Saturday, March 27, 2021

Blog Tour: Her Revenge by Emma Tallon

 




Buy from Amazon 



Fans of Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers and Jacqui Rose will love this gripping new book from bestselling crime author Emma Tallon.


There’s a new girl in town and she has a score to settle.


Scarlet Drew isn’t to be messed with. As the daughter of a notorious London gangster, she’s got enough street smarts to take on the world. When someone close to Scarlet is murdered in cold blood on the East End streets where she grew up, her family’s honour is at stake and she can only think of one thing – revenge.


Joining her aunt Lily at the head of the family business, Scarlet soon realises that the murder is just one part of a plot by a rival firm to take down the entire Drew empire, and she fears that her aunt could be their next target.



As everything they built begins to crumble, the Drew family find their livelihood and their reputations under pressure. Then, Scarlet’s estranged cousin Ruby suddenly comes back into the family, with a revelation that could tear the Drews apart. But can she be trusted? As Scarlet makes some tough decisions, one thing is for sure: family means everything to her and she will stop at nothing to protect it, even if it means putting her own life at risk.

Strong women, family dramas and nail-biting tension make Her Revenge a book not to be missed.


MY REVIEW:




Her Revenge: An absolutely gripping and gritty crime thriller about betrayal, revenge and family secretsHer Revenge: An absolutely gripping and gritty crime thriller about betrayal, revenge and family secrets by Emma Tallon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you read Emma Tallon's other series, Anna Davis, then run out nd get your hand on this book. Emma did it again with a crime family and actually threw in Anna Davis and Freddie Tyler from that series. I was sad when Emma ended that series but oh man she sucked me right in with this series and I can't wait for the next book.
Lily Drew and her brother Ronan are crime family, set in London. Lily has twin sons who are also in the family business and now Ronan's daughter, Scarlet. Scarlet is tough and had to be growing up in this family. When a family member dies she steps up to help.
Lily has daughter, Ruby who is always begging for money to get her next fix and thinks she is due for all the handouts.
We have 2 strong women in this family and won't let anyone bring them down.
Thank you Emma Tallon for another awesome book.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to review.

View all my reviews




Author Bio:

Emma Tallon is a British author of gripping, gritty, organised crime thrillers and mother of two. Having started her writing career as a freelance ghostwriter, Emma finished her first novel, Runaway Girl, in 2016, and became an author full time. Since then she has written several other novels for her publisher and has carved out a successful career for herself from her home in Milton Keynes, where she can usually be found typing away in her office surrounded by large stacks of books and Post-it Notes full of ideas for future stories.



Author social media links


www.facebook.com/emmatallonofficial

https://twitter.com/EmmaEsj

www.emmatallon.com

Friday, March 26, 2021

Blog Tour: Close My Eyes by Beverley Harvey

 






It starts with a chance sighting: a face from her past, someone Beth hasn’t thought about for years. Suddenly she feels a terrifying wave of panic – the flash of a memory, of crushing weight and pain, and the flicker of firelight and smoke. Something in Beth’s past has been disturbed… And nothing will ever be the same again.

You've started to remember
Beth never had any reason to doubt her peaceful, happy upbringing. Then she suddenly starts getting awful flashes of an event from her past – a vicious attack from an unknown person. And she thinks it could be more than just a nightmare. But how could she forget something this big?

Someone wants you to forget…
With no husband or boyfriend to turn to, she asks her trusted family and old friends for reassurance, only to hear that it must all be in her head. Meanwhile, the flashes get stronger, more frightening, and more details start to come back to her – details she knows she couldn’t have invented. But these are people who have known her all her life and have her best interests at heart. Who should she believe?

What will you risk to discover the truth?
Beth is determined to understand the meaning of these memories even if it means going it alone. But is she prepared for what she will find? Because the truth will ruin someone’s life – and they will stop at nothing to keep the past forgotten.

A heart-stopping psychological suspense novel that asks: who would you trust the most? Your friends? Your family? Or your own mind? Fans of T.M. Logan, Claire McGowan and Lisa Jewell will be gripped by Close My Eyes.


                                                      MY REVIEW:



Close My EyesClose My Eyes by Beverley Harvey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It starts with a chance sighting: a face from her past, someone Beth hasn’t thought about for years. Suddenly she feels a terrifying wave of panic – the flash of a memory, of crushing weight and pain, and the flicker of firelight and smoke.
Beth never had any reason to doubt her peaceful, happy upbringing. Then she suddenly starts getting awful flashes of an event from her past.
With no husband or boyfriend to turn to, she asks her trusted family and old friends for reassurance, only to hear that it must all be in her head.
Beth is determined to understand the meaning of these memories even if it means going it alone.
Beth starts seeing a psychologist to find out what is going on. Her sister doesn't know how to help her and her friend Gemma is going through something herself but wants to be there for Beth.
So we start out with Beth going out with her sister Laura, when she runs into 2 men from her past and this is when all of this starts. Did one of them hurt her? What is with what she smells when her memories hit.
I liked the characters in this book and how they try to all be there for each other. The other story is Gemma and her marriage.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC to review.


