Tuesday 31 January 2017

Review - Departure - The Vivienne Series Book 3 by Karen Gordon

About the book

There’s never been a crisis that Vivienne Ramsey can’t figure her way out of—until Jack. The reluctant future CEO still thinks his ambitious assistant is too much work and not enough play. 

Its beauty versus brains and super-smart Vivienne is determined that she can help turn her boss into the leader their company needs, or she might die trying. Is a trip to Vegas just what they need to become a winning team or will too many delicious distractions in sin city pull them drastically off course?


Pre-order here

My Review 

I have really enjoyed reading The Vivienne Series of books. It's been a great journey so far getting to know Vivienne. Departure is the third book in the series. With them being short books they are so easy to read especially in one sitting. So what did I think... 

After the ending of book two I was definitely intrigued as to what Vivienne would do next. This book felt like a whirlwind but in a good way before I knew it the book had finished. 

It was great to see Vivienne with some fighting spirit and I was rooting for her to find a way out of her situation. The best thing in this story was seeing Vivienne trying to keep Jack under control.

 I loved the introduction of new characters as it really gave the story a new direction. So I can't wait to see what will happen next! 

Fast paced and lots of fun!

Five stars from me! 

Thank you to Karen Gordon for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion. 

You can catch my reviews for 
Fearless Flying here
&
 HiJack here

Review - Sunrise at Butterfly Cove by Sarah Bennett

About the book

A year of taking chances…

After a nightmare year, Mia Sutherland is hoping for a fresh start! She’s putting the past behind her and pouring all her savings into renovating a crumbling guesthouse in peaceful Butterfly Cove. Nothing will distract her from achieving her dreams!


That is, until her very first guest, Daniel Fitzwilliam arrives – quite possibly, the most gorgeous man she’s ever seen. He’s only here for a week, but already Daniel has turned her world upside-down. And as the tide turns, it’s clear that Butterfly Cove has more than one surprise in store for Mia…
Look out for Wedding Bells at Butterfly Cove, the second book in the enchanting Butterfly Cove trilogy.

Buy here


My Review

One of the first things that first that caught my attention was the lovely cover. So of course I had to read the description and then I knew for definite I had to read it. 
So what did I think...

This book on occasion definitely pulled at my heart strings although to be honest it is easily done. However I genuinely felt as if I was a part of their world and was invested in their happiness. I was drawn to the characters and also to the guesthouse that is in dire need of TLC just like Daniel and Mia.

I loved how the house is slowly but surely brought back to life and how the process is the perfect tonic for the characters. Daniel has his flaws but I love how we see his character grow throughout the story. Mia is a resilient character who has a strong protective side especially with her loved ones. I thought the build up in their friendship was well developed, it wasn't rushed and felt perfectly natural.

I liked the idea that the characters have less than perfect families and this is what makes them more engaging to read and get to know. Aaron and Luke were a great addition along with the "grey army" this group of characters really gave a warm and family orientated feel to the story.

The story flowed effortlessly and before I knew it I was onto the last chapter and it felt as if the time had flown. Sunrise at Butterfly Cove left me with a smile, Sarah Bennett has created some wonderful characters and I can't wait to catch up with them in the next book in the series.

Butterfly Cove has pretty much everything covered from friendship, new beginnings, loss, love and family.

Full of charm, engaging and heart warming what more could you want!

Five stars from me!

Thank you to HQDigital and Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

Monday 30 January 2017

Blog Tour - Review, Excerpt & Giveaway - A Little Luck, A Lot of Fate by Linn B. Halton



Thank you for joining me on the first day of the Blog Tour for A Little Luck, A Lot of Fate by Linn B. Halton. I have a review, an extract and a giveaway for you all today. First of all though lets take a little look at the book.



A LITTLE LUCK, A LOT OF FATE
BY LINN B. HALTON

Genre: Romance/contemporary women’s
Release Date: 23 October 2016
Publisher: Choc Lit UK

When destiny calls, you need to pick up …

On the surface, Kristi Danielson has it all. She’s lifestyle coach to the rich and famous, has a bestselling book to her name and is described by her fans as “the veritable Queen of how to lead a fulfilling life”.

But the harsh truth is that Kristi has never practiced what she preaches. Her home life is a mess, her relationship with artist boyfriend, Tom, not much better – and now she has to redeem herself before all is lost.


At her wit’s end, Kristi is driven to seek out the help of Patrick Blakeslee, a tarot card reader and psychic medium, in an attempt to make sense of the mounting panic she’s feeling.

But Patrick’s visits have an unexpected effect on Kristi, leaving her with more questions than answers – and a life-changing decision to make.
BUY LINK


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My Review

When I read the description for A Little Luck, A Lot of Fate I was definitely intrigued, both the characters and story sounded interesting and just that little bit different.
So what did I think...

