Contemporary/Chic-Lit/Womens Fiction
#Blogtour | The Place We Call Home Faith Hogan #ThePlaceWecallHome #Review @gerhogan @aria_fiction @BOTBSPublicity
Hello, Sunshines! I have the huge pleasure to be today’s stop on the blog tour for; The Place We Call Home by Faith Hogan, I read this earlier in the year and loved it, so when I had the opportunity to re-share my review for this new blog tour, I delighted to do so. Go on and have a look, I hope you love it as much as I do!
The Place We Call Home by Faith Hogan
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Aria Fiction
Welcome to Ballycove, the home of Corrigan Mills…
Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Irish countryside the famed mills have created the finest wool in all of Ireland. Run by the seemingly perfect Corrigan family, but every family has its secrets, and how the mills came to be the Corrigan’s is one of them…
Miranda and her husband were never meant to own the mills, until one fateful day catapults them into a life they never thought they’d lead.
Ada has forever lived her life in her sister’s shadow. Wanting only to please her mother and take her place as the new leader of the mill, Ada might just have to take a look at what her heart really wants.
Callie has a flourishing international career as a top designer and a man who loves her dearly, she appears to have it all. When a secret is revealed and she’s unceremoniously turfed out of the design world, Callie might just get what’s she’s been yearning for. The chance to go home.
Simon has always wanted more. More money, more fame, more notoriety. The problem child. Simon has made more enemies than friends over the years, and when one of his latest schemes falls foul he’ll have to return to the people who always believe in him.
Ballycove isn’t just a town in the Irish countryside. It isn’t just the base of the famous mills. It’s a place to call home.
Best-selling author, Faith Hogan returns with a family tale of love, loss, secrets and finding yourself.
Amazon / Kobo / Google Play / iBooks
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Set in Ballycove, Western Ireland, The Place We Call Home is a beautifully written, realistic and deeply emotional family saga which spans the generations with its a perfectly interweaving plot which delves into the past and connects it with the present. I love how Faith Hogan delves deep into the Irish way of life in Ballycove, it adds to the story and the characters, which I think makes everything feel very real and authentic.
The setting is absolutely perfect, each scene is vivid and adds a marvellous echoing atmosphere to the story, the setting itself is like an extension of the story like an extra character, always there in the background and adds so much to every scene.
I really won’t say too much about the story as a whole as it is complex and each character’s own story is so interwoven though out that I wouldn’t which to give anything away. But this whole story revolves around the Corrigan and Blair family, who have been mill owners for generations, there are huge secrets and lies, heartache and love. The centre of the community is the mill which isn’t just apart of the family, it’s not a vessel of mystery, but it is peoples lives, roofs over heads and food on the table. I love how the mill is cemented into the book, how realistically it’s importance to the community is written.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the family and discovering the secrets that have been so cleverly hidden and then revealed throughout the book, Faith Hogan never fails to grasp the reader’s attention and their heart with her perfectly written stories, the way she can take every human emotion and the tangled relationship which are within every family is a master class of writing. The wring is strong, intelligent and thought-provoking, you are drawn into the world she has created for her characters, you follow each of them as though you were walking right beside them.
Each character is brilliantly written, true they are not all likeable, but as this is a glimpse of real-life is would be odd if everyone was sweetness and nice, as we all know the world isn’t full of good people and this is again where Faith’s talent at writing every nuance of human life comes into its own.
This is a wonderfully poignant story with family at its heart, full of love and lies. I will admit that it did start off a little slow for my liking but it soon picks up and I soon easily fell into it’s gentle and at times a soothing pace. If you love your family saga’s then this is the book for you, definitely highly recommended.
This was an arc via the publisher and Netgalley, which I voluntarily reviewed as apart of this blog tour.
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About the Author
Faith Hogan is an Irish award-winning and bestselling author of five contemporary fiction novels. Her books have featured as Book Club Favorites, Net Galley Hot Reads and Summer Must Reads. She writes grown-up women’s fiction which is unashamedly uplifting, feel good and inspiring.
