cobwebs but once there she gets a little more then she expected as she not only starts feeling those old stirrings of passion, she falls head over heels in love with Pencradoc, with the old charming, ghostly house and with the history of the beautiful actress Lily Valentine which is intertwining with the present.
I absolutely love the story of Lily Valentine and how her life is so relevant to the present of Pencradoc, her story is told through the eyes of eight-year-old, Elsie at the time of the famous pageant which is also happening in the present with Cordelia. The way Kirsty Ferry has mixed her story with that of the present is so clever. It at times alternates between now and the 1800’s at times the two era’s are completely mixed together. The ghostly aspects are fabulous, there are some very goose-bump moments that make the hairs on the back of the neck stand up.
Lily’s Secret is an alluring, mesmerising, atmospheric and original story, with romance, history and delightful spookier edge, I loved it!
This was an arc copy via the publisher, which I voluntarily reviewed, Thank you, Liz, at ChocLit. x
#Review | Escape To The Art Cafe (The Art Cafe #3) by Sue McDonagh #EscapeToTheArtCafe @SueMcDonaghLit @ChocLituk
Hello, Sunshines! Thank you for stopping by, today I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of the gorgeous; Escape To The Art Cafe by Sue McDonagh. I hope you all love it as much as I do!
Heartbreak and cake at the Art Café …
It was meant to be the perfect romantic holiday. But then Flora Bexton’s boyfriend does the unthinkable, and she responds in the only logical way: she steals his motorbike and escapes for a holiday by herself on the Welsh coast.
Far from the lonely trip she imagined, Flora soon finds comfort at the friendly local Art Café where the legendary hot chocolate and cake help to ease her troubled mind. And when Aussie-Welsh lifeguard Jake Foley steps in just when Flora needs help the most, she realises that her ‘holiday’ feels more like home with every passing day …
This is the third book in the Art Café series, but it can so easily be read as a stand-alone believe me I know this is true as this is the first of the series I have read myself – in fact, this is the first of the author’s books I have read and I was instantly enchanted by Sue McDonagh’s relatable, witty and sparkling writing, and I can’t wait to read from her.
There is so much covered in this book, we have hairdressing biker chicks, Aussie-Welsh surfing lifeguards…aw, Jake – I will get to him later 😉 drama, family, heartache, friendship and hot chocolate…plus, did I mention Thor-like Jake? Honestly, all this man needs is a hammer and a cape and he would be thunderous Thor…deep sigh!!
Oh, he is fabulous, I don’t usually go all gooey-eyed at blonde’s as I have always prefered dark-haired heroes, but Jake…well, what can I say? Cheeky, handsome, witty, secretive, handsome…did I just say that? Well, he is, plus there is very little left to the imagination when he is wearing that wetsuit….my mind went into the completely wrong direction in those scenes.
I was instantly taken with this, the back blurb caught my imagination I wanted to know what Flora was running from, I wanted to get know Jake and the residents of those who frequent the Art Café and I wasn’t disappointed, I love the way the author grasped your attention from the first page, you are instantly intrigued as to why Flora is stuck on a bodyboard in the middle of the Welsh sea, then we get little hints of something that occurred to her and I love how we get to Flora’s story. The same has to be said about Jake, who has returned from Australia the whole tale about his return is one that keeps the reader guessing.
This is one of the easiest and relaxing books to read, literally sit back grab a cuppa and enjoy let your mind and imagination wander into the lives of Flora and Jake. They are two hugely fascinating and complex individuals, two people who have a past, there are secrets which do become unravels as the story plods along and I thoroughly enjoyed finding out all the little hidden secrets.
To be perfectly honest I at first wouldn’t have put Jake and Flora together as a couple, they seemed far too different there is an atmosphere between them but once you get to know them as people you understand that sharpish behaviour. I loved the inclusion of the biking community which is one that is so misunderstood – I don’t the likes of the tv show; Son’s of Anarchy does genuine and responsible bikers much good, I know that they can be amazing and good people so it was nice to see that side put in the spotlight.
There is so much to like about this book, the pacing is perfect you get to know everything at the right time in the story, the opening and the first introduction to Flora and Jake is another great part of the story, you instantly are intrigued and want to know more.