View all my reviews



Buy LINK

Amazon: https://geni.us/B08V1X18VSSocial

Apple: http://ow.ly/Co7c50Djors

Kobo: http://ow.ly/eZ3u50Djoon

Google: http://ow.ly/Skso50Djovs



 




Author Bio:



Throughout Beverley’s many years spent working in advertising and PR, she had always wanted to write fiction. In 2015 a creative writing course inspired her debut novel, Seeking Eden, which was published in 2017. The sequel, Eden Interrupted, soon followed. Beverley’s third novel – her first with Bookouture – fulfils a long-time goal to publish a psychological thriller.

Born in Yorkshire, and raised in Kent, Beverley currently lives in West Sussex with her partner and their adorable terrier. When not writing, you’ll find her reading, walking the dog or listening to rock music.

Find out more at www.beverleyharvey.co.uk

or follow Beverley on Twitter @BevHarvey_

Author Social Media Links



FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Beverley-Harvey-Author-104072077844858

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BevHarvey_

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Book Review: The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis

 

                                                  Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 400 pages
                               Published January 12th 2021 by William Morrow Paperbacks
                                                     buy on Amazon

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis does it once again with a heartfelt story of family, forgiveness, and secrets that have the power to change the course of more than one life.


When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.

Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles: Maze their reckless leader, Cat the den mother, Heather the beloved baby sister, and Walker, a man of mystery.

Life has changed all four of them in immeasurable ways. Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the years but has only grown stronger.

                                        MY REVIEW:


The Forever Girl (Wildstone, #6)The Forever Girl by Jill Shalvis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Maze returns to Wildstone for the wedding of her estranged bff and the sister of her heart, it’s also a reunion of a once ragtag team of teenagers who had only each other until a tragedy tore them apart and scattered them wide.
Now as adults together again in the lake house, there are secrets and resentments mixed up in all the amazing childhood memories. Unexpectedly, they instantly fall back into their roles.
Maze is their reckless leader, Cat the den mom, Heather the beloved baby sister and Walker a man of mystery.
Maze and Cat must decide if they can rebuild their friendship, and Maze discovers her long-held attraction to Walker hasn’t faded with the year.
This is the 6th book in the series but I felt it read like a standalone. You got enough about a backstory of the characters to understand why they are the way they are.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC to review.

View all my reviews



                                                                 Jill Shalvis
Website
http://jillshalvis.com

Twitter
JillShalvis

Genre
Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit

URL
https://www.goodreads.com/jillshalvis



Multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras full of quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is … mostly coincidental. Look for Jill’s bestselling, award-winning heartwarming and full of humor novels wherever books are sold and visit her website for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures. Her most recent book, THE SUMMER DEAL, was published in June and her next book, MISTLETOE IN PARADISE, comes out in December.

Look for Jill's THE SUMMER DEAL and get all her bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold. Visit http://www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and fun blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures.

Connect with Jill:
http://instagram.com/jillshalvis
http://facebook.com/JillShalvis
http://twitter.com/jillshalvis

Book Review: Special Ops Seduction by Megan Crane

 

                                                                 Kindle Edition
                                                           Published January 12th 2021
                                                                  buy from Amazon

She's the last woman he ever wanted to see again...

After an official operation turned deadly, Jonas Crow began a new life in Grizzly Harbor with Alaska Force. But when fellow soldier Bethan Wilcox joins the group, she forces him to remember things he actively prefers to forget. That’s unforgivable enough. But now the two of them are forced together on a mission to uncover deadly secrets tied to their complicated past, and with the heat between them at a boil, forgiveness is the least of his worries...

And the only woman he needs.

Bethan Wilcox, one of the first women to make it through Army Ranger school, didn't join Alaska Force to deal with Jonas's foul temper. Or her own errant attraction to him. Thrown together in a race against the clock, they have to pretend to be a couple and play nice to throw the enemy off their scent. She knows better than to let their pretend love feel real...especially while time is running out.

Jonas has always been good at saving the world. But it’s Bethan he needs to save this time around—if she doesn’t save him first.

                                               MY REVIEW:


Special Ops Seduction (An Alaska Force Novel Book 5)Special Ops Seduction by Megan Crane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After an official operation turned deadly, Jonas Crow began a new life in Grizzly Harbor with Alaska Force. But when fellow soldier Bethan Wilcox joins the group, she forces him to remember things he actively prefers to forget.
Bethan Wilcox, one of the first women to make it through Army Ranger school, didn't join Alaska Force to deal with Jonas's foul temper. Or her own errant attraction to him.
They are forced to work together as boyfriend and girlfriend during her sister's upcoming wedding. This made it a fun read and the chemistry is strong between them.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC to review.

