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

A Christmas Kiss by Eliza J Scott

A sparkling festive romance that will warm your heart this Christmas.

The week before Christmas, GP Zander Gillespie finds his festive plans in tatters. He's supposed to be flying out to his parents' chateau in Carcassonne with his high-maintenance girlfriend, Melissa. But she has other ideas. She wants to spend Christmas in London with her party friends - and he's not invited. The prospect of facing his family, with their questions and their sympathy - not to mention the 'I told you so-s' - just isn't an option. Instead, Zander decides to head to his holiday cottage in the quaint moorland village of Lytell Stangdale, where he intends to hide away with his faithful rescue Labrador Alf.

Eighty miles away, Livvie's world has come crashing down. With plans to cook a romantic meal for her boyfriend, she heads home early and walks in on him in a compromising position with their neighbour. Fed-up of his lies and philandering ways, this is the final straw. With her Christmas plans up in smoke, the thought of spending it with her parents and her smug, married sister with her pompous husband in tow, is enough to bring Livvie out in hives. So, when she fires up her laptop and finds the perfect little holiday cottage in Lytell Stangdale available to rent over the festive period, it seems the perfect solution. Or is it...?

Zander didn't believe in love at first sight until he set eyes on Livvie. Livvie had sworn off men until she met Zander. The pair may be reluctant to give in to temptation, but fate seems to have other ideas...

Join Livvie and Zander - and all the usual characters - for a magical Christmas in Lytell Stangdale.

Purchase Links:

UK- https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Kiss-Life-Moors-Book-ebook/dp/B07XBSZMQ5/

US - https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Kiss-Life-Moors-Book-ebook/dp/B07XBSZMQ5/

My Review:

It’s always a delight to get tucked up inside one of Eliza’s Life on the Moors series. This is book 4 and a fantastic festive delight to keep us entertained. If you haven’t read any of the previous books don’t worry, this can be read as a standalone, although I know you’ll want to catch up with the rest! If you have been following this series, then you will love catching up with some much-loved favourites.

A Christmas Kiss is a cosy, feel good romance that will have you yearning for log fires, snowy days and a special someone to snuggle up with. It has a beautiful storyline that will warm the cockles of your heart this festive time.

Livvie and Zander our are main characters this time and what a gorgeous coupling this could possibly be. I think they were just destined to be; fate, snow and a wonderfully amusing dog called Alf were all able to play a part. Both had complicated personal lives when they meet by random chance but as soon as they meet, sparks fly and who can stop destiny.

Loved catching up with old favourites, that’s always a bonus about a series, or books set within the same locale. They didn’t take centre stage but played enough of a role to remind us of the wonderful community Eliza has created. Yet again, a place I could see myself really becoming part of – what a fantastic bunch of people.

A very special read, perfect for the changing weather. I enjoyed it so much, I couldn’t read it quick enough. Thank you, Eliza, for giving us another story to capture our imaginations and leave us with a warm, fuzzy heart. 

Author Bio:Eliza lives in a 17th-century cottage on the edge of a village in the North Yorkshire Moors with her husband, their two daughters and two mischievous black Labradors. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her Kindle or working in her garden. Eliza also enjoys bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop where she can indulge in another two of her favourite things: tea and cake.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heart-warming stories with happy endings.

Social Media Links: 

Twitter: Eliza J Scott – @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscott

Facebook: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscottauthor

Blog: www.elizajscott.com

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/ElizaJScott

Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/eliza-j-scott

Amazon Author Page: UK:  www.amazon.co.uk/Eliza-J-Scott/e/B07DMQWPMH

                                          US: www.amazon.com/Eliza-J-Scott/e/B07DMQWPMH

BLOGTOUR: The Christmas Calendar Girls - Samantha Tonge

About the book

This Christmas fall in love with the town of Chesterwood...

Christmas is meant to be a time of giving, so with Chesterwood food bank under risk of closure Fern knows just what to do to save it. She's going to get the town to create a living advent calendar.

Fern, and her best friends, call for help from the local community to bring this calendar to life. When Kit, the new man in town, offers his assistance Fern's heart can't help but skip a beat (or two).

As they grow ever closer, Fern must admit that Kit's breaking down the barriers she built after the death of her husband. But his past is holding him back and Fern doesn't know how to reach him. No matter how hard she tries.

In this town, Kit's not the only one with secrets. Domestic goddess Cara is behaving oddly, burning meals in the oven and clothes whilst ironing, and Davina's perfect children are causing trouble at school leaving her son, Jasper, desperately unhappy.

Can the Christmas Calendar Girls find a way to bring the community together in time to save the food bank, while still supporting their families and each other? Can Fern find love again with Kit?

This is a story about kindness and letting go of the past. It's about looking out for your neighbours and about making every day feel like Christmas.

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Z2u7NO

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

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

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2Z8YiTO

My Review:

This is one of those wonderfully festive books that you can really imagine being played out as a gorgeously cosy Christmas film.