This is such a great summery book, it makes you smile from beginning to end, there is lots of fun, humour, drama, and a fabulous cast of character’s, I cannot recommend it enough!
This was an Arc copy via the publisher, which I voluntarily reviewed, thank you Liz and Choc Lit! x
#Review | Little Village of Second Chances by Gina Hollands #LittleVillageOfSecondChances @ginaholls @ChocLitUK @
Hello, Sunshines! I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of; Little Village of Second Chances by Gina Hollands. I am super excited to be sharing this gorgeous book with you all, I love it and I hope you all fall in love with it too!
Surely everyone deserves a second chance?
Ex-fireman and edible flower farmer Shay McGillen has plenty of reasons not to give Sarah Pickering even one chance when she turns up in his small Yorkshire village. After all, she is only there to try and convince him and his fellow villagers to sell up so her company can build a bypass. If Sarah thinks she can make Shay give up his farmhouse and his business, she has another thing coming!
But when an unexpected blizzard leaves Sarah stranded in Shay’s home, he soon realises that they are far more alike than he could have ever imagined – and perhaps both of them deserve a second chance …
This is the perfect escapist, light-hearted and feel-good summer read, from the first page I was hooked and I devoured this in one weekend, but this isn’t your stereotypical village love story there are some serious issues that are highlighted within the plot and around certain character’s which gives it a certain edge that other little village stories don’t have.
I loved the sound of this the moment I saw it, it is set in a small Yorkshire may have helped turn my head, but to be honest, I was hooked with the back blurb and intrigued by the hero – I mean, a fireman turned edible flower farmer, what a unique and intriguing man, a man who had so much sadness about him which made me want to give the huge Irishman a cuddle. Our gloomy Shay has been through the most awful experiences, he has seen too much and those dark shadows have settled on his soul and his heart. He left his home, the country he was born and lived, gave up the job he was brilliant at and moved to a tiny little Yorkshire village to become a farmer.
But what reason made him do that?
I’m not going to divulge that, but, I can say one thing that when all is revealed you will be a blubbering teary mess.
Shay and Sarah have been through the mill, they both need space and time to move past their own heartaches, and if they had met under different circumstances their journey to happily ever after may not have been as winding. Sarah just wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of York, she wants to get on with the job at hand and try to move past the hard memories. She thinks that once she gets to the village she will do the job at changing the minds of the villagers to sell up – what she doesn’t count on is that these are proud and stubborn Yorkshire folk who once dig in very rarely change their minds, plus on the first day of meeting some of the residents and breathing in the warming embrace of village life she soon falls in love with Weatherton and a certain gruff, growling, scowling rugged Irishman – aww, Shay!!! …Deep sigh!!!
I have to say that this has the best opening I have read for ages, that first page had me in fits of laughter, it was a brilliant introduction to both Shay and Sarah a misunderstanding that will stay with them.
I loved the villagers, they are a fabulous group of people; funny, serious, passionate, a little eccentric (but then, who doesn’t walk around with teabag’s in their pocket’s or tv remotes in their handbags? 😉 ) kind and caring – I can totally relate to this village and its residents.
I loved every part of this; Sarah and Shay are the perfect ‘enemies to lovers’ couple, they don’t start off on the right foot and thing do seem to go downhill every so often once certain things are revealed but neither of them can deny that there is a sparkle, underlying chemistry that hovers between them like swirling mist.
The Little Village of Second Chances is like a box of chocolates, I know that has probably been said a million times before, but with this book, it is the absolute truth. Just imagine it; opening the lid of your favourite chocolate brand box removing the foil and seeing the selection of delicious beautiful chocolates sitting there staring at you and that is what this book is all about, you open the beautiful cover and are greeted with the most charming, lovable, witty character’s which all live in the most idyllic little village. I would absolutely love to run off to charming Weatherton, which is so full of life and drama, community spirit and the perfect place to forget the outside world and settle into a whole new life.
This was an Arc copy via the publisher, which I voluntarily reviewed, Thank you Liz and Choc Lit. x
