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Blog tour for My Husband’s Ex: A totally addictive psychological thriller packed with twists!  by Rosie Walker

‘Hello, stranger,’ says the beautiful woman on the doorstep. Pushing past me, she throws herself into my husband’s arms while I stand frozen in shock. I’ve never seen this woman before in my life… but how does she know the man I married?

The colour drains from my husband’s face as she releases him. When Ted says her name – Alice – my blood runs cold. Because I’ve heard her name before. Alice is the woman who broke my kind husband’s heart. Ted told me she vanished from his life after their breakup, but has he been lying this whole time?

I stare at him in disbelief, but he swears he never invited her. Can I believe him? Whatever actually happened, I want her out of my house… but as thunder cracks and the sky turns dark, a huge storm sets in. We’re stuck here: is this my chance to discover the truth?

***

I stare out of the rain-streaked car window, trying to see the Scottish landscape as the car whips past rust-coloured heather and mud.

MY THOUGHTS

Sadie and Ted’s marriage needs a sprucing up, together for over a decade, things just haven’t been the same recently. Sadie is convinced renting a huge mansion in the middle of nowhere in the Highlands for the Christmas holiday is just what they need.

Along with their two daughters the holiday house appears perfect for their little family, and they get inside just as the car runs out of gas and the raging storm starts.


Now as I’m reading this psychological thriller I’m thinking, okay this is pretty tame when is the action starting? As you read you absorb the words you’re reading and have a belief in them, this is how the story will go, you’re walking along minding your own business and then an anchor drops on top of you. You reel back, staggering under the weight of your assumptions and realize, they’re just that and you should never make assumptions as you read because you really never know.


Shocking twists and turns, I felt like I am teetering on the edge of a cliff, one exhale too much and I’d be over the edge!
A must read not to miss. It took my breath away!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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THE AUTHOR

Rosie Walker is a novelist of four psychological thrillers: ‘My Husband’s Ex’ (2024), ‘The Baby Monitor’ (2024), ‘The House Fire’ (2022), and ‘Secrets of a Serial Killer’ (2020).

Her books mostly explore dark domestic themes: secrets, lies, affairs and revenge. But in real life Rosie is a cheery person who loves rom coms, beach holidays, reality TV, and dog walks by the sea. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband, daughter, and their dog.

Rosie has a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Edinburgh and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Lancaster University.

Thank you for stopping in today. Enjoy the weekend.

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Daily Prompt 2 May Thursday

What gives you direction in life?

Prayer gives me direction. I can’t do this life alone without it. Thankfulness, and wanting to be kind to others. I am so appreciative of you visiting my blog today and you matter to me.

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LBT Blog tour for The Photograph by Diane Clarke

ABOUT THE BOOK

Caryl Hunter believes she lost her brother during the wartime evacuation of 1939. Her adoptive mother denies his existence and Caryl was too young to remember with certainty.

When she finds a black and white photograph of her family standing on a London station, in
the company of a mystery boy, her determination to find him reignites.

In 2020, Caryl’s daughter, Megan, takes up the search for her missing uncle. Confronted by
her own secret, will she ignore it or will she remember Caryl’s lifelong torment and avoid the
mistakes of the past?

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@KellyALacey 

@lovebookstours 

#Ad #LBTCrew #BookTwitter #FreeReview #FreeBookReview

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@dianeclarkesauthor

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@lovebookstours 

#Ad  #LBTCrew #Bookstagram  #FreeReview #FreeBookReview

My THOUGHTS

I knew this one would be an enjoyable read as soon as I started it. I was intrigued as I read. First, we start off 3-year-old Caryl Hunter evacuated with many other children from London during the start of WWII to Wales. Her host, Gwen becomes her adoptive mother who is dealing with her own grief at the loss of her husband to the war. Told she was an only child Caryl always had a sense of loneliness growing up that continued into her adulthood. Searching for answers, she feels as though she remembers a brother but doesn’t remember the details. Wanting answers about her biological mother her adoptive mother is no help and shuts her down when she questions her. I could feel Caryl’s pain as she diligently and fruitlessly searches for answers as her life feels so incomplete.
The book is a dual timeline as it features Caryl’s daughters and the struggles they have as well. We revisit the pandemic and how the world shut down for a while as we quarantined and the struggles, we all went through. A secret buried so deep she thought it would never see the light of day, now she realizes her choices she made so many years ago have been laid bare with possible devastating consequences. Family secrets, lifelong searching, betrayal, a need for answers. A book I simply couldn’t put down! The characters faced a lot of adversities, so well written. I enjoyed the author’s writing voice and will be on the lookout for more by her.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

US Amazon buy link

287 pages May 1,2024 publication date Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wings ePress, Inc.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Before completing her debut novel, ‘The Photograph’, Diane’s writing journey began with short stories. Her writing credits include Flash Fiction and Short Stories published in several anthologies including success in the Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story Competition – ‘A life Lesson’, 2nd Place (2019) and ‘Courting Danger’, Longlisted (2020).

