The Scandal Sheet, Weekly/Monthly Blog Round Up
November Blog Roundup! #ShareTheBookLove
Hello, Sunshines! Can you believe that we are in December??? What??? How did that happen?? how on earth can we be this close to the end of the year and much, much worse; so near….gulp! Christmas! As you may have guessed, I am not the stereotypical Christmas nut, It far too commercialised and as I get older it just doesn’t feel like Christmas anymore, surely that can’t be just me who thinks it, but one thing I do love about this time of year has to be all the lovely festive books and so far there have been some amazing ones.
Anyway, what has been happening here at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals towers? Not a lot, to be honest, just plodding along trying to make a dent in the huge mountain of books which I’ve read and have yet to write reviews for.
I am as usual late to post my monthly round-up, and to say I have been a very bad book blogger this month, it’s been a weird few weeks, schedules have been thrown out of the window and I have missed so many blog tour days and reviews this month…apologies! (I am hoping to have all reviews and blog tours I didn’t post on this blog this month, fingers crossed).
I am hoping to do a lot better in the new year, surely 2021 can’t be as weird as this one?
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts over the past month, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot….because they are all amazing!
Reviewed This Month
Blog Tours/ Book Blast’s
What the World Needs Now – Trees! Book Blast
The Bachelor’s Bride Book Blast
She’s The One Who Think’s Too Much Book Blast
Keep Walking Rhona Beech Book Blast
A Home For Christmas Book Blast
The Last Blast Of The Trumpet Excerpt
Cover Reveal’s
Book Spotlight’s
Harmony’s Embrace by Amber Daulton
Series: Deerbourne Inn
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Release Date: November 16th, 2020
Genre: Contemporary/Romantic Suspense
Heat Rating: 3 Flames
Divorced dad Birley Haynes is too busy raising his children and running his family’s music academy to start a relationship. Then Harmony Holdich, his high school sweetheart, returns home to Willow Springs, Vermont for Christmas and falls into his bed. She brings light and fun back into his life, but he can’t brush aside the threatening incidents around his workplace.
Harmony hadn’t expected a complication like Birley, especially so soon after the death of her unfaithful husband. With her life a mess, she plans to move across the country and start over. All she can offer him is a fling, but her heart yearns for more.
When the threats rise, how will Birley keep his children safe and convince Harmony to give love another chance?
***
Loved by the Lyon by Collette Cameron
Series: The Lyon’s Den Connected World Seres
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing
Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made… unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON’S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives… and loves.
It’s amazing how quickly a marriage of convenience can become so very complicated…
Kingston Barclay cannot inherit the dukedom soon enough. With siblings to support and a nearly bankrupt estate, an opportune marriage is his last hope. But his best-laid plans are upended when he discovers his best friend’s lovely sister sneaking around The Lyon’s Den. His immediate attraction to her would make her a most inconvenient bride, given his circumstances. Convincing his heart of that, however, is another matter entirely…
The last thing Vanessa Becket needs is another man in her life. Between her conniving stepbrother, a parade of fortune hunters, and the investigator who failed to reclaim her stolen jewels, she’s had enough. But when she finds herself in a notorious gaming hell, she discovers something far more valuable than missing gems. A temporary arranged marriage to Kingston could solve all her problems. If she manages to not fall for him in the process, that is…
It was supposed to be a simple arrangement. But given their histories–and the secrets Kingston is keeping–the road to happily ever after will surely be anything but simple.
Book of The Month
And The Stars Shine Down by Melinda Hammond
Genre: Romance Novella / Pages: 50 / Format: Ebook
This is Laura Grantham’s big chance, reporting on the first flight of a Spitfire that was lost for 70 years. But the story that unfolds is one Laura can never write. Who would ever believe her?
A bitter-sweet short story of two people who should have been separated by a lifetime….
Sensuality rating: sweet romance
Hottie of the Month 😉
There you have it, a pretty full November has done and dusted, so as we head towards Christmas and a whole new year, I will wish you all a very Merry Christmas and to bring a little magic to your day here’s this month’s hottie 😉
Stay well and safe, keep reading and I will see you all soon.
October Blog Round up! #ShareTheBookLove
Hello, Sunshines! Can you believe that we are in November??? How did that happen, where on earth has the year gone? But then again, 2020 has been a bit of a weird one, so the faster we reach 2021 the better for me. But, we’re not there quite yet!
So, what has been happening here at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals towers? Not a lot, to be honest, except for the blog turning Five on the 23rd of October and those who follow me on Instagram will know all about my demonic pup, he’s growing like a weed and getting more rambunctious very day. I can’t believe it that my little man is four month’s old this Friday!!
I am as usual late to post my October monthly round-up, and to say I have been a very bad book blogger this month, it’s been a weird few weeks, schedules have been thrown out of the window and I have missed so many blog tour days and reviews this month…apologies! (I am hoping to have all reviews and blog tours I didn’t post on this blog this month, fingers crossed).
I am hoping to do a lot better in November ( she says eyeing the pup in the corner wondering what trouble he will cause this time) we shall see!
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts over the past month, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot….because they are all amazing!
Reviewed This Month
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Blog Tours/ Book Blast’s
A Stranger in Paris – Blog Tour, Excerpt
Under a Sky on Fire – Blog Tour, Feature
The Bachelor Duke – Book Blast
The Comfort of Distance – Book Blast
The Boy King – Blog Tour, Guest Post
The Last Blast of the Trumpet – Book Blast
The Path of Good Response – Book Blast
Tsalix Silverthorn and the Scepter of Destiny – Blog Tour, Excerpt
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Cover Reveal’s
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Book Spotlight
Homemakers Christmas by Jill Piscitello
A recent error in judgement has deposited Cricket Williams, her daughter, and a son spiking a high fever into a homeless shelter. A touch of Christmas magic is sprinkled upon her family when an eccentric volunteer invites them into her New England farmhouse. Blindsided with the proposition of a contractual living arrangement, Cricket is seized with renewed hope for her future.
Boris Glynn is in town visiting his grandmother but harbors a secret that will impact her life and the lives of his dearest friends. Complications arise when he is unable to restrain himself from pursuing his grandmother’s beautiful new neighbor.
As Cricket begins to succumb to Boris’s attention, her new world is shaken by a series of events that have the potential to destroy her plans for a fresh start.
***
Book of The Month
Where Butterflies Go by Debra Doxer
Meira Sokolow had the misfortune of being born to Jewish parents in Warsaw, Poland, in 1912. Before she took her first breath, her fate had been sealed.
Residing in the Jewish Quarter of the city, Meira’s early life was typical. She fell in love with a local boy, got married, and had a daughter. Then the German army marched into Warsaw and everything changed. Forced into the ghetto with her family, she found survival to be a daily struggle.
Hunger, disease, and unimaginable cruelty were her stark realities. When the ghetto was purged and she was sent to a concentration camp, Meira still had her family, and that was all that mattered. Then the camp was liquidated, and only a handful of survivors remained out of thousands.
