Friday 30 March 2018

Blog Tour - Sunshine & Secrets

Publication date 19th March 2018
About the book
When newly heartbroken, Michelin-starred chef Millie Harper is offered a job overseeing the setup of The Paradise Cookery School she jumps at the opportunity. Leaving London and her memories of heartbreak behind she hops on a plane to the hilltop cocoa plantation in St Lucia.
But this beautiful island break might be more work than she’d expected….  With only two weeks to have the kitchen installed and with cocoa pods going missing from the plantation, she’s going to need some help. Gruff but charming estate manager Zach Barker, is only too happy to offer his opinions. As the two clash heads can they remain focussed on the job in hand and get the cookery school finished in time?
Pack your bags and jump right into the sun and secrets of The Paradise Cookery School. Perfect for fans of Sarah Morgan, Jenny Oliver and Kat French.
My Review
How gorgeous is that cover! I think that has got to be one of the top summer covers this year.  It's so bright and summery!
I loved everything about this story, there was a bit of everything and it was just wonderful.  Especially the food parts oh my goodness did it make me hungry! My mouth was watering!  
The characters were really easy to love and because there wasn't a lot of characters it made us get to know the few so well. My favourite was Millie she got given the opportunity of a lifetime and she jumped at the chance and I was so happy for her and excited for what was to come and I couldn't wait to find out. 
I love reading books by Daisy James she is a fantastic author, when I read her books I know I won't be let down. She makes the story so easy to imagine and so so enjoyable.  
After reading this and being whisked away to the sun I am incredibly excited for the summer! 

  




Monday 26 March 2018

Cover Reveal - The Date by Louise Jensen

I am so delighted to be part of a lovely bunch of book bloggers taking part in this fabulous cover reveal today for 'The Date' by Louise Jensen. So here it is...

Publication date 21st June 2018

About the book
Something bad has happened to Alison Taylor. 

Her Saturday night started normally. Recently separated from her husband, Ali has been persuaded by her friends to go on a date with a new man. She is ready, she is nervous, she is excited. She is about to take a step into her new future. 

By Sunday morning, Ali’s life is unrecognisable. She wakes, and she knows that something is wrong. She is home, she is alone, she is hurt and she has no memory of what happened to her. 

Worse still, when she looks in the mirror, Ali doesn’t recognise the face staring back at her. She can’t recognise her friends and family. And she can’t recognise the person who is trying to destroy her… 

From the no. 1 bestselling author of The SisterThe Gift and The SurrogateThe Date is a gripping page-turner that will keep you awake until the early hours. Perfect for fans of The Girl on the Train and Before I Go To Sleep. 

About the Author

Louise is a USA Today Bestselling Author, and lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, children, madcap dog and a rather naughty cat. 


Louise's first two novels, The Sister and The Gift, were both International No.1 Bestsellers, and have been sold for translation to sixteen countries. The Sister was nominated for The Goodreads Awards Debut of 2016. Louise's third psychological thriller, The Surrogate, is out now.

Louise loves to hear from readers and writers and can be found at www.louisejensen.co.uk, where she regularly blogs flash fiction.

Monday 19 March 2018

Blog Tour - The Pets at Primrose Cottage

Publication date 22nd March 2018
About the book
Emma Nightingale needs a place to hide away.
Fresh from the heartbreak of a failed relationship, she takes refuge In quiet Crickleford. And not before long – and quite accidentally too – Emma finds herself the town’s favourite pet-sitter, a role she isn’t certain of at first, but soon her heart is warmed by the animals; they expect nothing more of her than she is able to give.
The last thing Emma wants is for people to discover the real reason she is lying low, but then the handsome reporter from the local paper takes an interest in her story. Can Emma keep her secret and follow her heart’s desire…?

My review
I just adore novels by Shelia Norton! She captures your heart and makes you fall in love with her stories and this was no different! Oh boy it was a great story!

Emma was a truly fantastic character you just cant help but love her, she makes a fresh start in Crickleford but its clear she has a secret and I just couldn't wait to find out what it was and if it would be exposed.

I thought it was great the way she just became a pet minder and instantly fitted into the village and everyone just loved her straight away.  

I couldnt put it down and I needed to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next for Emma and if she would get that happy ever after she deserves! 