Though happily settled in Brisbane, Australia since 1996, much of her inspiration comes from the UK. Using stunning locations as the backdrop, her novels feature restless women craving truth, identity and love. She propels her female protagonists into complex family predicaments where they must deal with the agony of missing siblings, absent fathers or ethical dilemmas. When not writing she takes long walks in the Australian bush, upcycles vintage furniture, spends time with family and friends and spoils her cavoodle puppy.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping in.

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Daily Prompt 1 May Wednesday

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

You never will know all the struggles someone is going through. That smile could be hiding such pain. Be as kind as possible to everyone. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Luke 6:31 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

https://pin.it/3UtA1rdX6

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Blog tour for Love, Julie: A Poignant and Humorous Romance by Jamie Anderson

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Poignant and Humorous Journey of Self-discovery, Resilience, and Redemption

Once, Julie dreamed of a life filled with love and laughter. Now, in her mid-forties, she faces a starkly different reality. She’s single, lonely, and reeling from breaking her hard-earned sobriety in front of her family and friends.

Opting for self-recovery over romance, Julie dives into planning her best friend Kate’s wedding. However, sharing this task with the irritatingly cheerful best man, single dad Luke, proves to be an unexpected challenge.

As Luke’s persistent kindness chips away at her icy exterior, a friendship forms, stirring a longing she’d sworn to suppress. But with self-forgiveness as her biggest hurdle, and her past ready to sabotage her future, can Julie confront the shame and trauma that have darkened so much of her life and find the courage to love again? Or will her demons shatter both her and Luke’s hearts in the process?

Jamie Anderson, author of the hilarious and heartwarming Someone to Kiss, is back with another witty, acerbic, and relatable story. Love, Julie is a richly emotional tale of recovery, forgiveness, and romance that readers have praised for “nailing the humor and snarky nature of our generation.

MY THOUGHTS

Before I even knew what this book was about, I was drawn to the cover. This is such an eye-catching cover. After focusing on the cover, I’m so glad I decided to explore the book further and read the contents. The book is real, transparent and can be a very relatable subject. Intertwined with humor, jokes and good times is a serious matter, addiction. The addiction focused on here is alcoholism.


Julie is in her mid-forties and still doesn’t have it all together yet. This isn’t at all how she envisioned her life when she was in her twenties. The way the author portrays the stops and starts, fails and wins sounds realistic in Julie’s journey to sobriety. From self-help classes, to winning it and then falling off. The elations and falling low.

My son is a police officer and has told me of some very sad cases where people were not able to get the help they needed with such sad results. Admitting you need the help and taking that first step is so important to your road to recovery. There is no smooth sailing, there will be good days and bad.

I really loved Luke’s character, he and Julie are working on wedding planning her best friend’s wedding together. Luke is Julie’s biggest supporter in her recovery journey, so incredibly supportive. When she doesn’t believe in herself, he’s there to pick her up. She’s not looking for romance her recovery journey is her main focus. Luke has a daughter he’s raising so he has to be completely sure of who he hooks up with and how she will perceive them.

Will his sense of humor, understanding and kindness break down her fences as she continues her healing journey? I loved this impressive and moving story. One to remember.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Links

https://mybook.to/lovejulie

🇺🇸 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D135N3R8
🇬🇧 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D135N3R8
🇨🇦 https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D135N3R8
🇦🇺 https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D135N3R8

VISIT OTHER LOVELY BLOGS ON THE TOUR

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jamie Anderson is based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. A proud Canadian and Saskatchewanian, she wanted to set her first two novels in the place she was born and raised.

She’s been writing for as long as she can remember, and has been reading for longer than that. She lives happily with her mountain of books, her TV and her two plants.

You can read Jamie’s first novel Someone to Kiss here: https://mybook.to/someonetokiss

Social Media Links – https://linktr.ee/jamieandersonwrites

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for stopping in today.

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Blog Tour for Silver Wish Farm by K.T. Dady

Welcome to Pepper Bay, where you’ll find love, drama, and a happily ever after.


Snuggle down with this cosy, feel-good, comfort read that whisks you away to a beautiful bay on the Isle of Wight – Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Alison Sherlock, Rachael Lucas, and Holly Martin.

The Pepper Bay books are standalone stories, best read in order, that intertwine with recurring characters.

