Blog Tour ‘n’ Book Review – The Landlord at Hummingbird House

The Landlord of Hummingbird House

When April moves into Hummingbird House, she is intrigued by her mysterious landlord, Dai.

With a bruised heart and a distinct lack of furniture, she spends the summer getting to know the other occupants. As she smartens up her home and makes peace with her recent past, she befriends Paul, a solitary ex-chef, and Betty, an elderly lady who lives in the basement flat.

But Hummingbird House holds many secrets, and the relationships of the tenants are not as straightforward as they seem. April learns some shocking truths one eventful night, and realises that victims and villains can look the same.

The Landlord of Hummingbird House is a contemporary novel exploring unlikely friendships, unexpected love interests, and family relationships. Here, everyone is in need of a second chance – and appearances can be deceptive.

Purchase Links

UK – https:// #womensfictoiwww.amazon.co.uk/Landlord-Hummingbird-House-Impressions-Chances-ebook/dp/B099J88F84

US – https://www.amazon.com/Landlord-Hummingbird-House-Impressions-Chances-ebook/dp/B099J88F84

Author Bio

Jane Harvey is a pen name (shhh). She crafts fun fiction for the thinking woman, where she enjoys exploring unexpected friendships and writing happy endings. This is lucky, because in real life her (prize-winning) fiction is a little bleaker. She was born and raised on the island of Jersey, and lives with two males and a dog. She owns an admirable collection of animal vases and unusual lighting.

Social Media Links

Instagram.com/jane_harvey_novelist

Facebook.com/janeharveynovelist

Twitter: @dreenac

My Review

I approached this book much like April, unsure of what to expect at Hummingbird House. Would the neighbours be friendly? Would the flat (accepted after a virtual visit only) live up to expectations? Was Hummingbird House the place to heal her heartbreak? Okay, so this latter issue was April’s only, but you get my drift 😉

April busies herself bringing the flat up to her standard, lovingly adding her own personal touches as she had done in her previous home – the one now up for sale after her recent break-up. Sorting the flat out is therapeutic for her, but she can’t help wondering about her neighbours. The Landlord, Dai, seems somewhat aloof, Paul next door has OCD, and Betty downstairs is the resident cakemaker. Yet what they all seem to have in common is that they genuinely care about each other. And now they’re happy to welcome April into their happy home … except not everyone is in a happy place right now. While April tries to better understand them, she’s well aware of the protective ring the other residents form around their friend and neighbour.

In essence, this story isn’t simply about April getting over her ex and moving on, it’s more than that. It’s a glimpse behind the closed doors of her neighbours too as the reader is invited inside to get to know them, warts and all. It’s soon clear that April’s first impressions are somewhat flawed as individual stories are revealed that perfectly explain everything. Their backstories are told with a delicate touch yet the pain is palpable. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of lighter moments that will make you laugh and smile, reflect and appreciate, as well as a hint of romance.

The Landlord at Hummingbird House tells the story of random strangers who have become “family” to each other, whose experiences have been shared and supported. It’s very real and relatable as well as poignant and witty … and there’s a sweet twist at the end that adds the proverbial icing to one of Betty’s cakes.

For more news and reviews,

As always,

Cover Reveal – The Promise of Summer

The Promise of Summer

Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…

After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?

When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn’t counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.   
 
As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?

Pre-order Links 

Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B08R6Q4T66/

Universal Amazon link – http://mybook.to/ThePromiseOfSummer

KOBO – https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/the-promise-of-summer

Publication Date – 22^nd July 2021

Author Bio

Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written seven best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award. 

Bella’s stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.

For more about Bella, visit her website at http://www.bellaosborne.com or follow her on social media.

Social Media Links

Twitter – https://twitter.com/osborne_bella 

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

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bellaosborneauthor/ 

As always,

Blog Tour ‘n’ Book Review – This Year, Maybe

This Year Maybe

Alison and David have been engaged for so long that even Alison’s mother has given up asking when, but it’s second time around for both of them and they’re not in any particular hurry.
That said, Alison is beginning to wonder if living with her has put David off the idea of marriage so when he suggests they set a date she is delighted. But that date is six months’ away and a lot can happen in six months – especially if you’re Alison!