Blog Tour - The Little Wedding Island

Publication date 2nd March 2018
About the book
‘Will you… pretend to marry me?’
Bonnie Haskett loves everything about weddings. She loves her job at a national bridal magazine and even has a deposit down on her dream dress. The only problem? She doesn’t have a fiancĂ©!
So when Bonnie is sent to Edelweiss Island, known as ‘The Little Wedding Island’, it’s a dream come true. She’s heard the rumours, every wedding that takes place in the tiny chapel ends in a happy-ever-after.
But there’s a catch! Investigating the story, Bonnie needs to pose as a blushing bride – and the only man up for posing as her groom is her arch rival (and far too handsome for his own good) journalist Rohan Carter…
A gorgeously uplifting summer romance. Perfect for fans of Holly Martin and Caroline Roberts.

My Review
The thing that most attracted me to this book was that cover! It is just pure stunning! 

The Little Wedding Island is very well written and things are described just perfectly within the book and I could just imagine everything so easily! 

Bonnie is a really fantastic character and I just loved following her journey. Rohan and her have a bit of history together due to work and it isn't good but as we get to know him its nice to see a different side to him. I desperately wanted these two to get together they are just perfect for each other and there was clearly a lot of chemistry.

The whole story is incredibly romantic and very addictive which makes it so hard to put the book down so I just had to keep reading! 

Absolutely gutted when I got to the end I just want to keep reading and finding out what is next for Bonnie and Rohan.

About the author
Jaimie is a 32-year-old English-sounding Welsh girl with an awkward-to-spell name. She lives in South Wales and enjoys writing, gardening, watching horror movies, and drinking tea, although she’s seriously considering marrying her coffee machine. She loves autumn and winter, and singing songs from musicals despite the fact she’s got the voice of a dying hyena. She hates spiders, hot weather, and cheese & onion crisps. She spends far too much time on Twitter and owns too many pairs of boots.

She will never have time to read all the books she wants to read.

She is the author of chick-lit romantic comedies The Chateau of Happily Ever Afters, The Little Wedding Island, and Kismetology, and she has also written young-adult romantic comedies Afterlife Academy, Not Pretty Enough, and North Pole Reform School.


Author links



Giveaway

The Little Wedding Island themed goodie bag:
· The Little Wedding Island notebook
· The Little Wedding Island fridge magnet
· A signed postcard
· In honour of Puffin the dog, a pug fountain pen
· In honour of Edelweiss Island, a copy of The Sound of Music on DVD
· A ‘grow your own’ Edelweiss flower kit in a tin

Sunday 18 March 2018

Blog Tour - The Start of Something Wonderful

Publication date 5th January 2018
About the book

It’s never too late to follow your dreams…

Forty-year-old air stewardess, Emily Forsyth, thought she had everything a woman could wish for: a glamorous, jet-set lifestyle, a designer wardrobe and a dishy pilot boyfriend. Until he breaks up with her…
Catapulted into a mid-life crisis she wishes she’d had earlier, she decides to turn her life upside-down, quitting her job and instead beginning to chase her long-held dreams of becoming an actress!
Leaving the skies behind her, Emily heads for the bright lights of London’s West End – but is it too late to reach for the stars?
My Review 
I think Emily is a really brave woman deciding to change her life and follow her dream and I was just hoping it paid of for her.
From that very first page I was hooked on this and I couldn't put it down I was so excited for Emily and I had to keep reading.
I really enjoyed this book and I found it really fun and exciting and it is so easy to read. I loved it.
I'm looking forward to reading more by Jane Lambert as this was just fabulous!



Saturday 17 March 2018

Blog Tour - Mums Just Wanna Have Fun

I am so so happy this morning to be the next stop for the 'Mums Just Wanna Have Fun' Blog Tour by 'Lucie Wheeler'  
Publication date 16th March 2018
About the book
Meet Nancy…
Single mum Nancy will do anything for her little boy. Jack’s autism makes life difficult at times, but she’s determined to ensure he lives the best life possible. So, when her best friend Harriet suggests a holiday to Ibiza, Nancy is torn: will Jack cope with the change in routine…will she?
And Harriet…
Workaholic mum Harriet convinces Nancy it’s the break they all need. A chance to have some fun with the kids, away from the stresses of normal life. And she’s determined to switch off her laptop, ignore her inbox, and just have fun with her kids for seven whole days…
Cocktails and kids’ club – what could go wrong?
Ibiza is beautiful, but Jack struggles with everything, Harriet refuses to put her laptop away, and Nancy begins to think she’s made a huge mistake. And then Nancy meets Cameron and his young son, Aiden and discovers that sometimes the best fun happens when you least expect it…
Can these two single-mum’s swap their mummy guilt for sunglasses and sangria?