Meira Sokolow was one of them. No longer a wife or mother, Meira emigrated to New York City. After World War II, the world wanted to move on and start a new chapter, but Meira couldn’t turn the page so easily. She walked through her days alone, like a ghost with nothing to tether her to the earth. Then she met Max, a handsome American, who first mistook her for one of the boring socialites he encountered every day. He soon learned she was unlike anyone he had met before, seeing her strength and resilience, even when she couldn’t. Max knew he could breathe life into her again, if only she would let him.
Tragic and heartfelt, Where Butterflies Go is based on the harrowing true story of one woman’s survival during the Nazi occupation of Poland, and her struggle to find meaning in the aftermath.
***
Lest We Forget!
November is the month where we all stop to remember, we wear our poppies with pride. This is very close to my heart, I wear two poppies all year, one red and one purple with pride.
This is the time of year where we show our support and remember every single man, woman and animal which gave everything for the good. We stop to pay respect to those who paid the ultimate price to keep us free and allow us to live the lives we do (maybe not so much at the minute). We stop to say thank you to those amazing veteran’s who we can learn so much from, and stop to say thank you to all the active servicemen and women.
As always, Chicks, Rogues and Scandals is proud to be showing support to the Poppy Appeal. Let us all show our love and respect, no matter your personal opinions wearing the poppy isn’t about politic’s it’s about remembering and honouring those who never returned home.
We will never forget!!
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Hottie of the Month 😉
There you have it, a pretty full October done and dusted, so as we head into another month and as some of us head into another lockdown, I will leave you with a little something to bring the sunshine to your day.
Stay well and safe, keep reading and I will see you all soon.
The Scandal Sheet; September Blog Round up! #ShareTheBookLove
Hello, Sunshines! Can you believe that we have sailed through September and are now in October…honestly, this year is going super fast! Where is the time going? The last month hasn’t been the best for me, there have been many tears and not many laugh’s, losing my old dog devasted me, I’m still not 100% but it doesn’t hurt as hard as it did and the blog kept me going but the light had gone, but it’s brightening again. Then getting my new pup, which has filled the gap in my life but he is demonic and it’s not all been sunshine and daisy’s over the last few weeks – but, he will get there, eventually, hopefully…fingers crossed (if I have any fingers left by Christmas) I have missed so many scheduled blog post’s over the last few weeks, which I feel awful for and they all will be posted ASAP, honestly I seem to be saying that more and more this year….It’s been a weird year!
There is so much to look forward to in October, I have got some amazing books which are going to be featured on the blog this month, hopefully, the pup will actually start walking on the lead and not only is October my birthday month, but also the blog’s ….Five years, this month!!! Wow!
But, before all that let’s look back at what September looked like on the blog, plus I have another ‘Hottie of the Month’.
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts over the past month, You are all so amazing, thank you!!
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot….because they are all amazing!
Reviewed This Month
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Cover Reveal’s
For The Love of a Pirate / Hunted
Blog Tours
Alina: A Song for the Telling – Blog Tour, Feature
A Stranger in Paris – Blog Tour, Feature
The Coconut Girl – Blog Tour, Feature
The Golden van Doren’s – Blog Tour, Feature
Being Alert – Blog Tour, Excerpt
A Venomous Love – Blog Tour, Feature
Flirtation and Folly – Book Blast
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Interview
Harriet Springbett’s childhood on a small farm in West Dorset gave her an early exposure to nature, which continues to inspire her writing.
She qualified as an engineer but, during a Raleigh International expedition in Chile, she realised she preferred words to numbers. She abandoned her profession, moved to France, studied French and then worked as a project manager, feature writer, translator and TEFL teacher. She now lives in Poitou-Charentes with her French partner and their teenage children.
Since her first literary success, aged 10, her short stories and poetry have been published in literary journals and placed in writing competitions, including a shortlisting in the 2017 Bath Short Story Award.
Harriet leads writing workshops, has judged the Segora international short story competition and blogs at https://harrietspringbett.wordpress.com
You can catch the interview Here
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Guest Post
I had the huge pleasure to host an exclusive guest post this month, written by the amazing Sophie Schiller; author of The Lost Diary of Alexander Hamilton, do go and have a read. The Amazing, Forgotten Story of Alexander Hamilton’s Boyhood in the Caribbean By Sophie Schiller
Sophie Schiller was born in Paterson, NJ and grew up in the West Indies. She is a novelist and a poet. She loves stories that carry the reader back in time to exotic and far-flung locations. Kirkus Reviews has called her “an accomplished thriller and historical adventure writer.” Her novel, ISLAND ON FIRE was published by Kindle Scout in 2018 and was called, “A memorable romantic thriller” by Publishers Weekly. Her latest novel, THE LOST DIARY OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON, is out now. She graduated from American University, Washington, DC and lives in Brooklyn, NY.
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Book of The Month
Into The Burning Dawn by Natalie Meg Evans
Genre: WW2 Historical Fiction
Publisher: Bookouture
In the terrace courtyard of the palazzo overlooking a sparkling bay, the scent of ripening lemons filled the air. His deep brown eyes gazed into hers with determination and longing. ‘Will you do it? Risk everything and join us?’
Twenty-one-year-old Imogen Fitzgerald was raised in an English orphanage and never knew her parents. So when World War Two breaks out, she refuses to leave the life she’s worked so hard to build for herself, teaching English to little Marco and Eloisa in the beautiful Italian city of Naples. With their father Giancarlo away fighting for the fascists, there’s no one else to care for these lost children. Imogen’s dark hair and perfect Italian will protect her for now, but if anyone discovers her secret identity as an enemy of Italy, Marco and Eloisa will be left with no one.
As the shadows of bomber planes darken the azure-blue waters of the bay, the one person Imogen can depend on is Fabrizio, the children’s uncle. He’s never seen eye-to-eye with their father, and Imogen is forbidden to speak to him… but whenever they secretly meet in the lemon groves Imogen instantly feels safe. Fabrizio talks passionately of the resistenza, the underground group fighting the regime, and soon Imogen herself is involved – smuggling food along the rocky coast, and even supplying information on Giancarlo to help fight the Nazis and end this awful war.
But when Giancarlo suddenly returns, injured from the fighting, Imogen is shocked to find him much changed. Rather than the fascist sympathiser she knew and resented, she sees in Giancarlo a man who would do anything to protect his children and his beloved Italy. Was she wrong to expose him as a traitor?
Torn between two sides, Imogen’s own life is thrown into terrible danger when a child goes missing and her secret identity is exposed… did she put her trust in the wrong man? And is it too late to save herself, and the children from the horrors of war?
An absolutely stunning and evocative historical read about the bravery of ordinary people in dark times, that will sweep you away to the breath-taking coastline of Italy. Perfect for fans of The Nightingale, The Tuscan Child and All the Light We Cannot See.
Buy link here – Amazon
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Thank you for stopping by, for no other reason than to make you smile here is my Hottie of the Month.
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Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
The Scandal Sheet; July Blog Round up! #ShareTheBookLove
Hello, Sunshines! Another month has passed us by, I don’t know about anyone else but for some reason, July seemed to have gone by so slowly. But these summer months usually do appear to drag on forever to me, maybe it’s my aversion to sunshine, as I am more of a Winter fan… LOL!
Here in the UK, some places are slowly opening up again, while others have been forced back into localised Lockdowns. For the first time since March, I ventured into town and to be honest I didn’t like it very much, It was a little weird but at least now I am not the odd one out wearing a mask.
