From here to Nashville - Julie Stocks

Two worlds, 4,000 miles apart. Is their love strong enough to keep them together?

Rachel Hardy dreams of being a successful country music singer in Nashville's Music City, four thousand miles away from her lonely life in Dorset. When Jackson Phillips, an independent record label owner, encourages her band to audition for a nationwide 'Open Mic' competition, she decides they have nothing to lose.

But when she starts to fall in love with Jackson, the stakes suddenly get higher and she finds herself with a great big dilemma on her hands. Should she abandon her dream and take the easy way out or should she leave the life she has always known behind and take a gamble on a man who has personal demons of his own?

Follow Rachel and Jackson as they learn to trust in love again to see whether their music really can unite them.

Purchase Link - mybook.to/FromHeretoNashville

My Review:

A lovely romance that definitely tugged at the heartstrings! I do think this is more than just your typical romance, which is nice, and it is so well written that you are just carried along by the storyline and genuine interest in the characters.

I love Rachel’s character, although at times a little frustrating for me – she is so quick to abandon things and ‘run.’ Jackson is a wonderful leading man, clearly both characters have history and things they both need to work through – but the path of true love never runs smooth does it?! There is the smallest love triangle with Sam, but I never gave any significant thought that she may end up with him. The connection didn’t seem to be anything more than best friends, from her side at least.

If I’m honest switching from Rachels’ point of view to Jacksons halfway through threw me off a little. I didn’t expect it and took me a while to get used to it, maybe if we’d had it all along like every other chapter. I enjoy a book with more than one perspective, but this was confusing to start with. I soon fell back into the story and enjoyed it.

The characters are well fleshed out, they seem realistic and the settings are wonderfully described. I loved hearing about Nashville and would love to see it for myself – if only I could find a Jackson!

A great read for romance fans, music fans and those looking for something feel good. I would definitely recommend.


Author Bio: 

Julie Stock writes contemporary feel-good romance from around the world: novels, novellas and short stories. She published her debut novel, From Here to Nashville, in February 2015 and her second novel, The Vineyard in Alsace in March 2017. Over You (Sam's Story) and Finding You (Jenna's Story), her follow-up novellas to From Here to Nashville were published in 2018, making the From Here to You series complete. She has also published a boxed set of the From Here to You trilogy of books.

The Bistro by Watersmeet Bridge was published in August 2019, followed by Bittersweet, a collection of 12 Short Stories for Modern Life in September 2019.

Julie is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Society of Authors.

Julie is married and lives with her family in Bedfordshire in the UK.

Social Media Links –

Website - www.julie-stock.co.uk

Twitter - https://twitter.com/wood_beez48

Facebook Author Page - www.facebook.com/JulieStockAuthor

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/julie.stockauthor/

Giveaway to Win a signed paperback copy of From Here to Nashville, a bookmark and a guitar magnet (Open to UK Only)

*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box 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.

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BLOGTOUR - The Alibi Girl by C J Skuse

Joanne Haynes has a secret: that is not her real name.

And there’s more. Her flat’s not hers. Her cats aren't hers. Even her hair isn’t really hers.

Nor is she any of the other women she pretends to be. Not the bestselling romance novelist who gets her morning snack from the doughnut van on the seafront. Nor the pregnant woman in the dental surgery. Nor the chemo patient in the supermarket for whom the cashier feels ever so sorry. They're all just alibis.

In fact, the only thing that’s real about Joanne is that nobody can know who she really is.

But someone has got too close. It looks like her alibis have begun to run out….

My Review:

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

An interesting, exciting read that kept me on edge throughout, uncomfortable but it an interesting way.

‘Joanne’ is quite the character, in fact unlike any I have read before. A liar, deceptive and complex; an interesting choice for narrator of this story. Written so well though, with a fantastic set of personalities that the reader gets to know. It would be easy for readers to dislike her but I think she does get to you a little bit and does make you feel sorry for her and even protective.

I want to be careful not to give too much away, its full of many twists and turns, some may shock you, others maybe not so much but will lead you into thinking many things and realising others.

