Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake - Rosie Green

It was meant to be a gloriously romantic getaway in Wales for Ruby and Hudson. That was the plan, anyway. But then friends start inviting themselves along, lured by the idea of unwinding in a chocolate-box pretty cottage, wandering the lanes and the coastline, soaking up the sun and the stunningly beautiful Italian-inspired architecture. With Ellie, Jaz, Fen and Madison popping up around every corner, plus another sinister mystery to solve, will the lovebirds ever find time to indulge their desire for sun, sea and . . . strawberry shortcake?

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3LPqFee

My Review:

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I LOVE this series of books, Rosie Green is brilliant! Twenty two books in this series, every one is new and full of character, charm, laughter and drama, There are not many series’ that would remain so fresh and interesting, but Rosie manages with ease. I look forward to each book, eager to discover a new character as well catch up with old favourites. 

 

I love that this time we are back with mystery (and crime) solving extraordinaries Ruby and Hudson, I have previously found stories involving them to be the funniest and most dramatic. This time we meet and they seem a bit off, something isn’t gelling as it was. Going on holiday might give them chance to refocus on them – well that’s the hope.

 

Meeting Bee, the holiday cottage cleaner; and her young  daughter Jodie kick starts a whole series of events, and strange occurrences that Ruby can’t help but start to investigate. I was completely taken in by the threats Jodie received and was trying to figure it out along with Ruby, I was completely engrossed.

 

We also hear from an old favourite, Jaz, and her story plays out alongside the mystery being solved, her marriage might be in trouble as husband Harry is spending a lot of time with another woman. Time away with the Little Duck Pond Ladies will always help and they just happen to go to the same place as their pal Ruby, who also really needs her friends support. 

 

I love this mixture of mystery and room com, the characters are well written and seem more like friends. I enjoy the storylines which are engaging and fun. I could read another 22 in this series so please keep them going Rosie!

Author Bio:

Rosie’s series of novellas is centred around life in a country village cafe. Look out for ‘Clara’s Secret Garden’ out in August 2022.

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88 

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