The characters in this book were well written and I found myself becoming more attached as the story progressed. It did take me a few chapters to get a feel for Kristi's character but the more I read the more interesting she became.

I enjoyed the fact that there was the added element of the unknown to this story with a psychic medium helping Kristi. It was interesting learning more on this subject than I had previously understood. I liked the idea that both Patrick and Kristi were helping people just in a different way and through different processes.

The story moves at a good pace and I liked the fact that the story was told from three different points of view. Now sometimes this can add confusion to a story but I never felt that with each person having a clear voice and distinct personality. The minor character of Eve has to get a special mention I loved seeing the friendship between Eve and Kristi develop throughout the story.

I was left feeling content and I am so glad I picked up this book the whole story definitely has a feel good vibe to it. The premise is lovely and I guess I would have to admit and say I am still on the fence as to whether I truly believe in the spiritual world. However I will say that wouldn't we all like to hope that we aren't alone and that someone is there to help or offer guidance if we ever need it. Even if you aren't a believer I am pretty sure this delightful story along with the engaging characters will draw you in.

Uplifting with a positive message!

Four stars from me!

Thank you to Linn B. Halton & Brook Cottage Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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EXCERPT
I’m the middle child, sandwiched between my eldest brother, Luke, and the baby of the family, Drew. My mother had three brothers and so, as the only two daughters in two generations, we were always in the minority. That rather tends to shape the way you look at things and there are only two ways it can go. Either you are the one whose voice is seldom heard above the sea of testosterone around you, or you make yours the loudest voice of them all. You become the organiser; the one who leads – in short, my brothers accepted that I was in charge. Maybe it was because I had inherited the bossy gene, if such a thing exists. But, from a tender age, what I lacked in practical knowledge, I made up for with sheer common sense and the dubious ability to be believable.

I say dubious, because I learnt that I had the power to organise and control what went on around me. I was a natural. What surprised me was the fact that people around me loved being told what to do. They sought my advice, opening up to me and looking for guidance at every step of the way. As a teenager I felt I had a heady power and it gave me a sense of confidence. At the time I didn’t understand that it was something to be treated with respect and a healthy dose of reality. People simply lapped-up what I told them and that, I suppose, was the blessing that has become a curse. When people are unsure about what to do next they look around for someone strong to advise them. In their desperation they are grateful and comforted and the person delivering the advice? Well, it’s addictive and each little success elevates you in their eyes, as well as in your own.

The truth is that I am supremely confident when it comes to organising other people’s lives. I’m extremely proud of the fact that I can inspire others and encourage them to develop their full potential. When it comes to my own life, it’s held together with the emotional equivalent of string and Blu-tack. Simply put, I’m a fraud.

Money and fame go hand-in-hand and there isn’t a chat show worth mentioning that hasn’t featured me at some point in the last few years. My name constantly crops up around the world and even in countries like the US, Japan, and Sweden, it’s instantly recognisable. Grab Life and Run With It is in its fourth season in the UK and I’ve just signed a contract for a further six episodes. My fan club is full of hopeful people, eager to share each of their milestones on Twitter, as they follow my celebrated Twelve Steps to Finding YOU plan.

To the world it appears I have all of the trappings of success. The harsh reality is that I spend my time trying to cover the tracks of a life that has no balance. All I have is my work – there is nothing else.

ABOUT LINN B HALTON

Bristol-born Linn B Halton lives on the edge of the small market town of Cinderford, in the Forest of Dean, in the UK.
"I'm a hopeless romantic, self-confessed chocaholic, and lover of strong coffee. For me, life is about family, friends, writing ... and house renovation! Oh, and the occasional glass of White Grenache..."
An Amazon UK Top 100 best-selling author with A Cottage in the Country in November 2015, Under The Stars also became a best-seller in November 2016. Linn's novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award.
Linn writes chick lit, women's contemporary fiction and psychic romance for Choc Lit, Harper Impulse and Endeavour Press.



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GIVEAWAY

CONTEST – OPEN INTERNATIONALLY – No Purchase necessary

Three signed copies of A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love paperbacks.

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Sunday 29 January 2017

Blog Tour - Review - Chasing Shadows by T.A. Williams


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Thank you for joining me today on the Blog Tour for Chasing Shadows by T.A. Williams. I was delighted to receive an invite to take part so first of all let's take a look at the description of the book. Then you can read on for my review. 

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Chasing Shadows 
by T. A. Williams

Summary:

Amy had it all – money, brains and beauty. And then the accident happened.

The Present Day: Left blind and without her family, Amy feels she needs to get away. On a trip along the Camino, she is accompanied by the mysterious and troubled Luke. Having been set up to help Amy by a mutual friend, Luke finds he is also running from his past…

1314: A Templar Knight, Luc, is also running. He meets the wife of a former comrade, now blinded in a terrifying attack: Aimee. Taking her under his wing, they must journey together through a dangerous world.