I really started to enjoy discovering more about her past. At times I felt sad, concerned and quite emotional by the themes being touched upon, there is some violence.

This is definitely a book that will keep you guessing, it’s enjoyable, interesting and will have you hooked. I highly recommend for thriller fans and those looking for something

Extract from My One Month Marriage - Shari Low

Something a little special for you today...


Take a look at this exciting extract from Shari Low - 'My One Month Marriage.'

Always love Shari's work so pleased to be part of the blog tour. I love that we can give you a lovely sneaky peek. 

Available via Amazon here:

 https://amzn.to/2qbD0Vu

**********

I hear the sound of the oven door banging shut, before she re-enters with a glass of radiation pink. ‘I took some of this from the cocktail shaker,’ she informs us. ‘It looks suspiciously like something I’d prescribe for acid reflux. Right, what’s the latest? Married anyone else since I saw you yesterday? Divorced yet? Engaged again?’

I refuse to rise to her innocent-faced sarcasm, instead going for dry threats and indignation. ‘If you carry on like that, I’m going in to work.’

‘It’s Sunday,’ Verity points out, always one to insert facts into the equation.

‘And I hate to point out that your job was at the root of this whole debacle in the first place,’ Yvie adds, following it up with, ‘Jesus, my bra straps are killing me. Did I mention I’m going back on the diet tomorrow?’

‘You did. Is it the same one as last week? And the week before?’ Verity teases.

‘Not sure, but right now I’m hoping I lose nine and a half stone of smug older sister,’ Yvie fires back. She takes no cheek from anyone and I love her for it.

‘I thought you were embracing your curves?’ I enquire, confused.

‘That was last week. This week, I want to book a holiday, wear a bikini and I’ve realised that to feel good about that I’ll need to lose the equivalent of a small dinghy in weight in a month and a half. Starting right after that lasagne.’

I don’t argue. Only a fool would get in between Yvie and her ever changing body-confidence issues.

‘Anyway, I preferred it when we were revelling in your disaster of a life,’ she tells me. ‘Where were we?’

‘Where were we?’ It’s like an echo, only said in a voice that is sharper than the other three in my living room. Marina, only her head and neck visible round the side of the door, is the oldest of the four of us and the designated grown-up. She’s the kind of woman who makes lists, has a pension plan and who knows the difference between a vintage bottle of plonk and something off the shelf at Lidl.

‘Yvie has just pointed out that my job was to blame for all this.’

‘Yes, well, she’s not wrong. At least at the start. Although, to be fair, you did take an unfortunate situation, handle it badly, then let it descend into a complete roaring balls-up,’ Marina concurs before her head and shoulders disappear and I hear the sound of her clicking heels fading as she heads down the hall to the kitchen. I’d bet my last pound that she is carrying a bag containing sushi and hummus – she considers healthy food to be the only option, even in a crisis.

Yvie gestures to the door. ‘See? Even her Highness agrees. I finally feel validated as an adult.’

I ignore the playful barb. Successfully negotiating life with three sisters is fifty per cent love, thirty per cent tolerance and twenty per cent dodging the ever-changing dynamics between us.

Especially, in this case, as they both have a point. My job, first as sales director, then latterly as partner of Glasgow marketing company, The B Agency, definitely contributed to my current situation. If I hadn’t worked there, I wouldn’t have met Tom. I wouldn’t have fallen in love. He wouldn’t have broken my heart. And then I wouldn’t have gone on to screw up my life so colossally that I’m now contemplating eating dodgy lasagne while wondering what I am going to tell my mother when I return her generous wedding gift of a lavish, smoked glass beaded chandelier. Granted, it is lovely – in a blingy, wear sunglasses because it’s so bright it could cause eye damage, kind of way. But the fact that I live in a flat with low ceilings transforms it from an ostentatious decorative statement to a concussion risk.