Faith’s latest book, The Place We Call Home is published in January 2020.
She writes crime fiction as Geraldine Hogan – Her Sisters Bones is available now!
Faith gained an Honours Degree in English Literature and Psychology from Dublin City University and a Postgraduate Degree from University College, Galway.
She is currently working on her next novel. She lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and a very busy Labrador named Penny. She’s a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger – except of course when it is raining!
Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter @gerhogan / Website / Instagram
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Blog Tour Schedule
With thanks to, Sarah Hardy at Book On The Bright Side Publicity & Promo for the invitation to this wonderful blog tour. Twitter: @BOTBSPublicity / Facebook: Book On The Bright Side
#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
#BookBlitz | Pieces Of Us by Carrie Elks #PiecesOfUs #ReleaseDayBlitz @CarrieElks
Hello, Sunshines! I have the huge pleasure to be apart of the release day celebration for; Pieces of Us by Carrie Elks. This book looks fabulous and I can’t wait to share it with you, plus I have an exclusive excerpt, so why not join me in saying Happy Release Day to Carrie!
Pieces Of Us by Carrie Elks
Genre: Small Town, Friends With Benefits Romance
Release Date: June 17, 2020
Cover Designed by: Najla Qamber
No relationship, no promises. Just an old-fashioned friends-with-benefits arrangement…
Griff Lambert runs a whale-watching business in the small beach town he grew up in. The laid-back captain is strong, sexy, and capable of sweeping a woman off her feet, if only he hadn’t sworn them off for good.
But then he meets Autumn Paxton. The beautiful new pier owner who strides into town in a pair of sexy sky-high shoes and a smile that lights up the beach. From the moment their eyes meet, he knows he’s in trouble.
After a messy divorce, Autumn’s hoping to start a brand new life. One that doesn’t involve making the kind of mistakes that landed her here. Like falling for the gorgeous whaleboat captain who makes her feel things she never has before.
One kiss leads to another, and before they know it they’re tangled together in Griff’s bed.
They both know the rules. No complications, no messy feelings, and definitely no falling for each other.
It should be simple, right?
Amazon UK / Amazon US / KU
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Praise for Pieces of Us
‘This story was so good, I couldn’t put it down .’ – Carol, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★
‘I loved this book. Just magical.’ – Sarah, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★
‘Griff and Autumn grabbed my heart and squeezed’ – Teresa, Goodreads reviewer ★★★★★
‘Just perfect’ – Booklover Bev ★★★★★
‘Carrie Elks is a phenomenal author’ – Karen, Goodreads ★★★★★
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Exclusive Excerpt
Autumn looked up to see the man from last night ambling down the pier, his hands pushed into the pockets of his jeans, the ocean breeze lifting his thick brown hair. Damn if her heart didn’t do a flip at the sight of him.
Not her type. Not at all.
Yeah, tell that to her libido.
A half-smile pulled at his lips as he leaned on the rail and looked at her. “Sorry I’m late. We were delayed coming back from a trip. I’m Griffin Lambert.” He pushed himself off the rail and held his hand out to her. “But most people call me Griff.”
Griff. It was the perfect name for him. Strong and gruff and maybe more than a little bit rough. It took everything she had not to shiver. “Hi. I’m Autumn Paxton.” She slid her palm into his, feeling the warmth of his skin as his fingers folded around hers. It was absurd how tiny her hand looked in his.
With one squeeze he could probably break every bone.
“Shall I… ah… let go now?” Griff asked. She looked down to see her fingers still curled tightly around his hand, even though he’d relaxed his grip. She quickly pulled her hand away.
It took her a moment to regain her equilibrium. And in that moment she blamed the divorce, the ocean air, and even that damn angel Captain Paxton saw centuries ago. Because this was so unlike her.