‘My son’s been arrested, Great-aunt Millie’s fallen in love, my best friend suspects her husband of having an affair, and I still need to lose weight. How on earth can I think about getting married?’

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Year-Maybe-Alisss-Adventures-ebook/dp/B08LLDZ9NP/

US – https://www.amazon.com/This-Year-Maybe-Alisss-Adventures-ebook/dp/B08LLDZ9NP/

Author Bio – I’m a golden-retriever-loving granny, who enjoys walking by the sea or in the woods, who eats too much chocolate, and who gets over-excited when the Welsh team plays rugby.

I have self-published two novels, This Time Last Year, and The Dog-walking Club, but I’m also an experienced freelance writer and author of several non-fiction books published by Hodder & Stoughton, Scripture Union and Kevin Mayhew.

Social Media Links

Facebook – LizHindsAuthor

Twitter – https://twitter.com/LizHindsAuthor

Website – http://lizhinds.online

My Review

4/5 stars

This was not my first book by this author because I know I can rely on her to make the world a better place for a few hours. You simply cannot read This Year, Maybe without smiling, and frequently laughing both with and at the characters. Talking of characters, there are a lot of them … an awful lot, because Alison has a busy if rather quirky life. I don’t imagine anything is ever straightforward for her, because if something can go wrong, it will. Sod’s Law (aka Murphy’s Law) was written for people like Alison. At times, I did feel as though I had to suspend belief at events that “happened” to her – the kidnapping during her Hen week being a prime example, and how her sister-in-law, Trish, always seemed to have the right skills at exactly the right time.

There’s a plethora of side stories that build to create even more problems for Alison. If she were ever to write her memoirs, be prepared for a War & Peace sized tome. I felt the overall story could have been shorter; it seemed to run out of steam towards the end, but I guess even Alison’s life has to allow for a breather now and then. That said, there was more than enough fun and humour to keep me reading. Writing comedy is no easy task, but the laughs roll off the page with a natural ease, so much so it feels as though you’re in the scene with the characters. I also love the author’s use of realistic dialogue; it glued me to my Kindle because these were real people in extraordinary , if somewhat chaotic, situations. The essence of the story centres on love, family and friendships, and the humour and mayhem are extra bonuses.

I’ll definitely be reading more from this author, and I love the cover: it’s bright and breezy and certain to lift the mood on a wintery day. Enjoy a few hours of chaos and fun – you’ll feel better for it!

For more news and reviews

As always,

 

Blog Tour ‘n’ Book Review – Limelight

Limelight

Life is dangerous. No one survives it. Enora Andressen makes a series of mind-blowing discoveries when her friend disappears.

Actress Enora Andressen is catching up with her ex-neighbour, Evelyn Warlock, who’s recently retired to the comely East Devon seaside town of Budleigh Salterton. The peace, the friendship of strangers and the town’s prestigious literary festival . . . Evelyn loves them all.

Until the September evening when her French neighbour, Christianne Beaucarne, disappears. Enora has met this woman. The two of them have bonded. But what Enora discovers over the anguished months to come will put sleepy Budleigh Salterton on the front page of every newspaper in the land

Purchase Links

http://severnhouse.com/book/Limelight/9121

Author Bio

Graham Hurley is an award-winning TV documentary maker who now writes full time. His Faraday and Winter series won two Theakstons shortlist nominations and was successfully adapted for French TV. He has since written a quartet of novels featuring D/S Jimmy Suttle, and three WW2 novels, the first of which – Finisterre – was shortlisted for the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. The first three titles in the Enora Andressen series, Curtain Call, Sight Unseen and Off Script, are also available from Severn House. After thirty years in Portsmouth, Graham now lives in East Devon with his wife, Lin.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.grahamhurley.co.uk/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/135794.Graham_Hurley

Twitter: @seasidepicture

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

My Review

The story begins with Enora heading to Prague with her partner’s ashes, only to be stopped at customs and told she can’t take the ashes on board. Rather than leave them behind, she instead leaves the airport and sets off to visit her friend, Evelyn, in Budleigh Salterton.

The opening scenes are beautifully written, drawing me effortlessly into Evelyn’s relaxed lifestyle away from her previous life in London. Enora is welcomed by Evelyn’s friends , especially her French neighbour, Christianne, with whom she can chat in French and enjoy their shared cultural heritage.