This month, I have re-discovered Audiobooks, they have always been a little hit and miss with me, but the last few weeks I have really fallen in love with them. I will tell you all about those later.
Anyway, enough of that, on the blog it’s been another busy-ish month, even though I do think I have been a little lazy review wise, I have fallen back into bad habit’s again by saving drafts and forgetting about them, meaning I have quite a few reviews which are finished that I have yet to post…Ooop’s, they will be posted.
So enough of the babble, let’s have a look back at July on the blog.
Reviewed This Month
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Blog Tours
Temple of Dreams – Excerpt
The Place We Call Home – Review
Guilty Pleasure – Release Day Book Blast
The Women Writers Handbook – Review
Katie’s Cornish Kitchen Review
The Englishman – Review
The Forget me Not Bakery – Review
What Did You Do In The War, Sister – Guest Post
Darkest Night – Review
Storms Gather Between Us – Feature
Rosemary or too Clever to Love – Feature
A Flame Through Eternity – Excerpt
Kissing Daisy Parker – Book Blitz
A Little Pick me Up – Review
Hector – Book Blitz
Midtown Huckster – Review
Clouds of Love and War – Review
The End of the Road – Book Blitz
Fair as a Star – Review
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Audiobooks
As I hinted at the top of this post, I have recently found the love of AudioBooks, as I had an Audible 3-month subscription offer from Prime for just 99p, I thought I would take advantage of it and give Audiobooks a proper go and now I am hooked.
These are the beauties I got this month, one was free with an Audible credit and the other’s I got on offer when I purchased the ebooks, do go and check them out.
The Dangerous Lord Darrington by Sarah Mallory*
In Darkness, Look for Stars by Clara BensonParis, 1941: Going against her mother’s orders, spirited Maggie devotes herself to the Resistance. Her life is a whirlwind of forged passports and secret midnight runs, helping Jews escape. Much to her high-society mother’s disapproval, she has fallen in love with Emil, a Jewish Resistance fighter who is wanted by the Nazis.
The city is growing more dangerous by the day, with signs proclaiming “No Jews” posted everywhere in the mazelike streets and people dragged away in handcuffs. The forbidden lovers are forced to say good-bye – Emil going underground to escape capture.
Meanwhile, Maggie’s sister, Cecilia, is hundreds of miles away, where the realities of war are yet to hit the serenity of the South of France. Innocent and shy Cecilia is shocked to the core when Emil turns up, seeking refuge. Her sheltered life turned upside down, Cecilia is thrown into the world of the Resistance, all the while sending coded letters to her sister, who every day awaits news of her fiancé.
But with the Nazis closing in on them, their lives soon hang in the balance. Both sisters must decide where their loyalties lie – and how far they are willing to go to save themselves and one another.
An evocative, riveting, and stirring tale about the tragic realities of war, the fine line between loyalty and lies, and the power of love, even in the darkest of times. Fans of The Nightingale, The Letter, and All the Light We Cannot See will be spellbound by this magnificent historical novel.
*
When Monty Don’s golden retriever, Nigel, became the surprise star of BBC’s Gardeners’ World, inspiring huge interest, fan mail and even his own social media accounts, Monty Don wanted to explore what makes us connect with animals quite so deeply.
In many respects Nigel is a very ordinary dog – charming, handsome and obedient, as so many are. He is also a much loved family pet. He is also a star. By telling Nigel’s story, Monty relates his relationships with other special dogs in his life in a memoir of his dogs past and very much present.
Witty, touching and life affirming, Nigel: My Family and Other Dogs is wonderfully heartwarming. Monty Don is a great writer coming out of the garden and into the hearts and homes of every dog lover in the UK.
‘I have always had a dog or dogs. I cannot imagine life without them. I am just as much a fan of Nigel as any besotted viewer. In the book I explore why we love dogs and what they mean to us emotionally and domestically. I look back on all the dogs in my life – all of which I have loved deeply and which have been an essential part of my life. So, this is the book of Nigel – but also the book of all our dogs in every British family and a celebration of the deep love we feel for them.’ (Monty Don)
*
Italy in 1819. Emilia Barton and her mother, Sarah, live a nomadic existence, travelling from town to town as itinerant dressmakers to escape their past. When they settle in the idyllic coastal town of Pesaro, Emilia desperately hopes that this time they have found a permanent home. But when Sarah is brutally attacked by an unknown assailant, a deathbed confession turns Emilia’s world upside down.
Seeking refuge as a dressmaker in the eccentric household of Princess Caroline of Brunswick, Emilia experiences her first taste of love with the charming Alessandro. But her troubling history gnaws away at her. Might she, a humble dressmaker’s daughter, have a more aristocratic past than she could have imagined?
When the Princess sends her on an assignment to London, Emilia grasps the opportunity to unravel the truth. Caught up in a web of treachery and deceit, she is determined to discover who she really is – even if she risks losing everything….
***
Book of The Month
The Captain and the Baker by Catherine Curzon & Eleanor Harkstead
Series: Captivating Captain’s #7
Genre: M/M Romance
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Release Date: 25th August 2020
When a hot-tempered TV chef and a mild-mannered baker meet on the rugged Cornish coast, they’ve got the perfect ingredients for a red-hot snack.
Sweary and stressed celebrity chef Jake Brantham is the captain of several floating restaurants. When he’s sent to the idyllic village of Porthavel to turn a pirate ship into the next gastronomic sensation, it’s the last place on earth he wants to be.
Locryn Trevorrow is the bakery king of Cornwall. From the humble pasty to a wedding cake fit for a mermaid queen, there’s nothing he doesn’t know about the art of baking. He lives in a cosy world of gingham and ganache, but at night he goes home to his smugglers’ cottage alone.
When he’s adopted by a lost kitten, Jake soon discovers that there’s more to Portavel than cream teas, lobster pots, and the annoyingly fastidious Locryn. As the village prepares for the wedding of its favourite young couple, Jake and Locryn find themselves as unlikely matchmakers for two locals who’d given up on love.
Torn between the call of Hollywood and the kisses of Locryn, will Jake choose a mansion in Beverly Hills or a cottage on the Cornish coast?
***
Another thing which happened in July was my little blog has been put forward and nominated twice…yup, TWICE!! for the 2020 Book Blogger Awards in the Romance category, I don’t have the words, I feel very humbled that people enjoy my waffle so much to do such a very kind thing.
Thank you to both Jorie @ JorieLovesaStory and Yesha @ BooksTeacupandReviews.
***
Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
The Scandal Sheet; June Blog Round up! #ShareTheBookLove
Hello, Sunshines! Can you believe that we are at the end of (ADD MONTH), Where is the time going? One minute I have no idea what day it is (To be honest, most of the time I still don’t 😄) and then next we are flying into a whole new month, this year is going so fast.
I’ll be looking back over (ADD MONTH) sharing what’s been happening on the blog, plus I have another ‘Hottie of the Month’.
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts over the past month, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot….because they are all amazing!
Cover Reveal’s
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***
Reviewed This Month
Of Darkness and Light by Heidi Eljarbo
In this first book of a new historical mystery series, a young art historian faces a tough choice in German-occupied Norway.