View all my reviews



                                                                   Megan Crane


Website
http://www.megancrane.com

Twitter
megancrane

Genre
Romance




USA Today bestselling, RITA-nominated, and critically-acclaimed author Megan Crane has written more than 100 books – and counting. She’s won fans with her romance, women’s fiction, chick lit, and work-for-hire young adult novels as well as with the Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Dare, Harlequin Historical, and contemporary cowboy books she writes as Caitlin Crews. She loves romance in all its forms, from cowboys to military heroes and beyond – including her take on futuristic and historical Vikings in turn, outlaw bikers, and fairy tale princes. She has a Masters and Ph.D. in English Literature, has taught creative writing classes in places like UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, and is always available to give workshops (or her opinion). She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her comic book artist husband, though, at any given time, she is likely to either be huddled in a coffee shop somewhere or off traveling the world. Preferably both.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Book Review: Waiting For the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton

 

                                                              Kindle Edition
                                                          Published January 12th 2021
                                                               buy from Amazon

A moving novel about friendships forged in childhood magic and ruptured by the high price of secrets that leave you forever changed.

Cadie Kessler has spent decades trying to cover up one truth. One moment. But deep down, didn't she always know her secret would surface?

An urgent message from her long-estranged best friend Daniela Garcia brings Cadie, now a forestry researcher, back to her childhood home. There, Cadie and Daniela are forced to face a dark secret that ended both their idyllic childhood bond and the magical summer that takes up more space in Cadie's memory then all her other years combined.


Now grown up, bound by long-held oaths, and faced with truths she does not wish to see, Cadie must decide what she is willing to sacrifice to protect the people and the forest she loves, as drought, foreclosures, and wildfire spark tensions between displaced migrant farm workers and locals.

Waiting for the Night Song is a love song to the natural beauty around us, a call to fight for what we believe in, and a reminder that the truth will always rise.

                                                              MY REVIEW:


Waiting for the Night SongWaiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cadie Kessler has spent decades trying to cover up one truth. One moment. But deep down, didn't she always know her secret would surface?
An urgent message from her long-estranged best friend Daniela Garcia brings Cadie, now a forestry researcher, back to her childhood home. There, Cadie and Daniela are forced to face a dark secret that ended both their idyllic childhood bond and the magical summer that takes up more space in Cadie's memory then all her other years combined.
This flips back and forth between timelines but I found it easy to keep track of when and what was going on.
These 2 friends haven't seen each other in years but their friendship seemed to take off from when they last saw each other.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Tor-Forge for the ARC to review,

View all my reviews



                                                              Julie Carrick Dalton






Born in The United States

Website
https://www.juliecarrickdalton.com

Twitter
juliecardalt

Genre
Contemporary, Suspense, Thriller

URL
https://www.goodreads.com/juliecarrickdalton-author

Book Review: Deep Into the Dark by P.J. Tracy

 

                                                            Hardcover, 352 pages
                                           Published January 12th 2021 by Minotaur Books
                                                               buy on Amazon

New York Times bestseller P. J. Tracy returns with Deep into the Dark, a brand new series set in LA and featuring up-and-coming LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan and murder suspect Sam Easton.

Sam Easton—a true survivor—is home from Afghanistan, trying to rebuild a life in his hometown of LA. Separated from his wife, bartending and therapy sessions are what occupy his days and nights. When friend and colleague Melody Traeger is beaten by her boyfriend, she turns to Sam for help. When the boyfriend turns up dead the next day, a hard case like Sam is the perfect suspect.

But LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan, whose brother recently died serving overseas, is sympathetic to Sam's troubles, and can't quite see him as a killer. She's more interested in the secrets Melody might be keeping and the developments in another murder case on the other side of town.

Set in an LA where real people live and work--not the superficial LA of Beverly Hills or the gritty underbelly of the city--Deep into the Dark features two really engaging, dynamic main characters and explores the nature of obsession, revenge, and grief.

                                                 MY REVIEW:


Deep into the DarkDeep into the Dark by P.J. Tracy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sam Easton—a true survivor—is home from Afghanistan, trying to rebuild a life in his hometown of LA. Separated from his wife, bartending and therapy sessions are what occupy his days and nights. When friend and colleague Melody Traeger is beaten by her boyfriend, she turns to Sam for help. When the boyfriend turns up dead the next day, a hard case like Sam is the perfect suspect.
But LAPD Detective Margaret Nolan, whose brother recently died serving overseas, is sympathetic to Sam's troubles, and can't quite see him as a killer. Nolan's partner on the other hand wants to get Sam for the murder.
Then there is another murder and it hits close to home for Sam. Can he prove he is innocent?
Then Sam is also dealing with PTSD and we learn more of what happened to him in Afghanistan.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for the ARC to review,

View all my reviews



                                                                            P.J. Tracy


Website
http://pjtracy.com/

Genre
Mystery & Thrillers





PJ Tracy is the pseudonym of mother-daughter writing duo P.J. and Traci Lambrecht, winners of the Anthony, Barry, Gumshoe, and Minnesota Book Awards. Their ten novels, MONKEEWRENCH, LIVE BAIT, DEAD RUN, SNOW BLIND, SHOOT TO THRILL, OFF THE GRID, THE SIXTH IDEA, NOTHING STAYS BURIED, THE GUILTY DEAD, and ICE COLD HEART have become national and international bestsellers. PJ passed away in December 2016, but Traci continues to write the Monkeewrench series. DEEP INTO THE DARK, a stand-alone psychological thriller will be available February 2021.