Silver Wish Farm: After Rhett left Heath on their wedding day, things were never the same for them, but because they have a daughter, they’ve always tried their best to keep the peace. But then life changes for Heath, and he suddenly wants answers about their past and the future he believes he should have had, but will Rhett tell him the real reason she left him all those years ago?

MY THOUGHTS

The Pepper Bay series is one of my favorites and I’ve read quite a few in it though not quite all yet.
It makes for comfortable reading to be able to return to this series time after time and feel familiar with the setting and characters that many we’ve met before in other books in the series. Not a problem if this is your first read in the series though as it’s a delightful story all on its own.


We were introduced to Heath and Rhett, and you’ve got to love their names in another book in the series. They have a backstory, Rhett never showed up for her wedding with Heath many years ago and she broke his heart. They keep it civil though because they have a child together and coparent her.

We do see a lot of differences in their families and how they were raised and how it affected each of them and still does. As Rhett spends more time with Heath with and without their daughter those old feelings come rushing back but their newfound second chance romance is anything but rushed.

Through many heart to heart and emotional talks they must decide what is right for them, their daughter and the farm. A beautiful second chance romance and a man who wants to open his heart back up to the possibility of a second chance love but is afraid to.

I really enjoyed how this wasn’t rushed they thought of their daughter’s wants and needs and how she would feel about the chance of her parents reuniting for good.

The author writes a fun and realistic book from the heart. Family relationships are important, and the characters draw you in to care about them.
Looking forward to reading the next installment in this series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Purchase Links

VISIT OTHER LOVELY BLOGS ON THE TOUR

Author Bio – Hello, I’m K.T. Dady. I’m the bestselling author of the Pepper Bay series. I’m also a chocolate lover, mum to a grown-up daughter, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, baking cakes, or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers.

Social Media Links –

Welcome

https://www.instagram.com/kt_dady

https://www.facebook.com/ktdady

Have an awesome day. Thanks for stopping in today.

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Daily Prompt 30 April Tuesday

Daily writing prompt
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?
View all responses

I don’t really have a favorite holiday. I believe every day has potential and is a day to celebrate being alive, thankful for health and life. It’s all in your attitude and what you make of the opportunities given to you.

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Publication Day and Blog tour for Effie Olsen’s Summer Special 

379 pages Berkley publisher April 30,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

These childhood best friends swore they’d never speak again. But a surprise summer reunion changes everything when it gives them the chance to turn up the heat.
 
Effie Olsen thought she’d never live on the tiny Maine island where she grew up, but she’s returning from sixteen years as a professional chef in far-flung countries for one summer and one summer only. Her hometown boasts one of the best restaurants in the US, and lucky for her, Brown Butter needs a sous chef. Effie’s eager for a chance at redemption after her last job went up in flames, but reluctant to set down roots in a place that reminds her of the ghosts of her past.

Until, that is, she runs into Ernie Callahan, her onetime best friend who now works in the very same restaurant. Early morning swims and late-night games of truth or dare with Ernie remind her of what she’s been missing while traveling the world. He knows her better than anyone, and it doesn’t hurt that his smile lights her up brighter than the lighthouses dotting the craggy coastline.

But their restaurant has a secret that’s bursting at the seams, and if Effie doesn’t keep it, her job will vanish into the foggy Maine air. As summer draws to a close, her dream job and the perfect guy are both within reach. Her salty seaside hometown might be the key to Effie’s sweet ending…if she can learn to let her heart lead the way in time.

MY THOUGHTS

Absolutely delightful foodie summer romance set on an island off the coast of Maine. So realistically descriptive, I could hear the water crashing against the rocks, see the seaweed as the low tide lapped, hear the gulls cawing looking for breakfast and see the lobster boats out with their traps set as they watch the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Though I don’t live in Maine I have had the privilege of visiting the beautiful and charming state multiple times in summer and fall. I’m ready to return.


Effie left the tiny Maine island and her best friend Ernie sixteen years ago, right after high school, thinking never to live there again. She had high aspirations for herself, become a professional chef and travel to foreign countries. She accomplishes both but her latest restaurant job doesn’t work out so well and she’s home again on the island after all this time, just for the summer she tells herself.

Ernie, he’s a lifer, he still lives on the island and is satisfied to not have the travel bug. Island life has treated him well. Effie knows it’s inevitable on the small island she’ll eventually run into Ernie. You can’t plan these things, it’ll just happen. Will it be awkward after all this time?

Working at an island restaurant, Brown Butter, Effie is satisfied and it’s a popular spot for the locals and tourists alike. Behind the scenes there are things going on and Effie feels she must speak up. Once she speaks up how will her job security hold up though? I loved how so much of the book took place in the restaurant and got a real feel of the professional restaurant scene from the servers to the line prep to the dishwashers. The desserts sounded amazing and the dinners divine.