“Artful prose and at a pace that makes for a can’t-put-down, first-class literary voyage.”–Melissa Dalton-Bradford, bestselling author of Global Mom
Oslo, 1944. Soli Hansen’s passion for art history is and always has been a way of life for her. While she spends her days working in an art shop, WWII is taking its toll on everyone. Apprehensive of the consequences, Soli avoids becoming entangled in the war resistance efforts. She closes her eyes in hopes the enemy will retreat and leave her beautiful country for good.
But when a woman is found dead in the alley alongside the art shop and a painting from the last auction goes missing, Soli is thrown into the thickest of the fray involving both Nazi art theft and the Norwegian resistance.
Once Soli finds her courage, there’s no turning back. Her personal life is turned upside-down with danger, lies, spying, and an incredible discovery.
In this dual timeline novel, Heidi Eljarbo paints a vivid picture of what people are willing to do in desperate times. With unforgettable characters and rich historical details, Of Darkness and Light will keep the reader mesmerized until the last satisfying page.
Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Katherine Neville, and Kate Mosse.
*
A Good Match For The Major by Josie Bonham
Pride meets prejudice – can love blossom.
Beautiful young widow, Lady Eliza Wyndham, is determined never to remarry after a disastrous first marriage. The undeniable attraction that fizzes between her and Major Nathaniel Overton terrifies her. She rejects his advances.
With his pride badly dented, Nat vows to forget Eliza until he finds her in danger from an old adversary of his army days. His protective instincts are stirred and he steps back into her life, but will Eliza be prepared to accept his help?
*
The Great Coat by Helen Dunmore
A terrifyingly atmospheric ghost story by the Orange-prize-winning Helen Dunmore.
In the summer of 1954, newly wed Isabel Carey arrives in a Yorkshire town with her husband Philip. As a GP he spends much of his time working, while Isabel tries hard to adjust to the realities of married life. Life is not easy: she feels out-of-place and constantly judged by the people around her, so she spends much of her time alone.
One cold winter night, Isabel finds an old RAF greatcoat in the back of a cupboard that she uses to help keep warm. Once wrapped in the coat she is beset by dreams. And not long afterwards, while her husband is out, she is startled to hear a knock at her window, and to meet for the first time the intense gaze of a young Air Force pilot, handsome, blond and blue-eyed, staring in at her from outside.
His name is Alec, and his powerfully haunting presence both disturbs and excites Isabel. Her initial alarm soon fades, and they begin a delicious affair. But nothing could have prepared her for the truth about Alec’s life, nor the impact it will have on her own marriage.
*
The Summer Island Swap by Samantha Tonge
Sometimes the best holidays are the ones you least expect…
After a long and turbulent year, Sarah is dreaming of the five-star getaway her sister has booked them on. White sands, cocktails, massages, the Caribbean is calling to them.
But the sisters turn up to tatty beaches, basic wooden shacks, a compost toilet and outdoor cold water showers. It turns out that at the last minute Amy decided a conservation project would be much more fun than a luxury resort.
So now Sarah’s battling mosquitos, trying to stomach fish soup and praying for a swift escape. Life on a desert island though isn’t all doom and gloom. They’re at one with nature, learning about each other and making new friends. And Sarah is distracted by the dishy, yet incredibly moody, island leader she’s sure is hiding a secret.
Perfect for fans of Holly Martin, Mandy Baggot and Heidi Swain.
*
The Earl with the Secret Past by Janice Preston
An unexpected inheritance
An explosive reunion
Hardworking architect Adam Monroe’s world is shaken when he inherits an earldom! Thrust into the ton, he bumps into widow Kitty Fenton—his lost love. Years before, he refused to elope with Kitty to save her from ruin, and was heartbroken when she married soon after he left. Perhaps fate has given him a chance to discover the truth—after all, beneath the hurt, the sparks of attraction are as strong as ever…
*
The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride by Virginia Heath
Marriage…
To the highest bidder
Lady Lydia Barton cannot seem to avoid Owen Wolfe since he’s returned after being wrongly transported for stealing her family’s jewels! But Lydia has more pressing problems, like her impending arranged marriage. Until Owen makes her father a counteroffer for her hand. Is Owen purely after her society connections, or dare Lydia hope that the charming stable boy she once loved is still within her ruthless, wealthy new husband?
*
The Temptations of Lord Tintagel by Bronwyn Scott
When his enemy…
becomes his truly tempting ally!
Inigo’s best friend’s life was cut brutally short by his association with the lovely Audevere Brenley and her father. Now Inigo seeks justice. But never did he dream that his greatest ally would be Audevere herself. What begins as business is branded with passion as Inigo rediscovers the intrepid, determined woman he thought he knew. His most dangerous revelation? His own feelings for her!
*
The Rebel Heiress and the Knight by Melissa Oliver
She must marry the knight
By order of the king!
Widow Eleanor of Tallany Castle knows her people are broken by the taxes demanded by King John. So when she’s ordered to marry Hugh de Villiers, a knight loyal to the king, she’s furious—even if he is handsome!
As gallant Hugh begins to heal the scars of Eleanor’s abusive first marriage, she’s even more determined to keep her secret: she is the outlaw the king wants to send to the gallows!
*
The Philosopher’s Daughters by Alison Booth
A tale of two very different sisters whose 1890s voyage from London into remote outback Australia becomes a journey of self-discovery, set against a landscape of wild beauty and savage dispossession.
London in 1891: Harriet Cameron is a talented young artist whose mother died when she was barely five. She and her beloved sister Sarah were brought up by their father, radical thinker James Cameron. After adventurer Henry Vincent arrives on the scene, the sisters’ lives are changed forever. Sarah, the beauty of the family, marries Henry and embarks on a voyage to Australia. Harriet, intensely missing Sarah, must decide whether to help her father with his life’s work or devote herself to painting.
When James Cameron dies unexpectedly, Harriet is overwhelmed by grief. Seeking distraction, she follows Sarah to Australia, and afterwards into the Northern Territory outback, where she is alienated by the casual violence and great injustices of outback life.
Her rejuvenation begins with her friendship with an Aboriginal stockman and her growing love for the landscape. But this fragile happiness is soon threatened by murders at a nearby cattle station and by a menacing station hand seeking revenge.
*
Little Village of Second Chances by Gina Hollands
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 …
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The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper
A cursed opal, a gnarled family tree, and a sinister woman in a green dress emerge in the aftermath of World War I.
After a whirlwind romance, London teashop waitress Fleur Richards can’t wait for her new husband, Hugh, to return from the Great War. But when word of his death arrives on Armistice Day, Fleur learns he has left her a sizable family fortune. Refusing to accept the inheritance, she heads to his beloved home country of Australia in search of the relatives who deserve it more.
In spite of her reluctance, she soon finds herself the sole owner of a remote farm and a dilapidated curio shop full of long-forgotten artifacts, remarkable preserved creatures, and a mystery that began more than sixty-five years ago. With the help of Kip, a repatriated soldier dealing with the sobering aftereffects of war, Fleur finds herself unable to resist pulling on the threads of the past. What she finds is a shocking story surrounding an opal and a woman in a green dress. . . a story that, nevertheless, offers hope and healing for the future.
