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Second Chances at the Cotswolds Candy Store (The Holly Berry Sweet Shop Book 1)

324 pages Boldwood Books 27 April 2023 published date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Starting over never tasted so good

Holly Berry has it all: a good career, a steady boyfriend, and enough savings that the two of them will soon be able to buy a nice little house. But when she finds out her boyfriend has been cheating on her, she decides to retreat to the Cotswolds and a place full of far sweeter memories.

Quite literally.

However, Holly discovers the quaint village sweet shop she worked in as a teenager is starting to crumble. Putting all her chocolate eggs in one basket, she says goodbye to the city, and sets her sights on a new project.

After all, how hard can running a sweet shop be?

MY THOUGHTS

This is a really sweet book, and I don’t mean just because it’s about a sweet shop.
Holly worked at Just One More as a teenager and remained close with the owner after she left. After one of the women passed away that owned half of the shop the other owner informs Holly it was not her dream any longer to run the shop and she’s selling up.

After a breakup and needing a fresh start Holly has the brilliant idea to purchase the sweet shop and run it. Letting nostalgia guide her she wasn’t aware of what goes on with the other side of business. It’s so much more stressful being the owner than just the employee.

With Easter candy, creams, twists, gummies and chocolates galore she’s ready to run this business as has become her dream. When inspectors find some things not up to par, costly repairs needing done and customers giving her a hard time she frazzled. Add to this she works seven days a week and can’t afford to hire any help yet.

Will she even have time for a romance, or will these sweet treats be all she has the time for? When things seem to go from bad to worse will her dreams of living in this quaint little village with her charming shop end before all the bon bons are gone?

Sweet, charming and humorous I was rooting for Holly the whole time.
I’m enjoying this series.

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hannah Lynn is a multi award winning novelist. Publishing her first book, Amendments – a dark, dystopian speculative fiction novel, in 2015. Her second book, The Afterlife of Walter Augustus – a contemporary fiction novel with a supernatural twist – went on to win the 2018 Kindle Storyteller Award and the Independent Publishers Gold Medal for Best Adult Ebook.


Born in 1984, Hannah grew up in the Cotswolds, UK. After graduating from university, she spent 15 years as a teacher of physics, first in the UK and then Thailand, Malaysia, Austria and Jordan. It was during this time, inspired by the imaginations of the young people she taught, she began writing short stories for children, and later adult fiction.

With over 20 publications spanning a number of genres and translated into half a dozen languages, Hannah has proven herself to be both an accomplished and prolific author.

Now settled back in the UK with her husband, daughter and horde of cats, she spends her days writing romantic comedies and historical fiction. Her first historical fiction novel, Athena’s Child, was also a 2020 Gold Medalist at the Independent Publishers Awards.

Thank you for stopping in today. Enjoy your day.

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The Little Books of the Little Brontës Hardcover – Picture Book, publishing October 17, 2023

80 pages publish date October 17,2023 publisher Penguin Random Canada, Tundra Books

ABOUT THE BOOK

The inspiring true tale of young siblings who loved to make stories — and grew up to be among English literature’s finest writers. A picture book for fans of Mary Who Wrote Frankenstein.

Many years ago, the four motherless children of the Brontë family — Charlotte, Branwell, Emily and Anne — lived in a windswept house by the moors with their father. Although their lives were often filled with sadness and their world was only as large as the distance they could walk, their INNER worlds were bound only by their imaginations. Hungry for stories, these children devoured novels and poetry, history and fables. And with the gift of a group of toy soldiers, they were inspired to make their own stories, and their own tiny books . . . a passion that would last them a lifetime.

A moving and atmospheric story about the power of imagination, the joy of storytelling and the love of books, The Little Books of the Little Brontës will enchant both those who love these literary sisters and those who are learning about them for the first time. Includes an author’s note, timeline of the Brontës’ lives and a fun craft with instructions on creating your own little book.

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MY THOUGHTS

I am embarrassed to admit that yes, I have heard of the Brontes and their literature and that’s about it. I’ve read nothing by them and know next to nothing about them. I can’t use the excuse of living in the states and not the UK as a valid reason either. Their literature is quite well known over here as well.

In this beautifully illustrated children’s book we meet the 4 children, and the father makes a very brief appearance bringing gifts to the children returning home after traveling.

This is a nonfiction book and though it is informative I will now be doing more of an Indepth research into the children, their lives and their family.

I see the children had two elder sisters and their mother who passed all within a close time due to tuberculosis.

It sounds like the children didn’t have many friends outside of themselves and their family. Making up stories and creating their own very small child sized books was a way they entertained themselves. They loved reading and would read anything they could get their hands on including literature and their mother’s bible.

The four surviving children all died young, such tragedy! Their father outlived them all.

The book is atmospheric, you can just imagine them sitting at a table making these little books with wallpaper scraps for the cover.

The Little Book of the Little Bronte’s will propel those interested in English literature and learning more about these literary greats to do your own research. I will definitely be doing this.