She didn’t get flustered, especially not by a guy. She was Autumn Paxton. She was in control.
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About the Author
Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.
Do sign up to Carrie’s newsletter to hear all her news. – NEWSLETTER and why not join her reader group on Facebook – FACEBOOK GROUP
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Website
#CoverReveal | Perfect Paris Christmas, Mandy Baggot #PerfectParisChristmas @mandybaggot @aria_fiction
Hello, Sunshines! I am super excited to be apart of this cover reveal for the up and coming Christmas book by Mandy Baggot. Perfect Paris Christmas looks and sounds absolutely amazing, I do have a real love of Christmas stories and this sounds right up my street and the cover is so gorgeous!!! I hope you all love it as much as I do – Christmas, Paris and Romance; Whats not to love?
Perfect Paris Christmas, Mandy Baggot
Publication Date: 3rd September 2020
Genre: Contemporary/Women’s Fiction/Christmas Fiction
Publisher: Aria Fiction
Format: Ebook / Paperback
United in grief. Pushed apart by tragedy.
Keeley Andrews knows more than anyone that you only live once. So when she receives an invitation to spend two weeks in Paris, all expenses paid, she jumps at the chance.
Ethan Bouchard has had the worst eighteen months of his life. He’s ready to give up on everything, including his hotel chain. So when he meets Keeley, it simply isn’t the right time.
As Keeley and Ethan continue to bump into each other on the romantic Parisian streets, they can’t help but wonder whether this is fate telling them to let go of the past and leap into the future…
Head to Paris this Christmas and fall in love under the lights of the Eiffel Tower with best-selling author, Mandy Baggot.
Pre-order links – Amazon / Kobo / Google Play
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About the Author
Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer. The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016. Mandy’s books have so far been translated into German, Italian, Czech and Hungarian. Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor. Mandy is a member of the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.
Follow Mandy on Facebook: @mandybaggotauthor and Twitter: @mandybaggot
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Follow Aria
Website: http://www.ariafiction.com / Twitter: @aria_fiction / Facebook: @ariafiction / Instagram: @ariafiction
#BlogTour | The Summer Island Swap by Samantha Tonge #TheSummerIslandSwap #Review @SamTongeWriter @aria_fiction
Hell, Sunshines! I have the great pleasure to be today’s stop on this wonderful blog tour for; The Summer Island Swap by Samantha Tonge. I am super excited to be sharing my review of this charming book with you and I also have an exclusive excerpt for your all to enjoy, I do hope you love this book as much as I do!
The Summer Island Swap by Samantha Tonge
Genre: Contemporary /Women’s Fiction
Publisher: Aria Fiction
Format: Ebook/Audio/Paperback
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.
Amazon / Kobo / Google Play
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This is only the second book I have read by Samantha Tonge and again I was completely hooked with her witty and heart-warming story of friendship and family. I really love Samantha’s writing, you are not only swept away on a fun and enjoyable adventure but with some serious subjects that make you stop and really think about the world we live in.
Sarah hasn’t been on holiday in an age, after a pretty turbulent year she is ready to relax and allow her mind and body to chill and wind down. But as things stand losing her job and not having anything else in the pipeline plus not money, the long-wished-for dream of a holiday is just that; a dream. That is until her sister; Amy wins some money and decides to take them both on a dream holiday, she is going to whisked them both away to a sunny and relaxing island.
I really like Sarah, her story really spoke to me, I related to her far more then I did Amy. She is a very relatable and likable woman, she has always done her best, worked hard and always looked after her little sister. She is the sort of woman that anyone can instantly like, she is a little down on her luck and deserves a little happiness and fun.
Sarah thinks that Amy has booked them a glorious Caribbean holiday, four weeks of nothing but luxury and pampering. Oh, how wrong she is! It turn’s out that the holiday is in fact, a paid voluntary conservation scheme, instead of a month of sunning herself and being waited on hand and foot, it in fact means a month of hard graft.