Learn more about PJ Tracy at pjtracy.com

Follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PJTracyAuthor/

Look them up on Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/pjtracy.com

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Book Review: The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry

 

                                                             Kindle Edition
                                                          Published March 16th 2021
                                                             Buy from Amazon

In this intimate debut novel, a woman returns to her small Southern hometown in the wake of her mother's sudden death--only to find the past upended by stunning family secrets.

Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father's untimely death when she was a child. Both she and her brother, Henry, fled north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives and relationships of their own, steeped in art and culture. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, opted to remain in Georgia to dote on their domineering, larger-than-life mother, Geneva. Yet, despite their years-long independence, Lila and Henry both know they've never quite reckoned with their upbringing.

Now, when their elderly mother dies suddenly and strangely, found among the dense vines of the muscadine arbor behind the family estate, they must travel back to the town that raised them. But as Lila and Henry uncover more about Geneva's death, shocking truths are revealed that upend the Bruces' history as they know it, sending the pair on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives.

With deep compassion and sharp wit, Pamela Terry brings to life the culture and expectations of a small Southern town that values appearance over authenticity--and where the struggle to live honestly can lead to devastating consequences.

                                                          MY REVIEW:


The Sweet Taste of Muscadines: A NovelThe Sweet Taste of Muscadines: A Novel by Pamela Terry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lila Bruce Breedlove never quite felt at home in Wesleyan, Georgia, especially after her father's untimely death when she was a child. Both she and her brother, Henry, fled north after high school, establishing fulfilling lives and relationships of their own, steeped in art and culture. In contrast, their younger sister, Abigail, opted to remain in Georgia to dote on their domineering, larger-than-life mother, Geneva.
Geneva has died and the siblings come together to mourn her death. Abigail has never had much of a life as she has always taken care of their mother.
But as Lila and Henry uncover more about Geneva's death, shocking truths are revealed that upend the Bruces' history as they know it, sending the pair on an extraordinary journey to chase a truth that will dramatically alter the course of their lives.
I love how the siblings were all there for each other and how close Lila and Henry are. Then they goon a quest, without Abigail, to find out some secrets from their past.
This is a debut novel and I was hooked from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the ARC to review.

View all my reviews






                                                                   Pamela Terry


A lifelong Southerner, Pamela Terry learned the power of storytelling at a very early age. For the past decade, Terry has been the author of the internationally popular blog From the House of Edward, which was named one of the top ten home blogs of the year by London's The Telegraph. She lives in Smyrna, Georgia, with her songwriter husband, Pat, and their three dogs, Apple, Andrew, and George. She travels to the Scottish Highlands as frequently as possible and is currently at work on her second novel.

Book Review: One Night With a Cowboy by Sara Richardson




                                                      Mass Market Paperback, 365 pages
                                                  Published March 9th 2021 by Forever
                                                        Buy on Amazon


Sparks fly when a handsome cowboy and a strong-willed widow must work together, in this charming contemporary western romance from a national bestselling author -- with a bonus story by Carly Bloom!

Rodeo cowboy Wes Harding left his family ranch after one reckless mistake cost his loved ones everything. But when his sister needs help, Wes agrees to come home and take the reins of their ranch’s big charity event. However, he didn’t plan for his distracting, stubborn co-hostess. One kiss with Thea throws his world off balance . . . and has Wes craving the family he’s never dared dreamed of.

Single mom Thea Davis doesn’t have time for an inexplicable, toe-curling attraction to Wes Harding—no matter how well he listens or how sweetly he treats her children. Her focus needs to be on holding her fragile family together. But the more time she spends with Wes, the more attached she—and her kids—become. With the week drawing to a close, can Wes convince her to give love a chance before she leaves Silverado Lake—and him—behind for good?

MY REVIEW:


One Night with a Cowboy (Silverado Lake, #2)One Night with a Cowboy by Sara Richardson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rodeo cowboy Wes Harding left his family ranch after one reckless mistake cost his loved ones everything. But when his sister needs help, Wes agrees to come home and take the reins of their ranch’s big charity event. However, he didn’t plan for his distracting, stubborn co-hostess. One kiss with Thea throws his world off balance . . . and has Wes craving the family he’s never dared dreamed of.
This is the 2nd book in this series and a fun read especially if you like sexy cowboys.
Thea is a widow with 2 kids and her son fall for Wes and Wes starts hanging out with the boy and being a male figure that he seems to need in his life.
Wes blames himself for a family tragedy and that is why he ran away years ago. It takes him coming back and being around his family to help him heal.
Thanks for ARC to review from Forever and NetGalley.