This was a slow burn romance that had Effie and Ernie reuniting in a surprising way, talking things out and taking it slow with their romance. Will Effie’s mind be changed about staying just for the summer or will she be trotting off on her next adventure when the leaves start to change? Such a fun summertime beach read I’ll be on the lookout for more by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Buy Here

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rochelle Bilow is a romance writer, food writer, and writer writer. She is a graduate of The French Culinary Institute and has worked as a baker, a line cook, and the social media manager for Bon Appétit and Cooking Light magazines. Her articles about home cooking, restaurants, food news and trends, spirits, groceries, and products have been published in a variety of national publications, including: Eating Well, Food & Wine, Serious Eats, The Kitchn, and The Spruce Eats.

Rochelle’s first book, a romantic farming memoir titled The Call of the Farm, was published by The Experiment in 2014.

Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year, her second book—and fiction debut—was published by Berkley Romance in February 2023. It is available wherever books are sold.

Rochelle’s second romcom, Effie Olsen’s Summer Special, will be published in April 2024, and is available for preorder now!

rochellebilowwriting@gmail.com

IG

Have a marvelous day. Thanks for stopping in.

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Daily Prompt 29 April Monday

Have you ever been camping?

I went camping when I was in Girl Scouts. I remember being eaten by mosquitoes 🦟 and being served nasty food 🍽️ and feeling like I waited forever for it. 🕐 . This was a several day trip, it was hot, we swam in stagnant water 🌊 the campfire 🔥 had trouble starting.  Yeah I was glad to get home. Good thing I never got sent to one of those summer camps 🏕️

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The Cultist’s Wife by Bj Sikes 

270 pages Belinda Sikes publisher May 01,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

1908, the height of the British Empire. Clara’s autonomy is shattered when her long-absent husband summons her to join him at his eerie sect’s headquarters, insulated on a sparsely inhabited island in the Bahamas.

After a harrowing sea voyage, Clara and her children disembark into an unfamiliar landscape and climate. The children explore the marvels and mysteries of Andros Island and develop friendships with a Bahamian family, while Clara struggles to find her place as a woman within the cult.

But what seems at first to be a spiritual haven for Clara reveals itself to be a monster-worshipping cult intent on draining her family of more than their fortune.

Must Clara give up her quest for independence to protect her children from the cult’s depraved attempts to consume their life essence?

Grab a copy here

MY THOUGHTS

The genre this book is labeled under is a historical gothic horror. I enjoy all of these genres though I haven’t read horror in a while. I really enjoy gothic and historical fiction though and was eager to read a combination of these.


Set in the Bahamas in 1908, we have a woman with two children, living near Bath, England her husband has been away for some time, and she is stunned to receive word he summons her to travel to the Bahamas with the children who don’t even know him. Now their relationship is not what you would term as a “happy” marriage. Given the time period, women are expected to obey their husband so off she went to the Bahamas with the children.

After a rough ocean voyage things haven’t gotten any easier for the mother and children. It’s a totally different environment, climate, way of life, food etc. The husband is involved in a cult and wants his wife and children there not because he misses them but to get them involved in and accustomed to the workings of the cult to serve it as well.

I found the customs of and beliefs of the Bahamians fascinating. I found the book to be so well researched involving the beliefs of the early Bahamas people.

I’m wondering if the “monster” belief is one they had at the time in history the book takes place and is it a belief still today? I believe each culture has their own beliefs and truths and just because I may not know, believe or understand a culture’s beliefs it doesn’t make their beliefs wrong, and we need to appreciate the differences.

I also am appreciative of their healing knowledge with herbs that can be used for so many natural healing properties. I have always appreciated the natural healing but have never explored it but would like to.

The book took my breath away as I read it. I was absolutely intrigued and greatly look forward to reading more by the author.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from London, England, I currently reside in Northern California with my family. I write historical and futuristic fantasy, often with a steampunk twist and an underlying theme of female independence.

I am the Author Head for Clockwork Alchemy, a steampunk convention in the San Francisco Bay Area. For anyone who loves sci-fi with an alternate history spin, Clockwork Alchemy presents three days of immersive entertainment. I happily wrangle the cats called authors who share their amazing knowledge at the event.

In my day job, I write and edit scientific publications for a university. I’m married to a novelist/freelance editor and our children are composing their own fiction in the NaNoWriMo Young Writers’s Program.

I like words.

I also like tea, chocolate, cats, and chickens, not necessarily in that order. When I am not playing with words, you might find me mucking about in the garden or making herbal concoctions in the kitchen.

Contact  bjsikesauthor@gmail.com

Blog Here

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping in.