***********

Shari Low is the #1 bestselling author of over 20 novels, including One Day In Winter and With Or Without You and a collection of parenthood memories called Because Mummy Said So. She lives near Glasgow and her first title for Boldwood will be My One Month Marriage in January 2020. 

Shari’s Twitter: @sharilow

Shari’s Facebook: sharilowbooks

Shari’s Instagram: sharilowbook

Shari’s profile www.boldwoodbooks.com/contributor/shari-low/

Shari’s website: www.sharilow.com

Little White Lies - Philippa East

She only looked away for a second…

Anne White only looked away for a second, but that’s all it took to lose sight of her young daughter.
But seven years later, Abigail is found.
And as Anne struggles to connect with her teenage daughter, she begins to question how much Abigail remembers about the day she disappeared…

My Review:
The synopsis of this book was interesting and as I read through, I was not disappointed in the slightest. Little White Lies is an intense portrayal of how victims must face the trauma they suffered but also how families cope with trying to move forward with their lives they were living; a general lack of trust and how secrets can damage relationships. 


The story is told through two different perspectives – Mother and Jess (cousin) and both voices are distinctive and give valuable insight into the character of Abigail. Jess sounded very childlike and naïve, in comparison to the other girls. She was increasingly unhappy at home, with her relationships and thought everything would return to normal with the return of Abigail.


Anne (Mother) was a character I struggled with. I knew instantly she was hiding something but not exactly sure what. She struggled to bond with her daughter, which is understandable at first, but I don’t think she paid attention to what Abigail was trying to communicate. I felt sorry for her and as the book progressed and information was uncovered, I could empathise a little more.


You do have a sense of calm at various intervals, the author lulls you into thinking the twists have all been given and you know what is happening and why; by the end of the book you understand why relationships between characters seemed strained and a little off so it’s clever of Philippa East to leave massive revelations until late in the book. This kept me engaged and interested, not one to settle and think everything is as it seems. I read it very quickly as I wanted to know more, see the situation explained and the consequences of actions in place.


Overall, I found this book thought-provoking and well written. I was engaged and eager to read through quickly.  A brilliant debut and I will look forward to reading more from this author.

Thank you to the publishers, HQ, for a copy of the book to read and review honestly.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Philippa East works as a Clinical Psychologist and therapist. She lives in Lincolnshire with her husband and cat. Philippa’s prize-winning short stories have been published in various literary journals and Little White Lies is her debut novel.

Purchase Links:

Amazon
Waterstones
Apple Books
Google Books
Kobo

Dreaming of Verona - T.A Williams

Verona is the City of Love. But will Suzie find romance there or, like Romeo and Juliet, will it all end in tears?

When Suzie is hired to accompany spoiled, abrasive Lady Alexandra Tedburn on an all-expenses paid holiday to Italy, she fears the trip will be a disaster.

But she soon discovers there’s more to Alex than shopping and tantrums, and she’s determined to help her realise her potential – against Alex’s authoritarian father’s wishes.

As they settle in Verona, Suzie can’t stop thinking about local artist Michael, who is still mourning the tragic death of his wife. With Suzie’s future uncertain, and Michael’s past
holding him back, it seems there’s no hope for romance in the city of
star-crossed lovers… or is there?

A gorgeously uplifting and moving story, Dreaming of Verona is the perfect read for fans of Holly Martin, Tilly Tennant and Jenny Oliver.

Purchase Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07Z4MCCJ5

 US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z4MCCJ5

My Review

Verona is a place I have wanted to visit for as long as I can remember. TA Williams took me there in my mind with this book and let me live out the dream. I definitely can’t wait to see it in reality one day now. I could really envisage myself walking around and living in Verona like our main characters, the descriptions were so well written.


I loved the whole premise of the book and really enjoyed seeing the development of Alex’s character throughout the story – I hadn’t imagined that after I’d read the synopsis. A reflection of the book being a journey of discovery for all involved.


All the characters are lovely, there isn’t one that I was opposed to in any way. Even the father, I could understand his ways, even if I didn’t necessarily agree with them. Suzie is a delight, her guidance, calming and charming ways; easy to see why people would gravitate to her. She is a fabulous character and I was pleased she got the things she desired and valued the most.