View all my reviews



                                                                  Sara Richardson
Born in Denver, The United States

Website
http://www.sararichardson.com

Twitter
SaraR_Books

Genre
Contemporary, Romance




Contemporary romance author Sara Richardson has been a communications manager, copy writer, magazine editor, and whitewater rafting guide. The day after graduating with a master’s degree in journalism, Sara realized she was too empathetic to be a journalist and starting writing her first novel instead. A lifelong fascination with true love quickly led her to the romance genre.

Her Heart of the Rockies series was published by Grand Central Forever in 2015. In 2016, her debut novel, No Better Man, was nominated for a RITA in the best first book category. Sara is passionate about writing stories that inspire people to believe in love and always enjoys connecting with readers. Learn more at www.sararichardson.com.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Book Review: The Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester

 

                                                           Paperback, 455 pages
                                            Published September 18th 2018 by Forever
                                                           buy from Amazon

How much will a young Parisian seamstress sacrifice to make her mark in the male-dominated world of 1940s New York fashion? From the bestselling author of A KISS FROM MR FITZGERALD and HER MOTHER'S SECRET.

1940. Parisian seamstress Estella Bissette is forced to flee France as the Germans advance. She is bound for Manhattan with a few francs, one suitcase, her sewing machine and a dream: to have her own atelier.

2015. Australian curator Fabienne Bissette journeys to the annual Met Gala for an exhibition of her beloved grandmother's work - one of the world's leading designers of ready-to-wear. But as Fabienne learns more about her grandmother's past, she uncovers a story of tragedy, heartbreak and secrets - and the sacrifices made for love.

Crossing generations, society's boundaries and international turmoil, THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS is the beguiling, transporting story of the special relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter as they attempt to heal the heartache of the past.
 

                                                   MY REVIEW:

The Paris SeamstressThe Paris Seamstress by Natasha Lester
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

1940. Parisian seamstress Estella Bissette is forced to flee France as the Germans advance. She is bound for Manhattan with a few francs, one suitcase, her sewing machine and a dream: to have her own atelier.

2015. Australian curator Fabienne Bissette journeys to the annual Met Gala for an exhibition of her beloved grandmother's work - one of the world's leading designers of ready-to-wear. But as Fabienne learns more about her grandmother's past, she uncovers a story of tragedy, heartbreak and secrets - and the sacrifices made for love.
This story alternates between the past and present but done in a way to give you backstory along with the present. It is easy to know what is going on and what year it is.
I have had this is my TBR for a very long time. I am really picky about historical fiction to keep my interest. This had me hooked from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down.
I received this from Forever for review.

View all my reviews



                                                                Natasha Lester






Born in Australia

Website
http://www.natashalester.com.au

Twitter
Natasha_Lester

Genre
Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance




Natasha Lester is the New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS, THE PARIS ORPHAN / THE FRENCH PHOTOGRAPHER and THE PARIS SECRET. Her new book, THE RIVIERA HOUSE, is coming in August 2021.

Prior to writing, she worked as a marketing executive for L’Oreal, managing the Maybelline brand, before returning to university to study creative writing.

Her first historical novel, A KISS FROM FITZGERALD, was published in 2016. This was followed by HER MOTHER'S SECRET in 2017 and her first international bestseller THE PARIS SEAMSTRESS in 2018. Since then, her books have been translated into many different languages are now published all around the world.

Natasha lives in Perth, Western Australia with her 3 children and loves fashion history, practising the art of fashion illustration, collecting vintage fashion, travelling, Paris and, of course, books.

Book Review: The Affair by Danielle Steel

 


                                                      Kindle Edition, 275 pages
                                                Published March 2nd 2021 by Delacorte Press
                                                       buy on Amazon

When Rose McCarthy’s staff at Mode magazine pitches a cover shoot with Hollywood’s hottest young actress, the actress’s sizzling affair with a bestselling French author is exposed. The author happens to be Rose’s son-in-law, which creates a painful dilemma for her. Her daughter Nadia, a talented interior designer, has been struggling to hold her marriage together, and conceal the truth from their young daughters, her family, and the world. But Nicolas, her straying husband, is blinded by passion for a younger woman—and not only that, she is pregnant with his child.

Nadia’s three sisters close ranks around her, flying to Paris from Los Angeles and New York to lend support and offer their widely divergent advice. Athena, a jovial celebrity chef with her own TV show in Los Angeles, is leery of marriage. Olivia, a stern conservative New York superior court judge, is haunted by a shocking secret of her own. Venetia, a zany fashion designer, happily married with three kids, has the gentlest, most realistic point of view. Despite their well-meaning advice, Nadia needs to figure out what she herself thinks, and what to do next.

