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Blog tour for: Secrets in the Little Irish Village: A completely addictive small town romance by Michelle Vernal

ABOUT THE BOOK

Grace Kelly can’t escape the draws of Emerald Bay; the sweeping cliffs, the sparkling sea… and her gorgeous new flatmate. The problem is, she has to keep him a secret from her family. And she isn’t the only one in the village with something to hide this summer…

Grace really needs someone to help cover the rent for her London flat, but Christopher Dorrance? Everyone in the little Irish village of Emerald Bay knows about the feud between their families, though no one knows how it started. But, both being in a tight spot, they try and make it work, swearing to tell no one back home. Until a mutual friend and her son in the bay are left homeless after a storm. Grace and Christopher must head back to Ireland to help… together.

As they flesh out their idea to raise money for their friend with a village charity concert, Chris’s blue eyes light up. Even though they have to hide out for every planning session, and after all her father has said about the Dorrances, Grace can’t believe how kind he is. Soon sparks are flying as they laugh together, chasing dairy cows from a field to set up the stage. Could Chris be more than just a flatmate?

But their hopes that a good cause will soften the hostility between their dads are dashed. The two men still argue constantly. And with a happy future for their friend depending on the concert running smoothly, the truth behind the feud threatens to come out and destroy everything…

Could the events of the past destroy any chance of a future for Chris and Grace? Or, if Grace follows her heart, could she finally heal the rift between their families?

You’ll love Michelle Vernal’s stunning new book set in the Little Irish Village. This gorgeous and unputdownable Irish small-town romance is perfect for fans of Nicola May, Trisha Ashley and Debbie Macomber.

MY THOUGHTS

We are once again swept away to Ireland and the beautiful Emerald Bay. The sparkling sea, waves crashing and breathtaking view are more than enough to make anyone want to stay.


Grace Kelly has memories of the geeky, awkward glasses wearing chicken legs boy she knew back in school. This fine specimen that is built, a handsome hunk and without glasses surely could not be who she thinks he is, but it is and he’s her flat mate helping to pay the rent. One look and she’s convinced she’s fallen in love if only the sad reality didn’t exist that he has a girlfriend.


Over the years when she’d mention Christopher Dorrance or his family’s name to her father, he’d get furious but would never tell her what the family feud was over.


When it seems the possibility of a romance is ready to develop as they spend a lot of time together at a fundraising concert her hopes come crashing down as their fathers still argue constantly neither wanting to give an inch.


When the cause of the rift between families is finally revealed will it cause it to continue or will forgiveness and understanding take place?
Once again, I loved spending time with the Kelly family. This series is so heartwarming and Emerald Bay just pulls me right in. Sounds like the perfect relaxation spot. I’m hooked on this series and can’t wait to read more.

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

Buy link: https://geni.us/B0CVYKMMM9social

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michelle Vernal is a New Zealand author who writes stories that will take you onto the page with her characters and make you feel part of their lives. She writes with humour and warmth, and her readers describe her books as unputdownable, feel good and funny. Her writing has been likened to Maeve Binchy but with a modern-day vernacular. In 2015 she was shortlisted for the Love Stories Award. In 2020 she won the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal Award for Chick lit, and in 2021 was shortlisted for the Page Turner Book Awards.

Author social media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichelleVernal

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

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

Website: https://www.michellevernalbooks.com/

Newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/michelle-verna

Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in.

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A couple of cozy mystery reviews for you, including: The Twelve Books of Christmas and A Book Club to Die For

319 pages Berkley publisher October 24, 2023 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

San Francisco book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright and her hunky security-expert husband, Derek Stone, face a locked-room murder mystery during the holidays in Scotland.

In the middle of a wonderful Christmas holiday in Dharma, Brooklyn and Derek receive a frantic phone call from their dear friend Claire in Loch Ness, Scotland. The laird of the castle, Cameron MacKinnon, has just proposed to her! They plan to be married on New Year’s Day, and they want Derek and Brooklyn to be their witnesses. And while they’re visiting, Claire hopes that Brooklyn will be able to solve a little mystery that’s occurred in the castle library—twelve very rare, very important books have gone missing.