No review would be complete without a mention of Dogberry, what a lovely addition and cute character.


There’s a fun mixture of content within this book that will keep you entertained and excited. A light, warm and captivating romance but with extra fun and interesting moments.

I was completely charmed by this wonderful mix of characters; their stories and the way TA Williams described the idyllic settings so well.

A gorgeous read that I recommend for fans of Italian settings, romance and reads that will take you away. 

Author Bio:
 I’m a man. And a pretty old man as well. I did languages at university a long time ago and then lived and worked in France and Switzerland before going to Italy for seven years as a teacher of English. My Italian wife and I then came back to the UK with our little daughter (now long-since grown up) where I ran a big English language school for many years. We now live in a sleepy little village in Devonshire. I’ve been writing almost all my life but it was only seven years ago that I finally managed to find a publisher who liked my work enough to offer me my first contract.
The fact that I am now writing romantic comedy is something I still find hard to explain. My early books were thrillers and historical novels. Maybe it’s because there are so many horrible things happening in the world today that I feel I need to do my best to provide something to cheer my readers up. My books provide escapism to some gorgeous locations and, as a writer, I obviously have to go there in person and check them out first. I love my job…
Social Media Links –

Website: www.tawilliamsbooks.com

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tawilliamsbooks

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

The Other You - J.S Monroe

About the book

Kate used to be good at recognising people. So good, she worked for the police, identifying criminals in crowds of thousands. But six months ago, a devastating car accident led to a brain injury. Now the woman who never forgot a face can barely recognise herself in the mirror.

At least she has Rob. Young, rich, handsome and successful, Rob runs a tech company on the idyllic Cornish coast. Kate met him just after her accident, and he nursed her back to health. When she's with him, in his luxury modernist house, the nightmares of the accident fade, and she feels safe and loved.

Until, one day, she looks at Rob anew. And knows, with absolute certainty, that the man before her has been replaced by an impostor.

Is Rob who he says he is? Or is it all in Kate's damaged mind?

My Review:

Thrilled to be able to review this new release from JS Monroe. As a fan of his previous book, Forget My Name, I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and see what this had it store. I was not disappointed in the slightest, Monroe has completely given us another smash.
I was absolutely engaged from the off, imagining all sorts of possible twists and turns. I was so captivated by the story being told I was getting through the pages in no time at all, which to my own annoyance meant towards the end I had to slow myself right down to ensure I didn’t miss anything and I fully understood it all – I get far too excited for my own good when a book is this exciting!

I’m not going to lie the doppelganger theme is something that I’ve thought about (I’ve been told by so many people I have one they’ve been certain they saw me when I was no where near!) so it was actually quite scary at times. I was on the edge of my seat, certain that this could all quite easily take place. It was so exciting and really got me thinking, I was completely intrigued.

I don’t want to reveal too much about the storyline here as I think it’s best to get the full affect first hand. I enjoyed the narrative being told from the three viewpoints – Kate, Jake and Silas. It is full of red herrings that lead you to thinking one thing, whilst surprising you with something else.

The characters are great, my favourite is Silas and I’d love to see more of him in future books. JS Monroe is a master at creating a tension filled, rollercoaster of a thriller that will have you on edge throughout.
 
The Other You is an original, gripping thriller that I cannot recommend enough. JS Monroe is definitely going to be one of my go to authors and I look forward to what comes next. 

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2B5lxA9
iBooks: https://apple.co/3286CkM
Kobo: https://bit.ly/35nDd8h
GooglePlay:
https://bit.ly/2OAI0x7


About the Author


J.S. Monroe read English at Cambridge, worked as a foreign correspondent in Delhi, and

was Weekend editor of the Daily Telegraph in London before becoming a full-time writer. Monroe is the author of six novels, including the international bestseller, Find Me.

Follow J.S. Monroe:

Twitter: @JSThrillers
Facebook: @JSMonroeFindMe