The Affair is about the painful journey to discover who you are, what you want, and how much forgiveness and compromise you are capable of in order to be loved. It’s about finding yourself at the crossroads of life when everything is on the line. It’s about the hard lessons we are forced to learn about others and ourselves. Right up until its final twist, this gripping novel is full of powerful insights about who we love, how much—and even how much we love ourselves.

                                                  MY REVIEW:

The AffairThe Affair by Danielle Steel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Rose McCarthy’s staff at Mode magazine pitches a cover shoot with Hollywood’s hottest young actress, the actress’s sizzling affair with a bestselling French author is exposed. The author happens to be Rose’s son-in-law, which creates a painful dilemma for her. Her daughter Nadia, a talented interior designer, has been struggling to hold her marriage together, and conceal the truth from their young daughters, her family, and the world. But Nicolas, her straying husband, is blinded by passion for a younger woman—and not only that, she is pregnant with his child.
I loved Rose and her daughters. They are always there for each other and brutally honest with each other. So when Nicholas has this affair and it is plastered all over the news media, Nadia's family is there for her.
I hated Nicholas from the start. He is a very selfish man. Wanting Nadia to wait for him while his fling runs its course, I was like oh Hell No. Nadia's emotions are all over the place, which I get but what he does and acts like is infuriating. She doesn't need him or his money since she has a great business of her own.
I enjoyed all of this book except for the end. I was not happy with what Nadia's choice was.
I received this ARC for review from NetGalley and Delacorte Press.


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                                                                  Danielle Steel

Born New York, New York, The United States

Website
http://daniellesteel.com

Twitter
daniellesteel

Genre
Fiction




Danielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world’s bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy’s Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina’s life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children’s books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.

daniellesteel.com
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
Twitter: @daniellesteel
Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel

Book Review: Small Magic by Terry Brooks

 

                                                                    Hardcover464 pages
                                                               Published March 2nd 2021 by Del Rey Books
                                                                        Buy on Amazon

Escape to worlds full of adventure and magic in the first-ever Terry Brooks short-story collection, featuring both new and fan-favorite stories from all three of his major literary worlds: Shannara, Magic Kingdom, and The Word and the Void.

Here are heroes fighting new battles and struggling to conquer the ghosts of the past. Here are quests both small and far reaching; heroism both intimate and vast. Here we learn of Garet Jax's childhood, see how Allanon first located Shea Ohmsford, and follow an old wing-rider at the end of his life. Here we see Knights of the Word fighting demons within and without, and witness Ben Holiday and his daughter each trying to overcome the unique challenges that Landover offers.

This collection of eleven tales is a must-have addition to the Terry Brooks canon--a delightful way to spend time with favorite characters, and a wonderful reminder of what makes a Brooks story such a timeless classic.

                                                MY REVIEW:


Small Magic: Short Fiction, 1977-2020Small Magic: Short Fiction, 1977-2020 by Terry Brooks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Escape to worlds full of adventure and magic in the first-ever Terry Brooks short-story collection, featuring both new and fan-favorite stories from all three of his major literary worlds: Shannara, Magic Kingdom, and The Word and the Void.
This collection of eleven tales is a must-have addition to the Terry Brooks canon--a delightful way to spend time with favorite characters, and a wonderful reminder of what makes a Brooks story such a timeless classic.
I have not read any of Terry's books and I did watch a few epsodes of the Shannara Chronicles. Being new to his work I would recommend reading this book of short stories to get to know the worlds and see what attracts you to his books and go from there.
Out of all 11 short stores , 3 of them were my favorites.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for ARC to review.

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                                                                      Terry Brooks



Born in Sterling, Illinois, The United States
January 08, 1944

Website
http://www.terrybrooks.net/

Genre
Science Fiction & Fantasy, Literature & Fiction

URL
https://www.goodreads.com/terrybrooks



Terry Brooks was born in Illinois in 1944, where he spent a great deal of his childhood and early adulthood dreaming up stories in and around Sinnissippi Park, the very same park that would eventually become the setting for his bestselling Word & Void trilogy. He went to college and received his undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, where he majored in English Literature, and he received his graduate degree from the School of Law at Washington & Lee University.
A writer since high school, he wrote many stories within the genres of science fiction, western, fiction, and non-fiction, until one semester early in his college years he was given The Lord of the Rings to read. That moment changed Terry's life forever, because in Tolkien's great work he found all the elements needed to fully explore his writing combined in one genre.
He then wrote The Sword of Shannara, the seven year grand result retaining sanity while studying at Washington & Lee University and practicing law. It became the first work of fiction ever to appear on the New York Times trade paperback bestseller list, where it remained for over five months.

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Book Review: Bridgerton collection Volume 1 by Julia Quinn

 

                                                    Kindle Edition, 1053 pages
                                                    Published May 26th 2020 by Avon
                                                    Buy on Amazon

The first three Bridgerton books all in one e-book volume! Includes The Duke and I, The Viscount Who Loved Me, and An Offer From a Gentleman.

