Category: Uncategorized

Categories
Uncategorized

Blog Tour for Happy Days Ahead in the Cornish Village by Sarah Hope

ABOUT THE BOOK

BRAND NEW instalment in the warm-hearted romance series from Sarah Hope, for dog lovers everywhere!

 

Life begins outside your comfort zone…

Book-keeper Megan has always lived life by a set of very rigid rules, but with impending divorce papers on the horizon, she throws herself into a new challenge.

She finds solace and purpose in her volunteer work at a dogs’ home but with finances tight, and soon-to-be ex-husband Lyle controlling her purse strings, she might have to trade the work for something more permanent.

But spending her time in the fresh countryside air, Megan discovers a glimmer of hope for a new beginning, finding strength, love, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow – and maybe, even possibly, a new romance.

A cosy and heartwarming romance set in the beautiful Cornish countryside, perfect for fans of Sarah Bennett, Jo Bartlett and Philippa Ashley

MY THOUGHTS

Happy Days Ahead in the Cornish Village is the fourth book in the series. Though it is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone without missing anything important.
I love the fact that the book is focused on dog rescue and hope it inspires some to help dogs in some way: adoption, volunteering or even monetarily.

The book is a real ray of sunshine, guaranteed to make even the darkest skies bright. After you’re done reading your heart will be filled with gladness.
The characters are well thought out and well developed, friendly sorts who want the best for the dogs and have a lot of empathy.

I enjoyed reading about West Par as it sounds like such a lovely place. Wagging Tails employees and volunteers are all like one family always wanting the best for each other and looking out for one another and when one of their own falls on rough times they all jump in to help.

A sweet dog that had been adopted didn’t work out for a family is returned and I felt so bad for the dog, but she really takes to one of the volunteers and they come into each other’s lives just when they are needed the most.

When it looks like skies are turning gray don’t despair or give up because hope and positivity is right around the corner.
Love, love, love this series and I really hope it continues.

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

VISIT OTHR BLOGS ON THE TOUR

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/happydayssocial

THE AUTHOR

Author Bio –

Sarah Hope is the author of many successful romance novels, including the bestselling Cornish Bakery series. Sarah lives in Central England with her two children and an array of pets and enjoys escaping to the seaside at any opportunity.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HappinessHopeDreams

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SarahHope35 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarah_hope_writes/

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SarahHopeNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sarah-hope

Thank you for visiting today. Go ahead, share a smile with others.

Categories
Uncategorized

Meet Me Under the Northern Lights: an uplifting romance perfect for a cozy night. A romantic Finnish adventure.

386 pages One More Chapter publisher 3 Dec 2021 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

All it takes is one moment to change your life . . .

When a cleverly edited video of radio host Lucy Fairweather goes viral, she knows she needs an escape. And preferably somewhere far away.

Where better than Wild Zone – a destination for people who want to experience the Arctic Circle? Owned by the gorgeous but brooding Tommi, Lucy agrees to help with the guests in return for her stay. But getting to grips with her skis is proving harder than it looks.

Far from home and in a winter wonderland, will an encounter with the breathtaking Northern Lights change her luck, in both life and love?

The perfect escapist read to curl up with this autumn. For fans of Lindsey Kelk, Sarah Morgan and Cressida McLaughlin.

MY THOUGHTS

Sometimes you fall behind on your reading, but I am so glad I had a chance to read this it was such a charming and exciting read.


I’ve never read a book taking place in Finland and the descriptions sound glorious. I really would love to have a chance to visit someday. The author has such realistic descriptions of the food, the dangers if you don’t bundle up and getting lost in the snow in the dark.

Snowshoeing sounds like it would be fun once you get the hang of it. I’ve heard how breathtaking the northern lights are and there was such a nice description of them here.


I enjoyed getting to know the characters, they really had a lot going on and some drama thrown in for good measure. It really would be an adjustment going to an area such as this that is so different that what you are used to.
I will be looking out for more books by the author.

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

Photo by Tristan Pokornyi on Pexels.com

MEET THE AUTHOR

Emily Kerr has been scribbling stories on bits of paper ever since she learnt how to write. She works as a journalist and is based in Yorkshire, England.

She can generally be found with her nose in a book, or hunched up over her laptop typing away, though she has been known to venture outside every so often to take part in various running-based activities.

Her book ‘Take A Chance On Greece’ won the Jane Wenham-Jones Award for Romantic Comedy at the Romantic Novel Awards 2023.

Emily loves to hear from readers. You can tweet her @EmilyKerrWrites or check out her Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/emilykerrwrites and website http://www.emilykerrwrites.com

Have a marvelous day. Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

An update on Orangey

I’m sure some of you remember Orangey. He was a feral cat that started hanging out in our garage last summer. He would sneak into the porch at night where I fed a few other ferals in the neighborhood. As soon as he saw me he’d take off as fast as lightning. After about 7 months he gradually started trusting me to pet him but only while he ate. He was very skittish but eventually he didn’t run from me and started letting me pet him other times than when he ate. About 3 weeks ago I brought him inside to join my other 2 cats in his forever home. This is a picture of him recovering after being brought back from the vet today after receiving his check up and neutering operation. We are so happy he’s a part of our family.

