Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ireland. Show all posts

Sunday, 3 October 2021

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland - Julie Caplin

 

Snuggle up in your favourite armchair and take a trip across the Irish sea for comfort food, cosy cottage nights and a heartwarming romance…

Talented lawyer Hannah Campbell is after a change in her workaholic Manchester life – so on an uncharacteristic whim she books herself a place at the world-renowned Killorgally Cookery School in Country Kerry. But on her first night in Ireland, sampling the delights of Dublin, Hannah can’t resist falling for the charms of handsome stranger Conor. It’s only when Hannah arrives at her postcard-pretty home at Killorgally for the next six weeks that she discovers what happens in Dublin doesn’t quite stay in Dublin …

Nestled amongst rolling green hills and breath-taking countryside, the cookery school throws Hannah and Conor together – for better or worse.

Purchase Link - mybook.to/CosyCottageEB


My Review:

An utterly charming and cosy read for this autumn. Julie Caplin is whisking readers away to the Emerald Isle with a story of romance, following your heart, taking chances and getting out of your comfort zone. The eighth book in this ‘Romantic Escapes’ series is set in beautiful Ireland, closer to home but still had me aching to get on a plane! If you haven’t come across this series the books are written as standalones, although connected through characters to previous books. I would implore you to read the rest of the series though, some of my favourite locations, characters and mouthwatering descriptions of food and drink you’ll read!

The Cosy Cottage in Ireland had me hooked from the first page, and I read in one glorious sitting. I loved the setting, the characters, and the story. Hannah is the sister of a character from the last book, she has been risk averse all her life and we meet her taking a leap of faith and doing something very out of character. Before heading to a world-famous culinary school, she meets a handsome, charming stranger and that meeting is the start of a whirlwind of ups and downs for her. Hannah is out of her comfort zone in so many ways, but as the weeks progress and as relationships with her fellow students develop, she starts to feel like her life is need of change and that perhaps Ireland holds the key.

Conor has given up a life others could only dream about, supporting his Mum with the culinary school is enough and creating dream cottages on their land is fuelling his creativity. He worries about getting close to people, he has been used by most people in his past and he is determined it will never happen again.

The chemistry and attraction between these two characters just cannot be denied, jumping off the page. They compliment each other perfectly, even when they don’t realise it themselves. Hannah is the most unromantic heroine and Conor is quick to jump to the wrong conclusion. When they need to work together, can they put differences aside?

LOVE LOVE LOVE. I was charmed by the descriptions of Ireland but the descriptions of the food, wow. I enjoyed the cast of characters, the humour (seriously couldn’t we have had a grand total of that swear jar ha!) and the heart that comes through the authors writing.
I have an idea where we may end up next, or at least some time in the future and I cannot wait. That being said, I hope we get to hear about a few of these characters again… (Please!!!!)

Perfect for cosying up and devouring in one go!

Author Bio:

Julie Caplin, formerly a PR director, swanned around Europe for many years taking top food and drink writers on press trips (junkets) sampling the gastronomic delights of various cities in Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Copenhagen and Switzerland. It was a tough job but someone had to do it. 

These trips have provided the inspiration and settings for her Romantic Escapes series which have been translated into fifteen different languages.

The first book in the seven strong series, The Little Café in Copenhagen, was shortlisted for a Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

Social Media Links – @JulieCaplin Twitter

https://www.facebook.com/JulieCaplinAuthor/

Instagram @juliecaplinauthor




Tuesday, 18 May 2021

The Ladies Midnight Swimming Club - Faith Hogan

 

Three women. Three different stages of life. United by one thing: the chance to start again.

 'Uplifting, emotional and brimming with warmth and humour' – Cathy Bramley

When Elizabeth's husband dies, leaving her with crippling debt, the only person she can turn to is her friend, Jo. Soon Jo has called in her daughter, Lucy, to help save Elizabeth from bankruptcy. Leaving her old life behind, Lucy is determined to make the most of her fresh start.

As life slowly begins to return to normal, these three women, thrown together by circumstance, become fast friends. But then Jo's world is turned upside down when she receives some shocking news.

In search of solace, Jo and Elizabeth find themselves enjoying midnight dips in the freezing Irish Sea. Here they can laugh, cry and wash away all their fears. As well as conjure a fundraising plan for the local hospice that will bring the whole community together...

From bestselling Irish writer Faith Hogan, The Ladies' Midnight Swimming Club is an emotional story about finding new friends and living life to the fullest, that will appeal to fans of Sheila O'Flanagan, Heidi Swain and Liz Fenwick.