My Review
I absolutely loved The First Time Mums Club so I was so excited for this next one and my goodness it was just as fantastic.

Also the cover for this.. Wow isn't it a gorgeous one? So bright and beautiful! 

The characters in this were fabulous, Nancy and Harriet two best friends struggling with their own problems. I think a lot of mums will be able to relate to them. They decide they need to get away on a holiday and it is really nice to see them away from their daily routines at home and see them relax a little.  Their holiday didn't go as easily as they'd planned but I really think we see a difference in them by the end.

Nancy's son is autistic and I really think this book is a great eye opener as a lot of people don't really know much about it. It was very emotional seeing his bad times and how hard it is for both parent and child but there is just as many happy times and it was beautiful to see.

I am gutted that I finished this book as I just wanted to keep reading and hearing what was next for them all and it was just really fun and it made me so happy and I just loved this so much! It definitely made me want to book a holiday and also give my kids a huge cuddle and appreciate the little things in life as some people don't have it quite as easy! 

I can't wait for the next one by Lucie Wheeler! She is fast becoming one of my favourite authors! 



Wednesday 14 March 2018

Blog Tour - Love among the Treetops

Publication date 8th March 2018

About the book
Can love flourish amongst the tree tops?
When pastry chef Twilight Wilson was a young girl, she would hide from school bullies up in the treehouse at the bottom of her garden in her family home in Sussex. It was her special place, and even as an adult she still loves it.

So when her family tell her they can't afford to live there any more, Twilight is devastated.  Not only will they lose their home - but the treehouse too! 

She comes up with a plan to save the family home - she'll start up a cafe in the treehouse! It's a brilliant idea, and excitement builds as starts planning the menus, with the help of Theo - a rather attractive man from the gym. But when former school bully Lucy finds out the plan, she starts plotting - and opens her own rival cafe in the village.

Can Twilight save her family home? Will her friendship with Theo ever be anything more? And who will win the cafe wars?

Catherine Ferguson is back in this hilarious, heartwarming read perfect for the summer.

My Review
I absolutely adore reads by Catherine Ferguson so I was delighted when I seen the cover for this - which by the way is just pure gorgeous! I couldn't stop looking at it! 

You know I would definitely say this is Catherine's best book so far!  It was so enjoyable and I was really excited at the whole story to it.  

It has everything I love about a good book, great characters, location, romance, and most importantly food (which made me incredibly hungry!)

I loved how the treehouse was very unique and different and it sounds like a fantastic place to visit and relax there! 

Twilight the main character was a brilliant character, it was really nice getting to know her and seeing her come out of her shell and face her high school bully! 

I really really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it 100% it is just delightful, and very heart warming! You will not be able to put this down! 


Sunday 11 March 2018

Blog Tour - The Love Lottery

Today it is my turn on the 'The Love Lottery' Blog Tour.  I am very happy to be able to share an extract from the book with you all and hopefully you will love the sound of it and read the full book!
Publication date 20th February 2018
About the book
The Love Lottery: a comic tale of lessons in life, love, dating and the odd samosa party
In our fast-paced digital age, never has finding the one felt more like playing the lottery. If anyone knows about the cruelty and chaos of dating in the 21st century it’s Raj Dhaliwal; accountant by day, hopeless romantic by night. By his own admission, Raj is a tax wizard but a clumsy disaster area when it comes to matters of the heart. This book charts his misadventures in the art of looking for love in an age when a man’s best intentions can be coldly dismissed by a swipe to the left. The Love Lottery: a comic tale of lessons in life, love, dating and the odd samosa party explores the emotional rollercoaster of dating, charting the epic excitement and anticipation, highs, lows and disappointments of our ever optimistic search for romance. As a British-born Indian gent, Raj compares and contrasts the social and cultural distinctions between his family, his friends and the women he meets on the dating scene; a route to romance that’s littered with speed dating, online dating and feverish matchmaking, in this funny and heart-warming book. As self-appointed United Nations Love Ambassador, Raj has made it his mission to date the weird and the wonderful in the pursuit of lasting love. Want to play The Love Lottery? Then read on.

About the Author
Living in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire Raj Dhaliwal works as an accountant for the car manufacturing company Land Rover.