As they travel through the stunning scenery of Northern Spain, this couple, so very like Luke and Amy, emerge from the shadows of time carrying a treasure of inestimable value.

Information about the Book

Title: Chasing Shadows
Author: T. A. Williams
Release Date: 16th January 2017
Genre: Romance
Publisher: Canelo
Format: Ebook

Links


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My Review

I have always thoroughly enjoyed the books that I have read by T.A. Williams, he always manages to bring his stories to life in a lovely descriptive way. So I am so happy to be able to read and bring you my review of Chasing Shadows. As soon as I read the description I was pretty sure I would enjoy the story especially with the history aspect to it. 

So what did I think...


The story instantly drew me in and grabbed hold, I loved finding out all about Amy and Luke as they travelled along the Camino de SantiagoBoth characters are troubled by the past which made their journey even more interesting. It's lovely how Luke and Amy slowly get to know each other and become more comfortable with each other. I really enjoyed the fact that Amy was facing her fears and doing something to move forward with her life. Luc and Aimee also brought so much to the story with danger, mystery and some tense moments following them along the way. 


The descriptions of the journey the pilgrims made were brilliant and T.A. Williams has done a fantastic job of creating a detailed story but without going overboard. I felt at times as if I was right there with all of them that's how immersed in the story I became. This book was brilliant at showing me a time period I wasn't really knowledgeable in. However it was done in a way that didn't feel as if I had been bombarded with information. 


I loved both parts but maybe the time-slip aspect set in 1314 slightly wins. Both stories were engaging but I guess I liked the added mystery running through the 1314 story. Both time periods flow well and the story doesn't suffer as you go from 1314 to the present day. I have to say because the story has both an historical and a modern story it really is the perfect combination for me. Everything worked perfectly from the story to the characters I was completely hooked and I have to admit I got a little emotional at the ending. 


Chasing Shadows is a heart warming story with wonderful characters and a beautifully written story!


Five stars from me! 

Thank you to T.A. Williams, Faye Rogers, Canelo & Netgalley for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.


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Author Information

My name is Trevor Williams. I write under the androgynous name T A Williams because 65% of books are read by women. In my first book, "Dirty Minds" one of the (female) characters suggests the imbalance is due to the fact that men spend too much time getting drunk and watching football. I couldn't possibly comment. Ask my wife...

My background, before taking up writing full time, was in teaching and I was principal of a big English language school for many years. This involved me in travelling all over the world and my love of foreign parts is easy to find in my books. I speak a few languages and my Italian wife and I still speak Italian together.

I've written all sorts: thrillers, historical novels, short stories and now I'm enjoying myself hugely writing humour and romance. My most recent books are the What happens… series. What happens in Tuscany reached #1 in the Amazon.uk Romantic Comedy chart and What Happens on the Beach, the last in the series, came out in July. Chasing Shadows is still romance, but with the added spice of a liberal helping of medieval history, one of my pet hobbies. I do a lot of cycling and I rode all the way to Santiago de Compostela on a bike a few years back. This provided both the inspiration and the background research for Chasing Shadows.

I’m originally from Exeter, and I’ve lived all over Europe, but now I live in a little village in sleepy Devon, tucked away down here in south west England. I love the place.


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Tour Schedule

Monday 16th January

Tuesday 17th January

Wednesday 18th January

Thursday 19th January

Friday 20th January

Saturday 21st January

Sunday 22nd January

Monday 23rd January

Tuesday 24th January

Wednesday 25th January

Thursday 26th January

Friday 27th January

Saturday 28th January

Sunday 29th January

Saturday 28 January 2017

Blog Tour - Review & Giveaway - The Good Enough Mother by Anoushka Beazley


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Thank you for joining me today on the Blog Tour for The Good Enough Mother by Anoushka Beazley. So first of all lets take a look at the book and then you can read on for my review. 
Lastly why not enter the brilliant giveaway!

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THE GOOD ENOUGH MOTHER


Blurb


Gatlin - a leafy, affluent town: Chelsea tractors and ladies who lunch. However, all is not as it seems. Drea, a most unnatural mother, struggles to find private school fees for her step-daughter Ava after her boyfriend leaves her for another woman. Watching the yummy mummies she becomes inspired, hatching a daring and criminal plan...unleashing all hell in the quiet town of Gatlin. Can Drea survive the fallout and the wrath of the PTA? A satirical and hilarious black comedy about love, motherhood and the human condition.


Buy Links


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My Review

When I first read the blurb I didn't really know what to expect I guess what first drew me to the book was that Drea didn't sound perfect. Then there was the fact that I liked the sound of the black comedy aspect to it. 

So what did I think...