What I really liked about this book is that even thought there is a hint of a romance, it doesn’t overshadow the main plot, this is all about building confidence, binding those family ties and finding ones feet again, it’s all about friendship and the strength of family and self discovery.
The romance aspect is really sweet, and to be perfectly honest this book would be just as delightful whether there was romance or not.
There is such a important message hidden within, not only to that doing things for your is important to moving forward and coping with past issues. But there is a serious aspect in the conservation side which does make you stop and think.
Overall, a hugely enjoyable, inspirational and perfect escapist story, at times a little predictable but I was completely hooked!
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Exclusive Excerpt
‘I’ll still have to clear it at work. I’m not sure how Prue will feel about me taking a month off.’
Just the mention of my boss’s name made my stomach knot.
‘No one’s indispensable. Not even wonderful you,’ she called back.
My chest felt warm. Over recent years, Amy had matured and started to look out for me, cooking dinner and mowing the lawn. However, I’d never lose my maternal feelings towards her. When we were ten and six ours was quite an age gap. As was eighteen and fourteen when I’d had to leave her behind with Dad but promised we’d live together again. I beat the sugar and butter, remembering her tears and his folded arms as I dragged my suitcase past the fountain and out of the huge driveway, into the street. I’d finally realised I had to leave after… I swallowed. No. I wasn’t going to think about that now.
I let Nelly into the back garden, busied myself with ingredients and cleaned up whilst the cookies baked. Their sweet aroma wafted through the air as I carried them into the lounge, on a tray, with two coffees.
‘Good timing,’ said Amy and turned off her screen, looking pleased with herself. I put the tray on the table and joined her.
‘Is it all booked?’
She nodded. ‘A modest deposit paid. The rest is due in the middle of June, two weeks before we leave.’
‘Can’t you at least share which part of the world we’re visiting?’
‘That would be telling,’ she replied airily and took the largest cookie.
I jumped up and held her right arm firm whilst tickling the armpit. ‘I won’t stop until I find out, Amy Sterling.’
However, she was as strong as me these days and, giggling, held the cookie in her mouth and forced both of my hands away. I sat down once more. I recognised that expression. She was determined to keep her secret. Sometimes, with my impulsive sister, that could be a dangerous thing, like when she’d agreed to do a charity skydive with colleagues at work. She didn’t tell me until the morning of the jump.
‘Just a clue. A teeny one,’ I said. ‘Please…’
‘I’ve never seen you this excited before. Well, not since you were made assistant manager. Oh, and the time you found that fancy moisturiser for half price.’
‘It wasn’t just any moisturiser. The Duchess of Cambridge uses it.’ I pressed my palms together. ‘At least let me guess… the Canary Islands? Barbados? Australia’s an island, right? I mean, you and me – we share most things, don’t we?’
‘Best buddies, always,’ she said solemnly.
It was a promise we’d made to each other, the day after Mum’s funeral. And sure enough, we confided in each other about our latest celebrity crushes, about our dreams for the future; we put the world to rights over Chardonnay and Pringles. I knew her favourite colour, favourite food, favourite band. She could always tell when I’d had a stressful day at work and, without prying, would make me a hot chocolate, fetch a blanket and switch on my current Netflix obsession.
* Excerpt used with permission of the publisher as apart of this blog tour.
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About the Author
Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.
When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines.
She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2018 Forgive Me Not, heralded a new direction into darker women’s fiction with publisher Canelo. In 2019 she was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association romantic comedy award
Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/ / Twitter: @SamTongeWriter / Facebook: @SamanthaTongeAuthor
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Follow the Publisher
Website: www.ariafiction.com
Twitter: @aria_fiction
Facebook: @ariafiction
Instagram: @ariafiction
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Blog Tour Schedule
#BlogTour | The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson #TheSeaGate #Excerpt @JaneeJohnsonBakr @HoZ_Books
Hello, Sunshines! I hope you are well? I have the huge pleasure to be today’s stop on this amazingly epic blog tour for; The Sea gate by Jane Johnson. I have a brilliant exclusive excerpt to share with you all, which I am sure you will love. This book sounded so good that even though I initially signed up to this blog tour with an excerpt, I did manage to grab a copy of this book from NetGalley and I will be sharing my review of that in the next week or so. But, until then I hope you love the sound of this as much as I did!