Once in Scotland, Brooklyn starts working on the mystery of the missing books but is soon distracted by all of the thumping and bumping noises she’s been hearing in the middle of the night. You’d think the Ghost of Christmas Past had taken up residence. But when one of the guests is poisoned and another is killed by an arrow through the heart, Brooklyn and Derek know this is not the work of any ghost. Now they must race to find a killer and a book thief before another murder occurs and their friends’ bright and happy future turns dark and deadly.

MY THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed the setting of this one, a wonderful sounding castle in Scotland and even better the description of the library in the castle was swoon worthy.


Though this is the seventeenth book in the series, it’s the only Christmas themed one and I’m all for Christmas books.
Book-restoration expert Brooklyn Wainwright and her husband are enjoying their holidays when they receive a call from Brooklyn’s friend Claire in Loch Ness, Scotland. She is so excited at having just received a proposal from laird of the castle Cameron MacKinnon.

With a New Years wedding to take place they want Brooklyn and Derek to be their witness.
When they arrive, they are tasked with helping to solve the case of twelve missing books, these are rare and irreplaceable books.
If that isn’t enough their sleep is disturbed by loud bumping and crashing noises and several guests have hit their expiration dates a little early.


I want to visit the library in this Scottish castle, especially at holiday time.
The mystery was mostly about the missing books not the murder. The book moved at a decent pace though and I enjoyed the character development. The husband-and-wife team made for an interesting read especially with him being a security-expert and having all the investigative tools needed.

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

300 pages Berkley publisher November 1, 2022 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

When a member of an exclusive book club is checked out, spunky librarian Trudell Becket must sort fact from fiction to solve the murder.

The Cypress Arete Society is one of the town’s oldest and most exclusive clubs. When assistant librarian Trudell Becket is invited to speak to the group about the library, its modernization, and her efforts to bring printed books to the reading public, her friend Flossie invites herself along. Flossie has been on the book club’s waiting list for five years, and she’s determined to find out why she’s never received an invitation to join. 

But not long after Tru and Flossie arrive for the meeting, they’re shocked to find the club’s president, Rebecca White, dead in the kitchen. Rebecca was a former TV actress and local celebrity, but was not known for being patient or pleasant. She’d been particularly unkind to the book club’s host for the evening, who also happens to be the mother of Detective Jace Bailey, Tru’s boyfriend. And Rebecca had made it clear that she didn’t think Flossie was book club material.

With her boyfriend and one of her best friends wrapped up in a murder, Tru has to work fast to figure out who cut Rebecca’s story short before the killer takes another victim out of circulation….

MY THOUGHTS

A cozy mystery series involving a library and a cat? Yes please, sign me up.
Tru, an assistant librarian, runs a secret library checkout room in the libraries’ basement with discarded books because the library has decided to go with digital books only. I hope this never happens to the libraries I go to.
The book checkout doesn’t involve technology just the old-fashioned cards you sign books out with.


The Cypress Arete Society invites assistant librarian, Trudell Becket to speak at their book club. After Tru informs her friend Flossie of this, she won’t take no for an answer and invites herself to the meeting. Now Flossie has been trying to join this book club for five years and there’s never been an opening yet.

In the kitchen, club president Rebecca White is found dead by Flossie and Tru. Not known to be overly friendly she has been rude to Tru and holds steady on her insistence Flossie is not getting into the book club. Is it a matter of sour grapes that has this former TV actress and local celebrity found stone cold on the floor? Fast paced mystery that kept me guessing and enjoying this book.

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

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping in today.

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2 Quick reviews of Christmas books: Santa and Company and Christmas Mittens Murder

Thank you for visiting my holidays and seasonal blog for these reviews.

See my reviews on my blog here

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The Love Remedy (The Damsels of Discovery)

352 pages Berkley publisher March 19,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

When a Victorian apothecary hires a stoic private investigator to protect her business, they learn there’s only one way to treat true love—with a happily ever after.

When Lucinda Peterson’s recently perfected formula for a salve to treat croup goes missing, she’s certain it’s only the latest in a line of misfortunes at the hands of a rival apothecary. Outraged and fearing financial ruin, Lucy turns to private investigator Jonathan Thorne for help. She just didn’t expect her champion to be so . . . grumpy?

A single father and an agent at Tierney & Co., Thorne accepts missions for a wide variety of employers—from the British government to wronged wives. None have intrigued him so much as the spirited Miss Peterson. As the two work side by side to unmask her scientific saboteur, Lucy slips ever so sweetly under Thorne’s battered armor, tempting him to abandon old promises.