Set between 1813 and 1827, the Bridgerton Series is a collection of eight novels, each featuring one of the eight children of the late Viscount Bridgerton. The Bridgertons are currently a Shondaland series for Netflix.

                                                    MY REVIEW:




Bridgerton Collection, Volume One (Bridgertons #1-3)Bridgerton Collection, Volume One by Julia Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Duke and I : In the ballrooms and drawing rooms of Regency London, rules abound. From their earliest days, children of aristocrats learn how to address an earl and curtsey before a prince—while other dictates of the ton are unspoken yet universally understood. A proper duke should be imperious and aloof. A young, marriageable lady should be amiable… but not too amiable.
Daphne Bridgerton has always failed at the latter. The fourth of eight siblings in her close-knit family, she has formed friendships with the most eligible young men in London. Everyone likes Daphne for her kindness and wit. But no one truly desires her. She is simply too deuced honest for that, too unwilling to play the romantic games that captivate gentlemen.

The Viscount Who Loved Me :
the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn't just decided to marry—he's even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended's older sister, Kate Sheffield—the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams...

An Offer From a Gentleman:
Sophie Beckett never dreamed she'd be able to sneak into Lady Bridgerton's famed masquerade ball—or that "Prince Charming" would be waiting there for her! Though the daughter of an earl, Sophie has been relegated to the role of servant by her disdainful stepmother. But now, spinning in the strong arms of the debonair and devastatingly handsome Benedict Bridgerton, she feels like royalty. Alas, she knows all enchantments must end when the clock strikes midnight.

I fell in love with this series from the beginning. The Bridgerton family is a big family and their mom really rules the roost and they all better listen to her. She has been rasing the kids for quite a few years as widow. Though the young men seem to have quite a reputation, deep down they are great men. I can't wait to keep reading this series and then binge watch the Netflix series.



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                                                                    Julia Quinn


Born New York City, NY, The United States

Website
http://www.juliaquinn.com/

Genre
Romance, Historical Fiction




#1 New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn loves to dispel the myth that smart women don't read (or write) romance, and and if you watch reruns of the game show The Weakest Link you might just catch her winning the $79,000 jackpot. She displayed a decided lack of knowledge about baseball, country music, and plush toys, but she is proud to say that she aced all things British and literary, answered all of her history and geography questions correctly, and knew that there was a Da Vinci long before there was a code.

A graduate of Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, Ms. Quinn is one of only sixteen members of Romance Writers of America’s Hall of Fame. Her books have been translated into 32 languages, and she lives with her family in the Pacific Northwest.

The Bridgertons, her popular series of historical romance, is currently a Netflix original series starring Julie Andrews, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rége-Jean Page

Book Review: Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay

 

                                                    Kindle Edition, 368 pages
                                                Published March 2nd 2021 by Minotaur Books
                                                    Buy on Amazon

In one of the year’s most anticipated debut psychological thrillers, a family made infamous by a true crime documentary is found dead, leaving their surviving son to uncover the truth about their final days.

“They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces the fate of the Pine family, a thriller that will both leave you on the edge of your seat and move you to tears.

After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family—his mom, his dad, his little brother and sister—have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident, but the FBI and State Department seem far less certain—and they won’t tell Matt why.

The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn’t the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny—currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte—was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted. Though the country has rallied behind Danny, Matt holds a secret about his brother that he’s never told anyone: the night Charlotte was killed Matt saw something that makes him believe his brother is guilty of the crime.

When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he’s faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he’d hoped to leave behind forever. Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny’s case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison—putting his own life in peril—and forcing him to confront his every last fear.

Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present, Every Last Fear is not only a page-turning thriller, it’s also a poignant story about a family managing heartbreak and tragedy, and living through a fame they never wanted.


                                             MY REVIEW:


Every Last FearEvery Last Fear by Alex Finlay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“They found the bodies on a Tuesday.” So begins this twisty and breathtaking novel that traces the fate of the Pine family, a thriller that will both leave you on the edge of your seat and move you to tears.
After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family—his mom, his dad, his little brother and sister—have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico.
The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn’t the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny—currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte—was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted.
When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he’s faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he’d hoped to leave behind forever.
Told through multiple points-of-view and alternating between past and present.
The Pine family sure has gone through some tough times and as the story moves along we learn more about what happened to Danny's girlfriend, how the town treated the Pine family nd what lead up to the Pine families deaths.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Minotaur for the ARC to review.

View all my reviews

About the Author
                                           Alex Finlay

Website
https://alexfinlaybooks.com/

Genre
Fiction


Alex Finlay is the pseudonym of an author who lives in Washington, D.C. Born in the American South, Alex spent years traversing the globe, from a tropical island in the Pacific to a small village in the UK to a remote region in the Far East. But it was on a trip to Tulum, Mexico that Alex was inspired to write Every Last Fear.