The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson
Genre: Time Slip, Women’s Fiction, Historical, Mystery
Publisher: Head of Zeus
Format: Ebook, Paperback, Hardpack
One house, two women, a lifetime of secrets…
Following the death of her mother, Becky begins the sad task of sorting through her empty flat. Starting with the letters piling up on the doormat, she finds an envelope post-marked from Cornwall. In it is a letter that will change her life forever. A desperate plea from her mother’s elderly cousin, Olivia, to help save her beloved home.
Becky arrives at Chynalls to find the beautiful old house crumbling into the ground, and Olivia stuck in hospital with no hope of being discharged until her home is made habitable.
Though daunted by the enormity of the task, Becky sets to work. But as she peels back the layers of paint, plaster and grime, she uncovers secrets buried for more than seventy years. Secrets from a time when Olivia was young, the Second World War was raging, and danger and romance lurked round every corner…
The Sea Gate is a sweeping, spellbinding novel about the lives of two very different women, and the secrets that bind them together.
Amazon / Kobo / Google Play
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Praise for The Sea Gate
‘A beautifully written and intriguing story that stayed with me long after I had turned the last page’ Santa Montefiore.
‘I’ve so enjoyed the hours I’ve spent reading the novel. I loved the warm, vivid characters, especially salty Olivia, and was completely swept up in this intriguing and beautifully researched mystery of wartime Cornwall. It was quite magical’ Rachel Hore.
‘Full of secrets, passion, and with two strong heroines, this book satisfies every need. It’s utterly romantic and and page-turningly exciting. I can’t recommend it highly enough’ Katie Fforde.
‘I so enjoyed this. The relationship between the two women of such very different generations, the parallel love affairs, the feeling of place are all so well done. It’s a treat!’ Amanda Craig.
‘A beautiful evocative story capturing the darkness of Cornwall and its piercing beauty … This had me in tears’ Liz Fenwick.
‘The Sea Gate just blew me away. Utterly compelling and one of the few books for a long time that kept me reading deep into the night’ Barbara Erskine.
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Exclusive Excerpt
The next day James, Evie and I make our way to Mum’s flat, which lies at the top of an unprepossessing building on the edge of Warwick. James turns the spare key in the lock and pushes the door, but it won’t budge more than a few inches. I drop to my knees on the dusty doorstep and reach around the frame to find that the obstruction is a pile of unopened post. I claw it away till the door opens a bit wider and James steps inside. I am about to get up to follow him, but Evie presses a hand down on my shoulder and steps over me, placing the spike heels of her crocodile-skin boots carefully into the islands of floorboard revealed between the ocean of envelopes and flyers. ‘Good grief,’ she says as she passes. ‘Anyone would think she’d been dead for years.’
I stare at her retreating back in disbelief.
She stalks down the hallway and stares in passing at the framed pictures on the wall, dismissing them as worthless. Yes, Evie, they’re barely worth the cost of the canvas they’re daubed on: I painted them.
I gather the post into a pile, imagining Mum lying in her hospital bed with the stupid, oppressive reminders of ordinary life spilling through the letter box day after day. Sixty-four years old, gone without warning; of course the bills and letters and junk mail have kept on coming – no one expected this sudden departure. Again, the enormity of her passing hits me. I will never be able to call her on a whim, to ask if she’s seen the size of the moon tonight, or to check on her recipe for scones; never share another Christmas lunch with her, never have to sneakily return ill-fitting birthday presents to Marks & Spencer. Never be able to hear her say, Don’t worry, darling, I’m sure it’s nothing. I sniff back tears.