Then Christianne disappears. Has she taken her own life? Enora learns that Christianne has Motor Neurone disease, for which there is no cure. But was she so desperate to end her life? Did Christianne’s partner, Andy, know of her plans? Did he help her? Was he alone?

Limelight raise many issues as the police investigate first Christianne’s disappearance, and then later her death. Suspicions abound among the close-knit community and the police seemed determined to find someone to charge with the “crime”. Are Evelyn’s other friends complicit in Christianne’s death? (Evelyn herself is never implicated, yet Enora who has only recently met Christianne is … because of the very close (and French) friendship they had formed. To me, that felt a little forced to propel the plot forward, but as I’ve not read any of this author’s previous books, I don’t whether that is his style of storytelling.

The police investigation is also a little contrived and, for me, seems an unlikely portrayal of how a police force would investigate such a case. That said, with fiction, anything is possible.

This is a slow-burner of a mystery, with a very understated crime at its core. The debate as to whether there has been a crime at all does form a central feature of the story. Of course, it’s a valid discussion point, and I congratulate the author in weaving the theme of euthanasia into his mystery so beautifully.

Limelight is a gentle mystery with a solid message about euthanasia. It encourages discussion well beyond the last page which can only be a good thing. There’s a heart-warming element to the story when looking at how the friendship of Evelyn and Enora has lasted, and how strong the community spirit and commitment to each other is in Budleigh Salterton.

The characters meander through the story, ably assisted by beautiful prose, stunning scenery, and a vibe that is captivating and engaging. Not your average crime mystery at all, but one that will keep you thinking about the story even when you’ve finished reading.

For more news and reviews,

As always,

Blog Tour – Game Changer

Game Changer

AJ Williams wasn’t supposed to fall in love with a girl on the internet. But he did.

Other than living over five thousand miles away in Northern Ireland, Lisa Millar is seemingly his perfect match. AJ can’t quite believe his luck, not only is she beautiful, but she has an appreciation for both music and hockey – two of his favorite things.

Surprised by Lisa turning up unannounced in Alabama, AJ is under pressure to deal with the issue at hand. Should he risk losing her, come clean and tell her the truth? Or should he try to keep his secret under wraps?

Will true love win out? Or will AJ’s secret be too much for Lisa to bear?

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Game-Changer-AJ-Williams-Book-ebook/dp/B082WKTBCG/

US – https://www.amazon.com/Game-Changer-AJ-Williams-Book-ebook/dp/B082WKTBCG/

Author Bio

Lasairiona McMaster grew up dreaming of an exciting life abroad, and, after graduating from Queens University, Belfast, that is exactly what she did – with her then-boyfriend, now husband of almost ten years. Having recently repatriated to Northern Ireland after a decade abroad spanned over two countries (seven and a half years in America and eighteen months in India), she now finds herself ‘home’, with itchy feet and dreams of her next expatriation. With a penchant for both travelling, and writing, she started a blog during her first relocation to Houston, Texas and, since repatriating to Northern Ireland, has decided to do as everyone has been telling her to do for years, and finally pen a book (or two) and get published while she tries to adjust to the people and place she left ten years ago, where nothing looks the same as it did when she left.

Social Media Links

 

https://www.facebook.com/QueenofFireLas/

 

https://twitter.com/QueenofFireLas

 

http://www.lasandcolgotexan.com/

 

https://www.instagram.com/queenoffirelas/

 

You can find more news and reviews on these blogs:

As always, 

 

Book Promo Blitz – Blue Skies over Berlin

Blue Skies Over Berlin

A young German woman, thinking she can escape her memories of wartime Berlin, moves to London in 1954 under her new name of Charlotte Brown. The offer of a prestigious job at the National Gallery leads her to believe that she can establish a new life in a city itself emerging from the ruins of war.

With her new identity, Charlotte hopes she has left Eva Schlessinger far behind . . . but when her job brings her into contact with a ruthless set of art dealers with dubious wartime connections, she fears they can see behind her facade. Priceless masterpieces start appearing at auction, stolen from murdered Jewish families by the Nazis, and she herself is implicated. At this point, Charlotte makes a solemn promise – one that will take her a lifetime to fulfil.