With no shortage of suspects—from a hostile political group to an erstwhile suitor—Thorne’s investigation becomes a threat to all that Lucy holds dear. As the truth unravels around them the cure to their problems is clear: they must face the future together.

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MY THOUGHTS

The Love Remedy i the first book in the Damsels in Distress series.
In Victorian England a woman is left her father’s apothecary business rather than her siblings together or brother who was convinced he’d inherit it.


For the time period we see strong women playing unconventional roles and excelling at it.
Lucinda Peterson has perfected several medicinal cures including a salve to treat croup. When the formula goes missing, she hires a single father private investigator to investigate its disappearance at what she believes are the hands of her former lover, a rival apothecary.


I enjoyed the descriptions of the apothecary and the natural medicines being formulated. This novel just goes to show women in science doesn’t have to be stuffy and boring, but they can be fun and entertaining. A smart woman is not a bad thing. I loved seeing how single dad Jonathan Thorne breaks down Lucinda’s barriers as she promises to never love again or let anyone into her space.


This historical fiction romance has women in STEM meeting history, mystery, intriguing situations and slow burn romance. This is a woman ahead of her time not afraid to show her love of male dominated subjects at the time including science, and mathematics. This is my first read by the author and I greatly look forward to seeing what else the author has out.

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

THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Everett lives in Upstate New York with her family. Alongside her critically acclaimed historical romance series, Elizabeth pens essays and articles on the subject of feminist romance. Her novels are inspired by her admiration for rule breakers and belief in the power of love to change the world.

May your days be filled with goodness. Thank you for stopping in.

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Blog tour and Publication Day post for This Summer will be Different by Carley Fortune

361 pages Berkley publisher May 7,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

A glorious and tantalizing new escape from #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune.

This summer they’ll keep their promise. This summer they won’t give into temptation. This summer will be different.

Lucy is the tourist vacationing at a beach house on Prince Edward Island. Felix is the local who shows her a very good time. The only problem: Lucy doesn’t know he’s her best friend’s younger brother. Lucy and Felix’s chemistry is unreal, but the list of reasons why they need to stay away from each other is long, and they vow to never repeat that electric night again.

It’s easier said than done.

Each year, Lucy escapes to PEI for a big breath of coastal air, fresh oysters and crisp vinho verde with her best friend, Bridget. Every visit begins with a long walk on the beach, beneath soaring red cliffs and a golden sun. And every visit, Lucy promises herself she won’t wind up in Felix’s bed. Again.

If Lucy can’t help being drawn to Felix, at least she’s always kept her heart out of it.

When Bridget suddenly flees Toronto a week before her wedding, Lucy drops everything to follow her to the island. Her mission is to help Bridget through her crisis and resist the one man she’s never been able to. But Felix’s sparkling eyes and flirty quips have been replaced with something new, and Lucy’s beginning to wonder just how safe her heart truly is.

MY THOUGHTS

This book is such a quick pick me upper. I absolutely loved everything about it. The perfect summer beach read this is one not to leave behind.


Every year Lucy vacations on PEI with her bestie Bridget, there’s the sun, surf and sand, clams and hot guys. Lucy only has eyes for Felix though, he’s her summer hookup every year. She tells herself it’s just a hookup and her heart isn’t in it, he doesn’t really mean anything to her. She knows she’s lying to herself though and she doesn’t know how to stop these feelings.


In crisis mode Bridget leaves Toronto to go back to the island just days from her wedding. Lucy knows she must follow to help her friend in any way she can.

An angsty romance that I just couldn’t stop reading. The chemistry is hot even though the main characters are trying to deny what’s happening, they are undeniably drawn to each other like magnets.


The scenic setting sounds like the perfect summer get away. I loved seeing the personal growth the characters had. I was satisfied with the ending and read this in one day.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carley Fortune is the #1 New York Times and #1 Globe and Mail bestselling author of EVERY SUMMER AFTER and MEET ME AT THE LAKE. Her third book, THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT, comes out May 7, 2024. Carley is an award-winning journalist and worked as an editor at some of Canada’s top publications, including The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Toronto Life, and The Grid. She was most recently the Executive Editor of Refinery29 Canada. She lives in Toronto with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Instagram @carleyfortune.

Have a marvelous day. Thanks for stopping in.