 

My Review:

One of those life affirming, inspiring reads that stays with you long after you close the book. I was absolutely charmed by this book; Faith Hogan has written a book full of emotion and spirit, with characters you will take instantly to your heart. Touching on Irelands history of forced adoption as well as homosexuality, illness and the true impact that living a lie can have on all the people trying to maintain a level of respectability and responsibility within their local and small community.

Faith Hogan paints a gorgeous scenic picture, it isn’t hard to imagine ourselves in Ballycove and taking a dip in the Irish Sea.

With the focus on the three ladies, Elizabeth, Jo and Lucy, we have three people in very different situations, all dealing with things that are weighing them down. They find some freedom, calm and release in the midnight dips in that freezing water. It was good to see the story told from their points of view and how each character impacted and supported the rest. Each character is special in their own way, seeing the growth and independence of Elizabeth and the inspirational strength of Jo.

Although there are serious themes and emotional moments (grab the tissues!) it is littered with moments of humour that provide a nice balance. Faith Hogan’s writing is brilliant, the story is very well paced and engaging – I didn’t want to put it down!

Heartwarming, tender and will enrich your heart, I highly recommend this book – definitely one of my favourites this year. 

About the author

Faith Hogan is an Irish award-winning and bestselling author of five contemporary fiction novels. Her books have featured as Book Club Favourites, Net Galley Hot Reads and Summer Must Reads. She writes grown up women's fiction which is unashamedly uplifting, feel good and inspiring.

She is currently working on her next novel. She lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and a very busy Labrador named Penny. She's a writer, reader, enthusiastic dog walker and reluctant jogger - except of course when it is raining!


Follow Faith:

Facebook: @faithhoganauthor

Twitter: @gerhogan

Website: www.Facebook/FaithHogan.com

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2PtPN2C

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2Pv0K3X

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3vrHN1y

Apple: https://apple.co/3sX4XuP

Bookshop.org: https://bit.ly/3aNtmwL

Waterstones: https://bit.ly/32SOgWP

Easons (Ireland only): https://bit.ly/3sUxpNX


Tuesday, 14 January 2020

BLOGTOUR: The Place We Call Home - Faith Hogan


About the book:
 



Welcome to Ballycove, the home of Corrigan Mills...

 


Set against the backdrop of the beautiful Irish countryside the famed mills have created the finest wool in all of Ireland. Run by the seemingly perfect Corrigan family, but every family has its secrets, and how the mills came to be the Corrigan's is one of them...

Miranda and her husband were never meant to own the mills, until one fateful day catapults them into a life they never thought they'd lead.

Ada has forever lived her life in her sister's shadow. Wanting only to please her mother and take her place as the new leader of the mill, Ada might just have to take a look at what her heart really wants.

Callie has a flourishing international career as a top designer and a man who loves her dearly, she appears to have it all. When a secret is revealed and she's unceremoniously turfed out of the design world, Callie might just get what's she's been yearning for. The chance to go home.

Simon has always wanted more. More money, more fame, more notoriety. The problem child. Simon has made more enemies than friends over the years, and when one of his latest schemes falls foul he'll have to return to the people who always believe in him.

Ballycove isn't just a town in the Irish countryside. It isn't just the base of the famous mills. It's a place to call home.
My Review:
I’m a fan of Hogan’s work and jumped at the opportunity to get stuck into ‘The Place We Call Home.’ She is an amazing storyteller – whisking us to beautiful locations and giving us a fantastic array of characters, some you love the bones of but some you simply can’t stand, just how we do in life I think.
With this book, we have themes of family, friendships and deep-seated secrets and desires, as well as feeling like we belong. We are taken on quite the journey and are given some great characters; they are funny and successful, full of love and heart and of course have that Irish charm that can land them in a whole heap of trouble. Typically, they are all searching for their own happiness but are they going to find it back in Ballycove, back home.  
It is a nicely paced story, so well written especially moving between past and present. This gorgeous saga kept me engrossed for hours. I simply didn’t want to put it down once I’d started – so prepare, give yourself a whole afternoon and get cosy!


Buy links

About the author 

Faith lives in the west of Ireland with her husband, four children and two very fussy cats. She has an Hons Degree in English Literature and Psychology, has worked as a fashion model and in the intellectual disability and mental health sector.

Follow Faith:   
Twitter: @GerHogan