Friday, March 19, 2021

Blog Tour: After the Crash by Emma Davies

 







Publication Day: March 16th 2021


Author: Emma Davies


Buy Links:


Amazon: https://geni.us/B08VNCCM7CSocial

Apple: http://ow.ly/j2hE50Dq12w

Kobo: http://ow.ly/8XNT50Dq102

Google: http://ow.ly/ebwb50Dq1fZ



Description:


He helped you move on… Until you discovered what he did.


Louisa Adams has done her best to hold herself together in the years since she lost her husband in a car accident. But each morning she wakes to find his side of the bed cold is more painful than the last, and she’s struggling to make ends meet as a writer. She must admit defeat and move into the crumbling seaside guest house her daughter just bought. Perhaps it might help put what’s left of their broken family back together…

There, Louisa is offered a final chance to save her career by writing an article on a local sand artist, Isaac. Except, when he turns to greet her – tall, handsome and weather-worn – something about him feels disturbingly familiar. Why, when he looks into her eyes, does she feel like he knows exactly who she is and everything she’s been through?

As they explore the rugged coastline’s hidden coves together – living and laughing like she never thought she would again – Louisa is fascinated by this man who creates beautiful sculptures on the shoreline, but deep down she knows he’s keeping a secret from her. The discovery of a charcoal scribble in one of his sketchbooks linking him to the death of her husband, confirms her deepest fear. Is she ready for what he will tell her, and will letting him in tear her family and her heart apart all over again?

A heartbreaking, page-turning and completely unforgettable family drama you will read in one sitting. Perfect for anyone who loves Amanda Prowse, Kerry Fisher and Jodi Picoult.

                                                        MY REVIEW:


After the CrashAfter the Crash by Emma Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Louisa Adams lost her husband in a car accident. She is struggling both emotionally and financially so she moves into a seaside guest house that her daughter just bought.
There, Louisa is offered a final chance to save her career by writing an article on a local sand artist, Isaac. Except, when he turns to greet her – tall, handsome and weather-worn – something about him feels disturbingly familiar.
As they explore the rugged coastline’s hidden coves together – living and laughing like she never thought she would again – Louisa is fascinated by this man who creates beautiful sculptures on the shoreline. She feels he is keeping a secret from her and then she finds an ink scribble that he did that links him to the death of her husband.
This is a very heartbreaking story but told so well that you just keep reading and can't put the book down.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the book to review.

View all my reviews




Author Bio:

After a varied career, Emma Davies once worked for a design studio where she was asked to provide a fun and humorous (and not necessarily true) anecdote for their website. She wrote the following: 'I am a bestselling novelist currently masquerading as a thirty something mother of three.' Well the job in the design studio didn't work out but she's now a forty something mother of three and is happy to report the rest of her dream came true.

After many years as a finance manager she now writes full time and is far happier playing with words than numbers. She lives with her husband, three children, and two guinea pigs in rural Shropshire where she writes in all the gaps in between real life. It's a county she adores, her love of its beautiful people and landscapes providing endless inspiration for her books, and in fact the only thing that would make Shropshire more idyllic is if it were by the sea.



Author Social Media Links:


Pop over to her website www.emmadaviesauthor.com where, amongst other things, you can read about her passion for Pringles and singing loudly in the car. You can also wave to her on twitter @EmDaviesAuthor / https://twitter.com/EmDaviesAuthor or find her on Facebook (a little too often than is good for her): https://www.facebook.com/emmadaviesauthor/





Tuesday, March 09, 2021

Book Review : You Have a Match by Emma Lord

 

                                                      Kindle Edition, 309 pages
                                                     Published January 12th 2021
                                                      Buy on Amazon


When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents — especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.

                                                         MY REVIEW:


You Have a MatchYou Have a Match by Emma Lord
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie…although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.
The DNA reveals she has a secret sister, one she never knew about and that is when things got weird. Abby didn't confide in her parents or ask them questions. Instead she took it upon herself to meet up secretly with Savannah Tully. A shimmery-haired Instagram star.
They end meeting up at summer camp. Abby is a risk taker and Savanah plays by the rules.
I had a hard time thinking that a teenager wouldn't ask their parents what the hell? Why didn't you tell me? Then go meet up with the sister no matter what the parents said.
I don't like lies or secrets so I always confront and did even as a teenager no matter what.
Thank you to NetGalley and St, Martin's for this ARC to review.

View all my reviews




                                                                    Emma Lord
Born
July 09

Website
https://www.emmalordwriting.com

Twitter
dilemmalord

Genre
Young Adult




Emma Lord is the NYT bestselling author of YOU HAVE A MATCH and TWEET CUTE, a BuzzFeed market editor, and dessert gremlin living in New York City, where she spends whatever time she isn’t writing either running or belting show tunes in community theater. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in psychology and a minor in how to tilt your computer screen so nobody will notice you updating your fan fiction from the back row. She was raised on glitter, a whole lot of love, and copious amounts of grilled cheese.