James reappears with a roll of black bin bags, a long length of which he tears off and passes to me. ‘Here you go. Evie, bless her, is going through Mum’s clothes.’
I feel suddenly hot with outrage. ‘Don’t you think you should have asked me to do that?’
‘Calm down! We thought it’d be too much for you, so Evie volunteered. You should be grateful: you know what a good eye she has. She’ll be able to tell at a glance if there’s anything worth selling on, though she said right away she thinks most of it will have to go into recycling or to charity shops—’
‘It’s not Mum’s fault she didn’t dress the way Evie thinks she should. Dad left with all the money and then fucked off and died after spending the lot on his mistress!’
James shuffles his feet. ‘No need to swear, not very ladylike.’
Not very ladylike, I mouth at his back. When did my brother become such a prig? Probably ever since Evie started campaigning.
Gathering the post into my arms, I take it into the lounge and dump it on the coffee table, knocking a framed photograph to the floor in the process. James picks it up and stares at it, hands it to me. The photo is faded into the ochre and pale blue of old Kodak stock. It shows the four of us, Mum and Dad with James and me, standing in front of a hedge and old gate, and beyond us a shining expanse of sea stretching into flared-out infinity. James and I look about eight or so. You’d never know we were twins. We don’t look alike, have never even had much in common. As soon as we’d developed our own little personalities the family had fractured along gender lines: me and Mum, with our fine, fair hair and introversion, our love of books and plants; James and Dad, dark and confident and loud, disappearing to take part in manly pursuits. It’s a window into a lost age.
*This excerpt has been used with permission from the publisher as apart of this blog tour.
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About The Author
Jane Johnson is a British novelist and publisher. She is the UK editor for George R.R. Martin, Robin Hobb and Dean Koontz and was for many years publisher of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Married to a Berber chef she met while researching The Tenth Gift, she lives in Cornwall and Morocco.
Follow Jane on Twitter: @JaneeJohnsonBakr
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Follow the Publisher
Website: www.headofzeus.com
Twitter: @HoZ_Books
Facebook: @headofzeus
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Blog Tour Schedule
#BlogTour | Crazy For You by Domhnall O’Donoghue #CrazyForYou #LoveBooksTours @Domhnall1982 @lovebooksgroup @MercierBooks
Hello, Sunshines, I have the huge pleasure to be today’s stop on the brilliant blog tour for; Crazy For You by Domhnall O’Donoghue, this book sounds fabulous and it has been put straight onto my wish list, I love the sound of it and I hope you will too, so go on take a peek.
Crazy for You by Domhnall O’Donoghue
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Publisher: Mercier Press / Format: Ebook, Paperback
When Clooney Coyle promises Vonnie Gallagher they’ll be friends for life, he has no idea what he’s letting himself in for. The lonely and eccentric Vonnie quickly becomes obsessed with the kind-hearted but insecure actor, and her misguided crush soon develops into something much more sinister, which leaves Clooney’s career in tatters.
But when fate takes a strange turn and elevates the pair into an overnight celebrity couple, Clooney must decide whether to embrace the fame he has longed for since childhood or end the ridiculous charade before Vonnie’s jealous – and murderous – inclinations spiral out of control.
Mercier Press / Amazon
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About the Author
Hailing from Navan in the royal county of Meath, Domhnall is a graduate of the Bachelor in Acting Studies Programme, Trinity College Dublin, later completing a Master’s in Screenwriting at Dún Laoghaire IADT.
He now works as an actor and a journalist, dividing his time between Galway, where he films TG4’s award-winning series, Ros na Rún, Dublin and Venice, where he and his Italian lover continuously promise their well-worn livers that they will refrain from quaffing so much Prosecco. (Unfortunately, it seems some vows, just like nearby Rome, were not built in a day.)