Blue Skies Over Berlin is a novel about secrets and guilt in an uncertain time, balanced by friendship and enduring love – and ultimately the need to make amends for just standing by.

Purchase Links:

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blue-Skies-Over-Berlin-Steinberg/dp/1913071383/

US – https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Skies-Over-Berlin-Steinberg/dp/1913071383/

Author Bio

Born and raised in North London in 1952, John still lives in the city with his wife and three children. Privately educated, John left school after ‘A’ levels and completed a business diploma in what is now the University of Westminster, before entering banking.

He started training as an accountant but did not complete the course, choosing a position in his family’s furniture manufacturing business instead. John started his own mergers and acquisitions business in 1987, which he ran for almost 20 years before quitting to become a full time writer in 2007.

John has co-written and produced comedies for the stage and has created a series of books for children. “Previously, I had only been interested in comedy and finally started to write down the things I said or thought of. That led me to co-write and produce a play, In the Balance, and then W for Banker – which appeared at the New End Theatre, Hampstead. It was then I decided to quit the world of business in favour of writing full-time, and move toward more serious subjects. My first novel has taken two years to write and is the first in a series of books I am calling the ‘Steinberg Stories’.”

Social Media Links –

https://www.facebook.com/Steinberg-Stories-1477024492517726/

https://twitter.com/@SteinbergStory/

As always,

 

Blog Tour ‘n’ Book Review – Babe Driven plus a GIVEAWAY!

Babe Driven

Could you ignore the world’s hottest rock stars, if they moved into the villa next door? 

True love, humour and happy-ever-after. A sizzling romance read full of giggles, sunshine and searching for a soul mate in paradise by bestselling author Lizzie Chantree.

Brand new 2019 version!

Driving straight out of trouble and into paradise! A laugh out loud, contemporary romance read full of entrepreneurial women, powerful men and exotic locations.

Harriet’s crazily successful business idea is under serious threat, and the danger seems to be coming from inside her own family. She whisks her sister and her friends away to an exotic location to try and work out whose side they are on. It’s time to start damage limitation.

When the girls arrive at the glorious villa owned by Harriet’s maverick business partner Nikki, they find a gorgeous band and their sexy lead singer Max staying next door, out to entice their new neighbours into all kinds of trouble.

This isn’t a holiday for Harriet and she can’t afford to be distracted. She has to sell her business idea to the powerful resort owner, the elusive Mr Grant, while she is there, or she may not have a business to go back to. Harriet will have to choose between family and friends, business or pleasure. For someone who stays out of the limelight, even though her new company is the hottest ticket in town, she’s going to have to avoid the front pages of every newspaper if she wants to survive the ride!

I love the new cover! Just sayin’ 😉

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

Author Bio

Award-winning inventor and author, Lizzie Chantree, started her own business at the age of 18 and became one of Fair Play London and The Patent Office’s British Female Inventors of the Year in 2000. She discovered her love of writing fiction when her children were little and now runs networking hours on social media, where creative businesses, writers, photographers and designers can offer advice and support to each other. She lives with her family on the coast in Essex. Visit her website at www.lizziechantree.com or follow her on Twitter @Lizzie_Chantree
https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree

Social Media Links

Website: www.lizziechantree.com

Author page: https://www.viewAuthor.at/LizzieChantree

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lizzie_Chantree

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizzie.chantree.3

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/LizzieChantree/pins/

Giveaway to Win a Lizzie Chantree paperback of your Choice (Open INT).

Choice of books is Babe Driven, Love’s Child, Finding Gina, Ninja School Mum and If you love me, I’m yours. 

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

RAFFLECOPTER LINK

My Review

This is my first Lizzie Chantree book, and now I know what I’ve been missing.

Not only is this a story with a vibrant leading lady, but she (Harry, short for Harriet) has some serious busines smarts as well as being gorgeous. It’s true to say, Harry breaks the mould, and the story is all the richer for it. She is no-one’s arm candy, despite some of the rockstars in the next door villa drooling over her (albeit some with ulterior motives in mind than you might expect).

The story revolves around Harry, who has taken advantage of the use of her friend’s villa while she prepares for a big meeting with the resort owner. Harry’s chauffeur business – Babe Driven – continues to be a success, so much so she needs new investors, and Grant meets her requirements perfectly.