This romantic mystery from award-winning Australian novelist Tea Cooper will keep readers guessing until the astonishing conclusion.
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Escape To The Art Cafe by Sue McDonagh
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 …
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Books In The Spotlight
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Blog Tours
Saving The Music; Blog Tour
The Sea Gate
One Fatal Night
The Summer Island Swap
Spies by Ellie Midwood
A Thin Porridge
Pieces Of Us
The Philosopher’s Daughter
Out Of Night
The Memory House
The Woman in the Green Dress
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Author Interview
I had the huge pleasure to be chatting with Ellie Midwood on this blog this month.
Ellie Midwood is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning historical fiction author. She owes her interest in the history of the Second World War to her grandfather, Junior Sergeant in the 2nd Guards Tank Army of the First Belorussian Front, who began telling her about his experiences on the frontline when she was a young girl. Growing up, her interest in history only deepened and transformed from reading about the war to writing about it. After obtaining her BA in Linguistics, Ellie decided to make writing her full-time career and began working on her first full-length historical novel, “The Girl from Berlin.” Ellie is continuously enriching her library with new research material and feeds her passion for WWII and Holocaust history by collecting rare memorabilia and documents.
In her free time, Ellie is a health-obsessed yoga enthusiast, neat freak, adventurer, Nazi Germany history expert, polyglot, philosopher, a proud Jew, and a doggie mama. Ellie lives in New York with her fiancé and their Chihuahua named Shark Bait.
For more information on Ellie and her novels, please visit her website. You can also find her on Facebook, Amazon, and Goodreads.
Ellie’s Interview can be found here –Ellie Midwood Author Interview
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Book of The Month
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Thank you for stopping by, for no other reason than to make you smile here is my Hottie of the Month. 😉
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Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
The Sunday Scandal Sheet; Weekly Post Recap! #ShareTheBookLove
Happy Sunday Sunshines! Another week has been and gone, which means it’s time I had a look back what has been happening on the blog over the course of the last seven days, just in case you missed any. I’ll be choosing my book of the week and of course, there is a new ‘Hottie of the Week’ for no other reason than to make you smile.
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts this week, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot.
Let’s take a look at the past week’s posts.
The Rebel Heiress and the Knight: Review & Giveaway
The Philosopher’s Daughter; Blog Tour, Review
Not The Death’s Imagined; Cover Reveal
The Captain’s Disgraced Lady; Book Spotlight
Little Village of Second Chances; Review
Book Bargain’s of the Week, part 1; Mills and Boon Special
Book Bargains of the Week; Part 2
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Book of the Week.
Genre: Historical, Medieval Romance / Publisher: Mills and Boon, Harlequin / Release: 1st July 2020
She must marry the knight
By order of the king!
Widow Eleanor of Tallany Castle knows her people are broken by the taxes demanded by King John. So when she’s ordered to marry Hugh de Villiers, a knight loyal to the king, she’s furious—even if he is handsome!
As gallant Hugh begins to heal the scars of Eleanor’s abusive first marriage, she’s even more determined to keep her secret: she is the outlaw the king wants to send to the gallows!
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I hope you have enjoyed my look back at the past week, let’s have a brief look at what’s to come on the blog in the coming week.
The Woman in The Green Dress – Blog Tour, Review
Escape To the Art Cafe – Review
Guilty Pleasures – Release Day Blitz
Her Best Friend, The Duke – Review
Temple of Dreams – Blog Tour, Excerpt
The Place We Call Home – Blog Tour, Review
Katie’s Cornish Kitchen – Blog Tour, Review
***
Thank you for stopping by, for no other reason than to make you smile here is my Hottie of the Week. 😉
***
Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
The Sunday Scandal Sheet; Weekly Post Recap! #ShareTheBookLove
Happy Sunday Sunshines! Another week has been and gone, which means it’s time I had a look back what has been happening on the blog over the course of the last seven days, just in case you missed any. It’s been a pretty busy week, plus I have started a whole new feature which I will tell you all about further down the post, plus I’ll be choosing my book of the week and of course, there is a new ‘Hottie of the Week’ for no other reason than to make you smile.
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts this week, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot.
Let’s take a look at the past week’s posts.
The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride; Review
The Temptations of Lord Tintagel; Review
Pieces Of Us; Release day Blitz
The Jane Austen Society; Blog Tour, Review
The Queen’s Almoner; Book Spotlight
Best Book Bargain’s of the Week
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Book of the Week.
Genre: Historical Romance / Series: Cornish Dukes #3 / Publisher: Mills and Boon, Harlequin / Format: Ebook, paperback
When his enemy…
becomes his truly tempting ally!
Inigo’s best friend’s life was cut brutally short by his association with the lovely Audevere Brenley and her father. Now Inigo seeks justice. But never did he dream that his greatest ally would be Audevere herself. What begins as business is branded with passion as Inigo rediscovers the intrepid, determined woman he thought he knew. His most dangerous revelation? His own feelings for her!
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What a busy week! I also started a whole new feature on the blog; Weekly Best Book Bargain’s, where every week (hopefully) I will be sharing a collection of Bookish Bargains I come across and I would also love to support authors with this, so if you are a romance and/or historical author and you have some bookish news you’d love everyone to hear about; this could be a promotion, discount or new release then do get in touch I would love to help you spread your news. As always just pop by the Contact Me page.
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I hope you have enjoyed my look back at the past week, let’s have a brief look at what’s to come on the blog in the coming week.
This week, I have something very exciting happening! I have an exclusive book giveaway which I hope as many people as possible will enter, as this book is amazing! If you love your historical romance then this is a must-read, so do keep an eye on the blog for that!
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The Rebel Heiress and the Knight – Review
The Philosopher’s Daughter – Review
The Eliza Doll – Cover Reveal
The Memory House – Book Blast
The Little Village of Second Chances – Review
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Thank you for stopping by, for no other reason than to make you smile here is my Hottie of the Week. 😉
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Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
The Sunday (On A Monday) Scandal Sheet; Weekly Post Recap! #ShareTheBookLove
A day late, but here is my Sunday (on a Monday) Scandal Sheet! Another week has been and gone, which means it’s time I had a look back what has been happening on the blog over the course of the last seven days, just in case you missed any. I have flagged a bit this week, and I have missed out on posting some review’s I had planned to, but those will come in the coming week – hopefully! I’ll be choosing my book of the week and of course, there is a new ‘Hottie of the Week’ for no other reason than to make you smile.
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts this week, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot.
Let’s take a look at the past week’s posts.
Saving The Music; Blog Tour, Book Feature
The Sea Gate; Blog Tour, Excerpt
The Summer Island Swap; Blog Tour, Review
Perfect Paris Christmas; Cover Reveal
Spies by Ellie Midwood; Blog Tour, Interview
The Earl With The Secret Past; Review
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Book of the Week.
The Earl With The Secret Past
Genre: Historical Romance / Publisher: Mills and Boon, Harlequin Books / Format: Ebook, Paperback / Release Date: 16th June 2020
An unexpected inheritance
An explosive reunion
Hardworking architect Adam Monroe’s world is shaken when he inherits an earldom! Thrust into the ton, he bumps into widow Kitty Fenton—his lost love. Years before, he refused to elope with Kitty to save her from ruin, and was heartbroken when she married soon after he left. Perhaps fate has given him a chance to discover the truth—after all, beneath the hurt, the sparks of attraction are as strong as ever…
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I hope you have enjoyed my look back at the past week, let’s have a brief look at what’s to come on the blog in the coming week.