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With Each Tomorrow (The Jewels of Kalispell Book #2): (A Christian Historical Romance Series by Bestselling Authors set in Montana with Mystery and Intrigue)

391 pages Bethany House Publishers May 21,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Even in the midst of adversity, love and faith can flourish.

As the formation of Glacier National Park takes Eleanor Briggs and her conservationist father on a journey west to advocate for public lands, her heart carries the weight of a painful past. Since the death of her mother, she has spent her life traveling the country with her father and helping him with his work, but now he’s considering settling down and writing a book–and she’s not sure what that means for her future.

Carter Brunswick faces trials of his own when the Great Northern Railway’s departure threatens his family’s livelihood and the entire town of Kalispell. In the visiting conservationist’s daughter, Ellie, he finds a spirited woman who challenges his convictions in ways he never anticipated, and his own dreams for the future begin to change.

When tensions over the railroad’s departure boil over, Ellie and Carter are drawn together on a daring journey that tests the depths of their feelings and their faith in God.

MY THOUGHTS

Over ten years ago Eleanor Brigg’s mother died after terrible suffering, this has made her question her relationship with God. Why as such a Godly woman with her strong faith wasn’t she spared from such suffering she wonders. Her faith in God shattered she doesn’t believe a relationship with him is plausible.


Carter Brunswick owns his family’s flour mill in Kalispell, Montana his family does well and is responsible for employing almost all in town. The land needed to grow adequate wheat for as much flour as they provide for not only the state but out of state is monumentous, thousands of acres.


Elanor and her conservatist father travel to Kalispel to advocate for the land not to be owned privately but to be turned into a public land for all to enjoy and be conserved for generations to come. This was before the National Parks came about, specifically Glacier National Park.


Carter has other things to occupy his mind besides his wheat fields though, the Great Northern Railway due to safety concerns and expenses is ready to pull out and go to a more industrial and profitable area. This will affect the whole town and its employees when they can’t get the product shipped out.


Despite their differences in opinions and initial dislike for each other Ellie and Carter know they must work together for the benefit of all.
I think my favorite character is the mayor’s wife. She works so hard to get the couple together and she is so strong and perseveres in helping Ellie find her way back to God.


Such a beautiful faith filled story, with so many encouraging elements, Ellie’s journey back to God was such a heartwarming read. I did enjoy reading about the conservationist rallying around for large amounts of land to become public lands preserved for all to enjoy.


I enjoyed the characters and the plot a lot. I am looking forward to a continuation to this series and a follow up of the situations we encountered in this book.

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

THE AUTHORS

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than one hundred books. Tracie also teaches writing workshops at a variety of conferences on subjects such as inspirational romance and historical research. She and her family live in Montana.

Visit Tracie’s web site at: http://www.traciepeterson.com

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than two dozen books. She is a wife, mother, author, and musician with a quick wit and positive outlook despite difficult circumstances. A popular speaker, she’s shared at more than 2,000 venues across the country. Kimberley and her family’s story have garnered national media attention for many years including ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, The Montel Williams Show, Discovery Health channel’s Mystery ER, The Hour of Power, The Harvest Show, and over 1,000 other TV appearances and radio interviews. She lives and writes in the Poconos with her husband of thirty years. kimberleywoodhouse.com

Find Kim on twitter and facebook:

twitter.com/kimwoodhouse

author fan page Kimberley Woodhouse

Do you have a favorite book(s) by these authors? I’ve been reading both authors for years.

Thanks for stopping in great to see you today.

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For a Lifetime: (An Inspirational Historical Time-Travel Romance Novel) 

400 pages Bethany House publishers May 7,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever–no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father’s tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother’s mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives–or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents’ orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives–and loves–that are best for both of them?

MY THOUGHTS

Another absolutely incredible time-travel book by this author.
After I finished the previous book in the series and saw her next book would feature twin daughters, I was so excited to see how this would play out. The times featured here are 1692 and 1912. Now the girls are able to go to sleep-in one-time period and wake up in the other time period without any time having passed.


In 1692 they live and work in their father’s tavern. It is the time of the Salem Witch trials, mass hysteria, afflicted citizens. Who can you trust? I found the information about the Salem witch trials informative and fascinating and as coincidence may have it, I was just in Salem this past October and found out a lot of fascinating historical information about this time period.