Her companions on the holiday include her sister, Alex, and some of Alex’s friends (the friendliest of the bunch is Mai, the most troubled due to unrequited love is Helen, and the most under-dressed gossipmonger is Lucy) Their storylines certainly add some colour to Harry’s world, and she does wonder why on earth she let Alex invite them. But, the thing is, Harry and Alex haven’t been close for a while, and this break has another purpose in bringing them together again. Yet, the source of their conflict makes things tricky. Alex’s brother, Seb, is not a fan of Harry (slight under exaggeration) and he’s prepared to swoop as low as he can go to ruin her business. Harry wonders whether he might be using Alex to that end, so getting to the truth is not going to be straightforward since Alex is very close to Seb. Although, it may be that the penny is dropping for her too – but will it be enough to win her over to Harry’s side, prove her position regarding the business and rebuild their sisterly relationship?

While the ladies are a motley crew, the rockstars over at the villa are a mixed bag too. Flirting is inevitable, and sometimes much more. The interactions are fun, often hilarious, and sometimes even quite sad.

There’s quite a bit of head-hopping, and with so many characters it can get a bit hectic keeping track, but once I got used to the style of writing it was a fun read all the way. Truly original, larger than life personalities, a clever plot (some creativity with names here 😉 I’ll say no more!) interesting subplots, and believable characters with a real zest for fun.

For more news, reviews and posts, check out these blogs:

As always,

Blog Tour ‘n’ Book Review – The Dog-Walking Club (incl. an intl giveaway)

A book starring dogs? Of course, I had to review it!

The Dog-walking Club

by Liz Hinds

Every dog walk brings new drama into the lives of these dogs and their people. A supermarket shelf-stacker, a stay-at-home dad, an elderly widow and a freelance photographer sound an unlikely bunch of friends but they have one thing in common: they all walk their dogs in Beauville Park at roughly the same time each morning.

And that’s enough for Angela, bored organiser without a cause, to get them together to form the Dog-walking Club.For Jock the Scottie, Benji the spaniel, Pixie the boxer, Mitzi the poodle and Bassett the … all sorts, walking each day with their friends is a dream come true. And it changes the lives of widowed Sybil who’s spent a lifetime hiding her secret sorrow, hopeless-with-women Jon who’s wandering almost unwittingly into an affair, freelance photographer Jemma who is at every wedding but her own, and Maggi who is frantically trying to save money to visit her family in Australia.

And for long-suffering Angela a nasty shock turns into a new start in disguise for her and her husband – and their love life.

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dog-walking-Club-Liz-Hinds/dp/1729286054

US – https://www.amazon.com/Dog-walking-Club-Liz-Hinds/dp/1729286054

Author Bio 

I’m a golden-retriever-loving granny, who enjoys walking by the sea or in the woods, who eats too much chocolate and gets over-excited when the Welsh team plays rugby.

Writing-wise, I am an experienced freelance writer – published in The Guardian, Christian Herald and various other magazines and newspapers – with an MA in Creative Writing (Trinity College, University of Wales). My short stories have been published in Cambrensis (the now sadly-defunct short story magazine of Wales) as well as in several anthologies including Mama’s Baby, Papa’s Maybe (Parthian) and Catwomen from Hell (Honno). I am also the author of several non-fiction books published by Hodder & Stoughton, Scripture Union and Kevin Mayhew.

I have self-published two novels, This Time Last Year, and The Dog-walking Club.

I enjoy speaking about my writing to various gatherings and the media, and am an active blogger, facebooker and tweeter.

My everyday blog: www.liz-and-harvey.blogspot.com

My writing blog: http://notanotherwannabewriter.blogspot.com/

Social Media Links –

Facebook @LizHinds99

Twitter @Liz_Hinds99

Pinterest Not Another Wannabe Writer

Giveaway to Win a set of reusable beeswax wraps, three metal straws with a carrying pouch and cleaner, and a face wipe, all in pretty doggy fabric (Open Internationally)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter link below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

RAFFLECOPTER LINK

My Review

First up, isn’t that cover simply gorgeous? Let me say, the story is just as sweet. This really is a heartwarming story of the most unlikely friendships formed by a group of individuals who just happened to walk their dogs in the same park at the same time each day.