This book captured my attention right down to the characters and to the events that take place. Drea is not your average mother but that doesn't mean she is necessarily a bad one. I think that most people will go to great lengths to keep their loved ones happy and secure. Although maybe not take the steps that Drea does! 

Drea is written in such a way that you can't really help but hope everything works out okay in the end for her and her loved ones. She is definitely flawed but this makes her such an interesting character. After all everyone has flaws just maybe not to the extreme of Drea. The best parts of the story have to be when she says what she thinks. Drea has no filter and I loved her for that, I am pretty sure all of us at times probably wish we could say out loud the things that Drea says with ease.

Drea and Ava's relationship is one of the great things about this story, brought together when Ava was four and Drea became her mother. Even though motherhood was basically thrust upon her she decides to do her very best by Ava.

There are plenty of comical moments and I couldn't help but smile at some of the events that take place in this book. Can I also say that I too would hate to be forced to take part in a bake sale! Does that make me a bad mum? I loved the way the story took off in a different direction as to how I expected. I felt as if I didn't know what was coming next and how things would end. There are some serious issues that take place in the book but they are handled well.

After finishing I actually thought about The Good Enough Mother for days afterwards. It really did stay with me and I am so glad I picked it up!

Thoroughly entertaining with a delightfully refreshing take on motherhood!

Five stars from me! 

Thank you to Anoushka Beazley & Neverland Blog Tours for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Bio

Anoushka Beazley has a film degree, an acting diploma and a masters in creative writing. She is a full time novelist, lives in North London with three little witches, a lawyer and a Maine Coon.


Author Links



Instagram – anoushkabeazley

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Giveaway

 10 signed copies of The Good Enough Mother – obviously 10 separate winners.


Thursday 26 January 2017

Blog Tour - Review & Giveaway - Paradise Prison by Faith Mortimer


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I am so happy to be taking part in the Blog Tour for Paradise Prison by Faith Mortimer. I have a review for you today but first of all let's take a look at the book. Then why not enter the brill giveaway!

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PARADISE PRISON
BY FAITH MORTIMER

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Release Date: 7th January 2017
Series: Dark Minds #4
Publisher: Topsails Charter

Following an almighty row, Gillian stands up to her abusive boyfriend. The consequences are horrendous and far-reaching.

Terrified, she flees her home, seeking anonymity abroad while coming to terms with the outcome of her actions.
In Portugal, Gillian meets Harry, a yachtsman. Needing crew for his Atlantic Ocean-crossing she applies for the job. Half-way into the journey, after confessing to her crime, Harry offers her refuge on an uninhabited island in the Caribbean which he says he owns.

Confused and depressed, Gillian imagines this is the answer to her problems. She needs time to lie low and consider her options; confront the authorities or live in obscurity? Harry is offering the perfect hiding place…or is he?

When things start going horribly wrong, she asks herself if she is alone on the island. But maybe the biggest question of all is why she gets the gut feeling Harry wants to keep her there at all costs?What happens when she says … no.

BUY LINKS

AMAZON UK | AMAZON US

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My Review

I thought the premise for the book sounded really interesting and I couldn't wait to start reading and see how everything would turn out. So what did I think...

First of all I have to mention that I loved how both characters have their flaws although one definitely more than the other! This made both Gill and Harry more real and their characters more compelling. Faith Mortimer has created two fantastic characters who change and grow along with the story. The story told from different points of view really helps to create depth and it was so interesting to see how each character saw the events that occurred.


I enjoyed the sailing aspect to the novel and there is enough detail to give a good idea of what life at sea on a yacht entails. However it is not over done with over the top descriptions and detail so my interest was definitely kept.

All the way through Paradise Prison there is a sense of dread starting with the gripping beginning right through to the end. I loved how this story kept me on my toes mainly because it was so unpredictable. The setting for the book seems ideal but as with most things not everything is as it first appears to be. A tense undercurrent is always there and I really had no idea where things were going and how things would end. The dark story held my interest pretty much all the way through and whenever Harry and Gillian were together I found myself completely engrossed.

Dark, edgy and thrilling!

Four and a half stars from me!

Thank you to Faith Mortimer & Brook Cottage Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.


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ABOUT FAITH MORTIMER

Faith is a British author dividing her time between Hampshire, England & Cyprus. Since 2005 she turned her hobby of writing into a career. During childhood, she dreamed of writing novels which readers would love, & spent many hours writing short stories which she read to her sisters. Born in Manchester & educated in Singapore, Malaya & Hampshire, England. Amazon Top #14 author rank for mystery, #27 mystery, thriller & suspense, #55 literature & fiction #5 bestselling author on Nook Books. Faith's books have made the Kindle Top 100 Paid List numerous times.

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GIVEAWAY

1st Prize – Ecopies of all 4 books in the series
2nd Prize – an ecopy of the book



a Rafflecopter giveaway