Children have not only the opportunity to learn the basics about this family history, but it includes instruction on making your own book. Who knows this may interest some to continue on to becoming a published author.

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

THE AUTHOR

Sara O’Leary (saraoleary.ca) is a writer for both children and adults. The Ghost in the House is her first novel. She has a degree in screenwriting from the University of British Columbia and teaches at Concordia University in Montreal. A former literary columnist for The Vancouver Sun and CBC Radio, she also writes short fiction. She has written a number of critically acclaimed books for children, including This is Sadie, which was adapted for the stage by New York City Children’s Theater.

Have you read anything by the Bronte’s? Thanks for stopping in. Have a marvelous day!

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An Invitation to Seashell Bay: Part 1: A heartwarming and feel-good romcom that will make you smile this summer by Bella Osborne.

May 10, 2023 publish date Avon publisher

About The Book

The brand-new summery rom com from Bella Osborne, full of laughter, love and life’s twists and turns!

This is the first part of a new feel-good romantic comedy, published as a four-part serialised novel.

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One ambitious businesswoman.

One irresponsible heir.

A deal that will turn both their lives upside down…

To save her business, All Things Crafty, Nancy is in desperate need of two things: help and money. After a pitch goes horribly wrong, Nancy is convinced she’s failed to secure either. But, when a potential investor recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to hire them – hoping it will help her land a much-needed deal. 

Enter Freddy Astley-Davenport, a notorious socialite with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay, but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. Nancy is not impressed. Freddy’s late, rude and totally incompetent – and that’s just the first day!

Nancy is further horrified to learn of Freddy’s plan to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can, expecting Nancy to lie to his parents on his behalf. She has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one.

However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly…

An absolutely escapist, funny, feel-good summer romance. Fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson will adore Bella Osborne.

My Thoughts

One thing you can count on with Bella Osborne books is that they are FABULOUS! Once I started this one that was it, I simply couldn't put it down. Read it all in one sitting. There is lots going on in this novella length book which is fabulous as it sets us up for lots of books to come in this series. Several times it had me laughing out loud as I imagined the going-ons. The perfect escapist read I can't wait to be back in Seashell Bay again shortly. I LOVE these characters!

Publish date 	10 May 2023
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.


Grab A Copy Here

The Author

Enjoy your day and thanks for stopping by.

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Bookouture Blog Tour for The Italian Daughter by Soyara Lane

The Italian Daughter: An absolutely unputdownable and stunning page-turner (The Lost Daughters Book 1) 

Italy, 1946. “Estee, I bought this ring years ago and have kept it safe ever since. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.” She reached for Felix’s hand and gently closed it over the box. “No,” she whispered. “I want you to propose only when you’re truly free.”

Estee always believed that she would spend her life with her childhood sweetheart Felix. But when her incredible gift for dance gave her the opportunity to move to a big city and provide for her mother, she knew she had to sacrifice her happiness for her family’s future and a chance at a better life.

But years later, in a city of over a million people, Felix finds Estee. Due to marry the daughter of a prominent family, he is prepared to sacrifice everything to be with the love of his life. But Estee knows what is at stake: his family’s love and his livelihood could be lost forever if she says yes. Can she really follow her heart if it means him losing everything?

London, present day: Lily clutches a faded piece of paper in her hands, knowing that her life will never be the same again. Whilst grieving for her late father, she is told that her grandmother was born in a home for unmarried mothers, the only clues to her past contained on a handwritten Italian recipe and an old theatre programme.

Desperate for answers, Lily accepts a job on an Italian vineyard – a dream her father once shared. Lily receives a warm welcome from the owner’s charming son Antonio and as they chat long into the night, Antonio offers to help her discover her family’s heritage.

But arriving in Estee and Felix’s village, Lily unearths a tragic love story which has the power to change her future. As she unravels the truth of her own legacy, she begins to fall for Italy and for Antonio. Can Lily give up everything she has ever known to rebuild her life or will the risk of heartbreak force her home?

An utterly enchanting and heartbreaking novel about lost loves, family secrets and enduring hope. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

My Review

This Book! This is my first read by this author and I now automatically need the whole stack of the rest of her books to read right NOW!
This book is so amazing that I sped read it, losing sleep over it and it was so great I didn’t even mind the lack of sleep .
With a dual time line I didn’t quite make the connection at first between the two time periods but it did eventually become cohesive.
This book will really WOW you historical fiction fans with it’s fabulous plot.
My favorite time period was the earlier time period with those characters . The author makes the character’s step out of the pages and come to life. You can feel their emotions as they become your emotions. The book is absolutely heartbreaking and it makes you want to step back in history with them and chance the outcome. Despite the heartbreak there is a light at the end of the tunnel with blue skies ahead. There is healing for these characters you can not hold these characters back. They will persevere and make things right. This book and the emotions I felt with it will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended as the best historical I’ve read this year!

Pub Date 23 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Buy link

https://geni.us/B0B53Z9H3Nsocial

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About The Author

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind. 

Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she’s not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.

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Thank you for stopping by today and finding out more about this fabulous book. May your day be blessed.