A truly gentle read that drew me in completely; relating to and caring for these people and their dogs was easy.

Now, don’t get me wrong, this story has so much more to offer than you might think. As different as the members of the club are, their common bond – their dogs – holds them together like glue. The friendships formed here span generations and class, yet none of that matters. What is important is that each one of them has a unique story to tell, and a unique dog to go with it.

Angela (originally seen as Lady Muck) and Mitzi the poodle were the founding members. Her affluent lifestyle took an about turn at Christmas, yet the new life she and husband Tony began brought them more riches than they could ever have hoped for.

The story of eighty-something Sybil and her elderly dog, Jock, left a lump in my throat as I read on misty-eyed when the inevitable happened. Although with constant, unquestioning group support, and a knack for making scrumptious cakes, she was never excluded. When she confided a secret past to Jon, little did she expect anything to come of it. She hadn’t reckoned on the group caring, let alone doing something about it. Aww!

Jon, house husband to Tilly and two daughters, is Benji’s human. Bogged down by domesticity, his head was turned at the school gates by a mum picking up her daughter. Looking for friendship, coffee mornings gave Jon something to look forward to, beyond doing the laundry and cooking. Poor Jon did have trouble reading the signs though. Oh dear! Luckily, Jon had others looking out for him when his home life looked threatened.

Maggi was saving all her wages from her job at the supermarket to visit her children in Australia; her dog, Bassett (all sorts of breeds, get it?) kept her company when she had no family close by to turn to. Bassett, known for an adventurous streak, never shied away from following his curiosity, getting into no end of mischief. It was Maggi kindness to a stranger that saw her later friendship with Bernard and his dog, Whisky develop. Their dating was adorable.

And finally, but no means least, there was Jemma and Pixie (the boxer on the cover) Her photography career blossomed with a never-ending demand for dog portraits, all borne from the very lovely idea she and Jon had to help Sybil get over Jock. As a single young woman, Jemma’s love life was a constant cause for concern for her meddling mother. Pixie was the catalyst in solving that situation, albeit leaving his mistress in a deep hole that required an airlift. Despite a broken leg, Jemma’s relationship with her rescuer, Claire was fated, with Pixie’s consent, of course.

All of human and canine life was in this story, along with very realistic funny incidents (speed-dating, Bassett’s adventure in the brambles in particular) and some heartbreaking confessions. But overall, I found here a genuine community of friends, looking out for each other through good times and bad. I’d happily take my two dogs to join this lovely group of people.

For more news and reviews, follow this path:

As always,

Blog Tour ‘n’ Book Review – The Dinner in the Sky

The Dinner in the Sky

After a shocking confrontation with an unexpected encounter, Constance tries to piece her life back together and is on a mission to finally move on.

The thought of having her friends near is comforting as they take time out of their busy online lives and meet up at their favourite place, A Cupful of Dreams Café. Everyone seems happy enough until cracks begin to show and all is not as good as it seems. Constance tries desperately to keep positive as there’s so much to look forward to: shopping for posh frocks, dinner at The Shard and a movie premiere.

As things start to look rosy, a few odd tweets begin to pop up from nowhere. At first, they seem innocent, but as the weeks go by and premier night draws near, not only do the tweets increase but they become more obnoxious.

By the time Constance and her chums arrive on the red carpet, she’s determined to work out who the troll could be and to keep them from spoiling her evening. However as Constance soon learns, the troll wants to destroy far more than that!

Breathtaking views of London.

Posh frocks and Paparazzi

But there’s definitely trouble in the air …

Purchase Links

Amazon UK 

Amazon US 

Book Trailer

Spotify Playlist of the whole series

 

Author Bio

Anne John-Ligali is a writer and found of Books and Authors UK, a website that features author interviews, cover reveals, blog posts, features and reviews. She loves all things books, going to book events and meeting other book worms.

She has written her first series and is currently writing her first novel.

When Anne is not writing she is likely to be playing with her kids, going for walks in the park, watching Netflix or thinking up more stories.

Originally from Peterborough, Anne now lives in London. After moving to London she studied graphic design at the University of Arts and held a number of IT jobs in the city.