Wine-drinking aside, for more than four years, Domhnall has also enjoyed the responsibility of being Assistant Editor at Irish Tatler Man, a title whose various awards includes Consumer Magazine of the Year. Thanks to this role, he interviewed a host of high-profile names such as Tommy Hilfiger, Chris Pine, Kevin Spacey, David Gandy, and Jacques Villeneuve.
Domhnall has written for the majority of Ireland’s leading newspapers and magazines, including the Irish Independent, The Irish Times and RTE Online. He also writes a monthly column in Woman’s Way, the country’s biggest-selling weekly magazine.
His first novel, Sister Agatha: the World’s Oldest Serial Killer, was released in 2016 to critical acclaim (Tirgearr Publishing). His second book, Colin and the Concubine, was published earlier this year by Mercier Press, Ireland’s oldest publishing house. Book number three is called Crazy For You and will be published once again by Mercier Press in June 2020.
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Blog Tour Schedule
#CoverReveal | A Royal Second Chance Summer (Little Shops on Heart Street Book 3) by Viv Royce #ARoyalSecondChance #LittleShopsOnHeartStreet @VivWrites
Hello, Sunshines, I have the great pleasure to be apart of this exclusive cover reveal for; A Royal Second Chance by Viv Royce. This is the third book in the charming; Little Shops on Heart Street series, and it’s such a gorgeous cover, I can’t wait to share it with you all, I’m sure you will love it as much as I do. Go on then, take a peek…
A Royal Second Chance by Viv Royce
Series: Little Shops on Heart Street #3
Publisher: Entangled Pub
Genre: Sweet Romance/Women’s Fiction
Format: Ebook
Release: 22 June 2020
Prince Nicolas is looking for a priceless royal heirloom. Trying to stay under the radar, he keeps that he’s a prince secret—especially from the cute antiques dealer he asks to help him. The longer it takes, the more time they get to spend together, though no matter how attracted he is to Lizzie, love is certainly not an option for the heir to the crown of Belfort.
Lizzie Cates fled her family’s new-found fame and fortune because life in the spotlight wasn’t for her. She loves her small town, where the most exciting thing on the schedule is the car parade for the Fourth of July. That’s just how she likes it, until Nicolas comes along. Lizzie finds herself falling for the caring man who craves the country and small-town life as much as she does.
Except Nicolas has a secret that will shatter both their dreams…
Amazon / Goodreads
If you love the sound of this gorgeous book, you can request it now to review from Netgalley – Request Here
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About The Author
With the same trademark atmospheric settings, relatable characters and cute canines that made several of her cosy mysteries #1 Amazon US and Canada bestsellers in multiple categories, Vivian Conroy pens romance as Viv Royce, creating heartthrob heroes ranging from rugged pilots to royals reluctant to believe in true love who meet their match in that girl next door or the co-worker with the business ideas exactly opposing their own – happy endings guaranteed!
When not frequenting fictional worlds, Viv loves to hike (especially in the mountains), craft with paper, felt and clay, and hunt for the perfect cheesecake. Quite active on Twitter, she’s the founder of #HistFicChat, a live Twitter chat about historical fiction, featuring authors like Kate Quinn, Anna Lee Huber and Susan Spann, and would love for readers to follow her and connect via @VivWrites.
#Review | Daisy’s Summer Mission by Hannah Pearl #DaisysSummerMission @HannahPearl_1 @RubyFiction @ChocLituk
Hello, Sunshines, I hope you are all well? I have the huge pleasure to be sharing my review of this gorgeous book with you all; Daisy’s Summer Mission by Hannah Pearl. So grab that cuppa, take a seat and enjoy!
Daisy’s Summer Mission by Hannah Pearl
Genre: Women’s Fiction/Romance
Publisher: Ruby Fiction/ Choc Lit
Format: ebook
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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How excited was I, when I heard that Daisy and Eli were back for another adventure??