A Thin Porridge – Book Blitz
Pieces Of Us – Book Blitz
The Jane Austen Societ – Blog Tour, Review
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Thank you for stopping by, for no other reason than to make you smile here is my Hottie of the Week. 😉
***
Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
The Sunday Scandal Sheet; Weekly Post Recap! #ShareTheBookLove
Happy Sunday Sunshines! Another week has been and gone, which means it’s time I had a look back what has been happening on the blog over the course of the last seven days, just in case you missed any. I’ll be choosing my book of the week and of course, there is a new ‘Hottie of the Week’ for no other reason than to make you smile.
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts this week, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot.
Let’s take a look at the past week’s posts.
The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride; Book Spotlight
The Earl With The Secret Past; Book Spotlight
Tales Of Ming Courtesans; Blog Tour, Guest Post
Of Darkness and Light; Blog Tour, Review
A Good Match For The Major; Review
Crazy For You; Blog Tour, Book Feature
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Book of the Week.
Of Darkness and Light
In this first book of a new historical mystery series, a young art historian faces a tough choice in German-occupied Norway.
Artful prose and at a pace that makes for a can’t-put-down, first-class literary voyage. – Melissa Dalton-Bradford, bestselling author of Global Mom
Oslo, 1944. Soli Hansen’s passion for art history is and always has been a way of life for her. While she spends her days working in an art shop, WWII is taking its toll on everyone. Apprehensive of the consequences, Soli avoids becoming entangled in the war resistance efforts. She closes her eyes in hopes the enemy will retreat and leave her beautiful country for good.
But when a woman is found dead in the alley alongside the art shop and a painting from the last auction goes missing, Soli is thrown into the thickest of the fray involving both Nazi art theft and the Norwegian resistance.
Once Soli finds her courage, there’s no turning back. Her personal life is turned upside-down with danger, lies, spying, and an incredible discovery.
In this dual timeline novel, Heidi Eljarbo paints a vivid picture of what people are willing to do in desperate times. With unforgettable characters and rich historical details, Of Darkness and Light will keep the reader mesmerized until the last satisfying page.
Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Katherine Neville, and Kate Mosse.
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I hope you have enjoyed my look back at the past week, let’s have a brief look at what’s to come on the blog in the coming week.
Saving The Music – Blog Tour
The Earl With The Secret Past – Review
The Sea Gate – BlogTour, Excerpt
The Summer Island Swap – Blog Tour, Review
A Perfect Paris Christmas – Cover Reveal
The Scoundrel’s Bartered Bride – Review
Spies – Blog Tour, Interview
***
Thank you for stopping by, for no other reason than to make you smile here is my Hottie of the Week. 😉
***
Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
The Sunday Scandal Sheet, May Round up! #ShareTheBookLove
Happy Sunday Sunshines! Can you believe that we are at the end of another month! Where is the time going? One minute I have no idea what day it is (To be honest, most of the time I still don’t 😄) and then next week are sailing into another month.
As you may have seen, I now do a weekly roundup where I look back over the previous week and look forward to great things to come. I thought I would do the same for each month too, as my Sunday Scandal Sheet seems pretty popular. (As if I don’t have enough to do, I am a glutton for punishment – as my gran used to say)
Before all of that, I want to say a huge thank you to every single book blogger who has liked and shared my blog posts over the past month, You are all so amazing, thank you!!😘
I hope everyone will go and show these amazing bloggers some blog love, you can find all who I follow on my Twitter timeline as I do share their posts a lot….because they are all amazing!
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Cover Reveals
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Blog Tours
The Girl With The Amber Combe
The Guernsey Novel Series (Book Blast)
Carrion (Book Blast)
Escape To The French Farmhouse
How Not To Be A Loser
The Lost Girls
Sing Me A Secret
Someday In Paris
Rakes and Roses (Includes an Interview with the Author)
The Baroness of New York (Book Feature)
The French Wife
Tsarina
These Lost and Broken Things
The Strange Book Of Jacob Boyce (Book Blast)
The Woman In The Painting
Vixen
Cold Nips and Frosty Bits
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Reviewed This Month
An Unconventional Countess
From shopkeeper…
To Earl’s wife!
Part of Regency Belles of Bath. Two things are certain: Annabelle Fortini makes the best biscuits in Bath and Samuel Delaney, the charming bachelor who’s just entered her shop, is trouble! Her mother’s unfair exile from society has taught Anna aristocrats can’t be trusted. Samuel may be a famous naval hero and reluctant heir to an earldom, but Anna can’t fall in love with him! Unless she can overcome her pride…and surrender to her heart!
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The Mysterious Miss Fairchild
An accomplished beauty…
But a most unsuitable match!
Natalya Fairchild can’t help but be drawn to Tristan Quintrell, Lord Dalmorren, with his effortless charisma, even if he’s not her intended bridegroom. Tristan is an eligible society catch…whereas Natalya’s unknown heritage could label her ruined! As he helps Natalya investigate her mysterious past, she starts to hope the truth of her conception won’t destroy her prospects…of a life with Tristan!
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The Girl With The Amber Comb by Linda Finlay
‘Sure to delight’ Dilly Court
A heart-warming tale from the Queen of West Country Saga, LINDA FINLAY.
Orphaned at birth, Eliza lives with her beloved Grandparents in a waterlogged Somerset cottage surrounded by willow beds where she ekes out a living making laundry baskets and eel traps. Although poor she is content, until childhood friend Clem, regales her with tales of his adventures along the river and she begins to wonder what life is like beyond the Droves.
When fate brings handsome, wealthy Theo to her workshop she is instantly attracted and a rosy future beyond the Droves beckons. Only things don’t go to plan and naive Eliza finds herself in Lavender House where she is expected to care for gentlemen in a way she never imagined. Forced to flee for her life, she ends up in a woollen mill run by a corrupt foreman, working for crumbs and pennies with only her grandmother’s comb in her pocket.
Now she knows what matters in life – but is it too late? And will she ever be able to return home to those who love her?
Set amongst the stunning wetlands of Somerset, this tale of triumph and tragedy will delight fans of Rosie Goodwin and Dilly Court.
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The Passions of Lord Trevethow
Ambition vs love…
Which will the duke’s heir choose?
Part of The Cornish Dukes. Cassian, Lord Trevethow, has a dilemma. To succeed in his aim of building Cornwall’s own pleasure garden, he must pursue the loveless tonnish alliance he sought to avoid. But how can he wed reclusive Lady Penrose Prideaux, when he can’t forget the enchanting stranger he met at a fair? Then Cassian discovers a shocking secret about his bride-to-be. Might he claim both his passions after all?
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Escape To The French Farmhouse by Jo Thomas
Can she find her recipe for happiness?
Del and her husband Ollie moved to a beautiful village in Provence for a fresh start after years of infertility struggles. But six weeks after they arrive, they’re packing the removal van once more. As Del watches the van leave for England, she suddenly realises exactly what will make her happier…a new life in France – without Ollie.