Anne continues to write romantic comedies, women’s fiction, and has the desire to write a non-fiction book and a few children’s books.

Author Social Media Links

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

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnneJohnLigali

Author FB: https://www.facebook.com/annejohnligali/

http://www.annejohnligali.com

Anne’s Book Blog Links – Books and Authors UK

Books and Authors UK: www.booksandauthors.co.uk

Books and Authors UK Twitter: https://twitter.com/BooksNAuthorsUK

Books and Authors UK Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Books-and-Authors-UK-674729805905507/

 

My Review

3.5/5 stars

As the third, and longest, book in the series this is another good story with great characterisations. The relationships between the friends are all very believable. There is a strong family theme, with Constance living with her autistic son and having a very solid role model in her own mum. As a single mum, due to her son’s useless father, Constance does everything she can to make her son’s world a safe and happy place. Her love for her son comes through in bucket loads.

There are nice touches of humour throughout, and the conversations between the friendship group of authors and their other halves are so natural, you can imagine being in the group yourself.

The descriptions of characters and settings are really well done. My favourite line being “his face is dry with enough shaving bumps to grate a good piece of cheese” 🙂 If that doesn’t create an image in your mind, then you’re not trying hard enough.

While the descriptions are sublime, some scenes tend to drag with every piece of action being shown, which subsequently slows the whole story down. Another pass with a proofreader wouldn’t go amiss either as attention to detail (of which there is a lot) wavers on occasion (For instance, while the name-dropping on the red carpet with Idris Elba is hilarious, there’s also mention of the Breakfast TV hosts Pierce Morgan and Susannah York, which made me wonder whether the author had made up her own version of Piers Morgan & Susanna Reid.)

The author element of the story is interesting as a couple of them plan to publish their new books; the cover reveals are great fun, if a little unusual. Nonetheless, this is a gentle, easy story – reading all three books will give depth to the many characters – and I enjoyed reading about the eclectic mix of friends, who despite their obvious differences really do care for and support each other. A Cupful of Dreams Café sounds like a delightful place, and when the group meets up there those encounters are both funny and sad. Romance features for a few of the members, whose partners become as vital to the story as the authors themselves.

The message of hope, love and reaching for your dreams comes through loud and strong. And there’s a soundtrack too – what a great idea. Enjoy!

For more news and reviews you can check out these blogs

As always,

Cover Reveal – The Secret: Violet’s Story

The Secret – Violet’s Story

(Life on the Moors – Book 3)

It’s been two years since glamorous and ambitious Violet Smith fell head-over-heels in love with blacksmith Jimby Fairfax, and moved back home to the North Yorkshire village of Lytell Stangdale to be with him.

Life couldn’t get much sweeter. Their romance is blooming and Romantique – the business she set up with Jimby’s sister Kitty, designing luxurious underwear and burlesque costumes with the odd wedding dress throw in – is thriving.

But on a romantic weekend break, a face from her past triggers a series of events which send Violet into turmoil. She finds herself with no alternative but to reveal a secret she’s buried deep for the past sixteen years. A secret she hasn’t shared with anyone, not even her best friends, Kitty and Molly, and they share everything.

With the revelation forcing a wedge between herself and Jimby, heartbroken Violet fears that he won’t ever be able to think of her in the same way again and won’t want anything more to do with her.

As ever, Kitty and Molly rally round, offering their advice and support but Vi is worried that keeping her secret was just a step too far for Jimby.

Will she succeed in showing him their love is strong enough to overcome it?

The Secret – Violet’s Story is book 3 in the Life on the Moors Series.

Pre-order Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RNLR4M5

US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RNLR4M5

Publication Date: 8th July

Author Bio

Eliza lives in a 17th-century cottage on the edge of a village in the North Yorkshire Moors with her husband, their two daughters and two mischievous black Labradors. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her Kindle or working in her garden. Eliza also enjoys bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop where she can indulge in another two of her favourite things: tea and cake.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming stories with happy endings.

Social Media Links 

Blog: Eliza J Scott – elizajscott.com

Twitter: Eliza J Scott – @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: Eliza J Scott – @elizajscott

Facebook: Eliza J Scott – @elizajscottauthor

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ElizaJScott

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza-j-scott

 

As always,