The Empire - Michael Ball

 

Welcome to The Empire theatre

1922. When Jack Treadwell arrives at The Empire, in the middle of a rehearsal, he is instantly mesmerised. But amid the glitz and glamour, he soon learns that the true magic of the theatre lies in its cast of characters - both on stage and behind the scenes.

There's stunning starlet Stella Stanmore and Hollywood heartthrob Lancelot Drake; and Ruby Rowntree, who keeps the music playing, while Lady Lillian Lassiter, theatre owner and former showgirl, is determined to take on a bigger role. And then there's cool, competent Grace Hawkins, without whom the show would never go on . . . could she be the leading lady Jack is looking for?

When long-held rivalries threaten The Empire's future, tensions rise along with the curtain. There is treachery at the heart of the company and a shocking secret waiting in the wings. Can Jack discover the truth before it's too late, and the theatre he loves goes dark?

Musical theatre legend Michael Ball brings his trademark warmth, wit and glamour to this, his debut novel.

Enjoy the show!

Purchase Links - http://unbouncepages.com/Michael-ball/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Empire-charming-romantic-Cameron-Mackintosh-ebook/dp/B09X1725SP

https://www.amazon.com/Empire-charming-romantic-Cameron-Mackintosh-ebook/dp/B09X1725SP

My Review:

Michael Ball, a family favourite, a personality, someone full of charm and with a twinkle in his eye who entertains millions, and now an author. I was intrigued when I heard that he was writing a novel and more so when I knew more about it’s setting. I hoped that Michael’s personality would lend itself to producing an entertaining read. I was not disappointed in the slightest, far from it, I was enchanted.

The book is well structured, sections aptly named in theatre terms i.e overture, various acts, finale etc. There are many, many characters though (you do get a long list of who is who at the start) and it takes a little while to get them straight in your head but once you do it’s fine; having such a huge cast of characters allows you to have favourites as well as those you love to hate; smaller storylines intertwine and create strands within the main plot very well.

I don’t want to give away much of the storyline but there is a lot going on, not in a chaotic way but a lot does happen so it’s great that it’s been written in such a captivating way. I didn’t want to put it down as I was completely in the moment and there alongside the characters.

The Empire encapsulates the theatre and musical world, from backstage to performance, cast to writers to owners; the love of theatre shines through Michaels words. Through his vivid descriptions and story you can imagine being both behind the scenes as well as out in the audience watching a smash hit show.

With glitz, glamour, and romance as well as drama, heart break and scandal, The Empire is a warm and entertaining read that will captivate and transport you to London old West End.

I was very impressed by this debut and I genuinely hope it is the start of a series or we, at least, have another set in The Empire. Highly recommended!

Author Bio:

Michael Ball OBE is a singer, actor, presenter and now author. He's been a star of musical theatre for over three decades, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical twice, he's also won two BRIT awards and been nominated for a Grammy. Michael regularly sells out both his solo tours and his Ball & Boe shows with Alfie Boe and has multiple platinum albums. The Empire is his first novel.

Social Media Links – Twitter: https://twitter.com/mrmichaelball/   //  https://twitter.com/ZaffreBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmichaelball/?hl=en // https://www.instagram.com/zaffrebooks/

Coming Home to Penvennan Cove - Linn B. Halton

 Can Kerra's Cornish hometown offer the fresh start she needs?

When Kerra left the quiet Cornish town of Penvennan Cove for the bright lights of London she didn't look back. But after the death of her mother, she's decided it's time to face her past and return to the place she called home. Her father needs her, and perhaps she needs him more than she's willing to admit?

Tackling town gossip, home renovations and a flame from her past, it's not quite smooth sailing for Kerra. Ross is the bad boy she was meant to forget, not a man who still sets her heart aflutter. As he helps bring her dream home to life, they begin to break down the barriers that have been holding them back and in the process learn things about themselves they never thought possible.

As friends old and new come together, the future in Penvennan looks bright.

Perfect for fans of Milly Johnson, Phillipa Ashley and Julie Houston.

My Review:

An author I haven’t had the pleasure of reading before so I was very keen to read this.