This picture is from last night before his neuter operation.

Categories
Uncategorized

Daily Prompt: Admiration for professionals

What profession do you admire most and why?

I’d say the two I admire the most are police, detectives, any type of first responders and doctors.

Categories
Uncategorized

Daily Prompt: Saturday 10 Aug

If you were going to open up a shop, what would you sell?

I would sell used books, tea, coffee and baked goods.

Categories
Uncategorized

Blog tour for The Bookseller of Paris by Suzanne Kelman  Books On Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

Paris, 1940: Madeline tries to scream, but she can’t breathe. A German soldier is working to free her from the rubble – but if he reaches her, he will find the books hidden beneath her clothes…

When the Germans seize Paris, its peaceful streets fill with terror overnight, and nowhere is safe. Desperate to help her friends, Parisian bookseller Madeline Valette turns her bookshop into a sanctuary for those in hiding, but she knows it’s only a matter of time before she’s found out.

So when she is asked to join the Resistance and smuggle banned books from Berlin, she accepts, desperate to defy the Nazis. And while she wants to save precious books from destruction, she also hopes her trips to Germany might help her find the last living connection she has to her beloved husband…

Because Madeline has received a letter from a German woman called Ada, the mother of her husband’s son. Facing persecution, the Jewish boy is in terrible danger. But where are they now, and can Madeline help them before it’s too late?

When Madeline finally finds Ada and the child, she realises Ada is at the mercy of a high-ranking Nazi official and both their lives are now at risk. Can Madeline get them to safety? Or will the unthinkable happen to this innocent child?

The second unputdownable novel in the Paris Sisters series, this is the story of two women’s bravery in the face of the darkness of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Hannah, and Fiona Valpy.

VISIT OTHER BLOGS ON THE TOUR

MY THOUGHTS

I knew as soon as I started this book, I wouldn’t be able to put it down and it kept me reading until the wee hours of the morning.
This is a series which I strongly suggest you read in order. Book 0 is The Paris Orphans, book 1 is The Last Day in Paris and this is the Paris Sisters series.

I’ve read most all of the author’s books, and I’m always so impressed by how well researched the books are. She adds little known facts about WWII into her books making them so realistic that I feel as though I could take the hand of the scared and crying child in the book and comfort them.

With this being a dual timeline at times you don’t make the connection right away in some books, not the case here. I very much enjoyed meeting one of the characters as a child in one of the timelines and seeing them as an adult as well. We are shown how the effects of the war and all they had to go through affected who they became.

During WWII ordinary people, many of them women became heroes as they exhibited extraordinary bravery far above what they though themselves capable of.
Highly recommended!

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

MEET THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Kelman is a 2015 Academy of Motion Pictures Nicholl Finalist, Multi-Award-Winning Screenwriter and a Film Producer. As well as working in film she is also an International Amazon Bestselling Fiction Author of the Southlea Bay Series – The Rejected Writers’ Book Club, Rejected Writers Take the Stage and The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding. Born in the United Kingdom, she now resides in Washington State.

https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/suzkelman

https://www.instagram.com/suzkelman/

Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Suzanne Kelman here: https://www.bookouture.com/suzanne-kelman

Buy Link:

Amazon: https://geni.us/B0CWLBYS1Csocial

You can sign up for all the best Bookouture deals you’ll love at: http://ow.ly/Fkiz30lnzdo

Enjoy your day. Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Uncategorized

The Paris Orphans: A heart-wrenching and moving WW2 historical fiction short story (The Paris Sisters)

88 pages Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bookouture (January 17, 2024)

ABOUT THE BOOK

Clutching her suitcase tightly to hide her trembling hands, Charlotte takes a steadying breath. This is the most dangerous thing she has ever done, but the lives of five innocent children are depending on her. I can do this…

Paris, 1943: As Charlotte rushes into the station, she can feel the unmistakeable chill of being watched. Turning her head, she catches the eye of a Nazi guard, and forces herself to slow down. Not today, please not today…

Reaching the platform, she sees her sisters Isabelle, Madeline, Antoinette and Gigi waiting with five children, fear etched onto their young faces. As she gets closer, Charlotte can see each child has a faded patch on their coat where a yellow star has been carefully unpicked.