In 1912 as times are more progressive one of the twins is a journalist and the other aspires to become the first female pilot in America.
I loved seeing the growth the girls go through, each has a love interest in a different time period and has established such an important bond with people and events in this time period.


The girls have promised each other to be together forever but when an unimaginable tragedy happens how will this affect their future? The pacing of the story felt right, the characters kept my attention with excitement. I enjoyed reading the alternating viewpoints of the girls and seeing how they came to the conclusions they have.

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

EXCITING NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES

384 pages Bethany House publisher November 5,2024 publish date

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at http://www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Find Gabrielle on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer, Pinterest at http://www.Pinterest.com/gabriellemeyer/, Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/MeyerGabrielle, Goodreads, and her Website at http://www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Do you enjoy reading time travel? What are some of your favorites?

Have a marvelous weekend and thanks for stopping in.

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Blog tour for The Berlin Wife’s Vow (German Wives Book 4) Happy Publication Day

ABOUT THE BOOK

She kneels by her husband, his face contorted with pain. “You must get yourself to safety,” he tells her. She grips his hand tighter as a tear tracks down her drawn, pale face. “I promised to stay beside you. I will keep that vow to the end.”

Berlin, 1944. Edith Falkenstein weeps with joy when the crowds of brave women protesting on Rosenstrasse manage to save their Jewish relatives, including her husband Julius, from deportation to the camps.

Julius once believed abiding by the rules would shield him and his wife. But now he knows better: there is no such thing as mercy from the Nazis, and they must do all they can to save others. Their apartment, long stripped of its luxurious furnishings, might offer little protection from the frigid winter air, but it has become a place of secret shelter—though it puts all their lives at risk.

As bombs rain a thunder of devastation on the city and Soviet soldiers close in from the east, the Nazis have only become more desperate, and more deadly. For the inhabitants, their only option is to flee. But when another raid leaves Julius critically injured, Edith realises he is far too frail to make the perilous journey. She closes her eyes and prays for a miracle.

The final days of the war are here, but there is no cause for celebration in Berlin, where death lingers on every corner. Their love has been the source of their strength and survival all these long years, but will either of them live to see the end?

MY THOUGHTS

This is the final book in the Berlin Wife’s series, and I have diligently read and followed along with it all.

Being fascinated with learning about past history especially WWII history I enjoy reading this author’s books so much for what I learn from them. Exceptionally well researched which I always appreciate she makes the stories come to life on the pages. It’s as though she’s there back in time and writing about her observations in day-to-day life, amidst the fear, danger, courage, blood, sweat, tears and shocking realizations.


I have read most of the books the author has written and was pleased to see a return of characters from other books in the series and even a few characters made it into the book I remember from other series. If I had to choose my favorite characters would be David and Roxie. Roxie has really come a long way from the time we were first introduced to her.


Such resilience in the face of darkness. We meet new characters, see failures but despite these, the human spirit is strong.
I am so impressed with the way the author portrays each character, so realistically, the struggles and hardships are real. Despite all this I felt the strong family love the characters have for each other. I greatly look forward to reading the new series the author is writing.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Marion Kummerow writes historical fiction that explores the dark side of human history. A USA Today Bestselling author, she has received rave reviews from readers and critics for her novels about the German resistance during World War II. Her books feature characters who face moral dilemmas, make difficult decisions, and fight for what is right. She also infuses her stories with humor and undying love, because she believes that love is what makes the world go round.

Born and raised in Germany, Marion has lived in various countries before returning to Munich with her family. After writing several non-fiction books, she felt drawn to the past and the subject of resistance to the Nazi regime. It took her years of courage and hard work to turn the true story of her grandparents Ingeborg and Hansheinrich Kummerow into a trilogy: “Love and Resistance in the Second World War”. UNRELENTING is the first book in this series.

Bringing history to life through her books is Marion’s passion. She visits museums, travels to memorials and the locations in her books, reads original source material, and consults experts to meticulously research the historical facts and details in her novels.

Her stories are authentic and immersive, transporting readers to another time and place. She writes with the conviction that we must never forget the past, so it won’t repeat itself.

When she’s not writing or researching, Marion likes to travel, do yoga, and spend time with her family. She also enjoys reading books by other historical fiction authors.

If you want to get a taste of her writing, you can download a free short story about a downed British airman here: https://kummerow.info/

Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for stopping in.

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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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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 

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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.

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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.

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