Now alone, all Del has is a crumbling farmhouse, a mortgage to pay and a few lavender plants. What on earth is she going to do? Discovering an old recipe book at the market run by the rather attractive Fabian, Del starts to bake. But can her new-found passion really help her let go of the past and lead to true happiness?
A heart-warming tale about reclaiming your life, set amongst the lavender fields of Provence. Perfect escapism from the author of Late Summer in the Vineyard and The Honey Farm on the Hill
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How Not To Be A Loser by Beth Moran
Amy Piper is a loser. She’s lost her confidence, her mojo and her way.
But one thing she has never lost is her total love for her thirteen-year-old son Joey, and for his sake she knows it’s time for a change. But first she has to be brave enough to leave the house…
What she needs are friends and an adventure. And when she joins a running group of women who call themselves The Larks, she finds both. Not to mention their inspiring (and rather handsome) coach, Nathan.
Once upon a time Amy was a winner – at life, at sport and in love. Now, with every ounce of strength she has left, she is determined to reclaim the life she had, for herself and for Joey. And who knows, she might just be a winner again – at life, sport, and love, if she looks in the right places…
Uplifting, funny and unforgettable, Beth Moran returns with a joyous tale of friendship, love and facing your fears.
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The Lost Girls by Jennifer Wells
Everyone remembers the day the girls went missing.
May Day 1912, a day that haunts Missensham. The day two girls disappeared. The day the girls were murdered.
Iris Caldwell and Nell Ryland were never meant to be friends. From two very different backgrounds, one the heir to the Caldwell estate, the other a humble vicar’s daughter. Both have their secrets, both have their pasts, but they each find solace with one another and soon their futures become irrevocably intertwined.
Now, many years later, old footage has emerged which shows that Iris Caldwell may not have died on that spring morning. The village must work out what happened the day the girls went missing…
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Sing Me A Secret by Julie Houston
The four Sutherland sisters have all had very different paths in life, but one secret and a slighty tense production of Jesus Christ Superstar are about to bring them all back together again…
When the news that pop-superstar Lexia Sutherland is returning to Westenbury, not everyone is thrilled by the news – including Lexia. There are too many memories she doesn’t need to face – or need re-surfacing.
Meanwhile, Juno Sutherland just wants a little peace and quiet. As the local village doctor, she’s got her priorities in order; kids, job, husband, tenacious pony, a role in the village musical… So when the sexy new locum turns up – and steals her office – the last thing she needed was to be hit with rising temperatures and an over-active imagination.
Will these sisters be able to uncover the past, deal with the future and put on the performance of a lifetime?
Return to Westenbury this spring and find out.
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Someday In Paris by Olivia Lara
‘An epic, sweeping romance … Timeless yet completely original’ Holly Miller.
Finding the one is only the beginning…
1954. Zara is fifteen the first time she meets Leon. During a power cut in a small French museum, the two spend one short hour in the dark talking about their love for art, Monet and Paris. Neither knows what the other looks like. Both know their lives will never be the same.
1963. In Paris, Leon no longer believes he will ever find the girl he lost that night. After dreaming about him for years, Zara thinks she has already found him. When they meet at an exhibition, they don’t recognise each other – yet the way they feel is so familiar…
Over the course of twenty years, Zara and Leon are destined to fall in love again and again. But will they ever find a way to be together?
‘It’s about dreams and taking chances. Missed opportunities and mistakes. Loss and sacrifice. But above all, it is about love. The kind of love that survives time, distance… even death. The kind of love I wish for you.’
A magical new love story about star-crossed lovers, perfect for hopeless romantics and fans of One Day and The Notebook.
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The French Wife by Dinah Costel
Love, secrets and danger abound in the new historical novel from bestselling author Diney Costeloe, set in 19th-century France.
As the St Clair family prepare for the grand wedding of their daughter, Clarice, trouble is brewing. An old friendship, a new love and a dangerous secret threaten to destroy the life the St Clairs have built.
Their younger daughter, Hélène, became friends with orphaned Annette during the terrible events of the 1871 siege of Paris. Now they are reunited, with Annette working below stairs for Hélène’s parents. But she is hiding a dangerous secret, which Hélène has promised to keep at all costs.
Meanwhile, Hélène has begun to fall in love with a young nobleman from England, whose family has plans which do not include their son choosing a French wife.
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The German Heiress by Anika Scott
For readers of The Alice Network and The Lost Girls of Paris, an immersive, heart-pounding debut about a German heiress on the run in post-World War II Germany.
Clara Falkenberg, once Germany’s most eligible and lauded heiress, earned the nickname “the Iron Fräulein” during World War II for her role operating her family’s ironworks empire. It’s been nearly two years since the war ended and she’s left with nothing but a false identification card and a series of burning questions about her family’s past. With nowhere else to run to, she decides to return home and take refuge with her dear friend, Elisa.
Narrowly escaping a near-disastrous interrogation by a British officer who’s hell-bent on arresting her for war crimes, she arrives home to discover the city in ruins, and Elisa missing. As Clara begins tracking down Elisa, she encounters Jakob, a charismatic young man working on the black market, who, for his own reasons, is also searching for Elisa. Clara and Jakob soon discover how they might help each other—if only they can stay ahead of the officer determined to make Clara answer for her actions during the war.
Propulsive, meticulously researched, and action-fueled, The German Heiress is a mesmerizing page-turner that questions the meaning of justice and morality, deftly shining the spotlight on the often-overlooked perspective of Germans who were caught in the crossfire of the Nazi regime and had nowhere to turn.
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The Queen’s Secret by Karen Harper
If you love Jennifer Robson or The Crown you will love New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper’s novel about Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
1939. As the wife of the King George VI and the mother of the future queen, Elizabeth—“the queen mother”—shows a warm, smiling face to the world. But it’s no surprise that Hitler himself calls her the “Most Dangerous Woman in Europe.” For behind that soft voice and kindly demeanor is a will of steel.
Two years earlier, George was thrust onto the throne when his brother Edward abdicated, determined to marry his divorced, American mistress Mrs. Simpson. Vowing to do whatever it takes to make her husband’s reign a success, Elizabeth endears herself to the British people, and prevents the former king and his brazen bride from ever again setting foot in Buckingham Palace.
Elizabeth holds many powerful cards, she’s also hiding damaging secrets about her past and her provenance that could prove to be her undoing.
In this riveting novel of royal secrets and intrigue, Karen Harper lifts the veil on one of the world’s most fascinating families, and how its “secret weapon” of a matriarch maneuvered her way through one of the most dangerous chapters of the century.
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Royal Kiss And Tell by Julia London
Every prince has his secrets. And she’s determined to unravel his…
Every dashing young man in London’s ton is vying for Lady Caroline Hawke’s hand—except one. Handsome, delectable roué Prince Leopold of Alucia can’t quite remember who Caroline is, and the insult is not to be tolerated. So, Caroline does what any clever, resourceful lady of means would do to make sure a prince remembers her: sees that amusingly risqué morsels about Leo’s reputation are printed in a ladies’ gossip gazette…all the while secretly setting her cap for the rakish royal.