More than just a typical feel good book though, there is a level of depth with the readers eyes being opened to a problem that may well be reflective of their own community. I think this book serves a purpose in highlighting the importance of food banks and the jeopardy they often find themselves facing.

What a beautiful idea, a unique take on typical fundraising – bringing to life the advent calendar within the community.  The three main characters, friends, work hard to pull off this incredible feat all in the hope of raising money for their local foodbank, so it can pay the rent needed to keep it going. As well as this each character is facing their own personal issues -whether that’s matters of the heart, possible illness and overzealous Mother in Laws.

Samantha Tonge has written a brilliant story with friendship and community at its heart and a cast of characters that will welcome you in and make you feel like you belong.  There are many ups, there are a great deal of lows; it has drama and misunderstanding, love and grief. You will go through a wide range of emotions throughout the festive journey our ladies undertake.

A wonderfully heart-warming, life affirming tale. I enjoyed every moment and highly recommend. 

About the Author

Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.
When not writing she passes her days cycling, baking and drinking coffee. Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women's magazines. 
She is represented by the Darley Anderson literary agency. In 2013, she landed a publishing deal for romantic comedy fiction with HQDigital at HarperCollins and in 2014, her bestselling debut, Doubting Abbey, was shortlisted for the Festival of Romantic Fiction best Ebook award. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2018 Forgive Me Not, heralded a new direction into darker women's fiction with publisher Canelo. In 2019 she was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association romantic comedy award

Follow Samantha

Website: http://samanthatonge.co.uk/

Twitter: @SamTongeWriter

Facebook: @SamanthaTongeAuthor

BLOGTOUR: The Secret - Violet's Story: Eliza J Scott

The Secret – Violet’s Story

It’s been two years since glamorous and ambitious Violet Smith fell head-over-heels in love with blacksmith Jimby Fairfax, and moved back home to the North Yorkshire village of Lytell Stangdale to be with him.

Life couldn’t get much sweeter. Their romance is blooming and Romantique - the business she set up with Jimby’s sister Kitty, designing luxurious underwear and burlesque costumes with the odd wedding dress throw in - is thriving.

But on a romantic weekend break, a face from her past triggers a series of events which send Violet into turmoil. She finds herself with no alternative but to reveal a secret she’s buried deep for the past sixteen years. A secret she hasn’t shared with anyone, not even her best friends, Kitty and Molly, and they share everything.

With the revelation forcing a wedge between herself and Jimby, heartbroken Violet fears that he won’t ever be able to think of her in the same way again and won’t want anything more to do with her.

As ever, Kitty and Molly rally round, offering their advice and support but Vi is worried that keeping her secret was just a step too far for Jimby.

Will she succeed in showing him their love is strong enough to overcome it?

The Secret – Violet’s Story is book 3 in the Life on the Moors Series.

My Review:

You are in for a real gem with this book. What a cute, funny and emotional story with the focus on Violet. Her purple world, her gorgeous other half Jimby, wonderful friends and the idyllic community she loves being part of. We realise Violet has a secret that she has kept to herself for a very long time, does she risk everything and come clean? What will happen if those she loves know what she did?

I love Violet, she sounds gorgeous, glamourous and confident. She’s loved and loves in return and I don’t think there is a bad thing about her. When we find out about her secret, although it is awfully sad, we easily see that it wasn’t her fault and she was taken advantage of in a way. My heart broke for her when she did tell Jimby and he didn’t take the news well. I understood him being upset, hurt and wondering why she couldn’t be honest, but I think he handled it very poorly. (Don’t worry he soon sorts himself out!!)

There is a lot of heart and emotion throughout, moments of sadness are eclipsed by such tender, sweet scenes of special bonds between the characters.  There are some comedic moments with Jimby who is one of the most accident-prone characters I’ve ever read; his antics really added some lighter moments.

Eliza has a gorgeous writing style, very descriptive and the story progresses at a nice pace, I didn’t think it was rushed at all nor too slow. I read it quickly because I enjoyed it so much, I love how the stories played out, I loved learning more about these characters and I loved the community of Lytell Stangdale. 

If you haven’t read the first two books, I really think you’ll be absolutely fine, but I’d recommend them anyway. A gorgeous read for fans of a heart-warming romance. 

Thank you Eliza and Rach's Random Resources for the chance to read and review. 

Purchase  Links

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RNLR4M5

US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RNLR4M5

Author Bio: 

Eliza lives in a 17th-century cottage on the edge of a village in the North Yorkshire Moors with her husband, their two daughters and two mischievous black Labradors. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her Kindle or working in her garden. Eliza also enjoys bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop where she can indulge in another two of her favourite things: tea and cake.

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming stories with happy endings.

Social Media Links –

Blog: Eliza J Scott - elizajscott.com

Twitter: Eliza J Scott – @ElizaJScott1

Instagram: Eliza J Scott - @elizajscott