Once she and the children are onboard, Charlotte turns and stares down at her sisters on the platform. Squeezing her eyes shut, she tries to imprint their beloved faces in her mind. And as the whistle blows, she presses her hand to the cold glass, murmuring a silent prayer that her sisters will be safe, and that they will all meet again…

As she turns her attention back to the children in her care, her heart breaks to see tears glistening in their eyes. Taking a deep breath, she promises that they will be safe, that she won’t let anything happen to them. But has Charlotte just made a promise she can’t possibly keep?

The prequel to the Paris Sisters series, this short story tells a tale of bravery and determination in the face of the darkness of the Second World War. Perfect for fans of Roberta Kagan, Kristin Hannah, and Fiona Valpy.

MY THOUGHTS

Oh, I really love this author’s books. So realistic, your heart beats faster as you read while holding your breath. A brave young woman, one of five sisters, Charlotte takes with their parent’s permission, 5 children on a train ride. Thinking to take them out of the city away from the Gestapo’s as the children are Jewish away to safety. Children under twelve don’t need papers and she has her false identification papers with her. The train ride is long, and you can feel the fear pouring off the children as the German police are everywhere. Charlotte stays brave in the face of danger for the children’s sake and knows the trip is not much longer and they will be free of danger. When it’s discovered one of the children has a forbidden item and then she is betrayed by the one she thought she could trust who will she turn to and what will happen to the children? This is the prequel to the Paris Sisters series and ends in a cliff hanger, so I’ll need to continue reading it to find out what happens. I eagerly look forward to finding out what happens to the characters whose bravery shines.

Free download on Amazon here. I’m not sure if it’s free in any other countries besides the US right now.

THE AUTHOR

Suzanne Kelman an Amazon bestselling author in America, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, and her books have sold over 400,000 copies worldwide accumulated 10 rights deals across eight territories. Her WW2 historical fiction books are published by Bookouture – an imprint for Hachette U.K.

She is also the author of the bestselling book, “The Rejected Writers’ Book Club”, published by Lake Union, which is the first book in the Southlea Bay series. Other books in the series include, “Rejected Writers Take the Stage” and “The Rejected Writers’ Christmas Wedding”.

Kelman is an award-winning writer/screenwriter whose accolades include the Best Comedy Feature Screenplay Award from the L.A. International Film Festival, the Gold Award from the California Film Awards, and the Van Gogh Award from the Amsterdam Film Festival.

In 2015 her script, Held, was recognized by the Academy of Motion Pictures and was shortlisted to the top ten in the Academy Of Motion Pictures Nichols Fellowship competition.

As well as a screenwriter and a published author, Suzanne is also a playwright, and her award-winning comedy play, “Over My Dead Body”, had its World Premiere at Outcast Theatre in Washington, Fall 2019.

Born in the United Kingdom, Suzanne now resides in Washington State.

Please sign up for her newsletter to stay in touch – https://www.suzannekelmanauthor.com

Categories
Uncategorized

Peach Tea Smash (A Tea Shop Mystery) by Laura Childs

320 pages Berkley publisher August 6, 2024 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Murder at an Alice in Wonderland–themed event threatens to send Theodosia Browning through the looking glass in the latest entry in this New York Times bestselling series.

During the Mad Hatter Masquerade, a fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Opera on the grounds of the old Pendleton Grist Mill, Harlan Sadler, husband of Cricket Sadler, the chairwoman, is killed. He’s been hit in the head with a croquet mallet, and his body hung on the chains and paddles of the grist mill. Nobody can figure out why since Harlan was much beloved by everyone. It’s only after Cricket and Delaine beg Theodosia to investigate that she realizes the killer might have mistaken Harlan for his crazy son, Duke. After all, Duke is a slum landlord and recently injured a woman in a boating accident.

Photo by Maksim Goncharenok on Pexels.com

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoy this series. I own most of the books in the series and they are all worth a reread.
Once again Theodosia is front and center again conveniently asking questions and nosing around to solve the crime. Some of the things she did took me by surprise as I’m not too sure they’re safe.

A fundraiser with a Mad Hatter Masquerade party goes horribly wrong when a body is found in the old Pendleton Grist Mill.
The deceased, Harlan Sadler is the husband of the chairwoman, involved in banking and all-around friendly guy liked by all who know him.

As his wife Cricket begs Theodosia for her help, past relationships are uncovered, and things may not all be as friendly as assumed. With red herrings and the list of suspects growing this one had me thinking the suspect may have been several different people.

Set in historical Charleston, the author easily brings it to life with her vivid descriptions adding a delightful flavor to her mysteries.

I always enjoy reading about the different themed teas Theodosia and Drayton have. The themed teas with the Indigo Tea Shop being decorated and the different teas and meals to go with it sounds like so much fun.

I’m all in for reading more of my favorite tea shop cozy mysteries.

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

THE AUTHOR

Laura Childs is the New York Times bestselling author of the Tea Shop Mysteries, Scrapbook Mysteries, and Cackleberry Club Mysteries. In her previous life she was CEO/Creative Director of her own marketing firm and authored several screenplays. She is married to a professor of Chinese art history, loves to travel, rides horses, enjoys fund raising for various non-profits, and has two Chinese Shar-Pei dogs.