Someone has been painting Leo as a blackguard, but who? Socially, it could ruin him. More important, it jeopardizes his investigation into a contemptible scheme that reaches the highest levels of government in London. Now, Leo needs Lady Caroline’s help to regain access to society. But this charming prince is about to discover that enlisting the deceptively sweet and sexy Lady Caroline might just cost him his heart, his soul and both their reputations…
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Tsarina by Ellen Alpsten
Spring 1699: Illegitimate, destitute and strikingly beautiful, Marta has survived the brutal Russian winter in her remote Baltic village. Sold by her family into household labour at the age of fifteen, Marta survives by committing a crime that will force her to go on the run.
A world away, Russia’s young ruler, Tsar Peter I, passionate and iron-willed, has a vision for transforming the traditionalist Tsardom of Russia into a modern, Western empire. Countless lives will be lost in the process.
Falling prey to the Great Northern War, Marta cheats death at every turn, finding work as a washerwoman at a battle camp. One night at a celebration, she encounters Peter the Great. Relying on her wits and her formidable courage, and fuelled by ambition, desire and the sheer will to live, Marta will become Catherine I of Russia. But her rise to the top is ridden with peril; how long will she survive the machinations of Peter’s court, and more importantly, Peter himself?
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These Lost and Broken Things by Helen Fields
Girl. Mother. Assassin.
How dangerous is a woman with nothing left to lose?
The year is 1905. London is a playground for the rich and a death trap for the poor. When Sofia Logan’s husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her penniless with two young children, she knows she will do anything to keep them from the workhouse. But can she bring herself to murder? Even if she has done it before…
Emmet Vinsant, wealthy industrialist, offers Sofia a job in one of his gaming houses. He knows more about Sofia’s past than he has revealed. Brought up as part of a travelling fair, she’s an expert at counting cards and spotting cheats, and Vinsant puts her talents to good use. His demands on her grow until she finds herself with blood on her hands.
Set against the backdrop of the Suffragette protests, with industry-changing the face of the city but disease still rampant, and poverty the greatest threat of all, every decision you make is life or death. Either yours or someone else’s. Read best-selling crime writer Helen Fields’ first explosive historical thriller.
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Daisy’s Summer Mission by Hannah Pearl
Daisy’s job as a gift shop owner may involve selling chocolate truffles and lacy knickers but, this summer, she finds herself turning her hand to a slightly different profession …
Daisy’s boyfriend, Eli, works for a secret government agency and, try as she might, Daisy can’t seem to help getting caught in the middle of his missions, which take her on a thrilling ride from the streets of Paris to a remote health retreat where carbs are banned!
But when she finds that Eli might be in danger, Daisy has to stop playing at being a spy and become the real thing. Teaming up with her pensioner customer, Mr King, Daisy embarks on her most important summer mission yet. Can she save the day?
Sequel to Daisy’s Christmas Gift Shop
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The Woman In The Painting by Kerry Postle
‘She’s beautiful,’ I told him. ‘Hair like skeins of silk; deep, brown eyes that sparkle in the light like jewels; beautiful lips, deep pink, and as juicy as ripe fruit.’
Ideas rippled in the pools of his eyes. ‘I must paint her,’ he said
1508. In Rome, artists are everywhere and feted as gods. But the most celebrated amongst them, a man who can paint beauty itself, is Raphael. When he touches brush to canvas, his subjects burst to life; he takes base metal and turns it to glistening gold.
When Raphael meets Margarita Luti, a baker’s daughter, he is beguiled and inspired in equal measure. As his muse, her face becomes that of a thousand Madonnas, but it is his portraits of her which reveal his full talents – and which will become his downfall.
For Raphael is wanted for greater things than a mere baker’s daughter. He is soon promised to the niece of a cardinal, a man upon whose connections and commissions the artist’s future relies. Without his good will, Raphael will be ruined.
Raphael must make a choice between his love for Margarita and his future as an artist – a choice that will have devastating consequences.
Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, this stunning and evocative novel is perfect for fans of Debbie Rix, Kate Furnivall and Dinah Jefferies.
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Vixen by Sam Micheals
While World War Two rages on around them, the gangs of London are fighting for their turf…
There might be a war on, but that doesn’t stop Georgina Garrett running her business with an iron fist. No one said running the Battersea gang was going to be easy, but her unflinchable nature makes Georgina unstoppable.
With a role that requires a ruthless ability to seek revenge and pay out crippling punishments, Georgina’s enemies are growing in number. With a target on her back, Georgina knows she must do everything to protect her family. But, with the loss of someone closest to her, can Georgina rise up from the ashes or allow a usurper take her crown?
Perfect for fans of Peaky Blinders, Martina Cole and Lesley Pearse.
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Footprints in the Sand by Pam Lecky
Cairo 1887: A melting pot of jealousy, lust and revenge. Who will pay the ultimate price?
Lucy Lawrence throws caution to the wind and embarks on a journey of self-discovery to the land of the pharaohs.
Travelling to Cairo as the patron of the charming French Egyptologist, Armand Moreau, Lucy discovers an archaeological community plagued by professional rivalries and intrigue. It is soon apparent that the thriving black market in antiquities threatens Egypt’s precious heritage.
When the Egyptian Museum is burgled, Lucy is determined to solve the case, much to the annoyance of the local inspector of police, and the alarm of Mary, her maid. But when an archaeologist is found murdered in the Great Pyramid, Lucy is catapulted into the resulting maelstrom. Can she keep her wits about her to avoid meeting a similar fate?
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Captured by Her Enemy Knight by Nicole Locke
Captured by her enemy…
Falling for the man
Cressida Howe, the Archer, is a well-tuned weapon. But she’s also a woman captivated by a man—Eldric of Hawskmoor, the warrior knight her father ordered her to kill. Instead, for years, Cressida has simply watched him…
Now she’s been captured by her formidable enemy, and her well-ordered world comes crashing down, for Eldric is even more compelling up close. Cressida curses her traitorous heart—this assassin has fallen for her target!
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First Comes Scandal By Julia Quinn
Continuing her delightful Bridgertons Prequel series, #1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn presents the latest love story between the Bridgerton and Rokesby families.
She was given two choices…
Georgiana Bridgerton isn’t against the idea of marriage. She’d just thought she’d have some say in the matter. But with her reputation hanging by a thread after she’s abducted for her dowry, Georgie is given two options: live out her life as a spinster or marry the rogue who has ruined her life.
Enter Option #3
As the fourth son of an earl, Nicholas Rokesby is prepared to chart his own course. He has a life in Edinburgh, where he’s close to completing his medical studies, and he has no time—or interest—to find a wife. But when he discovers that Georgie Bridgerton—his literal girl-next-door—is facing ruin, he knows what he must do.
A Marriage of Convenience
It might not have been the most romantic of proposals, but Nicholas never thought she’d say no. Georgie doesn’t want to be anyone’s sacrifice, and besides, they could never think of each other as anything more than childhood friends… or could they?
But as they embark upon their unorthodox courtship they discover a new twist to the age-old rhyme. First comes scandal, then comes marriage. But after that comes love
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Books In The Spotlight
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Thank you for stopping by, for no other reason than to make you smile here is my Hottie of the Month. 😉
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Have a lovely Sunday, I hope it’s full of sunshine, smiles and a jolly good book.