I think the gif below gives a fair picture 😉
For those who haven’t met Daisy and Eli, we first met them in the previous book; Daisy’s Christmas Gift Shop where our intrepid duo finds themselves on a road trip to find Daisy’s brother and well without giving too much of that story away, but along the way they fall in love. But even though this is a sequel it can be read very easily as a stand-alone, you don’t need to have read ‘Christmas Gift Shop’ to enjoy this. My personal opinion though would be to read them in order as I think you get a firmer grasp on their relationship and how they went from bickering teenagers to the adorable couple they are in this.
So, now they are back again and this time they are a happy couple, even feeling a little Claustrophic due to all the friends and family that keep popping up basking in their newly found love. But, things never run smoothly for these two love birds one minute we are sunning it up on holiday while staring (or should that be; ogling) on gorgeous Eli’s firm bottom 😉 and the next we are being whisked off on an exciting, unpredictable and hilarious adventure which sees Daisy becoming a spy, teaming up with a pensioner who is also one of her customers from the shop, and as you can imagine that ensures lots of laughs – all to save Eli…phew, I’m tired with just thinking about it all, I need a snack!
What really struck me most about this book was the beautiful and perfectly written relationship between the two friends; Lily and Daisy. Their friendship is so believable, I can guarantee every woman either now or at some time in their life will have had a friendship like their or you will find a friend like Daisy or Lily. I know I have! This is what makes Hannah Pearls writing so addictive and enjoyable, honestly, I could read her books over and over and never get bored.
I loved this book! At times the plot was a little kooky, but it’s brilliantly funny with surprising twists and turns. The characters are just as amusing and lovable as they were from the previous, each one brought something to the story and I love how everything and everyone was connected in some way.
Its got such a feel-good buzz about it, who cares it is not the most believable of plots, its fun, charming and full of summer warmth and joy, its the perfect escapism from the chaos of the real world, this book just makes you feel happy it makes you laugh and fall in love and this is what I love about Hannah’s writing she has this rare skill of really drawing on that sunshine and happiness what people most want and putting it on the page in a wonderful feel-good story.
Overall a great little story that is centred on love and friendship, highly recommend for those who love a lighter, entertaining romance with a little bit of a twist. Perfect for whiling away a few hours sitting int he garden as the world moves around you.
This was an arc via the publisher, which I voluntarily reviewed, thank you, Liz and Choc Lit/Ruby Fiction.
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About the Author
Hannah Pearl was born in East London. She is married with two children and now lives in Cambridge.
She has previously worked as a Criminology researcher at a university in Leicester, as a Development Worker with various charities and even pulled a few pints in her time.
In 2015 she was struck down by Labyrinthitis, which left her feeling dizzy and virtually housebound. She has since been diagnosed with ME. Reading has allowed Hannah to escape from the reality of feeling ill. She read upwards of three hundred books during the first year of her illness. When her burgeoning e-reader addiction grew to be too expensive, she decided to have a go at writing. In 2017 she won Simon and Schuster’s Books and the City #heatseeker short story competition, in partnership with Heat magazine, for her short story The Last Good Day.
Hannah is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association.
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Daisy’s Christmas Gift Shop (Book One)
Struggling to find the perfect Christmas gift? Step into Romantic Daze …
Daisy Kirk is a sucker for a love story, which is why she opened up her gift shop – because there’s nothing that makes Daisy happier than when she’s helped a customer achieve their own ‘happily ever after’ by finding the perfect Christmas gift for their loved one. And she absolutely does not just sell ‘soppy presents and frilly pants’ as her brother’s infuriating best friend, Eli, is so fond of suggesting.
The sad fact is that whilst Daisy is helping others with their love lives, hers is non-existent. But when unusual circumstances take Daisy and Eli on a road trip from London to rural Wales, will she finally get the happily ever after to her own Christmas love story?