Extract from the book
Telephone Interview,
We've all been there, well at least I hope we have. The telephone interview is the step after having sent a few messages here and there post establishing a connection with an online profile match.
We all try to come across in the best light as we can as this is may possibly be the one and only time we can impress and both silently concur the correct decision was made to connect.
A plan may be formulated in our mind in terms of how we shall start the conversation off, should we crack a funny one liner to start off with or be serious and wooden, whether the telephone voice will be used, what we shall say when asked an awkward question etc.
A bit like an interview!
Right, let’s say we are fast approaching agreed time to call o’clock. What do we do? Do we call on the dot and give the possible impression we are desperate or very keen? Or do we call at half past six and then come across as too relaxed or even not bothered about keeping them waiting with our poor timekeeping?
It’s now a quarter past time to call o’clock. Okay, deep breaths! In… and now out… don’t give birth to anything! Okay Ring Ring Ring! Shit not again! It’s gone through to voicemail! Damn it. Shall I leave a voice message? Sod it. Let’s.
If you have a broad accent, be proud of it and don’t put on a telephone voice and risk sounding like a 1950’s BBC broadcaster live from the Alexandra Palace.
You feel like saying:
“Hi… it’s me. You know, the guy whom you asked to call you at six o’clock! You were engaged and now not answering. Buzz me back if you’re serious as I have plenty of other shit to do this evening. Bye!”
But actually, what you end up saying, in a cool and calm manner, would put any diplomat to shame:
“Hi… It’s me! Just calling to see how you’re doing. It looks like I have just missed you. No problemo. I hope all is okay and I shall catch up with you as and when. Take Care. Bye!”
As soon as the phone is hung up, a number of thoughts will enter the mind.
I jokingly refer to the first chat on the phone as a telephone interview. This is probably the first and in some cases the only chance to make a positive impression. It can feel like an interview due to the nerves kicking in. Naturally one wants to come across as the person the other party is looking for, but don’t tailor it to suit them.






Tuesday 6 March 2018

Hetty's Farmhouse Bakery

Publication date 22nd March 2018
About the book
Thirty-two-year-old Hetty Greengrass is the star around which the rest of her family orbits. Marriage, motherhood and helping Dan run Sunnybank Farm have certainlykept her hands full for the last twelve years. But when her daughter Poppy has to choose her inspiration for a school project and picks her aunt, not her mum, Hetty is left full of self-doubt.
Hetty’s always been generous with her time and until now, her biggest talent – baking deliciously moreish shortcrust pastry pies – has been limited to charity work and the village fete. But taking part in a competition run by Cumbria’s Finest to find the very best produce from the region might be just the thing to make her daughter proud . . . and reclaim something for herself.
Except that life isn’t as simple as producing the perfect pie. Changing the status quo isn’t easy – and with cracks appearing in her marriage and shocking secrets coming to light, Hetty must decide where her priorities really lie . . .
My Review
Tucking into a Cathy Bramley book is like a warm hug so it was a delight for me to read this.
I absolutely adored each and every character in this story each one was so unique and had their own storyline though it was based on Hetty's story.
I laughed and cried throughout and at times my heart just broke, it is real emotional!
Also it made my tummy rumble with all the food that was made and described it just sounded so delicious.
Just amazing!!!!
I never wanted this book to end it was so so good! 




Thursday 1 March 2018

Cover Reveal - Sunshine and Sweet Peas in Nightingale Square

I am absolutely over the moon today to be part of this fantastic cover reveal as I am one of Heidi Swain's biggest fans! The cover is completely gorgeous and I just adore the summery colours! 
So here it is... 

Publication date 31st May 2018

About the book
Kate is on the run from her almost-divorced husband who is determined to have her back, and she has found the perfect place to hide... a little cottage on Nightingale Square in Norwich, far away from her old life in London. But the residents of Nightingale Square don't take no for an answer, and Kate soon finds herself pulled into a friendship with Lisa, her bossy but lovely new neighbour. 

Within a matter of days  Kate is landed with the job of campaigning the council to turn the green into a community garden, meanwhile all the residents of Nightingale Square are horrified to discover that the Victorian mansion house on the other side of the square has been bought by developers. But when all hope is lost, the arrival of a handsome stranger is sure to turn things around!  

Heidi Swain is the perfect summer read - you'll want to find your own green space, stretch out in the sun and dive into life at Nightingale Square.