Following the death of her mother, Kerra returns to her hometown of Penvennan from the hustle and bustle of London.

Neighbour, Drew, wants to develop his cottage so they decide to save money and do them both matching. A former crush comes back into her life to help with the renovations, but is her crush completely behind her?

A charming read, that builds slowly. It is full of friendship and the relationships, a stunning location full of charm and charming characters that you get to know. Kerra is used to being anonymous in the city so life back in this community is a bit of a contrast, especially with the gossip and past comes round.

I really enjoyed this read, its heart warming and a feel-good read for a bit of escapism. I’ll definitely read more by this author in future.

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2F7KHUd

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3f1Nknq

Google Play: https://bit.ly/3m2oJ6e

iBooks: https://apple.co/2QZ9XP8

About the author
From interior designer to author, when Linn B. Halton's not writing, or spending time with the family, she's either upcycling furniture or working in the garden. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award; her novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Living in Coed Duon in the Welsh Valleys with her 'rock', Lawrence, and gorgeous Bengal cat Ziggy, she freely admits she's an eternal romantic. Linn is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors. Linn writes feel-good, uplifting novels about life, love and relationships.

Twitter: @LinnBHalton
Facebook: @LinnBHaltonAuthor

 

A Sunset in Sydney - Sandy Barker

How far would you go in the name of love?

Sarah Parsons has a choice ahead of her. After the trip of a lifetime she’s somehow returned home with TWO handsome men wanting to whisk her away into the sunset.

Pulled in two directions across the globe, it’s making life trickier than it sounds. Her gorgeous American, Josh, wants to meet Sarah in Hawaii for a holiday to remember. Meanwhile silver fox, James, plans to wine and dine her in London.

It’s a lot to handle for this Aussie girl, who had totally sworn off men!

Join Sarah after her adventure in One Summer in Santorini, for the heart-warming and uplifting third novel in The Holiday Romance series.

My Review: 


I have read the previous two books in this series and was delighted that we would now get to find out which way Sarah would finally decide to go. Her previous adventures have been fun and matters of the heart left her in quite a predicament.

You could read this as a standalone, it covers in brief detail what has previously happened but I would recommend reading the other books, they are really good and take you on such fun adventures.

In this third instalment we follow Sarah, figuring her way through an international love triangle. This book will have you rooting for one man over the other – will you be a James or Josh fan?

Split into three parts you get to see Sarah spend time with James. He is older, successful, wealthy, and keen to commit to Sarah; he is also in London and Sarah lives in Sydney. I admit I was not overly keen on James at all. He seemed full of himself, overly confident and just, in my mind, a bit smarmy.

You then get a part that is Sarah meeting Josh for New Years in Hawaii. Now this was my favourite part. Great locations wonderfully described so you can imagine being right there. Josh is younger than Sarah but has the same adventurous spirit. The trouble is he does not seem in a rush to commit, and Sarah doesn’t really know where she stands.

Oh, to be in Sarah’s position; two gorgeous men chasing her! I won’t spoil anything, but she does have to decide at some point... where will her heart take her?

Well written, with fun characters you can’t help but adore. I have thoroughly enjoyed each of this series and the adventures Sandy has taken us on.

I highly recommend this fab summer read, perfect for some escapism right now.

Purchase Links

AmazonUK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunset-Sydney-totally-uplifting-holiday-ebook/dp/B081MSC5S3

Google play: https://bit.ly/3dLjJxU

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-sunset-in-sydney/sandy-barker/9780008390020

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/a-sunset-in-sydney-the-holiday-romance-book-3

About the Author:

Sandy Barker is an Australian writer, traveller and hopeful romantic with a lengthy bucket list

and a cheeky sense of humour. She’s also an avid reader, a film buff, a wine lover and a coffee snob.
Many of Sandy’s travel adventures have found homes in her writing, including her debut novel, a contemporary romance set in Greece, which was inspired by her true-life love story.

Social Media Links –
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sandybarker
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sandybarkerauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandybarkerauthor/
Blog: https://sandybarker.com/