Laura specializes in cozy mysteries that have the pace of a thriller (a thrillzy!) Her three series are:

The Tea Shop Mysteries – set in the historic district of Charleston and featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop. Theodosia is a savvy entrepreneur, and pet mom to service dog Earl Grey. She’s also an intelligent, focused amateur sleuth who doesn’t rely on coincidences or inept police work to solve crimes. This charming series is highly atmospheric and rife with the history and mystery that is Charleston.

The Scrapbooking Mysteries – a slightly edgier series that take place in New Orleans. The main character, Carmela, owns Memory Mine scrapbooking shop in the French Quarter and is forever getting into trouble with her friend, Ava, who owns the Juju Voodoo shop. New Orleans’ spooky above-ground cemeteries, jazz clubs, bayous, and Mardi Gras madness make their presence known here!

The Cackleberry Club Mysteries – set in Kindred, a fictional town in the Midwest. In a rehabbed Spur station, Suzanne, Toni, and Petra, three semi-desperate, forty-plus women have launched the Cackleberry Club. Eggs are the morning specialty here and this cozy cafe even offers a book nook and yarn shop. Business is good but murder could lead to the cafe’s undoing! This series offers recipes, knitting, cake decorating, and a dash of spirituality.

Categories
Uncategorized

Daily Prompt: Meal money

What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

The most I’ve spent personally was around $30. I don’t believe a meal needs to be fancy or expensive to be delicious. Most of the time I prefer eating at home anyways. I have been taken out for a more costly meal though and though the meal was delicious I’m not sure it was worth the cost. I mean I didn’t have to  cook it and that’s worth something but yet again I enjoy cooking and baking.

Categories
Uncategorized

Love and Lavender (Proper Romance Mayfield Family Regency Series) (Proper Romance: Mayfield Family, 4) 

320 pages Shadow Mountain publisher October 31, 2021 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Mayfield Family Romance – Vol. 4 in the standalone series

Hazel Stillman is a woman of rare independence and limited opportunities. Born with a clubbed foot, Hazel knows marriage is unlikely, so she devotes herself to teaching at a private girls’ school.

When her uncle offers Hazel a substantial inheritance if she marries, she is offended. What kind of decent man would marry for her money? But when she learns the school might be sold, she knows she must consider all her options.

Duncan Penhale thrives on order and process. He has no interest in marriage, so when Elliott Mayfield, his guardian’s brother, offers him an inheritance if he weds, Duncan finds it intrusive. However, an inheritance means he could purchase a building and run his own accounting firm.

Hazel and Duncan believe they have found a solution to both of their problems: marry one another, claim their inheritances, and then part ways to enjoy their individual paths. But then Uncle Mayfield stipulates that they must first live together as a couple for one year.

Over time, their marriage of convenience becomes much more appealing than they had anticipated. At the end of the full year, will they go their separate ways or could an unlikely marriage have found unsuspecting love?

MY THOUGHTS

Thought this is the fourth and final book in the Mayfield Family series it is the first I have read. I enjoyed it so much though that I will be looking for the others in the series as well.

Every time I read a regency romance from this author I just fall more in love with her writing.

Hazel and Duncan are settled in life, used to routine and don’t like when it’s changed. She has limited mobility due to a club foot and because of it she doesn’t expect to marry. She’s happily settled into her routine of teaching.

Duncan is extremely smart, visiting other businesses around town and learning all he can from them in his spare time. Duncan is also autistic; has a few quirks and doesn’t think he’ll be able to find anyone to marry that can put up with his originality and exacting ways.

In this early 1800’s regency taking place in London the characters are both a bit quirky in their own way. When it becomes known there is an inheritance for each of them, but they need to marry and live as husband and wife for one year first.

A marriage of convenience is born with neither of them going into this for love. I enjoyed seeing the interaction between the main characters and how he set out to prove how he really felt about her time after time giving her all the time and space she needed. Will love grow or will these characters go their separate ways after the required year is up?

The characters are complex and have difficult backstories but together they are able to move forward and past these times.

Wow, this book is so sweet and emotional. The love story was realistically and beautifully brought to life.

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

THE AUTHOR

Josi S. Kilpack has written more than thirty novels, a cookbook, and several novellas. She is a four-time Whitney award winner, including Best Novel in 2015 and 2019, and has been a Utah Best of State winner for Fiction. Josi loves to bake, sleep, eat, read, travel, and watch TV–none of which she gets to do as much as she would like. She writes contemporary fiction under the pen name Jessica Pack.

Josi has four children and lives in Northern Utah. For more information about Josi, you can visit her website at http://www.josiskilpack.com or her blog at http://www.josikilpack.blogspot.com